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.. Jeffery August
I start my mornings focused on my book project, The Color of Winning, shaping chapters, polishing interviews, and digging into the history of West Brook’s 1982 Texas State Championship season. With a target release around December 2025, much of mybearly day energy goes into writing, editing, and organizing research notes so the story captures both the spirit of the team and the broader cultural impact. Read More>>
Nikole Marston
Currently, I balance working full time, being a mom of two young children, running my photography business, and finishing my bachelor’s degree in education. Life is full, but I’m grateful for the opportunities and passions I get to pursue each day. Read More>>
Caleb Guilliams
Most mornings start with my wife and Vivi, our 16-month-old daughter. She’s at the stage where every day she’s discovering something new, and it’s just the best. Whether it’s her giggling at breakfast or toddling around the living room, those little moments set the tone for my whole day. I try to be really intentional about carving out that family time before diving into work. Read More>>
Kimberly Fisher
A normal day for me is a blend of structured focus, collaborative connection, and purposeful recharging no matter where I am in the world. I find that a consistent morning routine sets a positive and productive tone for the entire day. My day typically starts early. Read More>>
Annie Clavel0
Every day is different, yet each one is filled with thoughts about art. Sometimes I reflect on the series I’m working on; other times I decide whether to drive to Los Angeles for an opening reception or to visit a museum. Usually, though, I begin my morning by reading the news, then attending a gym class. Read More>>
mtp408
A normal day for mtp408? Let’s see: I count a lot of money up first. Then, I put on some fly drip some real fly clothes in addition to my expensive jewelry I put on. After that, I jump into my red convertible sports car valued at 60 thousand US dollars and I smash through these streets. Read More>>
Jake Ross
It’s tough to say exactly what a ‘normal’ day looks like because I live my life “week to week.”
Here’s a 23 year old CEO day by day breakdown by week:
General Wake Up Time: 8:15AM
– Monday: Calls in AM, Focus Time in PM, Gym, TikTok Scrolling/Movie Read More>>
Stephen Johnson
Right now my days are full of working with rising seniors on their final SAT and ACT prep, meeting with families of juniors who want to start early, and growing the AptivPrep platform and community that I’m so excited about. Read More>>
Jan Buckingham
My normal and perfect days go like this: Wake up, take a walk, write a song, play a gig, watch Andy of Mayberry and go to sleep. Read More>>
Mecca Williams-Muhammad
I love that you ask this question. I am in my season of discipline. I wake up every morning about 4:50 am. I make up my bed. I wash up, and then I pray. After prayer, I set my intention for my day. I write down my goals for my day. I make myself a cup of tea or coffee. Read More>>
Scarlett Ekeroma, MA, LMFT, CMHP
A normal day for me is a mix of running two businesses, being a parent, and making sure I take care of myself too. I usually start my mornings slow—with prayer and quiet time with God—before writing out my to-do list. From there, no two days ever look the same. Read More>>
Duygu Gunesli Ozgun
Being a workaholic camera assitant and chasing after big dreams has been taken over by motherhood. Since I dlearned about my pregnancy everything has changed. I had to become more aware of my health and wellbeing for my unborn child. I gave borth to my first baby boy in June 2025 and since then every minute of my day is dedicated to him. Read More>>
James C. Birdsong, Jr.
