It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Atlanta.
Richard Shaw
I am Cuban American and I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, in a family that taught me the values of hard work, resilience, and faith. Life wasn’t always easy—I faced my share of setbacks, including many that could have stopped me in my tracks. I eventually moved forward in my career by joining AirPros USA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Read more>>
Sydney Nieveen
I started with a love to travel. My family started going on yearly family vacations to Riviera Maya Mexico when I was 12 and that sparked my obsession for travel and experiencing new things. Mexico is where I have most of my travel experience, but as I graduated college and started my career, I’ve visited so many more places that have been on my list. Read more>>
Taylor & Dylan Ruby
Taylor is a Luxury Travel Advisor, and someone who’s spent years in the hustle of the food and hospitality world. When I became a mom, I wanted more flexibility to be present for the little moments without giving up the joy of doing work I love. Read more>>
Jan Chrystal Tillman
I have always been creative and loved the arts. I began drawing at a young age and that expanded into sewing, and me enrolling into a fashion institute school after high school. I eventually ‘stumbled’ into painting while attending my first sip and paint in 2016. I began selling my art work in 2017. Read more>>
Mary Godard
People have always told me their story. I wanted to make a career of providing a safe place for that, so I earned my masters degree in general clinical mental health counseling. After interning in a partial hospitalization program, I found my home in private practice. Read more>>
David Charlton
My journey started in the U.S. Navy, where I served as a Hospital Corpsman. That experience gave me a deep respect for medicine, but it also opened my eyes to the limitations of purely clinical approaches when it came to true healing. Years later, I faced my own health challenges, including a spontaneous healing from colon cancer through breathwork, intention, and releasing old anger. Read more>>
Will Segura
After earning my MBA at Emory’s Goizueta Business School, I was hungry to go into business for myself. My time in management consulting showed me the impact that a strong strategy and team can have on an organization, but I wanted to bring that same level of clarity and accountability to local businesses. Read more>>
Neiba Cordero
Most people know me as Viry, short for my middle name, Viridiana. I began working with social media in my early 20s, collaborating with Hispanic radio stations before moving into the marketing industry. Being bilingual in English and Spanish has been a great advantage along the way because it has allowed me to bridge cultures and connect with diverse communities. Read more>>
Victoria Yartseva
I’ve always known that beauty was my passion. Even back in high school, I dreamed about helping women look and feel their best. I used to imagine one day living in America and maybe even working with movie stars — it felt so far away then, but that dream never left me. I came to the U.S. Read more>>
Lakieshia Jones
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always known I wanted to help people. I just didn’t know exactly how that would look when I was younger. That desire led me to study social work at Tuskegee University, and later I earned my master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University, where I learned even more about family systems and how they shape who we are. Read more>>
Dominic (Nikko) Jones
I’ve always been someone who looks at life as a chance to build — not just for myself, but for others who might find inspiration in my story. My journey started in network engineering, but it didn’t stop there. I wanted to take that same problem-solving mindset and apply it to passions that fueled me. That’s where content creation came in. Read more>>
Devin Lubin
My journey into launching a farm venue business has been both personal and passion-driven. It all started with a deep love for the outdoors, community gatherings, and creating spaces where people can connect and celebrate life’s special moments. For years, I dreamed of turning a beautiful piece of land into something more than just a farm. Read more>>
Reginald Degraffenreaidt
TheEPiCFoundation is a grassroots 501c3 nonprofit. We see the woeful lack of control minority communities have over their health and finances, and we’re doing something about it. Our mission is bringing resources together. That’s why our name is TheEPiCFoundation! We’re a platform of empowerment. You and your family deserve access to specialty healthcare professionals and financial advisors. Read more>>
The James’s
We are the Jared and Mesi James. We’ve have been interviewed previously by this publication. However, over 10 years ago, we were knowns as RAW Passion Photography. Over the years, we grown our photography company to into events and our own photography studio. We are now known as The Photo Shop Atlanta, home of the $20 photo shoot for any occasion. Read more>>
Janessa Neighbors
When I graduated with that in 2021, I was really wanting to create something but I didn’t know how or what I wanted to create. I was currently in healthcare as a manager and I just wanted more for myself than just that. Being a leader in a fast paced, continuously changing environment really helped me grow professionally and personally, but I was still working to meet someone else’s expectations. Read more>>
Arlene Lyons
