Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
Jen Way
I’ve never been much of a straight-line person. My life feels more like wayfinding than walking a path. I’m always listening for the next breadcrumb, the next shift in light, the next quiet nudge that tells me, “Here… look here.” I wander, yes — but not lost. Read more>>
Callee Knoll
Suffering is a much better teacher than success. When times get hard, it forces you to evaluate your decisions, what your priorities are, and how to better not only yourself but your situation. These last 4 years of owning Archival have been a masterclass in turning hard times into learning and growth. Read more>>
Kaitlin Oster
I feel like I’m about to veer hard left here, but I actually think these two words are more related than we give credit. Both require us to reconcile internally if we ever want to make it out alive. I think that you need to be just as prepared to accept low points as you need to be ready to accept success. Read more>>
Eric Johnson
The biggest wound in my life came in 2021 with the murder of my father (aka Pops), and his dog Xena. Pops was not only my father, but a best friend… and Xena was a 130-pound loveable, funny, obedient, and very well-behaved Italian mastiff. To be honest, I’m not sure I can find words to describe the wounds that occurred when Pops was murdered. Read more>>
Kimberly Baltimore
When my time here is done, I want people to remember me as a woman who refused to live small. A woman who stood in her truth with fire in her chest and conviction in her voice. Someone who spoke up when silence was easier, who fought when others backed down, and who protected people with a loyalty that couldn’t be shaken. Read more>>
carita miller
The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that I was fully dedicated to my craft and the people around me. I want to be remembered as someone who poured her heart into music and the business behind it, but even more as someone who used her gifts to lift others up. Read more>>
Loui$ Automatic
The part of me that sought external praise or validation. I understand now that my true validation comes from within and being a master of one self. Once I get the energy within myself right, the external world will reciprocate that energy. Read more>>
Derek Williams
Making my record label successful. When I was an artist I had a lot of people telling me not to pursue music, that it’s a shot in the dark. My zodiac sign is a Leo and one thing about Leos that is 100% facts is our resilience! Read more>>
Rick Stringer
Craig Mitchell Smith. Before meeting Craig, I didn’t take my photography seriously. Most of what I did was just casual iPhone photos, the way many of us do. But when I photographed his glass work, he saw something in those images that I hadn’t recognized in myself yet. His belief in what I was creating changed the direction of my life. Read more>>
Gina Gott
I was trying desperately, and failing, to be what my parents thought I should be. I didn’t fit in, did not excel in school or sports and didn’t dress to fit trends. But the 80’s were all about fitting in, so i tried like so many. Today I thrive in my organized disorganization and dress to please myself. Read more>>
Nicole Saleh
Yes, absolutely! I believe that giving your best should come from an internal drive, rather than the anticipation of external praise. When we are operating from passion and a place of genuine purpose, then the work itself becomes the reward. For me, interior design is exactly that kind of calling. Read more>>
Jared Woods
I think people will misunderstand my confidence for cockiness. You see, I believe, so don’t let my confidence offend your insecurities. I’ve had a blessed life. So I’m humbled. But others may not have been as blessed and may take my confidence as overboard. But they just have small thoughts and marginalize their thoughts. Read more>>
Cheyenne Franks (Gonzalez)
A normal day for me is extremely full, and extremely scheduled out. To be as productive as possible, I schedule out just about everything but bathroom breaks. Wearing as many hats as I do in a day, I must stay disciplined. My day usually starts at 3am. Read more>>
Michael Ross
I get up between 5-6am; the only time the house is quiet and I can do some reading while drinking too much coffee. Read more>>
Jason Fylan-Mares
Standing next to my wife Amanda Fylan on a warm September night at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, amongst 85,000 other fans as Oasis broke into the opening chords of ‘Hello.’ Read more>>
Ken Macgregor
Really, I’m learning from everyone and everything around me, all the time. I think that if we stop learning, we die. Most notably, I’m learning from my kids (one recent adult and one in high school), as they assert themselves, finding their own paths as human beings, outside of who they are as my children. Read more>>
