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.
Randall Smith
I’m on a path! I was laid off in 2024 had about month off and started working as an Art Director for a toy company and due to tariffs, I was laid off again at the beginning of this year. I’m focused on getting my own thing going and growing Randall Paints as a business. I’m focusing on my own characters, world building and storytelling. Read more>>
Virginia De Flaviis
Honestly, I have always felt as though I was walking a clear path toward achieving my goals and dreams. However, lately I’ve entered what I like to call a season of redirection. Read more>>
Jamila Muhammad
Winning first place for my Bourbon Pecan Pie at the National Pie Championship was a total ‘pinch me’ moment. And for a laugh — at a pop-up, a little boy took one bite of my vegan chocolate cake, gasped, and said, ‘This tastes like REAL cake!’ I’ll never forget it. Read more>>
Angely Callejas
Yes! Recently, I had a moment that made me smile. I was working on a project, and after putting in my effort, everything came together perfectly. Seeing the results and knowing my work paid off was incredibly rewarding. Read more>>
John Crossman
In 2013, I had some of my biggest success of my life. I was inducted into the FSU College of Business Hall of Fame and was named an honoray alumnus of the University of FLorida (and I dont even like them)! I was in great shape and winning races for my age group. Read more>>
Heather Nagy
There are too many times to count when I’ve looked at circumstances beyond my control and wondered if I should chuck it all for something more predictable and safe. Being at a festival when the weather takes a turn and we are in a tent as it’s thundering and pouring. Reaching out to galleries and hearing no thanks, or nothing at all. Read more>>
Angela Laviena
Today, I feel called to share my story and my voice without fear. In the past, I worried about what others might think or if I was truly ready to lead on a larger scale. Now, I understand that every challenge, setback, and victory in my life and business has been part of my preparation. Read more>>
Em Michelle
Simple answer: myself. When I started pursuing art, I was at the lowest I’ve ever been at in my life. Crafting, drawing, and just creating things was an outlet for me, but my mental wasn’t in it. When I walked away from my passion on an (what I thought was at the time) indefinite hiatus, it really brought me down without me even knowing. Read more>>
KAYLA CASTRO
In my business, the thing I’m most proud of that nobody really sees is the confidence I help build in my client families to travel, especially those who once thought it wasn’t possible. It’s not just about booking trips; it’s about watching them go from feeling unsure or overwhelmed to creating memories they never imagined they could have. Read more>>
Jenn Dickel
As a kid, I believed being a powerful, successful businesswoman meant wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase. Now I know true power comes from confidence, clarity, and building a business that reflects who you are—and using your strengths to create real impact for others. Read more>>
Kesean Miller
As a child, I believed I had to have it all together and be perfect, that any mistake or flaw would make me less valuable. But as I’ve grown, I’ve learned that growth comes through the process, not perfection. I no longer feel the pressure to have everything figured out. Read more>>
Kathy Follensbee
That all people are creative and brilliant – all people have unique gifts. Perhaps students have not seen or discovered their voices or gifts yet, but I feel that once they know who they are, love who they are, they discover those gifts! Read more>>
Dr. Cherlette McCulloough
What I understand deeply that most people don’t is that healing doesn’t always look like joy right away. Sometimes it looks like grief, silence, setting boundaries, or walking away from everything familiar. Healing isn’t a straight line. It’s layered, it’s lonely at times, and it requires honesty that most people aren’t ready for. Read more>>
Sarina Baptista
My defining wound was having to bury my child. I joined online support groups after J.T. passed, hoping to find something to hang onto to get me through the unimaginable trauma. What I heard instead was, ‘You will never get over this. You will never heal from this. Nothing will ever be the same.’ Ouch. I totally agreed with that last statement. Read more>>
Alain Lemair
Lately, my family has been my biggest sense of joy. I got married about a year ago, and became an automatic dad of two amazing boys. Family has a way of being both the anchor and the spark – grounding you when life gets hectic, and giving you those moments that feel richer than any award or accomplishment. Read more>>
Sasha Nichole Smith-Chiny
Lately, I’ve been really enjoying visiting the theme parks in Orlando. My husband and I got annual passes to both Universal and Disney World a few months ago, and it’s been such a joyful escape. We’ve loved reconnecting with our ‘inner childs’ and spending stress-free weekends just laughing, riding rides, and soaking it all in. Read more>>
Tyler Bell
Listening to music, getting caught up in every instrument, chord progression, certain nuances that different artists across different genres use to make their songs unique. It could be the smallest detail and I’ll be like” ohhhhh my what the artist did here was extraordinary “. I love “moments” in music Read more>>
