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.

Diane Dresback

I put on my tap shoes most mornings. It goes without saying that there are tasks I dislike or get frustrated with, but for the most part, I look forward to what I have the opportunity to do. When I was in corporate America, I enjoyed many of those experiences as well, just like with my creative work. Read more>>

Kala Saenz

My role as a small business owner and Independent Quality Provider with BabyQuip has me tap dancing at work every day! Each time I receive an email notifying me of an order, I do a little happy dance. Read more>>

Cam MacNeille

I truly feel like I could tap dance to work with how much I love where I’m at currently! My clientele is amazing and I’m so grateful for everyone that has sat in my chair especially throughout my pregnancy. I’m feeling really refreshed and motivated as I come close to maternity leave and prepare to make my comeback in the Fall. Read more>>

Ricky Wascher

I think it is important to learn how to do this. When praise becomes more important than serving the client or the mission, I feel it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Read more>>

Suzanne Lasky

I bring my full effort and focus to everything I do—it’s simply how I’m wired. If I’m involved in something, you can be sure I’m giving it my all. Doing anything halfway just isn’t in my nature. Read more>>

Deric

Absolutely! As we mentioned earlier business integrity is what we want to exemplify in this industry. What this means to us, as a company, is hammering down on our committment to provide excellent service and embody high ethical standards for our customers and supporters; regardless of overwhelming praise or negative criticism. Read more>>

Sal Giudici

Absolutely. There’ve been moments where I wanted to move fast, whether in a project, a connection, or a decision that felt urgent in the moment. But sitting with it, letting the dust settle, usually reveals the truth. I think acting from clarity always wins. Read more>>

Purvi Desai

I’m a goal-driven person—I set ambitious targets that feel out of reach and work relentlessly to achieve them. The funny thing is the satisfaction of reaching the goal often fades quickly. But the real beauty lies in the journey—the growth, resilience, and realization of what you’re truly capable of. That feeling stays with you forever. Read more>>

Jessica Kjeldsen

Absolutely. I’ve gotten what I thought I wanted more times than I can count. And the tricky part? It does work—for a little while. You land the job, you move to the city, you meet the dream person and for a moment, everything feels shiny and right. But then… something shifts. A new light hits the room. Read more>>

Kristyn Aldrich

The problem with fads/trends is that there always needs to be something new. These trends come and go and makes it hard to get to the depth of whatever it is you’re looking for. Read more>>

Elyse Flynn Meyer

In marketing, differentiating between a passing fad and a foundational shift comes down to impact, longevity, and alignment with customer behavior. I look for trends that are driven by deeper changes in technology, data, or buyer expectations rather than short-term hype. Foundational shifts typically solve a real problem, create measurable value, and integrate across multiple channels or industries. Read more>>

Kyle Herrig

In the fitness industry it’s not rocket science- you need to move! Unfortunately with so many distractions and busy schedules everyone wants the easy way out so they’ll jump on the latest fad diets or exercise to ‘drop weight’ or ‘get fit quick’. Being in the industry long enough it’s actually quite simple, eat right, get sleep, and move your body; do all 3 consistently! Read more>>

Thomas Uli

I believe fads don’t truly improve the lives of those who follow them, while foundational shifts do just that—they create real, lasting change. I see fads more as entertainment, a way for people to feel part of something quirky or fun. That’s not to say fads are bad, but I don’t think they represent something that will have a meaningful or lasting impact. Read more>>

Roy Serafin

Contrary to the ‘artistic’ belief that real art doesn’t need to be understood immediately, I disagree.Photography is not like an new band’s album which might be appreciated more on the second listen. If you look at a photo and you can’t understand what it is you’re looking at, the photo doesn’t work. Have you heard of the 5 second rule? It fits in photography too. Read more>>

Mircea Goia

I would try to build a non-violent society. Who had lived in a violent environment knows more the true value of peace and kindness. I am not saying those who didn’t live in that kind of environment don’t know, but they don’t have that experience so what they know are mostly through other people’s experience. And they may not appreciate what they have. Read more>>

