It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around San Diego.
GERRY RAMSEY
I think I need to go back where first learned to write a resume. When I was thirteen my mom got me into the summer job program with the MACC Project. The first part of the program was about writing a resume, how to get a job, interview training, and even taught us how to stand out amongst other candidates. Read more>>
Maureen Holleran
My name is Maureen Holleran, and I am an accomplished psychic, empath, and intuitive consultant. I have been working professionally for more than 40 years and am internationally respected for my authenticity, accuracy, and commitment to my clients. My journey with the Tarot began during a profound turning point in my life. It was never my intention to master the Tarot professionally. Read more>>
Marlene Spawton
From the moment I first experienced afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Colombia, I was struck with a passion that resulted in the founding of Marlene’s Tea & Cakes. I experienced relaxation, civility, elegance, beauty, and deliciousness that apealed to all my senses, but lacked the charm found in many tearooms. Read more>>
Sandi Fletcher
Born and raised in Del Mar since the 1960s, I feel incredibly fortunate to call this beautiful community home. Growing up on Sandy Lane, surrounded by family, ocean air, and generations of history, gave me a deep appreciation for the coastal lifestyle and the people who make North County so special. I am a proud mother of three fifth-generation Fletchers. Read more>>
Needah Kavallierou
My journey really started from a deep desire for connection and honest community in motherhood. Like so many moms, I found that becoming a mother was beautiful, but also incredibly transformative and sometimes isolating. I realized how much women need spaces where they can show up exactly as they are without pressure, perfection, or pretending. Read more>>
Abdi Mohamoud
I arrived in San Diego in 1982 as a refugee and have lived in San Diego County ever since. I was fortunate to receive a great education, beginning in elementary school and continuing through graduate studies, ultimately earning a master’s degree in management from the University of Redlands School of Business. Read more>>
Jake Martin
If you had asked me ten years ago what I would be doing today, I would not have said running a vacation rental management company. I always knew I wanted to build something of my own, but the shape of it was not clear for a long time. Read more>>
Bingo Remixed
Bingo Remixed is a two-person team; Devereaux and Bunny. Bingo Remixed started when Devereaux first heard about the idea of musical bingo from his best friend, who had moved to Texas and mentioned it becoming popular in the South. The concept stuck with us, and we started thinking about how we could take that idea and make it our own. The timing was perfect. Read more>>
Mabelle Ashe
My journey to becoming the owner of Abrakadoodle North County Coastal San Diego may seem like an unexpected pivot, but in many ways, it feels like the culmination of everything I’ve been passionate about throughout my life. Read more>>
Steve Murray
I actually started as a customer and hobbyist before ever owning the business. I’ve always been passionate about saltwater aquariums, and through the hobby I developed a friendship with the previous owner of Aquatica Corals and Custom Aquariums. When he needed help with the business, I stepped in where I could, and over time I became more involved in the day-to-day operations. Read more>>
Diana Tapiz
My story started in 2019 after losing my mom. After she passed away, I found myself back in the kitchen cooking the meals she used to make for our family. She was a single mother of eight who somehow always found a way to feed everyone with love, no matter how hard life got. Cooking became the place where I felt closest to her again. Read more>>
Fenella Speece
Our ‘wee’ rescue has been around for 28 years. After graduating from a garage based mom and pop rescue operation we were able to secure a meeting spot in a shopping Center in University City in 2013. The landlords were animal lovers and offered us use of an vacant corner. Read more>>
Shawn Gilbert
I was fortunate to enter the fitness industry at a young age, and it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the world of health and wellness. After years of managing various centers, I knew ownership was my ultimate goal. Six years ago, that dream became a reality when the opportunity to purchase Boulevard Fitness arose. Read more>>
Juan Sanchez
Latin Percussion Arts offers a growing variety of musical classes and styles. Feel free to tour our website and enjoy our music video clips. We have 27 years of serving San Diego professionally. We represent some of the finest and upcoming musicians and performers in Southern California. We invite you to enjoy our Latin style entertainment! Read more>>
