Winning comes in so many different forms that it’s hard to define, but you know it when you see it.  The CanvasRebel community is filled with so many incredible folks who have overcome long odds, challenged the status quo and won. Below, you’ll find stories of these winners along with much of the accumulated wisdom on what it takes to succeed.

Nick Abstract

Absolutely. My art journey began at a young age with a love for sketching and drawing, nurtured by my close-knit family. My grandmother and several aunts and uncles are painters and enthusiasts of the arts. Some of my cousins are into painting canvases, animation, and other artistic forms. Art has been a constant presence in my life for as long as I can remember. While only a few family members pursued art professionally, many paint as a hobby, which I find pure and inspiring in its own right. It wasn’t until I started painting graffiti in 2013 that I truly came alive as an artist. This experience allowed me to listen to my inner voice and let it guide my creative endeavors, embarking on a thrilling journey of artistic exploration, eventually leading to my mural painting and studio practice today. Read more>>

Justin Kerr

After earning a degree from Rhode Island School of Design, my first job was roofing houses — a humbling experience and an important step in my personal growth. I eventually landed a position as a graphic designer and have spent the past 30+ years developing my skills in brand strategy and design. I spent much of my career working for different organizations before starting my own design and branding agency in 2016. In 2019, I made one of the most significant branding decisions of my career when I combined my profession (design) with my passion (historical re-enactor as a pirate). It helped distinguish me in the marketplace and provided a persona many people gravitated to. Now, when I attend networking events I simply write “pirate” on my name tag and have the most interesting conversations Read more>>

Johanny Navarro

I grew up immersed in music, thanks to my father, a Latin jazz composer, arranger, and pianist. Our living room was filled with the sounds of his piano and compositions, which my brothers and I would dance and sing along to. This early exposure, combined with my father’s teachings about the rich music traditions of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, deeply influenced me. I became fascinated by the aesthetics of Caribbean music and its spirited rhythms and energy. As I matured as a composer, I sought to blend classical music traditions with Caribbean aesthetics. This journey of exploration helped me craft a unique sound that reflects my heritage and artistic vision. My influences are diverse, ranging from my cultural background to nature and even food. Inspiration strikes in various forms, and when it does, it ignites a compelling need within me to create and share new music. Read more>>

Anthony Amos of Concepts to Kicks

It all started with dandelions. Loads of them, right there in our summer yard, buzzing with bees that seemed to have a personal vendetta against me. After one too many stings, I developed a pretty intense fear of these tiny buzzers and decided the great indoors was safer than the floral battlefield outside. To keep me from climbing the walls in boredom, my mom tossed me some crayons and construction paper. Little did she know, she wasn’t just keeping me busy; she was setting the stage for my life’s passion. Drawing became more than a pastime; it gave me a sense of identity and accomplishment. By the time I was ten, I was already taking summer classes at the Art Institute of Chicago, a place I’d come to know well thanks to my grandma. She worked downtown and spent our weekends together showing me the city’s art scene—turning every stroll through a museum or gallery into a mini-masterclass. Read more>>

J’bria Iyalla of Luxe Eighty

It came a time in life where I realized I needed to find my voice. I needed to know WHO “J’Bria” really was. Most of my childhood and young adulthood was made up of insecurities and suppressed feelings. It took breaking free of things that didn’t serve my purpose, praying, healing, and manifesting the life I wanted and deserved to get to where I am today. When I came up on my awakening, I knew my purpose was help others get to their purpose. Help them find themselves again.  I also take joy in doing things for our underserved community. I knew my purpose went above myself. Whether it is doing blessing bags for the homeless, taking in items and clothing for those in need, or coaching and helping others find their confidence; the purpose remains the same. Read more>>

