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.
Laura Wiggins
I’m 100% doing what I was born to do, and honestly, I wish I had started sooner. Deep down, I always knew I was meant to be a health and fitness coach—I just didn’t know what that was supposed to look like. I never imagined being a business owner or entrepreneur either, but now that I am, it fits me perfectly. Read more>>
Courtney Istre
I feel like I am set down the path before me, and I sometimes find myself wandering off course, only to be brought back after a bit. The best comparison I can make is that it can range from browsing some flowers a few feet away to taking myself off into the woods entirely. Read more>>
Amanda Huerta
I’d say it’s a blend of both. When I’m walking a path, I’m also wandering, and when I wander, I inevitably find new paths. I don’t think anyone truly stays on one single route in life. Even if we’re moving toward an end goal, we’re constantly branching out, discovering new experiences, people, and directions along the way. Life keeps unfolding into new paths. Read more>>
Brian Rhoades
On a light note, I always joke that every entrepreneur has that moment every third day where we say, ‘If this doesn’t work, I might have to throw in the towel.’ It’s part of the emotional rollercoaster of building something from the ground up. But in reality, giving up has never truly been an option for me. Read more>>
Donato Ricci
The industry has locked what was supposed to be an experience for everybody to only the few privileged. Read more>>
Heather Steele
For many years, I asked myself one simple yet profound question: What is life really about? For the longest time, it felt like a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. But today, my answer has changed. I’ve found a peace within that only Jesus can give. Read more>>
Averie Cotton-Smith
In these rapidly changing times, I’ve made it a priority to constantly evolve and expand my knowledge and courage. Embracing new experiences and stepping out of my comfort zone has become an exciting journey. Read more>>
Shante Graham
The empire I’m building brick by brick when nobody’s watching. The late nights planning workshops for young girls… The early mornings making sure families understand life insurance… The moments I pour into my community when I could’ve been doing *anything* else… The seeds I plant that won’t bloom until years from now. Read more>>
Kierra Pippen
The thing I’m most proud of building—yet almost no one truly sees—is myself. People often see the polished version: the Executive Publisher, the mentor, the woman leading Literary Freedom Publishing with faith-driven purpose. But they rarely see the inner work it took to become her. Read more>>
Nikkie Hunter
I grew up as a very shy child, but over time I found my voice, my confidence, and my purpose. What once felt like a quiet whisper has grown into a strong commitment to serve, uplift, and lead. Today, I stand as a community leader who understands the power of growth, resilience, and stepping forward—even when it once felt uncomfortable. Read more>>
Kelsey Brown
Each morning unfolds gently, before the world begins to stir. I wake slowly, letting my breath settle into meditation before I ever leave the warmth of my bed. When I rise, I move into motion — sometimes it’s the steady strength of weightlifting, other days the rhythm of a run, the grace of Pilates, or the mindful ease of stretching. Read more>>
Jireh Campbell
One of the defining wounds of my life has been feeling overlooked and misunderstood, like my voice and vision didn’t fully fit anywhere. For a long time I carried that weight quietly, trying to prove myself instead of just being myself. Healing came when I stopped chasing validation and started creating from a place of truth and purpose. Read more>>
Adam Holley
For me, it’s a lot. Family of course is first. Work life is great, artistic expression is great. All in all I can’t complain. Read more>>
Linda Anuku
My family brings me joy as always and their motivation keeps me going. spending quality time with my children. keeps me gives me so much joy. Also reading my Bible consistently and meditating on the scriptures especially Psalm 23 and Psalm 91. Focusing on my health lets me show up even stronger for my customers. Read more>>
Sarah Rees
I hope people remember me for my willingness to help others with genuine care and compassion. More than anything, I want the story people tell to reflect my dedication to creating a safe, supportive space for children to heal their hurts, discover their strengths, and grow into compassionate, capable adults. That legacy of kindness, safety, and growth is the one I hope to leave behind. Read more>>
Carolyn (Doll) Reeves
That no matter what I did what I could for everyone and that I had a heart of gold. I would help anyone that wanted my help in any form that I could. I showed up and I celebrated. I was genuinely proud of those who succeeded and always wanted the best for everyone even if it wasn’t with or around me. Read more>>
Kent Barker
Meditation is my answer to this question… and curiously, has always been at the core of why I love photography. As an artist and a photographer, I produce my best work when I am fully and completely present. I used to describe this state as ‘the act of seeing’ or being ‘in the zone’. Now I define it as what it really is… Read more>>
Kevin Moore
Playing my PlayStation! It really helps decompress from the day’s events. I get to escape to a different world, still navigating challenges but with a lot more control of the outcome . Read more>>
Mrs. Phyllis Jenkins
Integrity matters most to me. It’s the foundation of everything else in my life, and work is built. When I think about the word integrity, I also see the word grit tucked inside. It takes grit to stand firm in what you believe, to follow through when it’s difficult, and to stay true to your calling when no one is watching. Read more>>
Zachary Slack
Integrity. Every time. In real estate photography, intelligence helps you solve problems, and energy keeps you moving through long shoot days—but integrity is the one thing you can’t fake, replace, or repair once it’s gone. I’ve watched the real estate world long enough to know this: there are shortcuts everywhere, and plenty of people are willing to take them. Listings get rushed. Promises get exaggerated. Read more>>
C. Joy Campbell
