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 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.

Carolin Schild

Oh I definitely do what I want to do – if I was born to do it, I mean, my passion is deep and its all I ever wanted to do, so I believe yes? in a way I was born for it! I’ve been extremely lucky to have parents that always supported my dreams. Read more>>

Rick Rodstrom

Don’t lose your creativity; it is the essence of you. Read more>>

DJ HARMONYY

Every version of me you see is real. The version of me you receive is based on the energy you provide. I’m good everywhere, I receive and give love in every environment. From the corporate crowd, to the OG’s at the cookout, to the college house party, to the hood with the YN’s, I’m good everywhere being me. Read more>>

Justin Campbell

Every success and setback at Firefly is a reflection of my personal strengths and weaknesses. I’ve realized that the business doesn’t just reflect what I do, it reflects who I am, how I handle pressure, and how I respond to challenges. Running Firefly has made me more aware of myself than I expected. Read more>>

Robb Fahrion

There have been countless times along this entrepreneurial journey when I’ve wanted to give up. A lot of tears, arguments, and strained relationships with friends and family that have all been triggered by the pressure, the uncertainty, the relentless weight of trying to build something from nothing. There were late nights when I found myself asking: What am I doing? Why am I doing this? Read more>>

Joani Stewart

There was never really a time when I almost gave up… in fact, it was quite the opposite. When I was going through my divorce, I thought I might quit, but all of a sudden, finances were an issue and I had to support myself and take care of two young children.. Read more>>

Courtney ‘Coco’ Walls

As a recovering perfectionist, letting the light shine on you isn’t one of the easier things to do, especially when you’re comfortable letting others take center stage. It’s easier to hide, because the mistakes aren’t seen, but letting your work, your self, your inner world tangibly take shape is a level of vulnerability that some artists like myself struggle with. The fear of being seen. Read more>>

Oxana Aleksov

For many years photographers on social media would ask me if I teach, mentor, or have a platform where they could learn from me. Deep down I wanted to do it, but I was afraid. English is my second language, I’m naturally shy, and I doubted whether I would be a good teacher. Read more>>

Michelle Ramin

As a kid, I really didn’t think a lot was possible. I grew up in a small, rural town in Central Pennsylvania and was often told that being an artist and going into a creative field was not a viable career path. I even remember my high school guidance counselor trying to convince me to take AP Physics instead of art classes my senior year. Read more>>

Eleonora Balducchi

As a child, I once believed that certain opportunities had an age limit, that if I hadn’t started learning something early, I was already “too old” to begin. Surely it was a matter of confidence, of fear to compare myself with other kids who may have been more advanced as a result of earlier exposure to some craft. Read more>>

Navik Nanubhai

We live in a remarkably abundant time in human history. From the amount of information we have access to, to the availability of food, clothing, and resources, there is more within reach than ever before. I see that abundance as a gift—but one that comes with a consequence: we’ve largely lost a sense of reverence. Read more>>

Hannah Glenn

Fear of showing who I am. Being vulnerable. I had to be willing to show my inadequacies and keep developing as I went. I was intimidated because I play mostly by ear. My singing voice is fine. Not super strong. Not super clear. Some people like it. Read more>>

Gary Gibson

Fear itself is a major deterrent for most things in one’s life. I would say that if you are a Creative then you run the risk of fear deterring you all the time. Because what you are producing, be it interiors, products, or art, are all subjective, you are subject to commentary which isn’t always good. Read more>>

Hannah Mathews

One of the defining wounds of my life came from the way I internalized religion and religious culture. Read more>>

Suparna Saha

This past year was one of the most challenging of my life. I am also a recent survivor of human trafficking—an experience that profoundly reshaped my understanding of safety, dignity, and recovery. Just weeks after being crowned Miss Tourism USA Universe, I experienced the loss of Sai Ma, my spiritual mother and greatest source of support. Read more>>

