Highlighting Local Gems

Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories.  Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.

Shaucuana Knight

Right now, I feel called to share my story and the lessons I’ve learned through entrepreneurship in a new way—through The Cake Cousins Podcast. For years, I was afraid to step behind the mic because it meant being vulnerable and putting my voice out there. Read more>>

Travis Crawford

I’m chasing the dream of making music that people can see themselves in — songs that remind them of love, heartbreak, good times, and hard times. If I stopped, I’d feel like a part of me went missing, because music has always been the way I make sense of life. Read more>>

Alex Crawley

I’m building slow, on purpose. It would be easy to chase trends or mass-produce whatever’s hot this week, but that’s not what my brand is about. Every stitch is made with the idea of lasting, of being passed down, remembered, cherished. That kind of trust doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built quietly, customer by customer, story by story. Read more>>

Jayden (JP) Price

Right now, I’m in a season of building, laying the groundwork for what’s next. I’m working on improving every part of my life: my work, my health, my brand, and my finances. Just being very intentional, making better choices, and trusting that the small sacrifices I’m making now will lead to something greater. Read more>>

Courtney Dimoff

I think that, because photography is so highly saturated with photographers, that us as individuals get sort of washed away with it all. We have to fight harder every day to stand out, but at the end of the day I am just a person with a passion and a love for life. Read more>>

Dorian Webster

I think that people have a perception that making clothes is easy and that anything can sell. We live in a time where fast fashion seems to be king and everyone has their own brand, but the truth is that the market has become so saturated and so predictable that everything out all looks the same. Read more>>

Caitlin Reinhart

I think there are a couple aspects of my business that people may misunderstand, though “misunderstand” might not be the exact word. Most people grasp the service I provide, but they don’t always recognize its value, or they assume their property isn’t suitable. Read more>>

Maliyah Clark

I believe a lot of people struggle with feeling like they don’t fit in or belong. I made a zine called ‘I think there’s something wrong with me”. It’s a series of short comics exploring feeling sad and out of place. Often, when people read this zine, they are shocked that they aren’t the only ones feeling that way. Read more>>

Hailey Birchfield-Callahan

I think people will misunderstand that my work isn’t meant to be just weird or depressing. It’s deeper than that. There are hidden meanings in all of my work, you just have to find them. Although the images may appear dark, sometimes there is a hopeful message. It’s just how I portray it. Read more>>

Celieta

I hope that when I’m gone, the stories people share about me are good ones. With every photo shoot, I treat my clients like family — asking myself what would make them feel comfortable, what would make them laugh, how I can capture not just how they look, but who they are. Read more>>

Rebecca Fellenbaum

For me, changing my mind often comes through somatic work. The issues, as they say, are in our tissues! When I sit with a younger version of myself, I meet a part that’s holding on to a fear or belief. I can give her space to feel and express. That is how I ultimately shift my mind. Read more>>

Larry Carey

Yes, I would hire me. I bring a rare mix of professional expertise, creativity, and heart to everything I do. In education, I’ve proven I can design and lead professional development that not only checks the boxes but truly transforms schools and classrooms. Read more>>