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.
Darian Harris
I am 100 percent me all the time. Sometimes I have to scale it back some but overall I am always myself. I take pride in the fact that no one can say im putting on a front or being someone else Read more>>
Lori Hawkins
I was laid off by a large design build firm during the Great Recession. It threw me for a loop- as I was totally unprepared to be unemployed. After the dust settled, I feel that the Lord really put people in my life that helped me through that situation and set me up for future success. Read more>>
Eric Dillman
I could go a few different directions with this because I’ve been in a couple industries, but I’ll stick with interior design. I think the biggest lie we tell ourselves is that everything has to be perfect to build a brand, the photos, the videos, the tone, the way you present yourself. Read more>>
Joylyn Howell
Suffering has taught me so much while simultaneously seeming completely unnecessary. I understand the balance of light and darkness, in a way. However, I also feel that life presents some pretty intense moments of pain, but we tend to inflict the suffering on ourselves as if the initial pain also requires punishment. Read more>>
Ms. Exclusive
The fear that as held me back the most is the fear of not being ‘ enough.’ In life as well as my business. Not skilled enough, not ready enough, not perfect enough. With my business; that fear made me second guess my prices, hesitate to promote my work, and downplay the value of my creations. Read more>>
Juliet Hurley
Lots of trauma from childhood stuck with me as an adult. Then life kept on compounding until I got diagnosed with Breast Cancer. The emotions from that diagnosis were flooding and the Duke Cancer Center tried to scare me into taking chemotherapy, radiation and hormone drugs. I kept repeating that I didn’t want that, that I value quality of life over quantity, and got enraged. Read more>>
Rita Renee
I hope people tell the story of a woman who lived with conviction, led with compassion, and loved with her whole heart. A woman who refused to stay silent in a world that tried to mute her — and then spent her life helping others find the courage to unmute themselves. Read more>>
Erika Pifher
I’m letting go of creating for approval or following what I think people expect of me. I used to focus on what I thought others wanted to see, but I’ve realized that the paintings I create from my heart — the ones that are loose, expressive, and intuitive — are the ones that truly connect. Read more>>
Lia Lamela
Almost Seven years ago, I was living in a women’s shelter with nothing but the clothes on my back and bruises I was ashamed of. Today, I make over six figures as a licensed electrician. I am the CEO of Sparky Life Solutions and host of the Sparky Life Podcast. Read more>>
Gauri Singh
Stillness. Peace. My family. My faith. Everything else is temporary — but these are eternal. Without identity or recognition, I would still carry the same heart: a heart that seeks God, a heart that finds peace in serving, a heart that wants to help and heal wherever life places me. If roles fell away, my purpose would not. If possessions disappeared, my compassion would stay. Read more>>
Cryshaunda Rorie
People will probably misunderstand how much of my legacy was built from moments no one ever saw. It’s easy to look at the organizations I’ve created, the books I’ve written, the women and children I’ve empowered, and assume it all came from confidence, strategy, or having everything figured out. Read more>>
Lamar Atkins
I felt most powerful when I was performing, growing up I would perform for my family and make up skits to later on in life when I had professional experiences. I feel most powerful on stage. Read more>>
Adrienne Crawford
My earliest memory of feeling powerful is being on stage in front of a crowd speaking on mental health. The impact in the room, & the luves touch through lived experiences shared. Having people to break the silence and speak up was the goal, & to connect. Providing resources tp those that had no where to turn was the most fulfilling moment. Read more>>
