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.
Dawn Dalangin Hawk
I started learning how to play the piano when I was eleven years old in Würzburg, Germany, when my parents won a keyboard from a bingo game. My mom bought how-to books from the thrift store, so I taught myself for a few months. I loved learning how to play and hearing the music was just so satisfying. Read more>>
Stefanie Green
My journey into esthetics started from a very personal place. Growing up, I struggled with my skin from the moment I hit my preteen years , painful acne and the dark spots that followed. I was the only one in my family who had skin issues, so no one really knew how to help. Read more>>
Debo Onabanjo
Dupsie’s is an Black-owned African fashion family business that was founded in Nigeria by Eunice Onabanjo in 1989 after completing a course in fashion at Central School of fashion, Foley St, London, in the United Kingdom. Eunice had always had a passion for fashion ever since she was a little girl. This was evident in the way she dressed, accessorized her outfits, and carried herself. Read more>>
Hailey Jackson
My artistic journey began back in Middle School, when I first started learning how to draw whatever came to mind. I spent countless hours studying art books and watching YouTube tutorials to build my skills. Over time, I began to feel more confident in my drawing skills, and by eighth grade, I started experimenting with painting on small canvases. Read more>>
Trey Giles
I’m originally from Columbus, Georgia, and grew up playing sports, particularly football. I wasn’t necessarily the most naturally talented athlete, but I worked extremely hard and earned a college scholarship. I played football collegiately at Mars Hill University for four years, earning my degree in Integrated Health Science, and completed my graduate year at Miles College. Read more>>
Shouvik Ganguly
I was an executive with the Coca-Cola Company. Having worked in the India & US markets and a global role over 18 years, I had not only a fulfilling career but also learned how to work with various countries, markets, cultures and most importantly with consumer and customers. I had always wanted to be in entrepreneur. Read more>>
Lauren Cooper
I started my business, Marry Me Atlanta, on February 14th, 2024 — Valentine’s Day of all days. Funny thing is, I didn’t plan that. It just happened that way, which honestly feels like fate, considering what I do. I can’t even say there was one single reason I decided to become an officiant. Read more>>
Vee Henny
Finding My Purpose Again: The Artistry of Vee Henny I was younger than fourteen when I learned that writing music could save my life. At that age, I didn’t have the words for what I was feeling, the sadness, the confusion, the darkness that crept in when I thought no one could see me. I was suicidal and had nowhere to turn. Read more>>
Amir Nowroozzadeh
Growing up, my father would ask which of the two was I going to be: doctor or lawyer? There were really no other options, just his insistence on excellence and academic achievement. I loved all things history, soaked up every minute of my social studies class, and the choice was clear after graduating undergrad at William & Mary. Read more>>
Chris W. Joseph
People often ask me ‘how long I’ve been the Men’s Style Concierge..?’ I started TMSC brand in 2012 but I’ve been fly all my life. My style was influenced first by my father and my oldest brother (I’m the last of five boys). My dad always dressed in suits to church growing up. Read more>>
Kimo Kutz
Im originally from South Florida. I moved to Atlanta in 2012 worked a few jobs met some great people, including my wife whom I got married to in 2017. I received my barbers license in 2019 which was not a easy journey, because of the schools shutting down without any proper communication but with God and persistence, I made it. Read more>>
Jae Lee
I realized I needed to earn more income than my current situation allowed, which motivated me to explore new opportunities. I spent about ten years working in the supply chain management (SCM) field. Over time, I developed a strong desire to achieve greater financial stability and independence, which led me to pursue my own business. Read more>>
Bulinda Wright
I’m an online certified life coach, published author, speaker and podcast host who loves to empower other women, and encourage them to walk in their God ordained purpose. This has not always been my story. I have battled low esteem, imposter syndrome and so many set backs in my life, but I have always pursued God and because of that, my faith has grown tremendously. Read more>>
Yaniv Feldman
A Family’s Mission to Bring Celebration Within Reach Every great celebration begins with a single moment. For Joy Event Rentals, that moment arrived during one of life’s most cherished milestones: a daughter’s wedding. Excitement filled the air, plans took shape, and the vision of a beautiful day seemed well within reach. But then came a surprising challenge. Read more>>
