Portraits of Raleigh

It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Raleigh.

Matt Laird

I grew up in Durham, NC in a house constantly surrounded by music and instruments. My dad is a high school orchestra conductor and violinist, and my mom is a preschool music teacher. I started studying violin with my dad at about five years old, but was always encouraged to play other instruments around the house. At ten, I began playing bass guitar and quickly found inspiration in funk and groove music through mentors and YouTube videos. Read More>>

Lindsey Wicker

Many kids dream of growing up to be a fireman, a doctor or teacher, but my childhood dream was to work in the country music industry. Though I lack musical talent, I discovered that there are non-performance roles within the music industry. Despite working at a Fortune 500 company after college, I felt unfulfilled as I wasn’t pursuing my dream. So, I started working with music events in my free time and eventually landed a job as a personal assistant for a well-known artist in Nashville.  Read More>>

Hugo and Meredith Nolasco

Our decision to become coaches ultimately stems from a desire to help people and a passion for self-empowerment. It’s a career that emerges us in a growth mindset on a daily basis, where we meet our own limitations and learn to raise the bar (literally). As former competitive athletes, we naturally find the gym as our second home, and enjoy creating the same welcoming environment for clients. We often like to say we merely expose potential.  Read More>>

Lola Banjo

What began as small gatherings in local gyms, dancing with friends after a Zumba class, or attending dance classes hosted by other dance instructors in the Chicago community at the time, gained traction as word spread about the events’ fun and energetic atmosphere. Seeing the positive impact on the attendees in terms of fitness and social connection inspired me to create World Rhythm Dance Party, bringing the vibrant rhythms and cultural diversity of dance styles from different parts of the world, with a focus on the Afrobeat genre. Read More>>

Marhiah Montoya

I am a Mexican Native American from the Kickapoo Tribe that was born and raised in Texas. I am from a humble background and was raised to value hard work and innately had a desire to have a positive impact on others. During high school and college I was trained and worked as an EMT-Basic and Medical Assistant in a rural family healthcare office and it was during this time that I began crocheting.  Read More>>

Esha Herbert-Davis

After a devastating loss in 2015, I went full time in my multiple 6-figure business, Events by Ashé, where we plan Caribbean Carnival experiences. I Started the Carnivalista Lifestyle brand in 2017 with my book of the same name, dedicated to black women being their true, authentic selves through amazing travel ! Read More>>

Brandon Rodgers

I started following accounts that boasted new home renovations, colorful dinner entrees and people exploring the world of gardening. However, the world of DIY resonated with me in a special way; especially furniture refinishing. Like most people who watch someone else DIY a project, I said to myself: “Oh, I could do that”. Read More>>

Quan Wiggins

I was introduced to performing at on stage during my senior year at Jordan High school. When the drama teacher/director Ms Hope Hynes asked me to audition for the musical Lil Abner. At the end of the play she gave me a note that read (this was 20 years ago so I’m paraphrasing) “You have an amazing sense of comedic timing, that I hope you continue to explore because I believe it will open many doors for you”.  Read More>>

Allison Harris

I started Dogwood Branding & Promotions right smack dab in the middle of covid. Seriously, who starts a company in the middle of a pandemic when people are not going out and about and most people are still working from home? But it was a calling on my heart that I had neglected for too long and the time had come to see if I could make a go of it. Read More>>

Cole Fungaroli

Our story is simple. We’ve been crafting sauces for as long as I can remember, whipping up flavorful concoctions for chicken, pizzas, eggs—you name it. Driven by a desire to never have a dull bite, we started a small sauce company in Pennsylvania around the pandemic. We sold our sauces at local farmers’ markets and stores, but something was missing. That something was a purpose and story. Read More>>