Coach Kamshuka Barrocks of The Conscious Warriors

I was born in Uganda, and a survivor of the Ugandan Civil War. My family and I faced unimaginable hardships, including loss, displacement, and constant uncertainty even as we found ourselves in the Gulf War aka Dessert Storm in 1990. We were forced to flee our country, leaving behind everything we knew including our loved one and set out to reunite with our mother who left during the Ugandan Civil war. Surviving the WarSurvival became a daily challenge. We stayed at families homes, when we moved to India for several years, where I faced the challenges of being black but also encountered sexual & verbal abuse. These experiences profoundly shaped my understanding of human strength and the power of hope.  Read more>>

Kelee Love

When I was invited to contribute to the “Inspiring Stories” section of this publication, I felt a pang of inadequacy. Even though I’ve shared my resilience before, life has a way of forcing us to confront our deepest truths. Am I truly inspiring? Perhaps those I’ve worked with over the past decade might see it differently. Inspiration, like beauty, is subjective. The beauty of the journey emerges from embracing our fragmented parts and making peace with our stories. My journey began at rock bottom after a devastating divorce in 2011. Struggling with addiction and near homelessness, I took my first step toward recovery: humility and asking for help. Amidst the darkness, a persistent inner voice urged me to face my pain rather than numb it. Small, consistent actions—like making my bed and writing gratitude lists—became the foundation for rebuilding my life. Gradually, I incorporated self-love practices such as therapy, nutritious meals, and creative expression, which nurtured my confidence and guided me to help others. Read more>>

Taylor Lianne Chandler

I left home at 15, emancipated at 16, and put myself through college, but I struggled with homelessness, being hungry, past trauma and living with Borderline Personality Disorder. The ultimate kicker was being born Intersex, genital mutilation surgery, and embarking on a journey to undo the wrong done to me. At 41 my whole life turned upside down when it became public I’d been dating Michael Phelps, the Gold Medalist Olympic Swimmer. Now at 51 I think I’ve got my act together. Read more>>

Maritza Camacho of Uplifting vGym

My experience with training began 23 years ago when my cousin and I decided to join a gym to get Prom Ready! Lol… I quickly realized that I loved how the personal trainers looked.. strong and confident. I decided I wanted to become one but held back because I felt as if I didn’t “look” like them. Fast forward, and my daughter later, I still always wondered what it would have been to be a personal trainer. When my daughter was 8, something ran across my mind… if I wanted my daughter to be fearless when chasing her dreams, what kind of example was I giving her for not pursuing mine because of how I thought I looked? I decided I had to go for it! I resigned from my position as a retail sales manager and transitioned to a commercial gym as a personal trainer. Read more>>

Mai-kee Tsang of Mai-kee Tsang Media Ltd.

It was my third year in university, and as well as studying for my final exams to achieve my Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology – I was simultaneously studying for my certification to become a Health & Wellness Coach. With both my degree and certification in hand, I was literally at a crossroads after graduation. I decided by listening to my gut… which essentially screamed “Mai-kee, this is NOT for you. Not this way…” after the welcoming ceremony on my first day of university. So for me? The choice was simple – go after the unconventional and unpaved route that had a world of wonder to explore. Of course, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It took a good few years of part-timing as a barista to pay the bills, studying how to *actually* run a business with zero experience in the evenings, and volunteering on the weekends at business events in London. Read more>>

Constance Prince

Before I begin my story I would like to take this moment to thank you for such a wonderful opportunity. I am honoured by this experience. My art journey began without conscious recognition because art has always drawn me in. It feels impossible to separate myself from creativity; art is an integral part of who I am. Even in my earliest memories, I see art woven into my experiences, going back to my nursery days. The first time I picked up a paintbrush, it felt like destiny—it never left me, and I never stopped. As an aspiring artist, the burning desire to create remained constant. The question was never whether I wanted to be an artist, but rather how to become one.  Read more>> 

Nicqueva Haughton

Hello, my name is Nicqueva and I feel as though my story would parallel with that of many other human beings in the world, where we are striving to reach goals, striving to love deeply, and striving to succeed in our gifts. One things for sure, I didn’t get where I am today by myself, I have my family to thank, my friends to thank and most of all I have God to thank. I am a person of extreme faith, so where I am today is not anything I envisioned as a child, and even some of the things that I did see, I just never imagined that it would bring me to this present state of being. I’ve always been a creative and creating is my absolute favorite thing to do.  Read more>>