Mila Strugatsky

I would embrace the new times with new growths . I would continue to create something that wasn’t there before. Through the language of art I would bring the same messages- the importance of individuality in the humanistic tradition. Read more>>

Malori Maeva

This made me giggle because I would immediately sell the company and hit the road. Life is so short and we’re incredibly lucky to be here every single day that we open our eyes. Read more>>

Gail Friend

Boy this one hits close to home. I will be 67 in October. I find myself thinking about this often. I’m trying not to, but the older you get the more mortal you begin to feel. I find myself questioning why I am making all this stuff. where is it going when I die. Will it end up in a landfill? Read more>>

Cara Kerouac

We’d stop doubting ourselves. We’d stop letting fear run the show. If we knew our time was more limited, we’d stop obsessing over whether we’ll have the money for the next leg of the journey, the next truck repair, the next month of bills. The truth is, those fears have followed us on the road more than any map or GPS ever has. Read more>> 

Alison Stine

I would get really serious with my time. I would stop doing things that don’t bring me joy and set better boundaries with my schedule. I would prioritize myself more, make more time to work out, see friends, and travel. I would really maximize every moment and make an effort to bring a smile to someone’s face every day. Read more>>

Nicole Santoro

If I laid down my name, my role, and all my possessions… what would remain is presence. The quiet, steady awareness that exists beyond identity. What would remain is my essence — the part of me that feels everything deeply, that listens for truth in silence, that sees the sacred in ordinary things. Read more>>

Hutton Peck

I have had to take a step back and look at the community that One Rhythm is, and give credit to myself for building and carving out this unique space in the dance world. Looking around myself and seeing that One Rhythm is full of creative, diverse, funny, talented, beautiful, driven, passionate and joyful people that is the testament to who we are. Read more>>

Shaedy Cardenas

Absolutely. I miss the way I could send my Mom a snippet of a creative project I was working on. She would give me a positive response, or suggest ideas to improve. Read more>>

Brittany Wasstrom

This would be more specific to Entrepreneurs I guess but, in general a few that I believe are lies would be… 1. That you have to work yourself to the bone till you are burnt out! 2. You have to go to school for years in order to get somewhere and be successful 3. You have to work ‘hard’ to make good money. Read more>>

Jared Blackstone

writing and making records. Its very scary with all of the things you can do with AI anyone can just type in a prompt and have a song written and recorded for them and now there are even AI bands. Read more>>

Jenn The Weenie Mama

Everything I’m doing today is rooted in legacy. I’m not just running a business to get by — I’m building something that my daughters can stand on, emotionally and financially, for the rest of their lives. I’ve made it my mission to break cycles — not just of poverty, but of pain, insecurity, and survival mode. Read more>>

Kimberlee Herman

You have already heard my ramblings about this new podcast. It really is different and is still unfolding. But it’s a place where stories become bridges, reaching all sorts of people right where they are. All people of all faiths are welcome here. Read more>>

Brooklyn Dream

Honestly, everything. The way I move, the choices I make, the work I’m putting in now. It’s all rooted in the future I’m building. I’m planting seeds I may not see bloom for years, but I trust that if I stay consistent and intentional, they’ll grow into something lasting. Read more>>

Beth Freese

What breaks the bonds between people is often the quiet stuff. The things that go unsaid. Missed bids for connection. Unspoken resentment. The protective patterns we fall into, like shutting down, people-pleasing, and withdrawing when we don’t feel safe or seen. Trauma and loss can create distance, too, especially when we’re grieving different things, in different ways, at different times. Read more>>

Jessica Brubaker

I believe that every single person already has the answers they’re searching for inside of them-but most of us have been taught to look everywhere else first. You can’t measure that in a lab or chart it on a graph, but I’ve seen it again and again in my work and in my own life. Read more>>

