The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.
Brandon Richards
The Fellas is a jazz, funk, and psychedelic rock fusion group in Jacksonville. The band was formed after 5 music students at the University of North Florida were determined to break into the local music scene. Our first gig was at Goodfellas Cigar Bar, which ultimately inspired the name. Read more>>
Jacqueline Valdez
My journey into movement began through dance, performance, and a lifelong passion for artistry and expression. Over the years, I trained extensively in ballet, theatre, choreography, and fitness, experiences that shaped both my creative voice and my understanding of movement as a form of connection, storytelling, and empowerment. However, it was a life-changing career accident that truly transformed my path. Read more>>
Jessie Polanis
What began as a small string ensemble gradually evolved into something much larger through years of collaboration with planners, venues, and clients who were looking for more customized and immersive musical experiences. What started as my own passion for creating meaningful live music experiences slowly grew into a company centered around thoughtful collaboration, creativity, and personal connection. Read more>>
Chamille Gathing
My story began with a passion for helping people and creating positive environments where employees and organizations can grow together. Over the past 20 years, I’ve built my career through leadership roles focused on human resources, employee relations, labor development, and team leadership. I’ve learned early that strong leadership is not just about managing people, it’s about listening, supporting others, and building trust. Read more>>
Nicolas DeNora
My journey with music began in 2013 when I started studying piano. What began as a personal passion quickly grew into a commitment to excellence through years of private instruction, competitive performance, and countless hours of practice. Read more>>
Richard Bryson
I started Swindle Sauce as a hobby while balancing work, family, and everyday life. Before all of this, I worked as a chef at The Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island. After leaving the culinary industry and switching careers, I started growing peppers and making homemade hot sauces around 2013 just for fun. Read more>>
Jessica Salas
Halloween has always been my favorite holiday and I’ve always loved dressing up! When I graduated college I got into cosplay- dressing up as characters at conventions. When people started seeing my princess cosplays and Halloween costumes on my social media, they told me I should go to kids parties! I followed their advice, did some research, and started working for a company in St. Read more>>
Savannah Slade
The Tidemark Collective was founded by four incredible women — myself, Savannah, alongside Sara, Christina, and Heather. We are a full-service branding and creative team specializing in branding, corporate content, events, photography, social media, and visual storytelling. Read more>>
Katie Toth
I’ve been in the hair industry for over seven years, but my love for hair and extensions started long before that. I’ve personally been wearing and experimenting with extensions for over ten years, and honestly, I’ve been fascinated with hair since I was around 12 years old. Read more>>
Ashlyn Schwartz
My work is deeply personal. After losing my brother to an opioid overdose, I was left with two questions I couldn’t ignore: why did this happen, and how do we make it stop? The first question led me into public health research, higher education, and a deeper exploration of stress, trauma, mental health, and substance use. Read more>>
Lizz Klaras
Hi, I’m Lizz Klaras, the artist behind LK Custom Creations. I am originally from Petersburg, Illinois, a rural little town right in the middle of the state. I grew up always involved in some sort of art project, whether it was for school or for fun. I began painting around the age of eleven and was completely inspired by no other than, Bob Ross. Read more>>
Dean Harrison
As a kid and in to my teens I would draw all of the time. My mom liked to draw and I found myself drawing cars and hot rods and things that I liked. I still have some of my art from the 3rd grade. I was a very hyperactive child and I realize now it helped me keep my mind and hands busy. Read more>>
Rob Zinn
ZINN started at the University of Florida’s architecture program, where Kassia and Rob met. But somewhat surprisingly, they went their separate ways after graduation — Rob to New York City, Kassia to New Orleans — each building their own foundation in the profession. ZINN started at the University of Florida’s architecture program, where we met. Read more>>
Nadia Grigorchuk
I discovered my love for flowers at a young age. Growing up in Portland, I began spending weekends helping our neighbors who sold flowers by processing and cleaning blooms. After a few months, they trusted me to start creating bouquets, and that’s where my passion for floral design truly began. Read more>>
Melissa McGarry
I started my photography business when I was just 15 years old after discovering my passion for photography and realizing almost immediately that I wanted to turn it into a career. Throughout high school, I took on a variety of freelance photography work while trying to figure out where I truly fit creatively. Read more>>
