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.
Beverly Lindquist
I’m definitely walking a path but allow myself to wander. If there’s two roads diverging in a yellow wood, I’m going with Robert Frost’s advice and taking the one less traveled. Read more>>
Alina Guzman
I was raised in a traditional family, with a traditional education. You know, Hispanic culture teaches you from a young age that women get married to be homewives, have children, and wait for their husbands to come home. But life teaches me in different ways. Read more>>
Care Rodgers
Dogs never lie. Humans do all the time. To your face. But it’s usually because they’re clueless rather than dishonest so it makes it easier sometimes. Read more>>
Danielle Morgan Turner
I don’t know if “most people” don’t understand this but what I offer, is a luxury. Hosting a party solely around my service, is a privilege. I do not take that lightly. I treat everyone with a high level of respect and care because this may be a lot of people’s ONLY opportunity to have a fun, personal day. Read more>>
Khrissa Devon
I would say the fear of caring too much about what people think of me has held me back the most in my life during numerous opportunities. I have decided to be my true authentic self and to not allow the opinion of other’s to stop me from what I want to do. Read more>>
Shannon Rona
Outside of work right now, I’ve been working on renovating our house that I just moved into in the spring! It’s been an absolute journey, and I’ve taught myself so many new skills. Read more>>
Nicole Novena
Summer evenings at the beach watching my son surf until dark – it’s pure magic. Read more>>
Alexis Rawlins
I lose track of time constantly! But most of the time it’s just because I’m not paying attention. But the most healing way to lose track of time for me is always art, or travel. I find it’s always really therapeutic to lose track of time doing something enjoyable (not scrolling!!) Read more>>
Micah Justice
That’s a great question. It’s music. When I’m playing, writing, or even just listening, hours can slip by without me realizing it, especially when I am collaborating with others. It’s where I let go of everything else, but also where I reconnect with myself. Music has this way of both carrying me away and grounding me at the same time. Read more>>
Alicia Grieco
The part of me that has served its purpose and is now ready to be released is my constant fight response to life. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been in survival mode. Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll probably describe me as a workaholic. Read more>>
Scott Faurot
I have a college buddy that has admired the way I am constantly improving. Reading books, working on the way I communicate, striving to have more empathy and overall care for those in my network. He would say this matters to me the most. Read more>>
Barbara Jarnes
That I am a good listener, that I am trustworthy and dedicated to my commitments, and that I have compassion for others. Read more>>
Allyson Inez Ford
My very first therapist. I have had the honor of having two incredible therapists in my lifetime so far. They each have served different purposes in my life. My first one, I credit to saving my life (even though she would say I did all the work). Read more>>
Roberta Dyer
This is such an interesting question. Since I was small, people have seen me as a good student, capable and a good leader. Honestly, I never thought much about it one way or another until I was midway through my teens. At that point, I knew others expected high performance from me and I was happy to deliver when I could. Read more>>
Norman Mackenzie
Father Joe’s Villages holds a special place in my heart, embodying the purpose and passion I feel toward my work. When I first stepped into this organization, I was filled with an exhilarating sense of excitement, as if I were tap dancing to work each day. Read more>>
Janie Cox
I literally do tap dance at work! Ha. I believe in the mission so much that I have a level of excitement like a kid going to a birthday party! Every day is different at work and on the surface it seems superficial but ultimately we are doing kingdom work that last for an eternity. Read more>>
Sofia Zaragoza
In the early days of my career, I worked as an Assistant Teaching Artist with the La Jolla Playhouse (LJP) on a program called ‘Empowerment Theatre’. Empowerment Theatre was a joint program between LJP and Girl Scouts San Diego, aimed at empowering young women through theatre. Read more>>
Rebekah Abrahim
All the time. If I’m not sure what to do, I’d rather pause than move in the wrong direction. My dad always told me never to correct someone unless I was absolutely certain I was right, and that advice has saved me more times than I can count. Read more>>
Jessica Johnson
Yes. Over the course of the 15 years I’ve been building Hidden San Diego, there have been times when I’ve received a lot of pressure to use tactics that would help ‘blow my brand up’ overnight. But in my mind, it went against what I felt my brand represented at the time. Read more>>
Michelle Schaffer
