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.

Sheretta Joseph

For many years, from 1996 to 2008, I worked in the retail industry. When the company I worked for closed, I received a severance package and took some time to reflect on what I truly wanted to do next. Around that time, a friend of mine owned a CNA school, which was then called Perfect CNA School (now known as Florida Training Academy). She encouraged me to enroll, saying that healthcare would always be a field where people were needed. I took her advice, and in 2009 I became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Read more>>

Kierra Hicks

Game Show Battle Rooms is one of the nation’s only game show experiences available for everyone: friends, family, and coworkers! We provide an immersive game show arena, engaging hosts, and a mix of different game shows to create an unforgettable experience. Perfect for birthday parties, friend or family outings, corporate team-building events, bachelor(ette) parties, cub scouts, clubs, sports teams or just for fun! Read more>>

R Ward Lariscy

I started my Interior Design business in 1981 in the San Marco Square. After a buying trip to Europe for antiques, realized the San Marco Location was too small, and moved my Design business to a building I remodeled on Prudential Drive and converted the San Marco location into the WARDROOM LTD. As business changed the WARDROOM’s merchandise changed with the times. Read more>>

Jeremy Bacon

I’m a US Navy Veteran, and have been trying to turn my love of photography into a side business. I have been a photographer for quite a while. From traveling the world shooting wonders seen, teaching photography basics for a non profit, to now tackling it from a business standpoint I have had a wide range of experiences. Read more>>

Brittany Goldstein

I sort of stumbled upon the industry, I received a call with Goldshine Mobile Detailing (which is my car detailing company) which in turn created a second business of mine which is named Goldecon Crime Scene Trauma Scene Clean Up. Read more>>

Latrisha Howard

Developing people has always been my purpose, long before the titles, boardrooms, or business. During my primary school years, I mentored classmates and encouraged others to see their potential. A defining moment came in high school when a peer thanked me for inspiring him to take academics more seriously, and that’s when I realized the impact I could have. Read more>>

Amany Youssef

I was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and when I was just four to five years old, my family moved to the United States after our home was bombed during the war. One of my earliest memories in America was at seven years old, driving home from the airport and seeing beautiful houses with white picket fences. Read more>>

Casey Edwards

I can’t recall exactly when I realized that nursing was my calling. God gave me a servant’s heart to be sure and he infused me with compassion for others. When I was a child, I remember caring for wounded and sick animals. Read more>>

Erin Webber

I began photography as a wedding photographer back in 2006. Around 2012 I met with a bride who was very nervous, I was afraid for her making it down the aisle! She asked if I would take some “lingerie pics” and I looked up some quick inspo online and just did a short 30 session in her bedroom. Read more>>

Latorie Williams

I always knew that I was very creative and love making things with my hands, especially accessories.When I started creating the bracelets I wanted them to be cute as button. I also wanted a lot of them to be meaningful so I created bracelets for Cancer Survivors as well as Nurses. Read more>>

Brittany Ellis

My story is a beautiful one as I sit and reflect on this question of what got me where I am today. I was born to 2 high school sweethearts, a military man, and a mother who struggled with addiction throughout my entire life. Read more>>

Taylor Freeman

I was first introduced to permanent jewelry through TikTok, and I was immediately intrigued by the concept. It quickly became something I could see myself truly enjoying. After doing my research, I invested in a welder and the necessary supplies and began training to learn the process. To build my skills and confidence, I practiced on friends, family, and even myself. Read more>>

Lara Crutchley

I started LITTLE LALA in 2022 as a creative outlet and something of my own alongside being a mom. I began by selling at local markets, learning as I went and building my brand through pieces I genuinely love. Since then, it’s grown into an online store and a customizable jewelry bar for events. Read more>>

Lisa Estime

I’m actually still processing how I got here. Last year, I spent months in prayer just asking God to help me trust Him with every part of my life and he prompted me to quit my job. Read more>>

Charli Ryan

For as long as I can remember I wanted to own my own business. Around 20 years old that dream turned specifically into owning a brewery- preferably by the beach. I tried home brewing in upstate NY and then got an LLC and started giving beer away all over town. Read more>>

Viki

My name is Victoria, but most people know me as Viki. I’ve been involved in art since childhood — I attended art school and spent years painting. In 2017, I decided to explore tattooing. At the time, I was traveling a lot, and I loved the idea of leaving my art on people’s skin in different parts of the world. Read more>>

Suzi Teitelman

Suzi Teitelman Jax Beach Swim Lesson Suzi LLC since 2011 www.swimlessonsuzi.com Here’s your revised “Your story” answer with that locked in: Swimming has been part of my life from the very beginning. Read more>>

Karl Kulikov

My professional journey has focused on building a transportation company rooted in trust, professionalism, and consistency. As President of Unique Corporate Limos in Jacksonville, I set out to offer a better experience than standard ground transportation, one built on punctuality, professionalism, clean luxury vehicles, and personal attention. Read more>>

Denvil & Crystal Cook

Well, Denvil and I had met in my small hometown in Ohio and it was love at first sight, literally. We had met in April 2021 and were married in May 2021! We had gotten married in Gainesville Florida. Read more>>

Valerie Denise Jones

I was raised on faith, resilience, and quiet strength—values passed down from my mother, Jean Jones, and the women before her, including my great-grandmother who lived to be 103 years old. Their lives taught me that endurance is not just about survival—it’s about purpose. My journey into entertainment wasn’t something I planned. I actually wanted to go to law school. Read more>>

