Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
Rob Springer
Big yes, I can’t wait to get into work. Every day is the culmination of everything I’ve done in my life. It’s led me to this moment. The trajectory of my career has always pointed toward building studios, places where creativity doesn’t just happen, it thrives. Read more>>
Karen Ceesay
For so long I’ve been waiting to ‘blow up’ or book that really big role but it’s escaped me. Post pandemic and strikes, the entertainment industry has completely imploded and the outlook has been bleak for those of us in it. So there has been a lot of fear and worry especially since I’m in my fifties now. Read more>>
Sarah Cofer
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I like to think I could. There’s so much in life that we have to do for ourselves, and it’s rare that other people see it. You won’t get praise for putting in the work behind the scenes. Someone told me once that ‘how you do one thing is how you do everything’, and that really changed my perspective. Read more>>
Chanel Cooper
Honestly, probably not. I’m sure most people would not admit this and it was hard to admit myself. First off, it takes a lot of work to give your best in general and I believe that most of us, if not all, expect or desire some sort of recognition. Read more>>
Crystina Kennedy
Yes, definitely. Validation is nice, but it’s not why I create. What matters is that I’m proud of the work I’m doing. Read more>>
Sara Sasic
I live by the mindset that whatever I do, I make sure I give my best—because that’s how you create your legacy. At the end of the day, everything I do is for the best version of myself, even if I’m the only one who sees it. But in reality, people definitely notice it too! Read more>>
Kalun Brown
Most certainly! This most recent project I am gearing up to drop is a prime example of me not acting fast on my process as an artis. Read more>>
Lottie Conner
Absolutely, because reacting too fast without taking the time to process things can lead to regret and reacting out of how you feel in the moment. I have learned that anything worth keeping requires prayer and patience. Read more>>
Deonta Pace
A Lot Of Times I’ve been Glad I Didn’t Act Out When I Was Suppose To Cause All People Want To Do Is Get On My Nerves And Make Me Come Out Of Character And I Can’t Do It. Read more>>
HoffaBlock
I usually don’t fall into fads. Usually if everybody else going right, we go left to explore. A lot of times our corporation has brainstormed ideas that were ahead of its time. Read more>>
Chris Millsapprea
Foundational shifts are quieter at first, but they stick with you, they change the way you see and create. As i worked on the art presented within Kaleidoscope: The Masks We Wear it taught me that. The project wasn’t about chasing what was trending in photography or fashion—it was about digging into something timeless: identity, and the human need to be seen. Read more>>
Ayden Jai
The way I differentiate between fads and true foundational shifts is through reflection. Each year as I get older, I look back and identify the moments where life changed — for better or worse. I found that the biggest foundational shifts occurred right after there was a ‘fad’. Read more>>
Dorri Buchholtz
I recognize I’m out of my depth when the challenge stops feeling like growth and starts feeling paralyzing or unmanageable. There’s a fine line between being out of your depth and simply being challenged. When I feel overwhelmed, it can be a sign I’m pushing beyond my comfort zone which is often where real growth happens. Read more>>
Stacey DeHay
I would quit my day job. I love my dog and cat clients, but I would devote myself fully to my art. For now, those furry friends pay the bills though. Read more>>
Charnell Diamond
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would continue to stop caring what people think of and say about me. Read more>>
Kofi Dotse
Stop waiting for others to enjoy everything nature has to offer Read more>>
Aiesha McKenzie
As I previously mentioned, I thought about closing my business at a time. I did, actually, consider the dearth that it would cause. Yes, there are other places where people can make perfume. But, My Signature Scent is about more than walking out with a perfume you created; it’s about the experience. Read more>>
Esther Ruth Ellard
If I retired tomorrow, I hope what my clients would miss most is the testimony I leave behind. For me, design is more than just creating beautiful spaces, it’s about building meaningful relationships and serving others through the gifts God has given me. Read more>>
Jazzmine Davis
The way that I work hard for them because going to a big PR agency is a lot because first there more expensive secondly they have more clients and really no time for you so a lot of times the small PR agency are good Read more>>
Danielle Desroche
My clients often tell me I’m the first doctor who’s truly listened to them, or the first to take the time to explain what’s actually happening in their body. I believe what they would miss most is feeling genuinely seen, heard, and involved in their healing journey. Read more>>
Traexe
I make real music, from how I feel, from the little connection in my brain to the universes big tunnel. I am the music. People usually tell me they get stuck in my world and I’m bringing more different worlds in so they would miss out on a lot. Read more>>
Anthony Idi
They’d miss having a partner they can truly trust, someone who treats them as people not just accounts. They’d miss my authentic approach and the deep experience I bring to every challenge so they always feel supported and confident that their website and marketing are in the best possible hands. Read more>>
Adam Pendlington
At Run Katie Run shows, I love looking out across the faces in the audience and watching everyone light up in a smile. Kate Coleman, our lead singer/songwriter, puts on an awesome show. The only way I can describe the energy I watch ripple through the audience is joyful. They’re either happy returning fans, or newcomers who are falling in love with a new band. Read more>>
Angel Fabián Rivera