Cesar Williamson
Started my business when I was 21 while working as a union electrician. The days were long, and I was going to school at night, so there wasn’t much of a life outside of work. When my daughter Annessa was born, I felt like I needed to take a chance on self-employment so I could spend more time with her. Read more>>
Tanaya Roy
When I moved to the United States in 2012 from India, I came with a Master’s degree and Pre-Doctoral qualification, but without a work permit. Back in India, I was working as a lecturer, so starting over in a completely new country was both humbling and life-changing. What helped me survive and grow was my ability to connect with people. Read more>>
Krit Sritong
I worked as a server at one of the well-known Thai restaurants in San Diego, Amarin Thai Cuisine, in 2009 before opening my first restaurant. In 2014, I opened my first restaurant, Charm Thai Kitchen, located in the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego. A year later, in 2015, I purchased another Thai restaurant, Ka Prao Thai Cuisine. Read more>>
Mary Jo Longo
In 2016, I first went to Guatemala with a group of people from my church. We were going to work with a non-profit called Fundamaya, located in Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. We raised funds through our church congregation as well as our friends and family members. Read more>>
Leslie Nelson
I spent my entire junior year of college at Oxford in the Stanford in Oxford program. I was one of two students who stayed the full year. I really loved the flora and fauna in England. I loved rock walls. Loved being a part of a rowing club in Oxford (I had never rowed before)…And I loved all of the gardens. Read more>>
Natalie Crane
Hi! I’m Natalie Crane, mom of 4 little ones & local to San Diego in Vista! I’m the founder of AllNat, and I’ve always had the driest skin in the world. Seriously — if there were an award for that, I’d win! Read more>>
Lee Silber
Opening Waves and Wheels Surf Centers at a young age (and while attending art school) led a local middle school principal to approach me and ask if I would speak at Career Day. She thought it would be good for the kids to hear about another possible path to success. Plus, the neighborhood kids all knew me and many were regulars at the stores. Read more>>
Clarence Bongalos
I’ve always gravitated toward leadership, but the roots of that go deeper than ambition. I moved from the Philippines to the United States at 10 years old. That experience, crossing from a third-world country to a first-world one, gave me an early and visceral understanding of what transformation looks like. Read more>>
Kayla Dougherty
I became increasingly interested in women’s hormone health after years of my own struggles with symptoms like acne, irregular cycles, hair changes, fatigue, and feeling dismissed and confused about what was going on in my body. It took nearly 10 years before a doctor even mentioned the possibility of PCOS (now named PMOS) to me. Read more>>
Jesse Chavez
I personally come from a very humble immigrant background that I am proud of. My parents worked hard to provide and I always took any free opportunity my school would offer to immerse myself in dance or cheerleading. I started at a local cheerleading club named Cheerforce San Diego. They are very well known and successful. Read more>>
Adriana Rose
My name is Adriana Rose. I trained as a software engineer. I studied an MBA and a parallel master’s in Computer Science and Business Technology at IE University in Madrid, and spent three years as a Solutions Architect at Palo Alto Networks, mostly in Amsterdam. Read more>>
Christopher Burroughs
I started Garden 31 based on my own life experiences and the environments I moved through. I grew up with access to nature, space, and fresh food, but later experienced living in areas with very little green space, resources, or opportunity. That contrast made me think about how environment shapes people’s outcomes. Read more>>
Amber Omran
I didn’t take a traditional path to get here, and honestly, I think that’s what makes everything I’m building feel so intentional. I spent nearly 20 years working with manufacturers in the car audio industry. I started at the ground level and worked my way up through the ranks, building relationships, learning how businesses scale, and becoming someone people trusted to get things done. Read more>>
Noelle Deane
My path into this work has been shaped much more by lived experience than by a clear plan. Looking back, I think I’ve been guided more by a sense of purpose and curiosity than by certainty—almost like following a compass point that would appear just long enough for me to take the next step before revealing the next one. I started out studying sociology. Read more>>