Katie Jackson

My background is in public health. After I experienced the anxiety and confusion of navigating my first pregnancy and labor, my eyes became wide open to the importance of maternal health and physiological birth. I researched like crazy and learned what I could to become more confident and informed for my next two babies. I still was not fully aware of the existence or the role of a doula until much later. I worked with midwives and assumed that was best chance I had to improve my birth experiences (but it could have been so much better). Read More>>

JacQuil Leathers

When I was younger I would volunteer for my sisters class alongside of my mom and I just noticed no ones haircut fit their personality. I enrolled in Carolina Beauty College in Charlotte 04, graduated in 06 and moved to Raleigh to start 7CutzAbove Read More>>

Tyler Cunningham

Tyler Cunningham Photography began from a place of storytelling. I don’t think I knew that storytelling was the heart of my work when I started my company in 2006, but over the years I have realized this is my why. I am intensely curious about people’s stories. Where they’re from, what they’re passionate about, what makes them laugh out loud and also what makes them most vulnerable.  Read More>>

Sarai Rodriguez

It all begins with an idea and that’s how we began with an idea. An idea to bring the beauty of flowers to life. I grew up watching my mom express her love for flowers throughout my childhood. She cared for them like she did with my siblings and I with love, compassion, and devotion. Many times I did not understand why she cared for flowers in such manner if for me all they were, was simply flowers. However, now as an adult I completely understand. A flower alone can be beautiful but arranged with other flowers, it creates something magical. Floral design is just that, magical. Read More>>

Sandie Martin

Black, standard poodles have always been my hobby. 5 years ago, I bought a champion bred poodle (Penndragon Shaken Not Stirred: Bond) but due to covid restrictions, I could not show him. I started an Instagram account and was able to grow to 49,400 followers. I used him to promote some products but have been very selective. 6 months ago, I bought another champion bred, black standard poodle (Penndragon After The Storm: Brooks) and have him in 3 training classes a week (including confirmation to prep him to show). Read More>>

Diego Ramirez

I began my journey in the military, serving in the Navy from 2005 to 2009, with two intense years in Iraq and two enriching years in Italy. After my service, I settled in Raleigh and joined WebAssign, an online homework platform, where I managed their remedy help desk. Seeking a new challenge, I transitioned into the service industry for 13 years, immersing myself in the world of craft cocktails, mixology, and beer knowledge while earning various procedural certifications. Read More>>

Ha Nguyen

Before moving to Raleigh, I was deeply involved in the real estate sector in Toronto, Canada, where I served as a partner at multiple brokerages in the Greater Toronto Area. As a single woman, I was wholly devoted to growing my businesses. Raised by a single mother who was a Vietnamese refugee, I learned the values of resilience, tenacity, and hard work from an early age. My mother exemplified how one could achieve remarkable success, even without fluency in the local language. Read More>>

Justin Daniel Ortega-Arredondo

Hello my name is Justin Ortega my barber journey started when I was a sophomore in high school, during that time I was in school then the pandemic hit the whole U.S. I was not going have to attend high school for about two years, I was not sure what I was going to do with my life I had nothing in mind, one thing I was always good was with art and showing my ways of art.  Read More>>

Brandy Garvin

I’ve always enjoyed doing my nails as well as others and even practicing nail art as a kid. In elementary, middle, and high school it always was a hobby for me but did not realize until I got to college that it was something I would really pursue. My older brother asked me would I be interested in going to nail school so that way I can work part time throughout college for extra money. I was super excited and decided to start nail school the summer after my freshman year in 2015. Read More>>

Rachel Samford

I believe if you want to achieve a certain goal you have to take risks. I’ve taken risks within my content and It’s intimidating at first but that’s how you grow as a person and even a creator. Taking risks can also teach you a lot about yourself and help you figure out what you’re comfortable with! Read More>>

Dr. Sha’Nail Monick Mitchell

Her academic achievements include an honorary doctorate in Christian Leadership from the School of the Great Commission Bible College and Seminary in May 24, which further solidified her commitment to excellence and service within the community. Read More>>

