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.
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>>
Morgan Gad
My professional journey has been shaped by a deep curiosity about consciousness, healing, history, science, and the relationship between mind and body. Over the years, my path evolved into an interdisciplinary blend of education, writing, holistic wellness, research, and consciousness-based studies. What has always remained constant is my passion for helping people better understand themselves and their potential for growth and healing. Read more>>
Orland Ruiz
My story (Nimsay Rivera Gonzalez) begins inside one of the largest pet‑care corporations in the country, where I spent years building my career from the ground up. I started as a bather, worked my way through every level of the grooming department, and eventually became a Pet Grooming Manager, responsible for leading teams, shaping salon culture, and ensuring pets received the highest standard of care. Read more>>
Cornishia Gooden
From an early stage in my life, I’ve always felt drawn to supporting others through life’s challenges and creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and understood. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida A&M University and went on to complete my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of North Florida. Read more>>
Anadonis Nephilim
Cosmically Charmed Shop was birthed when one day one of the primary emblems descended to me from the creative stratosphere while I was doodling a design based around astrology through Adobe Photoshop. It would turn out to be my highest quality design. Over time, more designs emerged, with their own significant energy to the sign which it represented. Read more>>
James Hardy
My Story of Becoming a Photographer Growing up in the 1980s, I was always intrigued and fascinated by cameras. I was about 10 years old when I got my first film camera from a garage sale. It was so long ago that I can’t remember the exact model, but it was made by Kodak and came with a few rolls of 35mm film. Read more>>
Nathanial Fowler
Our story: Fowler Family Chiropractic was built from a simple belief: healthcare should feel personal, approachable, and centered around helping people truly live better lives. For Dr. Nate and Dr. Allison, chiropractic care was never just about quick adjustments or temporary relief. From the very beginning, the vision was bigger than that. Read more>>
Blake Briand
Archway Events started after a few years of running a custom fabrication business with my dad. I wanted to build something that was scalable and could grow into a larger company over time, but still stay connected to craftsmanship. One thing I always disliked about custom fabrication was spending weeks building something beautiful, delivering it, and then never seeing it again. Read more>>
Ahyanna Nakia
My creative energy was passed down to me from my father, who encouraged me to appreciate art through geometric patterns, textiles, and design. As a self-taught jewelry designer and textile artist, I continue to explore ways to manipulate remnant fabrics and raw materials into unique creations. Read more>>
Craig Necker
I started tattooing in 2010. I was a single father barely making ends meet so I started tattooing out of my garage to supplement my income. I opened my first shop Under Your Skin Tattoos in 2012 in Central City, Nebraska then Palmer, Nebraska in 2014. During the covid shutdowns of 2020 my wife and I decided to move our family to Florida. Read more>>
Brianna Macella (MACXLLA)
I’m originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and later moved to Orlando for college, where I began my journey in poetry. My passion for poetry eventually led me to the world of spoken word, which seamlessly transitioned into music. I started by rewriting my favorite songs and, over time, began crafting my own lyrics to instrumentals. Read more>>
Ephraim Badea
I started as an Educational tour guide for a local tour company working with fourth grade children,teachers and chaperones. As a guide you have to know our Cities history, so this is accomplished by studying the provided history material that the City provides. Once you feel confident that you know the material you needed to take a test. Read more>>
Mecca thA Marvelous
Growing up I didn’t get the chance to express myself as much as i wanted to, being the youngest of 6 kids growing up. I found music when i was 11 & that became a way to express myself & my feelings. Read more>>
Paulami Guha
I rebuilt my entire professional life in the United States from the ground up after already completing my medical education and residency training in India. Repeating years of training, competing again for residency as an international medical graduate, and then pursuing a surgical fellowship required not only intelligence and skill, but also persistence, resilience, and endurance. Read more>>
Raquel Rubí
I’m a Cuban soprano and artist. My musical background and education started at the early age of 7 in Havana. I studied Piano and Composition with the prestigious Harold Gramatges. Later, in South Florida, USA, I continued my studies in Vocal Performance, achieving a Master’s and Doctorate in Musical Arts. Read more>>
