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.
Monica Leaphart
As a chronic people pleaser, I would often times put myself in positions that I knew didn’t serve me. My desire to be liked by men kept me in short term dating to phase which was ultimately to my detriment. I knew I had to make a change that started with loving myself first. Read More>>
Jameel Martin
Growing up, I was blessed to have a strong support system, from my family to close friends who shared the same passion. Alongside my golf brothers from Eastlake, I developed my skills, and we pushed each other to be our best. This foundation ultimately fueled my journey in the golf world. After competing in college, where I received my bachelor’s degree at Talladega College in business, I transitioned into the next chapter of my career, which led me to create the Couples Club Golf League (CCGL). Read More>>
Leilah Lewinson
My natural hair videos were getting recognized by hair companies and I started collaborating with major natural hair companies. This allowed me to use my platform to encourage people that look like me to embrace their natural hair. My videos weren’t just product reviews, they were self empowerment and self love videos to show that it’s a process to love yourself and the texture of hair you have. Being proud to show off the versatility of natural hair is why I continue to make content to encourage others to love on their natural hair no matter the type, texture, or length! Read More>>
Spencer Rosen
As the practice grew, so did its needs. January 1, 2014 marked a significant milestone when The Art of Touch Massage moved to its current home in the Viewpoint Building at 855 Peachtree Street, establishing itself as a modern urban oasis. The practice continued to thrive under the leadership of Jennifer and Don Dismuke from 2018 to 2022, who brought their expertise in merchandising, design, and financial management to further elevate the business. Read More>>
Jade Selby
Through my grief I decided it was time to create something beautiful. Soon after his passing I was able to get pregnant again and have a beautiful daughter. This was my driving force to breathe life into the Ellum Events. and Design The goal is to take something that may seem ordinary and make it as beautiful as possible. My words to my clients are always “we want to celebrate you.” Read More>>
Anna Eme, Kalaria Obasi, Tanina Obasi, Jada Obasi
We’re four first-generation Nigerian American women, and cousins at that, with a mission to amplify the voices of first-gen millennials worldwide. Our roots are the heart of The First Gems—inspired by our trips back home to Nigeria and the desire to showcase the beauty, depth, and sometimes the hilarity of navigating our cultural duality. In 2020, we launched our podcast and brand to bring these stories to life, hoping to inspire first-gens to embrace every part of who they are, give back, and unapologetically pursue their dreams. Read More>>
Adam & Akilah Williams
Fast forward 16 years, and our paths crossed again—this time for good. Reconnecting felt like picking up a story that had been waiting for us all along. We quickly discovered that two of our greatest passions were family and fitness, and we knew we were ready to bring our lives together. Soon after, we married and began our journey as a blended family, with four kids between us—three from my side and one from Adam’s. In August 2024, we welcomed our son, Adam Jr. (AJ), completing our family and making our home feel more complete than ever. Read More>>
Men’s Honesty
We are three guys-Luke, Joseph and Jonathan who have been friends since high school. Each of us knew we had gifts and wanted to find a way to express those gifts to the world. We always had a thoughts of a podcast but we never put it into action until March 2024. We decided in a group chat that we will be creating one. The way we came up with the name was actually from another group chat that was created years ago called “Men’sHonesty”. We took that name and ran with it. Now as of October 29th, we are 8 episodes in, we love it, the people love it, and that support makes us want to create more. Read More>>
Shauntae Bradley & Evonita Wright Tae & Nita
Recently, we decided to take steps toward making these dreams a reality. I’m working toward becoming a clothing designer, with the goal of creating styles that feel fresh, inclusive, and authentic. I also focus on fashion photography, capturing the essence of my designs and telling a visual story that connects with others. At the same time, my wife is preparing to launch her own event planning and cooking business, blending her talent for organizing with her love of food and hospitality. Read More>>
Hiroko Kelly
I premiered two choreographic works this year. The first at the Supermarket at Madison Nune’s opening exhibition a A Body for Hunger & Desire Too. It was a duet choreographed collaboratively with artist, Faith Fidgeon, titled ” Nonlinear Bodies in a Linear World.” The second work was through Dance Canvas’s Summer Choreographic Residency at the Atlanta Contemporary, where I premiered a solo titled, “Sometimes hidden from me in daily custom and ritual, I live by you unaware.” I am currently in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s 2024 Culture and Community Design cohort and was a 2024 Dance USA Institute for Leadership Training mentee. Read More>>
Zabiha Bites