Yes, I have. As a God-centered woman, people often have expectations of what my views ‘should’ be. But I don’t conform to cultural pressure—I follow Jesus, and He is my guide in every area of life. One of the most personal examples of this is my relationship with my son. He is gay, and he is my only son. Read more>>
Gretchen Ashton
Fads, foundational shifts and myths often fall into the same conversation. While picking up a rock and setting it down can develop strength, human physiology asks more of us. Exercise is the great equalizer. My method for differentiating between fads and eliminating myths is to rely on foundational truths and principles, constantly gaining knowledge in my areas of expertise, and sharing it. Read more>>
Rick Saavedra
I believe it would be the moments I’ve captured, the stories I’ve told, and the experiences I’ve shared. Every image, every film, every project that has inspired someone, uplifted a community, or helped a person become a better version of themselves, that is the legacy I hope to leave behind. Read more>>
Sarah Bruno
I miss a kind of simplicity, moments that felt ordinary at the time, but seem extraordinary now, like every quiet moment I had with Nilla. I miss all those quiet moments with Nilla, Everly, and Bee so much. Read more>>
Skye Walker
Whenever I go home to visit my family in Oregon during the summer, I am always taken back to my days right before I started college at Oregon State University. More specifically, I went to a pre-college visual arts program called JumpstART which I earned my 4 year OSU scholarship through. Read more>>
Rebecca Farrant
What’s often misunderstood about La Vie Dance Studio is that it’s “just a dance studio.” From the outside, it may look like a simple space where people rent a room to dance—but in reality, it’s so much more. Running this business is far from easy. Read more>>
Dr. Sabrina Fabi
My mornings always start with my two-year-old son, Mateo. Waking up to his smile is the best part of my day. I have a little ritual of meditating then snuggling, and easing into the morning together before the whirlwind begins. Those quiet, grounding moments remind me of what really matters and set the tone for everything that follows. Read more>>
Bettina Hanna
I never like to brag about myself but I definitely would hire me. There’s something these days that gets my attention, a lot of people just want to make money or have a regular job to pay the bills. Read more>>
Kez Sinoro
Pakikipagkapwa’ is a deeply rooted Filipino value that refers to relating with others with a shared sense of humanity–relating to others as equals and treating them with respect, empathy, and compassion. I believe this cultural value is a key reason why Filipinos are often regarded as some of the most hospitable and warm-hearted people. Read more>>
Juli Deveau
At JULE, we primarily draw inspiration from places. It’s the atmosphere of iconic hotspots, the quiet luxury of members clubs, and the energy of a renowned new nightclub. Each shade tells a story rooted in location, color, and feeling, inviting you to wear a moment. Read more>>
Joe MacAskill
wake up early, check limbs, send out apologies from last night’s shenanigans, eat wheat toast with powdered peanut butter and mix it with a splash of almond milk, pour a giant-ass coffee, sometimes hike, rinse lather repeat. Read more>>
Ari Campos Taalib-Din
One of the biggest lies I see in the UGC and content creation space is that brands only want creators with huge followings. In reality, brands are craving relatable, everyday creators who can tell a story and create content that converts, whether they have 500 followers or 50,000. Another lie is that you need expensive equipment or a perfect aesthetic to be successful. Read more>>
Leah Helin
My mornings begin with a 4 AM wake-up call, dedicated first to my two dogs (a Vizsla and a German Shepard). After I dive into an workout session. This routine primes me for a productive day ahead. By the time I’m finished, I’m ready to start my day and see clients, from early to mid-afternoon. Read more>>
Paisley Bird
I’m chasing a dream. An ambition. I desire to grow my acting career. I can’t stop. My heart would break. I’ve taken breaks before, but I was unhappy. The best feeling in the world to me is being on set. The electricity of the team working together towards a creative, united goal; there’s nothing quite like it. Read more>>
Ryan Grow
The battle I’ve been avoiding is fully believing that I deserve the life I want. I’ve done a lot of work to understand who I am – my identity, my desires, my voice – but there’s still a part of me that holds back, like I’m waiting for permission to be happy. Read more>>
Natasha Reid
I believe poor communication breaks the bond between folks. As basic as that sounds I believe it to be true. If you’re not being heard or understood that definitely creates a gap wide enough for points to be missed, feelings to be hurt, and comaraderie to fall by the wayside. Restoring really takes both people listening to each other to understand. Read more>>
Elizabeth Washburn
