Local Highlighter Series

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.

Jes Reger Davis

I would tell myself to color outside the lines. Let go of perfection; it’s ok to play, explore, and make mistakes along the way. Your creativity deserves to flourish without the burden of making perfect art. A decade has passed since I first picked up a brush, and I am finally dedicating a sketchbook to creating art that brings me joy. Read more>>

Becca Blumer

I would tell my younger self that she is not too big, not too quirky, and NOT too much! I would tell her to take up space, and love every minute of it! Read more>>

Shcarra Benn

This is something I have faced many times. There was a time when I almost gave up. As a creative entrepreneur, the journey isn’t always as beautiful as the art we create. There were seasons when I poured everything into my vision, but the results didn’t come as quickly as I hoped. Read more>>

Monica Doreen

Most importantly I want to be remembered as a human who was kind, loving , and compassionate. Someone who put people before profit and encouraged humanity to do the same by living that reality. It’s not my legacy I’m focused on, but rather, the impact I make on helping to raise the consciousness of humanity by holding and spreading the light through love. Read more>>

Gregory Jones

I pray people say that when I was your friend, you felt encouraged, respected, and loved. That I stood with you through the good, the hard, and the difficult times. If you never betrayed my trust, you had a loyal friend for life. Someone who gave his all to help others. And I pray my legacy lives on through the lives I’ve touched. Read more>>

Emily Roedersheimer DO, IFMCP

This is a powerful question and so critical to my healing and reversing my rheumatoid arthritis. Throughout much of my adult life I thought I had to perform to be valuable. I would constantly busy myself – whether it was school work to get good grades or housework and kids projects to be helpful. I did not know how to rest. Read more>>

Cynthia Dawson

My family, without a doubt. They’re at the center of everything for me. I’m so thankful that my work allows me to be present for the little (and big) moments. My friends would tell you that family always comes first in my world. They’re my biggest inspiration and the reason I do what I do. Read more>>

Christina Chislom-Banner

I believe my parents, my mom and my dad, the late , Great William, Lee Chislom, and my beautiful mother Charlene L. Chislom. As a little girl they would always encourage me and push me to do anything that I had an interest in. They saw that I like to sing so they pushed and encouraged me to sing. Read more>>

Ilena Gonzalez

I feel like the most misunderstood thing about being a tattooer is that it is easy. That is absolutely far from the truth. As a tattooer we constantly have deadlines, emails, scheduling, and many other task we have to achieve outside of our scheduled work time. This is not including trying to improve your art skills. There is no free time with this job. Read more>>

Kareemah Scurry

Right now my biggest and most inspirational teacher is life. I learn from quietly observing the things and happenings going on around me. With the rapid decline of this country, I feel like they are constantly promoting and pushing fear on us. I choose not to live in fear and search for the good instead. Read more>>