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.
Denise Wolford
Finding underprivileged families and help meet their needs. Read more>>
Andrea Corres
I picked up running again after so many years and I truly enjoy it! I felt a little lost going through postpartum the second time around and going on runs definitely helped with finding myself again. After a run I feel so energized and clear minded, it’s the best feeling! It’s definitely a great stress reliever. Read more>>
Cosom Clark
My kids bring me great joy. Watching them grow, how they think and how much progress they have made amazes me. It gives me more motivation to accomplish the goals in life I have set for myself. Read more>>
Vanessa Elizalde-Gonzalez
Taking days off slow , getting a workout in at hot Worx Read more>>
Vanessa McClure
The light I’ve been dimming is the power of my voice. While I do speak up, it’s often only around those I trust, people I know will hear me without judgment. But in moments when I feel God nudging me to speak truth or encouragement to others outside that safe space, I tend to hold back. Read more>>
Madelynn Shae
Once I settle down for the night after a long day, I find myself in my writing room with my guitar. In that moment anything on my mind comes out in a song. The time flies by, but in those hours I am free to be myself. Read more>>
Christina Wei
My hustle to survive. I think you can still have a successful career, be balanced while not overworking yourself. Before, that’s really all I did, I took on way too much than I could handle and was in this dangerous cycle of constant burnout. Read more>>
Chelsea Shaw
Somewhere along the line it became so much easier to hide than be seen. I can be very critical of myself and the things I put out, and one way I demonstrated that was I stopped posting as much for long periods of time. Read more>>
Liz Alvarez
It’s interesting because I didn’t always know this would be my path. But when I finally had the opportunity to choose from scratch what I wanted to do based on my true passions, everything became very clear to me. Helping others — especially seniors — has always been in my heart. I’ve always been the kind of person who stops to help. Read more>>
Marchelle Sterling
I would regret not fully stepping into my purpose and using my voice to inspire others. Life is too short to hold back on dreams, to stay quiet when you know you can make a difference, or to play small out of fear. Read more>>
Klarissa
I will regret not making the most of every day. A lyric in one of my songs “Thin Line” says “You’ve got one chance to live. Live it well”. I live by that line. I try to keep a positive mindset about my day because every day is a gift. Read more>>
Remi Roy Osi
I’m deeply committed to the belief that community is at the heart of how we’ll do business, now and in the future. More and more, we’re seeing that real connection lasts longer than a sale. It’s community that drives loyalty, and loyalty is what builds longevity. That’s why I’m fully committed to the project we’re building at PodGround, a community-first platform for independent podcasters. Read more>>
Mariana Martinez
A belief that I am committed to, no matter how long it takes, is my ability to make a change. I believe that in my journey, whether it’s my current modeling and dance journey or it’s in my future career, I believe I can make a change for the better in my community. Read more>>
Kiara Smothers
I am committed to helping people heal and honor their true self outside of the pain they didn’t cause! Read more>>
Chloe Vela
The first thing that comes to mind is being a hard worker and having resilience. Growing up as having business owners as parents it teaches a lot about the real world and how you have to work very hard for the simple things in life. Read more>>
Exotic Talk
As a collective, life has molded each of us through our own experiences. What those moments taught both of us is that most people do not take the path they truly want. Instead, they take the path taught to them, shaped by the resources and perspectives available to them at the time. Read more>>
Jasmine Jackson-Lewis
A pivotal moment that influenced my worldview was the loss of my mother, who had always been my constant source of support and comfort. With her by my side, I never felt isolated or solely responsible, regardless of the situation. However, following her passing, I came to realize that the world can be unforgiving, and achieving my goals requires unapologetic determination and faith in myself. Read more>>
Allen ‘Al-B’ Spurlock
A moment that truly shaped my perspective was when I discovered the validity and power of manifestation. I came to understand that the universe not only responds to the energy we put out, but often matches and exceeds it. This realization transformed how I approach my goals and aspirations, reinforcing the idea that our intentions can significantly influence our reality. Read more>>
James Metts
I was just starting to learn construction when the real estate market collapsed in 1978. I was surprised by the situation that I found myself in. I was jobless, I felt lost and I felt like a failure. So, I decided I needed to learn as much as I could about how the world works. Read more>>
Mallory Spielman
Thanks for having me back! Integrity is the most important to me. In the yoga and wellness industry, knowledge and energy certainly matter but without integrity, neither has lasting value. Integrity creates trust. It is showing up honestly, practicing what you teach and holding yourself accountable on and off the mat. It is the foundation that allows healing spaces to be safe, inclusive and genuine. Read more>>
Gilbert Gonzalez
To feel the most peace, would have to be when I’m photographing/attending a concert, tattooing with my headphones, walking at White Rock, drawing/painting at home, receiving licks and hugs from my dog, Dusty. Read more>>
Harlow Haynes
I’ve been lucky to have many coaches who believed in me even before I was old enough to join a gymnastics team. My mom also noticed my natural talent at a young age, which helped us find the right gym and the right coaches early on so I could grow and succeed in the sport I love. Read more>>
Alexis Mollé
My husband is the one who really pushed me to create my business and follow my dream of becoming a florist. I was in a job that did not bring me joy and he pushed me to follow this dream and supports me through it all! He calls himself my free employee and even helps create the designs sometimes. Read more>>
TJ Mac
My momma. She instilled things in me that made me who I am today while I was still in the womb, so growing up she would always tell me affirmations before I knew what they were and those affirmations shaped my mindset today to strive for nothing less than greatness Read more>>
CJ Jones
Without hesitation, my answer is my parents, Don and Betty Cone. They did not teach work as a checklist or a clock punch. They taught it as a calling. Work, to them, was how you showed up for God, for people and for the community placed right in front of you. My dad, Don, never met a stranger. He met souls. Read more>>
Ashley Love
My mom taught me the most important lessons about work. Whenever I wanted or needed something, she reminded me that I had to work for it. She taught me that nothing in this world is free, and if you want something, it won’t be handed to you—you have to earn it. Read more>>
Jason Gibson
My amazing mother. She was such a hard worker, high integrity person. She touched so many people’s lives. Read more>>
Jamilah ‘Milah’ Lucas
I would have to say my ballet teachers, the late Ms. Renee Gillenwater and Margaret Newcomb. They taught me the saying ‘hard work will surpass talent when talent stops working hard’. As a young dancer, they would always tell me how talented I was and that I should never take things lightly, and to continue to work hard. Read more>>
Julie England
Many people ask me how I made the leap from engineering to art. The answer in part is due to my natural curiosity of how things are made. I collected art intently for ten years. Among this modest collection was a theme of contemporary and abstract landscape painting. Read more>>
David Tripp
Thank you for asking that. From childhood I was a dreamer, a visionary. My imagination always took me far beyond the horizons I stretched to see. It was not until I was in my thirties that I heard the concept Life of the Mind. I had been living it before I was told what it is. That is why I am an artist. Read more>>
Joshua Gause
This is a super interesting question. To the outside world, I was a loud, zany, jokster. The type of kid most people wouldn’t take seriously, but somehow always managed to influence my peers around me as well as my teachers. Read more>>
Viktoria Branchstone
Oh, I love this question. As a child, I was a witch — or at least an alchemist. I spent hours experimenting with colors, textures, smells, and every other possible quality of organic things I could get my hands on. In those moments, I loved silence and completely dissolved into the process. Read more>>
Jen Clark
Yes, I would hire myself. I look for some of my qualities in the staff that I do hire as I have passion, empathy, honesty, gumption, ethic and a huge heart. Read more>>
