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.
Moustapha Berjaoui
Take away the name, role, and possessions and you’d still find me with coffee in hand, cats plotting my downfall, a jungle of plants hanging on for dear life, and a few angry customers chasing me for updates. Read More>>
Demi Howell
If I laid down my name, my roles, and every possession, what would remain is my resilience, my faith, and my capacity to love. Titles and things can be taken, but the woman who learned to rebuild after cancer, who learned to choose peace over perfection, who raised a family while chasing big dreams……that woman stays. Read More>>
Lyric Everly 
I deeply believe that getting to ‘know thyself’ (understanding ourselves at a soul level) is extremely beautiful, and even essential to our evolution, but I also believe that once we’ve done this, we should LET IT ALL GO. Read More>>
Kelee Love
Take away my name, the roles, the book title, the “coach” label, what remains is the woman who did the work even when no one was watching. What stays is my ability to hold space, my love for stories, and my devotion to truth-telling. Between Here & Paradise was born from that place. Read More>>
Emre Basman
Trust. More than price or even quality, they would miss the assurance that when Armina commits to a project, we see it through with pride and honor. We always find a way to deliver to perfection. That commitment, our word, defines us as a brand. Read More>>
Sue Rudolph
If I were to retire tomorrow, my customers would likely miss having someone who truly listens to their unique needs and crafts tailor-made trips that go beyond expectations. They value the personalized care and attention I bring to every itinerary, ensuring each journey feels seamless, meaningful, and perfectly suited to their dreams. Read More>>
Grace Drury
I think my adult students would miss a friend, accelerated learning and some would miss their therapist. Sometimes lessons for adults aren’t just to learn, sometime they’re a way to get to know someone and talk about their life in a safe space and learn music also. Read More>>
Charlie Music Gray
At Flair Affair Entertainment, our mission is to transform the dream of local artists into global opportunities. We believe every individual has a purpose—creators, facilitators, supporters, and fans—all contributing to a larger ecosystem where each role is vital. Read More>>
Louis Roberts, M.Ed.
The one things that I am currently chasing is the highest levels of education possible. That highest level of education is my doctorate degree. I owe my grandparents. They were extremely hard-working people who did not have a chance to complete their educational journey. My grandmother only had a middle school education and did domestic work. Read More>>
Anne-Marie Guery
I’m chasing greatness in my craft, always trying to push my limits. Lately, I’ve been focused on reaching perfection with colors — making them more vibrant, more alive, and giving each tattoo that lasting impact. For me, having goals in tattooing is what keeps the work exciting and meaningful. Read More>>
Lan Wang
I’m not chasing a fixed result. What drives me is a feeling—a rhythm—of moving, pausing, quitting, and beginning again. In that sense, I’m constantly chasing a process: the freedom to step away and the courage to return. My venture I QUIT is built on this exact philosophy. It reclaims the word “quit” from shame and transforms it into power—through design, storytelling, fashion, and shared vulnerability. Read More>>
Christian Ojala
I am chasing a career that constantly pushes me to grow, both creatively and personally. Aerial cinematography is more than just flying drones and capturing shots, it’s about rewriting the limits of what’s possible in the sky. I want to create work that inspires people, that stands out as different, and that leaves no doubt that I gave everything I had to my craft. Read More>>
Natalie Nixon
I am building a system of tools and frameworks to help people and organizations build creative capacity- and the scale at which I envision this having impact – without me needing to be physically present for people to access the content and the ideas and the tools- most likely won’t pay off for 7-10 years. Read More>>
Mason Aksamit
I’ve spent the past eight years creating and writing 20 deeply meaningful stories across a variety of genres. Today, I’m releasing them as books and filming snippets to build critical mass and develop products I can eventually sell to streaming services. Read More>>
Gregory Kopp
The next steps in my creative journey are to adapt my sweeping “Kopp Chronicles” historical romance fiction 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>>
Karen Romine
