Through the work we do we are incredibly fortunate to find and learn about so many incredible local artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. Their stories, the lessons that they’ve learned and the legacies they are building inspire us beyond words. Below, we have highlighted a few of those amazing folks and we hope you’ll check out their stories and their responses to some of the fundamental questions the help form the foundation of our lives and careers.
Michelle Smith
As the founder and CEO of Mpower People CIC, I am constantly chasing secure and sustainable funding. For over 15 years, we’ve been providing life-changing, often life-saving, support to people in Merseyside who are struggling with their mental health. Yet every year, the challenge of securing long-term financial stability becomes harder. Read More>>
Aryan Rohira
There’s a quote I adore by Vincent Van Gogh that goes, ‘I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.’ His words and vision resonate deeply with me. My pursuit of excellence isn’t linked to any wealth or metric. It’s simply about becoming the best version of myself. Read More>>
Mardell Rampton
I have a big dream, and my big dream is for my art and my words to bring tranquility and serenity in to people’s lives, if I were to stop creating work to support that I’d feel like I wasn’t living up to my mission. Read More>>
Sara Kirstos
I’m constantly chasing my way back to myself if that makes any sense. As a bonafide and proud introvert, solitude has always been a place of recharge, refilling, reconnecting with myself in a way that very social people may not understand. Read More>>
Braden Erickson
That’s a great question. At a time, I thought it was for attention or gratification, or the idea of success. But I realize that it’s about the act of creating; or the chase itself. I feel obligated to make things. I want to maximize creative output to the best of my ability, while having a great catalog of works. Read More>>
Will Stone
As of right now I’m chasing success in all aspects whether it’s in crating clothes, content, finding a perfect agency for me, anything when it comes to me becoming creative I’m chasing and if I stopped it’s basically like I’m giving up on what I want for myself in life Read More>>
Matthew Bielen
I’m really always chasing my next creation. Creativity is like a muscle; it needs to grow, or it dies. Creating has always played a crucial role in my life, no matter what it looked like. Growing up, I would draw, no matter where I was, or build Legos in between any obligation I had. Read More>>
Evans Mutavi
What I’m chasing? MutAfrique Minerals Ltd branding and growing it’s image in the global arena. Highlights of what I’m currently chasing: Revenue & growth — more sales, production, reserves, faster ramp-up. Market recognition / reputation — “becoming known” in industry, government, communities. Investors & funding — capital to scale exploration, extraction, processing. Read More>>
Jeffries Moore
I am chasing the opportunity to translate the invisible forces shaping our lives into something we can see, feel, and reckon with. I am chasing truth, justice, and the possibility of beauty in a world that often feels fractured. Read More>>
Sh’marv Harris
I’m currently chasing an outlet for my creativity. For me, creativity isn’t just about making something visually appealing or entertaining..it’s about expressing the parts of myself that can’t always be communicated through words. Whether it’s through art, storytelling, fashion, or even the way I approach everyday challenges, I’m always searching for ways to channel my ideas into something meaningful. Read More>>
Cheryl Gross
I’m still chasing my dreams. The only way I would stop is if my existence ceased to exist. Read More>>
Velle Kimble
One of my favorite quotes of all time is “The journey has been incredible from its beginning” said by the late great Sidney Poitier. Speaking for myself I must say I’ve come a long way from my humble beginnings as an actor. Read More>>
travis horn
Honestly, I could almost cry when I think about how much work I’ve put in for the future. Every single day, every action, every decision I make is tied to my belief that what I do today shapes the world I live in tomorrow. Read More>>
Nikki Lian
This year I resigned from the Board of Directors of a 5 Star Chamber of Commerce. I agreed to sit on the board in 2023 because I really felt like I could contribute in helping small business owners in our community. Read More>>
Keyla Wood
What breaks connections between people, in my experience, is when integrity stops being the center of their actions. For me, integrity comes before anything — it’s the foundation of trust. You can’t build real teamwork or genuine relationships without it. I value integrity first, then intelligence and knowledge, because talent without integrity eventually destroys itself. Read More>>
Dominique Kidd
In the music business, bonds between people often break when communication and trust start to fade. Ego, miscommunication, or unmet expectations can easily create tension between artists, managers, and teams. I’ve seen how a lack of transparency or respect can turn powerful collaborations into missed opportunities. What restores those bonds is loyalty, accountability, and a genuine passion for the craft. Read More>>
