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.

Brandi Scott

I’ve always been a unique and inquisitive person, but after my mother’s passing in 2012, I found myself on a spiritual journey of growth and development that continues today. My background involves being a federal employee tethered to #CubicleNation, and years of sedentary activity led to lower back and mobility issues. As I learn more about myself, my body, and continue along this journey, my tribe has grown to include really vibrant healers and practitioners, and at the forefront is Dr. Darrien. Read more>>

Teron Brown

Growing up in the vibrant and historical streets of Washington D.C., I often found myself dreaming of a different life—a life filled with lights, cameras, and the allure of storytelling. It wasn’t until I saw my childhood friend, Ivan Cloyd, gracing the screen with his powerful performances that I realized my dream could become a reality. The moment I saw Ivan, a spark ignited within me. I knew I had to connect with him and learn the ropes of the acting business. Read more>>

Belinda Allen

Hello, I’m Belinda Allen, the Empowerment Cheerleader and CEO of TRU 2 FITNESS HEALTH (T2FH). My mission is to cheer leaders on and support them in achieving their fullest potential. Let me take you back to 2019, a pivotal moment in my career as a surgical nurse. I was immersed in a world where stress and burnout were the norm. I saw countless dedicated professionals, including myself, trapped in a relentless cycle of overwork and self-sacrifice. We were pushing ourselves to the limit, often compromising our own health and well-being for the demands of our careers. Read more>>

Adrian Waller

AJ Waller, also known as “Adrian Waller” is a singer-songwriter and lyricist based in Torbay in the United Kingdom.

He has been a singer for over 20 years and performed in events throughout the UK including in national and local competitions like The X Factor in 2015 where he participated in preliminary rounds as well as a show recording in the O2 Arena in London. Read more>>

Vernita Howard-Council

I was raised in the country, in a little white house. I lived with my parents, with their laughter and soft words, built a sanctuary of love that enveloped me from the day I was born. It was a two-family home, brimming with the warmth of shared meals and fun times. I grew up believing that love was invincible, a fortress that could weather any storm. When I began dating in my teens, I thought I’d found my own fortress. He was charming but goofey. I fell head over heels, envisioning a future laced with laughter and love, the kind I’d known as a child. So, when he proposed to me, my heart sang in joyous harmony—a dream come true. Read more>>

Juanita Omisade

Jynnyfa and I first encountered each other at Willis-Knighton Pierremont, a hospital located in Shreveport, Louisiana. I was experiencing an exceptionally challenging day at work. Jynnyfa took my hand and guided me to the nurse’s break room, where she began to pray with me. From that moment, we forged a deep friendship. Read more>>

Rachel Elliot

In high school I developed a love of film studies. This lead me to going to college to study Digital Filmmaking and Video Production. While in school, I developed my video production skills and began working in vide editing. From there I developed more skills in photography, graphic design, branding and digital marketing. Through some online resources and in the field work, I was able to expand my expertise and began working with brands to develop their media presence and marketing strategies. I believe it’s important for brands to have a cohesive visual message and for them to understand how they can leverage them to market their products and services. Read more>>

Sara Shiffrin

In many ways, I’m not entirely sure how I got started, because for as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with making things. I always wanted to learn anything that involved using my hands. Being an artist has always been a part of me, even before I had the words to explain it. Read more>>

Derek Mindler

I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, where my early childhood consisted of playing a lot of ice hockey. I was raised by a single mom, and she somehow managed to work, get up at the crack of dawn (or even before that) to drive me to the surrounding states for hockey games, and later on go back and finish her college degree, so she was definitely an inspiration and a big reason for my success. I’d always liked movies, and in my young teens I started experimenting with a little digital photo camera we had which had a video mode, and started making videos with my younger brother, paying him in quarters. After some years of that and when it came time to look into colleges, we discovered the nearby Bucks County Community College had a film degree, and I received my Associates degree from there, then transferred to SJU in New York City, where I graduated from their film program in 2014. Read more>>

Maeghan Scott

Of course! I currently own the Essex County, New Jersey territory of a home care franchise called Right at Home. Right at Home of Essex County has been family owned and operated for 20 years. In fact, we just hosted our 20 year anniversary celebration! My dad became owner of Right at Home of Essex County in 2004. In 2017, he became ill and I started taking time off of work to support his business. I was working for a PR agency in New York City, supporting consumer food & beverage brands, utilizing my background in communications, marketing and nutrition. When he passed away, I left the PR agency and took over his business full time. Read more>>

Nadia Geagea Pupa

My story begins when I was a kid. I was shy, nerdy, and always had my nose stuck in a book. Today, not much has changed. I’m still a nerd who loves books, but I’m not as shy as I used to be. I am the co-founder and CEO of Pique Publishing, Inc. and the host of a new podcast, The Editor’s Half Hour, which was founded in San Diego. Read more>>

