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.
Zachary Oliver
I want to help people not only perform better now but also extend their Healthspan and Longevity; by having the strength and cardiovascular fitness to live independently longer. For me, success isn’t when a client hits a lifting PR; it’s when they can keep up with their kids, grandkids, hike without pain, or feel confident they’ll thrive in their 8th, 9th, and 10th decade of life. Read more>>
Conny Dempsey
CONNY L DEMPSEY Conny enjoys creating intimate and thoughtful impressionistic paintings. Her subject matter ranges from animals, still life, children, seascapes and other nostalgia memories. Each painting is a slice of life reflecting a moment in time and tells a story. Read more>>
Alex Milicic
Moved from Europe 26 years ago Worked differently jobs just to survive and pay the bills 8 years later finally decided to start my own business I did finish my Bicycle Mechanic school in Germany and I finally made a decision to open my own. Read more>>
Eva Gaither Eff
Fashion has always been part of my story — something I’ve carried with me since I was a girl in Atlanta. Surrounded by Southern charm, I developed a love for femininity, timeless details, and the way a dress can make everyday moments feel special. Read more>>
Lisa Shine
My journey as an artist began long before I ever picked up a brush. Growing up in a home surrounded by art and music, creativity was more than encouraged, it was part of everyday life. My parents were passionate lovers of both, filling our home with paintings, sculptures, and the sounds of instruments they played themselves. Read more>>
Jasmine Jones
My name is Mrs Jasmine Jones. I go by JJ. I am a mother and a wife. I’m a Licensed Cosmetologist (also a licensed notary).,I started my journey in the hair industry back in 2010. I attended and graduated from hair school at The Salon Professional Academy in Gainesville Florida in 2012. I’ve worked in a few salon/barber shops. contractor/booth renter. Read more>>
Melissa Anderson
I’ve always been drawn to real estate, but the path to becoming an agent was anything but linear. Looking back, I’m grateful for every twist and turn, each experience prepared me for the work I love doing today. My first career was in the U.S. Air Force, where I served nine years at Little Rock AFB, Lakenheath AB in England, and Incirlik AB in Turkey. Read more>>
Jennifer & Scott Harris
For Goodness Cake actually started with a mixer. After our son was born, Scott bought me one as a little “welcome back to yourself” gift. I was deep in the baby haze, and baking gave me something creative to focus on again. Read more>>
Maria Galarza
My journey began more than twenty years ago, when I first fell in love with the world of medical ultrasound. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in hospitals, imaging centers, and alongside midwives and physicians witnessing some of the most powerful and emotional moments in people’s lives. But I always felt something was missing. Read more>>
Tara Van
I was born and raised in a small village in central Vietnam — a humble place under a communist regime where life was very hard. We didn’t have much. I grew up in poverty, helping my mother around the house, attending school, and assisting her with clients in her small wedding business. Read more>>
Christina Karst
It’s not exactly a pretty story, but it’s mine. When I was 12, my mom kicked me out, and I went to live with my dad. I was pretty lost and sad at the time, and he handed me my first camera — an old Minolta XG-1 film camera. That gift completely changed the course of my life. Read more>>
MICHAEL TESTA
SISYFLY began as a dream of education that helps students learn about themselves, reality and realizing potential. We are focused on college planning, ACT/SAT tutoring as well as essay assistance to help kids achieve their dream of college admission. However, our mission is greater than that: we wish to change lives and families. Read more>>
Kenneth Vibbert
I got my start in the HVAC trade working for a few big companies around Florida. I put in the hours, learned the ropes, and did my best to move up, but no matter how hard I worked, leadership opportunities never came. What bothered me most, though, was how some of these companies treated customers. Read more>>
Jonny Petrucco
I discovered accounting in college because of my love for numbers and entrepreneurship. Accounting is the language of business and it helps tell the story of an entrepreneur’s journey. Upon graduating, I worked in corporate accounting. Later on I felt the Lord’s calling to drop my job and serve in campus ministry full-time. Read more>>
Jessica Booth
I was born in Swansea, Wales, U.K. and immigrated to St. Augustine, as an infant, so I’m almost a local. Growing up in the nation’s oldest city shaped my love for art and storytelling, though my path took an unexpected turn when I was five years old. On a visit to the old Gatorland Zoo, which once stood between St. Read more>>
Sidney Gills
Sidney Gills (A.K.A. Grandpa) 1st Degree Black Belt under Luiz Palhares. A Professor of the art with over 15 years’ experience. Sid came to Xequemate as a 4th degree Relson Gracie Purple Belt under Phil Cardella in 2019. He is a detail-oriented instructor and loves to roll and can still be found competing in major tournaments. Read more>>
Alex Martin
After high school, I wasn’t exactly sure what direction I wanted to take. While I was giving myself time to figure it out, I started working—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. I met my husband while working at Home Depot, and after we got married, I decided to follow my passion and enroll in cosmetology school. Read more>>
LAURA ZORN