My life story starts as a very shy girl from the small island of Tobago in the Caribbean. After working in the technology field in my home country of Trinidad and Tobago for six years, I embarked on a purposeful, somewhat intimidating, journey to the US to pursue my education, with a goal of transitioning from a technology career to a successful career in business management. Read more>>
Kimberley Rodriguez
Where do I begin?! My journey with nails started with my love for art which I’ve always had. However, I never really did anything career wise or business wise related to art, I went to school to become a social worker and am a licensed therapist. Read more>>
Drew Cohan
The journey started in 2021 when we bought a large tract of conservation land bordered by the chattahoochie bend state park. There was an immense amount of work to be done on the land to make it livable so I set about contacting local companies that do what we do now. Read more>>
Shannon Weist
Maternally Mindful Counseling Center was created in 2021 and was born out of my own experiences and struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety. When I had my first son, I was still in grad school for my masters in social work, and I knew a decent amount about how the system worked. Read more>>
Jana Johnson
I started my career in the corporate world, spending over 16 years at The Coca-Cola Company. During that time, I became known for translating complex data into clear, actionable insights. Whether through dashboards, survey reporting, or executive storytelling, I built a reputation as the person who could merge creativity with analytics, making numbers not only understandable but also engaging. Read more>>
Ian Smith
I entered this industry in August of 1997 by a colleague of mine. We previously sold Timeshare in the Pocono Mountains. He was worked for a small Mortgage company in Lake Success NY. He invited me to come by his office and do some shadowing to see if I would like it. Read more>>
Chandler Brady
When you look at Arrowhead Tennis Academy, it stands as the community’s academy— one created for everyone to enjoy no matter where they are in their tennis journey. The privilege of bringing ATA to life has been one of the most rewarding experiences. My mission is to give the community an opportunity that has never been in reach. Read more>>
Liz Livingston Meredith Page
We’ve been friends since childhood, and looking back, it feels almost inevitable that we would one day build something together. Our personalities and strengths have always complemented each other, and our conversations about life—what we hoped to create for ourselves, the families we dreamed of building—revealed a shared set of values that continue to anchor Page House today. Read more>>
Tamecia Shaheed
I created Harvest Time Tax in 2014 as a safe haven to serve my community and provide essential financial education and resources. My journey into tax and accounting began after a job loss, which led me to work as a tax preparer where I initially learned how to prepare returns and navigate tax law. Read more>>
Andrew King
Growing up in Gwinnett County, I’ve always been the kid with a million ideas and the drive to make them happen. From drawing comic books with friends to building elaborate Lego creations, creativity has been woven into who I am since day one. That entrepreneurial spark really ignited when I started my own gaming YouTube channel. Read more>>
Keela Jones
Every business has its own unique story, and mine is no exception. What began as a creative venture in yard carding gradually blossomed into a thriving balloon decor business. This is the journey of how passion, creativity, and a willingness to embrace the new opportunities that were created through ‘The Yard Card Pro’ and led to the formation of ‘Creations by TYCP’. Read more>>
Kristin Carothers
Growing up my mother was a principal in a school on the South Side of CHicago in the Roseland community. Many of the children were impacted by traumatic stress associated with being in a low income urban community. When I was 12 years old, two of her students died after one student accidentally shot the other as part of a gang initiation. Read more>>
Marlon Williams
I’ve been a software developer and entrepreneur since 2001, founding multiple startups and successfully exiting one before I ever touched blockchain. About 12 years ago, I turned my focus to decentralization because I saw its potential to create opportunities where traditional systems had failed. Read more>>
Anna Huthmaker
My life’s journey has been music, music, music. My parents were playing in a symphony when my mom went into labor with me, causing them to leave the stage to go to the hospital. I was three years old when I started to play and went on to spend decades studying, teaching, and performing professionally. Read more>>
Edward Klink
We founded Winding Creek Kennels in 1993. We dreamed of building a facility where pets were safe, in a healthy atmosphere, and a place where customers would feel comfortable leaving their own pets. We purchased the beautiful 36-acre site, which actually has a tranquil, winding creek running through it – thus the name. Read more>>
Mary Beth Haile
We both came to Muay Thai through very personal paths. Eric was a police officer and defensive tactics instructor, and over the years he trained people from their very first day in Muay Thai all the way to professional fighters. I trained alongside him, and I also brought my own lived experience with self-defense into the mix. Read more>>
Alvin Freeman