Dani Wieczorek

I lose track of time when I put music on and allow myself to dance. I like to improvise through contemporary movement — especially in moments when I need to reconnect with my body or process deeper emotions. I let the soul lead me. The body knows what needs to move, what needs to soften, and what needs to be released. Read more>>

Charisse Duncan

Perfectionism, rigid religious beliefs, and people pleasing tendencies. These behaviors were once a part of my identity, but now I realize how restricting these traits were to me and my work as an artist. Releasing these traits have been such a relief for me creatively and personally. I feel more authentic and connected to myself. Read more>>

David Emenheiser

They’d tell you that my faith is everything to me. I pray daily that people see Jesus in me—not just in my words, but in the way I live and love my life. I want my life to glorify Him, and I hope my photography offers a small glimpse into the beauty God has created for all of us to see. Read more>>

Michael Contreras

A belief/project that I am fully committed to is my company Root 66 Films, LLC and the opportunity to tell impactful stories to an audience. As we end 2025 and break into 2026, this is my main focus. Creating has always been a passion of mine and with that, filmmaking has become an avenue to express both my technical and creative skills. Read more>>

Volha Zhamoitsina

All three—intelligence, integrity, and energy—are essential, but energy comes first. Energy is the underlying field through which intelligence is expressed and integrity is revealed. It reflects intention, coherence, and authenticity before words or actions take shape. When you understand energy, you understand alignment. Read more>>

Reto Sterchi

The drive home after a shoot is the best feeling in the world. Everything stressful has vanished at least for that night. Anxiety makes room for euphoria. It’s a simple equation I’ve learned: Happiness means solving the right problems. Read more>>

Nate Franchesco

I feel most at peace in the moments between effort and expectation — after the work is done, before it’s judged. When the room is quiet, the noise is gone, and there’s nothing left to prove. That might be late at night after a long studio session, or after a workout, or during a simple walk when my thoughts finally settle. Read more>>

Raven Clausen

My acting teacher, MJ Karmi. I owe everything to her. I was nowhere near being an actress when she chipped away at my mold and pulled the true Raven out. No one has been as crucial to my acting journey as she has. Read more>>

Joe MOller

I have a friend, lets call him Chris. Read more>>

Tamas Hever

My biggest inspirations are my siblings. My brother is a filmmaker and an artist to the bone. He introduced me to films and music that shaped my taste early on, his sensibility had a huge impact on me. His attention, curiosity, and genuine love for the arts continue to inspire me. My sister is my other major inspiration. Read more>>

Mark Tullen

I know for a fact then I can. And, this is because I have. I will always continue to give my best foot forward because I know that at the end of the night, the only person left speaking to me once I’m ready to sleep is myself. My thoughts, my aspirations, my values. Read more>>

Bradley Kahabka

I think that is absolutely the only way to live. Never do anything half-heartedly, you never know what doors you will open by putting your full effort into something. If you do anything to your absolute fullest, and honestly, I think it’s something people notice even if it is subconsciously. Read more>>

DiR (Diamond In The Rough)

This is an interesting question, as for artists, especially when you begin uploading videos online for the first time and get no views or don’t have an audience, it can make you feel like ‘what’s the point’? I especially felt that when I first started posting content online as DiR, after putting in hours to perfect a video or performance. Read more>>

Marie-Charlotte Vatelot

I would stop sweating the small stuff and I would stop rushing. Life in LA, as a mom and a business owner brings on a lot of rushing around and doubting yourself. I would stop over packing my days and just try to be. My 2026 resolution was actually to be more of a human ‘being’ than a human ‘doing’ this year! Read more>>

Egypt Brown

I would stop allowing doubt to have any power over my decisions. Doubt is paralyzing and deeply tied to fear, and fear keeps you standing still. Standing still means you aren’t trying, and not trying means you’re giving up. You only fail when you give up. If I knew my time was limited, I would choose action over hesitation every time. Read more>>

