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.
Jeff Garnett
I’m doing both. I’ve always had clear goals—both in life and in my creative work—and I tend to build a structured path to reach them. But wandering is an essential part of that path. Even with direction, the process stays wild in its own way, and that unpredictability is what keeps everything alive. Detours are not only inevitable; they’re necessary. Read more>>
Element Rose
Who has time for rushing a masterpiece? Every painting I work on I refuse to rush. A lot of my work is very intertwined and the work from one piece can often be dependant upon the progress of another piece. For example, I have 2 works im currently focusing on: A multi-layered self portrait and some cloud jelly fish floating in a spacey/cloudy sky. Read more>>
Dominick Williams
Keep going. The things that make you feel different now are the things that will make you unforgettable later. And trust the timing — every closed door is really a quiet redirection, guiding you toward the version of yourself you haven’t met yet. You’re being shaped in ways your younger eyes can’t see, softened and sharpened for a future that’s already waiting for you. Read more>>
Cassie Cross
“I wish you knew how much light you carry. You don’t have to rush or prove yourself to anyone. You are worthy exactly as you are, and everything you’re hoping for is already on its way. Keep going, keep trusting yourself, and don’t be afraid to take up space — you grow into someone you’re truly proud of.” Read more>>
Shavonne(DJ) Gay
Honestly, if I retired tomorrow my customers would miss the experience I gave them. From the music, customer service, small talk, genuineness, late night food and the QUALITY. I’ve built some kind of rapport with nearly everyone who patronizes me on the regular. I remember names , orders and I always show love to everyone. I’ve built something people would feel the loss of. Read more>>
Ressy Hathaway
Suffering taught me how to lose with grace and patience. I’ve often felt behind my peers, and still do many days, which has contributed to a wealth of mental health issues. Not only that, it taught me to be able to clap for others even if I was longing for my turn to see the sun. Read more>>
Aimee Thompson
Suffering makes us face our limitations and grieve whatever we lose as a result. It humbles us and really makes us evaluate our priorities and choices. It teaches us that we can do hard things and that there is beautiful life even with limits and pain. Read more>>
Brittney Jones
Suffering taught me things success never could—like how strong I really am, even on the days I felt broken. It showed me who I am without the praise, without the stability, without the comfort. It taught me patience, humility, empathy, and how to rebuild myself when everything feels heavy. Read more>>
Angela Lippens
Suffering has shaped me in ways success never could. It has taught me endurance, the kind that can’t be learned from ease or comfort. When everything comes quickly or naturally, you don’t develop the same depth of gratitude or appreciation for what you’ve gained. Read more>>
Camryn Malone
Suffering taught me something that success never could, that I am ultimately responsible for my own happiness. It showed me that my peace, my circle, my environment, and my choices are in my hands. When I’ve been in dark or difficult places mentally, I learned that no one can pull me out but me. Read more>>
Kevin Craft
As a kid I believed that the loudest person in the room was always the most important and the most valued, and since that was never me, I assumed I would always be overlooked. I was quieter and more observant, and for a long time I thought that meant I was at a disadvantage. As I got older, I realized the opposite was true. Read more>>
Jennifer Ashby
The first 90 minutes of my day are my ‘studio quiet time.’ I grab my iced espresso, open my laptop and ease into the day by checking emails and packaging overnight orders, there is always something satisfying about knowing pieces are on their way to their new home. Read more>>
Rebekah Smith
Just how nuanced it is – creating a Festival Strategy is very complex, subtle, and has multiple layers of meaning, requiring careful consideration for full understanding, rather than being simple or black-and-white and definately not a one size fits all. Read more>>
Empress Hyder
Most people will never admit it out loud, but so many are wrestling with fear in ways that look quiet on the outside but feel loud on the inside. Fear is not always screaming. Sometimes it whispers through their habits, their hesitations, their silence, their procrastination, or their perfectionism. Read more>>
JOSE FLORES
I think people might misunderstand my legacy by focusing only on my career as a DJ the events, the concerts, and the radio shows and not seeing the personal side of what drives me. Read more>>
Aldarylro ‘Al’ Williams
As the owner of Th3 Link Ag3ncy Corp, a typical day is a blend of creativity, strategy, and hands-on client support. My mornings usually start with reviewing our content schedules, client messages, and campaign analytics to ensure everything is running smoothly across our branding, web design, and social media management services. Read more>>
Collin Beasley
Something outside of work that’s been bringing me a lot of joy lately is playing paintball. I love the mix of strategy, teamwork, and fast-paced problem-solving that comes with it. It’s a great way for me to stay active, disconnect from screens, and reset mentally. I also enjoy the social side—playing with friends and meeting new people at different fields. Read more>>
Darin Triplett
The light I’ve dimmed the most is my capacity for abundance in its rightful intensity. I’ve always carried an inner force — ideas, desire, imagination — that stretched beyond the environments that tried to contain it. For years, I learned to temper that intensity, not to suppress it, but to understand its temperature, its rhythm, its demand. Read more>>
Jalonni Weaver
The relationship that has shaped how I see myself the most is my relationship with my daughter. Becoming a mom changed everything for me. It made me look at the world and at myself in a completely different way. Before becoming a mom I saw myself through the lens of work, achievements, and how much I could get done in a day. Read more>>
Robin McCoy
My earliest real memory of feeling powerful didn’t happen early in life at all. It happened in my 50s, when I decided to walk the Camino de Santiago. Up until then, power had always been tied to doing, producing, and pushing through. On the Camino, all of that stripped away. There was no title, no to-do list, no one to impress. Read more>>
Felicia Ferrell
One of my earliest memories of truly feeling powerful was in 2008. I packed up my life, grabbed my baby girl, and left my hometown with no job lined up and no clear plan just faith and a fierce determination to build something better. We drove to the Dallas–Fort Worth area with nothing but hope and a trunk full of courage. Read more>>
Sul Lee
I think when I got my first check working for myself, it was a very powerful experience. It felt big in the sense that I didn’t need to rely on an employer to make my living. That was really meaningful for me. Read more>>
Brandyn Harris
“A belief I am deeply committed to, no matter how long it takes, is protecting and honoring the natural world that makes travel so extraordinary. At Travigent, we respect and adore nature in all its forms—the oceans we sail on, the forests we hike through, the mountains we marvel at, and the cultures and ecosystems that exist because of God’s creation. Read more>>
Obioma Faison
One moment that really shaped how I see the world was becoming a mother while still trying to hold on to my Nigerian roots and navigate life in America. It made me see how powerful culture, food, and storytelling truly are. It pushed me to create a world where my children and anyone watching my content can taste both identities and feel seen in both. Read more>>
Hilyale Makor
Integrity matters most to me because it is the foundation for everything else I do. Intelligence can help you succeed, and energy can help you show up with passion, but neither holds value if you are not someone who keeps your word or moves with honesty. Integrity guides how I treat others, how I lead, and how I show up in the world. Read more>>
Alicia Azahar
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized my writing was telling the truth long before I ever said it out loud. The more I journaled and wrote poetry, the more I saw pieces of myself on the page — the hurt, the confusion, the memories I tried to bury. Read more>>
Brandon bEASLEY
My father taught me the most about work. He was very old school and no nonsense type of person. Someone who believed in showing up, staying committed, and doing things the right way. His work ethic shaped the way I approach my business today. Read more>>
Monsieur Alexander
Absolutely — I would hire me without hesitation. In my Christmas design business, I bring a rare combination of creativity, organization, emotional intelligence, and client-focused service that consistently elevates the experience for every client I work with. I’m not just decorating a space; I’m building moments, memories, and atmospheres that people remember. Read more>>
