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.
Al Huggins
At the moment, I find myself in a phase of exploration, taking a mental break from my usual path. I am fully aware of my direction and the goals I aim to achieve, but I feel the need for a timeout to recharge. This wandering is a necessary part of my journey, allowing me to reflect and gather my thoughts before moving forward. Read more>>
Polina Khokholkova
Both. As a business owner and a mom I am walking on a path of bettering my life in every way. I try to create a certain trajectory for myself to achieve my goals and follow that plan. But sometimes life throws the most unexpected things at us; making us fall off tracks. Read more>>
Isis Mesa-Rubin
Something that’s making me proud right now is accomplishing one of my lifelong goals: writing my first children’s book. It’s always been a dream of mine, and to finally see it complete feels surreal. What I’m most proud of, though, is pushing past my fears and self-doubt and doing it anyway. Read more>>
Shani Avidar
I would tell my younger self: Everything you dream of will come true—just not always in the way or timing you expect. Every challenge, every detour, and every season of waiting has a purpose. Trust yourself, keep going, and know that everything you’re working toward is unfolding exactly as it should. Read more>>
Gabriella Maenza
I’d tell her to trust the timing of her life. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away, and the things that don’t work out are just redirecting you to something better. Keep showing up, keep creating, and don’t lose that spark that makes you different. Read more>>
Melissa Azabache
The public version of me is very much the real me. What people see professionally, someone who’s kind, patient, and dedicated, is exactly who I am in my everyday life. I genuinely care about people, and that doesn’t switch off when the workday ends. At the same time, I’m driven, strategic, and confident when it comes to life and real estate. Read more>>
Myrna Meeroff
For the past 6 months I have been thinking of making a change in the direction of my career. I started out as a orchestral musician and left the orchestra 15 years ago to pursue different styles of music. It has been incredibly rewarding but lately I have felt a pull to change directions. Read more>>
Habiba Faisal
Honestly, I think I’m being called to step into spaces that I used to think weren’t meant for me, to own my voice more confidently, to take on opportunities that once felt “too big,” and to build things that actually reflect what I believe in. I’ve always had this quiet urge to create something meaningful. Read more>>
Todria Wiggins
It taught me how to keep a humbling spirit. In my wilderness, I still had blessings to count everyday. Just because I don’t have the things that I want in my suffering doesn’t mean that I will never receive them either. But because I’m suffering, I still had to count the blessings that I was given. I moved slower, I thought slower, I responded slower. Read more>>
Saxon Cwalinski
If you were responsible for creating the most well rounded human that had all the traits we strive for, strength, resilience, hard work ethic, intelligence, etc… you would make sure that they experienced everything they needed to in order to get there. Everyone wants those traits but not everyone is willing to endure what it takes to achieve them. Read more>>
Sophia Martin-Brown
As a child, I believed I was ugly. I was told that by classmates—and even by some family members. Those words stuck with me for years. “Ugly” became a label that burned deeply into my self-worth, leaving scars that were hard to heal. Read more>>
Maria Batista-Pillo
I learned how to sew this summer, and it’s brought me so much joy to be able to create things for my family and friends. I also love reusing clothes and materials like pillowcases and sheets, giving them a second life through something new. I’m really into thrifting and secondhand clothing, too. Read more>>
Michelle Estrada
Outside of work, what brings me the most joy is being a full-time mom and watching my son grow into the intelligent, funny, and brave little boy he’s becoming. Raising him alongside my husband, the best partner and father I could have ever wished for, has been the most rewarding part of my life. Read more>>
Denise Righetti
I hope people say that I made a difference — that I brought people together in meaningful ways and helped them experience the joy of connection through food, culture, and community. I want to be remembered as someone who led with heart and curiosity, who followed her passions fearlessly, and who always made others feel seen, valued, and included. Read more>>
Melissa Allegories
I haven’t thought about it too deeply, but I hope people remember me as a dreamer and visionary pragmatist who believed in the possibility of human flourishing and self-actualization — someone who saw potential in others rather than merely the cruelty or dumbing down of our society, always doing my best to keep the glass half full. Read more>>
Toya J
Honestly, the part of me that has served its purpose and needs to be released is the version of myself that felt I had to constantly prove my worth. For so long, I operated in survival mode overworking, overgiving, and trying to make everyone proud. That part of me built my discipline and strength, but it also kept me tired and disconnected from peace. Read more>>