Michael Lentz’s Story

I began playing music at age 14. I was into rock and folk at the time and did not think much about DJs. However after learning about rhythm and hip hop I gained appreciation for DJs. I decided to get into this business after my wedding. The DJ at my wedding made the night incredible and I want to give couples the same feeling of awe and sublime satisfaction everyone deserves on their wedding night. Read more>>

Jonathan Oberti’s Story

I always knew I wanted to be in fashion and design, just didn’t know how I could get there. To earn some extra cash, I would work weekends at my dad’s optical shop in North Miami. It was there where I recognized that eyewear was no longer just a medical device, it was a fashion accessory and I could channel my love for fashion and design through a pair of glasses. For the next two months, I drew eyewear designs in my room every day and eventually got prototypes made with no idea of what to do next. My designs were there but I needed to learn the business of eyewear. What better way than to work for all the eyewear brands I looked up to? That’s what I did for the next 10 years, always with the knowledge that one day I would start my own when I felt I was ready to. Read more>>

Kaitlan Vosler

Cream and Concrete started when I experimented with pouring a concrete planter in 2016. I was immediately hooked with the craft! I would ask myself, “what else can I make out of concrete?” Since then, I have refined and simplified my process and my style to create the concrete home decor brand you see today. Read more>>

Leland Klassen

I grew up in a small rural town in Saskatchewan, Canada. We were either poor or really, really cheap, I could never tell which. We didn’t spend much money on anything and almost everything I had was handed down. Didn’t love wearing my sister’s dresses but you get used to it. Okay, that didn’t happen, but everything else was a hand me down. I moved to Saskatoon the day after I graduated high school to attend the University of Saskatchewan. I have a B.A. in Anthropology. I have never used my degree. Well, once I used it to prop up the window in the upstairs bedroom. Anyway, I became a stand-up comedian after I got married. I all of a sudden had all this material and didn’t know what to do with it so I figured, maybe I’ll go talk about it to strangers. I’m the kind of person who goes all in once I decide to do something. So, that’s what I did.  Read more>>

Madisyn Banks’s Story

I hail from the heart of the South, born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to be precise. Growing up in a single-parent household instilled in me a deep sense of resilience and optimism from a young age. With my mother often working long hours to make ends meet, I found solace and purpose in staying busy, nurturing a passion for creativity and the arts that has remained with me throughout my life. From early childhood, I gravitated towards artistic expression, finding joy in dance, music, and acting. I immersed myself in various creative outlets, participating in organizations like the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre, Actor’s Charitable Theater, The Alabama Choir School, Alabama Blues Project, and Dancing Stars of Tuscaloosa. Alongside my artistic pursuits, I maintained a strong academic record, actively engaging in academic distinction programs that fueled my intellectual curiosity. Read more>>

Qing Lei

My name is Qing Lei, from a small city in Guangdong Province, China. I am a graphic and UI/UX designer with a passion that began in childhood, influenced by frequent doodling and a love for Japanese manga. My formal training started in fifth grade when my parents encouraged me to take drawing lessons. In middle and high school, I focused on still life sketches and color theory, but the repetitive nature of this work eventually felt limiting. Seeking new creative horizons, I majored in visual communication design during my undergraduate studies. This field opened up innovative ways for me to express my ideas through color, typography, and layout. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I pursued further education at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta, USA.  Read more>>

Ayelet Werner

My journey into brand design kicked off in June 2021 during a pretty intense time in my life. I had just got married, quit my job and was also dealing with the recent loss of someone very close to me. I was feeling very lost and overwhelmed, until one day I randomly came across a YouTube video of someone creating this incredible brand identity. That was the moment that changed everything for me. Although I had a background in graphic design, I was unsure of my path until that video totally pulled me in to the world of brand design and I finally felt like I found my calling. Read more>>

