Highlighting Local Gems

Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.

Diana Keeler

I like to think I’m walking a path, but with curiosity instead of tunnel vision. I’ve got goals and direction, sure, but I never want to be so focused on the finish line that I miss the really good stuff along the way. Some of the best opportunities in my career came from moments I couldn’t have planned for. Read more>>

Sam Grant

I know I’m out of my depth when I’m on the edge of a breakthrough. For me, that uncomfortable space usually means I’m about to create something amazing. As a photographer and cinematographer, I’ve learned that the best work often comes when you’re pushing past your comfort zone and taking risks that feel bigger than you. Read more>>

Nina Hirten

A castle to be the best vampire I could be! Seriously though, I am and have always been very influenced by Walt Disney and what he built – I would love to bring back the craft and art of film and animation in the same way that he did. Read more>>

Darika Brown

✨If I knew I had only 10 years left, the first thing I would stop doing is investing so much of my time and energy into other people’s businesses. I used to believe that supporting others would motivate them to support me in return, but I learned the hard way that it doesn’t always work that way. Read more>>

Sade M

My character—I look at it like this: you can have the world, but without good character it won’t mean much because good morals and character will always be respected and remembered and will leave an impact on people in your life that money and material things just won’t do. Read more>>

Alena Saz

One of the biggest lies is that success and wealth only come from certain practical paths like tech, finance, or real estate, and that pursuing an artistic career is somehow risky and unlikely to lead to “real” success. This is a limiting belief that keeps so many talented artists from following their dreams or shooting for the stars. Read more>>

Jules Martinez

That if you work hard enough, you always get what you want. NOT TRUE. Talent in this industry stands for 20% of the final result. Everything else is networking and branding. Know the right people and the right place, and make sure you look nice. Read more>>

Victor Yuen

To open up a coffee shop. It is not that I am afraid of the venture, but I was originally VERY MUCH AGAINST pursuing coffee as a business. It is very selfish of me to be discomforted by the fact that successful coffee business are dependent on volume- regardless of its emotional/social relationship with its customers. Read more>>

Dani Savka-Gallegos

I’ve been feeling the call of pulling people, projects, and ideas together because I have recently found I love making creative things happen. Every skill I’ve learned in work and life has been recently applied through my own personal will – and I have found an overall label for this calling of mine: Producing! Read more>>

Destiny Muse

What I’m most proud of building is the part no one sees—the inner architecture that everything else rests on. The patience, the discernment, the unshakable relationship with my own soul. Read more>>

Anastasiia Glekel

Suffering became a teacher that success could never be. Success can reward, uplift, and affirm, but suffering uncovers what we would never face on our own. My life has had many challenges. Moving to a new country, becoming a citizen, completing a third higher degree, starting my own business, giving birth to my daughter. Each of these tested me and shaped me in different ways. Read more>>

Patricia Williams

Success never checked my character, suffering did. It exposed the parts of me I couldn’t pray away. It humbled me, stretched me, and made me confront every version of myself I was trying to skip past. But it also brought me closer to God. Read more>>

Chanice Ball

As a child, I used to believe that I was weird or different because something was wrong with me. I often felt like I was “a lot”. Eventually later realizing that what I was experiencing was really my high-functioning brain, most likely undiagnosed ADD. Read more>>

Barbara Kolo

I believe in intuition. If I am presented with an opportunity that may look good “on paper”, but have the gut feeling that something isn’t quite right, I’ve learned to trust my intuition. For some it may take a leap of faith to follow this silent guidance. Read more>>

Julia Henning

I believe that nothing we live through is wasted. Even the heartbreaks, detours, and collapses that felt like endings have become part of the architecture of who I am. The very things that cracked me open also made me more whole. I believe our lives are guided by a quiet intelligence; what some call synchronicity, others call coincidence, and some dismiss as mysticism. Read more>>

Ken Sparks

Something that is misunderstood about my business is that people assume that we are just in the fields all day planting and harvesting fruit and vegetables. There is so much more to the business than that. This is an operation, there is paperwork, communications, and much more. We also provide educational programs, offer consultations, have social media partnerships and speaking engagements. Read more>>

Carlos Cipriano

I think the secret struggle we all share is the emotional weight of the world’s current state. It’s hard to escape in this age of constant information, where we’re inundated with news and global events. We’re all trying to process this immense, collective reality, and it’s a burden that many people carry without ever speaking about. Read more>>

CARMEN URIBE

I think people may misunderstand my legacy by assuming it was only about working hard. The truth is, I sometimes worked so much that I forgot to pause and enjoy the fruits of my labor or even see who would truly benefit from it. Read more>>

