It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around the Valley.
Chelsea Sutton
I’m always a little stumped when it comes to this question because I don’t think my story is particularly interesting. I always wanted to be a writer since I learned what a book was; I wrote my first story when I was four or five, before I could spell and I know it was about two dinosaurs falling in love just based on the pictures I drew. That impulse to write never left after that. Read more>>
Audrey Gonzalez
I also saw a big need in the market for quality skincare that doesn’t break the bank. I was finding that high end, clean skincare was either too expensive or on the opposite end cheaply made, mass produced products found at health food stores, marketed as “affordable” and “natural”. In reality they are just filled with a bunch of “fluff” as I call it and didn’t do much for anyones skin goals. So over time I slowly created new products to suit my clients needs. I’m an esthetician with over 15 years experience. I know what people need and want. They need effective results, not harmful to their heath and they don’t need a complicated 10 step regimen. Less is more! Read more>>
Samantha Hobbs
The beauty industry is definitely not easy in the beginning—getting your license is just the first step. Once I started working behind the chair, I truly understood the phrase “fake it till you make it.” Most of what I know today came from trial and error, repetition, and hands-on experience. There were times it felt discouraging, but my passion for hair kept me going and pushed me to work even harder. Continued education has also been essential for me, as trends, techniques, and products are constantly evolving. Read more>>
Maryn Susan
I have owned it ever since, however, in 1992 we were displaced due to the Los Angeles riots and a couple of years later I had the opportunity to relocate to the city of Sylmar, CA. From there we grew and expanded and moved to the neighboring city of San Fernando. We had a thriving business until 2020 when we were forced to shut down due to the Covid pandemic. By the grace of God and a wonderful and understanding landlord, we were able to regroup and reopen in a more affordable location, where we have been ever since! Read more>>
Coral Moghadam
I grew up with a Deaf sister, and from a young age, I was immersed in the Deaf community and American Sign Language (ASL). That experience was a gift. It taught me the power of inclusion, the richness of diverse communication, and the importance of making space for all voices, no matter the modality. ASL didn’t just teach me a language; it shaped how I view communication itself as a full-body, multimodal experience that should be accessible to everyone. This inclusive perspective is now at the core of how I approach therapy, and it’s what allows me to truly connect with clients across all backgrounds, abilities, and lived experiences. Read more>>
Colleen Sandland
It’s been bumpy. I feel these days are harder for most artists and galleries because of the polarity of changes that our society has undergone in the past 5 years starting in 2020 and onward. I feel this could be a part of a movement, however, because art is always going to have something to say. Art isn’t silent. Especially when we are challenged or oppressed as a society, it is always very possible to use art as a voice to make changes. Read more>>
Taylor Clement
The main challenge for us in this journey was the conversion of turning the cute little former clothing shop into our tea room & cafe. The amount of time that goes into waiting on permits was grueling. You cannot do any form of construction or modifications until those papers are signed and approved. We also had to unexpectedly build an additional bathroom , which not only took even more time and money but it cut into the space that was meant for more kitchen square footage . We’ve had to learn how to be very creative with what little space we do have because there was several things that came up along the way that cut into the original vision. Read more>>
Yelena Protsenko
Several months later, we designed and built our very own stage and created an even bigger production for my son’s next birthday. We invited his school friends and their parents. Everyone that attended the show started asking for business cards of the company that performed. We told them that it was us performing and they were so excited to see such unique birthday party entertainment. From that point on we decided to create a mobile puppet theater and took our act on the road. Read more>>
Gloria Inez
Today, I still run Rubywood; however, I have expanded to becoming more versatile in my work. I have worked as a graphic designer, illustrator, sculptor, animator, performance artist, and painter. I do so much because there are certain mediums needed in order to convey the look or story I want. Today, my main focus is to create artwork that sparks conversations for the viewer. I also hope to curate my own art exhibition and curate events in the future in order to give back to my community and give the same opportunity I was given as a vendor to others. Read more>>
Jiawei Shen
Around this time, I also formed my own band, where I serve as the lead vocalist, synth player, and producer. The band explores the intersection of Chinese instruments, ancient Chinese literature, and electronic music. We toured extensively across China and were invited to perform at numerous music festivals. This experience helped me explore how Chinese instruments and music can have a more global presence. Read more>>
Alessandra Manias
