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.
Nadege Dolsaint
My journey into skincare and wellness didn’t begin as a business idea — it began from a very personal place of struggle, healing, and purpose. After giving birth, I went through a season of severe hormonal acne, health challenges that deeply affected my confidence and made me start looking more closely at what I was putting on my skin and into my body. As I searched for solutions, I was surprised to learn that many beauty and personal care products marketed to women of color have been found to contain ingredients associated with endocrine disruption and other long-term health concerns. Read more>>
Shawntrell Houston
I am a dedicated nurse with over 17 years of experience serving others through healthcare and education. In 2021, I launched Tiny Hands Academy with a vision to provide extended childcare hours for healthcare workers. However, opening during the COVID-19 pandemic presented unexpected challenges, including staffing shortages and a shift in family needs as many began working from home. Rather than stepping back, I continued to move forward. Read more>>
Andy Sanders
Today, Cathy and I are operating out of Palm Coast, Florida. Our current venture is Harbor Light Content Group, LLC, carrying more than two decades of industry experience into this next chapter. Cathy also runs Fishin’ Girl Nation, her beach surf fishing charter company spanning the northeast Florida coast, along with an online community of 17,500 women anglers across all fifty states. Read more>>
Alan Lowe
The idea for the Flagler Voice Podcast Studio was born out of a clear mission: to create a platform capable of reaching a broad and diverse audience with meaningful, community-driven content—without geographic limitations—while providing small and mid-sized businesses access to high-quality, affordable advertising. Read more>>
Alicia Jones
I have been a nurse since 2009. I have worked in mental health/ substance abuse, home health, and corrections. I was deposed as the nursing expert for the company I worked for (corrections) and during that time, I received a random email about legal nurse consulting and it sounded interesting. I am always looking for new opportunities to advance myself, so I started doing some research. I ended up taking a course to obtain a certificate. I formed Jones and Associates Legal Nurse Consulting, LLC in 2021. Read more>>
Alan & Jacqueline Dalla Rosa
Abbracci Wellness Center began with a simple but powerful vision: creating a place where healing wasn’t just about treating illness, (no “bandaid medicine”) but about embracing health as a way of life. The name “Abbracci,” Italian for “embrace/hugs”, reflected what the we wanted every person to feel when they walked through the doors — acceptance, compassion, and care. Read more>>
Courtney Fletcher
My journey with yoga began after a spinal fusion ended my path as a competitive gymnast. I first tried yoga as a teenager—and honestly, I hated it. It wasn’t until college, when I gave it another chance with my roommates, that everything shifted. I found a teacher who taught me how to truly connect to my breath and listen to my body, and that changed everything. Read more>>
Joseph Cacioppo
I started my business, Cacioppo Bookkeeping, at the beginning of 2025. My wife had owned a photography business for a few years prior, and I had always enjoyed doing her bookkeeping and analyzing her numbers. After doing some research, I realized that I could do bookkeeping for other businesses too, and that sounded really exciting to me! I took some courses, got certified as a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and have helped a number of clients with their books since my business started last year! Read more>>
Samantha Cruess
I have been a creative for as long as I can remember. As a kid I was always building things, designing structures, and sketching ideas. In elementary school, art was my favorite resource class. In secondary, I honed in on mediums such as painting and ceramics, got in trouble often for doodling on my homework, and graduated with an AP Ceramics course under my belt. Read more>>
Haley Stewart
I graduated from University of South Florida in 2023 with a degree in Finance and experience in Accounting. After that, I spent time working as an Analyst at a small fintech company. From the get-go, I worked with some of the biggest wealth management companies in the US to help them implement and manage their financial operations. Read more>>
Ronen Wolf
I started from a pretty humble place, making about $17 an hour and knowing I wanted to build something bigger for myself. As I learned more about eCommerce, I became fascinated by the idea of helping products and brands reach more customers through multiple sales channels instead of relying on just one platform. That eventually led me to launch Senditures. Read more>>
Candice Stevens