Anastayzeia Lynch

Anastayzeia and Setrina met at church one Sunday and quickly became close friends, bonding over their shared faith and love for helping others. It didn’t take long for them to realize they both had a special gift—they loved making things beautiful. Read more>>

Brianna Donnal

I decided to start my own journey by creating H.O.P to bring an all-in-one stop for most dog lovers. My name is Brianna I am a dog groomer, trainer and K9 handler. From a young age I have shown interest in all types of animals! I would take care of any animal in need even the snakes and bugs. Read more>>

Fay Blake

It all started when two retired folks decided to buy a farm. Having grown up on a farm, it was just in my blood to have critters to care for. Kevin’s love for donkeys led us to purchase 3 named Princess Bella, Lady Lois, and Sir Benjamin. Nigerian dwarf goats soon joined the herd, quickly followed by chickens. Read more>>

Carrie Wilson

I started in the beauty industry at 19 years old with Clinique, where I spent five years building a strong foundation in skin, product knowledge, and working one-on-one with real clients. That early experience shaped how I see makeup to this day. It’s not about the product, it’s about the person. Read more>>

Ainsley Padrick

I am a film and digital photographer, graphic designer, and illustrator based in Jacksonville, Florida. My journey with photography started at 15, when I picked up a digital point-and-shoot camera for a family cruise and quickly became obsessed. Read more>>

Kristina McCurry

I got my start in the industry while attending University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management. I’ve always appreciated a well-executed event, but through college and internships with venues and catering companies, that appreciation really developed into a passion. Read more>>

Niki Lanier

Our story didn’t start in a boardroom; it started with a click! We met online way back when digital dating was still the ‘new frontier,’ and somehow, we survived the dial-up era to build a life together. We’ve been happily married for **14 years** and counting. Kelley: A Lantana, FL local who spent 25 years dedicated to the world of education. Read more>>

Miya Brown

My name is Miya, I am a mom of 3 children. I have always had a passion for events and worked with children ages 5 and under for over 10 years, before switching careers. In 2021 I had just had my youngest daughter and while planning her first birthday party I fell in love with all things soft play. Read more>>

Michelle Sawyer

Twenty-one years ago, I took a leap of faith. I started my cleaning business from scratch no big funding, just a dream and a relentless drive. Shooting Star Cleaning Services. At the time I lived in Fort Lauderdale, FL I grew it slowly, residential and commercial cleaning. I never stopped envisioning a bigger impact. Read more>>

Micah White

My journey into esthetics started with a genuine passion for skin and helping people feel confident in their own skin. I always knew I wanted to do something hands on, results driven, and personal and esthetics naturally became that path for me. Read more>>

Jason & Erika Bates

We didn’t start in RV parks. We started like a lot of people do – working hard, doing what we thought we were supposed to do, and still feeling like we wanted more control over our future. Early on, when Jason and I were dating, we had a conversation that really set everything in motion. Read more>>

Colby Ravan

Colby’s father has been in this industry for years. When Colby came back from duty with the marines, he joined him and is now Vice President of operations. The amazing thing about Ravan Moving is that all of our business has been built from referrals from realtors or repeat customers. Between Todd’s experience and Colby’s military training, this company is ran like no other mover. Read more>>

The Blowout Queen (Katrina)

My journey in the beauty industry has been built on consistency, passion, and real-life experience. With over 15 years behind the chair, I’ve grown from simply doing hair to building a brand centered around healthy hair, luxury service, and education. Read more>>

Lindsey Ardmore

I’m Lindsey, the the founder of Bronzey—North Central Florida’s Favorite Place to Get Naked. What started from tanning in my in-home office, has grown into a cult-loved brand known for flawless spray tans, bold energy, and an experience you can’t find anywhere else. We have two locations: our flagship in Ocala and a second location in Butler Plaza in Gainesville. Read more>>

KEVIN OMOAKA

My journey into real estate started from a desire to create more stability and long-term opportunities for myself and my family. Like many people, I began by learning as much as I could about investing, cash flow, and building assets that could grow over time. Professionally, I come from a technology background, which helped me approach real estate from a systems and problem-solving perspective. Read more>>

Kenajawa Lashawn

Kenajawa Lashawn a creative, influencer, and mental health advocate who survived 5 suicide attempts. Anxiety and depression plagued my life since I was a teen. Now that I am healed I am an advocate for mental health awareness for people who had experiences like me. My trauma stemmed from my childhood. Read more>>

Kevin Perez Velazquez

Cafecito started as a feeling before it was ever a business plan. I’ve always been drawn to the subtleties in people — the small details that most walk past without noticing. A shift in someone’s energy, what they don’t say, what a space does to them the moment they walk in. Read more>>

Marimar “ Mari “ Abston

My journey into skincare really started with a deep curiosity about the skin and a desire to understand it beyond the surface. Working in dermatology gave me that foundation. It taught me how to truly treat the skin, not just temporarily improve it. Read more>>

Sarah Ballard

Growing up surrounded by the arts, I always knew I loved creating — I just didn’t realize how many possibilities existed. As a child, I spent my days singing, dancing, drawing and painting. In elementary school, I designed fashionable pieces on paper, and by my senior year of high school, I was bringing those designs to life on dress-down Fridays. Creativity wasn’t just something I did — it was a part of who I was. Read more>>

Rebecca Thomson

My story began in Pittsburgh PA, but I have lived all around the US. PA, NC, VA, CO, CA, FL, back to PA then back to FL. I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Political Communication and a minor in Natural Science and then attended Chatham University where I completed an MBA program. I did all if this while working, raising my two groovy daughters and maintaining a large property in PA. Read more>>