We are so thrilled to be able to connect with some of the brightest and most inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives from across the city and beyond and this series in particular gives us the honor of introducing these folks to you in a unique way – we go beyond the story of how they got to where they are today by asking them to reflect on a variety of deeper questions that we hope will help you better connect with them, their stories and their brands. Ultimately, our hope is that more of us will spend more of our money with independent artists, creatives and small businesses and we think getting to know one another at a deeper level is step one.
Dr Jennifer Freedx
I think the only worth building is enlightenment. The only goal worth striving for is for humanity to awaken and to bring heaven to earth. The acquisitive ego has all but destroyed our planet and murdered innocent people. Enough of this building on the outside. I want to build a portal to divine compassion. Read More>>
Inesa Pane
I will build a sanctuary for endangered animals and plants. I will protect them at all costs. They deserve to have a better life, their needs are fulfilled, and they feel safe in their surroundings. Read More>>
Jen Sterling
I asked myself a version of this question six or seven years ago. Life is short. Am I spending my days doing what I truly enjoy? And, for that matter, do I like who I am while I am doing it? The answer was no. And a rather emphatic no at that. I decided to immediately take steps to rectify that. Read More>>
Noré Arnett
If I knew I had 10 years left, the first thing I would stop doing is second guessing myself. I’d release the need to overthink or hold back, and instead trust my instincts fully. Read More>>
Steve Gregoropoulos
Thanks for asking this question because I reject it on a really fundamental level. The whole idea of bucket lists and stuff like that is just awful to me. I think that if you would live differently if you knew your time was limited (PS everyone’s time is limited) then you are doing something wrong right now. Read More>>
Celeste Purdie
If I only had 10 years left, I would stop putting off vacations and working as much as I do now. I’d make sure I had someone ready to step into my businesses so they could thrive without me, and I’d spend more time catching up with old friends while cherishing time with current and new ones. Read More>>
Alan Goldsher
I would not stop, I would accelerate…..as I would have been given a finite deadline to achieve my goals. Read More>>
Emily Pennington
Honestly, nothing. If I only had 10 years left, I wouldn’t change a thing — and I think that’s how it should be. You shouldn’t live a life you’re unhappy with just because you assume you’ll have more time later to fix it. Every season of life deserves joy, purpose, and presence. Read More>>
Madelynn Pierce
If I knew I only had 10 years left, I would stop waiting for the perfect moment to chase my dreams and start living life to the fullest TODAY. I think so many of us, myself included, fall into the trap of putting off the things we want to do because we’re waiting for everything to line up just right. Read More>>
Ameena Zeeba
I strive to live as if every moment could be my last, which is why I choose to share my passions with others, especially my family. I want them to learn from my experiences, and I hope to make a positive impact in the world. Read More>>
Susan Huang
I’d quit my job to do my own project and travel with the people I love most. Drawing for animation has always been my dream job. I enjoy imagining fantasy worlds and bringing them to life through animated films, collaborating with amazing teams. Telling stories through beautiful art is my passion. Read More>>
Chere Estrin
If I knew I had 10 years left, I’d stop hitting ‘Reply All.’ No one needs that kind of legacy. Read More>>
Aunia Kahn
Honestly, my illness is a ticking time bomb—so I live this way all the time. What I have stopped over many years is wasting time not going for everything I want. I jump, take the leap—of course a smart and calculated one—but I don’t wait until the time is right. I do it and I adjust on the way down. Read More>>
Reginald edwards
If I knew I had 10 years left, I’d stop overextending myself to others in ways that don’t serve me. A lot of times, we put other people’s needs and expectations ahead of our own, thinking we have all the time in the world to take care of ourselves later. Read More>>
Nayla Seda
I thought long and hard about this question, and the only thing I could think of is that I would try to stop having so much anxiety about the social aspects of my life. It kinda made me happy that my day-to-day life responsibilities and hobbies are not anything I would change. Read More>>
Steve Weil
Nothing. I like what I do Read More>>
