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.
Anita Lynette Hagans
That’s a great question—and one I’ve actually been exploring with others over the past few weeks. I can say with confidence that the path is being walked. I recently rebranded my services to include Psychotherapy, while continuing to offer wellness services such as Reiki Healing and Herbal Consultations. In the early stages of this journey, I was definitely wandering. Read more>>
Payton Kustka
Day by day I walk a straight path, attending classes, going to work, enjoying evenings with friends. Every day over the last few months has allowed me to follow the expectations set upon me, allowed me to operate with a sense of structure. Read more>>
Elizabeth Walton
As an Art Jeweler, I am often thinking about what makes a timeless design. To me, a timeless design is rooted in bringing to life the artistic visions I cultivate through a life connected to craft. In a society often disconnected from the production of goods and objects, I find the practice of making significantly shifts how I consider the world around me. Read more>>
Nikki Brianne
Best question of the interview — because for me, there is no “if.” Immortality is real. It’s a working logic I discovered as a child while reading The Book of Bible Stories. The story of the forbidden fruit always stood out to me. The ultimate punishment was death, but even then, I didn’t see it as the end — I saw it as a clue. Read more>>
Jasmine Bivins
I would stop being in my head so much. I waste way too much time up there. Read more>>
Rachel Hiemer
Oof, this is a tough one and something I’ve been thinking about a lot. Goes back to the first question and how I’m struggling to find work/life boundaries. If I got rid of my name, role, and possessions, I’d say my relationships would remain. The relationship with my kids, my family, my friends. Read more>>
Wendy Vaughan
My hilarious conversations in the salon, duh. Of course they’d miss their blondes and foils, but what really keeps people in my chair are the laughs, the stories, and the fact that I’m basically their hype girl and hairapist rolled into one. And they’re mine. I’m a safe place for my clients. I never judge them. Read more>>
Jay Michael Night
I’ve been chasing my dream of becoming a bestselling full-time author for four years now. If I stopped, all the moment and success I’ve been building now would likely go out the window along with my dream. That’s why stopping is not an option for me. I’ve got twenty more books planned over the next 5-10 years. Read more>>
Francisco Castruita-Perez
I am most proud of building my own business from the ground up. Like any other business, there are ups and downs, this is what makes a business successful. I’m proud that I have never stopped believing in myself to push this business to its fullest potential. The hard work and everyday hustle for the business has been very rewarding. Read more>>
Krystle Nickels
In the home decor and creative community, I’ve seen that what often breaks the bonds between people is comparison. It’s easy to get caught up in numbers, trends, or perfection, and lose sight of why we started— to create, connect, and inspire. What restores those bonds is authenticity and support— cheering one another on, sharing ideas openly, and celebrating each other’s wins. Read more>>
Lyric Montgomery Kinard
When we start editing ourselves to meet some imagined standard we lose the messy, human moments that make connection possible. IN this age of AI what restores our bonds and our communities is that authenticity – that imperfection. Showing up as we truly are, honest, flawed, and real, without filters or performance, engenders trust and provides an environment where creativity thrives. Read more>>
Kia Sutton
Through suffering, I learned to explore and design new plans of success. Suffering restores the hunger that often fades as one gets tired of doing the same things repeatedly. When my event calendar is not as occupied as I want it, I begin seeking educational opportunities in the event field, exploring new design ideas and learning about horticulture and floriculture. Read more>>
Heather Place
That there really is a higher being. That we are all energy. That we are all connected through vibration. Most people would say they believe in God, or some higher power, but we can’t prove it. That’s where faith comes in. Most people believe in Heaven or at least that we exist in some form after we die, but we can’t prove it. Read more>>
Megan Larkins
I think what is most misunderstood about my business comes from the point of view on my services and the customers concept on them. I realize that a lot of business owners do not realize how powerful and important a website truly is for their business. Read more>>
Kelsey Necowitz
I think people will most misunderstand my legacy by assuming that I was naturally talented. The truth is, I don’t see myself as particularly gifted. I have always worked incredibly hard. Since I was young, I put in extra effort to reach the same level as others. In school, I needed additional support to keep up with my peers. Read more>>
