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 Phoenix.
Justine Arvayo
I started a marriage proposal business and, through that experience, quickly saw a gap in the industry. As a vendor, I was relying on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook Marketplace to find clients but it often meant sorting through inquiries that weren’t serious or ready to book. Read more>>
Megan Zimmerman
I wanted to become a physical therapist after playing D1 soccer at Northern Arizona University. I loved being active and loved learning about the human body. After graduating from Northwestern University with my doctorate in physical therapy, I initially focused on general orthopedic conditions. That all changed after my first delivery and postpartum journey. Read more>>
Janay Woods
My journey has been one of resilience, growth, and rediscovery. Like many people, I’ve experienced seasons that challenged me personally, emotionally, and professionally, but those moments pushed me to evolve into a stronger and more intentional version of myself. I started by simply walking by faith, wanting to create a better life for myself and my children. Read more>>
Alexiz Anderson
balancing life as a corporate girlie working a 9–5. Along the way, I fell in love with the idea of being a tourist in your own city and realized how much there is still to explore, even as a local. Read more>>
Stephanie Haass
My journey started in 2020. I was working an old job that left me wanting more. I had spent seven years in retail Asset Protection and knew I wanted to stay in retail, but in a completely different way. In my previous career, most of my interactions with customers happened in stressful situations. Read more>>
Brittany Grigg
Hi, I’m Brittany an Arizona REALTOR® with Real Brokerage, but my path into real estate didn’t start in a traditional way. Growing up, I was always drawn to homes, design, and the feeling certain spaces could create. Read more>>
Kailee Mitchell
Wilder & Woven was born while planning my own wedding, but I’ve always had a passion for design. Long before launching my business, I was constantly creating invitations, obsessing over details, serving as the managing director of my middle school yearbook, and spending hours doing arts & crafts with my mom. Creativity has always been woven into who I am. Read more>>
Chris Cook
Believe it or not, God led me to acting. I am a big man of faith, and I was at a point in my life trying to figure out my dream and passion a couple of years out of college. Read more>>
Caitlin Ahern
I got my start back in my senior year of high school with a simple Nikon point‑and‑shoot. At the time, it was nothing more than curiosity — I loved capturing moments and experimenting with how I could make them look a little better. I had no idea that those small experiments would eventually grow into something much bigger. Read more>>
Ash Schlax
For as long as I can remember, both words and art have been central to my life. Writing and illustrating stories were something I always loved to do. Growing up, I thought I wanted to be an artist, but in college I quickly realized that writing, specifically poetry, was my primary passion. Read more>>
Josiah Killman
I have been interested in music and film for as long as I can remember. I mean, my first memories are playing with my brother, pretending we’re in a band using the bunk bed as a stage, lip-syncing to CDs playing on the stereo. Read more>>
Melissa Gutierrez
I’ve been an esthetician for 12 years and working in the beauty industry for even longer. I worked at a lot of different spas in different cities but always knew I wanted to open my own one day. When the opportunity arose, I opened my first space in Tempe without a single client and built my clientele very quickly. Read more>>
Michael Medoro
I was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in San Jose, California. As a first-generation college student, I earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and communications, driven by a simple question: what shapes human behavior, and how do we help serve people to move them forward? That question has followed me through every stage of my life. Read more>>
Heather Koster
In 2022 I became pregnant with our first daughter and was extremely sick with HG during that pregnancy. I could barely leave the house and was in and out of the hospital. A couple months after I had my daughter I started to feel more like myself. I’ve always enjoyed reading, crochet, and being a part of something and I hadn’t been in so long. Read more>>
Justin Price
I served in the Arizona Army National Guard from 1998-2010 in various units and positions. I was twice deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and in 2006, I was medically retired as a Sergeant First Class (E-7) in July of 2010. Upon retirement I began a career in education starting as a Jr. High History teacher and moving up into school administration. Read more>>
Riah Annaleese
I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona in a big family with four older brothers, raised by my mom, nani, and grandma, who played a major role in my upbringing and have since passed. From a young age, I became very observant of people and emotions because of the environment I grew up in and the challenges my family faced. Read more>>
Matthew Stuckey
I bring over 13 years of experience to Desert Rain Wellness, graduating from World Medicine Institute in Honolulu, HI in 2013 with a Master’s in Oriental Medicine. Read more>>
Alethea Tillman
My story: My journey in the beauty industry started under unique circumstances. During the summer of my junior year at Glendale High, I enrolled in a specialized work program designed to support students in an area facing high teen pregnancy and low graduation rates. Through that initiative, I was able to attend the Phoenix Academy of Beauty in Peoria. It required immense dedication. Read more>>
Adrienne Gray
My journey as a lash artist began in 2018 when I started working at Amazing Lash Studio. It was there that I developed a strong foundation in lash artistry and discovered how much I loved helping women feel beautiful and confident. After taking a hiatus to welcome my youngest child, I felt inspired to return to my passion and create something of my own. Read more>>
Livi DarConte
Hi! I’m Livi DarConte, I’m a Director, Producer and Screenwriter currently based in Arizona. My passion for storytelling began in front of the camera at just two years old, acting in films and commercials which over time that passion led me behind the lens to pursue my creative vision. Read more>>
Kenneth Golden