Emily Green Lake
Sisters Pizza is a love letter to my sister, Kate, who passed away unexpectedly in 2016. I was a high school teacher at the time, but my dream was to open a restaurant. Inspired by my sister’s love for life and good pizza, I decided to take the risk of leaving my teaching career and pursuing my dream. Read more>>
Alejandra Ferguson
I have always had a love of skincare from an early age. Watching and playing with my nana’s and mom’s creams and how they have the ability to improve a concern had always intrigued me. Read more>>
Veronyka Rivera
I started my career at 17 as a licensed cosmetologist, which honestly felt less like a career choice and more like following something I was already wired for. Color was always the thing. Read more>>
Valente Aranda
Known to my students as “Mr. V,” I am a Film Production graduate of San Diego State University who has dedicated my career to mentoring young creatives. I spent five years with Tower Talent, helping youth navigate the path to professional representation and opportunities in Los Angeles. Read more>>
Miki Jacobs
My life did not slowly become spiritual—it shifted in a way I could no longer ignore. I was raised in a conservative Jewish home in Israel and later served in the Israeli army. After moving to the United States, I built a successful glass company and continued practicing my Jewish traditions and beliefs. Read more>>
Elly Schmidt
My grandfather was an amateur luthier and a kind, funny man. When I was six years old he let me attempt to play one of his violins and even though it definitely didn’t sound the same as when he played it, I was hooked! So my mom did some smart research and signed us up for Suzuki violin lessons. I’m so glad she did! Read more>>
Joni Chapman
My journey into healthcare began long before I became a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. I started my career in healthcare, where I saw firsthand how many people were surviving, but not truly healing. Read more>>
Brian Bazinet
MILLION DOLLAR SERVICE AT ALL PRICE POINTS Featured Real Estate Agent on HGTV (My Lottery Dream Home!) Brian’s exceptional skills and unwavering commitment have led him to join the esteemed Armstrong & Associates real estate team in San Diego. Read more>>
Daniel Travers
Drone Company San Diego grew out of the work I was already doing through Redideo Studio, a creative agency in San Diego. I’ve worked in digital media, video production, design, and marketing for over 20 years, so drone photography felt like a natural extension of the visual work I was already creating. Read more>>
Tory Nyhaug
I started BMX racing at four years old after my uncle told my family about the local track, Ridge Meadows BMX, where I grew up in Canada. I played other sports growing up like hockey, lacrosse, and soccer, but BMX was always the sport I loved most. After finding success in Canada, I began racing in the U.S. Read more>>
molly aronson
I moved to San Diego from Colorado following a dream I had carried for almost 10 years. Growing up landlocked, I always knew I wanted to live by the ocean. Water has always felt like medicine to me — a place of healing, regulation, and joy. Another dream of mine was to fully work for myself and build something meaningful and aligned. Read more>>
Karen Buelterman
I had been in mortgage lending for 24 years and I saw that there was a gap in listing agents’ marketing of their listings. Specifically, the lack of neighborhood-focused videos that helps buyers truly understand what it’s like to live there. I recognized that drone footage is essential for marketing a listing, so I obtained my drone certification. Read more>>
Leland Ferguson
Dr. Leland Ferguson is the founder of Back Pain Relief Chiropractic, a practice born from his personal history as a competitive multi-sport athlete and his first-hand experience with the restorative power of chiropractic care. The Foundation: Athleticism and Injury Leland’s journey began as a multi-sport athlete in high school, competing for four years in cross country, track, and wrestling. Read more>>
Alyssabelle Ross
Absolutely! My story started when I was a kid, I was one of the girls who wanted to dress as a princess everywhere I went. My favorites were The Little Mermaid and Belle! Belle was even my nickname growing up. As I grew older I knew I wanted to be a performer and I found my way back into princess-ing. Read more>>
Anna Leah Mintz
My future goal is to open an One Stop wellness center over the next coming year and invite holistic health professionals whose leases are about to end to join our wellness clinic. Read more>>
Alexander Evstafiev
