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.
Becca Bray
Starting my career as a body waxing specialist felt like the most natural yet least interesting thing about myself. Little did I know that it would become part of every day conversation as soon as someone found out what I did for work. The most surprising realization I had in this industry is the gross misogyny and sexualization of it. Read More>>
Loretta C. Rogers
I am a multi-published, bestselling author who writes in a variety of genres. Some of the most misunderstood concepts about writers is that we can simply craft and entire novel in a couple of hours, and once we write ‘The End,’ the book is finished and ready to publish. Oh, my goodness, this is so far from reality. Read More>>
Chris Fulcher
I think the term ‘photographer’ is too narrow for what we actually do now. The misunderstanding is thinking that the job starts and ends with the click of a shutter. In reality, our company Sin City Creative is a solution-based agency. Read More>>
Edward Ray
There is a persistent misunderstanding that commissioned composition is about “taste” or “vibes”. Clients aren’t just paying for assets, even when they think they are. They are actually paying to remove uncertainty. That uncertainty shows up as rewrites, missed deadlines, blurred direction, undefined ownership and projects that slowly drift off course. Read More>>
Marc Lainhart
There are common misconceptions about what psychic mediums do, leading to misunderstandings about my business and my intentions. Psychic mediums use methods such as palm reading, crystal gazing, oracle cards, dowsing rods, and clairvoyance, and this diversity can confuse those unfamiliar with the field. Media portrayals tend to be sensational or negative, fueling unhelpful stereotypes. Read More>>
Farrah Hodgson
One of the biggest misconceptions about Daughter of the King Publishing is that we are “just a publishing company.” In reality, what we do goes far beyond producing books. We walk with our authors through every step of their creative and spiritual journey, helping them shape their stories, find their voice, build confidence, and bring their God-given message to life with excellence. Read More>>
Notorio718
A lot of people misunderstand both reggaeton as a genre and what it actually takes to move as an independent artist in this space. From the outside, reggaeton can look like it’s just party music, catchy hooks, and trends on social media. But for me, coming from the Bronx and now being based in Stockholm, it’s way deeper than that. Read More>>
Amélie Saint-Jacques
One thing that I think is misunderstood about my business is how many people think that organizers can magically make everything perfect just by buying enough storage containers and rearranging your stuff. Probably because that’s how it often looks on TV! Read More>>
Nicole Ayub
People often assume that, as a wealth or money coach, my business must resemble every other coach in the personal finance space and that I’m here to preach budgets, strict rules, and the traditional “do more with less” mindset. But the truth is, my work has very little in common with conventional personal finance teachings. Read More>>
Elizabeth Corey
I think the thing people struggle with most—but rarely say out loud—is the quiet fear that they’re not living in alignment with who they’re meant to be. So many feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in a life that doesn’t quite fit, but they mask it under productivity, perfectionism, or being ‘the strong one.’ What we don’t talk about enough is how universal this is. Read More>>
Adam McCoy
I think a lot of people are quietly struggling with the gap between who they are right now and who they hoped they’d be. In the fire service especially, we get good at looking squared away even when we’re worn down, worried, or stretched thin at home. Most won’t say they’re tired or unsure of their next step. Read More>>
Justin Franklin
I think a lot of artist are struggling with the duality of being the center of attention one moment, then immediately to isolation after the show is over. It’s a radical change to deal with an no one really talks about it or takes it seriously, ya know? I’m actually finishing on an EP that really explores my mind when going through that radical change. Read More>>
S.S. Turner
Legacy is such an ephemeral concept to me. Beyond my immediate family, I’m not sure I’ll have a definable legacy to be honest. Read More>>
Cynthia Perez
I think the greatest misunderstanding about my legacy will be the belief that I chose to walk away from my family’s dynasty — that I abandoned it. In reality, I went solo because I had to, not because I wanted distance from my roots. Read More>>
J Leonard Costner
The irony is that my legacy is unclear – even to me. My parents’ wish for my brother and me is that we be the men they raised, blessed with the opportunities and worldly experiences they gave us, so we can carry that forward to our children. Even in my mid-30s, I’m blessed that they’re still able to give that support and love. Read More>>
Diana Onichkina
I believe that true freedom comes from self-discipline, not from doing whatever you want. Most people think freedom means indulging every impulse, avoiding responsibility, or following only their desires. But in my experience, the real freedom is the kind that brings peace, clarity, and fulfillment- comes from consciously choosing how you show up every day, even when it’s uncomfortable. Read More>>
Samantha O’Leary
Normal? What’s normal? But seriously, I try to keep a routine, even though my schedule is always shifting a bit to accommodate whatever necessary chaos pops up. Most days start at 5am. I either fight my alarms or ease into the day with a slow scroll. Read More>>
Jung Soo Kim
Even in the colder months, I spend a lot of time walking through the city. Observing people, the environment, and the small traces they leave behind always gives me inspiration, which makes sense because my practice centers on the relationship between humans and their surroundings. But beyond my work, walking has become a fundamental source of energy in my life. Read More>>
Bandiougou Dione