Our family has always enjoyed camping and spending time together. It was always our dream to own a campground and help others enjoy time with their family’s too. One day I called my husband and told him we should buy a tent and help others go camping. My business model was simple – we set up the campsite, you camp, we come back and pick it all up. That idea turned into people asking us to set up for sleepovers in their backyard, curating picnics in the tent, and more. Read more>>
Larrell & Bre Cherry
We’re Bre and Larrell Cherry, the husband and wife team behind 904 Photo Co, a luxury photo booth experience based in Jacksonville, Florida and serving the surrounding areas. Read more>>
Karen Simison
I’m Karen Simison, owner and Managing Director of Clay Solar Installation Partners in Middleburg, Florida. I started Clay Solar in 2022 with a clear goal: to give homeowners in Northeast Florida a better experience with solar installation and customer service. I saw too many people dealing with frustration—long waits, poor communication, or installations that didn’t live up to expectations—so I wanted to build a local company that focused on doing things right the first time, with transparency and real support. Read more>>
Lorna Lea
In the fall of 2024, I made the decision to move to Florida without knowing anyone outside of my son and his family. After a 17-year career with Abbott, I stepped into a completely new season of life. One that required faith, courage, and a willingness to start over again in a new location. Read more>>
Nitu Singh
I worked as a software consultant for 25 years. But In 2023, family health issues required me to return to India to care of my parents for 2 months. The experience prompted me to reflect what I truly wanted from the next chapter of my life. I decided I was done with the corporate world. My kids were in high school, I’d worked long enough, and I thought I’d just enjoy my time. Read more>>
Katarina Forster
I started my journey in aesthetics with a deep passion for understanding the skin beyond the surface. Early on, I was drawn to acne correction and quickly realized that real, lasting results do not come from quick fixes, but from addressing the root cause. That led me to expand my knowledge into gut health, hormones, and lifestyle and how everything internal reflects on the skin. Read more>>
Vincent Morgan
Angels & Demons is a raw and honest podcast dedicated to raising awareness around mental health through the voices of real people. We explore both the lightest and darkest moments of life—the deeply personal stories that shape resilience, vulnerability, and growth. Through candid conversations in both audio and video formats, we share powerful journeys that help others feel seen, heard, and less alone. Read more>>
Rob Bannon
My name is Rob Bannon, and I’m the founder and owner of TPG Golf Performance Center in St. Johns, Florida. My path to golf coaching is a little different from most. Before launching my coaching career, I spent 21 years on active duty as an Army aviator, followed by another eight years as a civilian test pilot for the Army. Over nearly three decades of service, the military taught me how to problem-solve, lead, and mentor — skills that naturally carried over into coaching. Read more>>
Joey Cordova
I started my journey in carpet cleaning in 2015 in Jacksonville, where I trained my way up from technician helper, to technician, to operator, and now, owner and operator. Read more>>
Karina Charry
I wanted to build a business that not only brought magical moments to other families but also allowed me the flexibility to spend more time with my own children. Today, Bounce for Love is more than an event business—it’s a way to celebrate life’s special moments while building a life centered around family, creativity, and love. Read more>>
Julia Brennan Emily Ward
Emily Ward: I’m originally from South Florida and first moved to St. Augustine in 2018 to attend Flagler College. When I picked Flagler, it was before I even knew I wanted to pursue a career in history. I made that decision the summer before I started school and little did I know how beneficial it would be for my career. Read more>>
Tina Jenkins
Jaybird Hammock Farm is the product of generations rooted in Nassau County. Both Jay and I are fourth-generation residents, our families having settled here in the late 1920s. Growing up on this land, our relationship with nature formed in parallel. I was taught to admire and respect the natural world, while Jay spent his days exploring, running through the pine forests, and living wild. These early experiences shaped us. We both held onto that deep connection, and during the COVID-19 shutdown, we returned to it. Read more>>
Jeremy Baker
My mom is from England so we used to go every couple of years to visit family. The drinking age is lower there so I sort of fell in love with pub beer as a patron but never did much home brewing, maybe a couple of kits. The family of one of my bandmates at the time, started the first craft microbrewery in Jacksonville so I was able to get on as a backup bartender and eventually worked my way into the cellar. It was mostly production brewing but I kept working my way up until they opened a second location with a smaller system. Read more>>
Barry Vance