Magdalena Stefanek

I was born and raised in Poland and moved to California after college. Despite my innate creativity and love for all forms of art, I was encouraged to pursue a practical career and graduated with a degree in human resources. Moving to the US gave me the freedom to explore my artistic side. Photography has been my passion since my teenage years, particularly nature photography. The experience of holding the camera, seeing the world through the lens, and hearing the sound of the shutter always gave me goosebumps. Read More>>

Kerry

Back in 2016, right after proposing to my wife, I began working for the North Carolina Museum of History in downtown Raleigh as a Digital Marketing Manager. Early on, I would spend time walking through all of our exhibits on my lunch breaks and eventually was asked to help in the creative process of crafting an exhibit from start to finish. Getting to play a part in creating an exhibit was one of the coolest aspects of the job! Read More>>

Maria Cardenas

Over time, I faced several challenges, such as moving to the US and had to start from 0 again, but each of them taught me valuable lessons. I used these experiences to grow both professionally and personally. Eventually, I had the opportunity to work with people in Raleigh, participate runways and pageant at Charlotte.. Read More>>

Dakota Nyman

My name is Dakota Nyman. My musical career started like many others’ in the middle school band. In high school, I made my way into the prestigious high school program at UNCSA. Here, I was able to study alongside graduate and undergraduate students, learning at a much more rapid pace than others at my level. After graduating high school, I started my own two-piece band, Funky Dogma, in Beaufort, NC. Read More>>

Hailey Benton

When I graduated I worked in another local salon for about 6 months, but ultimately I know I would thrive being on my own. I decided to open a salon suite, to give myself and clients privacy. Plus who wouldn’t rather be their own boss! I haven’t looked back since and every day I find myself having more of a passion for the industry. Read More>>

Kiana Renee

My name is Kiana Renee also known as Craziiki, I’m a poet, performer, published author, and philosopher. I started writing in fourth grade, my mom would buy me small notebooks and I would turn my dreams into short chapter books. I took part in my school plays and poetry recitals, my favorite poem to recite was “If” by Rudyard Kipling. When I got into High School I focused more on sports and poetry became an outlet for me. Read More>>

Eddie Lo

I started my journey trough freestyling with my friends in 2013 I didn’t even know I could rap until I just started doing it. I had always had a love for music, played a variety of instruments growing up, and always knew I wanted to invest my time in music just never thought it would turn the way it did. In 2017, I performed at an open mic in downtown Charlotte for the first time and I decided I was going to try to take it more serious, so I found a studio and recorded my first EP.  Read More>>

Raven Martin

I am Raven Marten, a living testimony to the power of selflessness and the gift of life. My story took a sudden turn when a mysterious illness led me to a diagnosis of liver failure, leaving me in desperate need of a transplant. Through the generosity of a stranger, I received a life-saving liver transplant that transformed my future with gratitude, hope, and meaning.
The moment that phone call came at 2 o’clock in the morning, my world changed.  Read More>>

Stephanie Szewczyk

Vibe Alley is a subscription box for tween and teen girls with the mission to provide parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and family a unique way to connect with the young girls in their lives through the art of gifting.  I have three kids and as my daughter was growing up I would buy her small gifts and trinkets and put them on her bed as a surprise when she got home from school.  Read More>>

Devana Turner

I moved back to North Carolina in 2022, and the following year, I was laid off. This unexpected turn allowed me to focus on content creation full-time. Since then, I’ve dedicated my creativity to helping women feel their most confident by providing outfit concepts and ideas. I encourage women to embrace the changes that happen to their bodies as they get older and experience size fluctuations. Read More>>

Alli MacDonald

I landed in the beauty industry at a point in my life where I was simply trying to find something to do “for now” while I attempted to get my head on straight and really decide what I wanted to do with my future. There was so much pressure to go to college. Which I did do! Twice. And well, I dropped out…. twice.  Read more>>