Unfortunately, the larger productions are no longer shooting in California due to the lack of tax incentives and the high costs. But I’m surviving—and growing—thanks to a wave of passionate, small-scale, independent work. It’s not the easiest path, but it’s one that still allows me to create and stay connected to what I love. Read more>>
Raj Gujral
I remember when my family and I first moved to the US from India in 1988 we used to live with my cousins in Texas. I was 10 years old at the time. Back then you used to have to make mix tapes by pressing “record” and “stop” on a tape recorder. My cousin sister, Ruby, used to love to do this. After a few months my family and I moved to California and as my parting gift my cousin made me a mixed tape (I still have this tape!) That was my first memory of a mixtape. After listening to that tape many times, I started making my own throughout my teenage years and sharing them with friends. This was the early 90s now. I used to love hip hop, 80s & 90s rap, west coast rap, old school and house music. Read more>>
Jarnael Dabney
So when I came to LA back in 2015 I just wanted to act, I was going on a couple auditions and wasn’t booking anything, one of my roommates at the time told me “hey man Hollywood want you to already be famous before they get on you” I thought so I don’t stand a chance because no one knows me. At that point I stopped going on auditions and started writing comedy trying to find my style, I was writing all the way til 2021 now we’re in a pandemic. I felt like I had my style, I started a brand new instagram and started filming my sketches. Read more>>
Priscilla Horta
That’s really how Mundial Eco Tours was born. I wanted to create a different kind of travel experience, one that goes beyond sightseeing and actually benefits the people and environments we visit. I believe travel is powerful but only if we do it intentionally. The decisions we make: where we stay, who we hire, where we eat… they all matter. They can either uplift local communities and protect the natural world, or contribute to the problem. Read more>>
Grant Fonda
I invested all my earned money into any art medium I could get my hands on and steadily built a portfolio that I hoped would one day land me a job as a storyboard artist for The Mouse. When I wasn’t sketching or painting or modeling tin foil into tiny landscapes of imaginary worlds, I was writing new music for my friends to sing and play, and conducting ensembles of any size when I had the chance. My high school teachers gave me more latitude than most should have, and I found myself conducting our high school wind ensemble and orchestra to victories in state festivals, even being allowed to program music that was out of the standard repertoire… usually movie music. Read more>>https://voyagela.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-grant-fonda
Lily Frias
Back in Mexico,I kept dancing, at first alone in my room, and with my family putting on talent shows, then later at a studio called Centro de Danza after seeing my cousin and fellow dancer Lorena Valenzuela perform. I joined the studio and the competition team and trained in jazz, ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop, traveling across Mexico and the U.S. to compete and learn. Still, I craved something that felt more personal and expressive. I found that in street dance—training with a local team called Urban lead by Teikua dance pioneer in Torreon Coahuila and eventually taking my first Popping and Locking class from Mexican pioneers Luigi Barba and Boogaloo Bean. That’s when my passion for the foundations and culture of street dance truly began. After high school, I moved to the city of Monterrey to attend college and to join Funkdation Crew. Read more>>
Tiffany Broussard
My work is constantly evolving, growing alongside my own personal and professional development. What started as a passion for skincare has expanded into lymphatic health, hormonal wellness, and the emotional connections tied to our skin. I believe in sharing not only my professional expertise but also my personal journey — navigating perimenopause, dealing with stress-induced skin conditions, and learning through trial and error. My hope is that by being open about my experiences, I can help others feel seen, supported, and empowered without having to walk the same hard road. Read more>>
Keith Roberts
Keith became an adept beekeeper as well as the Vice President and subsequently the President of LACBA. Keith is still active in the club and shares his knowledge and experience whenever he can, including teaching beekeeping 101 classes on a monthly basis. In 2014, Keith partnered with Danny Finkelstein to realize his ultimate dream of creating a hub for the beekeeping community in the San Fernando Valley. This hub is known today as The Valley Hive. Read more>>
Rob Berezowski
It has not been a smooth ride but I’ve been incredibly lucky and grateful for the experiences I’ve had. Photo assisting took me all over the USA in places most people don’t have access to. Living in New York City for 12 years was life-changing and an experience everyone should try for at least a year. Los Angeles has been very good to me, too. Right now I’ve just finished 10 years shooting for Disney and I’m up for the next challenge that’s coming my way. I want to pursue my passion for shooting portraits of performers and stand up comedians Read more>>
Maya Tannous
