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.
Sabah Merheb
Right now, I’m chasing alignment in my career, my creativity, and in my personal life. I’ve worked in the music industry pretty much my entire life across journalism, A&R, video production, and DJing, but this is the first time in my life where everything I love is finally merging into one direction. Read more>>
Esther Salome
I am currently working on financial independence so that I can start my own outdoor & nature- healing & wellness center. I am also taking daily steps to promote my own healing and wellness. Eventually I will get there & my future self will be proud. Read more>>
Feyisayo Anjorin
Looking back in the future and wishing I never did certain things, or wishing I did certain things. That’s why I’m very careful with my choices. Read more>>
Javone Gratton-Jackson
I’m trying to avoid constantly battling the feeling of failure, especially when I forget to recognize everything I’ve already accomplished. Even though I’ve done a lot, it’s easy for me to feel like it’s not enough. On top of that, I carry a lot of pressure to win, which makes the weight even heavier. Read more>>
Chucki Love
I believe I’m battling fear of fame. Being well known isn’t what it was when I was growing up, and now-a-days, being too famous comes with so much and I’m not sure if that, even though I’m capable of dealing with the public eye, I’m not sure I want my family to be subjected to it too. Read more>>
Moneee Monroeee
What breaks the bonds between people are people who lack morals and values, people who have no sympathy for others, and people who are negative and lack confidence. What restores a bond is when someone can take accountability for their actions and prove it to you without making the mistakes again. Read more>>
Tattz ByRed
I think one of the biggest thing that’s misunderstood is that people think tattooing is just drawing on skin all day, but it’s way deeper than that. What most folks don’t see is the amount of planning, sanitation, prep work, and constant learning that goes into every piece. They also misunderstand the time it takes, good work isn’t rushed. Read more>>
Janika Williams
I think that the biggest misunderstanding about my business is that it is evil. That is a huge misconception, and nothing is furthest from the truth. The Art of Tarot is a beautiful and fulfilling art form. Like anything in life, it’s all about peoples’ intentions behind their practice of Tarot. I can only speak for myself and my work. Read more>>
Hannah Rhinehart
I think so many people struggle with belonging, but almost no one says it out loud. That quiet question of “Do I fit here?” or “Is there space for someone like me?” shows up in so many parts of our lives- in leadership, in parenting, in caregiving, in community. Read more>>
Bre Nicole J
Struggles are avenues that no one can eliminate. Yet we secretly perpetuate and perpetrate like we can when no one is excluded from trials, tribulations and battles in life—— which are essentially all struggles . I think as a society we never speak on that . Read more>>
Rafael Peña
The people that see my lifestyle online and don’t dig into the stories I write, won’t understand my purpose. So the images on my social are for inspiration. When people see my wife and I in different destinations I want them to be inspired. To know that they have all the tools already to live the kind of life we live. Read more>>
Shaelishia Stevens
A normal day for me is definitely full, but every part of it carries meaning. I’m a proud mother of five — four sons and one daughter — and my family remains the heartbeat of everything I do. Two of my boys are in college, stepping into their independence. Read more>>
Rosa Gonzalez
Good day, a normal day for me is Waking up and before getting up from bed its wondering how I can make my day smoother. I tackle the house chores first and get my self together because I have a personal theory that if you feel like you are put together you can think. Read more>>
Jamil Hunter
A normal day for me right now. Waking up at 5:00am to do a 30min workout, Then get my son Cruz ready for school. Drop him off by 7:15am and start my work day full of meetings. Read more>>
Nakia Creel
This is a layered question. When I was younger, my relationship with my father shaped me. He didn’t mince words, and he never sugarcoated the reality of a situation. He was very hands-on and instrumental in making sure we went into the world knowing we had to work hard, be honest, and be strong and resilient. Read more>>
Becca Moon
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was the first time I realized God could use my gifts. I remember creating something and feeling this overwhelming sense of, “Wow… He put this in me.” That confidence didn’t come from people, it came from purpose that he put in me. Read more>>
Derrick Ballard
When I held a three movie premiere. Two years ago I’ve completed three projects around the same time. I wanted to do something innovative. Something that hasn’t been done before, by a single film maker. I booked three rooms at a theater and I probably promoted the projects from two weeks. Read more>>
Louisa Fenyin
My earliest memory of feeling powerful came much later in life. As I navigated adulthood, I realized that I could not rely on anyone to help me. I had to do it on my own. Through that, I have learned some great skills and have developed a ‘can-do’ attitude that has and will continue to carry me through life. Read more>>
Mudrik McWilliams
I remember being around 9 years older than me and my brother performed in front of our elementary school. We performed some Jackson 5. Everything was muscle memory and the performance was golden, at that age I knew I’d being making music my whole life. Read more>>
Karen Ouzts
Gosh, as we’ve discussed, a lot… but I think hustle mentality. I just said in the last question ‘maybe I was trying to save my younger self’. Now I don’t know exactly what I needed saving from. I had this moment the night before the fourth of July this year. It was very late, and my husband was grilling hamburgers for the next day. Read more>>
Artavious E. Morgan
Our legacy began with my great-grandfather, Mr. J.C. Morgan, who worked for Pomona Products in Griffin, Georgia. He was a hardworking Black man in the 1940s, a time when opportunity for Black families was scarce and prejudice was open and cruel. Yet he defied those odds. He married my great-grandmother, Mrs. Read more>>
Wenxin Yan
The last time I felt true joy was right before I finished my internship at Tencent, when I saw my UI motion system go live in the LoK World open beta. We had just spent weeks fixing a tough ‘flickering glitch’ with the engineers. Read more>>
Nicholas Bugara
They think they need to be the smartest person in the room about everything. I’m not ashamed to say I’m not the best at many aspects of running my company—and that’s exactly why I’ve hired people who are. Smart people get it wrong when they don’t recognize their blind spots. I know mine, and I’ve built a team specifically to cover them. Read more>>
DJ Monie
Right now, I’m learning from the version of myself that I’ve outgrown. She’s my greatest teacher. I’m learning from the mistakes she made, the patterns she repeated, the fears she carried, and the limits she unknowingly accepted. I’m learning from what she tolerated, what she avoided, and what she didn’t believe she was ready for. Read more>>
McKenzie Bunn
Honestly, I admire my CORE of friends. Many deal with illnesses, anxieties, depression, and various issues. But we are always there to uplift and support and encourage each other. Not a day goes by that we are there for each other. No matter how much we may get on each other’s nerves, we hold each other accountable and again, iron sharpens iron. Read more>>
Chaquevia Dumas
I am such a “character determines power” type, and I have been my entire life. I actually think that’s probably why I’ve had so many issues with “authority” –especially in religious settings and many work environments. To me, power is determined by character, and power is only power when recognized. Why recognize someone with horrible character? I don’t know how to make that not be. Read more>>
Kevin Williams
My children. They are from a entirely different generation from me and are experiencing the world much differently, as well. Since our games are designed to be played by various age ranges, I have to lean on their thoughts and opinions to make the gameplay as appealing as possible to everyone. Read more>>
Alexis Williams
I am probably the most dependable and chaotic employee. I would absolutely hire me and keep a complete stock of aspirin and coconut water nearby. In entrepreneurship, you truly become your own boss but more importantly your best employee. Read more>>