Inez Ashworth

I was born in England in a pub, literally in a pub. I was surrounded by community up until my late teens, when life really started to kick in ands get a little rough. When I was 20 I was domestic violence survivor, diagnosed several illnesses and then met my partner who I am with today. Immigrating to Canada was really tough both personally and professionally. Today I now have my own Equity and Inclusion business , I wrote a chapter in a book called Landed featuring 30 immigrant women in Canada. I was diagnosed with ADHD 2 years ago which I found extremely eye opening and makes a lot of my life make sense. I love to give back to others and volunteer were ever time allows, or at least I am trying to do less :-) Read more>>

Amy Hobb

My name is Amy Hobb, and I am the owner of the Blue Umbrella Bakery located in Keokuk, Iowa. We specialize in custom desserts for all occasions while offering a variety of homemade desserts and baked goods. I started and ran the Blue Umbrella in my home kitchen back in 2018 while working a full-time job. A few years later, a storefront became available in our neighboring town, and we made the big leap and opened the doors to the bakery in February 2023. Read more>>

Tashun Miller

I started working after I graduated high school at the age of 19. Once I started learning all of the departments and mechanics of the job, I chose to become unionized. I continued to work within the union for 34 years. During my employment, I was able to learn and perfect my Customer Service skills, inventory skills, flexibility and community outreach skills. After retiring, I noticed that I had too much free time and needed to make some changes within my personal life. My days became longer, and I no longer enjoyed day to day activities. I had to brainstorm a way to get myself motivated, moving and making money! Read more>>

Dan Machanik

My name is Dan “Gonzo”Machanik and I am Stand Up Comedian based in the Bay Area with 37 years professional stage experience. I was brought up around show biz as my aunt was a TV producer with Ed Sullivan and Dick Clark and at the age of 3 did my first stand up gig for my extended family at the Fairfield Hotel in San Francisco. I was later brought up on Long Island and attended the Long Island School for performing Arts. I never really considered Stand up as a Career but at 20 I had taken a year off of College at CU Boulder to live in Aspen and get ‘in state tuition.’ Unfortunately, I was unsuited for much work and got fired off a Number of construction sites. Read more>>

Cathy Paraggio of NoNetz, Inc.

My son, Chris, told me he wanted to study music at college. I thought “Why do people fail at doing things they love?” Maybe they don’t understand the business around it. My career was in computer networks until I received a cancer diagnosis that left me without a voice for years. I started NoNetz with other neighborhood women to keep my head busy, until Chris shared his college plans. At that point, I bought out the other women and decided to use NoNetz as a teaching tool so he could understand how business works. Read more>>

Khadijah Page of KPage Studio

I completed my education at Paul Michell Hair Institute in 2013 and I’m a licensed cosmetologist located in Birmingham, AL . My journey started when I was young, Hair has always been my first love and passion, so making a career decision was easy because it has always been what I’ve enjoyed and loved doing. Hair is my creative space where I help my clients improve their self-image. The most exciting and rewarding part of being a hair stylist is seeing the smiles from my customers when they leave my salon. I believe that having healthy, well maintained hair can boost your confidence. Read more>>

Harper Spero of Made Visible

I spent the first decade of my career working for companies in Public Relations, Marketing & Event Production roles in beauty, tech, music, nonprofits and the health & wellness field. In 2012, my health took a turn while I was working the highest stress job I’d ever had. Getting my first gray hair on my first day on the job clearly was a sign for what was to come. I ended up having to take medical leave for two months to prioritize my health, something I’d never done before. And when I returned to work, I recognized that my health needed to remain a priority, so I made a career transition to producing events for nonprofits & health and wellness brands – allowing me to do work I was passionate about while prioritizing my health. I’d lived with a rare immunodeficiency, Hyper IgE Syndrome since birth and had so much shame about it that I had avoided sharing it with anyone. Read more>>

Andre Davis

ANDRE Davis Celebrity Hair Andre J. Davis has worked as a hairstylist in the fashion and music industries for over twenty years, specializing in custom hair weaves, wigs and extensions, with expertise in women’s and men’s hair restoration. Andre was trained at the Vidal Sassoon academy and began his career at Astor Place Haircutters, renowned for the trendsetting styling of New York’s Greenwich Village. After working at Bumble & Bumble, for the fashion and music industry, he became devoted to a private clientele relying on his expertise in hair loss acquired after losing his mother to bone cancer. He takes pride in the solutions he’s developed for alopecia, cancer, genetic thinning and balding and over processing. Andre was a lead stylist on TLC’s “A Model Life.” His work is also featured at the Academy Awards, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, WWD and Victoria’s Secret among others. Formally of Julian Farell (14 years).  Read more>>

