Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
Chie Endo
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: You deserve to take up space exactly as you are. For so long, I thought I had to shrink myself to fit labels, to meet expectations, to keep the peace. Read more>>
Kristin McKenzie Rice
These days I find myself walking about like a female Adam Sandler meme, so yes, I would in fact say my public self is my true self… all the spit up and nursing life has to offer with 3 shadows around me at all times! Read more>>
Lindsey Richardson
Yes, before I even got started. When I decided to start my business, life was busy with two little ones running around. And trying to find the time to do all the things starting a business required, I didn’t always have. I’m kind of a perfectionist, which can be a curse in some cases. Read more>>
Michael Zamora0
I give up all the time. I tend to give up mentally, and sometimes even practically. Music is the one thing I’ve probably tried to give up on the most ironically. Previous band members can attest to this too. I have a frustrating relationship with music a lot of the time. Read more>>
So-Han Fan
Suffering has taught me resilience, and perhaps more importantly, agility. As a small business owner, one has to pivot to meet uncertain and unpredictable circumstances. When the pandemic hit, we had to completely shut down operations because there wasn’t a COVID-friendly way to drink tea together. We pivoted to an online, ecommerce shop for our teas, teaware, and educational videos that still runs today. Read more>>
Karla Rendon
I no longer believe that I am not enough, or that people like me don’t deserve success or greatness. My culture is beautiful, rich in colors, music, and hardworking people. But growing up, there was, and still is, a stigma that women only belong in one type of role: to submit or to stay out of certain spaces. That mentality lived in me for years. Read more>>
Kanwal Siddiqui
I start off my day by getting my youngest (12) ready for school and right after, coffee. I love to make sure I get at least 20-30 minutes of uninterrupted ‘me time’ by a window, a cup of coffee, and my two cats resting besides me and maybe a book! Read more>>
Jenny Honeycutt
The part of me that always had to be “on the move” and treated life like a never-ending to-do list. That version of me crushed in the first half of life – getting it done, climbing ladders, doing all the things. But heading into this next chapter, I realized She’s just exhausted and probably needs a nap. Read more>>
J.I. Mardones Films
From my point of view, intelligence, energy and integrity are equally important, but this time I want to talk more about INTELLIGENCE. Read more>>
Sergey Astafyev
The last time I felt true joy was when I was working with a very young French Bulldog puppy, just about three months old. For me, joy comes in those moments when I see a puppy experiencing the world in the right way for the very first time — discovering a toy, learning how to engage without becoming possessive, or calmly meeting another dog. Read more>>
Viviana Arroyo
I’m beyond grateful and excited to be learning from an artist, Steven Martinez from SCM Ink. This artist is self-taught and well established. Recently he has changed his position from social media focus to focusing more on education. He created a group called The ERT (Elite Round Table). It consists of artists from all over the U.S. with all skill levels. Read more>>
Amanda Leigh Adams
The person who taught me the most about work – and life – was my mother. My father passed away when I was young, but I was fortunate to have a mother who made sure I was always cared for and supported. She was the backbone of our family, serving as counselor, teacher, provider, and mother all in one. She truly did it all. Read more>>
David Marino
I’ve always been a creative at heart. As a kid, I loved writing and often found myself crafting scary stories. I also always felt a little different, like I didn’t quite fit in, especially growing up in Texas, where sports ruled everything. Read more>>
Thanos Willey
One of the people that I look up to is Tom Dowd. He was a physicist, recording engineer, and a producer. He was innovative in his use of multitrack recording and also popularising stereophonic sound. His involvement in The Manhattan Project during World War II and his achievements in the music industry are inspiring to me. Read more>>
