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.
KAT PAPIKE
I love this question!! As life takes shape, I can say I am definitely wandering. Looking back on life, there are things that I always thought I would/ should have already accomplished, achieved, or manifested. I can now say I know there was a reason those things didn’t always go as planned. Read more>>
Jaime Schmidt
I think most of us are doing both. Curiosity and life circumstances are always going to lead us to wander. But knowing our values and staying disciplined keeps us grounded and prevents us from straying too far off the path. Read more>>
Julio Brionez
You are going to be great, just lead with the same kindness you want.’ Read more>>
David Michael
Yes, the public and private versions of me are the same, for better or for worse. I have limited bandwidth and energy to pretend to be anything other than myself, and I don’t even know what I would change anyways if I did want to be anything else. Read more>>
Heather Ault
Relationships. I’ve always believed it’s rarely wise to work for friends or family, professional lines can blur too easily. That said, over the years, many of my clients have become close friends. As we navigate the ups and downs of a design project together, trust grows, and genuine connections form. In residential design (and any successful business really), relationships are everything. Read more>>
Monica Garry
Building a sustainable supply chain of raw natural fibres by sourcing directly and through trusted partnerships. Read more>>
Samantha Gambles Farr
Suffering taught me lessons that success never could — lessons in humility, resilience, and the power of starting over. When I flunked out of the University of Arizona after my divorce, it was the lowest point of my life. I had always been an excellent student, but in that moment, everything fell apart. Other schools wouldn’t accept me despite my history of academic achievement. Read more>>
Alberto Mendoza
I used to believe I needed a traditional job to make a living. I actually dropped out of school twice because I just couldn’t connect with what I was studying. Deep down, I knew I wasn’t meant for the typical 9-to-5 path. It’s no knock on anyone who does, but I always felt like I was meant to do something more creative and impactful. Read more>>
Polly Walshin
What I felt when I was a child was I felt different from everyone else. I was raised in the south in the 70s and my mother was a single mom. I thought as a young child that my dad was dead at age 7. Read more>>
Farah George
I like to start my mornings with intention and structure. I wake up early and make my bed; it’s a small but powerful habit that sets the tone for productivity and accomplishment throughout the day. From there, I wash my face, brush my teeth, and get ready to take on the day. Read more>>
Stephanie Paige
The first 90 minutes of my day are about connection and intention. I start by waking up early, taking a few deep breaths to center myself. I step outside near my studio, where I can be surrounded by nature, feeding the koi, filling the bird feeders, and listening to the sounds of birds and trees. Read more>>
Brian Victor
My closest friends would probably say that what really matters to me is helping people, whether that’s guiding clients through one of the most difficult times in their lives, mentoring students who are just starting their legal careers, or simply being someone others can rely on. Read more>>
Jennifer Tandarich
I think my closest friends would say that the things that matter most to me are truth, integrity, kindness, loyalty, and unconditional love. Read more>>
Amanda SanMartin
I have been through a very heartbreaking divorce. I have lived through and survived domestic violence. All I can say is that Im very lucky to be alive today. However, all the pain and anger I have been through I put it into my business and craft. My career and the love for my children have helped me survive through it all. Read more>>
Brittany Zaninovich
I feel like I am currently in a season of overwhelming joy and celebration! I have been working on my book, Baking with Bailey: A Sprinkle-Doodle Surprise, since I was on bedrest with my firstborn four and a half years ago. This month, I received the first proof of my book, and words cannot describe the joy I felt. Read more>>
Marnina Reid-Fajardo
Absolutely — many times! I still have those mornings where I feel like I’m literally tap dancing into my work. When I first opened my healing and skincare space in Solana Beach, I was over the moon — a cozy, rustic sanctuary filled with natural light, crystals, and the scent of herbs and essential oils. Read more>>
Leticia Demeuse
One of the most exciting moments in my career was being invited to be the artist in residence at Nobu Los Cabos. It felt like such a dream — creating and showcasing my work in a place where art, design, and nature come together so beautifully. Every day, I painted while overlooking the ocean, surrounded by the peaceful energy of the resort. Read more>>
Beatriz Cabrera
