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.
Emily Andrews
Yes, I absolutely would! I’ve learned that giving your all isn’t about whether anyone notices or praises you. It’s about integrity and pride in your own work ethic and values. Read more >>>
Austin Freeman
I feel like every young entrepenuer does this before the success, praise and success is a delayed indicator that your on the right track. You give your beat and do your best. And the praise comea later. Read more >>>
Nita Coney
Most definitely. I was raised to do everything with excellence and strive for the best in everything that I do. Being praised for it is not the reason, however nothing comes easy and having the things you want come with hard work. So putting your best foot and effort forward is ALWAYS THE BEST thing to do! Read more >>>
Jerrell Grimes
Yes. To be honest, that’s what being the first 21st century Black author from Newport, Rhode Island has been like. Historically speaking, I recognize the importance and significance of what I have accomplished. Read more >>>
Dr. Carleah East
If I retired tomorrow, my customers would miss my realness. They would miss having someone who doesn’t just tell them what they want to hear, but what they need to hear, with love, with humor, and with compassion. They would miss the safe space I create where it’s okay to be messy, to be vulnerable, and to still feel powerful in the process. Read more >>>
Delsé Del Valle
If I retired tomorrow, I think my customers would miss the overall experience they get when they book a photoshoot with my company. From the moment a customer accesses the DCD images website, they are greeted with a warm and welcoming introduction to the company and what we offer. Each experience is completely customized for every client. Read more >>>
Doug Burns
At the moment, and for most of my life, I have been chasing the dream of being recognized as a serious musician and songwriter. It’s an incredibly difficult goal to achieve simply because a great deal of it is based on being in the right place at the right time and a lot of luck. Read more >>>
The Black Ace
I’m chasing what lies beyond greatness. I feel like I’m chasing answers but more than anything, perspective. I don’t need all the answers in the world but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to know. Understanding often leads to peace/peace of mind and I want those around me to feel at peace. If I were to stop, it would be akin to not existing. Read more >>>
Lora Hypnosis
Many people hear Lora Hypnosis and think only of the service side, that my business is simply about offering a reading or guiding a hypnosis session. What’s often misunderstood is that this work is more than a single session or service; it’s a whole business that I am building and running on my own. Read more >>>
Bo Irik
When the sea is rough and tours have to be cancelled, both our skippers and our team are just as disappointed as our customers. Read more >>>
Sarah Stowe
I think a lot of people still believe therapy is only for when you’re in a full-on crisis, like something has to be really wrong to go. The truth is, most of the people I work with are high functioning and appear to the outside world that they are doing really well. Read more >>>
Diana Scafoglio
I think a lot of people assume we are ‘playing with flowers’ and having so much fun as florists. In reality, half our job is cleaning and carrying ridiculously heavy things. Yes, there is so much beauty in floristry, flowers, and the meanings and intentions behind them. But like many other industries, it has it’s gritty, back breaking sides to it. Read more >>>
Shay Kent
There are people who come into your life for a moment and others who stay for a lifetime. I was lucky to find my husband, Ash, nearly three decades ago when we were just 15 years old. He’s always seen me in a way that I’ve been largely blind to. Read more >>>
Kesha Porter
I would say my relationship with my niece over the last few years have shaped this most. She’s only 10 years old so I’ll explain. My niece Kennedy’Rae thinks I’m the coolest person on the planet. To me that’s all every aunt wants from their nieces and nephews. In her eyes, I can do no wrong and I approach life with that in mind. Read more >>>
Ashlyn T. Baker
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is my relationship with God. In 2023, I hit a season of complete surrender. I was staying with a friend, sleeping on an air mattress, and at one of the lowest points in my life at the time. Yet it was in that place that I chose to rededicate my life to Christ. Read more >>>
Lane Fatherree
Police Officers by the name of Rodger Smith and David Leach, Chatham Police Department They taught me that i have more to life than being sad and gloomy, always pushing me to reach for my goals. Without them i wouldn’t be where I am today. Read more >>>
Tonya Martines
For many years, I was doing what I was told, and it was ruining my inner spark. It went so deep that, at some point, I couldn’t even tell whether my wishes and interests were truly mine or if society had imposed them on me. Read more >>>