I wouldn’t say I’ve been dimming my light—rather, I believe the world simply hasn’t fully seen it yet. Deep inside me is a light I truly believe can bring something meaningful to the world. It is a light meant to create memorable art that serves and uplifts others. My light is meant to be a bridge between people—across races, cultures, and religions. Read More>>
Taylor Rochestie
Without question, my relationship with God is number one, two, and three when it comes to level of importance in shaping me as a person, but if I had to say one person, it would be my wife, Agathe. Not only is she my best friend and the person I spend my life with, we have traveled the world and experienced life together. Read More>>
Adrienne Maye
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is my relationship with my mom. My mom was a single mother who defied all of the odds of what most people would say a single mother could achieve raising a child on her own. My mom was quiet, private and very independent. Read More>>
Courtney Rogers
One truth so foundational in my life that I rarely put it into words is that every person deserves basic respect. It’s a quiet principle that guides how I move through the world—seeing people as human first; no exceptions, no conditions. I believe deeply that we are all connected, all worthy of compassion, kindness, and dignity no matter their story. Read More>>
Joanna Dreiling
Unconditional love as a guiding principle of my life. I’ve found that adopting this as a way of being has allowed me to be more centered and operate with more equanimity toward the world around me. There’s much less hate, judgment, and anger in my heart. The road doesn’t rage and the hater’s hate doesn’t hit. Similarly, “Humankind, be both.” Being fully human. Being kind. Read More>>
Robyn Ivy
Art has always made me feel powerful. I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. I’ll never forget when I drew a horse in pre-school, all the kids gathered around, amazed by my work. A few even asked if I could draw one for them. That was the moment that made me realize how powerful art was and how powerful I felt being an artist. Read More>>
Mirendah Smith
I would absolutely regret letting fear stop me — fear of being judged, talked about, or simply being seen. I have so many aspirations for my future and a legacy I want to build for my children. If I allowed other people’s opinions to dictate my path, it would be a waste of a life worth living. Read More>>
Belinda Mason
I once thought about quitting — quitting events, quitting my leadership role, even walking away from WOW altogether. After a tough season of criticism and setbacks, I felt defeated, and for a moment I believed maybe everything I was building wasn’t good enough. But I changed my mind. Instead of giving up, I chose to listen, learn, and grow. Read More>>
Elin Persson
I grew up believing I had to handle everything on my own—that my success depended solely on me and that I needed no one else. In my mid-twenties, I became involved in feminism, which I think came from my own experiences of trauma and witnessing the lack of support for women, including those I care about. Read More>>
Patricia Tate
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about my customers is how deeply they already sense their own truth. My work isn’t about giving them something they don’t have—it’s about illuminating what they’ve been quietly carrying within themselves. Read More>>
Chen Li
One of the most surprising things I’ve learned about our customers is how deeply community influences commerce for them. When we started Palmstreet, we imagined a marketplace where people could buy and sell unique plants, collectible items, and handmade goods. What we didn’t fully predict was how much buyers cared about who they were buying from, not just what they were purchasing. Read More>>
Edda Yamada
The first people who I felt loved by were my parents, and I am lucky to have grown up feeling loved from a young age. My parents are still important people in my life, but I feel that as I have gotten older, become an adult, and moved away from home, naturally, my relationship with my parents has changed. Read More>>
Weriem .
A few days ago, at my Parisian exhibition opening! Throughout the evening, friends from all the cities that shaped me (Tunis, Lille, Boston, Chicago, Paris) arrived one after another. At one point in the evening, two dear friends, one from Chicago and one from Lille, walked into the gallery together. Read More>>
Louise Cutler
Not what, who: God. My grandmother taught me how to pray and to call on the name of Jesus whenever I was afraid or when I wasn’t feeling well. That foundation of faith kept me grounded. It gave me strength, comfort, and the quiet confidence of knowing that everything would be alright. As a child, I was often afraid. Read More>>
Mitchel Wu
I feel many people, not just intelligent people, prioritize the size of their paycheck over doing something that’s personally meaningful to them. I’ve been guilty of that myself. I will never make that mistake again. Read More>>
Ashley Senk
I’m learning something new from my son every single day. He has a remarkable way of teaching me lessons I didn’t even know I needed such as patience, presence, adaptability, and the importance of slowing down. This season has reshaped how I show up both personally and professionally. Read More>>
Shuchi
I am currently learning a great deal from both my supervisors and my students. At times, balancing my roles as an artist, entrepreneur, and professor can be challenging. In those moments, I often look to my students for inspiration. Many of them successfully manage multiple jobs while taking demanding studio courses, and their dedication motivates me to work even harder. Read More>>
Wesley Ericson
Right now I’m learning the most from the communities I work with, and among my artist peers and mentors. Their fortitude, curiosity, and willingness to experiment anchor me in my pursuit of knowledge and artistic expression. Read More>>
Jamie Bonfante
Absolutely , a thousand times yes! I’m a 2023 bride who didn’t hire a videographer or a content creator, and it is genuinely one of my biggest wedding-day regrets. There are so many parts of my day that I never got to see, fully appreciate, or relive. Read More>>
Rajdeep Chatterjee
Yes, I would definitely hire myself or someone who brings the same qualities. I’ve worked across diverse domains and have redesigned products that were either stagnant or causing real frustration for users. Read More>>