Tayler Leslie
My name is Tayler, also known as Coach T. I started Coach T Sports LLC in 2017 with one goal in mind: to create a culture and environment that’s fun, engaging, and teaches kids valuable life skills—like leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and how to handle adversity. Read more>>
Teresa Descilo
From my bio and retirement statement made for me: The Long, Strange Trip to Healing How Teresa Descilo Turned a Life of Inquiry into a Global Movement for Trauma Resolution Just over fifty years ago, an entire generation was questioning everything they’d been taught about what was true, necessary, and right. Read more>>
Honey Darvas
Honey Moon Hair was born from the vision of passionate stylist and Aveda Institute of Atlanta alum, Honey Darvas. What began as a dream has blossomed into a space where beauty, magic, and transformation come together. The name Honey Moon was chosen to capture that sense of wonder—a reflection of the unique atmosphere Honey imagined from the start. Read more>>
Janie Charlot-Bruce
Life has been a beautiful unfolding of growth, bravery, and transformation. I’ve had some losses, some wins, but a whole lot of learning in between! I am extremely grateful for my small town upbringing in Church Point, LA. That place is where my morals, ethics, and character was seeded . I have been in the healthcare industry for 20+ years. Read more>>
Chris Greene
Absolutely not! Smooth road where?! There is not enough words to express some of the struggles I’ve endured along the way. To balance what you love to do, society & life? Definitely not for the weak. One thing about Chris Greene. He certainly is not a quitter. I’ll be sure to mention my struggles in more personal interviews in the near future, as well as my music. Ya Just gotta stay tapped in 
Read more>>
Alka Kumar
Growing up in the south, my siblings and I were often the only South Asian kids in the area and we constantly felt like outsiders. Whether we like to admit it or not, we spent a lot of effort trying to blend in. I now know this to be the story of many immigrant children. Read more>>
Karen Cobb
Karen grew up in a family of veterinarians. She started training dogs in 1994. Her first dogs were two Shiba Inus, which is a breed not known for being obedient. Training Shibas is actually similar to training a cat. Karen competed in agility and obedience competition with them and they were ranked in the top 3 for their breed in the country in both sports. Read more>>
Roger Horner
In my teenage years, I thought I would become a developer – taking raw land and creating communities from scratch. Part of the job would be hiring builders to be a part of this vision coming to life. All through college, I interned for high-profile development firms in Atlanta, with a focus on planning and sales. Read more>>
Zack Braun
I originally started SlateSafety (then FireHUD) as a student at Georgia Tech in the Create-X program. I started it with two freshman-year dormmates, Tyler and Joe. Before starting SlateSafety, none of us ever thought that we would turn down offers at Apple or Texas Instruments to work on a startup. Read more>>
Linda Sharp
For years, I was a nail biter who picked at my nails relentlessly. As I got older, I became embarrassed by the state of my hands and started seeking professional help. But as I continued my journey as a nail client, my nails never really improved. I realized that most of the salons I visited had no idea how to actually help me. Read more>>
alaysia grant
Hi, my name is Alaysia Grant, and I’m the proud owner of Pure V Spa. I started my business in 2020, but I’ve been in the beauty and skincare industry for about eight years. My journey began with a passion for waxing — I loved helping women feel more confident, especially those who wanted brighter, smoother skin with fewer ingrown hairs in their intimate areas. Read more>>
Leigha Lane
I grew up in Syracuse, New York, with creativity quietly pulling at me from the start. I went to a small Catholic high school where college was the only expected path, but I dreamed of art school. When my parents weren’t on board, I had to pivot, studying science in college while working as a salon receptionist. That salon changed everything. Read more>>
Ranisha Johnson
Event planning has always been a passion of mine; I’m that friend and family member who everyone calls when it’s time to celebrate something special. The Virgo in me thrives on details and organization, so bringing a vision to life down to the tiniest touches has always come naturally. Read more>>
Skyla Sheffield
My journey into esthetics wasn’t straightforward, but it’s one I’m incredibly grateful for. After high school, I went to college mainly because it’s what my parents wanted for me. Deep down, I knew it wasn’t where my heart was. During the pandemic, everything changed — I moved out, started working different jobs just to make ends meet, but nothing ever felt fulfilling. Read more>>
