Raleigh’s Most Inspiring Stories

Tamette Farrington

I wanted to be a business owner but had no clue what I would sell. I didn’t have a product and I didn’t know what service I would offer because like most entrepreneurs I was good at so many things. At first, I was looking at being an educational consultant since I worked in higher ed for over 10 years and I knew the ends and outs of the higher ed space. I knew I had to start somewhere. Starting the journey led me to find my life purpose in coaching; working with other entrepreneurs to help them stop wasting time and be intentional and strategic while holding them accountable. Read More>>

Ashley Rhone-Williams

I worked in a childcare center throughout my undergrad college career and shortly after I graduated. Shortly after graduating, I began servicing families as a private nanny. Working in the large childcare arena and various experiences ignited a fire in me to step out on faith and open a Family Child Care Home (in-home childcare). Read More>>

Alison Webster

The real turning point came in 2023 when I attended a retreat and spent several days doing inner work. During that time, everything clicked, and it triggered an existential crisis. I realized I could no longer continue living the way I had been. As head of marketing for a global staffing firm, I made the decision to resign and embark on a journey to find a career that felt more meaningful and impactful. Read More>>

Taralynn Ruiz

Drum & Bass is a difficult genre to learn on its own but Liquid Drum & Bass, I would wager is a bit more difficult because of its nuances and intricacies with basslines, synths, melodies, and of course, vocals. I am here now, officially approaching 1 year into my DJ career and journey near the end of November. Unofficially, I am already a year in now. I just didn’t have any equipment until late November last year. Read More>>

Michele Paul

I’m also a poet, passionate about the power of words to give life and create meaning. I truly believe that conversations which foster understanding have the ability to dismantle much of the world’s ugliness. Single and fiercely dedicated to self-love, I’m on a journey to love myself from the inside out, with all the passion and joy that comes from fully embracing who I am. Read More>>

Kathryn Burki

Doing hair helped me fulfill my dream of helping people feel good about themselves. My goal in life is helping others see the beauty others see in them. I want to have a safe space that everyone can feel welcome. Read More>>

Alycia Hill

During college, I designed for multiple fashion shows and always made it a point to include a message in my collections. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, I moved to New York City, where I worked in custom-made-to-measure clothing. There, I honed my skills in design, fit, and styling details. Read More>>

Philippa Abang

Growing up, one of my greatest fears was failure. I worked hard at everything because, in my family, failure was not something that was easily accepted. As I grew older and inevitably experienced failure, it hit me hard. It felt foreign and overwhelming, like the end of the world. Even though my parents weren’t there to compare my failures, the voices in my head did the job for them. But I’ve learned that failure isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of discovering what you’re truly capable of. Read More>>

Keturah Wicks

Be Enlightened began with a spark of inspiration and a deep desire to make a difference. As an administrative professional, dedicating much of my time helping businesses and non-profits navigate their operations more effectively, I realized I had a keen eye for details, an innate ability to organize, and a passion for helping others succeed. After years of working within the box, I felt a calling to do something more—to create something of my own that could not only serve businesses but also empower them in a unique and personal way. Read More>>

Christian Gillon

Not really the main issue we’re having is getting people to buy the product. I would pass out business cards and all of that and try to get people to go buy stuff off the clothing brand website but nobody tends to go grab anything. I tried to get woman to go model for me to maybe get more customers. That still wasn’t working. I personally feel like I need a better marketing scheme Read More>>

Jacinta Bruinton

The outpour of support was amazing and kept me motivated to do more. Fast-forward to October 2022 Flavorz by Jcint, LLC was born and I had launched my website. I took my business to the next level and I left my fulltime job in healthcare to pursue my passion as a fulltime entrepreneur. I was nervous but I wanted to step out on faith. I knew if I had my family’s support I was going to be okay with whatever outcome God had in store for me. Currently I am on multiple preferred vendor list from venues, apartment complexes and companies. Read More>>