Marie Smith
If I laid down my name, my role, and everything I own, what would remain is my purpose — and that can’t be taken away. For me, purpose isn’t about a title or a job description; it’s a way of being. At my core, I am here to serve others and to inspire them to step into the best version of themselves. Read More>>
Isomahguomoh Sarah Idornigie
I love to have both intelligence, energy and integrity, however if I ever have to pick between intelligence, energy and integrity , I will pick integrity because integrity is one of my strong personal and brand core values. I believe a lack of integrity invalidates only an abundance of intelligence or an abundance of energy void of integrity. Read More>>
Liscah Isaboke
If I laid down my name, role, and possessions, what would remain is my character, my values, and the way I treat people. Titles and things can be taken away, but integrity, resilience, and impact endure. What lasts is the imprint you leave on others through your actions. Read More>>
Ronny Martin
At my core, I am a creator and a fighter — someone driven by a deep need to tell stories that matter, even if only a handful of people ever hear them. I’m a storyteller who turns pain, hope, and truth into art, and a builder who isn’t just crafting characters but entire worlds and legacies. Read More>>
Marla Lacey
Oh that’s an easy one. Who I am in Christ. My first and foremost identity is not in anything I have, posses, roles or titles I may carry or anything else the world may offer. Rather, I have my foundation built on who I am in Christ and who He has created me to be. Read More>>
Dricka Necole
I would just have my spirit, which is the light of my soul. The soul is the only thing that lives on. Read More>>
Ramon Winters
My Identity in Christ. As a believer, my identity is firmly rooted in God’s unfailing love, abundant grace, and unshakable promises. I am a child of God, and my worth is not defined by roles, possessions, or the wins and losses by which the world keeps score. Read More>>
Heather Nigro
My art. I don’t own it, and it doesn’t own me. It’s a body of work in itself, with a life of its own. It will live eternally beyond all of us. Read More>>
Kaylon Williams
My faith, I know without God I have nothing, nor am I nothing without him. So knowing that because of his grace, I have everything that I need. All the rest of it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day, long as I have him. Read More>>
Tarsys Loayza Roys
Si me jubilara mañana lo que más extrañaría sería ver la satisfacción de mis pacientes cuando completamos un tratamiento exitoso. Me harán falta sus testimonios, la recompensa de ver su imagen transformada permiténdoles a ellos conocer de sí mismos su mejor versión. Read More>>
Everett Beck
The hair! And my ability to pick up their giant dogs Read More>>
Kelly Bowden
Our bed and breakfast helpers and I. I truly feel that not only the house, the location etc although important it is the people who care for guests during their stay that make the experience what they keep coming back for. It’s like a second home Read More>>
Irene Abdou
They’d miss the confidence boost that comes from the way I help them feel stronger, more beautiful, and empowered. Read More>>
THIRD DAGREE
My wit, charm, and uncanny ability to try and meet everyone where they are and hope to elevate and lift them up to reach heir full potential! This is not my will, but the will of God! Read More>>
Jill Regalado
When I first got pregnant with my first son, I thought for sure I would be able to continue on just as I had been-like nothing would change. As a horse girlie I should have realized that was a bit naive- things always pivot. Read More>>
Bridgette Washington
I try not to chase. I try to become what I need to be in order to attract what I need. Read More>>
Ruben Karapetyan
For me, growth is not a final destination – it’s the path itself. I chase growth – not only in my career, but also inside myself. For me, creating has always been both a passion and a means of survival. I keep running after the next project, the next challenge, the next vision, because that fire makes me feel alive. Read More>>
Brian Mahoney
I think I’m chasing the things that we all think we need in order to be happy….financial freedom, a loving family, respect from my peers, a nice car and a nice house, etc. If I stopped chasing these things, I think that I would find that I’m already content with who I am and what I have. Read More>>
Dominic DeLaney
Oof. That’s something I’ve questioned for quite some time. I know I’m a traveler at heart – rarely do I feel as present as I do when I’m traveling – and with music it’s great because there are these goals, and levels, almost, that keep it interesting. Stopping doesn’t work well for me – I’m not great at “adulting”. Read More>>
