It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Orlando.
Cynthia White
I discovered dance at 13, growing up in Massachusetts, and something clicked immediately — I moved naturally with the music and couldn’t get enough of the people or the environment. My love for dance stayed with me through college, where I majored in both dance and math, and even when life pulled me away from it, I always knew I’d come back. Read more>>
Megan Loperena
As I sat down to answer these questions and reflect on my journey, I received the news that my first—and really only —mentor in the hair industry, Lenny King, had passed away. It stopped me in my tracks. When you’re so focused on where you’re going, you don’t always stop to think about the people and moments that helped shape who you became. Read more>>
Dr. Michelle Francis
I’m Dr. Michelle Francis, a Doctor of Behavioral Health and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. My story began in Jamaica and continued in South Florida, two places that shaped not only who I am, but also how I view mental health and access to care. Read more>>
Patricia Palacios
I’ve honestly loved hospitality for as long as I can remember. I graduated from Rosen College of Hospitality at UCF in Orlando, and I’ve worked in quite a few different restaurants over the years. That experience really helped me realize how much I love the industry and, especially, connecting with people through food. My love for baking actually started from a personal experience. Read more>>
Shally Wong
Shally Wong’s journey from Hong Kong immigrant to Special Assistant to Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings is a story of perseverance, community, and a deep belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. Shally came to the United States from Hong Kong in 1991 and made Central Florida her home. Read more>>
Jason “Ra$ha” Lewis
I’m Rasha, a recording artist, producer, and audio engineer originally from Huntsville, Alabama and now based in Orlando, Florida. Music has always been more than just something I wanted to do—it’s been one of the main ways I’ve learned to understand myself and the world around me. My journey really began through my love for creating. Read more>>
Lissette Gonzalez
Hello, my name is Lissette Gonzalez, and I’ve been an esthetician for 18 years. I graduated in the Dominican Republic, and seven years ago I came to the United States and started this beautiful beauty journey from scratch. I traveled from Altamonte Springs to Clermont to study and began with no clients but with a lot of faith. Read more>>
Aline Soaper
My story has been shaped by one idea that has followed me throughout my career: when people change the way they think about money, they often change much more than their finances. I built my professional life in Brazil, where I became an entrepreneur and financial educator. In 2014, I founded Instituto Soaper to help people develop a healthier, more intentional relationship with money. Read more>>
Jennifer Lopez
My journey began more than 10 years ago with a genuine love for bringing people together and creating meaningful experiences. What started as a passion for weddings and celebrations grew into Bella Sposa Events, a full-service planning and design company built around thoughtful details, strong relationships, and unforgettable guest experiences. Like many business owners, my path has not been perfectly linear. Read more>>
Patricia Bryan
Walk on Water was founded 20 years ago when my mother suffered a stroke and heart attack while visiting. She sustained right-side paralysis and became non-verbal as a result. As her caretaker, I learned to transfer, bathe, change, and feed her through a tube. There were many doctor appointments, medications, and times when accidents occurred. There were also hospital visits when she relapsed. Read more>>
Sophia Seeramlal, M.Ed
As a child, I spent hours on nature trails, cupping my hands to wish healing for injured insects. I didn’t have the language for it then, but I felt the restorative power of nature and the interconnectedness of all living beings. I could sense others’ pain deeply, and I wanted to help. Read more>>
Nick Savage
I always wanted to be a writer. The thought of it always struck me in a way that lingered. While I went through a phase where the acting bug hit me, I could not act that well. Writing, though, was always something I was good at. In high school and college, I loved English classes, especially those centered on creative writing. Read more>>
Pamela Ammon
Oh my gosh, absolutely! So much has changed since we last spoke in 2022. My company, PKAPhotographyfl, has continued to grow, and along with it, the services and experiences we are able to offer our clients have expanded in ways I never imagined. Barrel racing and pole bending will always be where our heart is. Read more>>
Rahaf Alahmadi
Before coming to Orlando, I studied and worked in the UK for over six years. I initially came to Orlando on vacation to visit my brother, but after spending some time here, I felt this strong urge to start over and take a chance on something new. That’s when I accepted a job at a small, woman-owned bakery. Read more>>
Allyson Bode
Although I have found a home here in the Orlando area, I am not a Florida Native. Originally, I am from Conway, Arkansas, and moved to Florida in February of 2017. Just like many things in life, it was not a direct path that led me here. Read more>>
Mina Devane
I was introduced to the Tattoo Industry since I was born, thanks to my father. I taught myself how to draw, and have taken harsh critique since I could hold a pencil. When I was 20 I finally went through my apprenticeship, which took almost 4 years. Read more>>
Marlene Dailey
My story is really one of faith, resilience, creativity, transformation, and learning how to turn the different gifts God has given me into purpose. I have been in ministry for more than 25 years, serving in different capacities alongside my husband. Read more>>
Karla Radka
My story is rooted in faith, resilience, hard work and a deep belief that leadership is service. At 19, I made the life-changing decision to come to the United States to pursue opportunity and build a future defined by purpose, contribution and service. I began with very little materially, but with tremendous determination, courage and gratitude for the chance to grow. Read more>>