Alhamdulillah, it’s been a smooth road for us because we always work things out together no matter what. One of the struggles we can agree on however, would be time, distance, and finances. Most halal restaurants, or restaurants that offer halal is located in Duluth or Alpharetta, two very far locations from those of us closer to the south or even in Atlanta. Visiting these spots often requires a 45-minute to an hour drive, which we know isn’t feasible for everyone—this is why we’re passionate about encouraging more local restaurants to include halal options. Read More>>
Insley Davis
From there, I dove fully into building my own brand and online presence, launching a podcast called Better and Badder and growing a strong following on TikTok. Each step in my journey has been about creating work that not only entertains but also resonates and empowers, especially with young entrepreneurs. I’m committed to using media as a tool for self-improvement and growth, and as I expand my brand, I’m grateful for how it connects me with people who feel inspired by the stories I share. Read More>>
Desey Ann Duke
Now, at 22, that lost 17-year-old girl feels like a distant memory. I’ve done the work—spiritually, mentally, and physically—and I know exactly where I want to go. I’m going back to school for journalism and film & video to build my career in something I truly love. I’m also exploring other interests. Podcasting and connecting with people from all walks of life has been a blessing. It’s definitely something that found me and I can’t wait to see where this journey leads Read More>>
Yang (Kaisin) Qiu
It hasn’t been a smooth road. When COVID hit in 2020, it was my freshman year of college. After that, layoffs swept through many studios and agencies, and as my graduation date approached, my friends and I were anxious about finding work. Seeing alumni before us land their dream jobs made us want the same, not only for ourselves but also to make our families and professors proud. Read More>>
Jasmyn Saia
I managed to convince myself for a long time that law was my passion, but by the time junior year of college came around, and I experienced the death of my older brother who also shared a love of cinematography and photography, I felt an extreme disconnect from everything, including my future career plans. I felt disconnected from myself and God, like my whole inner world had collapsed and everything I thought I knew about myself and the world was completely uprooted. I knew deep down that the life I really wanted for myself was not in alignment with how I was living up until that moment Read More>>
Dedrick Gilchrist
After hosting birthday parties and doing pony rides for our family and friends, we were encouraged to share our farm and animals with others. We established Blu Barn Farm to introduce members of our community and the urban area to horses. We provide horses and ponies for birthday parties, festivals and events. We also offer farm tours, farm birthday parties and riding lessons. Pony parties are a labor of love. It’s truly been a blessing to share horses with many people that have never been next to a horse in person. Read More>>
Raww Blue
Smooth road? Absolutely not. I’ve bumped my head so much haha. I believe if you don’t bump your head you’ll never learn where and how to move in this maze of a game. I’ve been told NO way more times than YES. It builds character , it might kill some people’s confidence but that’s what separates US from THEM. This isnt made for everybody ya know. But when you get that YES, you better put your BEST foot forward. You gotta know how to move, this is called “The Game” For a reason. Read More>>
Devonne Mitchell
She witnessed her first birth at the age of nine and the exposure opened a world of possibilities. DeVonne has always had an interest in maternal and child health and a passion to support women during one of the most important seasons of life, the sacred transition into motherhood. After having children of her own, DeVonne answered the call to follow her dream. She became a doula and launched Divine Rhythm Doula & Wellness Services. Read More>>
Alyssa Gibson
Eventually, I expanded into YouTube, creating vlogs that captured the essence of my life and those around me. In 2021, a pivotal moment came when I did a spontaneous photo shoot with a friend in her bedroom. That experience made me realize just how much I loved capturing moments and telling stories through my lens. Later that year, I bought my first professional camera, a Canon 90D, and started photographing friends and family to refine my skills. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to building my brand and growing my photography business. Read More>>
Aaron Cooper
Interestingly, about 7 or 8 years ago, I had never tasted wine. My best friend introduced me to it, and we began exploring different wines and attending tastings around the city. Four years ago, I decided to dive deeper into the world of wine. I came across a bottle priced at $55—a significant leap for me, as I usually capped my wine budget at $30. That bottle changed my perspective on wine. It had complex notes of plum, cherry, and leather, while the tasting notes included blueberry, tobacco, vanilla, and oak. How could a wine that was 28 years old still have such depth and complexity? Read More>>
Charmaine Shirley
My professional journey into Real Estate wasn’t a straight path, but each step played a crucial role in shaping who I am today. I began my real estate career in Property Management, working as an Area Manager, where I honed my skills in property operations, client relations, and the ins and outs of real estate investment. Along the way, I also served in the banking industry, where I worked my way up to a Vice President of Banking Operations. These experiences solidified my natural knack for finance, credit, lending, and money management—skills that would later become foundational to my real estate career. Read More>>
