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.
Brinton Freeze
I wanted to stop treating my skill sets like separate hobbies and finally bring them into one creative studio. For a while, I hadn’t really sat down and asked myself what was next. After architecture school and closing a previous business pursuit, I felt like I was rebuilding—trying to re-establish who I was and what I could really do. Read more>>
Lindzey Griffin
Lindzey — I think we are most proud of the culture we are building in our company and the relationships we develop with our team. We take chances on people, give opportunities to develop skills they can be proud of and try to help them build self-worth and confidence in who they are as a person. Read more>>
Parke Ballantine
Suffering taught me things that success never could because it stripped everything down to what was essential. I was recently talking with a friend about healing from trauma and reclaiming ancestral spiritual practices, and we reflected on how, in many traditions, initiation involved being pushed to the edge. Read more>>
Allen Boatner
For a long time I believed that I was supposed to be a caretaker. Growing up in an environment that is different than some, I didn’t think I believed I could be anything else. That it was meant to be my life mission to take care of everyone. Read more>>
Sarah Duke
I get a lot of people in my door that are very nervous about trying chiropractic because they think it is extremely dangerous, yet they are willing to try any medication, injection or surgery recommended by thier medical doctor. I’m certainly not discounting the importance of medical interventions, but the idea that chiropractic is scary and medical interventions are not is wild to me. Read more>>
Samantha Plasencia
My family and friends matter the most to me. I’m really passionate about everything I do and my family & friends have always been my biggest support. Read more>>
Tiffany Tajiri
What I understand—often before people are ready to hear it—is that **we are not as free as we’ve been taught to believe**. Most of us are born into a system that quietly siphons our energy while calling it responsibility. From an early age, we are conditioned to trade our time, creativity, and vitality for survival and approval. The 9–5 is framed as stability. Read more>>
Christine Anderson
The most impactful season of my adolescence was the one that ultimately changed the trajectory of my life. On the surface, I was a straight-A student deeply involved in sports like track, basketball, and cheerleading, as well as the arts. I had friends across many different circles and genuinely got along with everyone. Read more>>
Alejandro Rioja
Most days are a balance between staying active, managing Pickleland, and meeting new people. I make sure to get in some form of movement—whether it’s a workout, a walk, or playing a sport. Since I’m in the middle of my growth transformation, I track my macros, and tackle the day’s Pickleland projects, from operations and programming to marketing and community engagement. Read more>>
Heather Orsak
What are top 3 things that are misunderstood about a wedding planner — this is such a good question and a necessary one at that. Read more>>