Nina Marinov
I started in the film industry somewhat accidentally – as an office assistant at Lennauchfilm, one of Russia’s oldest documentary studios with over 70 years of history. I quickly fell in love with the work and moved up to studio administrator and eventually line producer for documentaries. Read more>>
Vanessa Jones
My journey in the beauty industry began at just nine years old in Jamaica, where I first discovered my passion for hair. Two years later, after moving to the United States, my love for sports joined that passion. While balancing athletics and school, I began doing hair for my first client I met at a grocery store. Read more>>
Dr. Shupier Jones
I started styling hair 28 years ago—and it all began out of necessity. My mother didn’t take me to the salon, so I learned to do my own hair. I didn’t realize at the time that moment would spark a lifelong passion. The more I styled my hair, the more people noticed. Read more>>
Sloan Waters
I am a personal trainer and nutrition coach in Buford, GA. I have been certified only 2 years, however I’ve been in the gym pretty much my entire adult life. In 2017, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia which is a chronic pain condition. It is a neurological condition with no cure, but symptoms can be managed. Read more>>
Ase Omavuaye Otite
As an artist and children’s book author, I have always been drawn to creativity in all its forms—through photography, words, and visual art. Writing children’s stories lets me blend imagination with purpose, showing young readers that their ideas have no limits and that the sky truly is the limit. Read more>>
Micki Gonzalez
In 2005 my 11-year-old son, who by then was a pretty good guitarist, wanted to start a band with his friends. However they didn’t have any background to help them know how to prepare for a rehearsal, what songs would fit their skill sets, how to look on stage while performing, etc. Read more>>
Michele Murphy & Francoise McDaniel
Magnolias Room is a family-owned, woman-owned event venue located in the heart of Riverdale, Georgia. The name “Magnolia” holds a special place in my heart—it was my great-grandmother’s name, and it felt only fitting to honor her legacy through this space that brings people together. Read more>>
Erica Udell
I have been an optometrist since 2008, first in New York City and then in Atlanta. After years of practicing general optometry- think glasses, contact lenses, and general eye health- I decided to hang my own shingle specializing only in Dry Eye care. Read more>>
Jenn Newton
It’s been a bit of a winding road! Before today’s version of With Love Paperie, I actually owned a coffee shop (Mugs and Laurel and May) that included stationery and gifts which is where With Love was born. I’ve always loved creating experiences and connecting with people, and that space let me do both. We closed the store right before everything shut down with COVID. Read more>>
Natalia Barrero
I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where my journey toward understanding people and cultures first began. In 2000, I moved to the United States, embracing a new country, language, and way of life that would ultimately shape who I am — both personally and professionally. Read more>>
Ari Collins
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be in the medical field. I had aspirations of being a doctor. But life took a turn after high school and instead of going straight to college, I enrolled in a technical school and studied to become a Surgical Technologist in 1998. Read more>>
Tenshi Okita
I started making music ever since I was maybe 7. In San Diego, every time at my late aunt’s house after church, we would go to her house, and my uncle had a studio in the back room. I would always study him and watch what he’s doing on Logic Pro X. Read more>>
Witni Jackson
My passion for this field began early in life. As a child, my mother often took me to work with her, and I admired the way she carried herself as a social worker. Even though I didn’t fully understand what she did at the time, I knew she was helping people in meaningful ways. Read more>>
Kathy Bradham
I grew up in Seoul, raised between Korean and Black cultures by my parents, and that blend shaped how I see the world in ways I didn’t fully understand until later. Culinary experiences, storytelling, and community were central, and looking back, that mix of cultures became the foundation for the kind of work I do today. Read more>>
Bobby White
Bobby’s Shine Shop started with nothing but a bucket, a vacuum, and the belief that hard work could turn into something bigger. In the early days, it was just me pulling up to jobs in a basic vehicle, washing cars in driveways and parking lots with whatever equipment I could afford. No fancy setup, no big team—just hustle, consistency, and a vision. Read more>>
