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.
Judy Salinsky
At the vintage age of 70 years young, I am finally doing what I was born to do: create. I’ve been on my own since the age of 17. I had to get a job, go to school, and learn to stand on my own two feet. Nothing was handed to me. Read more>>
Sean McCole
I find myself balancing between both paths. Read more>>
Amanda Darosett
I am walking a path—one that God has placed before me, guided by both passion and purpose. I first fell in love with photography in high school, where I learned to develop film and create prints in the darkroom. That experience opened my eyes to the beauty of capturing life through a lens, and over the years, that spark has grown into a lifelong journey. Read more>>
Jasmine Astorga
Of course, back to the first question. Because I move with integrity. Read more>>
RieAnne Aradanas
One thing I’ve been especially proud of lately is doing my pop-ups. Most recently my macaron pop-ups. They’ve become such a meaningful part of my journey, because every time I set one up it gives me the chance to circle back to the dessert that started it all for me. Read more>>
Olivia Graye
Trends in the beauty industry are easier than ever to spot these days, especially with TikTok driving so much of the conversation. I love keeping up with what’s popular and seeing what clients are curious about. Read more>>
Molly Terbovich-Ridenhour
I’d tell my younger self: You’re doing just fine – keep being kind, keep being you. I was never part of the “in crowd,” never chasing trends or attention. I lived somewhere in the middle – friendly, observant, content to float along the edges. Read more>>
Kau’i Castaneda
I wouldn’t stop anything. My dad once told me ‘Life is a journey, just enjoy the ride’, and that is something I carry with me every day. Rather than cutting things out, I’d focus on embracing every moment and continue to live fully, love deeply, and find joy in the small and big parts of the ride. Read more>>
Sandra
Absolutely and plenty of times. But I had to remind myself of the end goal and the reason why I started n the first place. At some point, we’ve all thought about giving up on a certain dream we thought was unattainable, sadly some of us do give up and some of us stay on course to see it through. Read more>>
Omid Rejali
Division, judgment, and hate to name a few. Empathy, compassion, understanding and love. Read more>>
Anyssa Matthews
As a child, I used to believe that my circumstances defined me—that the challenges I was born into were my ‘why me.’ But as I grew, I came to understand that my past doesn’t have the power to limit my future. I have the freedom to become anyone I choose to be. Read more>>
Lauren Johnson
I think the idea of “having it all” is a myth we sell ourselves. You can’t do everything, be everything, and feel everything perfectly at once. I used to try, and all it gave me was exhaustion and guilt. The real power comes from choosing what matters most and letting the rest go. Read more>>
Branko Kral
There’s one truth where I think many people don’t agree with it, and many other somewhat agree but don’t apply it. You’re the boss. Your doctor is not your boss, and your boss is not your boss, either. Of course we respect doctors, because they’re qualified people who give you expert opinions, recommendations, and can often do things for you that you can’t. Read more>>
Jasmine Montoya
That she was a woman who lived on her own terms, loved from her soul, and truly cared about her communities. That she never gave up when darkness swallowed her whole and her greatest role in life was that of being a mother. Read more>>
Valerie Lynn
Writing is the way I can share my voice without actually speaking it out loud. It’s always been like that. The reliable oxygen source I’ve forever known. Just me, my pen, and paper. Simple and yet, the Earth moves through me to get the words out onto the page. Never being able to do so fast enough. Read more>>
Evelyn Sell
There was a time that I really held all my value in my wedding planning business. I believed if I was successful, booked every wedding, and people wanted me then I was successful. I over worked myself, took on too many weddings and went back to weddings immediately after having babies. I look back on that version of myself with a little sadness. Read more>>
Danielle Cazarez
Through My Brown Glasses helped heal me in more ways than one. Before I started my account, I was a journalism student in community college in a DV relationship. I wanted to write and create. Read more>>
James Garcia
The commitment that drives me isn’t tied to one specific project, it’s more about my sense of purpose. I want to create sustainable environments where people with unique skills can focus on being the best at what they do, without having to worry about whether the environment around them supports that. Read more>>
Ayla Simone
Equality, unity, love. This is a big world, yet we are all connected, no matter how divided we feel at times. Read more>>
Brian Blindauer
As a photographer that every picture you put out has to be perfect. I often do post non perfect images now. The moment those photos were taken in were a beautiful moment and it’s a memory I enjoy so I want to share it. Read more>>
Julie Fernandez
Losing loved ones made me realize how important it is to capture moments while we can — it also helped to shape my passion for photography and preserving memories. These are all the more precious when you want to have something to relive the moments you had with your loved one. Read more>>
Kate Caro
Something I changed my mind about after failing hard is the idea of forcing what isn’t meant for me. I’ve learned to trust the timing of things because sometimes failure isn’t the end, it’s a sign of redirection and the start of something better aligned for me. Read more>>
Gisell Saavedra
I was born and raised in a Jehovah’s Witness family, and my parents set a powerful example for me through their faith and dedication. Whenever I felt sad or scared, especially when facing challenges from childhood into adulthood, turning to God became my source of comfort and strength. Read more>>
Yung Mhoon
Both my parents have taught me the importance of working hard, how your decisions today affect where you are tomorrow. My mom grew up in a poor neighborhood in Los Angeles worked really hard to become an amazing Latina law professor. My mom broke through many barriers as a woman and a Latina and she’s one of my biggest influences. Read more>>
Fatima Hamade
I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors in my life, each playing a unique and meaningful role. One memory that has always stayed with me comes from my very first job as a pharmacy technician at just 16 years old. I was thrilled to start, but on my first day, my store manager gave me advice that shaped my career. Read more>>