John Afful

I try to avoid the battle of earning trust. Let me explain. A lot of people in the greater LA metropolitan area can be distrustful for many reasons and with good reason. Due to past bad experiences, and normalizing witnessed distrustful behavior that has been seen over and over again, that can affect a person’s ability to see the good in a person. Read more>>

YOSI ARBIB

In my experience—both in construction and in leadership—bonds break when communication breaks. Confusion, assumptions, and silence create friction. People start to fill in the blanks with their own fears or frustrations. What restores those bonds is transparency, ownership, and steady follow-through. When you communicate clearly, admit mistakes, and stay consistent in your actions, trust rebuilds. Read more>>

Shelby St.clair

Oooofff this is a heavy question but it comes down to one word…trauma. If we don’t deal with the trauma we have experienced no matter big T (abuse, addiction, abandonment, etc) or little T (judgement, heartbreak, etc) the patterns and cycles will play out in every relationship because the belief, behavior and action hasn’t changed. Read more>>

Joey Bothwell

We are energy in motion. Energy is all around us and inside of us. We are all connected to the energy of life, the planet, plants, animals etc. Imagine the ocean, if I take a glass and scoop up ocean there is ocean inside the glass (the body) AND ocean still exists outside the glass (life force, energy). Read more>>

Alessandra Lauren Salituri

I truly believe in the power of manifestation and our ability to live the life we desire. Due to our past experiences and limiting beliefs I know sometimes it can feel like certain things are not possible for us. But I’ve seen with myself and clients the power we have to make massive shifts in our lives no matter what we’ve been through. Read more>>

Alessandra Manias

What is most misunderstood about my job as a Production Designer for film and television is that it is a major creative and logistical role that begins at the script stage and is built on a very strong pre-production process. Many people think Production Design is simply about decorating existing locations or that it’s a purely artistic role. Read more>>

Secret Sister

people see the analog gear & vibe & community & hone in on the retro recording aspect of what we do, but the true end goal is not even about any of that – its about protecting musicians rights and royalties Read more>>

Nicole Lal

When I think about what’s often misunderstood right now, I don’t just see it in one studio or one class, I see it reflected across the Pilates industry as a whole. There’s a growing belief that Pilates has to be extremely challenging to the point where an exercise or position feels nearly impossible to accomplish. Read more>>

Nathan Nourian

1. It’s a Two-Year Partnership, Not a Product One of the biggest misconceptions is that you are ‘buying braces.’ In reality, you are entering into a two-year medical relationship. Unlike buying a car where the product is the same regardless of the dealership, the ‘product’ in orthodontics is the skill, oversight, and biological management provided by the doctor. Read more>>

John Chung

There’s a common mindset among many engaged couples that every wedding reception is basically the same. Having been to friends’ or family weddings, they often expect a fun but somewhat generic experience. This is the biggest misunderstanding we work to overcome. Read more>>

Priscilla Garcia

As a small business owner, we go through a roller coaster of emotions. There are days where days and months feel heavy whereas others you feel the amazing energy. Personally, I think many of us secretly struggle with imposter syndrome, learning to separate work-life balance, and most importantly, mental health. Read more>>

Xiaodan Helen Altenbach

One of the most important missions of Los AnCellos is to bring equal access to high level music-making and to share this unique opportunity with people who have little or no musical background. Los AnCellos is made of multi-talented individuals who see themselves beyond a siloed professional identity. We are musicians. We are also teachers. Read more>>

Sonny Apollo

Those who mind don’t matter. Those who matter don’t mind.’ While I am living and breathing, I do not think about ‘legacy.’ Ask me when I am dead. Read more>>

Susan Foxley

**A Day in My Life** I don’t wake up to an alarm clock—I wake up to intention. Before my feet ever hit the floor, I place a hand on my heart and take a moment to remember what matters. That small pause shapes everything that follows. I work six days a week, not because I have to, but because I genuinely love what I do. Read more>>