Before we opened Bravoz, I was a mom of three kids. And like a lot of parents, I spent a lot of time taking them to places that were supposed to be “fun.” But honestly? I was frustrated. While my older two kids were having a blast, my youngest was bored—or there was nothing for him to do. Read more>>
LaRaysa Smith
My love for travel has always been a huge part of who I am. I’ve always had a deep passion and desire to see the world, explore new cultures, and create unforgettable experiences. Friends and family often came to me for help planning their vacations, and they were the first to encourage me to turn that passion into a business. Read more>>
Daniella Bowers
I was living in New York in 2014, freshly out of school and eager to explore different career paths. I knew I wanted to work for a company that was both results-driven and customer-focused. One day, I walked into a waxing center in the Flatiron District and was hired on the spot! Read more>>
Jacklyn Brearton
I grew up in upstate New York, where my home life was marked by instability. My father struggled with alcoholism and mental health, while my mother battled gambling addiction and dishonesty. This environment created a childhood filled with absence, chaos, shame, and emotional neglect. Read more>>
Angel Latterell
I’ve always believed that empowerment begins with awareness — understanding that we have choices, autonomy, and the ability to shape our own lives. That belief has guided every step of my journey. I started my career in the legal field, practicing in Seattle and helping people and small businesses navigate the complexities of estate planning and business formation. Read more>>
Hector Fundora
Fundora Jewelry is the culmination of a journey that began in 1978. At the age of 12 I started learning the craft from my grandfather. With a deep-rooted passion for fine craftsmanship and design, I started the store to offer meticulously crafted timeless pieces. Read more>>
Sheila Trujillo
My husband and I moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 2000, seeking new opportunities for our family. In 2003, while still working a full-time, 8-hour job, I decided to use the photography knowledge I acquired at the University of Puerto Rico for commercial purposes on the weekends. At that time, there weren’t many Hispanics in the city, but I was bold enough to advertise in Spanish. Read more>>
Laura Pitts
Understanding the importance of native plants came to me later in life. I spent the first 50 years of my life as a horsewoman in the Midwest. I managed horse farms, trained horses and coached riders. My first husband was a horse veterinarian, and we merged businesses at our own farm for about 10 years. Read more>>
Jamie Long
Cultivate began long before the doors ever opened. It started with a calling. As an Aveda color educator, I spent years helping other stylists grow and perfect their craft. The name Cultivate came from that passion: to nurture, to grow from the root up — in artistry, in business, and in life. Growth and guidance have always been at the heart of everything I do. Read more>>
Caitlynne Weitzel
Photography kind of snuck up on me in the best way possible. I actually started taking photos back in my senior year at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia, mostly for fun and for friends! Read more>>
Cheri Hunsberger
I never imagined I’d one day build a business around dance—especially because, for much of my life, I was terrified of dancing in public. Which was surprising to me, because I grew up dancing with my best friend and our sisters in the music room of her basement. I loved music and dancing and had no inhibitions—we just had pure fun. Read more>>
David Ramos
I’ve always been drawn to building what others say can’t be done—whether that’s scaling a global technology platform or creating a local space that helps people move, feel, and live better. For most of my career, I served as a technology executive leading large-scale transformations across Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups. Read more>>
Andrew Batey
My wife and I have worked in the bar/restaurant industry on and off our entire careers in various capacities. I’m an entrepreneur in the tech space, and I’ve built several start-ups from the ground up. My family and I moved from Vancouver, Canada to Florida in 2022. Mocama quickly became our favorite spot on the island. Read more>>
Ryan Ian Spinella
It all started on a sailing trip. As a live-aboard sailor and licensed captain, I was on my way to the Caribbean to run charters. An engine failure in the Florida Keys led me to an extended stay in Key West. While I was visiting Mallory Square for an epic sunset, I saw the Cruisin Tiki boats for the first time. Read more>>
Julia Floyd
I began my journey in aesthetics in 2009 while completing my master’s degree in anesthesia. During that time, I had a mentor who introduced me to the field and helped me gain hands-on experience by working nights and weekends in aesthetics alongside my clinical anesthesia training. After graduating, I continued administering anesthesia at Tampa General Hospital, while growing my passion for aesthetics. Read more>>
Jared & Ashley Bastin
Brewing Love, Spirit, and Community — The Heart Behind 3rd Wave Coffee Roasters 3rd Wave Coffee Roasters was born from the shared vision of husband-and-wife team Jared and Ashley, who after 18 years together turned their shared vision into a new chapter of purpose — building a business side by side. Read more>>
Cristina Eury
Cristina Eury, a former teacher and mother of three, found herself battling unexplained fatigue and depression, despite her medical tests showing no answers. With the demands of raising young children, she knew something had to change. After attending a Jin Shin Jyutsu Acupressure workshop, she felt a profound shift in her energy and well-being. Read more>>
