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.
Michelle Wetsch
Always. I grew up a golfer. Golf is about honesty and integrity even when no one is looking. God always is. Everyday I try my best. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like I’m doing much, but that’s when I have to take a step back and remember that success looks different every day to everyone. Even the small wins count. Read more>>
Marissa Madonna
This is an interesting question that feels very relevant, not only in the professional world, but sometimes even more so in life outside of that. In my art studio, I am often working many long and late hours to get things done – all while no one may ever see that part of it, and only the finished artwork once it is completed. Read more>>
Kaitlin Moses, RD, LDN, CEDS
Absolutely, yes. I try to live by the message ‘your best is enough’, one that was passed down to me by my parents and I will share with my son. Even if praise isn’t their immediately, the energy and passion towards achieving your best, and seeing this outcome blossom to life is a win in itself. Read more>>
Aria Reid
HELL YEA! Praise or no praise, I’m still giving my best — and honestly, knowing nobody’s watching would probably fuel me even more. Because at the end of the day, the work I put out is a reflection of me, and I don’t do halfway. External validation is cool, but it’s not what drives me. Read more>>
Clint Torris
Drag is misunderstood by the general public and media. People often say harmful and hateful things about drag artists, but drag is just that; art. Drag is performance art, gender expression, costume design, dance and movement, comedy, lip synching, ready stories or anything else you can dream of. There are so many ways to do drag. Read more>>
Enisa Ray
Real estate is often misunderstood as an easy way to make quick money, but in reality, it’s a demanding and inconsistent job. Many people think agents just show houses and collect commissions, but most of the work happens behind the scenes—negotiating, marketing, managing paperwork, and constantly prospecting for new clients. Read more>>
Anna Dean
I often have artists reach out to me, asking how to get into public art. Many of them have seen calls for art with large project budgets and they think that public art is an easy way make a large profit. Read more>>
Christine Stilley
That it’s about houses. It’s not. Not really. Real estate is the surface-level product—but the heart of what I do is transformation. For most of my clients, buying or selling a home isn’t just a transaction—it’s the turning of a chapter. A divorce. A new baby. An aging parent. A fresh start. A final goodbye. Read more>>
Deanna Holt
A typical day for me starts early—usually between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m.—with a power walk through my neighborhood while listening to a podcast. It gives me time to clear my head and get energized for the day ahead. Four to five days a week, I’m working at either a surgery center or a hospital as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Read more>>
Clay Brooks
One thing a lot of people don’t know about me is that I’m a full-time firefighter for the City of Raleigh. A normal day for me can consist of a multitude of things. Whenever I’m not at the fire dept, a normal day usually consists of either finding, creating, or just mixing music! Read more>>
Sandi D’Arezzo
A normal day starts when my daughter comes in to our bedroom to snuggle. My husband and I get our two kiddos dressed, fed, and ready for daycare. Read more>>
Mary Turner
I will never regret changing careers, even though it took me years to leave corporate America and become a dietitian. It took a lot of focus, futuristic thinking, planning, endurance, and support from my husband, family, and friends to leave an established and lucrative career to pursue the happiness and purpose I find in helping others through nutrition. Read more>>
Phillip Phenom
I will never regret taking action on my ideas. My ideas are the most valuable thing I own. I’m proud of the execution that I’ve had over the years from my ideas because they have allowed me to reach the success I currently have in life. Read more>>
Autumn Schleusener
I will regret not going as far as I possibly can go WITHIN REASON. I’m not after some multi million dollar company. I refuse to compromise time with the family for something as petty as fame and money. But if it isn’t compromising the family, I know I will regret not seeing how far I can go. Read more>>
EJ Faulcon
I believe it’s a combination of both. The ultimate goal will always remain the same, and I see that as being predestined by God. But the path in between is shaped by the choices we make along the journey. Read more>>
Hannah Davis
Currently I feel I’m being called to full-time entrepreneurship and to lean into some new industries in my field. In April I left a part-time position I had for the last few years so I could focus on my business more seriously. I felt God was calling me to make the shift, so I started planning and took the leap of faith. Read more>>
Kayla Davis
For a long time, I felt a calling to lead, create community, and build spaces where women could feel seen, heard, and empowered not just in business, but in life. But if I’m being honest, I was afraid of what that would require of me. Afraid of being too “seen.” Afraid of not having it all figured out. Read more>>
Josh McConkey
The first 90 minutes of my day are a mix of gratitude, reflection, and a little chaos. I wake up thinking about the heroes I carried off the battlefield and how their sacrifices shaped the life I get to live. Then I remind myself how blessed I am to have a wonderful wife and three amazing kids. Read more>>
Forrest Greenslade
After a quick cup of ‘real’ coffee, I take the few steps trip to either my Organic Forrestry Studio, or to computer, or out to our garden. Each day starts with sculpting, painting, writing or tending to our pollinator garden and sculpture trail. We also have an Air BnB, The Artist’s Garret at Fearrington village, just over my studio. Read more>>
James Heyward
Some things we start will not blossom until we are gone from this earth. I’m not sure that most people don’t understand that, I accept it. Read more>>
Rylee Marks
Something I understand deeply — and something I try to remind myself of often is that life isn’t that deep. We put so much pressure on ourselves to have everything figured out, to be perfect, to avoid mistakes. But the truth is, everyone is living life for the first time — parents, friends, mentors, me, you. Read more>>
Julie Hinson
Working for myself often means working 12-14 hour days in the studio and teaching classes, with large projects and upcoming market deadlines I have very little free social time. In typical fashion though, what has been bringing me the most joy outside of my work has been my garden, which is truly just more work and tasks to do. Read more>>
Faith Teasley
That’s an easy answer – the Carolina coast! There’s nothing like sitting on the beach and simply ‘being’. I could spend forever enjoying the NC beaches! It’s where I retreat to rest and renew my spirit. Read more>>
SKYLAN
The project I’m most committed to is building my career as an independent artist and DJ, and creating spaces where people can truly belong. From my music to my events like HAWT MESS, I’ve done everything myself, booking, marketing, curating, and promoting. It’s a lot of work, and it’s not always easy, but I believe in it completely. Read more>>
Hannah Whitt
A belief I’m deeply committed to is that the most beautiful photographs come from real moments, not staged ones. Early on, we experimented with styled shoots, but I quickly realized they could never capture the emotion, chaos, and authenticity of a real wedding day or family session. That rawness—the nervous laughter, the teary hugs, the imperfect, unplanned moments—is where the magic truly lives. Read more>>