Sirena Smith
I’ve always had a huge fear of being seen; to be more specific, I have a fear of being perceived. I think that started in elementary school once I realized that people could form opinions about me that are far from the truth. Read more>>
Daniel Gingras
I really struggled with feeling worthy when I was in my teens and twenties. I felt like the world was a place for everyone else, but I couldn’t understand how I fit into the picture myself. I questioned why I would say something rather than to listen. I questioned why I could eat when others couldn’t. Read more>>
Marina Pahountis
One of the defining wounds of my life has been a struggle with trust. Abuse, abandonment, and betrayal (things no child should ever endure), shaped my early years, and I learned very quickly that no one was coming to save me. Read more>>
Dara Alper
That it’s worth struggling now to enjoy future success. Most people want results to come quickly, but I’ve learned that the most meaningful achievements are built through persistence, patience, and discomfort. The struggle is what shapes the strength to sustain what you build. Read more>>
Leslie Brooks
The first step in healing isn’t mindset: it’s bodyset. Most of us don’t choose the thoughts that pop up; an ungrounded mind is a worst‑case‑scenario machine. When you reopen the channel of sensation, feet on the floor, weight in your legs, breath at your nostrils, you get present enough to touch the story without drowning in it. Read more>>
Jess Woodall
No two days ever look the same, and that’s exactly what I love most about my routine. I’ve built structure into the start and end of my day, but everything in between shifts depending on what needs my attention. Each morning starts the same way: shower, coffee, and sending my family off to school. Read more>>
Moriah Brown
Honestly, a normal day for me lately has looked like just trying to make it to the next. I don’t want to sound like a downer, but I also believe in being transparent. The past few months have been a lot—definitely challenging. Read more>>
Jeremy Davis
On a normal day I’m working from home in my studio/office space, mostly doing admin stuff like booking, responding to emails, etc. I’m also a freelance audio engineer so I have remote work I’m always doing as an engineer alongside my music. Read more>>
Tony Henson
My wife and son without a doubt. They both know me well and have helped me as a person, husband, dad, and artist. All of my success I owe to them. Without my wife and son, I would not be anywhere close to the man I am today. They keep me grounded and centered in so many ways. Read more>>
Kiki Taylor
I’d have to say my relationship with my mother and grandmother. My grandmother is a retired entrepreneur herself, she had a very successful cleaning business and I was able to watch and learn from her drive and work ethic. Read more>>
Hayley Moran
My parents were revolutionary spirits and good hearted hippies. They grew up making music and love in the 60s and 70s. They encouraged my authenticity from the very beginning. ‘Walk to the beat of a different drum.’ This bohemian adage feels like the staple of my parental encouragement since my earliest memory. Read more>>
Tifani Bogue
My earliest memory of feeling powerful is knowing the power doesn’t come from me, but from God. I’ve prayed about my business, researched, experimented, and created greatness. This was back during COVID, 2020 when I was home and trying to pass time. And a business came out of it during Spring 2021, when I introduced it to the world. Read more>>
Anissa Perry
My first event seeing how the families interacted togeather and really supported each other Read more>>
Skye Elmore
My purpose is to impact lives and drive meaningful change. This is a mission I will never regret! I thrive on the opportunity to create shifts that benefit others and invest in generations to come. My future commitment is to the autism community: I will lead this change through volunteering, groundbreaking projects, or consistent podcasting. I know that with this passion, my potential is limitless. Read more>>
Danielle Barcos
I would regret not traveling to new places. That’s all I’ve ever wanted was to travel the world and the last couple years I’ve been trying to explore new cities and countries. I really want to photograph couples in these new places too. Read more>>
Chris Jones
Life. I value life. Life should be fun; it should be full of a vast range of emotions. You should work very hard, but you should party very hard too. Read more>>
Tamara Norris
I am incredibly fortunate to have a group of very close friends whom I worked with for many years. As social work educators, our work was hard but important. They know how committed I am to making the world a better place in my small way (growing mushrooms for my community is one way!), and also to being the best parent I can be. Read more>>
