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.
Ty Clef
“Ooof! Let’s kick off the conversation with something big! Haha.. well, in all honesty? This is a question I’ve been asking myself frequently as of late. Maybe it’s because I just turned 30? But, as I look back on my journey as a performer, I’m not 100% sure what my end goal was. Read more>>
SHAFAWN Morrison
Yes I recently graduated from nursing school. Something I never imagined i could do. Read more>>
Jaclyn Liberator
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I would tell her that she is beautiful, smart and kind and to never give up on her dreams. She has a passion for art in all forms and to never let that passion die. Read more>>
Marisol Saldana
If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be: stop caring what people think. You don’t have to follow the crowd or every rule to be liked or be“good.” I grew up in a strict household in rural Nebraska where the mindset often felt closed-minded, and school presented only a narrow set of careers. Read more>>
Noelle Stoffel
My art is my public face—adorning walls at MCI airport, Gilda’s restaurant, American Century, even Homeland Security. You’ll find pieces in hospitals and banks, each one a necessary extension of myself into the world. I cherish human connection, yet beneath this artistic presence lies a quieter soul—reserved, sometimes shy, but always creating. Read more>>
Natty Redd
Absolutely. I have actually had multiple clients that have booked (coming in for their first time) and at the end of their appointment they comment on how I am just like I am on my social media posts as I am in person. I guess this comes into play about my fear comment. Read more>>
sirenna beyer
Quiting always becomes an option when the challenges & problems are so great. I think it’s a test of how much you love what you do and are committed to making a dream a reality.. Covid was one of the biggest challenges. But So far Ive choosen not to quit. Read more>>
Kendra Perez
What I’m being called to do now is something I was once afraid to fully step into—choosing myself. After years of pouring my energy into my corporate career at Schwab, I felt a pull I could no longer ignore. I’m leaving that chapter behind so I can dedicate myself to building my natural skincare brand, KShea, and pursuing my Yoga Teacher Certification. Read more>>
Tyler DeWayne Ford
Deep relationships. Many of the conversations I will have in a day would surprise you. Vulnerability and openness to listen has led to some of the most teachable moments. Whether it be with one of my children, or one of my clients. Read more>>
Cheri Regis
What I am most proud of building that nobody sees (well, nobody except a few of my close friends) is my online website as well as myself. Not only am I building both of these things, I’m also rebuilding them as I had to set them aside for a while as me and my family were undergoing several life changes at the time. Read more>>
Isabella of Flow & Fern Collective
That bringing women together in support and love of each other creates incredible magic that ripples throughout the world. I love creating spaces for this kind of connection and never want to stop. I was lucky enough to go to an all womens college so I learned early on the kind of environment and energy that can be created from women supporting each other. Read more>>
Tara Green
I understand the struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community on a cellular level. I was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome. This a congenital birth defect that impacts the lives of 1 in 5000 women world-wide who are born without reproductive organs despite being chromosomally female and appearing normal on the outside. This congenital anomaly is categorized as an Intersex condition and part of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Read more>>
Laura Gowans
Volunteering is always a huge source of joy! Since I ended my term as President of SocialHeart, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several of the other amazing nonprofits in Kansas City. It’s been incredible to learn more about their missions and do what I can to contribute. I recently joined the board of directors for the Consumers Council of Missouri. Read more>>
Kristina Lewis
I have been creating a native garden for the past 2 years outside my house & workshop and it is this year that it has truly filled in and grown into the jungle that is it meant to be. I saw my first monarch caterpillar this season and always love seeing the bees flitting around! Read more>>
Lauren Schmidt, CLU, QPFC
Autonomy. I’m blessed to have the freedom. I’ve naturally received in my life, but also the freedom I have created. While freedom is never free, I’m so blessed to say the autonomy I’ve experienced in my young life has been another indicator and reason for my success. The freedom to unapologetically be my authentic self has helped me build character beyond belief. Read more>>
Artesha “Teash” Fernandez
I think the moment I stopped hiding my pain and using it as my superpower was about six months after my Mother passed. I found myself is such Grief and Sorrow that I shut down. Read more>>
Shauna Devenport
My husband has always seen me far more clearly than I have ever seen myself. We are high school sweethearts, and have been together since we were 16 years old, and he’s been my biggest cheerleader since day one. I asked him to buy me a camera back in 2008, and he got me my first digital camera. Read more>>
April Utter
My daughter in-home child care teacher Mrs. Angela D. had bought me a flyer about Pawsperity when she had came over to work with me after being released from the hospital after having my daughter. She knew how much I love and always wanted to work with dogs. Read more>>
Rev. Dr, Nicole S. Mason, Esq.
