College Park’s Rising Stars

Andrea Heard

I became a teacher after serving as an orthodontic assistant where I would help my patients with their braces and their homework. I had a friend who worked at a school who said there were vacancies, and he thought I would be a good fit. I called every day to get an interview and finally landed one. I have loved being an educator ever since. I made it my point to be good at the craft. Now, after 15 years, I have taught primary, secondary, and post-secondary school and now own and operate my own education consulting firm – A.N.H. Consulting INC. Read More>>

DeAnna Grant

As a new mother who was also an accounting professional in corporate America, I faced the challenge of corporate limitations. I was trying to adjust to my new life as a mother and be there for my child while also participate in my professional career. As a result, I launch Grant’s Financial Services in 2009 and have found a path to work/life balance and helping people avoid business tax pitfalls at the same time. Read More>>

Sed Mathis

I started Legally Fit as a passion project. I am a practicing personal injury/trial attorney and former collegiate athlete. After graduating from law school and starting my career as an attorney, I found myself spending every ounce of my free time at the gym. I had been getting random comments and questions asking if I was a personal trainer for a while. Read More>>

Jarreau Walker

It’s hard to believe it’s been thirteen years since we embarked on this journey together. Back in 2011, with just two inflatable units and a whole lot of ambition, we set out to make our mark in the world of entertainment. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, we never lost sight of our vision. Looking back, those early days were filled with excitement, hustle, and a fair share of sleepless nights. From birthday parties to corporate events, we’ve seen it all. Read More>>

Masy

I began releasing music during my senior year of high school. I had been making beats since 8th grade (not really getting serious until later 9th/10th) and I was writing poetry in middle and high school. I decided to try my hand at writing my own songs over my beats and sharing them starting with my first release in September 2020. Read More>>

Jessica Hultquist

I’ve always dreamed of owning my own business. My career started out at Marshall Fields as a merchandiser in the buying office. My husband and I moved to Atlanta, and I continued working in wholesale for some incredible companies. I learned a lot in the field, representing names like Waterford Crystal, Wedgwood China, Kenneth Cole, and Nina Footwear. I took a brief break from my career to spend more time with my three children. Read More>>

Remi Omolosho

I never thought I’d be a full-time entrepreneur. When I was in college, I found myself changing my major every other month. I couldn’t seem to fit myself into one of those check boxes of a career. This caused me to deepen my relationship with God. I figured since He created me, He could tell me why I was here and what I was meant to do. In that journey, God helped me to realize my love for business and entrepreneurship and led me to starting businesses.  Read More>>

Sarah Hillmer

I have spent the entirety of my life in the art world, first, as a professional dancer and ballet master with the Atlanta Ballet, followed by work as an assistant and stager for internationally renowned choreographers to now leading arts organizations from the administrative side as an Executive Director for abidance, and Business Operations Manager for Windmill Arts.  Read More>>

Rob Hardy

I grew up in Philadelphia. A guy in my neighborhood had a camcorder. I borrowed it and shot music videos starring my friends lip-synching to popular rap songs. That led to me making a mini-movie in high school about a superhero (called ‘G-Man’). I wrote and directed it… and the positive response I got from friends inspired me to be a filmmaker. Read More>>

Hallema Sharif

From an early age, I was driven by a relentless ambition to make an impact and carve out my path in the world of communications. I began volunteering at WYES TV Channel 12 in New Orleans at just 17 years old, under the mentorship of the remarkable Carleen Graves, a seasoned Producer at the station. My parents, recognizing my passion, provided unwavering support, instilling in me the ethos of creating my own opportunities. Read More>>

Zoe Carter

I’m a dancer and creative whose been in love with the arts for my whole life. I started really training intensively when I was 11 with Cici Kelley, and from there, my passion for dance just blossomed. I trained with a number of great teachers in and around the ATL area, and then I started studying at Spelman for my Bachelors in Dance Performance & Choreography in 2020.  Read More>>

Chef Jadie Byrd

My name is Chef Jadie. I am the owner and Executive Chef of Eat Di Herb. Eat Di Herb is a vegan/plant-based cannabis catering company that I started in 2018. I transitioned into a vegan lifestyle in 2017. Early on in the transition, I realized I did not have access to vegan cannabis edibles. At that time, edibles had not yet evolved. Read More>>

Kesha JonTae

I fell in love with taxation in 2007. I was an undergraduate student at Georgia State University taking my very first class on income tax. I’d known since I was a kid that I wanted to grow up to study accounting – but that was just because my mom suggested it as a backup plan when I told her I wanted to grow up to be rich and famous. I wasn’t sure what accounting discipline I wanted to pursue until I took that first tax class. Read More>>