Jessica Adams
I feel most at peace on the golf course. The morning sun stretches across the fairway, the air is crisp, and the gentle chorus of birdsong fills the silence between swings. It’s just me, my closest friends, and the game. Golf is a quiet duel with yourself – every shot a reflection of your focus and your mindset. Read more>>
Sufia Huq
I feel most at peace when I’m outside, surrounded by nature, just observing. Whether I have a camera with me or not, there’s something grounding about slowing down and really taking in what’s around me. That act of observing, without pressure to create anything, helps me reconnect with myself and remember why I love storytelling in the first place. Read more>>
Reinaldo Costales
My wife saw me clearly long before I truly understood myself. She recognized my strengths, my potential, and my drive even in moments when I doubted myself. Her belief in me has been a constant source of motivation, pushing me to take risks, chase my dreams, and grow into the person I am today. Read more>>
Catalina Laverde
My mom saw me clearly before I ever saw it in myself. We had a little digital camera at home, and she noticed how I’d spend hours taking photos of anything and everything, and then just as much time editing them. While I was just having fun, she recognized that there was something deeper there. Read more>>
Genesis Margolis
It’s important to look at history to see what has come and gone. The first thing that comes to mind are fashion trends. Some things, like a basic black dress, are always a classic look. Things that are timeless stay firm for decades. Fads last for a few days, weeks, or months. When the timeless starts to change, that’s the key differentiator. Read more>>
Isabel Santiago
Integrity matters most to me because it’s the foundation that shapes everything else I do—especially when building a community on social media. Without integrity, intelligence can be manipulative and energy can be misdirected. But with integrity, my decisions, words, and actions consistently align with my values. That consistency builds trust, and trust is the currency of any thriving online community. Read more>>
Britney Miller
Absolutely. Taking this journey to the next level—from selling meatballs directly to customers to getting them into grocery stores—has been one of the hardest transitions of my life. The biggest challenge? Finding the right co-packer. My product isn’t simple—it’s made with poultry, cheese, and high-quality ingredients that require a specific standard. That means not every co-packer can (or will) make it. Read more>>
Stephanie Tharpe
Baby Steph (as I affectionately refer to my younger self) was a beast (lol). I’ll have to admit she was selfish, not very considerate of others even those she loved. I do truly believe that the ruthless selfishness I had growing up was necessary and also was released as I grew up and lived life. Read more>>
Latoya Rattery
In my early 20s, I hit a breaking point. Burnout forced me to quit my job, and I found myself in so much pain that I eventually had to undergo a medical procedure. Lying there, I realized something had to change. That moment became the turning point where I decided to shift how I lived. Read more>>
Jessica Young
I check the socials for the pages I manage, and update them as needed, (Shout out to Resplendency INC and POVFilms.) Then I clean out my email for the day before tackling my scheduled tasks for the day. Depending on the day, my afternoons, could be me running a virtual program for the Maryland State Bar editing a video for them. Read more>>
Carly Paige
At this stage in my life, I would say I’m chasing a better ‘balance’. I built my business when I was younger and single. At that time, my life and my identify were heavily entwined with my work. Now, I am a wife and a mother to a 10-year-old and almost 2-year-old. Read more>>
Karen Reid
I am chasing the fullness of the gift God placed within me—the ability to create art that inspires, uplifts, and draws people closer to Him. As a Christ follower, I believe this talent is not my own but a divine gift. Read more>>
Sarah Marie Shoulak
As I’ve gotten older and my chronic pain issues have quickly gotten worse, I have different goals in life. Before, I wanted a rock star lifestyle. I thought it was all about going fast, doing it all, living fully and not caring if I die young. There wasn’t anything to live for except the next adventure. Read more>>
Boris Garbe
You know, that is an interesting question. Lately, I have been going through some issues, and while I am definitely aware of what is happening to me, I am still in denial a bit. The battle I am trying very hard to avoid is not being true to myself and my ideals. Read more>>
Ashley Smith
What breaks the bonds between people is usually unhealed pain—unspoken, unprocessed, and left to fester. That pain turns into ego, fear, pride, and defensiveness. People stop seeing each other clearly and start reacting to past wounds instead of present realities. Miscommunication, shame, and the need to protect yourself at all costs? That’ll wreck a connection fast. What restores those bonds is honesty, safety, and grace. Read more>>
Brian Sodre
I think the biggest misunderstanding about my legacy will be assuming it was ever about me. I lost my father at a young age. And though his time was short, his impact was lasting. Read more>>
Georgia DeFrancisco