Semaj’ White

Surviving South Central L.A. in the 80s and 90s was its own education. Every day was a test of awareness, resilience, and choices. The streets were heavy with gang banging, poverty, and systemic neglect, and for a young Black man, just making it home safe was considered a victory. Read more>>

April Diaz

What I understand deeply that most people don’t is this: you are the most important person you’ll ever lead. You’re also the most difficult! Most people avoid the deep self-awareness work, but that’s where the unfair advantage lives. Leading yourself isn’t about trying harder; it’s about training differently. Hustle will burn you out. Read more>>

FLAVIO BISCIOTTI

Indeed, challenges and storms are inevitable in any long career, especially in design and construction. In my case, two particularly traumatic situations stand out. One major difficulty was the 2008 economic crisis, which severely impacted the industry and my work at a critical moment—right in the middle of a large development project. Read more>>

Tony Gentile

Something outside of work that brings me joy is Fatherhood and being with my family. I just love having this other job that is sometimes very challenging, but also very rewarding. It forces me to learn, grow, and I love that. Read more>>

Kevin Angel

Outside of work, the one thing that truly brings me joy is just existing with my wife. Yes, I recently got married on November 2, 2024 and its been the best decision I have made. We got married in vegas at the KISS wedding chapel and dressed up as Joker and Harley Quinn. There’s definitely video of our wedding… Read more>>

Amanda Albrecht

For the past 10 years, I poured myself into 60-70 hour weeks working corporate jobs. While I gained valuable skills and experiences, I’ve realized that lifestyle no longer serves me. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at 38, it became clear that the chronic stress and lack of opportunities for creativity in my work was taking a real toll on my health. Read more>>

Haneef Jordan

The part of me that has served its purpose and must now be released is the version of myself that felt the need to always be strong for everyone else while silently carrying my own pain. That chapter taught me resilience, but it also kept me from fully receiving help, rest, and love. Read more>>

Aida Mandic

I had the extraordinary honor and privilege to have two very powerful, special, talented, passionate, inspiring, and intelligent women in my life. My mother and my grandmother have shaped me into the person that I am today and I am eternally grateful for their incredible influence on my life. My mother was the first person to graduate from college in my family. Read more>>

Nimira Alibhoy

They’d probably say that I care. A lot. I might not always be the one who remembers every birthday or sends the perfect check-in text, but when it comes to actually showing up, I’m all in. I care deeply about people – about how they’re treated, about how I make them feel, and about doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching. Read more>>

Chloe Taylor

Emily would probably laugh and call me a sap. Honestly? She knows I live for the unscripted, wonderfully messy, but somehow magical little moments, the ones nobody posts on Instagram. Late night heart to hearts about fears no one ever admits. Tiny wins that nobody cheers for. Laughter that comes out of nowhere over something completely ridiculous. Those are the sparks I chase. Read more>>

LaTanya Sherman

Project EDUCATE! It seeks to exemplify the much-needed change in response to Los Angeles’s homeless tragedy. Project EDUCATE envisions communities in which all of its residents have access to humane and dignified housing conditions and basic necessities for their sustainment. African Americans make up approximately 9% of the population in Los Angeles County but more than 35% of the homeless population. Read more>>

TIDE- EYE

We are committed to and believe in Tide-Eye. This band was started as a creative outlet for us as Psych Rock musicians ins L.A. It has grown into something that we are sure is already becoming bigger than itself. We all sink ourselves into our craft here and we create uninhibited by outside influence. Read more>>

Courtney Fretwell

I used to believe that success was a straight line—you pick a career, work hard, and everything falls into place. I thought if I followed the “rules,” checked the boxes, and played it safe, the rest would sort itself out. Looking back, that was pretty naive. Life, and especially creative work, is never linear. Podcasting taught me that. Read more>>

Stephanie Phillips

The moment that truly changed how I view the world was when my mom became sick and eventually passed away from complications of ovarian cancer. It was heartbreaking, but it also opened my eyes to how much we need a more holistic approach to health. Read more>>

Christie Smirl

At age 4, I had an out of body experience, OBE. From that moment forward, I understood that I was more than just a physical body and that my consciousness could travel and survive outside my corporeal shell. After many subsequent childhood mystical interactions and astral projections, my awareness and vision naturally extended into the spirit world. Read more>>

Amanda Deming

One of the most surprising things I’ve learned about my clients is how much they truly trust us an how loyal they are. A lot of our clients have been with us for 19 years! For first time clients, what often starts as a first-time session turns into loyal relationships. Read more>>

Kat W

One of the most surprising things I have learned about our amazing customers is their deep support both for small business owners and also support for the return to natural solutions. Read more>>