During my first semester it was really hard to balance myself and stay healthy, with classes and trying to build a social life. But also, in the logistics of it all, being an international student and having to learn how to live by yourself on the other side of the world and being careful about paperwork and visas, it takes a lot to succeed balancing all of that mentally. There were definitely some ups and downs there but I started learning and now, it’s almost a little better. But also, in the logistics of it all, being an international student and having to learn how to live by yourself Read more>>
Ingrid Yu-Ju Tai
It also took me a long time to come up with my own definition of what constitutes good graphic design. In art school, students often look up to others who create cool stuff, which is great! However, in my opinion, this has also created an environment where people just want to be designers’ designers. Many younger people want to impress other designers, but we tend to forget that we are not merely designing for our own field. It took me two years and lots of insightful discussions with friends and more experienced designers to form my own principles while designing and viewing others’ work. Read more>>
Katya Volpi
One day, a friend and I were discussing her dying relative and the ensuing family drama and discord, which got us on the discussion of what we would want to have happen at our own funerals. I stated that the thought of my estranged family member saying anything untrue about me or our relationship at my own funeral, or perhaps trying to steal the show, really ruffled my feathers. You have no control of what people say about you after you die, and that’s a hard truth for many of us to swallow, so how do you make sure your words and your truth are spoken? I believe people want someone to stand up for them after they die, to intercept anyone attempting to say anything other than the truth. Read more>>
Rebecca Sanders
My journey into holistic healing began through personal experience. I broke my foot three times in my early years, and each injury forced me to slow down and listen to my body in a new way. I also witnessed close family members suffer severe adverse reactions to medications, which deeply shaped my belief that healing should honor the whole person — not just manage symptoms. Read more>>
Dartagnan Chappell
Success, quality, and great designs founded in 2018, the Dfcclothing brand was established by D’Artagnan F. Chappell giving the men, and women of tomorrow the inspiration to achieve success. Nerds we are, legitimate we stand, LEGITIMATE INTELLECTS PURSING SUCCESS for all. Growing as a whole organization continuing to DREAM, BELIEVE, AND ACHIEVE. (New Entrepreneurs Recognizing Dreams.) Read more>>
Farrah Smith
Transitioning into the nonprofit sector meant stepping into completely new territory. I wasn’t coming from a traditional background, but I brought a deep passion for mission-driven work and a strong foundation in relationship-building and strategic thinking. What drew me to ocean conservation was watching the TV show Whale Wars, where I saw brave volunteers traveling to the Southern Ocean to protect whales from poachers. Their courage and dedication made me realize I wanted to be part of something that important. Read more>>
Kim Shapira
I learned early on that many of my clients eat the way I shopped and if I wanted to really help people I had to help myself. It wasn’t about the food, but it was kinda about the food. I did a deep dive into a less formal education that helped me that later became my guiding light for my clients. There have always been fads and new approaches but the truth is that only leads to more problems with food and our overall wellbeing. I have tried to meet my clients where they are at and then to open their eyes and minds to exploring it starts and ends with how we feel in the moment we are in. Read more>>
Itay Benda
But I always believed that hard work would pay off — and more importantly, I fell in love with the process. Waking up, walking into my little studio, creating something out of nothing — that made me the happiest person in the world. Even during the toughest seasons, I never lost that fire. For me, it was never just about reaching a goal — it was about the journey, the daily discipline, and the love for the craft itself. Read more>>
Tamara Mechael
I have carried the spontaneity of my childhood into my twenties, delving into screenwriting, piano composition, musical production, and filmmaking. At risk of sounding like one of the general multi-hyphenate Los Angeles transplants, I will mention now that words are my first love, my greatest love, and everything I do is centered around storytelling, both through music, words, animation, and even silence. At 24, I have the whole world ahead of me and cannot wait to conquer it with God by my side, leading the way the entire time. Read more>>
Sheila True
And I really enjoy doing this. I enjoy seeing how everything comes together with the idea first talking to the vendors what’s needed and decorating and putting everything together. I enjoy doing it so I decided after I had worked for Delta airline for 13 years to start my own Event company, which is “Event come True”The name came organically because my last name is True. So that is really how I began in the event planning business and I love what I do. I feel you have to really love what you do in order for it to work. Read more>>
Dante Camargo
I loved not only the delicious food that the job endured, but the social aspect of being a performing chef. I loved how I could combine my passion of fine cuisine cooking and my enjoyment of interacting to new people daily. After many years of working in fast paced teppan restaurants , I finally decided to make my dream a reality and open my very own food truck. Whenever us chefs would make our daily meals for the staff, we’d call out “Makanai is ready!” which essentially just means lunch/food in Japanese, so that is what I knew the name should be. I took my knowledge of Japanese food and put my own twist and came up with my menu as it is now. Read more>>