Jennifer Sanzo
Hello there! I’m Jenny Sanzo, a multi-passionate entrepreneur with a less than linear career path. How did I end up owning a bookish clothing boutique and leading a team of thousands in the social selling space? Well, it’s been a bit of a journey, and it all started with a blog called Flower City Fashionista. I’m a big proponent of massive messy action. Read more>>
John Lumpkin II
From Grammy-nominated artists and producers to the next generation of jazz innovators, John Lumpkin has established himself as one of the leading pillars of the Southeast’s music scene. His diverse musical endeavors span world music, jazz, and gospel, drawing inspiration from legendary drummers like Elvin Jones, Chris ‘Daddy’ Dave, and Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson. Read more>>
Krystle Martin
My journey into healthcare and entrepreneurship has been anything but traditional. I started in healthcare over 10 years ago as a medical assistant and quickly realized how much I loved building relationships with patients and helping people feel genuinely cared for. Read more>>
Emma Forgette
Music has always been a big part of my life. I started playing flute in fifth grade and was always first chair, so even before singing, music was something I really loved and worked hard at. I didn’t start pursuing country music until my junior year of high school. Once I started performing and writing songs, I realized it was what I wanted to do. Read more>>
Emichael Bethel
My story honestly starts with pain, loss, adversity and learning how to turn all of that into purpose. I grew up on the Westside of Jacksonville and experienced a lot early on. I lost my father to violence before I ever really had the chance to know him, and throughout life I also lost my brother and grandfather. Read more>>
Robyn Yonn
Hi, I’m Robyn, the Founder and Lead Designer behind Marée Paper Studio LLC, a luxury wedding stationery studio inspired by timeless details, refined typography, and intentional design. My entrepreneurial journey first began in 2018 with a custom embroidery and screen-printing business, where I discovered a love for creativity, branding, and craftsmanship. Read more>>
Miles Cooper
I started off as a bouncer here in Jacksonville, I crossed paths with several amazing DJs, including Omy The DJ, Teezy McGrady, and NickFresh. Given my lifelong love for music, I asked them all “what sparked your interest in DJing?” and with that found that our stories all started off similar. Read more>>
John Monarch
I grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania. When I saw MTV for the first time I decided I wanted to play guitar. At the age of 16, my mom got me a cheap electric guitar and I began taking lessons at a local music shop. Some friends and I formed a band and within months we were playing house parties. Read more>>
Mark Williams
Ray Lewis had been promoting shows in Jacksonville and throughout Florida for years. As a musician I was happy to get to perform in some of them. About 13 years ago Ray was looking for a new place to open up a listening room in Jacksonville, for mainly acoustic music. Read more>>
Swancia Brunson
I’ve always done hair since my teenage years for extra money. In my early 20’s One of my clients told me I should go to cosmetology school and I finally did. I was licensed for five years before I opened Bombshell. I opened a salon because I wanted a team of women who respected and appreciated one another. Read more>>
Jordan Mixson
Part of what pushed me to create The Mixson Method was the clear void in North Florida’s talent ecosystem. Producers and brands were constantly searching for well‑rounded male models, yet the pool here in Jacksonville was thin and underdeveloped. Female models needed more visibility too, but there wasn’t an agency in the area that leaned editorial while still understanding commercial versatility. Read more>>
Annie & Dave Weeks
Dave and I both grew up as theater-loving kids with a passion for performing and storytelling. After college, we each pursued careers in the arts, searching for a path would allow us to combine creativity, connection, and meaningful work. We discovered ballroom dancing and Arthur Murray and were immediately captivated. What began as a shared passion evolved into our profession. Read more>>
Tina Arniotis
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Tina Arniotis spent over 40 years immersed in the fast-paced energy and nightlife of NYC. In 2021, she traded city lights for sunshine, relocating to Jacksonville, Florida to be closer to her youngest brother. But slowing down? That was never really her style. Read more>>
Alto Daniels
KNA Accessories began as a Jacksonville-based firearms and safety training company focused on responsible firearm ownership, education, and community safety. The company was founded under the leadership of Alto Daniels, a certified firearm instructor and combat veteran with multiple certifications through organizations such as the USCCA, NRA and NAAGA. Read more>>
Abdul-Hai Thomas, Ed.D.