Lynda Wilson

My story begins about 15 years ago, I have always been called to the social service field and I have a heart to serve. I have always had a special place in my heart for the community and helping individuals within that community. I have worked in various areas within the counseling field. I started my journey in substance abuse treatment and matriculated to the role of clinical director of a community health agency at one time, then I transitioned into a hospital setting on the mental health unit and I now I operate as a full-time private practice licensed supervising therapist. I am currently licensed in the states of Alabama, Georgia and telehealth in Florida. We also love to partner with other agencies as well to provide education to the community on mental and physical wellness. Our long term goal is to continue to expand and grow into different counties as well as different states that we are licensed in. Read more>>

Destiny Turner’s Story

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a singer. As I got older, I realized I enjoyed more than just the singing. Entertainer is the title I now choose for myself. My interest began with programs at my church and talent shows at my school. Around age 10, I began taking classical voice lessons. By age 11, I was the only 6th grader allowed into the musical theater program. My path took a turn in high school when I opted to go to an academics focused high school. Although rated the #1 high school in America, there were no arts programs to participate in. However, in college, I scored a music program scholarship and joined the school’s choirs. In 2018, I went professional and I’ve been growing ever since. Read more>>

Danielle Barbour

For as long as I can remember, I have ALWAYS loved helping people. As a child, I would visit elderly relatives with my parents on the weekends, and I remember always enjoying helping them. I would love to use my toy medical kit and treat everyone around me. These experiences cultivated my heart for people and their overall well-being. My desire to care for, encourage, and see to the overall well-being of people led me to strive for a career in nursing. Read more>>

Nosa Osagie’s Story

Growing up I have always had a passion for music and as time went on I started making songs as a hobby in High school, I didn’t really think I would take it as a career path back then but I noticed most people I shared my music with would tell me it was really good. As years went by I realized I just had a talent for it so I decided to give it my all and take it more serious. Once I made up my mind that was what I wanted I gradually started releasing mixtapes and videos and this has helped me cultivate a small but loyal fanbase over the years. I’m still working on expanding my fanbase on a national level but global recognition is the real goal. Read more>>

Messe À Bidias Rackel

Messe à Bidias Rackel was born in 1991 in Bafia, Cameroon. He lives and works in France, near Geneva. Messe started drawing and painting when he was seven, art rapidly becoming his preferred way of expressing his emotions and opinions.Self-taught, he mainly creates large-format acrylic canvases. Favouring figurative effects, his art is neo-expressionist, inspired by contemporary art while anchoring itself in primitive African style. While his artistic work is highly personal, his use of erratic writings and abstract forms, representing ancientAfrican figures and symbols, is sometimes compared to the paintings of Basquiat Read more>>

Dylan Goldberger’s Story

If I had to sum it up into one word, it would be “skateboarding”. When I was kid, my parents would drive me a few towns over to the closest skate shop, where I could spend hours looking at all the board graphics and stickers. My whole life revolved around skateboarding throughout high school and when I went to undergrad at Pratt in Brooklyn, although it was a great art school, I was mostly happy just to be in one of the greatest skateboarding cities in the US. Read more>>

 

 

Ermias Hagos

Hey! My name is Ermias Hagos. I was born in Asmara, Eritrea and came to Seattle at the young age of 3 with my mother. My father had helped us attain a visa and greeted us here. I grew up in Yesler Terrace (low-income) neighborhood, have three younger siblings I had to watch over and went to Garfield High my freshmen year. In 2016, my family and I had to move north to Ballard due to the low-income housing being re constructed. That transition was brutal for me as I had to make a whole new batch of friends in a new community where most people had already been friends for a year or more. Overall, I enjoyed my time at Ballard High but was still in my shell. Read more>>

 

Whitney Popa

When I was pregnant with our first child in 2016, I had a sexy new job with a long commute. I didn’t love the job, and I especially didn’t love the commute. Aside from six weeks of unpaid leave, I didn’t qualify for any motherhood benes. The compounding of it all—the whole making a human, not knowing how to work AND get to know him, how to make the math around all of it make sense—was really stressful. I had a big belly and cankles and felt like I was carrying a lot. In all ways. Read more>>

Jenna Sholinder

From a young age, I’ve always been fascinated by business. I vividly remember strolling through grocery store aisles with my dad, talking about product placement and why certain brands seemed to capture more attention than others. That early curiosity blossomed into a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship. After high school, I decided to dive into the world of mortgage brokering, with dreams of running my own mortgage business. Timing, however, had other plans. I earned my license in 2008, right as the market was crashing. Rather than letting this setback hold me back, my husband and I moved to Calgary, where he was completing his plumbing ticket education. During our time there, I transitioned into marketing and ad sales, gaining valuable experience over three years. Read more>>