What I’m doing today that won’t pay off for 7 to 10 years is laying the foundation for a movement in how people make decisions. I’m building a membership community to educate people at a deeper level about their decision-making. Read More>>
Undying Faith
What often breaks the bonds between people is fear, mistrust, and the pressures of a world that tries to silence or divide us. When people are forced to compromise their deepest beliefs or hide who they are, relationships can fracture under that weight. But what restores those bonds is courage, understanding, compassion, and a willingness to stand together even in the hardest of times. Read More>>
Piper Bridwell
Deep question. Sin. Sin breaks the bond between people. Sin can be selfishness, judgment, jealousy, comparison, envy, lust, the list goes on and on. The one who restores relationships is the same one who died for these exact sins. So even tho we choose to be selfish, be jealous, ect. Read More>>
Amanda Spencer
I truly believe that ignorance – whether intentional or just a lack of resources – drives division. The thing I love about The Radical Agenda is getting to discover stories of people I’ve never heard of who changed America, and introducing those stories to others. I believe that education inspires empathy, and empathy helps to create unity. Read More>>
Morgan Layne
For me, what breaks bonds is when someone stops being real with me. When they choose to hold back, hide things, or let silence do the talking, that’s when the connection starts to slip. I’ve felt it firsthand—the “out of sight, out of mind” energy, the half-truths, the avoidance. That’s what hurts the most, because I’ve always given people a safe space to be themselves. Read More>>
Vega Montanez
Communication is Key but Comprehension is Critical. That’s always been my model. I think a lot times bonds between people get lost in the words that are said and never meant and the words that are meant and never said. I myself have been victim and culprit in these situations. Read More>>
Oryah
Octopi are gonna be the next species to dominate the Earth. They’re lowkey kinda scary man. They have the ability to edit their RNA & could hypothetically adapt their cells to virtually any environment. To me, that’s a significant advantage over humans that makes them better built for longterm survival. Additionally, we have barely discovered the deep sea. Read More>>
Dr. Kristin Coronado
I believe the love and presence we pour onto others creates ripples we may never see.The calm we bring, the encouragement we offer, even the boundaries we set, they outlive the moment. Just because you can’t measure the impact doesn’t mean it isn’t transforming someone’s life. I believe God is weaving all of it together for good, even when we can’t see the full picture. Read More>>
Danielle Epstein
One of the biggest misconceptions about masculine and feminine energy is that masculine = male and feminine = female. I’d like to encourage you to think about it this way instead: masculine = traits associated with hormones that men typically make more of, and feminine = traits associated with hormones that women typically make more of. Read More>>
Oryah
Octopus will eventually takeover as the dominant species on Earth after humans come to a collapse. The Earth will always be around even after we’re extinct, but I think octopi (and squids lowkey) have a lot of biological advantages that would make that better for longterm survival. This would be assuming we see the “end of the world@ through natural disaster. Read More>>
Sara Jewell
People recognize we are in chaotic times, and for many, the struggle is that they are holding onto a secret—fearful to share—that they are dealing with people they don’t agree with, especially family and friends. Sadly, lines are being drawn on so many levels, and for people with strong beliefs, opinions, and actions, it’s a time of decision-making. Read More>>
Ian Kirkpatrick
I think one of the biggest things many people struggle with is self-image, how they relate to others, and how they feel about themselves. You might have all the affirmation in the world from your family and friends, but if you think you’re garbage, none of what they say will matter because you trust what you feel more than what they say. Read More>>
Jiayi Zhang
I think a lot of people secretly struggle with feelings of self-doubt, loneliness, or the fear of not being good enough, even if they seem confident on the outside. Many wrestle with financial worries, mental health challenges, or the quiet pressure of comparing themselves to others, but they don’t say it because they fear being judged or misunderstood. Read More>>
Becky Marshall