I was born and raised in West Central Florida, and from a young age I was always outdoors either fishing, spending time on the water, or in the woods. That gave me a real appreciation for Florida’s natural resources early on, and looking back, it’s what shaped my passion for conservation and habitat restoration. Read more>>
Tulika Arun
I began my career(as a teenager) in India as an accountant, working toward becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA). The journey built a strong foundation in finance, discipline, and analytical thinking. After moving to the United States, I pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Finance from the University of North Florida. Read more>>
India Morrow
I built Gardenista Jax after leaving teaching and moving from Iowa to Florida, looking for a creative outlet that also allowed me to earn additional income. I got my start selling plants at a Jacksonville Beach boutique, Echo at the Beach—then quickly pivoted during COVID to selling plants and pots on Facebook Marketplace. Read more>>
Andres Lavanderos
My parents came to the USA from Chile in 1976. I was born in Chicago and raised in Miami. In 2002 I had an encounter with God and gave my life in faith to Christ. That decision led me to Jacksonville, Florida to attend Trinity College of Jacksonville. It was at the college that I met my wife, Jennifer. We got married in 2006. Read more>>
Amber Lester
In 2006 I was injured very badly in a car accident. I had a traumatic brain injury multiple soft tissue injuries which resulted in needing to use a cane to get around for a couple of years. I was in so much pain, all the time, that my nervous system couldn’t give attention to anything but surviving. Read more>>
Mark Hudson
It all started in the late seventies while reading several ads about how to become a Chimney Sweep in an Outdoor Life magazine. I read them and then contacted the companies about what they had to offer in the form of training and equipment. Read more>>
Christina Burns
Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, we developed a deep appreciation for exceptional food amidst a vibrant array of dining options, something we miss dearly from our old neighborhood. Since moving to Florida in 2014, we’ve discovered several beloved mom-and-pop eateries that evoke that same comforting, homey feel. Read more>>
Airit Kahro
I’m originally from Estonia and moved to the U.S. in 2002. I spent about 15 years in the New York City area working in construction, primarily as a carpenter, gaining hands-on experience across a wide range of projects. That time gave me a strong, practical understanding of how things are built and what it takes to do the work properly. Read more>>
Rebecca Turner
We were customers for 3 years at The Poppin Box and loved everything about it. When the founders were ready to retire and move to GA, they asked our family if we would buy the shop and grow it. We were shocked! We never imagined doing anything like this. Read more>>
JE (Jerry) Sutton Jr
I was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. I grew up on the Northside and moved to the Riverside area when I got married in 1996. I have always been a voracious reader. My mother loved books and encouraged reading from an early age. She would never refuse to buy me a book that I wanted. Read more>>
Grace & Giani Williams
Princess Bling began with two little sisters, Now Grace (6) and Giani (5), whose world was filled with imagination, dress-up days, sparkles, and big dreams. What started as simple playtime—choosing bows, matching their outfits, and pretending to run their own shop—quickly grew into something much more meaningful. Read more>>
Jessica Torres Yaynel Yambo
Neli and Jessica met while serving in the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Virginia. Their journeys, both personal and military, eventually brought them to Florida, where they planted roots in the Jacksonville area. For years, they shared a vision of building something together. They explored different business ideas, tested various paths, and faced a few starts that didn’t quite stick. Read more>>
Kris Wilson
I am an Occupational Therapist who after 15 years of working in homecare realized we are not addressing the root cause of senior falls by looking at the home and instead expect them to exercise to avoid falls and obstacles. This approach has not worked for years and will continue to add undo burden on caregivers and seniors if we do not change. Read more>>
Aisyah Rafik
Our Community Story Our community organization was established in 2021 with a sincere intention to support and uplift families in need, especially refugees who are facing hardship in their daily lives. From the beginning, our mission has been simple but strong to stand beside those who have no support and to provide help in any way we can. Read more>>
William Adams
I have always had a fascination with cars growing up. Working on my own projects and race cars throughout the years. We made the jump to opening our own business in 2020 renting a space at a local mechanic shop. As our customer base grew we saw the need for a larger space. Read more>>