Damon Allen
Electric Bike Group Athens was founded by David Allen and myself, Damon Allen, who now serves as the group’s president. Together, we launched the group with a vision to make electric biking accessible and enjoyable for everyone in Athens. What began as a shared passion for electric bikes quickly evolved into a community dedicated to sustainable city exploration, embracing the freedom of e-biking, and building lasting friendships. Over time, our group has grown and thrived, with members bringing unique perspectives and goals whether they’re riding for commuting, adventure, or simply connecting with others who love biking. Read More>>
Natalya Reaves
Shortly after conversation I picked it back up. Fast forward to 2012 when I moved to a new city and I started to take my craft seriously. As most new business owners I picked a name and just went for it. Business was business trying to build clientele and make a name for yourself isn’t always easy but so worth it. After about 11 years in Tampa,Florida I decided it was time to move myself and the business to another city and state. In 2023 I moved to Georgia and it’s been a fun ride since then! Read More>>
Michelle Pulfer
Photography has been a challenging path for me, primarily because it’s not always financially stable. It’s often not a full-time, 40-hour-a-week job, and many photographers, including myself, can relate to the ‘starving artist’ mentality. The reality is that the income can be unpredictable, especially when trying to balance the creative side of the work with the business side. It’s a tough field where passion doesn’t always translate into financial success, and it requires a lot of hustle to make ends meet. Read More>>
Brittney Ezna
Before I knew it my DMs were blowing up with friends loving my perspective and wanting photos of their own! A year later I am being paid to travel throughout the south to shoot weddings and engagement photos. 4 years later I am living in Atlanta and make a living solely off of my business and I am so grateful for it. Can you believe that this is the first year I’m going to have to rely on SEO and marketing? I’ve been able to do this just by word of mouth! Read More>>
Oluwakayode Kajogbola
Growing up in a large and loving family, I experienced the challenges and blessings of life in Nigeria. My parents, both pastors and business owners, worked tirelessly to provide for their six children. Despite the economic hardships, they ensured that we never lacked the necessities of life. Our family vacations to different countries exposed me to a world beyond the confines of Nigeria, broadening my horizons and igniting a desire for more. Read More>>
Savannah Moody
With a strong passion for social media and digital marketing, I learned to blend creativity with strategy, helping businesses develop their unique visual identities. What began with serving clients in Atlanta and Alpharetta had expanded as well to the Gulf Coast, offering a range of services, from digital marketing to professional photography. At Achieve, we not only manage social media but also photograph weddings, portraits, and branding for businesses, telling each client’s story in a meaningful, visually compelling way. Read More>>
Ashley Bailey
At first, I was definitely hesitant about playing video games on my own, so for a long time I watched my brother play and complete nearly every game we had and that was inspiring. I wanted to be just as good. Actually, scratch that. I wanted to be even better than he was! So, I finally picked up the controller myself. I played those very same games I used to watch him play and from then on, the rest was history. This was something that just became apart of my life. and something I don’t think I would ever give up. Read More>>
Clarissa Vasquez
I like to say that every step in life is a learning curve. Content creation requires you to be consistent & creative with anything you put out on the internet. I have struggled with consistency but I was able to overcome it due to my friend Cindy who told me to record content in advance so that i can edit/post on my downtime which has helped me greatly. I’ve also struggled with my confidence at times due to me having to work harder because i’m plus size but i’ve learned to keep a good support system around me to keep me uplifted when i’m not feeling my best. Read More>>
N’zyia Miller
Honestly at the beginning i had no knowledge of photography, it was never a thought to be in my career path, I’m a dancer as well so dancing was kind of the main thing on my mind at the time but as i got older and learned more about photography it just became something i fell in love with! Later on down the line i became the manager for my high school’s football team and i took pictures for them as well as made some graphics. Overall i feel i still have a lot more to do as far as my photography career but I’m proud of how far i came and not giving up on something that makes not only me but other people happy as well! Read More>>
Blake Farris
Fast forward three years later, I have transformed that pilot episode into a 7 season pitch deck/story bible, from direction of a prestigious writer in Hollywood, taking Dom, Mia, & Jakob, and putting them in high school in 1986, and tells the tales leading up to the 2001/2004 film, The Fast and the Furious, when Dom and Brian OConner first meet. Read More>>
Kevin Robinson Jr.
