The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.

Rabbi Levi Katz

We were deeply inspired by the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who taught that every Jew matters and that no community is too small or too far to deserve vibrant Jewish life. We knew we wanted to move to a place that needed it. Read more>>

Amber Holmes

My journey began at a very young age. I loved playing with my Easy Bake oven and coming up with my own dessert creations as a child. In middle school, I started baking desserts and cakes for my classmates, teachers and church members. At the time it was just kind of a hobby and something I liked to do, but little did I know that it would be my ultimate passion and career.  Read more>>

Kiki Rizzi

From a young age, I was drawn to the energy and creativity of the salon world. My first job in high school was working as a receptionist at a local hair salon and spa—a role that quickly became more than just a part-time gig. Read more>>

Hillary Hooser, MSN, APRN

I have been a pediatric nurse practitioner for 18 years. I started in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (kids with brain/spinal cord tumors) and got the blessing of walking alongside families through very difficult times, including end of life. Read more>>

Ema Martin

My journey with Banners By Em simply came on a whim. My brother was graduating boot camp for the navy this past August, and I wanted to give my parents something to bring with them. As I was scrolling through social media that same day, I seen these banners that were made for a birthday party. Read more>>

Perke Robinson III

I appreciate the opportunity to share a bit about our story. Being raised in Jacksonville, I have witnessed a great deal of growth, change, and progress in this area over the years. My journey as a small business owner began as a sole proprietor after I was laid off from my job. Read more>>

Patti Peeples, PhD

My career has had several chapters, but the common thread has been curiosity, problem-solving, and building communities that help people learn from one another. I started my professional life as a clinical hospital pharmacist and later earned my PhD in Health Economics, eventually leading Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) and evidence-generation teams within biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Read more>>

Steve Griffith

I recently retired from teaching and live in Green Cove Springs, Florida, with my 23-year-old son. I have a BA in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education. I minored in Anthropology and first aspired to become an archaeologist, but I later changed course. Read more>>

Gerald Kummerow

My cousin and business partner, Marco Odehnal, and I have always shared many of the same interests and hobbies. Around 2014, we started writing and composing music together and exploring creative ideas just for fun. Over the years we stayed in touch and continued sharing projects, ideas, and opportunities where we felt innovation could improve everyday experiences. Read more>>

Amy Brooks

The Southern Grace adventure first began in 2011 when I accepted a job with a wonderful wedding planning company which was originally based out of Atlanta, Georgia. I quickly discovered just how passionate I was for this crazy, whirlwind of an industry and by 2012 I was thrilled to launch Southern Grace Events. Read more>>

Michele Kimbrough

A. Michele Kimbrough is a lifelong educator, entrepreneur, and community advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Morris Brown College and a Master’s in Elementary Education from Jacksonville University, and has served Duval County Public Schools for 29 years. An entrepreneur for 18 years, A. Read more>>

Manon Gaige

I discovered my passion for events when I was 16 years old during an internship where I helped organize a sports competition. That experience was a real revelation for me. I loved the energy, the organization, and seeing everything come together. From that moment, I knew this was the field I wanted to pursue. Read more>>

Colin Lasch

My introduction to the construction industry was anything but conventional. In 2006, at a moment when much of the world was watching the conflict in Iraq unfold on the nightly news, Colin was on the ground — participating directly in the reconstruction effort that followed. Read more>>

Andrea Werner

My business partner, Cheri Mooney, and I opened our business in May of 2012. We started our business as CrossFit FeRRUM in a 1500 sqft store front. By 2014, we expanded into the bay next to us to become 3250 sqft. Through the years, we soaked up as much education as we could, striving to help people more. Read more>>

Ashlyn Justice

I started in the event industry in college, serving on the catering team at a very fancy venue in Pittsburgh on weekends and summer to earn extra money. I moved to Florida after graduation and continued to work in the wedding industry as a female officiant marrying couples eloping on the beach. I also freelanced with a wedding florist. Read more>>

