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.
Julie Marco
Surprisingly, after a year long build out, which was difficult. but when we opened the doors, it was gangbusters. There was definitely a need in the community for this type of service. We offered a boutique style of dog care and the community of Jacksonville Beach and surrounding areas really supported us.. we currently employ about 35 employees and have relatively low turnover. I feel like we’ve created a very good culture at our business and our five star reviews let’s us know that we’re doing the right thing for the dogs and their owners. We opened in sept 2107 Read more>>
Sumo Tre
Section 8 baby from the soul city of Memphis, Tennessee. I’m a jack-of-all-trades—songwriting, mixing, mastering, DJ and even throwing events. I never waited for opportunity, I built my own. Back in 2015, I started out as a starving artist in the SoundCloud scene and got some traction with songs hitting the 10,000s. From there, I pivoted into throwing events and building a collective called FohShop. We hosted open mics and parties, giving artists in my city a stage and helping them develop their sound and presence—right up until Covid shut everything down. Read more>>
Mariah Telesca
My story begins with a love of storytelling. Growing up, my dad was a musician in orchestras for musicals, and at the ripe age of five, my passion for theater, film, and the arts began to take root. Fast forward several years, I became deeply involved in both theater and film myself. I spent much of my childhood either on stage or on set, and when on set, I often found myself drawn to the hair and makeup artists. Read more>>
Gabrielle Bland
Founded in 2015 in Missouri, Queens United is an award-winning mentorship program model that continues to be fully operated by its alumni, who are carrying the mission forward in powerful ways. After a decade of impact, Queens United is now expanding to Jacksonville in Spring 2026 with our premiere event, The Empowerment Par-Tee, a bold, innovative space where leadership, sisterhood, and celebration collide. Read more>>
Ryan Tempro
Nothing in business is ever smooth… There have been plenty of hurdles from equipment failures and missed typos, to greedy people who just take advantage of others! I often think about how things are in comparison to a year or two before, and it’s always different. After doing this for 10 years I can say that no two years are the same. Busy times come at different times every year, though it always seems like people want foil stamping – which is a press that heats up, in the summertime, making the shop nice and toasty. Over the years we’ve learned that we don’t have to do everything and it’s ok to say no. Just because we are a print shop doesn’t mean we print every kind of thing or need all of the distractions from what we are good at, letterpress and foil stamping. Read more>>
Nulita Frias
It is called Love In Bloom Florist and is actually still there. I sold the company before moving to St. Augustine in 2012. My daughter was born in Key West in 2008 and I wanted for her to have more children related activities and options than I felt Key West had to offer at that time. Closer to a zoo and many parks to choose from, horse back riding etc. That sort of thing. In 2013 I started Jade Violet Wedding Floral. Not an everyday, full service shop, but one catering to weddings and special events. I’m not very good at or rather do not really enjoy talking about myself much. I do think my artistic background and true love of flowers, plus a very dedicated and strong work ethic have made Jade Violet what it is today. Read more>>
Miles Dagevos
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Since COVID, food costs and operating expenses have skyrocketed, creating constant challenges for small restaurants like ours. Still, we’ve stayed committed to keeping our prices fair for the community. In fact, we’ve only raised our menu prices once in the past seven years. Most of our meals are still $12 or less, and we never cut corners on quality or portions, with everything being made from scratch. We believe people should be able to enjoy a hearty, delicious meal without breaking the bank. Read more>>
Kori Tafoya
It had always been a dream of mine to return to Spain, where I studied abroad during college. So after getting certified, I followed that dream. At the time, not much Spanish wine was being exported to the U.S., and I saw an opportunity. I went with the intention of diving deeper into the world of wine and exploring how I could bring some of that magic back home. It was an incredible learning experience—one that shaped a lot of my perspective on the business and culture of wine. Read more>>
Mark Paulda
One quiet day, a customer strolled in and asked me to whip up a bouquet. I fumbled through it, relying on instinct, and apparently, she saw potential because she soon invited me to plan and decorate a massive event honoring a renowned artist. Picture this: a room full of the city’s elite, movers and shakers, all amid my floral designs and setups. That chance encounter snowballed into a thriving career in high-end event planning. I started coordinating private soirées for incredible clients who became lifelong friends, then moved into the movie industry, creating wrap parties for casts and crews wrapping up films. It felt surreal, like I was loosely scripting my own story. Read more>>