Alyssa Downey
Almost exactly 1 year ago, in September of 2024, Asheville, NC, where I live was hit with the very catastrophic Hurricane Helene. It wiped out entire towns, destroyed people’s homes and businesses, and completely changed our community overnight. Read more>>
Dinah Goodman
Integrity will always be more important to me than intelligence and energy. My 3rd core value of the 10 I have is Integrity Above All. My first core value is First Do No Harm, followed by Honor, Courage, Commitment (that’s my Navy thing), and then Integrity Above All. If we have integrity, everything else falls into place. Read more>>
Meleah Gabhart
Before, I probably would have listed energy as my most important attribute. Staying in integrity is 100x more important now, because by staying in integrity, soooo much less energy is required. For instance, if,as an artist, I make something I think people will like and purchase, more than likely I have stepped out of my integrity. And that thing I make? Read more>>
Angela Clayton
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized that silence only protected the hurt, not the healing. The pain of my mother’s abuse once weighed upon me heavily, but I decided to turn that pain into power earning my doctorate and finding my voice through music. Now every song and every accomplishment is a reflection of strength, survival and purpose. Read more>>
Shameika Rhymes
I stopped hiding my pain after a breakup in 2004 that completely changed my life. I had spent years in a relationship where I was cheated on and disrespected, and walking away from the man I thought I would marry forced me to face myself and start over. Read more>>
Constance Pappalardo
Art is my meditation. Alone, in the studio, with my music playing …. Read more>>
Phy N Barker
I felt the most loved more recently when I was battling a personal matter and my Aunt came up to me at church. She told me ‘welcome back P’. It was a moment between us that no one around us could understand but, I understood it clearly. Read more>>
Mahogany Clark
I have felt most loved when, someone can see the genuineness in me without me having to fight to prove myself, as if I’m not already worthy. Read more>>
Jasmine Macon
I’m not sure I fully understand the question, but right now, I am betting on Beyond Amazing Donuts. In June 2023, we opened a brick-and-mortar location with the support of a local hospitality group that recognized my talent—and, I guess, my popularity here in Charlotte. For nearly two years, things were going really well. Read more>>
Brandi Silver
Back at the beginning of 2020, I was jobless and decided to bet on myself and my company. I decided to do a pre-order of a pin that would be manufactured overseas. Then COVID hit shutting down manufacturing. I had to reach out to every single customer and tell them I’d provide a refund if they didn’t want to wait. Read more>>
Molly Blaeser
I’ve been feeling so much true joy lately! Revealing the cover art for my debut novel; sharing the release date announcement (Oct. 17th); and just before writing this: discovering that my debut novel is available for preorder across online bookstores. I’ve dreamed of this moment for 20 years and can’t believe it’s finally happening! Read more>>
Brittnee and Doyle Hinkle
Being up front at the John Mark McMillan and Citizens show recently! For those of you that know us, JMM has always been a huge influence to the both of us. We were very into his album, Borderland, when we first started writing. Read more>>
Brendan Michaelsen
We are underestimating the economics of attention and cognition. Many products still optimize for productivity – as if more dashboards, insights, and nudges will magically produce more understanding—while ignoring the reality that our attention is not scaling with compute. The scarce resource of the 2030s isn’t GPUs; it’s focus. This next wave of durable companies will compete on cognitive compression, not just data access. Read more>>
Yenni Orellana
I’m learning from life itself. Each stage teaches me something new—patience, resilience, and the importance of believing even when the path gets hard. I learn from my experiences, from the moments when I’ve had to start over, and from how every challenge has helped me grow stronger and appreciate what truly matters. I’m also learning from my family, especially my daughter. Read more>>
Aaliyah Lane
I was lost in the world, I was trying to figure out who I was called to be in this world. After high school, I attended College and changed my major three times because I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life. I just knew art was a big part of my life and that was my calling. Read more>>
Jeff Thomas
I think it’s really important to have a solid circle of people around you — folks who know you well and aren’t afraid to be honest. Whether it’s close friends, colleagues you choose, your spouse, or family, those are the people whose ideas and feedback I rely on most. Read more>>