Garage Veterans was built on what I learned as a Marine Corps infantryman and squad leader during Operation Enduring and Operation Iraqi Freedom. That service shapes how we operate. After I got home, I built a life here in Jacksonville. In 2018, my wife, my daughter, and I bought our first home. We hired a contractor for a two-day job that took two months. Read more>>
Kenetra Saintilaire
As a wife, mother of three, entrepreneur, certified life coach, and creative, I understood what it felt like to constantly pour into others while neglecting moments of rest and reflection for myself. Over time, I realized that creativity was more than just painting or crafting it became a form of peace, connection, and restoration. Read more>>
DeVonderick Johnson
Black Galaxy Ent was founded back in 2008 and was originally just the name of a group of friends who shared a passion for making music together. Music was always a major part of our lives, and we spent countless hours creating, recording, and building our sound together. Read more>>
Peggy Jones
We lost Wendy Judeen Owens on January 26. In 2004, at the age of 31, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The loss was devastating to our family. From the emptiness of grief, Unity Outreach, Inc. was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on August 22, 2006, in St. Augustine, Florida. Unity Outreach, copyright logo – PINK RIBBON – For breast cancer support and awareness. Read more>>
Shane Hostetler
Down a gravel lane in Ohio, Shane and Holly Hostetler began their love story as childhood neighbors. That lane would became the namesake for Lane Jewelers, a place where they now help others shape their own stories, this time set in gold. Shane began working with jewelry in Ohio when he purchased a jewelry store. Read more>>
Stefan Bernhard
I am originally from New Orleans, a city that shaped my identity. It is a place where architecture, music, storied history, and famous cuisine are closely linked. Growing up in this environment left a strong impression on my artistic sensibilities. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina deepened that awareness more personally. Seeing familiar places suddenly vanish altered how I understood the places we inhabit. Read more>>
Andrea Moccio
My name is Andrea Moccio, and I’m a wellness entrepreneur, esthetician, creator, and social media consultant passionate about helping women rebuild their confidence, reconnect with themselves, and heal from the inside out. My journey into wellness and aesthetics wasn’t just a career change—it was personal. Read more>>
Pete Masitti
Looking back, my entire music career was inspired by a completely random encounter when I was in seventh grade. At that age, I used to spend Saturdays at a boys club run by a seminary in northern New Jersey. Read more>>
Fran Pitre
Born and raised in upstate NY, then in Louisiana outside of New Orleans, I’ve been involved in music since childhood, singing in church choirs and playing the lead in My Fair Lady at age 13, then again at 17. I stayed involved in college musical theater while completing my degree in communication design. Read more>>
Jaimie Baptista
Our whole story started in October 2006 when my husband and I started dating at the ripe ages of 18 & 16. We both had met while working in a Portuguese bakery. Our lives and personalities couldn’t have been more different but yet opposites attract. Read more>>
Alexis Legg
I have been a stay at home mom since my husband and I began growing our family. We now have 4 daughters (YES, ALL GIRLS) ages 8 years old, 4 years old, 2 years old and 6 months old. Read more>>
Mandi Kelloway
I’m a Jacksonville girl through and through, and I’ve spent the last 25 years doing what I love in the beauty industry. Four years ago, I took over San Marco Strands from my mom and finally got to do something I had dreamed about since I was a little girl. Read more>>