Autumn Marie
I’ve always been a performer, excited to share my songs, dance, and story with an audience. When I was young, I wouldn’t be afraid to dance on a table, go door to door to share my latest song or invention with a neighbor. As I grew, I was told I was too much, too loud, and I was bullied a lot. Read more>>
Dayra Mena
Definitely Princess Diana! She is someone I admire because she chose character over power. Her humility, compassion, and willingness to serve others reflect values I strive to live by in my own life — leading with grace, faith, gratitude, and a genuine desire to uplift people. Read more>>
Alberto Esteban
I’m doing what i was born to do because i love my job every morning i wake up its something new meeting new people. listening to people about there dream back yard and bringing it to life its just amazing. Read more>>
Claudia Grimm
There have been many funny and memorable moments in plant care, which is something I love about my job. For example, I do roughly 30% of plant care in my socks! Can you guess why? It’s at the request of the client to keep their home dirt-free. I’ve learned to buy high-quality socks… Read more>>
Reena Vokoun
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I would say to trust the process and journey of your life and know in your heart that everything will work out the way it’s meant to. When I was younger, I often worrried about what the future would hold, and I placed a lot of pressure on myself to be successful. Read more>>
Laurie Itkin
My quirky sense of humor. (The improv comedy may have something to do with that!) When I am meeting with clients, they are usually stressed about their finances and saddened by how their relationship with their soon-to-be-ex has degenerated. If I can get them to smile or laugh just once during our session, it improves their experience with me. Read more>>
Rachita Panchal
Yes!! It’s so funny you ask this. My friends and clients who know me are aware of the fact that I absolutely dislike putting on a show. I want my clients to see me for who I am. Read more>>
Sativa Brown
Something suffering taught me that success never could is the value of empathy and compassion. In my hardest struggles in life I remember most the people who showed me compassion and empathy, boosting my moral instead of watching me suffer. It’s the people who want to see others succeed that succeed themselves. Read more>>
Ruwan Randeniya
In today’s world, nearly everyone carries a powerful camera in their pocket. Images are being created at a historic rate, yet the role of a portrait photographer has only become more vital. The misconception is that photography is about pressing a button—it isn’t. What’s often overlooked is the craft of creating portraits that hold meaning beyond the moment. Read more>>
Lilli Fish
People often think interior designers come in and create these picture-perfect, untouchable spaces like a showroom you’re not allowed to sit in. Don’t get us wrong, we priotize a beautiful space, however our main goal is to design for real life: sticky fingers, muddy paws, red wine spills and all. Read more>>
Desiree Noel
There’s a difference between a doctor and a healer. I am a healer of trauma for the sake of Soul Liberation. This involves making the unconscious depths of a person known by way of radical honesty, not by creating false narratives that sound tame or good. Read more>>
Sue Kenney-Pfalzer
Although Reiki is become more mainstream, many people still don’t understand what it is and just how crucial it is to keep your energy open and balanced. Read more>>
Sarah Morgan
What I understand deeply is that everyone is beautiful and everyone is photogenic. We’re often our own harshest critics, focusing on perceived flaws or worrying too much about how others see us. The truth is, no one is thinking about us nearly as much as we think they are—and when we let go of that self-judgment, something amazing happens. Read more>>
FRANCK HOUDIN
I devoted my entire life to use what my parents gave me, capable to create, to visualize something other people don’t see the same way. I am a photographer, hairstylist, Gardner musician and Dj, every minutes of my days will be connect to any type of art until my last breath Read more>>
Shelly Cannon
Taking more risks. This resonates because in the past I played small, to my detriment. It’s taken a long time to realize that my dedication, writing, and creativity make a difference. My work illuminates the brilliance of clients, creators, and donors: it puts them front and center. And that helps them shine. Read more>>
Dinara Baizakova
I think my closest friends would say that what really matters to me is truth, depth, and connection. I care deeply about living authentically, having honest conversations, and creating spaces where people feel safe to be themselves. Read more>>
Maria Moscato
Food bringing people together is perhaps one of my strongest beliefs in cultural values. Before studying sustainable design in graduate school, I had often visited my grandparents’ family in Southern Italy and learned how food-centric Italian culture is. Read more>>
Manuel (Mac) Villarreal
For me, it will always be family. Growing up in Mexico, surrounded by a big, noisy, loving family, I learned early on that family is the heart of who we are. My parents, my siblings, my uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, each one different, yet those differences are exactly what make us stronger together. That’s our superpower. Read more>>
Melodi Bac
I think the moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I moved to America about seven years ago. Up until then, I felt like I lived in a bubble—safe, familiar, but also limiting. Moving here meant leaving everything behind: my family, my friends, my home, and my entire support system. Read more>>
Jaime Nacach
One of the most surprising and enlightening things I’ve learned about our customers is how open-minded yet resource-constrained many of them are. When I started Virtual Latinos, I believed the most significant challenge would be convincing businesses to work with talent from another country. Read more>>
Samantha Hua
I feel most at peace when I know I have a tribe. We need others and there’s no denying. Find a tribe; be a part of my tribe. Read more>>
Marilee Blair
My mother, Marilyn. She is not only my mom she is my mentor and greatest life teacher. She understood me and saw me and what I was meant for in this life before I ever could. She is the biggest cheerleader and positive hype woman. She always believed in me and told me I was meant for greatness, so it helped me believe in myself. Read more>>