Angie Lin

The light I’ve been dimming until recently, is my sensuality. Growing up in a conservative environment, I was taught that intelligence and sensuality cannot exist together – You can be hot, or smart. Choose one. I was constantly shamed for wearing skirts, wearing makeup, hanging out with boys, posting ‘thirst-trap’ pictures online, etc. Read more>>

Kenneth de Vito

My friendship with the distinguished Cuban-American composer Dr. Aurelio de la Vega. I met Aurelio in September 1974 when I began my music composition studies at California State University Northridge. He was my primary composition teacher there and I considered him my composition teacher/mentor until he passed in February 2022. Over the last six years of his life he became one of my closest friends. Read more>>

Alexander Orozco

My relationship with God has made me who I am. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I’ve learned that the best things in life are worked for—including self-love. I used to wonder why God placed me in the food industry when I was such a picky eater who didn’t know how to cook! Read more>>

Stephanie Tejada

My relationship with God. Getting closer to God really helped me to love myself more & to be more grateful & humble.To accept myself & own who I really am. Read more>>

SkaDanko XOXO

My early memory of feeling powerful is when i had my first gig playing an open mic. As i got on stage in front of the mic i was so eager and ready to play my original piece of music ive been working on not recorded yet. So its all in my head ready to be recorded now. Read more>>

Yara Estrada Lowe

I was in elementary school, and it was during recess break. I remember lining up ten of my peers to hand out character roles from the 80’s cartoons He-Man and She-Ra. Of course gave myself the role of She-Ra, (I’m laughing as I’m writing this). Read more>>

Sami Stumman

On stage. As a kid you feel a lot of big emotions that can be difficult to name, and it can feel scary to stand out. That fear can make it tempting to hide parts of yourself. I definitely felt at a point it was safer, and as a result, unknowingly cut off access to things that made me, me. Read more>>

Chris Gillis

Honestly, it took me a long time to feel real power. Not performative confidence. Not “fake it till you make it.” Actual power. People see me now and assume I was always this grounded, cool, confident guy. That wasn’t the case at all. Read more>>

Dr. Michelle R. Hannah

I’m changing the narrative around this question, because I don’t want my future to be shaped by regret—I want it to be shaped by intention and a beautiful reflection. What I would never want to look back and realize is that I didn’t go where my soul has been calling me to go. Read more>>

Elvira Zamora

The cultural value I protect at all costs is to honor the mother, our planet earth. We only have one mother, we only have one home. Modern propaganda has us believing that being a consumer with accumulating trash is what life is about, when really it’s about experiences, feelings and community. Read more>>

Roxanne Griffith

As a kid, I always found solace and comfort in movies. Not just watching them, but learning about how they were made and about the people behind them. I remember being in middle school, and having a hard time making friends so I had a lot of spare time. Read more>>

fernanda neu

When I was sad or scared as a child, I would escape into fanfics, books, and yes… One Direction. Losing myself in stories and music made the world feel a little less overwhelming and reminded me that there was magic and connection out there—even on the hardest days. Read more>>

Denise Maceluch

Smart people are getting healthcare totally wrong. Especially in the workplace. Implementing workplace massage as part of an employee health benefit program offers benefits to employers and employees alike. Studies reveal workplace massage has a proven record in an increase in engagement, retention and productivity. The average return on investment (ROI) from an employee massage benefits program is six-to-one. Read more>>

Simone l Paterno

People often misunderstand what a Realtor actually does. They think my job is just opening doors—but the real work happens inside the showing. I’m constantly reading between the lines: Does this home fit how my buyer actually lives? Is a room too big, too small, or perfect for their work-from-home setup? Is the layout safe, functional, and a good long-term value? Read more>>

Mollie Ranize

Absolutely. This may be a controversial opinion, but I’ve always said that creativity and artistry aren’t the most important part of Interior Design. I think it’s much more valuable to be an exceptional listener, highly organized, and deeply committed to follow-through. Those qualities are why I would hire me. I don’t let questions linger or details slip through the cracks. Read more>>