I am a person who strongly believes in God and a man of faith. My normal day consist of prayer, conducting affairs in the Gospel music industry and entertainment, organizing my itinerary of travels and meetings, doing interviews on various media platforms, working on upcoming and future projects and spending time with family, friends and loved ones. Read More>>
Scout Durwood
Right now I am at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with a solo show, so my days look like: wake up whenever the fatigue coma wears off, usually between eleven and noon. Read More>>
Rob Corrall
I wake up at 4.30am and start working before my kids wake up. I go for a run and then I take the kids to school Work the rest of the day and if it’s a weekend, I’m out DJing a wedding. Read More>>
Lori Royce
A normal day for me looks like> Waking up early to go outside and power walk 3 miles: listening to the birds singing, petting the dogs out for a stroll in my neighborhood that I see along the paths, watching the ducks swim in the waters, meditating while walking and dreaming about all the wonderful things I want to achieve in my life. Read More>>
Tsvetta Kaleynska
Since becoming a mum, the idea of normality has faded. At any moment, I might get a call from daycare about a sick child, and while that can be challenging, it has made me value every minute even more. My days are often filled with calls, and I find myself becoming more present in each one because my time feels more precious. Read More>>
Grace Michelle
Right now, a normal day for me is pretty full. I’m a full-time college student and also work full-time, so most of my day is spent balancing classes, assignments, and work responsibilities. On top of that, I make time for my music, which is really important to me—it’s my creative outlet and something that keeps me balanced. Read More>>
Ryan Woldt
Is anything ever normal anymore? I’d say the question goes doubly for my current state of affairs. My Wife, dog, and I are moving to Oregon, but not for several months. We moved out of our apartment in Southern California nearly two months ago, and are using this time to wander. Read More>>
Hope Easton
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I was just thinking about that today as I went to Anaheim to perform for a nonprofit event, I thought to myself my days are never normal, and I never know what they will bring. It isnt a predictable day job from 9-5, it is a life that weaves around and has its own time as to what the days will bring. Read More>>
Jennifer Tschuprikow
My workday as a dressage trainer at WEC, Woodlands Equestrian Club, typically begins at 7:00 AM. Since we live on-site, the commute is easy — just a short walk to the barn. I start by preparing my tack: saddle pads, gel pads, my saddle, girths, bridles etc. I get into my boots, spurs, gloves, helmet, and we get started. Read More>>
Roberta Donato
My days are pretty full, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! I start by getting my kids ready and taking them to school—it’s a bit of organized chaos, but it sets the tone for the day. After drop-off, I head straight to the gym. I’ll admit it—I’m a bit of an exercise addict! Read More>>
Michael Balko
I’m a director of Stadium Operations for a Double-A baseball team, so currently working 16 hour days and blessed to be in the position I am. I wouldn’t be able to do any of it without the love and support of my beautiful wife, Burgundee though Read More>>
Emma Davis
A normal day for me is probably unlike most people. Not only do I run my own business–Mikko’s Choice, but I also have a hobby farm and assist a farm vey part time. A typical day can look very different from one to the next. Usually, the mornings are the same. Read More>>
Rosina DiBello
My mornings begin with a strong cup of French press coffee—non-negotiable. From there, I ease into work by checking emails, setting appointments, and monitoring my website’s SEO. I review tasks in my studio software, which keeps me organized with contracts, quotes, questionnaires, and all my client info in one place. Read More>>
Alaya Lee
These days, I usually kick off with some quiet time in the studio and a bit of caffeine, though I often find myself staying in bed a little longer than I planned. I enjoy taking walks around the city—not just to clear my mind, but to find unexpected inspiration in everyday moments. Read More>>
Olivia Herlihy
It does change all the time! But I typically get up with my youngest son around 5:30 AM (milk for him and relaxing on the couch) while I have my coffee and catch on emails from the night before. Then my daughter is up around 6:30 AM. Breakfast with the kids around 7:30 AM. Then playtime and getting ready for the day. Read More>>
Jayden Eastman
A normal day is actually quite hard to come by… For me its taking care of my animals, walking up, cooking food, solving random problems usually involving building stuff for solutions. Then throughout the chaos, I manage to find time to make incredible art and music. Read More>>
Iris Savoy
A normal day for me right now is a balancing act between my full-time role at Giant Food and running Iris Nikki Photography. My mornings typically start early with work responsibilities, including coordinating sign distribution and managing vendor communication. After hours, I shift into creative mode—editing photos, responding to client inquiries, planning upcoming shoots, or creating content for social media. Read More>>
MELISSA MISODA
The light I’ve been dimming is the dream of becoming a full-time artist. I hope that one day I’ll be able to support myself solely through my art. At the same time, I truly value making a living by sharing this craft with my students—it’s a joy that balances the dream. Read More>>
Sam Molina
For so long and circumstances out of my control, it caused me to dim my own light. The fear of not getting it right and just straight up not believing in myself. I’ve realized, since I moved back home and by working really hard on my mental health, that dimming my own light really didn’t take me anywhere. Read More>>
Rebekah Brumfield
The light I’ve been dimming is the part of me that feels deeply, speaks boldly, and carries both softness and strength. It’s the creative, intuitive voice that knows it doesn’t have to shrink to make others comfortable. The light that sees beauty in rawness, that tells honest stories, that doesn’t need to be filtered to be worthy. Read More>>