Greg Milliken

Santa Fe Tree Company is a family-owned tree farm built on a vision that started with our dad, Robert Milliken. In 2013, he began the nursery by growing a specific cypress tree, laying the foundation for what would become a long-term, family-run operation rooted in hard work and steady growth. Read more>>

Shannon Depenza

Glam Shots Photo 360: Our Story Glam Shots Photo 360 was created from a passion for bringing people together and turning life’s most meaningful moments into unforgettable experiences. As someone who has always loved creativity, photography, and event planning, I noticed that people wanted more than just pictures at their events—they wanted an experience their guests would remember and share. Read more>>

Virginia Hammons

We moved from Montana to Palm Coast back in 2017. It was my husband, 4 year old daughter and soon to be 2nd daughter on the way. We knew absolutely NOBODY in Palm Coast. My husband had taken a job working on telecommunication towers, which unfortunately had him working all over the East Coast, away from home. Read more>>

Perry Hornkohl

Saxophone player in Army in Japan Traveled on road out of Vegas Took day job. People asked me to play sax in their homes. Started with Walkman and computer speakers. Playing to tracks became my gig. Played with Bo Diddley in his final years. Now play 6 instruments and have 680 songs. Google reviews 11 5* reviews. 270 videos on youtube Read more>>

Chenise Lytrelle Williams

The African American Women’s History Month Project was born out of gratitude, community, and the powerful influence of the women who helped shape my life. Growing up in Orlando, Florida, I was surrounded by a village of extraordinary women who poured wisdom, strength, and love into me. They were teachers, mentors, leaders, and quiet warriors who helped guide me through life as a young woman. Read more>>

Selina Kitler

I have had the God-given dream to open a coffee shop for 20 years! So in 2021 we started renting a building took us about a year to renovate with my husband and we opened the doors in 2022 and in June of this year it will be four years! I love serving and baking, but more than that, I love people! Read more>>

Paula Miller

I started the school based on my experience in public and private schools with both my children, really, but it was the youngest who helped me figure out what to do differently. Neither of my sons fit the typical mode and did not achieve tremendous educational success, at least not at first. Read more>>

Carlos and Evelyn Toro

Honestly, branding photography started as a behind-the-scenes passion for us. We were constantly photographing branding BTS for friends, small business owners, and entrepreneurs… but we never really showcased the work because our main focus was weddings and events. Over time, we realized how much we loved helping people visually tell their brand story and how transformative it could be for their business. Read more>>

Allison Walcutt

I started my media career working for Cox Radio as an Account Manager in the Miami market. After that I moved to Jacksonville and worked for Cox Radio as an Account Manager until I was promoted to Local Sales Manager. I worked there and was laid off in 2009. Read more>>

Erica Willie

When I look back at my journey, what stands out most is that it’s been driven by perseverance and curiosity more than anything else. I’ve always been someone who works hard, tries new things, and isn’t afraid to fail along the way. Growing up, I wasn’t actually a dancer at all. I was the girl running track and playing in the band. Read more>>

JP Mendoza

In 2014 my wife and I adopted the dog that would end up changing the course of my life. Candace was a dog with very low confidence. I had no idea how to have a relationship with a dog that was so afraid of everything, even me at times! Read more>>

Melanie Fletcher

The journey of photography has been an adventure to say the least, when I got my first paid client I had no idea that it would blossom into a full time career, but I will always be grateful I took the risk of leaving my full time job to pursue my passion. While there have mostly been goods, living with endometriosis & infertility has changed how I see time, bodies, and the journey of life & motherhood in general. December of 2025, I underwent my fourth and final abdominal surgery (two specifically for endo) Read more>>

Dr. Linda Hart

I began my journey in the mental health and marriage and family field, due to personal challenges and working in ministry. Relationships are strained and marriages fail because of various factors related to work, life and religious balancing of expectations and responsibilities. At that time, divorce rates were higher in the bible belt than in secular. Read more>>