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was just Joy, a little Black girl with a big imagination, a big heart, and a desire to fix everything and everyone around me. I was naturally a helper, a dreamer, and a feeler. Read more>>
Amber Monroe
Absolutely!! I love being able to speak to and mentor women like me and then see them begin to live boldly and unashamed in their passions and dreams. Helping them to remove the shackles of their labels and what they ‘should’ be doing feels as freeing for me as it does for them. Read more>>
Arty Whittenberg
As a music educator, I teach every day for one reason. That reason is to make a connection with students and give them the best experience possible in learning music. I want to change kids’ lives the right way and give them the opportunity to have options of what their lives could be if they decide to choose music. Read more>>
Deborah Rose
Yes, I have done this many times. I have stood against someone being accused unfairly and had many of my associates in my field believe me to have made a huge mistake in picking that battle. Read more>>
Jason Kramer
Connection and community and relationships. Some of the best natural healthcare they’ve ever experienced. But, the relational part would be missed the most, I think. Read more>>
Adam Frost
Not recognizing each other deserve the same respect and dignity we want and the breaking of trust. What restores us is forgiving and focusing on growing together and having empathy towards each other, recognizing we are all suffering in one way or another. Read more>>
Morenike Olorunnisomo
From a complex trauma perspective, bonds between people are often broken when safety is lost—whether through betrayal, neglect, emotional rupture, or repeated experiences of not being seen, valued, or protected. When relationships become places where our nervous systems learn to brace instead of soften, we begin to disconnect from others and from ourselves. Read more>>
Steven Jones
It may sound simple, but I think the most significant barrier to healthy relationships is a lack of context. We are formed by our experiences, and the vast majority of people have deep-seated reasons for everything they think, say, and do. Even our impulses come from habits and ideals ingrained in us by experience and the people around us. Read more>>
Liz Nelson
Many people assume aesthetic treatments are just about vanity—but what often gets overlooked is a patient’s relationship with themselves and the history they carry in their body. Trauma, self-worth, and lived experiences shape how someone sees their face just as much as aging or anatomy do. Read more>>
Areona Carter
I think one of the biggest misunderstandings about my business is that it is just playing with dogs all day. In reality, running Carter’s K-9 is hard work. Every dog has personal needs and quirks that we carefully attend to, including medications, feeding schedules, behavioral challenges, and emotional support. Read more>>
Clint Fuqua
The fitness industry is mostly seen as big butts, ripped abs, and extreme workouts all pushed by loud egocentric task masters yelling ‘give more more reps and eat more protein!’ That however is only the 1% of the industry that gets clicks online because of the show and wow factor. Read more>>
Michael Kelly
I believe people are secretly struggling with their own identity. Most of us wrap our identity around what the world thinks we should be instead of who we were called to be. God created each of us in His own image and instilled a gift in all of us. Read more>>
Dunice Harrell-Bolden
I think some people may assume my legacy was only about giving away free photos. The portraits matter, but they were never the whole story. The real work was about dignity, confidence, and giving students a moment that reminded them of their worth and potential. The photos were the doorway, not the destination. Read more>>
Tiffany Ashenfelter
I have long struggled with the message that I am both too much and not enough. It’s not an uncommon struggle, especially for women and I’ve sat with many attempting to undo that belief. I’ve had to work to take my own words to heart. Read more>>
Vanessa White
I genuinely believe that deep creative or career clarity and confidence comes from exploration, not certainty. A lot of people may think that you have to have a perfect plan before you take a step, but my experience has taught me the opposite, and that momentum comes from trying things before you understand where they will lead. Read more>>
Victoria Castro
To be honest, there really isn’t a “normal” day for me and that’s something I love about my career. My schedule is full, but every day has its own flow and purpose. At the start of my week, Mondays and Tuesdays are dedicated to my mentees and one-on-one students. Read more>>
Jamie Kelly
I’d say the relationship with my dad. My dad has always been a responsible, hard working respected guy who goes above and beyond what he has to do. I’ve always looked up to him and hoped to one day be the kind of man he is. Read more>>
Amber Portis
My relationship with my mom is truly special. That is my girl, my twin. We look alike, act alike, and the older I get, the more I see her in myself. She has shaped so much of who I am today, especially when it comes to discipline and structure. Growing up, she taught me the importance of keeping things clean, organized, and in order. Read more>>
Isun Ris
That would be my dad, beyond a shadow of a doubt! He’s always been a constant source of support, motivation and encouragement. Never once have I ever wondered or worried about him being in my corner because almost daily he’s been there no questions asked. Read more>>
Jason givens
I wouldn’t say as much of a memory as much as motivation to embrace my own self and being Self-Made. Ownership and full creative capability is a beautiful thing is business especially in modeling and videography. Being able to completely have the masters to your own work nothing beats it. Read more>>
Mallory Herrin
I used to subscribe to the idea that success is a competition. I have always been ambitious and I want to do my best and keep improving, but comparing myself to others, especially those further along in their journey, was toxic. Read more>>
Pourtia Deal
I’ve felt the most loved in the moments when life slowed down enough for me to really see who was standing beside me; not for my talent, not for what I could do for them, but for the parts of me that aren’t always on display. Read more>>
