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.

Jessica Swarner

I have been an avid reader and writer since I was very young. I’ve always been into journaling, and I find it funny that today my job is essentially to journal about topics that interest me and share with them a large number of people. It’s difficult to imagine a job more true to me. Read more >>>

Jacquelynn Allen

Yes I most absolutely do! After many years of dreaming and planning, planning and dreaming, I finally bought a house in Italy! My house is located in Tuscany and when I look out of my bedroom or kitchen window, I see the beautiful view and famous rolling hills of Tuscany. My village is very quaint and the townspeople are very kind and welcoming. Read more >>>

Lisa Andrews

You are going to have a big and beautiful life filled with love and special relationships. Be yourself and you and your people will find each other. Read more >>>

Stacy Burk

At around 24, I had 5 major record labels wanting to sign me in Nashville, TN. I ended up choosing Warner Brothers. But it just so happened that my mother came down with cancer, so I asked Warner Brothers if I could go back to the farm in Texas to be with my mom. Read more >>>

Krista Carpenter-Beasley

There was a time I almost gave up. Not because I didn’t love what I was building, but because the doubts started to creep in. Am I too old for this? Can I really jump into a world that feels like it’s run by influencers younger than my own kid? Read more >>>

Ericka Corban

One of the biggest lies the music industry tells itself—and artists—is that our work isn’t valuable unless it’s reaching millions. With streaming dominating the landscape, the value of music has been cheapened to the point where most artists can barely make a living from their own recordings. Read more >>>

Brandy Hotchner

Resilience. I believe it is the single most important attribute of a life well lived. Success may celebrate it but suffering creates it. Read more >>>

Mollie Larsen

Outside of work, I’ve been finding deep joy in the simple moments of motherhood. My children are at such fun and curious ages, and being able to experience the world through their eyes has been incredibly grounding for me. Read more >>>

Shannon Dia

Outside of work? Creating my Holloween display . My neighbors enjoy it as much as I do and it brings amusement . I’m hoping to have time to put up a selfie station this year in my yard for everyone in the neighborhood. Read more >>>

Amy Newton-McConnel

I lose myself in photography—creating art with my camera is where I find myself again. Through the lens, I move beyond the distractions of everyday life and into a space where color, light, and motion guide me back to myself. Read more >>>

Stephen Moody

My closest friends would say I’m driven by an unquenchable need to create. They see me lost in my studio, painting with vibrant oils that capture raw emotion, or hunched over my laptop, crafting novels. To them, creation isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am. Read more >>>

Jannae chester

To me, integrity is the most important quality a person can have. For me it’s about being honest, staying true to my values, and showing up as the same person whether someone’s watching or not. Read more >>>

Chef Danilo Suarez

Basically my whole life has been involved with food. With about 30 years in the service industry I’ve worked every position a restaurant has to offer. I was also a private chef for a while back east before helping clients with meal prep and private functions. I’ve been apart of all type of concepts and cuisines that has made me pretty experienced in my career. Read more >>>

Hilary Hartling

Excitement has always been my compass. I learned early on that if something doesn’t light me up, it’s not for me. My very first job was in print media at an ad agency, and I was bored to tears. That experience taught me a lesson I’ve carried throughout my career: I can’t fake energy for work that doesn’t spark something inside me. Read more >>>

Holly Essler-Boos

For me, it comes down to intention and impact. Fads often feel loud and urgent. They show up quickly, promise quick fixes, and tend to fade just as fast. Foundational shifts, on the other hand, stand the test of time because they actually create lasting change. In my field, that means asking a few key questions: Does this align with research and evidence-based practice? Read more >>>

Amanda Steele

I am chasing equity in opportunity, making sure neurodivergent individuals have spaces where they are not only included but truly empowered. EmpowerU® started as a passion project that felt like building the plane while flying it. We launched two cohorts back-to-back and later added an advisory committee, all fueled by love and commitment. If I stopped, something important would be missing. Read more >>>

Jamie Garner

The thing that is most understood about my business is that the cookies are created overnight. I cannot begin to tell you the amount of emails I receive that want a turnaround of “next day”. While I am extremely grateful for every order request I receive, I am not a magician. Read more >>>

Amber Mikesell

I believe one of the deepest secret struggles many face, but rarely admit, is the constant, stealthy battle happening inside their own mind. It’s not the loud breakdowns or obvious moments of failure that weigh most heavily on the heart, it’s the quiet whispers. The ones no one hears but you. Read more >>>

Dr. Alexis Sams, PT

An important truth I hold—though very few people agree with me at first—is that you can tell a lot about what’s wrong in the body simply by paying attention to symptom patterns. You don’t always need lab tests or imaging. The answers are already inside of you, because the body was designed to speak through symptoms. Read more >>>

Leafynoms

Unfortunately a lot of work (haha). I’m currently working on residency applications since I’m a medical student. This means continuously revising my CV, polishing my personal statement, and selecting which schools I want to be at for the next couple of years! It’s a pretty intense process but I’m really happy I’m in my final year of medical school. Read more >>>

Mikayla Chin

I feel like only now am I finally letting my personality shine in public with the help of my small business. Growing up in an Asian American household, I often felt like I needed to have a quiet voice, agree with others, and hide how I felt and who I was. Read more >>>

Andrea Worley

That failure isn’t to be feared or scared of, but it’s the thing that helps your grow and change. Growing up the fear of failure was strong. Everything I did or didn’t do was largely centered around not failing. Not wanting to disappoint others or myself was strong. Read more >>>

Sara Waterman

The first Rufus Du Sol Concert – It was pure magic, 100% in the present moment which may be the definition of pure joy. Read more >>>

Nanushka Photography

Definitely! I’m a creative with a great sense of humor Read more >>>