Alexis Jordan
As a child at the age of 10 I developed the love for freshly done hair. My hair had to be done everyday for school , not just “touched up”. In high school I would finish my work and curl other students hair in the science lab for $15. Read more>>
Tameka King
CJ’s Food Fantasy Too LLC is more than a business, it’s a legacy. Born from the vision of my aunt, Cynthia Henderson, CJ’s Food Fantasy began in the late 1990s as a small food concessions venture in Cobb County, Georgia. The name “CJ” stood for Cynthia and her son, Johnathan, a tribute to the family roots that nourished the business from the start. Read more>>
Sabrina McKenzie
From the Stage to the Statehouse: A Journey of Purpose My story is one of purposeful evolution—a journey that began with movement and ministry and expanded into the realms of legislative activism and community development. It’s about translating a spiritual calling into tangible, impactful change. The Foundation: Dance and Divine Calling It all started with Liturgical Dance. Read more>>
Muse
It all started when my younger brother and I went to get a tattoo together. At the time, I was living in Miami and had been joking—though secretly serious—about wanting to become a tattoo artist. You know when you say something as a joke, but deep down you mean it? That was me. Read more>>
Everett McCauley
My name is Everett McCauley I’m the owner of Infinity Grooming Loft located in Atlanta old fourth ward and my career has succeeded three decades as a professional barber/entrepreneur from Newark Nj to Atlanta Georgia. Read more>>
Tremesia Pritchard
I started doing candles back in 2023 it’s something that I did off and on. I really liked doing it more than other things it was just something I would work really hard on vs working hard anywhere else lol. Read more>>
Calvin Roberson
I was born in South Boston, VA.,the youngest of 5 siblings. A southern town where there wasn’t much encouragement to ‘do better.’ In fact, my hight school counselor told me I ‘wasn’t college material.’ She told me to take up a trade, like construction or welding. However, my mother always had faith in me. Read more>>
Anthony Reid
We started LFP Partners with a simple mission: to help our local community achieve their home renovation goals with fairness, expertise, and a commitment to going the extra mile. As the owner and senior project manager, I can tell you it’s always been about delivering quality work and a trustworthy service. Read more>>
Paul Terlemezian
My business began after being downsized three Junes in a row – June 7, 2001; June 7, 2002; June 30, 2003 (I was hiding on June 7, 2003 and it took a while for me to be found.) I discovered the problem, it was me, I was picking a good company, and trying to change it from the inside. Read more>>
Salathiel DeLoach
What began as a deeply personal battle with lupus transformed into a mission much larger than me. After being diagnosed and living with lupus for over two decades, I experienced firsthand the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll of this invisible disease. Read more>>
John Milton
When I think about how I started my music journey, it’s actually pretty hard to pin point the beginning. It something I’ve just always done. Read more>>
Micheal Diamond
My name is Micheal Diamond and I am the owner of King Bo Candles. King Bo Candles is a hand-crafted candle making business that specializes in Soy Wax Candles, Room/Linen Sprays, and Wax Melts. Our story begins in December of 2023. My grandpa Bo passed away and it was such a huge loss to me and my family. We were devastated. Read more>>
Klayne Rolader
I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through images. For over 10 years, I worked as a photographer, exploring intimacy, motherhood, identity, and emotion in a very artistic way. Photography taught me how to observe—how to translate feelings into visuals, how to hold space for people, how to create something meaningful and soulful. Then I became a mother, and everything in my life shifted. Read more>>
Leslie Morris
I was born in Commerce, Georgia, in 1971, and I’ve been drawn to animation and visual storytelling for as long as I can remember. I grew up inspired by Warner Brothers classics and older hand-drawn animations—the kind with exaggerated expression, motion, and personality. That kind of animation had soul. I wanted to bring that same energy into whatever I created. Read more>>
Trivano Brown
My journey in the AV world actually started at my church back home in The Bahamas around 2001. We called our little production space “the tape room,” because we were recording services to VHS tapes back then though we also made CDs and handled audio, lighting, and projection. Read more>>
Heather Fraser