Tom Peake
Telling stories is still the main goal. I’m not really sure how lighting will adapt to the new forms of content that are taking over. Lighting will always fascinate the human brain. As the hot tungsten lights have evolved into intelligent LED units things will continue to evolve rapidly with lighting. I’m happy to see what technology can do to enhance lighting techniques and capabilities. Let me be an artist and create with light. Read more>>
Rachael Cappuccino
Cappuccino Physical Therapy is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Clinic specializing in treating women of all ages. We have an extensive birth preparation program that educates pregnant women on the labor and delivery process and a postpartum recovery program that helps mamas get back to the exercise they love without symptoms. Outside of the perinatal population, we treat young girls dealing with urinary incontinence, painful periods and other related symptoms and help perimenopausal and menopausal women manage their pelvic floor symptoms during this period. We are proud to serve women of all ages in the Conejo Valley. Read more>>
Mirna Ramirez
Well, I am an oncology chemotherapy registered nurse. I have all so done pediatric oncology in the past. Three years ago I had Fibroblast and it opened up the opportunity. and the desire to offer the service to other women. The feeling they gave me was amazing and I wanted to offer it. I have since then added more services to my business. I currently work two days in the hospital, and the rest of the days I do medical Read more>>
Shannon Allbright
It has not been a smooth road, we nearly went out of my business during the Covid shutdowns. The schools in California were closed for almost 2 years and we couldn’t teach. Parents of my students graciously invited me to their homes to teach pod groups. We made it through but I’ve only now been able to recover from the debt of not teaching in our 37 schools. Another difficulty is that some children are so addicted to their screens that it’s hard to get them to focus on a task. Behavior is also an issue. Read more>>
Amelia Hall
Many years later I was inspired to move cross-country to San Francisco, where I completed my master’s degree in Integral Counseling Psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies, known for it’s East-meets-West, integral approach that bridges spirituality, healing arts, and social justice. I found a true sense of purpose in becoming a therapist as I noticed how time spent with clients helped catalyze meaningful change in their lives. I’m passionate about working with highly sensitive creatives to support them in reclaiming the wholeness of who they are. Read more>>
Christina Baker
My professional path began in the world of advanced materials—a field where I spent over two decades honing my expertise. In 2008, I took a bold step and started my own company. A few years later, in 2011, I ventured into the corporate world after multiple promising term sheets fell through amid global uncertainties. For a decade, I was recognized as a top performer in that environment, even achieving significant successes right up to the day before I left. In fact, I had another offer waiting as I stepped away from that role in 2022, a moment that marked my departure from corporate life for good. Read more>>
Stephanie Boxerbaum
I am originally from Dallas and moved to Los Angeles for law school. I believe connection is a superpower and have always wanted to support people in whatever they are doing, along with developing entreprenurial adventures! Currently, I’m the founder and managing partner at Box Counsel, an entreprenurial law firm for content creators and visionaries in the entertainment industry. We believe our job is to protect and optimize our clients’ ambition. Read more>>
Brian Walsh
I made a lot of progress as an artist, met many friends and colleagues, and then went back to school because I had a real sense of what I wanted to accomplish. While I felt guilty and rather like a failure at the time, it was certainly the best thing that could have happened. I continue to struggle with feelings of inadequacy about my own playing and creative output. But through experience and strong relationships within our community(and with my own family), I feel like I have a healthy and balanced relationship with music. And regardless of how I may be doing professionally, that is paramount. Read more>>
Shant Aharonian
My journey hasn’t been without its trials. In fact, every step has presented challenges, and it’s precisely these struggles that have made the path worthwhile. Most recently, I launched my practice in the midst of a pandemic, navigating significant uncertainty and anxiety common to a dental startup. But by focusing on one obstacle at a time, I was able to persevere. I’m profoundly grateful for every difficulty I’ve encountered, as each one has been an invaluable opportunity for growth. Read more>>
Dominque Becerril
No, it hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been a clear path. I’ve struggled with anxiety, depression, autism, and bipolar disorder. Life presents many challenges, but running my own business allows me to manage my work around difficult days. Art has always been my coping mechanism and source of joy. After leaving an abusive relationship, art gave me focus and a way to redirect my energy toward something positive. Read more>>
Miguel Angel Delgado