Tasha Peters
Marshall got an opportunity to design a restaurant and just like that, we moved to St. Augustine. A new town meant new opportunities. In 2011, we rebranded Big Mouth Personal Chef into By Design Catering. By Design Catering is a wonderful business all on it’s own, but Marshall knew there should be more. He told me year after year, ” We should reinvent Big Mouth Personal Chef Service into a mass produced meal prep serving our local community.” Read more>>
Xylina Green
Island Personal Chefs was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, I was shipped there at the end of my 11 years as a Master at Arms in the U.S. Navy Reserves in 2018, That experience changed me—it made me realize I wanted to create a different path, one fueled by passion, creativity, and connection. That’s when I turned fully to my culinary career. Read more>>
David Echeverri
I joined David’s Restaurant & Lounge as a line cook, and over time, worked my way up through every station in the kitchen. With dedication, passion, and a deep love for flavor, I eventually earned the position of Executive Chef. Two years ago, I had the opportunity to purchase David’s, alongside my brother-in-law, turning a long-standing establishment into a new chapter of my career. Read more>>
Brandon Gebel
It was small and got hot and sweaty very quickly in there but we made it work for just short of one year. We had been looking into finding a bigger location but were running into logistical troubles when the location down the street from our then tiny storefront opened up. We jumped on the opportunity and now we have a beautiful 900 square feet mat space with brand new Fuji brand mats, sub floor foam blocks and wall mats on 3 sides! Read more>>
Katrin Casey
So on my “good weeks” (or off weeks) if I could stomach a little red wine with my Mom or a friend, then I would call those my Chemo Noir nights. In 2016, I officially founded Chemo Noir as a 501c3, fully volunteer based initiative to help Cancer fighters fight. Our philanthropic mission is to host and inspire wine centric and lifestyle events that raise money to provide financial support to the families, friends and fighters in their battle with Cancer. To date we have funded over 300 patients in our community and we are so proud of the impact that we have been able to have over the near 10 years in existence. Read more>>
Rana Dexter
After graduating from the University of North Florida with a degree in Marketing, I launched my career in outside sales, where I quickly found success. I had a knack for building relationships, identifying opportunities, and driving growth. At every company I worked with, I made a measurable impact — helping grow revenue, expand market presence, and elevate client experience. Read more>>
Megan Hernandez
Every Saturday, rain or shine, we brought our desserts to local markets. These experiences deepened our connection with the community and demonstrated that our products were worth braving hurricanes, floods, or scorching heat. The encouragement we received from our customers inspired us to venture into the wedding industry. In the spring of 2022, we sold our first wedding cake. Although we had no experience, it was exhilarating to be part of such a significant moment in someone’s life, something words can’t fully capture. Read more>>
Esther Budnik
At my very last show, I brought a custom piece I had created for a client, a 36×48 supercar painting that was my biggest commission at the time, worth about $2,000. The client was out of town but encouraged me to display it at the show. Everything went smoothly until the end, when I was packing up. Exhibitors are given a 10×10 space to set up, and I had carefully packed all my supplies and placed the painting inside my area while I went to grab a dolly. Read more>>
Savannah Bryant
Her Espresso is my creative outlet and passion project — a mobile coffee cart that brings specialty drinks, curated vibes, and a little bit of magic to every event. I’m also in the educational field, so connection and creating meaningful experiences are at the heart of what I do. I’m proud of how we’ve built something that feels personal, elevated, and fun, and I think what sets us apart is the attention to detail — from the drinks to the aesthetic to the way we make guests feel seen and cared for. Read more>>
Chris Hopkins
My family was sick and stuck in the medical “sick care” system and we didn’t even realize it. Quite frankly, we didn’t know there were other options. My grandfather was a pharmacist and had one of the first pharmacies in Annapolis, MD back in the 60’s. I grew up knowing that if you got sick, you saw a medical doctor who would, more than likely, give you a medication. We later learned that the medical system is a reactive system that takes an outside-in approach to health. Wait until something is wrong, and then give a medication or surgery to treat it. Read more>>