Latoyia Bailey

When I returned home from the military and married my high school sweetheart, we were eager to take that next step in life: finding our first home. But, like many young couples, we hadn’t always made the best financial decisions. We spent without a real plan—no budget, no savings strategy—and when it came time to get pre-approved for a mortgage, the reality check hit us hard. Our credit scores weren’t where they needed to be, and the loan officer gave us an honest breakdown of the steps we’d have to take to reach our goal. Read More>>

Tamika Melvin

I’m Tamika Melvin currently residing in Raleigh NC, a New York Times best selling author. I self published four books, a magazine and a cookbook in remembrance of my late mother Angela Melvin-Freeman. I currently embarked on my journey in Filmmaking because I love the art of storytelling and seeing my work come to life. I started my production company Famm 1st Film Production in 2022 and my filmmaking studio Mek StoryTaler Media this year January 2024. Read More>>

Bianca J. Richardson

However, after the senior pastor’s resignation, the congregation appointed me interim senior pastor. Thus, on Sunday, April 1, 2018, I began serving the Saint James Baptist Church community as interim pastor. On August 17, 2019, the church, by a majority vote, chose me as the ninth senior pastor and the first female senior pastor in its then 93-year history. On Friday, November 1, 2019, I was installed as the senior pastor. Read More>>

Jamie Longshore

Against all odds, I graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a BA in Studio Art and Art History. My concentration was primarily in painting and graphic design. During my time as an undergrad, I was a studio intern for Acme Art Studios in downtown Wilmington which sparked my love for working with small, local businesses with a creative focus. I began working at The Children’s Museum of Wilmington as Marketing Coordinator while working towards my MA in Integrated Marketing and Communications. Read More>>

Trey Davis

The Ridge consists of four different congregations, three of them English-speaking. They represent different theologies (from conservative to moderate to progressive), different worship styles, different denominational histories, and different demographics. The Ridge also includes a mental health counselor, a theater and voice studio, local nonprofits, and groups from other cultures. It is part ministry center, part community center, and part event space. All of our partners and residents function separately here, with different leadership teams and budgets. But when it makes sense–like when we host an event for the community or a community service project–we all come together. Read More>>

Eyma Anwar

My passion for serving has only grown since then. Currently, I volunteer as a youth coach at EchoReverb where I support middle schoolers and high schoolers to develop and pitch their ideas to make Durham and the world a better place. I have been in this position for just about a year and it has been one of the most rewarding things I have done yet. I am so proud of the amazing students I work with and how far they have come. Read More>>

Maj3sty

I am focusing on serving My God better, becoming a better husband, and serving the community. As an American Musician and Singer-songwriter, staying independent is imperative. Currently, I am using my Non-Governmental Organization, eMillennial Kingdom, as a record label. The hope is to perform in various places and receive donations to help feed those in need. My wife is the Owner of Vegan Sweet’s & Treat’s one of the top vegan bakeries in the state of North Carolina. We are launching a collaborative effort entitled, “Play for Charity,” in order to make everything happen. Read More>>

Jessica Boyle

Establishing SkinScribe has presented its own obstacles, but it’s been a very rewarding experience. This environment allows me to really lean into the work unfettered and better serve my clients. So there have been plenty of setbacks along the way, and I’m sure there will be more. But I see the challenges as an integral part of growth, and I strive to embrace them as opportunities. Read More>>

Kuzh

Widely acknowledged for her distinctive artistry, Kuzh is making waves with her purpose-driven journey. As someone who has always been passionate about music, she did not let anything or anyone get in the way as she took her career to greater heights. For this reason, she has created songs that do not only entertain but also resonate with listeners from across the globe. Read More>>

Annalise Yagya Jyoti

As I dove into fertility awareness, I knew I needed a method that was not only natural but also science-backed and reliable. This journey led me to the Justisse Method of fertility awareness, a powerful tool that helped me—and now, my clients—understand and work with our cycles rather than suppress them. Alongside my studies in holistic health and yoga, I built Mystic Feminine Fertility as a space where women could access both the wisdom of ancient practices and the assurance of science-backed fertility care. Read More>>