I am also a musician… I play guitar both acoustic & electric, Bass guitar and I Sing. I Played at different clubs/venues and even Churches. But where I will never forget playing and singing at is, in Youth correctional facilities and prisons.. To take the good vibes & THE GOOD MESSAGE to the inmates. That was with one of my younger brothers and a friend of ours that had that good message Band. Read more>>
Joshua Lange
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Learning how to run a practice while also trying to be the kind of doctor I wanted to be was incredibly stressful—especially while raising a young family. In those early years, I poured everything I had into my patients and my practice, but I neglected my own health. I gained a significant amount of weight, struggled with chronic pain, and developed high blood pressure. I was on the verge of being prescribed several medications, and I realized something had to change. Read more>>
Jennifer Argueta
What I love about running an Airbnb business is that it gives me a creative outlet and a level of independence I really value. I don’t have to constantly market myself or build a personal brand—Airbnb does a lot of that heavy lifting. I can just focus on designing great spaces and let the work speak for itself. That kind of organic exposure is perfect since I’m more of a private person. Read more>>
Hunter Wayne
This project would entail me working with friends and industry pros across the film, video game, comic book, and music industries respectfully to create one comic that can be read along with an album that had a cinematic quality to it. Where the video game element comes into play is that readers will discover a website that houses a one-of-a-kind MIDI player that allows you to seamlessly select one of four voice deliveries without any disruption of the beautiful soundscape to come from Grammy winner Carla Patullo and sound designer Andrew Kantos. If you look into the entirety of The Ignition team (https://www.theignition.net/), this is easily my most ambitious project to date. Read more>>
Ericka Peralta
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many Filipinos, I felt pressured into nursing, but it never seemed right for me. I remember having coffee with my grandma one morning when she told me, “If nursing isn’t what you want to do, don’t do it. You have to do something you love so it doesn’t feel like work.” I spent much of my life being a people-pleaser, so choosing to carve my own path felt like my quiet act of rebellion. Read more>>
Jonathan Friedmann
I’m actually uncomfortable with. I’ve spent my career as a professor, leader of Jewish communities, author of numerous books and articles, and local historian; but pop culture has always been my “calling.” So, in 2022, I started Amusing Jews, a YouTube/podcast interview show celebrating Jewish contributors and contributions to American popular culture, co-hosted by fellow-renegade clergyman Rabbi Joey Angel-Field and produced by my oldest friend, Mike Tomren. The show is a project of Adat Chaverim–Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Los Angeles, of which I’m the community leader. Read more>>
Vanessa McGrady
On the bright side, my best friend had followed a gaffer to LA and helped me figure things out. My roommates were fun and generous and we watched a different horror movie every Sunday night for a year (Icihi the Killer broke me and that was it for me), but I’m still friends with them. I met more people, used my savings to buy a condo in Glendale, and realized–uh oh! I needed real job. I took work in communications at Southern California Edison, planning to stay six months but rode out seven years, where I learned a ton about the good and bad aspects of corporate America. Read more>>
Leslie
I started BreadBasket after working for a local baker who closed her business — and when her spot in the kitchen opened up, I felt like the universe handed me a chance. Around that time, a restaurant we supplied asked if I wanted to be their in-house baker, and I said, “Sure, why not?” I made all their bread from scratch, but I knew I wanted more — more bread, more creative control, more of my vision. Read more>>
Jesús Florido
I have had the opportunity to play all kinds of music since then and share the stage with so many different artists from so many different styles and that made me realize that Duke Ellington was right, there are two kinds of music, good music and bad music. One of the most common questions people asked me is what kind of music is my favorite music, and my answer is always the same. Depends when you ask. Read more>>
James Havens
BMW covered my training in exchange for two years at a dealership. I was excited to finally earn again—but the reality hit hard. Despite being certified, I was paid far below the legal minimum. Many coworkers still lived with their parents, but I had a family to support. So I worked harder. I became the most requested technician in the shop—handling everything from X5s to M8s. But I also realized I was outgrowing the dealership. My peers lacked passion, and I craved more. Read more>>
Julian Acevedo
While at Nick I solidified my purpose in this industry which is to help in any way I can to bring forward heartfelt genuine stories, may that be via Artwork or Production. One of my proudest achievements has been my work on the Nickelodeon show “Big Nate”. It was on this team that I grew the most professionally and personally. To this day what I learned on that production informs every new opportunity I face. Apart from this I am a huge board game fan and am currently in progress of play testing my very own. Read more>>