Tiff Des
It was not feasible to do anything on a large scale at the time due to the world’s uncertainty, so we really did rely on our community in San Diego and the military and first responders community to get started. In the early days when everyone was stuck at home because they couldn’t work, the military, the law enforcement, the EMTs and nurses were still out there doing their jobs so in a way, we would like to think we were helping each other in those moments. If not for them, I’m sure our future would be very different. Read more>>
Tanshanika McIntosh
My journey led me to the art and science of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. A easily obtainable life changing experience and a completely different way of viewing things, particularly how we view life and where we fit in. As I’m growing in this craft, I feel more compelled to open available space and energy for those that may not be aware of, or have accessibility to practice. I opened The Lotus Pearl Yoga and Meditation Studio with the mission to invite those in their journey to explore self care through asanas, meditation and mindfulness in their self care routine. Our journey continues. We are grateful. Read more>>
Aryn Germano Ashley Lynch
Smooth road? Definitely not. On our very first day, the fridge toppled over and we lost product before we even opened. Since then we’ve had flat tires, gotten caught in bad weather, dealt with power cutting out mid-service, and played the constant game of “what broke this time?” We’ve even had the joy of showing up to an event only to find out it was canceled—as we were pulling in. And of course, the customer curveballs never end. People walk up, stare at the giant pasta and pizza decals covering the truck, and still ask if we sell quesadillas or chicken on a stick. It’s been chaotic, unpredictable, and hilarious—but that’s the food truck life. Read more>>
Gene Bingle
I started coaching about 15 years ago at the suggestion of a friend. She felt like I would be good at it. I started with a large club here, JUVA, where I coached indoor traveling tournament girls teams. I also coached the beach program there. I worked with the boys indoor program at JJVA for one season as well. Read more>>
Amanda Buss
We never set out to start an event venue. My husband and I already had full plates running our insurance business, managing a farm, and homeschooling our four kids. Life was full—and fulfilling. But when the opportunity came to purchase a property next to the lakeside park in the smallest county in Florida where I was raised and spent so many carefree childhood days, something tugged at our hearts. We knew we couldn’t pass it up. Read more>>
Sheila Carr
Since stepping into my role as Curator, one of the biggest challenges has been the simple fact that many people in our own community don’t know the Gateway Art Gallery exists. It’s a surprising hurdle, but one we’ve taken head-on with a renewed focus on outreach and visibility. We’ve expanded our presence at local events, built stronger relationships with community partners, and increased our marketing efforts—both online and in person. Every conversation, every flyer, every social media post is part of a larger effort to make sure the Gallery is no longer a “hidden gem” but a well-known and celebrated part of Lake City’s cultural landscape. We still have a ways to go but we’re excited for the future! Read more>>
Lia Mitchell
What we found here was more than just land—it was sacred ground. From the very beginning, I felt its quiet power and began to listen closely to the messages it carried. Day after day, I worked with its wisdom until it became clear that something wanted to be born here. Guided by that vision, we created a studio overlooking our small horse farm—a sanctuary for healing, community, and connection. Read more>>
Kemwa Z
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Balancing creativity with the business side of music can be tough, especially when you’re handling everything from booking to sound to promotion. There have been moments of pressures , technical setbacks, and times where the vision felt bigger than the resources. But every challenge has taught me something — and kept me growing. Read more>>
Phillip Brown
Then lots of people kept coming and I got tired of docent African artifact job, I had got knocked out in a truck accident and had left the pharmacy business after 35 years, so I sold art awhile in Miami and still do and started charging $10. to get in the museum. And don’t you know about this time people started giving me donations so I now have a lot east Africa non Jewish artifacts which I call the kid stuff ( black kids and other kids wanting to see their history) I leave out most all voo doo artifacts and necked sculptures, Now I’m waiting for someone to buy me out probably in 2 to 4 years, probably MOSH after it reopens My strategy for now is there’s to be a bad economic downturn downtown and they need my museum to make their museum a success so I merge with them. Read more>>