5:30am – wakeup, coffee, convo time with husband 6:30am – workout 7:30am – breakfast and devotion time 8:00am – check-in with kids 8:30am – check-in with team and start workday with company tasks 12ish – lunch and grab some sunshine 12:30-6:00ish – client work Evening is all family time Read more>>
Toni-Ann Eccles
A normal day for me is a blend of intention, purpose, and passion. As the owner of TME Cosmetics, a bodycare brand dedicated to self-love and wellness, every day begins with centering myself spiritually. I start my mornings with prayer and reading my devotional, which helps me align my heart and mind before diving into the demands of the day. Read more>>
Isabella Fortich
Right now, a normal day for me is anything but normal. As an immigration attorney practicing under the Trump administration, my days are often fast paced and unpredictable. They are filled with urgent client needs, constant policy changes, and challenging legal battles. Read more>>
Annie Scull
I would like to return to a more foundational spiritual practice. Being raised in a Catholic household deeply instilled the practice of prayer, meditation and song into my life. As I entered adulthood, I stopped attending weekly mass and became more interested in eastern philosophies and metaphysics. My new interests contradicted Catholic doctrine, and that caused a type of internal struggle for me. Read more>>
Naomi Joy Nelson
I can remember a few incidents where I leaped into action without reservation or fear. Once as a child, I quickly grabbed my little brother out of the bathtub and began to run for help. Soon afterwards, our father was able to quickly put out the kitchen fire. My father spent many years taking my younger brother and I fishing. Read more>>
Raginald Paz
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I decided to live life true to who I am, not what society expects. The moment I stopped worrying about fitting into a mold and started embracing what makes me me, I felt a sense of freedom and strength. Read more>>
Eryn Vargo
I will never regret choosing presence over productivity metrics. While other entrepreneurs are grinding 80-hour weeks and missing school plays for ‘networking opportunities,’ I’m dropping my kids off every morning and picking them up every afternoon. I volunteer in their classrooms, I know their teachers’ names, and I’m there for the little moments that you can’t get back. And you know what? Read more>>
Lett Perez
Identity. It’s the essence of who you are. I’m a proud Latina, rooted in a bold and vibrant heritage. When I moved to Florida, I struggled to embrace that part of myself. I spoke with a strong accent and felt like I had to do so much more just to fit in—until I realized that what made me different was actually my superpower. Read more>>
Omar Colom
I used to believe that if I just worked hard and stayed humble, the right people would notice and opportunities would come. After failing hard, whether it was being overlooked for roles I was more than qualified for, burning out from saying yes to everything, or trusting the wrong clients, I realized that wasn’t enough. I had to advocate for myself. Read more>>
Kristin Weissman
I think the most surprising thing that I have learned about my customers is that no matter how much you strive to create the perfect service, product or environment, business is truly about connection. Read more>>
Julincy Garo
The last time I felt true joy was on July 26th, 2025, during our company’s national real estate convention. One of the speakers led a gratitude exercise where we had to thank someone who had impacted our lives. I was deeply moved to see a line of people waiting to hug me and express how I had positively influenced them. Read more>>
Kaley Lopez
I think a lot of smart people are getting it wrong when it comes to authenticity. They confuse being real with being over the top, as if the louder or flashier they are, the more ‘authentic’ it feels. But true authenticity doesn’t need to scream for attention—it’s about being genuine without the performance. Read more>>
Erie Patterson
The moment i finally allowed my pride to take a backseat and forgave my mother for not being there/a mom for me and understanding that all of us have trauma and that may affect other people in different ways such as parenting. Does that make it right? No, but forgiving is helping you have a better chance at living a happier life. Read more>>
Daniella Koontz
Rachel came into my life during one of the hardest chapters I’ve faced. I was standing at a crossroads, finally choosing myself after years of not, and I was emotionally worn thin. I didn’t need someone to tell me what to do. Read more>>
Beauty Hallback
Through our program, participants are trained and prepared to engage in a variety of high-profile opportunities, including modeling campaigns, commercials, television appearances, photo shoots, news interviews, and fashion shows. Every individual trained by BMS is not only equipped with practical industry skills but also represents the core mission, vision, and values of our company. Read more>>
rob Chiola
I think people often misunderstand how deeply personal and meaningful wedding videography really is. It’s not just about filming the day — it’s about preserving the voices, the laughter, the tears, and the fleeting moments that go by in a blur. Years from now, when loved ones have grown older or even passed on, these films become priceless. Read more>>