Badass Tran
To break stereotypes and redefine what it means to be Asian in hip-hop by creating powerful, emotional, and boundary-pushing music that represents authenticity, resilience, and cultural pride. If I stopped/retire I probably would be sad as to any other passionate artist. Read More>>
PIVE
Right now I am 100% chasing two dreams. Continuing to purse my passion for music, as well as wanting to be a county manager one day in the Title & Escrow industry. If I stop either I think I would regret it the rest of my life not knowing if I gave it my all. Read More>>
Janae Wesby
I’m on a relentless pursuit to become the best version of myself, every single day! Committing to personal growth is no easy feat—it comes with its challenges. My journey began with one important step: prioritizing myself. Stopping isn’t an option! Read More>>
Laura Belmonte
That is a fuzzy answer, I have been wandering through the journey lately. letting life fall into place. I am honestly not chasing anything. When Jake and I first started out we were chasing the idea that there were certain achievements we needed to get to as musicians. Read More>>
Mingyan Sally Yu
I have been chasing something that I call a dream since I gave up my engineering job about 6 years ago. Since getting into this brand new profession of orchestral conducting, I have to say I have faced doubts, disappointment, dilemmas, or even sometimes, the regret of having giving up a stable life. Read More>>
Jocelyn Ueng
Haha, building my dream restaurant: chin lan. I remember sitting in front of the TV as a young child, watching the Food Network and vigorously taking notes on recipes by Martha Stewart and Dave Lieberman (this was before the internet). I would beg my parents to take me to the market so I could recipe test a sweet potato pie or marinated rib eye steak. Read More>>
Christine Mark-Griffin
Something I’m pouring into right now—something that may not show its full impact for several years—is planting the seeds of a ripple effect through my published work. My first book, The EMDR Workbook for Kids, has already reached far beyond what I imagined, recently signing translation contracts in Italian, Polish, Turkish, and Korean. Read More>>
Sara Wood
I think of my businesses like planting a fruit tree — you don’t plant it expecting fruit tomorrow. It takes seven, sometimes ten years before it really produces. That’s how I see the work I’m doing now with my restaurant and Girls Chips. I’m planting, tending, and nurturing something that I believe will grow into a strong, lasting presence. Read More>>
Victor Ruano
Right now I’m investing time in building a body of personal work through Santasombra—projects that aren’t tied to clients or quick results, but are about exploring ideas, experimenting with Gen AI, and documenting my perspective as a designer and artist. Read More>>
Gregory Kopp
The next steps in my creative journey are to adapt my sweeping “Kopp Chronicles” saga to film or TV, and I am looking forward to collaborating with creative minds to help achieve that vision. Along with the beautiful French Spy and dashing Scotland Yard detective, my readers will enjoy their favorite historical figures and immigrant characters come to life. Read More>>
Tricia Copeland
If we are thinking about this question strictly from a monetary perspective and measuring a dollar amount return on investment, I would say that my podcast will probably not earn me the 5% growth year over year that investing an hour’s worth of income into an investment account would. But, what I am gaining is joy, knowledge, and connection. Read More>>
Nehemiah Muhiri
Currently am avoiding Boston summer traffic at all costs. its tough, but sometimes i match through it when it is completely necessary Read More>>
Deak J. Smalls
Complacency, I’m mortified with being with dissatisfaction when it comes to the thing or things I love. Read More>>
Michael Cooper
I’m fighting retiring. I’ve been doing this for 35 years, and would gladly do it for another 35 , but I’m avoiding the inevitable: one day, I’m not going to be able to do this any more – physically,. I’m in my mid-70’s right now, and feel like I could go on forever, but I know better. Read More>>
Adam Pusateri
When we opened Ingrano Restaurant & Events we aimed to fill a void rather than supplementing the market with more of the same. The hard part (or battle) of pioneering an idea like that is how long it takes to get customers on board with what you are trying to do and what you are met with when looking at the menu and pricing initially. Read More>>
Cameron Tilbury
ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression. I’m quite happy to talk about my mental health issues because they’ve given me the ability to be a strong creative…not without the cost though. Read More>>