Rob Demlow & Scott Carr

Brotherhood Designs is Scott Carr and Rob Demlow. We are full-time firefighters in Hamilton County, Indiana and formed this company to make Patriotic art made from retired fire hose. Brotherhood was created due to the opportunity to hand deliver one of our original standard Engine Series flags to country music legend, John Rich, and hung it in the roof-top bar area at Redneck Riviera in February of 2022. That happened to be the 3rd flag we placed on the strip at the time after Tootsies and Lucky Bastard Saloon. Since then, we have placed 3 more, at Whiskey River Saloon, AJ’s Good Time Bar and the new JBJ’s, for a total of 6 venues on Broadway. Read more>>

Jeremy C. Watson

My journey started in late 2019. My youngest son left a note that read, “Thank God for making people with color…because without color, the world would be blank like paper.” From that note, I was inspired to write and self-publish my first book, which I dedicated to my youngest son, Ian, titled If the World Was Without Color. It is a children’s book that reminds us that color is a part of God’s divine landscape of life. Be it the red of roses, the hazel of eyes, or the bronze of complexion, color is a part of God’s expression and is something to be appreciated. Sometimes, it takes an honest note from a nine-year-old to make adults remember that we are not color blind for a reason: sight is a gift. Read more>>

Marly Mcfly

I’m a visual storyteller. My creations include but are not limited to paintings, murals, toys, animation, and apparel. I incorporate pop culture to create narrative driven works revolved around my original characters Zook and Raya. Read more>>

Rilla Force

My name is Rilla Force, I’m a full time music entrepreneur, artist, record producer, audio engineer, & DJ. My story begins in high school where I used to KRUMP with a bunch of the homies and we would to go to a local boys and girls club and they happen to have a recording studio. as a group we decided that maybe we should try maing KRUMP music but I was the only one who stuck with it. after a few years passed and I was strictly making KRUMP dance music a friend of mine suggested I try creating hip hop and R&B, so I did. later only in the Soundcloud era I got put on to many types of electronic music that I instantly fell in love with. Read more>>

Lynda Fraser Fraser of Lynda Layne Consulting

Lynda Bio– worked in human resource roles for 20+ years assisting staff, students, collective agreements, multi-million-dollar budgets, hiring, firing and training.– Due to health reasons, I needed a career change – I wanted to start my own business, so I went back to school and became a Certified Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Practitioner and career and Life Coach to empower individuals by addressing their cognitive and emotional patterns and employing evidence-based techniques to guide my clients in reshaping negative thought patterns and behaviours, enabling them to achieve meaningful change in their lives I wanted to learn more and help people more, so I went back to school and completed a Master of Science (MSc.) in Psychology from the University of Essex, UK. This provided me with a solid foundation for understanding human behaviour and the intricacies of the human mind.  Read more>>

Cindu Thomas-george of Shakti Diversity and Equity Training

My professional journey began over two decades ago in San Francisco, California, after I earned a graduate degree in Communication Studies with a specialization in Intercultural Communication. The insights and skills I acquired during my studies were transformative, deepening my understanding of the challenges I faced growing up as the daughter of Indian immigrants. More significantly, my education empowered me with the tools necessary to guide others in fostering a workplace culture that values inclusion and belonging. When I founded Shakti Training, the landscape of communication was vastly different. Social media was just emerging, the iPhone had yet to be introduced, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was not a widely recognized field. With limited avenues for brand awareness, I took proactive steps to establish my business. Read more>>

Javan Hamilton

Well, I’ve been interviewed before as a freelance motion designer and video producer in the Houston, Texas area. Since then, I took a day job as a senior staffer on Capitol Hill, where in my free time, I’ve fallen back in love with commercial aviation and became immersed in passenger rail. My mom is a veteran flight attendant for a mega carrier here in the United States, so I basically grew up in airports. I launched “Birdwatching,” a plane spotting and flight video series on my YouTube channel in 2020, where I wouldn’t begin doing videos in earnest until 2023. Before that, my channel was nothing but production reels, résumé videos and corny game show nonsense that I now resent. Read more>>