My Grandmother, my Shero, my Heart, my example taught me about work. My Grandmother, Edna Mae Maynard, had an 8th-grade education. She migrated to Washington, DC, from South Carolina with my grandfather in the late 60s. My grandfather, George Washington Maynard, was a Master Tailor. He made all of his clothes, and he taught my Grandmother how to sew. Read more>>
Gabe Spurgeon
I’ve had many people in my life shape how I work. I pride myself in my work ethic and ability to just get things done. While my dad worked in a completely different field, he taught me work ethic, accountability, and how to be a self starter. My dad and maternal grandpa both taught me humility in successes and accountability in failures. Read more>>
Abigail Mitchell
I actually get excited about the incredible women I get to work with. Right Hand Solutions in North Carolina, The Hustling Heart in Philadelphia–nothing but sheer brilliance! I also get excited when I have a lot of different client projects going on at once. Read more>>
Marielle Randle
Yes and then some! I am not creating this vision for approval, appraisal or popularity. I am giving my best because I won’t accept anything less of myself. If you wait on the applause of others, the wait never ends. The only sure confirmation is yours and God. I have known myself to set high standards because I know what I am capable of accomplishing. Read more>>
Aundrea Anderson
Fads are a part of so many different industries – fashion, beauty, and many more. One fad we’ve seen often in Professional Organizing is focusing on aesthetics above all other goals. One of the core foundations of Edit the Mess is to personalize the project to each individual person and what their goal of the space is. Read more>>
Renée Kc
Something I miss that no one really knows about is the freedom of being under 18—when people were more open to learning, making mistakes, and even failing. Back then, it felt as if growth was expected, but as adults, society often treats failure as shameful, as if once you reach a certain age you’re supposed to have it all figured out. Read more>>
Lee Samson
Realizing my own potential, a lot of people talk about the fear of failure but sometimes, not as bad as times past, I struggle with the fear of my dreams actualizing. Like, am I deserving? But I’ve learned that perspective stems from my belief system. Read more>>
Mindy Gorton
Contentment. The way our society is built, it’s made to make people crave the next big thing for themselves instead of just realizing what’s already in front of them and what they already have achieved. Read more>>
Paul Dorrell
As an art consultant and gallery owner I must say that we don’t often have normal days, since nonconformity is our mantra. On some days I wade through emails, sending and receiving dozens like anyone else. But on other days we design and implement art programs for offices, stadiums and hospitals–often installing giant works of art in the process–and that is always an adventure. Read more>>
Leo Martinez
Wake up at 4am downtown KC in my highrise apartment. Go to the gym on the plaza – chiefs fit. Workout, redlight, meditate, journal, and read a chapter of my book by about 8 or 9am. From 9-12 I hit administrative and computer work. From 1-5 I run appointments with my clients. Read more>>
Kenya Hollins
A relationship that reshaped how I see myself was deepening my relationship with God and becoming a mother. Through both, I experienced what it truly means to be unconditionally loved and accepted. They’ve allowed me to see myself in a new light—free to be fully who I am, whether I’m being goofy, passionate, emotional, or vulnerable. Read more>>
Brandon Lowe
I think the last time I felt true joy was when we got to watch one of our films on an actual theater screen, in front of an audience. Read more>>