I feel like others are struggling with self-worth and confidence in their abilities to follow their wishes and dreams. We all struggle with talking ourselves out of things out of fear, whether it’s of the unknown, failing, or our abilities to reach our goals. Read More>>
Antoinette Garland
I believe that, as a society, many of us are carrying a tremendous amount of sadness—often unknown to the very people we interact with daily. We wake up, put on a face, and move through the day as if everything is fine. Yet deep down, something may be eating away at us. Read More>>
Megan Blaising
Imposter Syndrome. I often struggle with the idea of ‘why’ I am sitting at tables. I learned that focusing too much on the ‘why’ makes you miss out on the ‘what.’ So, forget why the seat was offered and start ensuring they remember who filled it. Read More>>
Jamira Williams
I believe many people entrepreneurs, leaders, even parents are secretly struggling with the weight of balancing success with vulnerability. They’ll showcase the wins, the contracts closed, the smiling family pictures, but deep down they’re wrestling with fear: Am I doing enough? Am I enough? Most won’t say it out loud because vulnerability has been mistaken for weakness in our culture. Read More>>
Amber Mikesell
I believe one of the deepest secret struggles many face, but rarely admit, is the constant, stealthy battle happening inside their own mind. It’s not the loud breakdowns or obvious moments of failure that weigh most heavily on the heart, it’s the quiet whispers. The ones no one hears but you. Read More>>
Marcos & Theodora Pestana
That “it’s easy”. “It”being our life. Be it the energy you see us give on the dance floor or those magical moments of “I can” where it seems life is easy breezy. Often well meaning people mistake our positive attitudes, resilience and unwavering faith to mean we don’t struggle. We absolutely do! We are but human. We have fear, pain, worry, exhaustion-all the things! Read More>>
Jessica Salina
Sometimes, people misunderstand talking openly about mental health or disability struggles as ‘being negative’ or having a ‘victim complex.’ When the reality is, I don’t see myself as a victim, nor do I discuss those things through a negative lens necessarily. I think it’s important to be open about our struggles so people don’t feel like they’re alone. That’s my biggest goal. Read More>>
Trevor Pleasant
That there are many sleepless night that come with some level of success. These accomplishments are accolades are not just given. Many days and Nights of uncertainty and doubts through this journey. Unfortunately not everything is fun and games. No matter how effortlessly I make it seem. There is tears, weary nights, scars and pain that come only the way. Read More>>
Nikkita Gordon
My legacy is currently being built for the family I have and the family I create. I have two small businesses. I am the first in my family to start a Salon & Holster Manufacturing business. EAST ALBANY SALON and Cute & Cocky The Brands I have trademarked are Intellectual Property that can be assigned to my family for future returns. Read More>>
Mish Fultz
A normal day seems so chaotic sometimes! Haha. We recently adopted a pitbull mastiff puppy from the shelter; and she is the key to how the day will go. I wake up at 6am to get my daughter ready for school. While she’s getting prepared, I let the puppy out and feed her. Read More>>
Kween PrezSure
A Normal day in the Life of Kween PrezSure would typically be me getting out of bed and jumping straight on one of my digital devices. The first thing I check every morning is emails, fishing through massive emails to see which of them benefits my company and or any one of my artists collectively or individually. Read More>>
Ulato Sam
Right now a normal day is a combination of culture, fitness, community & and entertainment. Being part of a production like Bob Marley Hope Road has brought me closer to home while showing me what the world has to offer. Las Vegas is definitely an amazing city and Mandalay Bay the perfect place to spend my time performing. Read More>>
Kim Plache
For a pet sitting company, especially with Inside and Out Pet Care, I don’t think there’s a ‘normal day’. I can think in my head on what my schedule will be but seems like somethings always comes up. The something that comes up is spam wear, then I have to call my IT person if he’s working on this project? Read More>>
Samantha Lose
Currently my normal days consist of a healthy balance between my full time job and my part time small business. I work full time as a recreational therapist at a memory care community from 9-5 Monday through Friday. My job can be demanding even chaotic at times, but it’s a passion of mine. Read More>>
