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.
Andrew Mosedale
Along the way I began to shoot landscape and cityscape for myself. After a while I had a pretty large fine art portfolio. So I opened an art gallery in Santa Fe New Mexico. Now that is all I do. I am in about twenty large art shows a year and do very well. I travel the world going to hard to reach places to take pictures. I have been everywhere. About to spend the summer in Portugal. Always mixing business with pleasure. I had started Jiu Jitsu back in the 90’s and now I am a third degree black belt. I teach Brazilian jiu jitsu for fun in my spare time all around the world. Read more>>
Sarajane Maples
I’m a hairstylist with a focus on both everyday styling and session work. What I’m most proud of is building a brand that reflects who I truly am. I believe it’s my dedication, strong work ethic, and genuine care for my clients that truly set me apart in the industry. Read more>>
Kathryn Bain
I was once an avid reader and television watcher, brimming with ideas that inspired someone to suggest I write a book. My first attempt was terrible, but it sparked a passion. I joined writers’ groups, took classes, and honed my craft. In 2011, I signed my first book deal for my novel “Breathless”, which was published in 2012. Read more>>
Dolly P
I specialize in Afrobeats, but my sound goes beyond borders — that’s why I’ve been called the ‘Prince of International Sound.’ What sets me apart is my ability to blend genres and collaborate with artists from all over the world. Whether it’s R&B, hip hop, dancehall, or pop, I bring my unique flavor to every project while still staying true to my roots. I’ve developed a personal sound that’s not only distinct but also deeply relatable — and that connection with people is everything to me. What I’m most proud of is seeing the joy and energy my music brings. When I perform or release a track and I see people light up, dance, smile — that’s the real reward. That’s why I do what I do.” Read more>>
Kim Wood
I knew it was time to venture out on my own. Starting my own business is a journey in self-confidence and rising to the challenge, something my clients can relate to. Working with someone that has been in your shoes makes a world of difference. It’s not just about having something to call my own though. My goal with Evergreen Marketing Solutions is to guide businesses to success with tailored marketing solutions that actually work. That means building a working relationship that starts with trust. The success of my business follows the success of my client’s, not the other way around. Read more>>
Amelia Island Kayak Excursions
Our love for people and the great outdoors is derived from our belief in God, the Creator of this beautiful world. We believe we are to be responsible stewards of all that He has given us. It is our desire to share our passion for kayaking with others. We care about people, and it is our goal to help our guests have an authentic, fun and informative experience as they explore the natural settings of our area. Read more>>
Aileen Cook
I consider myself an eclectic writer. Fantasy is my favorite genre, but I dabble in other areas. I have written drama, sci-fi, light romance, and picture books, and presently I am working on my first thriller for the middle-grade audience. I want to write books that everyone in the family can enjoy, not just a small niche market. My ultimate goal is to one day have at least one of my books turned into a film or TV series. Read more>>
Amigos Caribbean Grill
We just recently moved back to Jacksonville & we have a pure love for food. We love the art , the creativity & the smiles on people face once they taste the flavors of our entrees. We enjoy other peoples hearts being filled. We also started this business so we can be giving back to the community in many different ways. Read more>>
Hanna Moulenbelt
As a kid, I loved to draw and make things. I have always been passionate about stationery- handmaking cards for loved ones’ birthdays, painting posters and banners for school events, collecting journals and stickers. Creating those items brought me joy. I went to Grand Valley State University for Illustration and graduated in the spring of 2020- right into lockdown. During the pandemic I began bullet journaling to separate the days. I made monthly spreads, patterns, calendars, weekly and habit trackers. Bullet journaling was a new category of stationery design for me and made me realize I could have a career as a stationery designer. Read more>>
Taylor Wilson
My grandmother faced pancreatic cancer and cheered me on till the very end. My step father, but truly my dad, Papa Joel, started declining after 2 mini strokes, and my sister finally was able to have the daughter she longed for after 9 long years of IVF. Through every storm I was reminded that I’m creating a life of freedom. I was reminded that I have the worlds greatest ability to make someone feel their absolute best. I truly believe my clients will forget what their hair looked like, but they will never forget how I make them feel when they are with me at the salon. It’s my passion and truly my honor to make anyone who is in my chair feel heard and seen. Read more>>
Mike Huffman
We were a typical 4-piece cover band for several years but got bored with playing the same songs as everyone else. Then we started exclusively playing “surf rock” and “spaghetti western” music and we soon got very busy. We knew we were on to something. That was 10 years ago, and we have never looked back. We also expanded into playing well known movie soundtracks which also goes over well Read more>>
Jackson Gorbutt
Every day, I wake up with a heart full of gratitude, feeling incredibly blessed. I feel incredibly blessed each day to be living my dream of making music. Not a lot of people get to fulfill it and make it their career. But, of course, there are bad days too, it’s not always easy and not glamorous like people think. I look at it from this perspective: anytime I step on stage, into a studio session, or even just playing a Cajon, I do it as if it could be my last chance. You never know! “Do it to the best of your ability and in the moment as it could be the last time.” Read more>>
Willie Kelly
My style is simplistic yet intentional — always authentic, always grounded in truth. I’m based in Jacksonville , Florida, and while I specialize in portraiture, I’ve also covered assignments for Big County Preps and FNF High School Football Magazine. But no matter the subject, my goal remains the same: to capture people in their most natural state — full of love, joy, strength, and connection. Read more>>
Tanya Hendricks