Danielle Rubenstein

I stopped hiding my pain the moment I realized that my story, my scars, and my struggles didn’t make me weak. They made me unshakably REAL and AUTHENICLY ME! The moment I chose expression over suppression, and growth over silence, that’s when my PAIN became my POWER. I believe like-minded connections understand this and want to be there to help elevate and encourage one another. Read more>>

Precious Castillo

There was a moment in my life, a pivotal moment, when I realized that I had a voice—a voice that deserved to be heard, that could no longer be stifled or pushed aside. For years, I let my thoughts and feelings sit quietly within me, keeping them bottled up out of fear, or perhaps a misplaced sense of duty to protect the emotions of others. Read more>>

Ford Ferreira

I feel most at peace when I am being my most authentic self. How the world is designed, we often have to navigate and shift our behaviors to suit the majority. The problem with that is the lingering imposter syndrome it leaves us with. Getting older has taught me that we can be ourselves without being rude, offensive, or aggressive. Read more>>

Brandi M. Jones

Every day, every client, every campaign, every red carpet, every pitch is a bet on my company. The only certainty is my dedication to being the best stylist, the best version of myself. Read more>>

Matt Fore

I usually experience transcendent moments of what one might call ‘pure joy’ when I’m in the middle of a take on set. Read more>>

Kelsi Roberts

I feel incredibly fortunate to say my parents. Man, do my parents believe and support me. Even now, I’m a thirty-seven-year-old improviser, and they still come to all of my shows. They invite all their friends and neighbors to my shows, and it’s really brought me a lot of joy seeing them with all their support. Read more>>

Quinn Heinrichs

I come from a very artistic family, and they taught me the most about work. From a young age, I understood through them that art and creativity are not only fulfilling, but also valuable and worthy of respect as a legitimate career path. Read more>>

Joey Farese

I admire my head builder, Benny. Sure, he is a powerful man, holding the coveted title of head builder; but that is not why I admire him. I admire him because of the passion he pours into his craft. He doesn’t care about the money or the notoriety, his goal is simple – make quality furniture that can be enjoyed for decades to come. Read more>>

Michele Miles Gardiner

My husband, Ian. Even before his stroke, I admired him. He’s hilarious. Ian makes me laugh from the moment he wakes up. I love his spirit and upbeat attitude. If there’s a problem, he’ll assure me, ‘We’ll figure it out.’ He’s right. We always have. I love that he’s never worked a regular job. As a teenager, he began playing bass professionally with many bands. Read more>>

Cindy Turcios

For most of my life, I relied a lot on other people’s ideas whether it was my mom, my family, close friends, or even my clients. I wouldn’t always do exactly what they said, but I would take their advice, add my own twist, and go that route. Now, though, I’m in a different place. Read more>>

Jimmy Matiz

A normal day for me doesn’t really feel “normal,” and that’s exactly what I love about it. Some mornings start with emails and client details, others with a strong coffee and a notebook where I jot down new menu ideas or plating sketches. Read more>>

Matthew Michael Ross

Right now my days are anything but normal. Since my feature film just launched on Prime Video, I’m juggling publicity, press, and advertising—basically wearing all the hats that come with being an independent filmmaker. I’m on social media a lot more than usual, creating posts and even memes to help promote the film, and I’ve been doing interviews too. Read more>>

Pascale Beale

One of the pleasures and challenges of running your own business is that no two days are the same. Read more>>

Sarah Louise Rector

A normal day? Well, pre-baby me would’ve been up at the crack of dawn, hitting my morning fitness/wellness routine, sneaking in a beauty regimen, walking my two Frenchies, training a few private clients, filming content for my app The SLR Life, maybe a brand collab, and—if time allowed—a quick audition or casting. Basically, by lunchtime I’d lived a whole day already. Read more>>

Andy McAllister

I’ve worked with a lot of different filmmakers and musicians and well, it really is a small miracle when things get made. Read more>>

Sin

My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I sold my first handmade item at a neighborhood market as a new business. Seeing someone pick up something I’d made, hand me money, and smile made me realize my ideas could matter to other people. Read more>>

Katy Zales

Riding on the back of my dad’s motorcycle. I was so small my feet barely reached the footpegs, but the moment we took off, no walls, no roof, just wind around me, was the feeling of freedom, and it was powerful. It’s a feeling I still chase today. Read more>>

Kelly Meyersfield

I remember being at sleep away camp as a 6 year old—I went that young because I couldn’t bear being away from my older brother another summer so I followed him! Anyway, I was sitting outside by myself and I started to sing and I really liked the sound. It was the first time I had the idea that I was a singer! Read more>>