Meet Chef Heather Fraser Born and raised in the lush countryside of Guyana, Chef Heather Fraser’s story begins in a humble kitchen filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and the warmth of her mother’s love. Mornings were spent milking cows, feeding the animals, and tending the family garden — the source of nearly every meal. “Food was life,” Heather recalls. Read more>>
Dawn Bennett
As the child of an engineer and an incredibly creative talent, I guess you can say I had the DNA to be an architect. When I was young, I was torn between wanting to become either an engineer or a hair stylist. Read more>>
Eric Albright
I graduated from Appalachian State University in 1986 and immediately picked up a job at WFMY-TV in Greensboro, NC. After working there for three years I moved to Atlanta and began to work as a freelance Camera Operator and eventually began picking up work as a television Director of Photography. In the mid-90’s, I also became interested in still photography. Read more>>
Jacob Wynn
My journey with Knock AI began from firsthand experience seeing how outdated, inefficient, and fragmented grassroots outreach had become. Campaigns and organizations were still relying on manual systems, juggling multiple vendors, and struggling with compliance—while millions of gig workers were looking for flexible, meaningful ways to earn income. I realized there was a massive opportunity to build something that could solve both problems at once. Read more>>
Tal Baum
I was born and raised in Israel, and food has always been a central part of my life, not just for nourishment, but as a way of bringing people together. After studying architecture and design in Florence, Italy, I fell in love with the Italian way of life – the beauty of simplicity, seasonality, and the art of slowing down around the table. Read more>>
Jill Pratt
Bloom & Ivy began with a simple act of kindness. When Tracy and her daughter Jill attended a family friend’s wedding, they noticed the couple struggling to arrange their flowers. Without hesitation, the two jumped in to help — turning what could have been a stressful day into something truly beautiful. Read more>>
Jasimine Smith
I’m a Professional Makeup Artist with 11+ years of experience,Owner of Jasimine Jhai Beauty.Servicing girls all through out Atlanta but primarily the Gwinnett Area. Read more>>
Jennifer McBride
We’re Bug and Jennifer McBride, a husband and wife team who’ have been together for over 25 years. We grew up in the Atlanta area, but spent nearly 15 years living in the Chicagoland area before moving to Woodstock in 2015, when our 3 daughters were between 8 and 18 years old. Read more>>
Marcus Means
Because I’ve always had a passion for cuisine my story is rather straight forward. Every day I enjoy cooking, it’s all I’ve ever done. 32 years in the game and still learning. Read more>>
Corina Vesce
graduated from SCAD with a major in Architecture and a minor in Interior Design. In 2022, I began working at an architectural firm, where I was later transferred to the interior design team because they needed someone bilingual. That’s when my journey in interior design truly began. Read more>>
Tiffany Hunt
My love for Christmas began long before THEventsEtc ever existed. As a child, I would watch my mother and grandmother transform our home into a holiday wonderland — the glow of the lights, the scent of fresh pine, and the care they put into every single detail. Read more>>
Olin Gillis
My name is Olin Gillis. I am an artist living in the mountains of North Georgia. I cannot remember a time in my life when I was not sketching, drawing, painting, or wanting to. People told me that I was good at this ‘Art’ thing, so I did it again, and again. Read more>>
Elizabeth Burrell
I started doing hair and makeup around the age of 18, beginning with special effects work before transitioning into beauty and bridal styling. Over the years, that passion evolved into a full business where I specialize in weddings, photoshoots, boudoir, and newborn sessions. In my early 20s, I also began bartending and quickly built my way up in the hospitality world. Read more>>
Akshara Sanketh
I was born in Bangalore, India, and spent a few years there before moving around — from the Philippines to Hong Kong, then Atlanta, and now New York. Growing up, I was always drawn to creative things in my own way. I loved dancing, music, and movies, but I never seriously considered pursuing a career in the arts. Read more>>
Wayne Fishell
I am a military brat who’s moved a lot, but my formative years of high school and college were in South Carolina, so I think of that as where I’m from. In college, I majored in Spanish and German, which is both interesting and useless. I speak both with passable accents but questionable grammar, which native speakers find both endearing and bemusing. Read more>>
Brandon Burton
