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.
Kareema Wever
My goal isn’t to be understood. I’m not here seeking guidance or validation — I’m here to set the standard for living life on your own terms. My journey is about taking control, leading with intention, and choosing authenticity, even when it leaves you constantly feeling misunderstood. Read more>>
Markese Elliott
I think what people might misunderstand about my legacy is that everything I do isn’t just for me. I truly want what’s best for others. Whether it’s through teaching, coaching, or podcasting, my goal has always been to help people grow and feel supported. Read more>>
Nina Childs
My Nicki Minaj Fandom. I’m a barb…unapologetically. Ha! Read more>>
Tiffany Goss
Most people will never truly understand my legacy. They might look at my life and see only the chaos, the choices I made out of survival, or the labels society would slap on me—and assume they know me. What they won’t see is the depth of my resilience, the intentionality behind my growth, or the love and strength that carried me through every dark moment. Read more>>
VanillaAíday Carter
I think people will most misunderstood my passion/intensity about my legacy. It has never been easy being me, or walking in my shoes but I make it seem & appear seamlessly & effortless. But I struggle daily. I don’t speak on it a lot, but just know. Read more>>
Brandon Ward
My passion for wanting to be the best or wanting the kids I coach to be the best. Sometimes parents or people in the community feel I’m angry or hot tempered but I’m not angry i just practice excellence and I expect my players to do the same. We can laugh and joke at practice but when it’s “GAME TIME” I’m straight business. Read more>>
Runitup Zoe
Why I go so hard . When you don’t really have a lot of people in your corner or supporting You still have to keep going because at the end of the day it’s on you if you want to win or not Read more>>
Tiffany Smith
That I’m weird when I reach out to someone in a DM. Especially if I’m sending follow-up, I fear I’m weirdo alert, that causes some pain for me. Read more>>
Charlisa Harris
I’d say my view on being “humble.” I think humility, especially in the Black community, has often been taught from a post-slavery mindset—one that encourages us to stay small so others feel comfortable. To me, real humility isn’t about shrinking yourself; it’s about knowing that there’s a power greater than you and giving thanks to God for your gifts. Read more>>
Alison Auditore
Art is at the root of everything we do, and is as much a core subject as Math, Science, and History. In fact, it’s the thing that ties them all together. I think we do ourselves a disservice treating art as an elective, or as something that not everyone can do or needs to do. Read more>>
Nicole Kovar
The arts are essential to an elevated human experience. Everyone should be able to express themselves through an art form. Too often, the arts get treated as a “nice-to-have” or something expendable when budgets get tight. But the arts like music, dance, theater, and visual storytelling are how we process our emotions, connect to each other, and understand ourselves. Read more>>
Moses Bravo
I believe through Christ all things are possible. My faith really reflects my success not just as an artist but as a human. Read more>>
Tracey Zhang
One of the most important truths I’ve discovered — and one that very few people agree with me on at first — is that true belonging isn’t something you ‘find’ in a place, a relationship, or a community. It’s something you cultivate inside yourself. Read more>>
Bianca Russo
You have infinite strength and potential. You are actually limitless! If you think you don’t, then you don’t. But if you believe you do, then you do, and you WILL receive gifts as such every single day. Consciousness and subconsciousness are truly sacred. Don’t be a fool; wield your power for the greater good. You really do got this. Read more>>
Damaris Dover
You know, in motherhood and real estate it’s never the same, you truly never know what the day will bring. Lately though, my mornings start around 5am. I splash some cold water on my face, drink a lot of water, get in a workout, and of course, make coffee. Then it’s usually a round of emails before I get ready for the day. Read more>>
Adonis King
As an Online Fitness Business Owner, I begin my day at 4:30 or 5:00 a.m. My mornings are dedicated to client check-ins, new inquiries, and personal training sessions with my clients. In the afternoon, I focus on marketing and business development. Read more>>
Trace Deaton
Since I retired a few years ago as a Digital Marketing Executive my days are filled with creativity and learning. I’m constantly exploring new ways of creating art. I’m a photographer but I love to create digital art and video as well. I photograph a wide range of subjects, including, models and landscapes. Read more>>