On the flip side I was always encouraged by teachers that I told it to. They would also constantly call on me to read out loud in class which would end up helping me in the future. My first official gigs in the industry was as an extra in television and film, which led me to appear in independent films and shorts. Read More>>
Christa Williams
It allowed me to travel the US and do what I love most, helping people. In 2016 I had my son, Easton. He is the heart of our family, so I started looking for another business to start so I could stay home more. I explored several opportunities, but eventually settled on Prime IV Hydration & Wellness. I love their wellness and customer service mindset, but their medical oversight and 797 compliance is what sealed the deal. Every client gets cleared by a Nurse Practitioner or Medical Doctor, and all of our compounding meets or exceeds 797 laboratory compliance. This is not the case at many other franchises or independent IV clinics. Read More>>
Savanna Hodges
Fast forward to April 2024: I’m now in my junior year of college, eager to gain hands-on experience as an entrepreneur. I’m majoring in business management and pursuing an entrepreneurship certificate at UGA. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, with both of my parents owning multiple successful businesses, has inspired me to follow a similar path. I have a lifelong passion for horses, and I even purchased two of my horses from the venue where I worked. Read More>>
Ben & Jared Aka Wick And Nick
It was in our early 20’s, Jared and I met. For many months before we had both been told that we had a doppelgänger, it wasn’t until we bumped into one another at Estoria that it all made sense. We became instant friends and I invited him to come stagé at Boca Lupo where I was the sous chef at the time. Our first pop-up came way later and it was at the late great 8arm located on Ponce. Before that the name, wick and nick (which is the end of each of our last names, Jared Warwick, and Ben Skolnick) originally started as a joke made on the hot line before dinner service. And we were going to sell hot salads, and cold cuts. Turns out jokes on us and we did it. Read More>>
Emalee Evans
I learned about lighting, editing/ retouching, and how to manually use a digital camera. From there, I found that I really enjoy creative portrait photography and product photography. I now have eight years of specializing in portrait photography. Currently, I am collaborating with several local businesses to produce product photography, and I have been working with a real estate media company since late 2023. Read More>>
Jemarie Thomas
As I embark on this journey, I am excited about the potential it holds for expanding my brand and reaching new audiences. I look forward to sharing my progress, challenges, and triumphs with the community. This venture is a testament to the idea that inspiration can arise from unexpected places, encouraging us to push boundaries and explore new horizons in our entrepreneurial endeavors. Read More>>
Kaila Lessier
Throughout my four years, I had the privilege of working in admissions under Dr. Carlos Robinson. I was involved in the Student Activities Board and proudly served as the 40th Miss Black Langston University. I also launched my juicing business, “Juicing With Soul,” fueled by my passion for entrepreneurship. I sold my juices on campus and shared my love for music by singing at special events, all while maintaining a strong academic record that placed me on the dean’s and president’s honor rolls every year. Read More>>
Destiny “Dessie” Starnes
It was odd because the night before our video shoot, we seen somebody use our idea so I felt discouraged, but God said “get UP”. So that next morning, I pieced together what I could find out my trunk of my car; put my hair in some lil bun balls and called it a day. We ended up shooting a video to a song I had in my catalog for over a year called “ChickenHead Freestyle” )out on YouTube.) I was kinda bratty like almost because he’s like “I wanna shoot this video outside of Popeyes.” I’m like “Popeyes? Louisiana Chicken Popeyes?” wild but ok. Read More>>
Nohemi Rojas
While at TPS, I discovered new creative outlets and was granted the opportunity to move to LA, where I joined a girl singing group, attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts, and earned a second degree in music production from The Los Angeles Film School. I worked various roles in music and TV, including as an associate producer for reality TV. I returned to Atlanta during the pandemic, focusing on costumes, and I currently work as a TV/film costumer while continuing to model. Read More>>
Echo Weatherly
I noticed a high demand for braiddown services, yet few stylists outside of African braiding shops were focusing on this as a standalone service. Not many stylists are willing to provide just a braiddown, but that’s where we come in! Here at The Braiddown Bar, we understand the assignment. Many stylists don’t take the time to match braid size to hair density, but we know that braiddowns aren’t one-size-fits-all. Let me get you right! You pick the braid pattern suited to your desired DIY style, and I’ll handle the braiddown. Read More>>
Whitney Janese
That was terrifying. Even when we are at the face of what is to be our destiny, there’s greater fear present. I knew with my capabilities and background, I had the potential to impact change. However, the work: days spent confronting fears outside my comfort zone, responding to mental blockages proactively so that precious headspace can be utilized towards building and creating something better – those are the unseen battles. The challenges are around growing your skills and evolving into a better person fit for the work you’re doing. Read More>>
Donna Cline
The Wagon at Bethany Bend is a bright spot in the community for everyone that passes by. We have people thanking us all the time for doing what we do and they say it brightens their day. I had a catering business in Peachtree City GA for 14 years and I always loved making centerpieces on certain occasions and always thought that I would love to be a floral designer when I retired. Read More>>
Daniel Washington
How I got my start is in church. I was a shy, quiet and honestly aimless 14 year old just meandering through existence until my Apostle, Angelo Hollis introduced me to instruments. He gave me a chance to play the drums even though I never played them before or had an interest in performing music prior to this. I enjoyed it and decided that if I am going to play I may as well learn how. That is what sparked not just wanting to play what was already made by someone else but to create my own which lead to me going to college to get an education in music and to get established to own my own studios and label that I decided to call Gaijin Productions. Read more>>
Hailey Binion
So I spent the next two years studying and my photography took a backseat for the next six years until my son was born and the itch to pick up my camera and create was too unbearable not to scratch. Especially in this era of documentary style sessions and film booming again. What a perfect time for me to come back. Read More>>