Absolutely. I believe you should always give your best, regardless of whether there’s praise or recognition. When you give your all, you walk away with the personal satisfaction of knowing you upheld your own standards. That kind of integrity stays with you — and in the long run, it matters more than any external reward. You never regret doing your best. Read more>>
Vyshali Pallapotu
There was a time when I was constantly compared — told I was too fat or too thin — and I tried so hard to make others happy. I dressed a certain way just to fit in. But one day I realized something powerful: people’s opinions keep changing, no matter how you look. Read more>>
ElezD
It is real. We are building it now. Read more>>
Nancy Halladay
If I laid down my name, role, and possessions, what I would want to remain is a legacy of kindness. I hope to be remembered as someone who pointed others toward God, who showed His love through compassion and grace. Read more>>
Ashleigh Ha
I believe that my clients would miss my sincerity, my kindness, and above all, my warmth. From the moment we meet, I feel they can feel my warm presence and genuine care. Over time, my clients have come to trust that I always have their best interest at heart. I go above and beyond to serve them. Read more>>
Brendan O’Malley
Marketing. I cannot stand spending my time trying to convince folks to look at and hopefully buy my artwork but, it’s a necessary evil, part of the business. Read more>>
Lindsay Wilson
I love the concept of attunement. Attunement is not something we have or we don’t – it’s something we find and foster through relationship with self and others. My favorite way to think about what I do in my job as a therapist is as a frequency finder or an emotional tuning specialist . Read more>>
Andrea Barraza
One thing that’s often misunderstood about my small business is how spiritual and personal the journey really is. Running a small business on your own means constantly believing in yourself, embracing failure, and learning from every mistake. As a homemade brand, there have been a lot of trial-and-error moments—many batches, a lot of testing, and plenty of lessons along the way. Read more>>
Chad Hargrove
Photography as a whole is getting misconstrued by the power of our phones. But on the contrary, it’s also pushing digital photography into the future. It’s amazing how much we can do to make a photo look the way it does. As well, I would love everyone to know how much goes into one single photo we post from these luxury homes. Read more>>
Reid Kessler
“People think group therapy is intimidating — but it’s actually where the real connection happens.” When most people hear the phrase group therapy, they imagine sitting in a circle of strangers, feeling exposed or pressured to share. It can sound intimidating — even uncomfortable. But that’s one of the biggest misunderstandings about what group therapy really is, and what it can offer. Read more>>
Jordan Ryan
When it comes to other entrepreneurs, I think we can’t help but compare ourselves to others. Or we create an arbitrary timeline against which we measure our own success. That’s always been one of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with (aside from all the other hard things). Read more>>
Javier Diego Jacinto
As Vice Principal, a normal day for me doesn’t start when I walk into a school building. It starts the moment I open my eyes and remember that this work is bigger than me. I work in education, yes — but what I really do is build possibility. Read more>>
Bri Grajkowski
A normal day for me looks like waking up at 6AM. I grab a cup of coffee and sit for a few moments to write, draw or enjoy the quiet. Then I start making breakfast and wake up my kiddos. We all eat breakfast and everyone gets ready for the day. I typically drive the kids to school or start working depending on the day. Read more>>
Nick Scacco
I am a full time teacher, husband and father. Outside of creating art and wood working I am with my family and working with students. I try to get up at 5:30 and that is when I write and create art. Read more>>
Sean Dooley
Are there ever normal days? But to answer the question in good faith, I’ve recently entered a time of extreme transition in my life, so I am in the middle of finding a routine. I know we all want to live the 2011 millennial manic pixie dream life, but most glory days pass as soon as they arrive. Read more>>
Paul Bond
When I am at my Costa Rica home, where my primary studio and home is, a normal day looks like this… My wife and I are awakened at dawn by the sounds of the jungle – howler monkeys, toucans and birds of all types, as well as the river alongside our home. Read more>>
Melissa Bernard
The most important relationship I’ve had is the one with myself. It has shaped me into the woman I am today. Learning to respect, trust, and love myself hasn’t always been easy, but it’s given me the foundation needed to build meaningful relationships, confidence, resilience, and courage to pursue my passions. Read more>>
Michelle Martain
I realized that when you truly believe in yourself, anything is possible. When I first started the business, I set simple sales goals to keep going, and every time I reached one, I felt so happy and grateful. Each year, I set higher goals and dedicate my energy and focus to achieving them! Read more>>