douglas busch
Al Weber in Carmel secured my job with Ansel Adams and was my mentor and main support for my growth. Peter Bodnar at the Univ. of IL Champaign who guided me and put me on my path as an artist and mentor to other people. Read More>>
Emma Leigh Reed
The relationship with my three children. All of them inspire me in different ways. My oldest is fearless. She has started three businesses and is raising 2 children. My middle child has put herself through PA school while raising a new baby and has just embarked on her career. Read More>>
Donna O’Donnell Figurski
It’s never only one relationship that molds you into who you are. They say “it takes a village,” and it does. I had a rocky start on the path to a career. When I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to be a flight attendant. I applied to every airline, but each application was returned with two scarlet letters—N-O. Read More>>
Kyra Clemons
My personal relationship with God. The older I get and the more life humbles me, the more I realize how central that relationship is to everything in my life…my peace, my purpose, and my perspective. Through life’s highs and lows, it is my walk with God that continues to ground and shape me. It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence. Read More>>
Leonard Manning
The answer is God, with his blessings and guidance, who shaped me and is still molding me to become the best version of myself. I became extremely creative by thinking more outside the box. I started to create tunes under the age of 10 on a Casio keyboard, which kick-started my interest in music. Read More>>
Alisha Allen
My Mom created the entire blueprint for how I see myself in this world. She is the most loving, selfless, kind, hard working human on the planet. She always encouraged me to follow my dreams and was my biggest cheerleader since I was born. Read More>>
Rafael Luna
I think relationships where you have a similar connection help you see yourself in ways where you change in the most positive form. This doesn’t mean that there was something wrong and there is a positive outcome rather you are seeing things differently. You start to mirror yourself and determine what you want out of yourself. Some relationships have levels of connection. Read More>>
Jessica Stone
My relationship with my daughter has definitely defined my life and shapes how I see myself. I was young, and she was unexpected, but she was the best gift I could have ever received. Kaylee seemed to be born more mature, more driven, and more sure of herself than I am, even to this day. Read More>>
Tonya Denmark
My relationship with my kids changed me the most. Because of them, I’ve learned more about letting go of my ideas of myself, what I should be doing, what I should look like, and more. When they were younger, I’ve learned to be more flexible in how I spend my time. Read More>>
Leanna Strohecker
Every part about living on a sailboat required teamwork and trust, so the relationship that Will and I share was essential to our success and overall growth as individuals. Read More>>
Rachel Leslie
Deepening my relationship with myself and creating space to listen to my wants, needs, vision, and values has had a profoundly positive impact on how I operate in the world. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of work, to-do lists, plans, and expectations of what you should or shouldn’t do in your business or life. Read More>>
Mariana Macias
My relationship with God. One of the most powerful questions I love to offer to my clients is, ‘If you could see yourself from God’s eyes, how would you see yourself?’ This one to me, is a constant question and reminder that I always love to answer out loud. And shaping my relationship with God has been one of my biggest successes in life. Read More>>
Lena Govedarica (ex Miladinovic)
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with myself. I used to be overly strict, set impossibly high standards, and constantly feel unhappy, always chasing bigger goals. Over time, after my burn out period, I’ve learned to celebrate small achievements, acknowledge my progress, and be kinder to myself. Read More>>
Sabrina Santiago
The most defining relationship is the one I have with My Oldest Son, Christopher. Born with Cerebral Palsy as a result of medical malpractice, Christopher has been a nearly three decade life lesson in perseverance, humility and compassion. His disability has pushed Me to advocate for His right to exist in a world that at times sees individuals like Him as an afterthought. Read More>>
nathan timmel
Becoming a father changed me in ways I’m still figuring out, and it’s been thirteen years. I used to have an ego, and think about me, me, me… Now, I do everything for my kids. It’s a cliche, but it’s true. The instant you have someone you’re responsible for, you stop worrying about yourself, and you start worrying about them. Read More>>
Sharde Hawkins
The relationship with my mom. It’s funny and interesting because seeing someone who’s so much like me – same traits, same personality, and even the same looks – but who made different choices and followed a different path. It’s literally like looking at a mirror with a different timeline, or a reminder of what could happen if I don’t follow my purpose. Read More>>
Ethan Smith
I have two relationships that have deeply shaped who I am. The first is with my wife. She believes in me, supports me in ways no one else can, and fills my life with joy. We share ideas, work through challenges together, and she’s a constant source of inspiration for my songwriting. The second is my relationship with God. Read More>>
Nate Paxton
My relationship with GOD shaped how I see myself today. I’m a King’s kid. He says in HIS word I am more than a conqueror, I’m the head and not the tail, I’m blessed coming in and blessed going out, etc. GOD made me in HIS image and that’s what I believe!!! Read More>>
Georgette Jackson
My relationship with Jesus Christ has shaped how I see myself. Before I came into a relationship with Jesus, I was a bit withdrawn, extremely shy and didn’t realize that I had anything to offer the world. I was satisfied with just coming and going doing mediocre things. Read More>>