Susanna Leite Cromwell
I believe that it is not differences that breaks bonds between people but the belief that those differences define all character and therefore there is no place of understanding to be found. I see people loose connection, and worse- care for their own family and lifelong friends. Read More>>
Mary Rooney Armand
The greatest thief of relational health is unforgiveness. Words, events, betrayals, and mistakes all can cause intense pain. At some point, we have to learn to let things go and move on; otherwise, bitterness begins to take root within us. Some relationships can’t be restored and need to end so we can move on. Read More>>
Taina Santiago
Humans are social creatures that require socialization to promote quality of life. In my studies I have learned that a lack of communication is one of the biggest factors that can break bonds between people. Read More>>
Cara Cartee
I truly believe the presence of connection is the key to a happy and enlightened life. This only strengthens my passion for helping people travel and discover the world. Immersing in another culture introduces new philosophies, religious beliefs, family dynamics, and political views. It creates space for critical thinking and self-reflection, and builds bonds with family, friends, and those you meet on the road. Read More>>
Sammy T
I would say in simplest terms hate, and respectively love – or unacceptance / acceptance. That’s why I think it’s so important for everyone to find connection in some way, because I guarantee you we all have more in common, than we do uncommon… sadly, the narrative is the latter more so than not. Read More>>
Ron Daughton
The simple answers for are poor communication unresolved conflicts and boundary infractions. Restoration begins with open honest conversation patience and forgiveness for healing purposes Read More>>
Ali Dubin
Sometimes it’s the big ruptures or betrayals that break the bonds. But usually, it’s what we call death by a thousand papercuts. Years of missing or actively not responding to repeated bids for connection. Secrets, lies, and turning away rather than towards our loved one cuts the threads that bind us. The good news is that the magic is in the repair. Read More>>
Mariangela Abeo
I think we have been ‘taught’ that individualism is important, and I couldn’t agree less. I feel like our constant need for it breaks the bonds between people. To be better, happier, skinnier, prettier, stronger, richer, etc. We have forgotten how to just exist and BE. Read More>>
Keturah Chaldean
I honestly LOVE this question, because it’s something I see so often in my coaching practice. I think what breaks bonds most often is when we stop feeling safe to be our full selves with one another. Whether it’s unspoken expectations, lack of communication, or carrying old wounds that we haven’t healed, disconnection usually happens when love gets clouded by fear, pride, or silence. Read More>>
Kate Tumanova
Professionaly speaking ego causes the damage, money can restore anything. Negotiate. Read More>>
Thom Warner
Bonds between people are broken when one or the other of them has a closed heart or will not empathise or see a new perspective. Be open but not blind. Bonds can be restored when people realize we are ALL connected while walking our individual paths. Read More>>
Mio ASAKA
I believe that the sweets I create can bring happiness to people. I can’t prove it with numbers, but my customers’ smiles speak for themselves. Read More>>
Dr. Victoria Munoz
When it comes to health, there are some very important things to understand. First of all, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to healing the body. Each individual is as unique as their own thumbprint. Therefore, treatment of disease is not a protocol, but a design. The design must fit the patients uniques profile of genetics, lifestyle, experiences, and mindset. Read More>>
Mike Galati
I think a lot people measure success as a small business in growth and in money. When, to me i focus on community involvement, participation, support & making a difference. I’ve always made a living, sometimes i do better than others financially. But my focus has never been solely money. It’s always been my community, my people and supporting them. Read More>>
Theresa Morris
The ASCL is empowering kids to take responsibility for their own competition, Meaning, letting them take the skills of climbing, integrity and sportsmanship to make the competition their own with limited involvment from adults. We’ve all seen how over-amibitious adults get in the way of letting kids just enjoy the sport they are interested in with the friends they’d like to be around. Read More>>
Ken Sandy
Whats misunderstood abour out business? People think dry cleaning is just about clothes, ITS NOT. Were not a service, were a pulse. A hub. A connector. Every neighborhood dry cleaer is a piece of local infrastructure, holding stories, confidentce and community together one garment at a time. Thie biggest misconception? That dry cleaing is outdated or harmful. Read More>>