I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and creating or restoring things. Before getting into leather repair, I worked in areas like construction, tile installation, handyman services, and various DIY and craftsmanship projects. I naturally enjoyed detailed work and the satisfaction of transforming something old or damaged into something beautiful again. Read more>>
Kelly Mayberry
My journey has really been shaped by leadership, community, resilience, and a desire to help people feel connected and supported, both personally and professionally. Professionally, I serve as the Chief Implementation Officer at Turnkey Strategic Relations, where I work with organizations to strengthen leadership, improve alignment, and create systems that help teams thrive. Read more>>
Reed Martin
My journey began in 2017 when I directed my first documentary short, ‘Change is in the Water,’ through Canyon Crest Academy’s after-school Cinema Conservatory. The film highlighted the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on climate action and protecting life above and below water. Read more>>
Claudia Espinoza
When I was 9 years old, I traveled to the Amazon rainforest with my mother, an MD, and was very lucky to see her treat patients there. That experience sparked in me a deep curiosity for biological processes and how life works at its most fundamental level. Read more>>
david flores
Well I started from nothing. I was a single father raising 2 kids on my own and saved some money. And worked long hours to get my first tow truck it wasn’t easy .and 8 years later here we are. Still going at it. Read more>>
Yesenia Flores
Hello, I am Dr. Yesenia Flores. I became interested in acupuncture in about 2010. I had been dealing with abdominal pain that was lingering for over four years after my first-born child. The physician prescribed a muscle relaxer, but I could not take it because it was a narcotic. Thankfully, all tests were normal. Read more>>
Mona Bagrodia
I am a board certified pediatrician raised in East Tennessee. I moved to San Diego with my family 4 years ago and have been loving it! Many families are hesitant to go to the mall or a tattoo parlor with babies and ask me about safe ear piercing. Read more>>
Diandra Harrigan
I’ve always been connected to music in some way. I grew up dancing ballet and playing piano, so rhythm and movement were a big part of my life early on. DJing came later, but when I found it, it felt really natural, like something in me already understood it before I even had language for it. Read more>>
Debbora Childress
My passion for dance began as a child and has never left! I taught my first classes in my backyard with a sheet on the clothesline for a backdrop. It progressed to a real studio environment in my teens. As a young adult I branched out to teaching at schools and pre-schools. I offered my first classes to the Poway community almost 40 years ago! Read more>>
Lauren Melzer
Honestly, Clarady started because I got tired of watching good relationships fall apart over misunderstandings that neither person actually knew how to explain. I’ve always been really drawn to human behavior and emotional patterns, which is what led me to get my degree in psychology, but a lot of the deeper understanding came from real life. Read more>>
Twana Rasoul
I got my start in commercial construction, where I spent years managing large-scale projects and developed a strong understanding of how properties are built. But what ultimately pulled me into real estate wasn’t construction itself, it was the idea of financial freedom. I saw how real estate could create long-term wealth, generate income, and give people control over their time and future. Read more>>
Audra Burgio
Originally, I started Burgio Feed & Supply in 2018. My mother and I had just lost my dad, and my mom was going through her ‘bucket list’ items. Read more>>
BRAD GAMSON
Back then, Google was very strict on who they brought in because they wanted every photographer in the world doing everything the same way So, he instructed me on what to get and I got it. A beautiful Nikon camera with a Sigma 8mm fisheye lens. All of the equipment cost me about $4,500. Thank goodness I saved my money. I had to study the Google way of doing things and then take a 100 question multiple choice quiz. I only got one chance to take the test and I could only miss five questions too or they would not bring me in. I passed. Read more>>
Gina Trotto
The “between song” stories and interesting facts provide the audience with a closer connection to the artist and the music. We are most proud of creating a fan base of thousands over the last 23 years. The process of searching and finding unique artists that can deliver a fabulous show has been very rewarding. Over the years many returning attendees comment “I don’t know who the next show will feature, but I know it will be fantastic” They return and return again year after year. Read more>>