I’ve always been a planner at heart—an organizer by nature, with a love for details and a knack for pulling things together. Long before I ever stepped into the wedding world, I was working in the court system, planning events and coordinating trainings for various programs. That’s where my love for logistics and creative problem-solving really took root. Read more>>
Christina Block
In regards to my photographic career, I do have to say that I have been blessed with amazing clients, which is accompanied by (positive) word of mouth. When looking at the business (logistics) of things, it’s not always easy. For example, there are months that are seasonly less busy, which can be worrisome when it comes to taking care of your monthly financial responsibilities. There are also no paid vacations, insurance benefits or any savings plans to help with retirement. Everything falls back on you, I won’t lie, anything in the creative industry is a hustle for sure. Read more>>
Jason John
After teaching for over 20 years, I have experienced numerous ups and downs in my career. I have had many good opportunities, as well as some that were not so good. I have had work stolen and the like. I am sorry to say this, but this kind of thing is relatively normal in the arts. You live and learn. Contracts are essential, but most of all, you have to develop instincts. You must learn to distinguish between whom you can trust and whom you cannot. Read more>>
Kealalani Baumann
My husband and I have extensive experience in the restaurant business. So, six years ago, we took the plunge and opened a café in the heart of downtown Jacksonville called Maddy D’s Café. We had coffee, lattes, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and some hot meals. Because the county courthouse was across the street, we met a wide array of people. We loved our little shop but had to close it down in January of this year. Downtown Jacksonville never really came back from COVID. Surprisingly, we survived COVID and were there for six years. We even survived by shutting down the shop and focusing on just cookies so we offered contactless delivery. Read more>>
Brooke McKinney
Art with a Heart in Healthcare (AWAHIH) was founded in 2001 by cousins Lisa Landwirth Ullmann and Lori Guadagno. Lisa brought a background in family philanthropy and social work while Lori was a working artist. They sought guidance from Lisa’s father, Henri Landwirth, a Holocaust survivor and founder of several humanitarian organizations, including Give Kids the World Village. His experience helped shape their vision. They chose Jacksonville and began their work at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, starting grassroots by wheeling a suitcase full of art supplies from room to room. Read more>>
Brianna Satcher
Since I have started my journey I have spent the last 5 years trying to learn as much as possible while connecting with the people that I have the privilege of capturing. The Lord has been at the forefront of my entire journey, from the time that I started to today, I have made it a goal that my business would be a ministry within itself. That I would love people the way that Christ loves them, and that I would help people see themselves the way the Lord sees them. I want my clients to come out of their photoshoot loving themselves more than before and being comfortable with themselves. Read more>>
Brian Brinkworth
I quickly got into a unique market hauling Japanese vehicles (JDM) coming straight from Japan to the Jacksonville ports and focused mainly on that market. Offering a premier JDM transport service ; picking up JDM vehicles from Jaxport and delivering them to the customers door. Providing detailed pictures once the vehicle has been picked up, letting the customer know how the vehicle looks and runs, and staying in direct communication with the customer from time of pick up to drop off. Always giving the customer an accurate ETA for delivery time and keeping them updated along the trip. Read more>>
Josie Cruz
From there, I just stuck with it since it came natural to me. In my final year of college, I joined the film team for a fashion publication and that’s when it got much more serious for me. I had to really plan how I wanted to film ahead of time and create things at a higher quality than I did before. I think this was the time where I decided that videography was the route I wanted to dedicate my time to. However, it wasn’t until I helped on set for my friend Ienne’s short film, that I realized film was the next challenge and medium I wanted to tackle! Read more>>
Leah Oxendine Miller
A little about me: I’m a Highland Games athlete, owner of a sourdough microbakery, and a music teacher, to start. I love being my own boss and being a “mompreneur”. I run my microbakery business, Pine Cottage Sourdough Co. out of my home in Baker County. I make organic sourdough breads and baked goods, as well as kombucha and fermented natural sodas. Normally I take pickup orders from local customers and also set up at markets in northeast Florida. Read more>>
Patricia Buitron
I could tell a thousand stories, but one vivid image always comes to mind: me breastfeeding my youngest daughter while using my other hand to strip a cable so a light would work in my makeshift studio — with zero knowledge of anything electrical. I had no money. I even got flagged at Best Buy because the mother of a newborn was showing up every day to exchange a cable that didn’t work. That warning was lifted once I started buying expensive equipment and Alienware computers, no longer having to strip cables while holding my baby just to get the studio lights working. Read more>>
Evvine Wright
Photography was my first love—I always dreamed of being behind the camera. But somewhere along the way, I became the subject. Most of the time now, I’m the one in front of the lens. What draws people in is my style, my unique vision, and the way I bring a concept to life. It all started with birthday photo shoots—just something personal—but over the last six years, that small passion evolved into modeling for various brands and collaborating with photographers all over. Read more>>
Hannah Lopez
It’s been an incredibly smooth and well-received journey. From day one, the response from our community has been nothing but positive, and that’s made all the difference. Having such a unique business is what makes it fun — it never feels like work. For us, Fire & Ash isn’t just a business; it’s a passion and a lifestyle. Every event, every cigar, every connection we make is rooted in purpose and joy. We’re truly grateful to be doing what we love and to see it resonating with so many. Read more>>
