Through the work we do we are incredibly fortunate to find and learn about so many incredible local artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. Their stories, the lessons that they’ve learned and the legacies they are building inspire us beyond words. Below, we have highlighted a few of those amazing folks and we hope you’ll check out their stories and their responses to some of the fundamental questions the help form the foundation of our lives and careers.
Marshay Wells
Dear younger self, it’s even cooler being peculiar and popular, you don’t have to choose tables, you are the table. Read more>>
Heather Ashle
What a fun question! And one I expect will expose my eccentricities for the world to see… not that I was taking much pains to hide them. Look, I’m an author, so a community of characters lives inside my head and speaks through me regularly. I will be the first to tell you that every one of them embodies at least some aspect of me. Read more>>
Kay Harper
I almost give up all the time. My progress is slow but steady but I do yearn for more. I second guess my path… then remember if I weren’t doing this I’d still be doing this. Read more>>
Tina Black
Well, actually there was a season that I did give up! Years after buying our first cosmetology school, we opened our first salon. We lost a significant amount of money and ultimately made the difficult decision to close it. That season taught me more about leadership, systems, and resilience than any success ever could. Read more>>
Tikresha Warren
Yes, a time I almost gave up was last year in September when I was diagnosed with heart failure and hospitalized for a week. Read more>>
Jacob Schmiedicke
There have definitely been times when I felt like giving up, particularly times when I felt like I was working harder than ever, but wasn’t making any progress. It’s hard running a small business, because in some sense you’re always ‘on,’ and that difficulty is only compounded when you feel like that constant work isn’t paying off – either financially or in career growth. Read more>>
Orletta Caldwell
The nonprofit system is built on some dubious traditions. The biggest fallacy is the belief that an organization can deliver high-quality services while limiting infrastructure investment to an arbitrary 10 to 15 percent. This mindset ignores the reality that effective programs require strong systems, skilled staff, sound technology, and healthy organizations. Read more>>
Stacey MacLeod
As a mostly ‘untrained’ artist, but after years of practicing my art–I am now confident enough to do large-scale, multi-media drawings. I believe courage is a muscle humans develop, as creators and visual artists. Read more>>
Caleb Opp
I have had to rebuild and restart my business three times. This truly is my passion. I first started my business in 2011. Over six years, I built a sustainable business that allowed me to balance my personal and professional life. Then I met my husband, lol. Crazy how a good love story can disrupt and change your entire life course. Read more>>
Chrys Bonnay-Lewis
As a child, I was hard of hearing, and this wasn’t recognized until I was about eight years old. I underwent several surgeries during my childhood to improve my hearing, and despite this challenge, I was not held back in school. However, because I couldn’t hear well, I missed out on learning phonics like my peers, which put me behind academically. Read more>>
Jennifer Wilson
What sets me apart in this industry? Mastering the flow of a successful wedding day—my unseen advantage. I know when to step in, when to step back, and what a crowd truly wants. I excel at curating the perfect timeline, ensuring every moment of my couples’ wedding day is intentional and memorable. Read more>>
Mama Rainbow
One of the most life-changing wounds of my life was my tailbone injury in March 2023. It was by far the worst pain (on all levels) I have ever experienced in my entire 30 years of living. Ultimately it was a call from the Universe to heal, release old energies, let go of old ways of being, shift directions, & reflect. Read more>>
Jerome Forde
I’m not sure if it’s age or what, but the part of me that viewed itself through the way other people see me is dead. Or at least I’m pretty sure of it. As far back as I can remember, I felt like my skin wasn’t really my own. It didn’t fit right. So I couldn’t really understand myself–or maybe I just didn’t want to. Read more>>
Kristie Mulder
I feel like I have picked up valuable pieces from various leaders and mentors I’ve encountered along the way. I remember my coach and athletic trainer in college pointing out how much I enjoy relationships with people. Mentors during my clinicals taught me the importance of looking to the research to find answers. Read more>>
Camille
I was very doubtful, and unfortunately, lacked Faith! Yes, I was always the listening ear, encouraging others, but for some reason when it came to my own challenges, I lacked Faith. This was before I had my breakthrough, and found the all living Jesus Christ! Read more>>
Julius Buzzard
Yes. I’m not doing this for myself; I’m doing it for my family and my community. I’m doing it so the folks who look like me, who want to belong, never have to wonder if they do. Every effort, every long day, every small win becomes part of a foundation they can stand on so the next generation can reach further than I ever could. Read more>>
FME Giovanii
Doubting myself, the biggest fight of my life is with me my emotions and my thoughts which holds me back at times Read more>>
Lisa Gaiter
My relationship with my grandmother who raised me to be the woman that I am today. My grandmother was such a strong woman and believed in never giving up no matter what the obstacles that you face. It’s because of her that I am strong enough to use my voice to advocate, write and speak for others. Read more>>