I serve as the inaugural Pastor of Courageous Worship Church. His dedication to the service of the Lord spans over a decade. Pastor Freeman was led to teach the Word of God to in a creative and exciting way so that they would never depart from these teachings. I was a Youth Pastor for almost 9 years. Read more>>
Gurleen Kaur
My journey has been more of an exploration of the different avenues that the study of the human body provides. I was always fascinated by how it works and how complicated it is. It first started with learning the basics, which led me to complete my Internal Medicine training. Read more>>
Craig Arthur von Schroeder
The brand began back in 2008 when I was practicing law in Philadelphia. I saw so many poorly dressed attorneys. I myself could not find clothing that fit well. With my years of playing soccer professionally in England and South America I understood that clothing can and should fit the individual. So I set out to find local tailors to make a proper fitting shirt. Read more>>
Ji Young Baik
I started with the idea that I wanted healthy Korean food to be easy and convenient for anyone to enjoy. Of course, at first it wasn’t as easy as I thought to introduce Korean food to customers, but I worked hard to make sure they could accept and enjoy a variety of dishes without hesitation, and now many of them really like it. Read more>>
Jorge Jimenez
Began training Jiu-Jitsu in 1993 after watching a showcase video. Three years after, began teaching officially at the Pedro Sauer Jiu-Jitsu academy in Salt Lake City, Utah. Went through the ranks and received my black belt in August of 2004. Read more>>
Sabrenn Francis
My journey really comes down to resilience, faith, and a passion for helping people succeed. I was raised around hard-working entrepreneurs my grandfather, a Haitian immigrant, built his own business from the ground up in Miami. His example taught me early on that true success is about more than money, it is about discipline, integrity, and lifting up others. Read more>>
Marlon Hicks
I started from scratch, Learning a lot from the barber industry Show me A lot of great things.And being elevated with your craft got me far in the business of barbering . Read more>>
Asia Dove
As a young girl, I have fond memories of baking in the kitchen with my Nana. She would often say, ‘Honey, when life gives you lemons, make lemon cake.’ Nana would bake to bring comfort to those experiencing difficulties in their lives. For decades, her cakes have been renowned for their ability to heal hearts and ease tensions with every slice. Read more>>
Ann Moore Bailey
While earning my MBA, we were challenged to pick one company and have all the elements of the MBA program connect to that company – the company you worked for, a fictitious company, or maybe a start up. I was the only one in the program who chose a start up. Read more>>
Aaron Anderson
My Story: Red Flame Legacy I never set out to be an artist. I never set out to write novels, record music, or build anything that would one day reach thousands of people across platforms. My story begins much smaller: with a promise I made to my mom. She asked me to go to church with her. Read more>>
Racquel Jenkins
I began my journey in corporate America, building a career that spanned more than 20 years of leadership in Corporate Recruiting, Sales, and Nonprofit sectors. Along the way, I discovered my true passion, helping leaders solve problems and create systems that allow their businesses to thrive. Read more>>
Holly Juras
I’ve always been deeply rooted in community and family, and those values guided me into opening Go Play Shoes. As a mom of two young boys, I know firsthand how quickly kids outgrow their shoes and how important it is to have the right fit for healthy development. Read more>>
Nicole McDaniel -Richards
When I was a child into my late teen years I struggled with anxiety and digestive issues. Therapy helped a little and over the counter medicine helped with the digestive symptoms . I went to church when my Grandma visited and felt a little connection but not deep enough that it gave me long lasting peace. Read more>>
Monique Liles
I have been working for others since 1998 in the areas of bookkeeping, HR, benefits, payroll, and as an executive assistant. I have worked as a 1099 contractor for small businesses, for corporate organizations, and as a teacher. I also have earned 5 degrees. Read more>>
Katherine Iguina
Dr. Katherine Iguina – From Puerto Rico to Purpose I was born and raised in Puerto Rico in a Catholic family, and while my faith gave me a foundation, I always felt a deeper calling to understand spirituality, purpose, and the meaning of life in ways that religion alone could not answer. At 25, I left Puerto Rico to study abroad—first in St. Read more>>
Bill Hampton
I was born and raised in New Jersey. In the 1990s, I started working on Wall Street as a licensed financial advisor for several firms. While working on Wall Street, I became a part-time theater actor. How I became an actor is a great story. Read more>>
LaNae Combs Wilkins
There are two things I’ve always known I wanted to do: cook and help people. The cooking part was easy to figure out, but the “helping” piece took me on a much more winding—and surprising—journey. I actually went to school for journalism, which is funny because it has nothing to do with what I’m doing now. Read more>>
Chibuzo Nwosu
I am the proud son of two immigrant parents, my mother Janet Allen Nwosu from Jamaica and my father Dr. Clement Nwosu from Nigeria. I was born and raised in Macon, Georgia, where I grew up with the values of resilience, hard work, and service. Soccer became the first true window of opportunity in my life. Read more>>
