Portraits of Atlanta

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.

Chantal Smith

I got started in business five years ago, and over that time I rebranded from Massage by Touch to the brand you see today — Thirty 3 Touch. Read more>>

Shequavia Johnson

I began my journey by taking a leap of faith relocating to Georgia as a mother of four to pursue acting, starting without industry connections or a traditional pathway in. That experience required resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to build from the ground up. As I developed in my craft, I recognized the importance of not just waiting for opportunities, but creating them. Read more>>

Keylem Collier

Since childhood, I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurship, even if I didn’t know exactly what that would look like. Growing up as a military brat, I moved around a lot and got to see a wide range of places and cultures from a young age. Looking back, that global perspective has had a real influence on how I think and operate today. Read more>>

Jason Ford

I have always worked in the helping professions. I worked as an Optician for 20 years in various roles and capacities. After 9/11, I joined the Army and became a Combat Medic, where I deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Read more>>

Angela Pau

My journey into senior living began with my father, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. As a family, we went through several communities trying to find the right fit, but many didn’t provide the level of personalized care we were hoping for. That experience opened my eyes to how deeply personal and emotional this decision is—and it ultimately shaped my path. Read more>>

Sophia Louis

My journey into the mortgage industry began with my own home purchase. At the time, our realtor connected us with a mortgage broker who handled most of the process. She was present, and we were able to close, but looking back, there was a noticeable gap. We purchased a home without truly understanding the strategy behind the numbers or the long-term impact of our decisions. Read more>>

Hayley Bookhammer

What a whirlwind!! This went from being a passion and a hobby, then a thought in my mind, to a full blown business in what feels like no time. I’m still waiting on somebody to pinch me and wake me from this dream. I get to preserve memories for people. Read more>>

Jean Francillon

My name is Jean Francillon. I was born in Haiti and moved to the United States at the age of seven, growing up in Brooklyn, New York, where I was first introduced to fashion. New York is fast-paced, and it forces you to grow up quickly. My father always made sure we were well dressed—especially for church. Read more>>

Cynthia Bucheger

My daughter and I started our journey because we wanted homemade products and customized clothing for our children, but financially, it just wasn’t always affordable. We were blessed with a friend who gave us a great deal on a vinyl cutter, and that small opportunity became the beginning of something much bigger than we ever imagined. Read more>>

Ariel Williams

I started my modeling journey about a year ago with a strong interest in creativity and self-expression. What began as curiosity quickly turned into something I genuinely enjoy and want to grow in. Read more>>

Badr Khalid

I started photography several years ago as a personal passion and quickly turned it into something I take seriously. Over the past 7 years, I’ve developed experience capturing portraits, events, and creative moments with a strong focus on detail, lighting, and storytelling. Read more>>

Zaire Edwards

Love All started in 2020 with a simple but real intention to spread love through what we wear, beginning with just a heat press and a few original designs that slowly turned into something bigger than clothing itself as it became a way to express energy, mindset, and values through everyday pieces, Read more>>

Flynn Von Roretz

Green Wolf Tactical started by accident. Once I got done with the USMC, I was looking for work and things to find fulfillment. I started making things, creating hats, designs, shirts, jackets, etc. I was making things for Marines, LE, pretty much any and every Military unit you can think of. Read more>>

Shanna J

I’ve always been a storyteller, even before I really had the words for it. I was born in San Francisco, and growing up with a Jamaican mother and grandmother, I was always surrounded by culture, energy, and really expressive ways of communicating. Read more>>

Chelsea Marshall

I became a mom during my first year of college, and at the time, my priorities shifted quickly. Like many young moms, I put my own plans on hold to focus on raising my child. A few years later, as a single mom of two, I found myself at a turning point and also the lowest point in my life. Read more>>

Kim Watchara

My journey began as a server at Nan Thai Fine Dining, where I worked for over seven years. During that time, I absorbed the art of hospitality and the meticulous attention to detail that defines true fine dining. It was also there that I discovered my passion for creating desserts, and I was fortunate to share my homemade sweets with many guests, including professional golfers. Read more>>

Jamie Ingram

I have long been passionate about interior design, a passion I began pursuing professionally in 2014 while working under an established interior designer in Duluth. During this time, I balanced hands-on experience with formal design education, gaining a degree in design and a strong foundation in both the creative and operational aspects of the industry. Read more>>