Judita Griffin

I firmly believe in a higher power as the Creator, Universal Consciousness, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. I am convinced that each of us has a specific purpose in life and that we are here to learn valuable lessons. Our destinies are unique, and when I faced struggles in my youth I questioned God’s plan, often asking ‘WHY’ and harbouring doubts. Read more>>

Stephanie Wimbish

I think that people may assume that we get our products made elsewhere and we just slap a label on it and call it a day. I don’t think that people understand how hard it actually is to create a good product. It takes time and not everything that is formulated will become a product that we sell. Read more>>

Gabe Gutierrez

The most misunderstood aspect of my industry is that professional window cleaning is easy. Its true, just about anyone can clean a window with some glass spray and a paper towel or newspaper. Some even can use a squeegee pretty well. However, there are so many other aspects to window cleaning that they don’t consider. Read more>>

Victoria Gallagher

Most people hear the word hypnosis and instantly think of stage shows — or something a hypnotist does to you, like making you cluck like a chicken or bark like a dog. That couldn’t be further from what I actually do. Read more>>

Ashley Cavasino Thompson

I think a big misconception about my business is that we just show up and play music. People don’t always realize how much planning, coordination, and pressure comes with being a DJ for private events. We’re not just pressing play. We’re managing timelines, reading the room, working with other vendors, and making sure the energy is right from beginning to end. Read more>>

Nicole Pavlik

Lawyers Are Trusted Counselors, Not Just Paper Pushers. Some people think lawyers just “fill out forms.” I help my clients identify their priorities, understand their options, and guide them to make empowered decisions. My firm takes a uniquely personal, compassionate approach—especially important for clients navigating emotional, complex family dynamics. Read more>>

Jennifer Hassett

One of the biggest misconceptions about my business is that you need to have children to use our services. While the agency was founded with a focus on high-quality nanny placements, we also have a sister company, A Perfect Fit Household Staffing, that specializes in a wide range of household support. Read more>>

Matt Boggs

The firearm industry in general is very much misunderstood by people. Guns are portrayed as scary killing machines, and there are a lot of people who allow their fear and misconceptions to form their opinions. Read more>>

dominique vandaele

Absolutely one of the biggest misunderstandings about my business is that people still see it as “just selling products” or “a side hustle.” In reality, what we’re building is a global movement of empowerment, transformation, and freedom. Yes, we offer health and wellness solutions, but behind that is a business model that changes lives not just physically, but emotionally and financially. Read more>>

Betsy Hess

I think people think running a Farmers Market is a once a week, 8 hours a week job? But it’s not!! I work 40-50 hours a week on this job. I have to constantly recruit new Vendors to discover my Market to either get on a wait list to come in or to fill in for a Vendor that quits suddenly. Read more>>

Laura Adams

The aspect most misunderstood about travel advisors is how we assist with the travel process in the age of the Internet. We know that most people can look up rates and travel dates on their own. We are here to provide options, reduce the time and stress of travel planning, and make the experience special for your unique family or group. Read more>>

Kris Harris

One of the most misunderstood things about Kore Fitness is that people think it’s just another gym or Pilates studio. In reality, we specialize in personalized, rehabilitative movement—combining Pilates, functional fitness, and evidence-based practices to help people move better, recover from injury, and build strength at any age or ability level. We’re not about high-intensity, one-size-fits-all workouts. Read more>>

Edible Ed

Everything. Most people hear or see my name and automatically assume that I cook with Marijuana. My name is funny and phonetical, that’s it. Read more>>

Abbie Richie

What’s most misunderstood about my business is the belief that older adults are not interested in learning technology or that they are not capable of it. That is simply not true. Older adults are eager to learn, but they want to do it in a way that respects their pace and their goals. Read more>>

Angel Marie Black

If I let go of my name, my role, and everything I own, what’s left is the real me – playful, curious, full of wonder. The version of myself that still laughs loud, loves nature deeply, and finds magic in simple things. That childlike spark never left – it just waits for quiet moments to come out and dance. Read more>>