We asked some of the most interesting entrepreneurs and creatives to open up about recent highlights from their lives – the moments that made them laugh or feel proud.

Roksta

I just released an album without a single feature, co producer, or team to assist me. 100% original music that didn’t use any loops or samples to create that was solely produced and recorded by me. Check out DLC, available on all platforms now! Read More>>

Suzie Graham

I read an article just the other day about Joltin Jim McCoy and his friendship with Patsy Cline and it made me reminisce of when i stayed with him back in 2016 just before he passed. I also watched an interview recently with Brad Paisley talking about his first guitar from a place called Mike E’s Guitar Store in Nashville. Mike is a friend of mine who gave me my first gig in Nashville, and when I see Patsy’s daughter Julie Fudge working on a new project, I find it funny and I often pinch myself as I feel so proud I can say I know these wonderful people . Read More>>

Magdalena Hess

Yes, one recent moment that made me laugh out loud and feel proud was a trip to Arizona with my son. He had me laughing the entire time with his quick humor and lighthearted spirit. In that golden desert light, what began as a trip became something more. It inspired my new book, The Attorney and the Saguaro Cactus. Read More>>

Nikita Gupta

Yes, one of the greatest joys lately has been not only helping incredible authors bring their books to life, but also creating a new children’s book of my own: My Colorful World.

What started as a dream has grown into a story that’s resonating with so many families; especially those who have long searched for books that reflect the beauty of multicultural and South Asian interracial experiences. Read More>>

Yvonne Rakestraw

Absolutely. In fact, this moment right here makes me incredibly proud. It’s a full-circle moment to be recognized and share my story and even brought a few tears followed by laughter. Another recent moment, I applied to a pitch competition and found out I wasn’t selected. Instead of letting the rejection break me, I responded with grace, gratitude, and professionalism. It reminded me how much I’ve grown as an entrepreneur and as a woman. A few years ago, I might’ve taken it personally or let it shake my confidence. But now? I see every “no” as a setup for the right “yes.” Read More>>

Betsy Tanner

While running my business has been hard, I find that parenting is the hardest job of all. And sometimes the “rewards” can be hard to find in parenting. I’m in the stage of enforcing curfews, trying to curb “attitudes”, oversight on the internet and learning the balance of letting go and still being the parent (teens and preteens). The laughs come when we play pickle ball in the front yard and the kids kill my husband and I (we didn’t even get a point one game-apparently thats called being “pickled”). The laughs of everyone makes losing worth every minute. Unscheduled relaxed time together is somewhat rare but when it happens, the joy abounds. Read More>>

Kitryn Marie

Thank you for asking this! I recently had a book published. “WHEN HE HAD HER” is available on Amazon. It is fiction.

“It is about one woman reclaiming her voice and taking back her power after narcissistic abuse. Kate takes on an assignment as a journalist, using her skills to expose the deceit and fraud being committed by her estranged ex, Hank Daniels, a businessman who goes from self-made to self-destruct. Constructing evidence against him for the Feds, knowing her experience with him, and their long-term relationship.  Read More>>

Hannah Strumner

I have had moments recently that have made me proud! I just got to go to Nashville to record some new music and I also got to release a song I recorded called “Disconnect.” It is so cool to see a song you write on your bedroom floor come to life and have a story told through music. Read More>>

Allison Fogarty

A new book was published (June 2025) and guess who was on the cover – ME! The book is called Down Syndrome Out Loud by Melissa Hart, illustrated by Maria Perera. It is 20+ true stories of disability and determination, and is written for middle school students. I am very proud to be included in this book! Read More>>

Katie Thompson

I LOVE this question! My Aunt Sherri always says to find something to make others laugh in every scenario and it’s seriously such a gift and life lesson we all must take. I definitely tend to be a bit serious at times and I think it’s important to all take the time to laugh at ourselves and others. As for a good laugh in my life, honestly, my dog Rosie and her little behaviors and antics always give me a good laugh! Read More>>

Monique Madison

Recent moments that made me feel proud where when I was on iheart radio and Fox 2 news promoting the Serial Showgirl series and my new sitcom The Agency (now streaming on Tubi), hosting Pride Festivals ranging from Kalmazoo to Royal Oak, and fundraising for local LGBTQIA organizations to give back to my community. Read More>>

Elias Horat

A recent moment that made me feel proud was watching my team’s growth and initiative. Over the past few months, they’ve shown a real willingness to take on more responsibility and learn from past projects. Team members have pleasantly surprised me by voluntarily performing plan checks, integrating previous permit comments into new drawing sets, and actively tracking and elevating the quality of our work. Seeing them push our project excellence to a new level has been incredibly rewarding and makes me proud of the collaborative culture we’ve built. Read More>>

Isabela Quilodrán

Yes! Every time I post about any accomplishment, no matter how big or small, I ALWAYS have people from Brazil, and even here, commenting on how proud and happy they are that I keep pushing toward my goal. It makes my heart feel so warm and full of joy, and I’m proud of myself for knowing that even when it’s lonely, even when it feels impossible, there are still people rooting for me. That makes everything worthwhile. Read More>>

Brooke Pozzi Smith

There’s something deeply personal about completing a project when your world feels like it’s falling apart. Recently, I wrapped up a major design project during one of the most difficult seasons of my life. I was stretched thin emotionally, grieving and overwhelmed — but I showed up anyway. I poured what I had into the work, and somehow, beauty was born in the midst of the mess. That project became more than a task — it was a quiet act of resilience. Read More>>

Jeffrey Robbins

Absolutely — a few stand out. One proud moment was seeing people cross the finish line at MammothMarch with a Drinklits tablet in their water bottle. We donated hydration to every participant, and seeing people genuinely energized and thankful — sometimes muddy, sometimes laughing in exhaustion — was incredibly fulfilling. It reminded me why we started this: to help people push farther and feel good doing it. Read More>>

Kimberly Parker

Absolutely…winning the Start. Pivot. Grow. Pitch it competition at the end of June was definitely a proud moment! I still can’t believe I won $20,000! I’ve poured so much heart into building a business that not only serves but disrupts harmful systems in mental health care, and to have that vision recognized meant everything. It reminded me that the work I’m doing matters and that I don’t have to water it down to be seen. Read More>>