Neil Blue

I started training my senior year of college in fall of 2020. The next year I was going to get my first certification and personal training and create my LLC for my training brand Shape Your Future. Over the years it’s been a roller coaster trying to dedicate time to the business between the military, other jobs, family, etc. Read more>>

Ryskaisha Zharbossinova

My journey to Asa Wellness Lab began in 2019, during my pregnancy. After welcoming my baby, I found myself at a crossroads. I had spent eight years building a career in IT — but when I sat with it honestly, I realised it was never truly mine. It was a profession, not a passion. Skincare was always something I had loved deeply. Read more>>

Symone Grady

I’m the owner of The Pink Room, an online women’s boutique created to help women feel confident, polished, and effortless in the way they show up every day. I started the brand in 2016, with the official store launching in April 2017, during a season where I was exploring my passion for fashion and looking for a creative outlet outside of my full-time career. Read more>>

Collyn Zielesch

I’m a true Georgia peach born and raised! I spent 25 years in the legal field (yes, lots of paperwork and precision), but I always had a creative side waiting to come out. Eventually, I decided it was time to do something for me, and that’s how I started building my permanent jewelry business. Read more>>

Olive Roberts

Yes! I started my college career at Kennesaw State and transferred to UGA after two years. I then spent 3 years here and just graduated with my BFA in Printmaking and Book Arts. Read more>>

Jenrette Fowler

Design has been part of how I function for as long as I can remember. In high school, I gravitated toward yearbook because of the layouts and photography. In college, I was designing t-shirts for Greek organizations while quietly building logos and websites for wedding professionals on the side. It was never a grand plan – I just kept going back to it. Read more>>

Neisha McDay

I started Prestigious Tax Services in 2015 with a simple goal to help people feel less stressed and more confident when it comes to their taxes. What began as me helping friends, family, and a few referrals quickly grew into something much bigger through trust, consistency, and results. Read more>>

Rahni Scales

I got started in a way that I can only describe as deeply personal and undeniably spiritual. For most of my life, I was on a healing journey without even realizing it. I faced seasons of depression, suicide attempts, and unhealthy relationships that left me feeling disconnected from myself and my purpose. Read more>>

Fatima Ann Butler

My origin story starts in Queens. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I was surrounded by style, beauty, music culture, and pride. It wasn’t always about what you had — it was about how you claimed your space. That never left me. I’ve spent over 20 years in beauty. Read more>>

David Yates

My name is David Yates, owner of Expedition Events. The roots of my business go back over a decade, starting under a different name where I discovered my passion for events. I began in the off-road community with parking lot and camping events before selling that business, later reacquiring it to focus more intentionally on events. Read more>>

Isaiah Mejias

My name is Isaiah Jonathan Mejias, I was born in Holyoke Massachusetts on November 30th, 2003. I have been drawing my whole life. Growing up, I took an acute interest to Video games. At the age of 4, my mother took them away and placed a sketchbook in front of me. Ever since I’ve been obsessed with illustration. Read more>>

Cassandra Claude

My journey started with a deep love for music, along with a curiosity about why some artists thrive while others struggle, even when they are equally talented. I began as a singer and quickly found myself drawn to teaching and artist development. I wanted to understand the full picture, including technique, mindset, and the real world demands of the industry. Read more>>

Keyboard Money Mike

I was born and raised in New York City, where my journey started in the heart of Manhattan and later the Bronx. I come from a large, humble family, and growing up, we didn’t have much—but what we did have was resilience, creativity, and a drive to survive. Music found me early. Read more>>

Thomas Gray

I have been a wrestling fan since 2012. I still vividly remember skipping a Hawks game they was winning and scrolling through the channels until I see ‘Friday Night Smackdown’ the one Randy Orton comes back after Wade Barret pushed him down the stairs, I wanted to see what would happen and I was thoroughly entertained. Read more>>

Sharon Fuente

It started with a box. A cardboard box at my grandparent’s house. The box was filled with family photos some that dated back to the 1800s other of my dad as a child growing up on the farm. Some people might say it was just a box of pictures, but to me it was much more. It was a box of memories and of stories. Read more>>

Abel Serrano

I started my company back in 2020 when I lost my job due to COVID. Starting my own business was the best decision I ever made for myself. Read more>>

Rana Abu-Elniaj

My name is Rana and I’m a multidisciplinary creative. I work across interior design, spatial design and painting and it all comes from the same place. My philosophy has always been about using design to make the world feel better. How that translates can be through a space, an experience or a piece of art. Read more>>