Dubois of MIND YOUR BUSINESS

since the start of my entrepreneurial journey, many clients got me this fun nickname “Frenchie, the dot connector,” but I’m Aurélie, business strategist with a story unlike most. For over 15 years, I thrived in Parisian fashion, a world away from Chicago. Life threw me curveballs, and I felt stuck in a school admin job, I felt that familiar itch – the one that whispers, “Is this it?” Looking back at my Parisian days, coordinating production and jetting around to factories, I knew I had more to offer. So, I took a deep breath. Just like many, I craved fulfillment, not just a paycheck. This wasn’t a one-day leap. I was freshly divorced, single mother, financial and health hardship and in my 40’s ! so making this huge change in life required me to make powerful changes: I prioritized my health (lost 75 lbs), learned financial literacy, and built a rock-solid business foundation – all while keeping my day job for over 2 years while building my business. It took time, sweat, and maybe a good cry or two at time! Read more>>

Corey (øbe) Coleman’s Story

My name is Corey Coleman (ØBE), and I am the innovator and creator of the hottest new indie comic Shaolin Moorz. Shaolin Moorz follows the story of Yah, Clotho, and Void. 3 friends that come from different walks of life that join together to unify the Neo-African country Twilight to battle against the corporate giant Borgia who has invaded, poisoned, and cause division amongst the nation. You will experience this journey through each of their eyes as they are faced with similar obstacles that expose the trio’s core values, and how they process decisions due to their personal background and upbringing. Read more>>

Derek Van Barham’s Story

Hello! My name is Derek Van Barham. I am the Producing Artistic Director at Kokandy Productions, the Content and Communication Manager at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and a freelance director/choreographer in Chicago. I moved to Chicago 15 years ago for grad school and to study improv, and I just fell in love with the city. I’m originally from Mississippi, and Chicago has always felt like an expansion of the small town vibe, mixed with healthy doses of hustle and bustle.  I started as a performer, then shifted my artistic focus to directing and choreographing. I also developed a knack for marketing; first, out of necessity, then out of passion. There’s an “all hands on deck” mentality to so much of the storefront theatre scene, and every skill can be an asset. As we’d be producing shows, there would be a need for posters, publicity and written copy… and I found it all to be an extension of our storytelling.  Read more>>

Erik Youngquist of Folksvangr Forge

When I was about 14, I somehow came into possession of an old book on blacksmithing. My father and I read it and planned to make a forge together, but somehow never got to it. Thirty years later, my wife talked me into taking a one day blacksmithing class……I was immediately hooked. I took a few more classes from that blacksmith, and it all grew form there…I put together a forge, with all the basics either bought or made. Over time I got better and fell deeper in love with the art and trade of blacksmithing, and soon I was selling a few things here and there. With my wife’s encouragement, I began to set up my small side hustle to be a proper business, getting an LLC, an EIN, and the tools and equipment I’d need. Read more>>

Tri Distinction

At TRI Distinction, we embrace diversity and inclusivity in our collections. Our jewelry and accessories draw inspiration from various sources such as femininity, masculinity, culture, and affinity groups. By utilizing materials like beads, wire design, resin, clay, and fabric, we craft vibrant and exclusive pieces. Our aim is to make every client feel exceptional and truly unique, as they are the sole wearer of their one-of-a-kind jewelry. We are grateful for the opportunity to once again collaborate with Canvas Rebel and share our journey. Since 2020, we have broadened our involvement and are continuously solidifying our position as a reputable women-owned enterprise. Our participation as panel speakers at The 49th State Women’s Forum: Unfinished Business – Ladies Who Launch, which showcased Alaska entrepreneurs, was a significant milestone for us. Read more>>