Kevin Inman
When I was 20, I went to Spain to study at a university. The system was incredibly bureaucratic, and I was young and clueless. To get course materials, you had to visit a special fotocopiadora desk that operated on bizarre hours. When I asked for my materials, the woman at the desk insisted she didn’t have them. Read more>>
Stevie O’Dell
28 years ago I made a decision to do what I love to do and that is creating art either on canvas or on skin. lol I knew then ,that tattooing was my calling and only I can make that decision when the opportunity was given. Read more>>
Tracy Paye
If there’s one thing I would regret not doing, it’s stepping on stage for another fitness competition. I started competing in the late nineties and took first place at my very first show, winning the title of Miss Fitness San Diego in 1998. From there, I went on to compete in four more shows and ultimately became a competitor at Miss Fitness USA. Read more>>
Ofeliya Aliyev
We used to believe that we had to have everything figured out by a certain age. But society’s timelines don’t define us — not everyone’s path follows the same pace. Growth isn’t linear. People reinvent themselves at every stage of life, and it’s never too late to go after the life you truly want. Read more>>
D’jatarya Powell
Self-determination. It feels paradoxical, but I think that’s what makes it so powerful. Despite every attempt to undermine, control, or even erase the paths and progress of Black communities, our spirit has never been broken. If anything, those attempts have only proven just how unshakable our fire is—an ancestral flame that keeps brewing, carrying forward, and passing through us. Read more>>
Meghan Hogrefe
Actually, something that I changed my mind about was my relationships and how I exist within them. The bottomline is, not everyone is your close friend. It’s ok to exist in casual friendships. You don’t have to have a deep and meaningful friendship with everyone you vibe with. Read more>>
Amy Isenberg
The most surprising thing we’ve learned about our customers is how deeply informed and intentional they are about what they eat. We speak with customers every week, and it is remarkable how many people follow some type of specialty diet to fit their unique needs. Whether that means avoiding seed oils or gluten, cutting back on sugar, increasing protein and fiber, or seeking clean-label ingredients. Read more>>
Janine Lagrimas
I think I’ve felt most loved in the small, in-between moments throughout my business and being a mom. Like when a client sends me a message saying how much a photo means to them, or when my kids tell me that they love me and they’re proud of me. Read more>>
Anna Dinkel
Traveling to New York City to sketch at Fashion Week. Being immersed in the city’s energy and creativity during that time brought me joy and made me feel alive and inspired. Read more>>
Marc Koehler
Many smart people still believe that what worked yesterday will work tomorrow — that more management, more meetings, and more data will solve the challenges of today’s disruptive world. They’re wrong. The world doesn’t need more management systems; it needs more leadership. The old frameworks were built for stability, not speed. Read more>>
Liz Hahn
A few years ago, I joined Pinnacle Global Network, a business mentoring community led by Allison Maslan, who was actually my business coach back in 2010. Pinnacle is a powerful network of several hundred CEOs, all focused on scaling their companies from six to nine figures. We are learning from each other along the way. Read more>>
Steve Wilson
My friend Jake Gage (founder of the Vista Zen Center) turned me onto a book called ‘The Search For Musical Ecstasy’ by Harvey ‘Gizmo’ Rosenberg. The author asserts that music has the power to carry us beyond ordinary consciousness into ecstatic states, if we prepare our bodies, communities, and practice focused listening. Read more>>
Jeremy Keene
I really lean on my team. They are the experts in the shop doing the work day in day out. During our weekly build planning meetings, we strategize and review the week ahead, discussing any roadblocks or challenges that come up. Everyone contributes ideas and solutions, and together we determine the best way forward. Read more>>
Quinton Jackson
Yes, I would absolutely hire me. I bring more than just fitness knowledge, I bring consistency, authenticity, and the ability to connect with people on a deeper level. My approach isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about helping clients build a mindset and lifestyle they can sustain. Read more>>
Maureen Martin
If I were buying a home or doing a refinance, I’d absolutely hire me. My clients describe me as organized, proactive, and genuinely caring, someone who plans ahead, explains every step clearly, and finds creative solutions where others can’t. I take pride in being honest, responsive, and making complex situations feel simple, constantly striving to close loans smoothly and even ahead of schedule. Read more>>