Leah Murray
My closest friends would say that structure and stability really matter to me. I like having balance and a sense of direction in my life , whether it’s in my business, my relationships, or my personal growth. I care more about being grounded in where I am, not constantly chasing what’s next. Read more>>
Joaquin Ortiz
A moment that completely reshaped how I see the world was when I was 26 and got hit by an SUV that pinned me against a boat, breaking my back. Doctors told me I might never walk again, but I refused to accept that as my story. Read more>>
Tamara Amador
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a little tomboy — the first girl in a family full of boys and boy cousins. We all lived together in one apartment, surrounded by laughter, loudness, and the vibrant energy of our Latin culture. Read more>>
Marina Vogel
I grew up in a small town in Germany, and honestly, I wasn’t the most driven kid. I was shy, not great in school, and didn’t really know what I wanted to do after high school. When it came time to choose a career, everyone, including my teachers and even my dad told me not to go into hair. Read more>>
Joshua Burstein
Yes. The commercial cleaning business is a thankless industry. Most of what we do goes unnoticed when it’s done right. People only notice when something’s missed. You have to take pride in the work itself, not in the recognition. That mindset has shaped how I lead my team and how we approach every job. Read more>>
Julie Kim
Putting things off until ‘another time’ bc there might not be another time. The best time is now. Life is short. Read more>>
Alia Perr
If I retired tomorrow, I think my clients would miss my ability to really see them — to meet them where they are and help them feel understood, supported, and empowered. I bring a mix of empathy, honesty, and a little humor to every session, and I think people notice when someone genuinely cares. Read more>>
MELISSA ELLIOTT
If I retired tomorrow, I believe my customers would miss the laughter, the genuine conversations, and the peace they feel the moment they walk into my salon. We laugh, we joke, and we talk about life. It is always real and never forced. Read more>>
Destiny’s Fantasy, LLC
Retirement is long off for me, is what I desire, but if I were ever to take a pause, I do believe that my clients and supporters/followers/fans would miss my creative outlooks and my inspiration provided to others. Read more>>
Jill Dooley
What can break the bond between people is often a lack of trust or feeling unheard, and in a dental setting that might look like feeling rushed, dismissed, or unsure about the care you are receiving. At Ivory Dental Center, we work to restore and build those bonds by creating an environment of honesty, transparency, and genuine connection. Read more>>
Tollisha Joseph
The inability of people to effectively articulate their expectations of others, combined with the belief that we should not have expectations, is a primary factor that breaks relational bonds. The reality is that we are all human, and part of being human involves having expectations. Read more>>
Grace Valenzuela
The level of complexity involved in building a swimming pool is often misunderstood. From the initial planning and engineering to the extensive earthwork required just for the structural foundation, every step demands precision. On top of that, there’s the plumbing and electrical work needed to ensure the pool functions properly and safely. Read more>>
Esther Darius
I believe people secretly struggle with a lack of fulfillment. Fulfillment is a multifaceted concept. It encompasses purpose, meaning, joy, success, and contentment. Did you know that 92% of people never achieve their goals? That leaves just 8% who actually bring their dreams to life. As a result, most people end up living a life shaped by survival rather than intention. Read more>>
Angie Lonarc
I remember when I was 7 years old, I found my uncle’s keyboard under the staircase of my home. I asked my parents to set it up for me and I started dabbling with it. I got so into it that my parents decided to get me a teacher. I told the teacher I wanted to learn how to play Evanescence. Read more>>
Casandra Tanenbaum
Play is how kids learn, art is how adults play.’ -Peter Gray ‘Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” -Joseph Chilton Pearce Play is essential for life. It primes our brains and bodies for ultimate wellbeing, putting us in a state of flow. Read more>>
Laura Lopez
What surprises me the most about our clients is the joy they bring when they visit our booth. They know they’re going to find something truly unique a piece that makes them feel beautiful, special, and makes everyone around say, “wow, she’s one of a kind.” Seeing that excitement and connection with our jewelry is what truly inspires me to keep creating. Read more>>
Inessa Freya
As a child, I was highly sensitive. I absorbed other people’s emotions without realizing it and often felt overwhelmed, anxious, or just plain tired without knowing why. When that happened, I’d find a small, enclosed space—under a table, in a corner, or sometimes in my closet. That sense of containment helped me come back to myself. Read more>>