Gabriela Arroyo
I feel like this year I’ve finally found the path that God has be calling me to. As much as I love my music, I have also found a passion in nursing. God has called me to heal people in a way that I never thought I could. Read more >>>
Keren Clark
What I’m most proud of building that nobody sees is my relationship with myself – the deep inner work I’m doing to heal childhood trauma and reconnect with my inner child. This journey isn’t visible to clients, but it’s foundational to everything I do. When I help women feel safe and heard, it’s because I’m learning to create that safety for myself. Read more >>>
Liz Dimmitt
FloridaRAMA of course. It is a 15,000 square foot immersive art experience and indoor attraction in St. Petersburg Florida built during the height of the pandemic. What most people don’t see is the incredible depth of collaboration that went into it. We have partnered with more than 80 artists, most of them local, to bring Florida’s wackiest stories to life through playful art installations. Read more >>>
Misty Akers
As a child, I believed you were supposed to know exactly what you wanted to “be” when you grew up—doctor, lawyer, athlete, teacher, actor. That was always the question adults asked, and most kids seemed to have an answer. But the truth is, very few people actually know that at 10 years old… or even at 25. I certainly didn’t. Read more >>>
Chase Baxter
Growing up, I truly believed that success was only possible with a college degree. Despite my father’s constant encouragement that I could become something great without one—and even build a strong entrepreneurial path—I struggled to believe him, especially as I watched all my peers head off to college. Read more >>>
Kenneth GITA Taylor
The first 90 minutes of my day are dedicated to centering myself and setting clear intentions. I begin with meditation and prayer, reflecting on what I’m grateful for and preparing my mind for the day ahead. This spiritual foundation is essential to everything I do as a father, husband, educator, and financial advisor. Read more >>>
Vincent Lanci
The first 90 minutes of my day are critical to the success of my day. Wake up, prayer, water, banana, no screens for 15 minutes. Head to my desk and start checking off tasks on my time-blocked whiteboard from the night before. Read more >>>
Cassie Brooks
Outside of work, what is bringing me joy right now is my advocacy with Free Mom Hugs. Being able to show up for the LGBTQIA+ community, offering love, support, and visibility, fills me with so much purpose. Read more >>>
Matt Mathurin
This one is easy. It’s coming back home to my family. Every time I walk through the door my daughters, Jade (almost 4) and Ruby (almost 2) race each other, while yelling ‘Daddyyyyyyy’ to see who can reach me first. They throw themselves into my arms and for a moment nothing else matters but holding them both and feeling that love. Read more >>>
Sam B
I lose track of time on a rainy day, working on a customer’s smoking, vaping, or dabbing device. I don’t keep track of the time because I am totally focused on the piece in my hands. The sound of the rain helps keep me in the ‘zone’. Nothing is more satisfying than returning a dirty smoking device to like new condition. Read more >>>
Geri X
My childhood trauma has been a silent passenger of mine always. I think we have suffered enough together. But we have also healed a lot of it together, and by together, I mean hand in hand with my depression, I’ve walked through every story and sung every dark corner into light. Read more >>>
Maura Fowler
I struggle with this on a daily basis because I feel like it is still a part of me, but now that I am in my 30’s, I have been working towards releasing my desire to perform ballet. Read more >>>
Graham Brown
As I mentioned earlier large crowds make me anxious and I find solitude in my alone time. So for me I am most at peace when I am alone (with my dogs) focused in on creating with my headphones on. I have found that when I am creating less I begin to feel sad, stressed, and more anxious. Read more >>>
Kaitlin Brock
I am currently tap dancing to work! I absolutely love what I do, who I get to work with (coworkers and clients), and I’ve recently landed in a really cool new shop. My last shop was me and two of my favorite people, but due to things beyond our control, we had to close. This new chapter, though different, is definitely still wonderful. Read more >>>
Candace Knapp
Am I tap dancing? I am dancing mentally. I always take on tasks that I am not 100% sure I can do and that makes it exciting. I love problem solving. Read more >>>
Carissa Alinat
Interestingly enough, the people who listen to me the most are my patients. Of course, my husband listens to me, and sometimes so do my kids! But when you know what you’re doing, when you were a white coat, and when patients sit in my treatment chair, they really, really, really listen. Read more >>>
Laurie Maves Guglielmi
I would stop living in Florida (not that there’s anything wrong with living here, I do love it) but I would sell everything and move to Italy. Read more >>>