Crystal Quayle
After my second daughter was born, I quickly realized I was experiencing postpartum depression—but it didn’t look like what I had always heard about. Instead of overwhelming sadness, I was consumed by severe anxiety and frequent panic attacks. Just getting out of the house with my two children felt impossible some days. Read more>>
Christine Dickson
I was raised by my grandmother and aunt for most of my childhood. But at 15, I was sent to live with my mother — a decision that changed everything. She was pregnant with her fourth child at the time. There was no father in the picture. None of us had any real memories of our own dads. It didn’t take long before I became less of a daughter and more of a drinking buddy — especially when it came to nights out at biker bars. Read more>>
Franco Zizza
Sometimes everything goes smoothly and then there is a thunderstorm up ahead and now you must navigate through the storm. How we navigate through these strange moments is very telling, especially cause the negative usually outweighs the positive in those trying times. Whether the storm is self doubt, lack of confidence, lack of interest from your community or family or actual situations completely out of your control like COVID or social media. Read more>>
Jeff Azar
Over time, what just began as a way to survive my own struggles slowly turned into something bigger. As I kept creating, even when no one was really watching, I started to connect with people who felt like I did, who didn’t see themselves in the mainstream, who felt like misfits or outsiders. And it just started becoming more about the community than it did me. Read more>>
Skyler Swenson
It was time for college. I tried for communications thinking I could help connect people with brands. Well I got bored with that idea. I danced with the idea of focusing on makeup and becoming an artist for film sets. I got discouraged with that idea with so many people telling me how hard it was to get in that industry. I dropped that idea and switched my focus to skincare. I wanted to be that person to educate others on what they needed. Not knowing how I would do that I turned to Google and esthetician had come up. I had never seen an esthetician, it was not in the finances to do so. My life opened up to the world of esthetics. I started my search for the perfect school that was a great fit for me. Read more>>
Richard
Fast forward to today: I’m six years into owning my own CrossFit affiliate, CrossFit Thanos. I’m a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer with a Level 1 Olympic Weightlifting certification, a Masters athlete with several wins under my belt, and a proud dad of two. Whether I’m coaching in the gym or out chasing adventure—solo or with my community—I’m always fueled by one thing: giving people hope. Helping them believe they can change, grow, and become more than they ever thought possible—that’s what drives me. That’s who I am. Read more>>
Amy Ramirez
My journey began at Sephora, where I started as a makeup artist. Over time, I found myself gravitating toward the business side of the company—first managing beauty studio sales, then moving into visual merchandising, and eventually becoming an education lead. Sephora gave me a powerful foundation, blending creativity with business strategy in a way that really resonated with me. What many people don’t realize is how much Sephora invests in business education—they truly want their management team to understand the business behind the beauty. Read more>>
Heather Bourne
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Navigating grief after losing my mom—who was my best friend, writing partner, and biggest cheerleader—has been incredibly tough and ongoing. At 78, she was full of life, healthy, and excited about the plans we had to promote our Look on the Bright Side YouTube channel and devotional book. Her sudden illness and short three-month battle with cancer was heartbreaking, especially as we were preparing to inspire other women together. The journey through loss has been bumpy, but it’s also deepened my purpose. Read more>>
Akasha Auset Rah
It takes time and resources to build your own spiritual power, so I set out to create something tangible, affordable, and genuinely effective for women—tools for every purpose, whether it’s protection, money, love, or healing. I started by making these products for my clients, focusing on quality and real results. As word spread about how effective they truly were, more and more women wanted access to them, and the demand for a physical location grew naturally from there. Read more>>
Christy Cannon
Christy has 5 children of her own and is passionate about pregnancy, birth, and optimal women’s health care throughout the life span. Christy recently obtained CNM privileges at her local hospital in Thousand Oaks, Los Robles Hospital, where she can be the first midwife to offer birth services to the women in her own community – something she has been working toward for many years and feels like a dream come true! Read more>>
Rachael Stein
So much of what I do as a sugarist is simply letting people know sugaring exists! Though it is one of the oldest forms of hair removal, sugaring is still largely unknown on this side of the world. Rather than being stalled by people not knowing about my business’s services, I use it as a way to overcome the hurdle of developing a clientele. By using my voice to showcase sugaring’s unique benefits, such as being ideally suited for all hair and skin types (including sensitive and reactive skin), it sparks interest in my work and paves the road for people to book! Read more>>