Cynthia Schwartzberg
From an early age I sensed there was something “more” to life — a depth we don’t always talk about. My parents’ divorce was a turning point. I remember going to a therapist then and, for the first time, feeling truly seen and understood. That experience planted the seed that I, too, wanted to help others in that way. Read more>>
John Gomez
We met in 2019 and got married in 2022. We bought a house in Acworth the same year, but have always worked in separate fields. Trish was a Nail Technician with over 10 years experience and worked in Sales. In late 2024, an opportunity to purchase a nearby nail salon presented itself. Read more>>
Regina Patrick
I started my company in January 2022. I had been doing pet sitting for friends and family over the years my entire life. But we had a hardship that set our family back not only finacially, but emotionally. My husband of now 31 years had a stroke. He was unable to work but also left him unable to do a great many things. Read more>>
Dr. Chelsea Martin-Bucci
I graduated from the University of Alabama in 2010, yet still wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with my life, so I moved to Pensacola, FL and lived the beach life for a couple of years. It wasn’t until I was in Atlanta for Music Midtown in 2013 that I decided what my next steps were. Read more>>
Mikela Hallmark
I’ve always loved supporting people. I was the one in school that friends would come to to share their problems. But, I didn’t think I could go through more than four years of undergrad and so this is actually my second career. Read more>>
Bryan Wetzel
As a seasoned entrepreneur with over three decades of experience, I have successfully launched and managed several companies across diverse industries. My entrepreneurial journey has been marked by notable achievements, including two acquisitions of my businesses by larger enterprises. My latest venture is as an author. My book, ‘The Real Problems Destroying Education,’ was released in March 2024 in e-book, paperback, and audio formats. Read more>>
Desiree Rice
My journey into travel started the same way it does for many people—by being the go-to planner for family and friends. I’ve always had a natural love for details and creating experiences that feel effortless yet intentional. For over 20 years, my professional background was in healthcare, where I learned the value of precision, organization, and taking care of people. Read more>>
Andrew Marshall
I was born in Los Angeles California and raised in Atlanta GA, I come from an Afro Latino descent. I’ve always been around music growing up listening to Soul,R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz and Latino music. When I was a kid me and my little brother would know how to beatbox naturally. When I got to middle school I was enrolled in band class. Read more>>
Tierra Fluker
From Pain to Purpose: Tierra Fluker’s Mission to Heal Communities Through the Healthy Living Expo™ For more than 11 years, Tierra Fluker has been bringing health and wellness to communities, guided by what she calls a higher calling, purpose, and passion. “We work from the heart,” she says, and it shows in every detail of her work. Read more>>
Michael McCormack
In 2014, I felt called to start a church in Snellville, GA. After getting approved by our organization, my family, and I began teaching Bible studies. After a few months, we subleased a space to hold services. After two years, we rented a storefront on Highway 124. The Lord prophesied that we would expand the following year. Read more>>
Tyler Herren
As three college students with a passion for marketing, film, and entrepreneurship, we have been excited to embark on this journey of helping others and building a brand that reflects professionalism and creativity in every project we undertake. We first started as friends who got hired onto a television show produced by Kendrick Simmons Media Group in Honolulu called Finding Kate: Hawaii. Read more>>
Michelle Frank
CPA work is in my blood. My father, Robert ‘Bob’ Fendrick, who owned and managed his own public accounting firm, Fendrick & Associates, for 25 years. I was reconciling bank accounts and stapling tax returns when I was still a kid, long before computers came to this industry. We named the company after my grandfather Jerry Fendrick’s Thoroughbred horse, High Echelon. Read more>>
Tyler Thigpen
I didn’t start out thinking I’d be an educator. My first calling was ministry, and in my early twenties I found myself leading teenagers on service trips to places like Lima, Peru. On one of those trips, I met a 12-year-old boy named Juan Carlos who asked me not for money or a ticket out, but for a job so he could feed his siblings. Read more>>
Nadean Barton
Sure! My journey has been one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. I proudly served 24 years in the U.S. Navy. What some people may not know is that out of those 24 years, 8 were spent as a Dental Assistant and 15 as a Navy Recruiter. Those experiences taught me leadership, discipline, and the importance of showing up fully in everything I do. Read more>>
Richard Shaw Jr
The Making of a Musician: Richard Shaw Jr.’s Journey For Richard Shaw Jr., music has always been more than sound — it’s been part of his very existence since before birth. His mother recalls how, even in the womb, he would kick and move whenever music was playing, almost as if he was already keeping rhythm with the world. Read more>>