Rx cash AKA yungc5th

“I go by Rx Cash AKA Yungc5th , I was born and raised in Atlanta—Westside and East. I grew up around the culture, around artists, so music always been part of my environment. so I seen how it works up close. I started off just recording, talking about what I was living—trap, pain, drill—just real life. Read more>>

Samuel Thomas

I was born and raised right here in Athens, Georgia, and I’m proud to be the first lawyer in my family and a fourth-generation business owner in this community, following in the footsteps of my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Read more>>

Valencia Green

My path into acting and modeling really came from a place of rebuilding. After losing my parents, I went through a period of homelessness that forced me to grow up very quickly and see life from a completely different perspective. It was one of the most challenging times in my life, but it also shaped my strength, my independence, and my mindset. Read more>>

Mariah Moorer

My journey has always lived at the intersection of faith, influence, and intention. Professionally, I built my career in global marketing within the beauty and fashion industry, contributing to brands like Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, BET, and Macy’s—where I developed a strong foundation in storytelling, consumer insight, and building brands that resonate on a global scale. Alongside that, I’ve always carried a deep call to ministry. Read more>>

Tiffany James

My journey into fitness started from a deeply personal place. At first, it wasn’t about becoming a fitness content creator or building a platform—it was about me wanting to feel stronger, healthier, and more in control of my body, especially while navigating rheumatoid arthritis and the physical challenges that came with it. Read more>>

Abriana Sanford

Looking back, my path into organization and design feels less like a decision and more like a natural progression of something I’ve always been drawn to. I tend to be the person who finds calm in creating order and beauty in everyday spaces, whether that was helping friends reset a room or reworking my own home to function better for my family. Read more>>

Joseph Rad

I was originally born in a small town in Pennsylvania. After graduating college, I went back to school to get my masters and became a Physician Assistant. After graduating, I moved to Oregon, where I started my career in the intensive care unit after working through Covid. I decided it was best to be closer to family and found a great opportunity in Atlanta. Read more>>

Lauren Covington

I attended a performing arts high school, where I was first introduced to the world of music and the arts. Growing up, I often felt different, but once I was surrounded by other creatives, I realized I was exactly where I belonged. That’s when doors really started to open for me, especially as I began using my voice to influence and uplift others. Read more>>

Edward Abell

I grew up in a very small town in rural Northeast Tennessee. I went to college at East Tennessee State University where I received a bachelor’s degree in biology and followed the premed track. I then attended the University of Tennessee College of medicine. While in medical school I became very interested in surgery. Read more>>

Amelia Payne

I started my company, CateredByPayne, in 2017 during a major turning point in my life after my divorce. I made the decision to take a leap of faith, trust God, and fully commit to building something of my own. Through hard work, consistency, and the support of amazing clients, family, and friends, I’ve been able to grow the business into what it is today. Read more>>

Kyle Littleton

I started in magic as a teenager, performing anywhere I could, from restaurants to fairs to private events. As I developed my voice, I became drawn to a more stand-up, comedy-driven style, which led me to step into stand-up comedy. Read more>>

Monica Odelus

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University in 2016, and shortly after, I began working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I spent seven years there, caring for some of the most vulnerable patients and their families during incredibly emotional and often uncertain times. Read more>>

Lih Luc

My name is Lih Luc, and I’m from Decatur, Georgia. I’ve been making music since I was 15, but I started taking it seriously at 19 when I realized this was more than just a hobby—it was a gift. Music always came naturally to me. Read more>>

Alex Sigmund

Our path to opening The Veterinary Eye Team has really been a combination of shared vision, timing, and a desire to do things differently. Both Dr. Alessandra Keenan and I followed similar paths into veterinary ophthalmology, completing rigorous training through internships and residencies, and then spending years in specialty practice refining our skills. Read more>>

Iann Tyler

I was born in Queens, New York back in December ‘02. I didn’t stay there for long at all. I spent the formative years of my life in Royal Palm Beach, Florida where I lived primarily with my mom’s family. My grandfather was a gospel musician back out in Trinidad & Tobago and I was fascinated with instruments from a young age. Read more>>

Dia Davis

I started my journey in a way that probably looks unconventional to most people. For a long time, I tried to fit into what I thought life was “supposed” to look like, traditional jobs, routine, stability. But I quickly realized that path just wasn’t aligned with who I am. Read more>>