Jason Farley

From an early age, I harbored a profound interest in the arts, nurturing my creative pursuits through various projects spanning from comic illustration and character design to cartooning. Encouraged by familial support, I embarked on a distinctive journey towards my artistic aspirations. Opting for a strategic approach, I enlisted in the military post high school, securing a stable platform and availing myself of beneficial opportunities such as the GI Bill, which facilitated my formal education in the arts. My tenure at The American Academy of Art in Chicago not only honed my skills but also afforded me invaluable professional experiences, notably within the realm of advertising, where I contributed to the creation of storyboards and print illustrations for corporate entities. While specializing in illustration, I pursued a minor in traditional oil painting, a discipline that continues to inform my artistic oeuvre, predominantly characterized by figurative expressions. Read more>>

Kory Davis

Kory Davis Liquid Love Started during the pandemic and has been going strong for the past 3 years and counting. We were originally GA based and now we have relocated to Washington, DC. I believe in the saying “your side-hustle will make room for your dream!” Kory Davis Liquid Love is the pathway to eventually owning my own lounge; Yndulge Lounge- a specialty cocktails and taps style venue. Read more>>

Estee Kamalani’s Story

My journey began with a deep-rooted passion for understanding the world and fostering personal growth. After earning my master’s degree in International Relations, I felt a strong calling toward a path of personal development and spiritual exploration.I started my professional career as an Customer Service Assistant at Alo Yoga, working remotely, learning how to speak to customers, problem solving and, effectively, learning what people need. This was the start of my time working on and with teams, learning how to be an active leader. I then transitioned to a Manager role at my favorite coffee spot, Waffleshot in Los Angeles, CA. In this role, I honed my skills in office administration, team management, and project efficiency.  Read more>>

David Brendel of Leading Minds Executive Coaching

How can we explain, predict, and influence the thoughts and actions of human beings? That complex and tortured question has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. This deep interest led me to study philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology throughout college, medical school, graduate school, and beyond. It led me to build a career in both psychiatry and executive coaching. The common thread that ties the various dimensions of my work together is powerful dialogue. By asking incisive questions that prompt people to enhance their self-awareness, we build a trusting professional relationship that empowers people’s self-discovery and decision making. I continue to be amazed at the high impact this can have. Read more>>

Millyann Saing

I’m Millyann Saing from Long Beach, California. I am a first generation Cambodian-American and mommy of 2 adorable kids! My parents came to America to escape the Cambodian genocide in the 80’s. Because of their sacrifice and determination, I was able to live a beautiful life in California. Growing up it was a blend of learning cambodian culture mixed with american values and traditions. I was able to go on to become Miss Cambodian American 2016 and embrace both cultures. However, after losing my mother to a rare blood cancer and becoming a mom myself, I started to find myself on a new path exploring spirituality, metaphysics, and holistic healing. I discovered my natural healing abilities and a profound purpose in life to help others heal from trauma and grow in their spiritual journey.

Tawny Darling of Adventure Harvest

My partner, Robert, and I share a love for the outdoors and we often have fun foraging for edible plants in our area. When Covid hit, we were both laid off from our jobs. With our newfound abundance of time we began making syrups and selling them at the local farmers market. First, we sold our products in Mason jars, with Sharpie labels. Then the next week, we added ribbon and hand-written tags. We began adding new products reflecting whatever was growing as the season progressed. We found someone selling hot sauce bottles in town and we winced at the thought of using up $300 to buy bottles when we were already hurting for money, but we took the leap anyway. Robert would make the syrups, we would bottle it together, then I would hand-write and cut tags, and tie them on with a ribbon. Read more>>

Michael Wilson

I got started in 2006 in New York City, working for various photographers as a photo assistant. This turned into a full-time role in which I was able to travel around the world for various assignments alongside Martin Schoeller, a well-regarded celebrity and editorial photographer. I learned so much about lighting and managing situations on set that in 2013, when my partner and I moved to Maine, I was able to utilize those skills to begin building my own career. Throughout much of the 2010s, I took on every assignment I could, whether it was editorial, commercial, event, wedding, or just personal projects. This really helped me grow both in the scope of my interests and in my ability to manage different sets. This year, which I have dubbed a “building year,” I am hoping to increase the scale of projects I work on, adding levels of complexity that I have not dealt with before. Read more>>