Amy Allen

It’s been a smooth and exciting transition launching Southern Porch Designs and sharing my love for seasonal design with clients across Raleigh. The community response has been heartwarming, and I’m grateful to see how many families appreciate having festive, beautifully decorated porches for fall. While the journey has been mostly seamless, I did encounter one challenge when another business attempted to reach out to my clients through social media. Read More>>

Henoc Maurice

During my adolescent years my parents relocated to Long Island, New York, where i would have opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities. I eventually would take a liking to sports and began to channel my energy to inspire my peers. Later I became a team captain, youth leader and mentor for local organizations embodying his core values, accountability, consistency, and discipline. Read More>>

Lauren Mages

My business continued on in that general manner until I had my daughter in 2022, and I decided to niche my business to women’s pelvic health. It was becoming increasingly apparent that as a society we are lagging in the pelvic health arena with so many women suffering needlessly, and that we also required better integrated care. In the spirit of integration, I eventually obtained my Functional Medicine Health Coaching certification and have been diving into the world of bioenergetics to create an experience that encompasses both the mind and body for women on deep healing journeys. Read More>>

Silvia Siqueira

It is a consequence of what has been explored, experimented, and studied for a while, especially if feedback from people on products tells you so! There is a long way to the development of a business, but it can be so much involving and so much fun, too! Of course, there are problems sometimes, but I have always seen these as rocks on the way to be deviated or smoothed, not walls. Therefore, I have seen these ideas blooming, and it is lovely to nurse them. Read More>>

Maria Kordit

When I moved to Wake Forest four years ago, I found myself frequently driving around the Triangle area, renting scattered and occasionally expensive studio space when needing to teach my students. In Wake Forest specifically, I encountered so many wonderful, passionate people—whether in music, singing, drama, or other arts—who, like me, lacked a platform to build on. Many of us have incredible talents, but turning those passions into a full-time business or taking on the financial risks of opening a traditional studio is not always feasible. Read More>>

Dominique Daye Hunter

As an Afro-Indigenous woman and survivor of violence, I began to see the need for safe spaces where our stories could be shared, heard, and valued. Today, I offer workshops, keynotes, and consulting services that create spaces for personal growth and systemic change. My business, D. Daye Hunter Designs, LLC, also includes a lifestyle and couture clothing line, which will be revamped more sustainably in the next 3-6 years. I create designs that empower those who wear them while honoring our shared roots and identities. At its heart, D. Daye Hunter Designs, LLC, is a platform for healing, helping our communities reclaim our narratives, live authentically, and build a strong future for the next seven generations. Read More>>

Rebekah Douglas

I learned about wine, beer and mixology over several years behind the horseshoe and gained a level of passion and appreciation for all things mixology. In 2014, I had a friend ask if I’d be willing to tend their wedding bar. With no hesitation, I agreed, and so began a new era of business for me. Shortly after that event, I got further certified and insured my new business, “Jewel of the South” – Event Bartending Services. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of participating in hundreds of weddings, birthdays and social events. Read More>>

Donald Robertson Jr

Wonderful question to begin with! The goal was to always do for self and to create an establishment that caters to my talents. My family has a deep history being involved within the field of entrepreneurship so for me, seeing that personally made me believe that I can do the same. During Covid, that time when the world was still, I was able to start from scratch. Creating my motto; developing my mission statement. Designing my logos that signify me on how I want my company to be viewed! I was able to take advantage of that time and put it into good use! The motive for me was to not create a business and watch it fall. Maintaining your business will always be a challenge but staying consistent will lead into more growth and achievements along the way. This is why Dynasty Image, LLC is still continuing to grow and trend in the right direction because we believe and understand that we want to make a difference for all of our customers that we come in contact with. Read More>>