I’ve been taking pictures since I was a kid, I actually still have the camera my mom had that I would use. As far as my professional journey, that started around 2005 when I lived in Orlando. I would help a friend of mine on his shoots, and I was able to watch him edit & just learn some trick of the trade. Read more>>
Spencer Lee
I started my creative journey at the age of two when I was put into music classes learning the basics of rhythm and notes. I continued on to learn the piano, flute, and guitar as well as began my dance training at seven years old. Read more>>
Dr. Marilyn Johnson,ND
Dear Ms. Lopez,, Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for a feature in Voyage Atl. Read more>>
Bria Copeland
Growing up, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I was pushed by my teachers and peers to go to college. I wasn’t to sure about that because I could never figure out what I wanted to major in. I remember taking an SAT test and didn’t do too well. One day, A light bulb just went off about hair. Read more>>
Erin Edwards
I started my business ‘Formal Xpressions Lashes and Hair while living in a homeless shelter with my three kids. I had been a licensed hairstylist for over 6 years prior to moving into a salon suite. I made $10 per hour at salon that I was working at and truly struggling as a single parent. Read more>>
LaToya Franklyn
My mom, Chef Emily James, has always been an entrepreneur. She’s owned everything from a salon and spa to a real estate brokerage, daycare, and event venue back in Brooklyn. So I grew up watching her build things from the ground up, and that definitely shaped how I see business. I took a different path at first. Read more>>
Cliffany Friend
My journey began in 2015, right in my mother’s basement. I moved all her furniture to the side and opened my heart and that small space to children from my church and the daycare where I was teaching at the time. One of the first daycares to give me a chance was ABC Learning Center in Lithonia, Georgia. Read more>>
Montana Merrill
I started with a love for making people feel beautiful and confident, and that’s really been the foundation of everything since. What began as a passion turned into a full-time career that’s allowed me to meet incredible people and be part of their most special moments. Read more>>
Clive Morrison
I started my first business out of necessity, not inspiration. I was tired of working hard with little control over my time or impact, so I built a cleaning company from the ground up. What began as a few local clients grew into a systemized operation, and that experience taught me how structure and accountability turn chaos into freedom. Read more>>
Hillary Nichols
I got my first camera in high school as a junior. I started Yearbook and lied to my parents that I needed a camera or they were going to kick me out of the class. My mom found a used Canon Rebel and she later put it together that I did not tell the truth. Read more>>
Adrian Lopez
My name is Adrian “Aiko” Lopez, I’m an artist by the name of “mortox.” I make music, I started off making small mixtapes on Soundcloud at the age of 14 with a small group of friends. Making music and art is something really serious for me and my friends around me. Read more>>
Kiana Carter
So my journey into real estate wasn’t one of those stories where I always knew I wanted to be a realtor. Actually, when my mom first suggested it to me, I brushed it off. I didn’t think I really had what it took. I thought you had to know all the right people, come from money, or already have connections. Read more>>
Dr Chasity Carswell
I started my journey in healthcare with a deep desire to help others and make a meaningful impact in people’s lives. I first became a Family Nurse Practitioner, which allowed me to provide comprehensive primary care and support patients with a wide range of medical needs. Read more>>
ALANI GEORGE
My journey to becoming a caterer started incredibly early—believe it or not, owning a catering business has been my dream since the tender age of seven! I officially started on this path at the Arts Institute of Washington in Arlington, Virginia, where I began my culinary school training. After a year, I moved back home to the U. S. Virgin Islands. Read more>>
Amber Dukes
My story began in brokenness—but GOD turned that pain into purpose. I grew up carrying deep childhood trauma that shaped how I saw myself and how I loved. For years, I survived instead of truly living—until I encountered GOD’s healing power and learned that wholeness is possible when we stop running from our story and start partnering with Him. That revelation changed everything. Read more>>
Loan nguyen
Our journey with Once Upon A Child Gainesville began with a simple belief that families deserve high-quality children’s clothing, toys, and equipment at affordable prices, while also having a sustainable way to recycle items their children have outgrown. We opened our doors with a mission to make kids’ resale a reliable and enjoyable shopping experience for our community. Read more>>