Jessica King
One of the biggest misconceptions about my work is that it’s ‘just copying a photograph’. They think that because I work from photographs and aim for photo-realism, that the time and effort I put into a portrait is redundant, and that the work itself lacks that creative spark other styles might have. Read More>>
Eve Muradyan
ŌMO Wellness was honored as the Best Vegan Wellness Brand in the USA for 2024, which set us apart in an industry often associated with pilates, smoothies, and designer yoga pants. ŌMO is a wellness brand built for high performance, for people with the mindset of a warrior, the ones who say “I can do this.” Our vision of wellness is different. Read More>>
Nikki Jahnke
I think one of the biggest misunderstandings about my business is that Reiki and energy work are only for “woo woo” people. And I totally get that, I used to be one of those people. But the truth is, energy is everything — it’s at the core of how we feel, how we move through the world, and how we show up in our lives. Read More>>
Steve Stewart
That all musicians are multi-millionaires. Despite all the music videos featuring Maybachs and G6s, the truth is very few musicians make the kind of money that’s depicted on social media. Read More>>
Stephnanie Viva
Before I started a farmers market, I thought it was simple-you invite a few farms, and they show up. The reality is far from that. We are deeply disconnected from our food sources, and if you’ve ever tried to grow a single tomato plant in your backyard, you know how much effort it takes to consistently produce food, even enough for one person. Read More>>
Joseph Hammer
The National Geographic Photo Ark is a decades-long mission to document all species living in the world’s zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries, inspire action through education, and help protect wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts. It’s not a business, but a mission that uses the power of photography to educate others about Earth’s amazing biodiversity and move people to action. Read More>>
Seth Rotman
That’s such a fantastic question. Honestly, the biggest misunderstanding about my business comes down to my title. When people hear ‘Board Certified Nurse Coach,’ their minds naturally put the words together and assume I coach nurses. I get why, it sounds logical. Read More>>
Maureen Bonsignore
It’s easy to reduce a business to the product their selling and call it another capitalist venture, but we’re not just selling loose leaf tea. We’re building a community of tea lovers from all walks of life. Read More>>
Michelle Grout
I think the most misunderstood thing about my business is that people assume there’s a whole team behind it, when in reality it’s just me. Every piece is designed, crafted, packaged, and shipped with my own hands. Unlike Amazon or fast fashion, nothing is mass-produced. Read More>>
Nicole Spracale
I think many people struggle with a quiet sense of professional unfulfillment. On the surface, they appear successful, advancing in their careers, earning recognition, and checking the boxes that define achievement. Yet internally, there’s often a disconnect, a feeling that their work lacks deeper meaning or alignment with who they truly are. Read More>>
Pia Isabel Rössle
I believe that people today are suffering from a collective perfectionism craze. We try to excel in various roles and, in doing so, fall into the trap of needing to please. We see what’s possible on social media and try to emulate it. But in doing so, we completely overlook the following: Shouldn’t we rather find that one thing we are truly here for? Read More>>
Michelle Ghassemi
How to get out of their own way! They may not know the blocks they have in place or the upper limits they fear but that awareness alone has helped me get over my own B.S and build a brand from zero to 7 figures(without being the service provider) to exiting that and mentoring other business owners build better habits+strategy to expand and create momentum. Read More>>
Tara LaFon Gooch
I think one of the biggest unspoken struggles people carry—especially high-achievers—is the feeling of not being enough even while they’re outwardly succeeding. Many leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals quietly battle self-doubt, burnout, and comparison, but don’t voice it because vulnerability feels risky in their roles. Read More>>
Moses Hall
I think many people are secretly struggling with failure, or at least the fear of it. We live in a world that celebrates the victories but rarely talks about the battles it took to get there. What people don’t often admit is how heavy that silence can feel. You start believing you are the only one stumbling while everyone else has it figured out. Read More>>
MAGGIE VETSCH
I think others are STILL struggling with the effects of COVID and being in solitude. Our social batteries are declining and living through each day is expensive and monotonous. I think we tolerate the daily must-do’s and anything extra feels like betrayal to our true selves. I also believe that while shedding into a new creature it is difficult and feels wrong to embrace. Read More>>