Jay Dhahan
Yes, I would. Because if you strip away my name, my title, my possessions, what remains is the most valuable asset I’ve ever owned: My mind. As long as I still have the ability to think, to create, to adapt, and to connect, I can rebuild everything that was taken. Read more >>>
Ashton Martin
The work I’m doing today that will not fully pay off for another seven to ten years is laying the foundation for Perfect Purpose International Research Center (PPIRC) to evolve into a fully holistic, integrative hospital model. While our current flagship facility will operate as a hybrid, offering both traditional medical services and a dedicated holistic division, we have a clear, long-term goal. Read more >>>
LaTranette Long
What breaks the bond between people is often unspoken pain—hurt that goes unacknowledged, miscommunication that festers, or trust that gets chipped away over time. Sometimes it’s not one big event, but the slow breakdown caused by unmet needs, feeling unseen, or emotional disconnection. Silence, avoidance, pride, and fear can all create distance where once there was closeness. Read more >>>
Teresa Mandala
I think people might misunderstand the depth of intention behind my work and my life. On the surface, my art may look like beautiful objects or striking imagery, but each piece carries layers of spirit, culture, and personal exploration. My legacy is not about recognition or accolades. Read more >>>
Emily Crissey
A normal day for us usually starts with checking emails and responding to client requests for quotes. From there, we update our calendar and manage our social media—both posting content and engaging with followers. We also spend time reaching out to potential clients and exploring collaboration opportunities. On the operations side, we shop for orders, update supply lists, and place any necessary supply orders. Read more >>>
Desiree Singletary
I wake up early every morning at 5:00. I feed my cats, and I get a matcha before heading down the hallway to my sewing room. I work alone, at home, but I’m a strict boss, so I get right to work. I always have a few custom orders, but the majority of my business nowadays comes from bridal alterations. Read more >>>
Wendy Butcher
Taking chances has taught me that even the smallest moments can lead to something extraordinary. You never know how a single conversation might open the door to a new opportunity, spark a meaningful connection, or even change the direction of your life. Read more >>>
Payten Lee
At this point I believe that I have very few regrets. This is something that I ask myself often, then I try to do it. I try not to pass up any big opportunities just because I’m worried about some parts of it. Read more >>>
Keith Burkhardt
As far as tattooing, there’s an entire culture there in itself. I try and respect every aspect of it. I think a lot of tattooers now unfortunately skipped a big part of learning that culture. There’s a ton of shops on every street corner now which is great, do your thing. But there’s certain things that people just don’t care about anymore. Read more >>>
Jessika Hatter
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about my customers is that hair isn’t just a luxury; it’s part of who we are. Each strand isn’t just a dead cell; it’s part of their identity, and keeping it healthy changes the way they carry themselves through the world. Read more >>>
Tammy Danielson
The last time I changed my mind about something important was when I decided to leave education after 25 years and change to a new profession. I loved working with children and was very good at my jobs over the years and had the full trust of many admisnistrators. Read more >>>
Shengwei Zhou
I am currently learning how to reclaim the curiosity I had as a child—one free from instrumental rationality and utilitarian purposes. My mother is someone who fears death deeply and insists on assigning meaning to life and living. In front of her, I can hardly ever talk about my own death, as it triggers extreme anxiety in her. Read more >>>
John Sammel
I am a little biased on this one… My wife. She is without a doubt the hardest working person I have ever met. She works through influenza, hurricanes and tragedies. She never gets discouraged! Her focus is to always get the job done. I am not sure how she balances the kids, work , house chores, being a CPA for three businesses and me! Read more >>>
Alexis Quintal
Absolutely, I would hire me. In fact, I’ve been my own best case study for the past five years. Everything I provide to clients, including personal branding strategy, public relations, thought leadership positioning, I’ve also applied to myself. I built Rosarium by treating my personal brand as a living example of what’s possible when you align your business with your passion and long-term goals. Read more >>>
Zuzia Pasierbek
I would definitely hire myself for many reasons. For one I have a very strong work ethic, I am determined and there is no job too big or too small for me. I lead with love and kindness always, so I spread positivity anywhere I go. Read more >>>