Logan Fulcher
I am building a digital copy of the Earth that sits on top of the real one, so that games, overlays, and ‘a metaverse’ can actually exist with coordinates in the real world. At least, that’s what I tell people. It is my real job, but we’ve been on hold for the past few months… Freeing me up to embrace AI. Read more>>
Sienna Nguyen
These days, my normal day varies but for the most part, I am spending my time with my little family. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl back in October 2024, and life has changed in various ways. I’ve always dreamt of living a life with my little dogs, children, and my spouse. Read more>>
Ali Deeran
My days usually start with coffee and sketching a quiet moment where ideas bloom and my art continues to evolve. I spend most of my time tattooing and shaping designs, but I always make room to reconnect with nature. Whether hiking through trails or skating under the open sky, those moments reset my mind and inspire new perspectives. Read more>>
Leah Bassett
A normal day for me right now is literally living and breathing my art studio and gallery! I acquired an art studio last year and that has been a humongous adventure in itself and now as of two months ago I’ve expanded the space into a gallery next door where I showcase my favorite local artists! Read more>>
Nikki DeLuca
My days start early because I love having time before the world gets loud. I usually head straight to the gym or a class I am teaching. Movement centers me and sets the tone. After training I dive into planning content, checking in with clients, and managing upcoming events. Afternoons are often meetings, creative work, or calls with partners. Read more>>
Evan Dougoud
Right now, it’s a busy but really fun season my wife and I welcomed our first child just over a month ago! I’m officially a diaper pro now. It’s been the biggest blessing of our lives and has brought so much joy to our days. Read more>>
Amie Easton
I usually wake up around 3am and get a few quiet hours on my computer to work on the Kamloops Tattoo Convention or shop admin before my baby wakes up between 5–6am. After that, I prep breakfast, get us both ready, and head up the ski hill. My baby goes to daycare, and I head into work. Read more>>
Emily McCormick
Usually my days are pretty full. I wake up at 5:00 and either walk on the treadmill or sit in the dark silence with coffee for a bit before I get ready. My kids start waking up at 6, so that first hour is how I emotionally prepare for the day. Read more>>
Jon Passow
What I love about being a classically trained actor living in London is that everyday brings something new and none of it is ever normal. I generally have my daily routines of going to the gym, practicing guitar, keeping my acting skills sharp by running lines or learning a new skillset, and working on the two plays I’m writing. Read more>>
Darius Stephens
My days are typically busy, especially if I have to do some editing. I currently work for the Community Foundaiton for Greater Buffalo as the Digital Communications Coordinator. So I’m usually filming media, editing or doing some form of communications throughout the day. Once I get home is when I clock into my side business KhamenLenz Media LLC. Read more>>
Laura Williams
A normal day is getting to work 30 minutes early so I can check my emails in the car before starting my workday. Throughout the day when I have breaks is when I work on band interviews. In the evenings when I get home is when I send out interview requests or I respond to others in the business sending bands in my direction. Read more>>
Samuel Pace
A normal day for me is waking up at 4:30 watching the news and drinking coffee, depending on the day I could go out to my studio and paint or work on a piece of art or 4 to 5 hours, come inside prepare dinner while catching up on news and watching the antiques roadshow other days I could head out to LA to the karate school work out or teach, go ahead to a jazz concert, then on other days I may have to work installing art for customers or museums Read more>>
Robert Portillo
Wake up at 6:15 am. Cut up fresh fruit, feed kids, make smoothies, matcha or coffee. Drive older son to school then ride bike with younger son to school. Walk dog for 1 mile. Head to gym and do cardio for an hour and 1.5 hours weight training (twice a week) or just 1 hour cardio. Go home, shower, work until 6:30 pm. Read more>>
Amanda Leidy
Hi! I’d love to delve into what life has been like lately. With two older toddlers ( two and four), we have finally broken out of the constant diaper, nap, and teething hustle. Although, they have not slowed down much so our days are still full and joyful. I really enjoy opening the home before they’re awake as often as i can. Read more>>