Right now, I’m on a journey of becoming who I’m truly meant to be. Every day, I’m rediscovering parts of myself in ways I never imagined. I want to keep inspiring Latinos—to show them that they can pursue their dreams and climb their own ladders of success. Read more>>
Don Miguel
I’m chasing Jesus. Everything else crumbles if I stop. God gave me everything, from my family, friends, this career in the wrestling industry that I’m looking to further. God gave me all these things, he can surely take it all away. Even if he did it anyway while I’m chasing him, blessed be his name. Read more>>
YSN
I’m chasing a life of abundance and comfort built upon the talents God has gifted me. I have always had a very unique voice since a child, and I have been blessed to use it to build a life for myself and my daughter. If I was to stop now, not only would I be letting myself down, I’d be letting her down as well. Read more>>
Nina Gonzalez-Rubio
I would say my career as an artist won’t start paying off for a while. Choosing to follow an artistic career path is a lifelong commitment. You are constantly learning new things and facing rejection, even when you’re an established artist. In rare cases, a few people get lucky and their career launches off as soon as it starts. Read more>>
Alan Ray White
What I am doing today may never pay off. But I have learned that if you don’t do something, nothing will happen. I am trying to light the fire to get a full blown, down ticket, middle-of-the-road President to local school boards, third political party organized and built. Read more>>
Olabimpe Olaoye
Right now today, I am currently learning how to be still. If I had it my way, I would still be putting all of my focus on my business. Learning through my failures and success through experience. However, I am currently working in the corporate world and learning through my experience there. Read more>>
Wiebe Lourens
This is a very interesting question. The simple answer is: NEVER avoid battles in life! Face them, conquer them and come out stronger. This way you will be the victor, and not the victim. Read more>>
Kailey Hood
The battle I’m avoiding is trying to call every single play in life the same way I do on my show, Kalling Plays with Kailey. When I’m on-air, it’s my job to break down every move, anticipate what’s coming next, and share my take with energy and confidence. But in real life, that approach can get exhausting — for me and the people around me. Read more>>
Tre’ Amazing
The battle I am fighting is the desire to quit. By “quit,” I mean surrendering entirely—releasing every effort and ambition for a better life. It is the temptation to settle, to accept a status quo existence, to resign oneself to mediocrity. Pursuing a life greater than “good enough” comes with costs far higher than I sometimes imagined, demanding sacrifices I did not anticipate. Read more>>
Malachi ‘Seven’ King
I’m addressing what I have been avoiding for years now: self-care. Taking time for myself and reevaluating my life outside of producing, doing, and just being busy has become essential. I decided not to avoid that battle and to confront it this year, starting with a simple step—deactivating my social media accounts. Read more>>
Alisha Uppal
Bonds between people are often broken by a slow, subtle decline in intentionality and genuine communication. We often think of it as a single or intense event, like an affair, but in reality the cracks in the relationship usually precede the larger events. People stop making the effort to truly see and hear one another, and resentment can build in that space. Read more>>
Alisha Uppal
Bonds between people are often broken by a slow, subtle decline in intentionality and genuine communication. We often think of it as a single or intense event, like an affair, but in reality the cracks in the relationship usually precede the larger events. People stop making the effort to truly see and hear one another, and resentment can build in that space. Read more>>
Anthony Brooks
The most common misunderstanding is wrapped up in the word counseling. When people hear “marriage counseling,” they often picture two people sitting across from a mediator only after everything has gone wrong. But our mission is bigger than crisis management. At Brooks Marriage Counseling Services, what we really do is marriage planning. We believe marriage is not just a contract—it’s a covenant designed by God. Read more>>
Kristen Barker
I think what’s most misunderstood about being a makeup artist is that people assume it’s just showing up and putting makeup on someone. In reality, there’s so much more behind the scenes. There’s the planning, organizing, sanitizing, and constantly restocking my kit – not just buying the newest trending products. Read more>>
Domonique Cooper
One thing that I believe is often misunderstood about Atlanta CASA is that our work is simply about “volunteering with children.” While advocacy is at the heart of what we do, it goes much deeper than spending time with a child. Read more>>
Tata Lawo
I believe the most common misunderstanding about my work is the idea that it’s easy or that it functions like a genie in a bottle—that you can simply rub the bottle and make a wish, or light a candle and make a wish, and expect results without faith. There’s a lot of colonial misconception and taboo around it, and people are often fearful. Read more>>
Jules A. Grand
A lot of people misunderstand the fashion industry. It has so many moving parts. You are only as good as your last client. I work extremely hard for my consistent clients and clients- I haven’t even met yet. I am the bridge between the runway and their closet. Read more>>
Cassidy Ward
The amount of intelligence it takes to be truly successful. It is an incredibly cerebral field that also demands much creativity. Read more>>
Fever Fawn
I think that because I make pop music, although it is indie/alternative pop, people tend to think that that genre is soulless and formulaic. When really, it’s is a great example of catharsis and songcrafting coming together. Yes some pop songs are a bit dumbed down but some are not. Read more>>