That’s such a powerful question—and one I think applies to every type of relationship, whether personal, social, or political. At the root of broken bonds is usually a breakdown in communication. When people stop listening or make assumptions, distance grows. But on the flip side, humility and honest dialogue can rebuild trust. Read more>>
Mikki Nguyen
Honestly, I think a lot of people are secretly struggling with feeling like they’re not enough—like they’re constantly falling behind or that they have to keep it all together even when they’re barely hanging on. Read more>>
LITAL YOHAY
I think others secretly struggling with family members but never talk about it Read more>>
Andrea Crawford (Draya Love)
One important truth I hold that very few people fully agree with—or are even ready to hear—is that everything is frequency. Not just music or sound, not just mood or emotion, but literally everything: our bodies, our words, our thoughts, our relationships, even the technologies we create. Frequency is the foundation of reality, and when you learn to work with it, you can shift anything. Read more>>
Angela Noble
When I met my husband Cris (who is now my business partner) we were both working at our first jobs out of college. I was happy with the job which was in a marketing department where I was doing graphic design, writing, and marketing. Read more>>
Mia Austin
My relationship with my (formerly aggressive) pitbull Tony has been transformative in becoming the person I am today. I believe dogs are our mirror. Tony’s aggression was a reflection of my lack of leadership at the time. Read more>>
Lindsey Wood
I think I’d regret not following the pull toward something bigger and more meaningful—not just building a practice that helps families, but creating a life of freedom and adventure for my own. Read more>>
Tommie Zam
The cultural value I protect at all costs is authenticity. Real culture comes from the streets, from the people who lived it and built it, not from corporations or outsiders trying to control it. That is why with TSM MEDIA I stay true to the roots and make sure the voice of the culture is always represented with honesty and integrity. Read more>>
Federico Janni
The credibility, that means the power to always do what you say. Read more>>
Jakob John
Ive learned that failure is the only true way to growth and it’s the last thing that we can be afraid of. Any one who’s ever been the greatest in life has also failed more than the average, but that is what makes them great. If you’re afraid of failure then you have to realize what the definition of failure is to you. Read more>>
Carly Williams
I used to think people mainly wanted their favorite dishes on the menu, but what’s surprised me most is how much my customers want food that tells their story. Sometimes that means weaving in a family recipe, honoring cultural flavors, or even elevating a simple guilty pleasure they love. Read more>>
Nelson Pizarro
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about our customers is how genuinely supportive they are of what we’re building. Their encouragement has been incredible. Before leaving our espresso and wine bar, we often hear them say, “I’ll be back—and I’m bringing friends or family.” Read more>>
Ryan Johnston
One thing that has really helped me in my life is counseling. Mental health is so important to a fulfilling and productive life. I always thought that counseling was something that people who only had significant problems needed. Yet, all of us, whether from past trauma, family dynamics, marriage, raising kids, or work struggles, all have our own battles. Read more>>
Sharisse Coulter
For 35 years, I’d always been straight. And then suddenly, I found myself falling in love with a woman. I’d never so much as had a crush on a woman before. So many of my gay friends told me their stories of a-ha! moments, when they followed their sexuality and finally everything made sense. I didn’t have that. Read more>>
Guy Page
Right after Covid, I was almost broke. I put everything that I had into the clinic. I believed in my mission. I had to sell my condo to keep the clinic open. It was either sink or swim and selling the condo was the best thing that I could think of to keep doing what we do, and that’s healing people. Read more>>
Matt Smith
Right now, we’re seeing a lot of people running as fast as possible to fully embrace AI. We are taking a much more cautious approach to it. Certainly, we can’t put our heads in the sand and pretend it doesn’t exist, but we’re seeing people put a lot of misplaced confidence in this technology. Read more>>
Angharad Wilmer-Chappell
Sounds kind of obvious, but Walt Disney. That man had a huge dream and the odds were stacked against him to succeed and at a time that was far more challenging. His tenacity and determination never wavered and it paid off. Walt believed in dreaming big and always trying something even if it failed the first time. Read more>>
DesiRee Preston
I mentioned earlier that Cosplay is a community driven industry, and that is especially true here. The vast majority of ideas and techniques for costume and content creation have been shared and passed down between community members for decades. I learned most of what I know today about making costumes through tutorials and videos created by other cosplayers. Read more>>