Asmaa Dabbagh

My daughter, Naya, got a soap making kit for her birthday in 2022. She loved making soaps and started gifting soaps to family and friends. We all encouraged her to start selling them. Last year, I helped Naya getting the business licensed. Now, we both work on the business. Naya is currently in Grade 9. Read more>>

Zac Mihalko

I grew up in Albany, Georgia, hearing stories from my parents about the legendary music scene in Athens. I started a band in high school, intending to write songs and perform. Ever since then, my music has steadily evolved into indie rock with remnants of country and classic rock still permeating my sound. Read more>>

Knowledge Chambers

I am a 20-year old black entrepreneur who has generated 7-figures off of my clothing brand. I am from Broward County, Florida. I originally moved to Atlanta for school, but after a full semester of classes i decided to fully focus on my business. Here in Atlanta, i thrived since it is the black Mecca for success and networking. Read more>>

Devyn Crimson

I started collecting vintage and sharing my interests online when I was 15 years old. Since then I have been able to connect with people all over the world who share my love for old charm. Read more>>

Stefan Uzoegwu

My journey into fashion started with a deep curiosity about identity and self expression how what we wear can completely transform how we’re seen and how we feel. Read more>>

Courtnaé Paul

My name is Courtnaé Paul, and I’m an athlete, B-girl, DJ, and cultural force from South Africa. I was born in Durban, KZN, and at 21 made the move to Johannesburg to fully pursue a career in dance. I started what many would consider late, but I landed my first professional gig at 15 and never looked back. Read more>>

Seth Yankson

I began my journey in Ghana with a simple passion for beauty and creativity. At just 12 years old, I discovered my love for hair and in that moment, I knew it was more than just an interest, rather it was a passion and a priceless gift from God Almighty. Read more>>

Tom & Karen McManners

Early in our budding relationship, Karen arranged our first romantic weekend getaway to Charlotte, NC. The winding roads led us to Shelton Vineyards, a beautiful winery in the heart of the Yadkin Valley. It turned out that they had an entire wall of french oak barrels for sale and with both of our birthdays just ahead in October, we decided to treat ourselves to one. Read more>>

Shakinah Shockley

Growing up, I was surrounded by music. My dad, Ohene Savant, is a musical genius, and watching him create alongside my mom made creativity feel like second nature. Everything shifted when my mom noticed how hooked I was on the dance competition show Born to Dance, hosted by celebrity choreographer Laurianne Gibson. That sparked something real. Read more>>

eryn eddy adkins

So Worth Loving started as an apparel company, but it was never just about clothing. It began as a way to start conversations around worth, using simple phrases on t-shirts as reminders people could carry with them and share. I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, five generations of people who built things from the ground up. Read more>>

Amaya Gage

My name is Amaya, and I moved to Atlanta when I was 19 years old, from Baltimore, Maryland where I was born and raised. I grew up a dancer and moved here for my professional career. I worked in the entertainment industry for just over three years, living here but also in Los Angeles. Read more>>

Tiffany Usher

I was born in Conyers, GA, and my journey began at an early age. Growing up with a mother who struggled with addiction, I knew early on that I wanted to help people. I was fortunate to have inspiring family members, teachers, and mentors throughout school and my career who always pushed me to succeed. Read more>>

Reese G

I moved to Atlanta in November 2019, and that move really opened the door for a new chapter in my life. I’ve always been a foodie before it was even really considered “a thing” — I’ve always loved discovering new restaurants, trying different foods, and experiencing new places. Read more>>

Kurtis King

I started Amish Atlanta in 2010, with a phone call and an idea. I had just left Corporate America after 25 years, and was deciding what I should do. A friend of mine from Ohio suggested I come up and see this product, which was the handmade Amish polyethylene outdoor furniture. 16 years later, Amish Atlanta is bigger and better, and still growing. Read more>>

Saffa Dar

Capturing moments has been something I grew up with, with my parents old box of film photos and my mother always yelling, “let me get my camera!” at any given occasion. My love for film photography was born from that. In grade school, I got my first ever camera— a light blue Sanyo digi-cam. I was absolutely in love. Read more>>

Dante’ Wesley

My partner and I met working in the hospitality industry. We worked long nights and holidays leaving little room for us to spend time together and with our family so we decided to leave our jobs and start a cleaning business that would allow us to spend more time with our family and each other. Read more>>

Umbar Saaed

Umbar Saaed — a brand that was born from a very personal place: a deep love for South Asian heritage and a desire to reinterpret it for women like me living away from home. I launched the brand in November 2024, but the journey really started much earlier. Read more>>