Lyanna Rose
I was introduced to the beauty industry at a young age by my grandmother, who was both a seamstress and cosmetologist. She taught me that creativity had no limits and inspired me to express myself unapologetically. I started by experimenting with my own hair, convinced I would become a hairstylist one day. Read more>>
Maria del Mar Motta
I was born and raised in Colombia, where I began my career as a journalist and television presenter. At 22, I moved to Canada and quickly immersed myself in a new media landscape—producing television programs, presenting national news and continuing my education, all while building a career in both English and French. Read more>>
Eric Schwalbach
I grew up without a father for the first 12 years of my life. I got to meet him for the 1st time the summer of my 7th grade year. He was a purple heart Vietnam Veteran who struggle with PTSD from the war and the physical abuse he suffered from his own alcoholic father. Read more>>
Antonia Rivano
My journey has been anything but linear, but when I look back, I realize I’ve always been an artist. I just didn’t always know what to call it. I was born and raised in Algarrobo, Chile, and moved to the United States when I was 13. Even as a kid, I was always creating. Read more>>
Nicci Morris
My story really begins with realizing that I had spent years taking care of others, but not really caring for myself. I spent more than two decades in corporate leadership, much of it focused on people, organizational change, culture and strategy. I knew how to build systems, lead through complexity and help organizations navigate transformation. Read more>>
Nicolle Osorio
I’m a Multiplatform Content Lead and Reporter at Telemundo 31 Orlando, where I have the privilege of telling stories that inform, inspire, and connect with our community. Storytelling has always been my passion because it allows me to meet people from all walks of life, experience new communities, and amplify voices that deserve to be heard. Read more>>
Femi Orenuga
My story has been shaped by a mix of finance, entrepreneurship, creativity, and a willingness to take a few unexpected turns along the way. I studied Economics and began my career in banking and wealth management, where I spent several years working in investments and eventually managed a portfolio of roughly $1.2 billion. Read more>>
Jennifer Hensley
Jennifer Hensley, DNP, CPNP-PC, PMHS, is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She holds dual board certifications from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board in pediatric primary care and pediatric mental health. With more than 24 years of pediatric experience, including over a decade supporting children with developmental differences, Jennifer has supported thousands of children with autism and related concerns. Read more>>
Connell Reynolds
Travel Kots was founded to solve a problem I experienced firsthand while serving in the military. During deployments, we spent night after night trying to sleep on cold, hard, and wet ground. I knew immediately that there had to be a better solution. Read more>>
Nicolette Bajek
Hi, my name is Nicki. I’m a wife, mother of three and the owner/manager of Four Corners Fit ‘N Fun. As a child I was very athletic and loved to play sports. Whether it was gymnastics, basketball, softball or soccer, I always enjoyed being on a team and staying active. As an adult I decided to focus on a career working with children. Read more>>
Brittany Monachino
I began dancing when I was three years old in the church. I always say they made the “mistake” of allowing me to be the line leader because that began my love of dance and opened my eyes to what I believe is one of the gifts God has given me. Dance was always a kind of asylum and sanctuary for me. Read more>>
Rana Sewsarran
When Orlando Voyager shared my story in 2022, Mad Mushroom Meals was already growing beyond what I had once imagined—but I still had no idea what it would eventually become. I found my love for cooking after moving away for college and living on my own. Read more>>
David Chirinos
My story with music started with classical violin training, which gave me the foundation and discipline I still carry into every performance today. But even from an early stage, I knew I wanted to explore what the violin could become beyond the traditional concert setting. My journey has also taken me through different countries and cultures. Read more>>
Sandy Barney
Sandy’s Magical Treasures started with my love of collecting blind boxes, and selling my repeats on FB marketplace, but the story really began with a content creator I followed. Read more>>
Flora Torra
My heartfelt mission from my youth was to make the lives of children a little easier by entering their world. I started out as a teacher for kids with learning disabilities. But that wasn’t enough so I went to graduate school to become a school psychologist, and that wasn’t enough. Read more>>
Giovanna Camila
I’ve been creating content since 2018, when I first started in Atlanta’s food and lifestyle scene. What began as sharing my love for restaurants, food, and photography quickly grew into working with PR companies, attending events, networking with brands, and building a brand of my own. Read more>>
Alante
The biggest struggle about this musical journey is the mental one. Feeling like you should be in a certain position, and fighting to obtain that position. Dealing with the realization that the people closest to you won’t be your biggest supporters, and despite that fact, it’s up to you to take the steps forward everyday. Read more>>
Jennifer Lopez
I hated having to grow again. It took a long time but I grew again as a stylist. 5 1/2 years went by and my husbands company had a huge layoff and he was included. I panicked. I wanted to make sure the ball was always in someone’s court. And that was mine. I wanted and needed to make sure that I had control of our future and if I fail , it was my fault and my fault only. I have never learned so much from owning my own business. It’s hard work and it’s constant. I thought I was going to loose my mind at first but I found my rhythm. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still hard but each day I learn the business a little better. And mostly I love being able to employ people. I love knowing that the salon is a safe environment for my staff. Read more>>