Holly Garrison
I grew up in a small town in West Virginia on the poorer side of the Kanawha River. My parents and grandparents were teachers, so while we weren’t the poorest family around, we were solidly lower middle class. Read more>>
Kaleigh Smith
I started studying astrology when I lived In Bali, Indoensia. I was pregnant with my daughter at the time and I had reconnected with a friend of mine whom I had done yoga teacher training with. She was studying astrology at the time and had offered to do an astrology reading for me. Read more>>
Jamila McQueen
My journey started with a deep love for fashion — and, admittedly, a bit of a bad shopping habit. I’ve always been drawn to clothing that tells a story and expresses individuality, but I found myself constantly searching for pieces that truly reflected who I am and coming up short. That’s when the idea sparked: instead of endlessly buying, why not create? Read more>>
Brandi Baxter
I wasn’t exposed to cooking growing up, but as a young adult, I discovered a deep love for food and entertaining. After college, I built a career in social services, where I worked for 13 years helping others and supporting families in need. Read more>>
Nikki Raymond
I’ve been in the health and fitness space for over 20 years. I originally started out as a nutritionist, helping people dial in their nutrition and optimize their health through food and lifestyle changes. Very early on, I realized there was a massive gap when it came to truly optimizing health — especially around hormones and gut health. Read more>>
Shanteria Maddox
I’ve always been the type of person who pays close attention to detail and loves thinking outside the box. Creativity has been a constant in everything I do. I’ve always loved photography — both being in front of and behind the camera. Read more>>
Lay Simone
I started painting as a way to process life. It became therapy then purpose. I built my brand LayMadeIt with faith creativity and vision. Every piece I create carries part of my story struggle resilience and becoming. I turned my pain into prints my growth into a gallery and my dreams into a business. Read more>>
Amira LaShea
I’ve been singing since I was about five years old, but honestly, the stage had my heart even before that. I was the little girl standing in front of the TV mimicking Beyoncé and Ciara’s choreography like it was my job—replaying their moves over and over until I nailed every step. Read more>>
Brian Fletcher
I’ve spent over two decades in technology leadership at global agencies like Razorfish, OgilvyOne, and Huge, leading engineering teams that built digital solutions for brands like Google, CNN, Aon, and Lowe’s. That work took me across nearly every industry vertical, which gave me a broad perspective on how different businesses solve problems through technology. In 2024, I saw something fundamental shifting. Read more>>
Brooke Owens
I own my own private counseling practice specializing in individuals and couples. I went to get my Masters in Pastoral Counseling in 2019, then fully deconstructed my own Christianity during school (oops). Now I help people navigate through religious trauma and sexual shame as well as late-in-life queer exploration and non-monogamy. Read more>>
Keisha Dean-Merriweather
Entrepreneurship is simply in my blood. I got the tools and techniques from my time at large companies, but the real drive for this business comes straight from my family. My mother, my late grandmother, my brother, and even my son have all been business owners. I learned the most crucial lessons about how to connect with customers and the sheer determination required to succeed just by watching them. Read more>>
Stevie Reilly
Of course! Long before I opened my practice as a dyslexia therapist/reading specialist in Atlanta, my childhood revolved around reading. I would have stacks of books checked out from the library year round! My love for reading and learning as a child was obvious to family and friends; my favorite activity was to be the teacher when I would play with my siblings and cousins, so when it came time to choose a profession I obviously I chose to major in education! Read more>>
Kelly Marine
Like so many, I took the time during COVID to re-evaluate my career path. I had spent nearly two decades in public and private schools as a middle and high school English teacher, grade-level dean, and co-director of a Learning Center, and I realized it was time for a pivot. Read more>>
Breanna Naramore
I started my career in hair at 18, attending a small-town cosmetology school on a scholarship. While still in school, I balanced waitressing and taking clients out of my parents’ kitchen—no teachers or instructors, just a lot of trial, error, and determination. I didn’t come from money, but I was fortunate to have supportive parents who encouraged me to keep going. Read more>>