I did my first photoshoot with US Models February 2. 2025. By the end of the month I was in my first magazine Untold Story. In March I finished 2 place in America’s Favorite Photos. I also finished 3rd in my group in Style Icon competition. September I had my first feature on Time Square Billboard with Fashion Republic Brand Habits365. Read more>>
Addie Hidalgo
My journey started with a passion for wellness, healing, and helping people feel confident from the inside out. I’ve always been drawn to creating spaces where people can relax, reset, and truly take care of themselves. What began as a dream and a leap of faith eventually turned into what is now The Body Bar. Read more>>
Rose Koppy
Business finances are supposed to make sense. A lot of the time, they don’t. That’s pretty much how I got here. I’ve always liked working with numbers because you can count on them. Read more>>
Paris Wood
My journey with chiropractic started when I was a student athlete playing soccer at Concord University. I was 20 at the time, and honestly, my understanding of chiropractic care was pretty limited- I thought it was something you only did if you had back or neck pain. Since I didn’t have either, I didn’t think I needed it. Read more>>
MEGAN GILMOUR
For as long as I can remember, it has been a dream of mine to be an Event Planner. I have loved helping family & friends with their events over the years and have found every excuse to get involved with planning in each job I’ve had. Read more>>
Rachel Erin
After I had my youngest child, I began experiencing unexplained health challenges that traditional medicine couldn’t fully explain or resolve. In my search for healing, I was eventually drawn toward alternative modalities such as Reiki, Emotion Code, Body Code, and ThetaHealing. What began as a personal healing journey soon became a profound spiritual awakening. Read more>>
RICKY Ocampo
Loompeeya was built from a passion for hospitality, food, and creating something unique that blended comfort food with elevated quality. After spending years leading luxury hospitality and food & beverage operations across resorts, casinos, wineries, and wellness properties, I wanted to create a concept that reflected both my hospitality background and my work ethic — something approachable, memorable, and built with intention. Read more>>
Bridget Shoup
I always knew someday I’d be a Tattoo Artist! I’ve always been creative & loved tattoos. When I was in high school … I remember applying a temporary tattoo of a skeleton pirate & I used to draw spiderwebs on my hand. I knew someday I’d get tattooed. As time went on, my Husband Jared was ready for a career change. I asked him…. Read more>>
Katie Rizzo
After five years of battling our son’s addiction to opioids, we lost him. Grief was like nothing I experienced, and then suddenly, my body responded as if this were a familiar place. Phases of grief mirrored pregnancy. Read more>>
Coach Zach
Hello! I’m Coach Zach & I own Top Hand Performance Goalkeeper Development based out of Goodyear, AZ. I am a professional, club neutral goalkeeper trainer as well as a nationally certified personal trainer, strength & conditioning specialist & a youth fitness specialist. I also hold a Bachelors in Sports & Fitness & a Masters in Sports Administration. Read more>>
Heather Townsend
I grew up watching money do real damage. My mom’s lifestyle completely disappeared overnight. One day it was country clubs and fancy cars, the next it was gone. My dad never saved. He spent every dollar they made, lived beyond his means, and waited on an inheritance dangled over his head like a carrot that never came through the way he expected. Read more>>
Jenny Spaeth
I grew up in Queen Creek Arizona, after my family moved from California when I was really young. I was raised by a single mom alongside my two brothers, so life was always a little chaotic but full of love. I’m also first-generation, with both of my parents being immigrants, so hard work and resilience were naturally a huge part of how I was raised. Read more>>
LUCAS CLARK
I started DJing when I was 21. I began in Bakersfield, California, at a small cantina I used to frequent for dinner. There was a gentleman there playing CDs at the time, and I started bringing in bootleg CDs from the swap meet and asking him to play certain songs. Read more>>
Enrique Penn
I’ve always been an artist at heart since I was young and it was between dance, singing, film and acting Those are the main things that I wanted to pursue growing up. But I started with dance which gave me my shine in Arizona. Read more>>
Alejandra Martinez
My journey started when I was 20 years old and looking for a creative outlet and means to connect with like-minded people. That led me into the vintage world as I have always been an old soul. I was raised by a handful of my family members throughout my life. Read more>>
Nikki Santa Cruz
How I started makeup journey is by first using it as a way I can escape. I first started by doing makeup on myself including big looks from body painting to sfx makeup to regular eyeshadow. Read more>>
Shantel Talbert
Like many people, I spent years trying to figure out where I truly fit career-wise. I explored different paths such as remote customer service, selling insurance, and I even completed trade school to become an Ultrasound Technician but that just didn’t work out. While I gained valuable experience along the way, most of those paths weren’t fulfilling or aligned with who I was creatively. Read more>>
Why Hello! Modern Home Ashley Falzarano
My mom, Stephanie, is the owner of Why Hello Modern Home and we manage the store together as a mom & daughter duo. We love shopping and filling the shelves with local finds and bringing new fun items to the community. We moved to a larger location two summers ago and are loving being up in North Scottsdale. Read more>>
Jason Mitchell
Calumet is an original funk and soul group that was started in 2001 by Eric Mobley and myself, Jason Mitchell. Initially active until 2009, the band performed around the Valley, sharing stages with Kool & the Gang, Al Green, and George Benson. We recorded three albums before going on hiatus. Read more>>
Fabiana Perez
My story began long before I created my brand. I’m originally from Venezuela, and I’ve been living in the United States for more than 10 years. Like many immigrants, my journey has been shaped by difficult decisions, major life changes, and a deep desire to build a better future for my family. Read more>>
Nancy Hamm
My true journey into the profession of being a Newborn Care Specialist began around 2006, although my experience caring for newborns started many years earlier. Prior to that time, I had already spent years caring for newborns up to approximately four years of age. Early in my career, I attended a newborn care class that was offered through an agency. Read more>>