Analicia Austin
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with my family—and now, my husband. My parents taught me the importance of creativity, independence, and hard work, which has influenced how I approach both life and business. Read more>>
Dylan West
When I was little, I thought I wasn’t worth much. Then, at age 11, I learned Jesus thought I was worth being tortured and ridiculed for, and that He wanted to adopt me. Ever since then, I know I’m wanted and approved of. No disrespect others may show me can erase the worth Jesus has imprinted within me. Read more>>
Pamela Gurley
Honestly, there would be a long list of names since it is not just one relationship/person that has shaped how I see myself. Every connection, both good and bad, personal and professional, has contributed to who I am today. The positive relationships have encouraged and inspired me, showing me what is possible and helping me grow. Read more>>
Jaysalee Salcedo
I am beyond blessed to have grown up surrounded by five generations of powerful women—my great-great-grandmother, great-grandmother, grandmother, and my mother. Their presence has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. Now, as an adult, I’ve developed a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the three generations of women who came before me. Read more>>
Amanda Penny
The relationship that shaped me the most is the relationship I have with my dad. Growing up, I didn’t really have a relationship with him and I grew up without a father most of my life till recently. So I’ve learned to be an independent person because of him my mom and I have a close relationship though. Read more>>
Marissa Monroe
Female friendships might be the most amazing, magical thing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve never felt more seen and cared for than I have by the friends I’ve made since I moved to New York. Having such a strong community has completely transformed how I see myself. Read more>>
Angelica Vallecillo Goncalves
My relationship with my dad has always been one I deeply reflect on — mostly because I see so much of myself in him. We’re incredibly alike: driven by purpose, determined to achieve results, unafraid to take risks, and always open to trying something new. My dad had a difficult upbringing. Read more>>
Emily Berning
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is my relationship with Jesus. This might sound cliché, but hear me out. For much of my life, I wrestled with finding my worth in what people thought of me, in my accomplishments, or in whether I measured up. But the truth is, those things shift and fade. Read more>>
Brenda Daly
Wow, tough one! I see myself as an underdog a bit. I was never really picked 1st for anything, but my mom would tell me I had all the talent I needed to do what I wanted. I just needed to focus on the ones that I was the most passionate about. Read more>>
Brianna Benitez
The relationship that most profoundly shaped how I see both myself and the world is my growing relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship completely redefined the concept of control in my life. Previously, I would naturally try to force my own timing or plans, especially when facing situations I couldn’t control. Read more>>
Gemma Rose
I would say the relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one with my guru, Shankaracharya. We met completely by accident. At the time, my boyfriend’s greatest wish was to meet a guru, so I arranged a surprise birthday gift for him — a visit to Shankaracharya’s ashram in Ojai. Read more>>
theRave
My last relationship is pretty pivotal in terms of changing how I see myself, who I want to be, and how I want to live and even get back to the world at large. It gave me the means and the safe space to ask myself some serious questions that I’ve been avoiding for so long. Read more>>
Laura Irmis
As an artist, how can you not be inspired by the people who shape you? As a young child, I was adopted by my grandmother, and as a strong, independent woman, she taught me the world and how to live in it. She used to hang my drawings on the walls of our home and made me feel validated. Read more>>
Lisa Bell
My relationship with my father shaped me. He taught me many things. One important lesson is 10 minutes early is on time On time is LATE Anything after that is inexcusable. This is important throughout your life. Both in personal relationships and work. Read more>>
Noelle Saladin
Honestly, and this may sound crazy to some, but it would definitely be my relationship with my dog Nova. In the past 11 years I have learned so much about myself in my efforts to better understand her. While it started out as the desire to help her work through her challenges, I began to realize how many similarities we share. Read more>>
