Local Highlighter Series

We are so thrilled to be able to connect with some of the brightest and most inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives from across the city and beyond and this series in particular gives us the honor of introducing these folks to you in a unique way – we go beyond the story of how they got to where they are today by asking them to reflect on a variety of deeper questions that we hope will help you better connect with them, their stories and their brands. Ultimately, our hope is that more of us will spend more of our money with independent artists, creatives and small businesses and we think getting to know one another at a deeper level is step one.

Shuqi Yan

One major misconception about the vertical drama industry is that it produces “low-quality” or “cookie-cutter” content. People often assume the storytelling is shallow, the production is careless, and the scripts are overly similar. But once you actually work deeply in this field, you realize how different the reality is. Read more>>

Monique Fisher

That it’s easy. I’m an author. I write sweet and sexy rom-coms featuring Black lead characters and there are a lot of folks out there that think writing is easy. It’s not. It’s rewarding and there’s nothing else in the world I want to spend my time doing as a career but it is not easy. Read more>>

Cielo Ruiz

Burn out. I know some people are vocal about it and it is becoming less taboo to express it, but I notice that some people still feel more comfortable with ‘suffering in silence’ sometimes, and I get it. Social media keeps showing every moment of our lives, but we don’t always see the hard times behind the camera. Read more>>

Annie Toufic

That although your alchemy doesn’t have to look one certain way there are certain practices that require a strict set of rules -for your own protection, sanity, and self preservation. The internet has conditioned people think they can just do whatever spell or magic they want to do and it’s all gonna be lovely and beauitful. That is not true. Read more>>

George Dnhash

A normal day for me usually starts early. I’m either planning a shoot, heading to a client location, or reviewing footage from the previous day. Since I run Dancing Sky Studios, most of my work revolves around staying organized and keeping every project moving smoothly. Read more>>

Ethan Ingram

Taking my Corgi to the dog park at dawn. Catching up on emails. Preparing for any shoots that day, or working on set construction for another concept. Read more>>

Hannah Altman

My days vary a lot depending on what I’m working on, and they almost always start with coffee, my quiet moment before everything gets moving. Some days I’m traveling and on set producing a TV show, jumping between locations and managing long shoot days. Other days I’m back in LA, attending events, networking, and planning upcoming projects. Read more>>

Karen Rosa

The light I have dimmed for a long time was my own creative power. I have always had it, the vision, the imagination, the ability to create something emotional, feminine, and strong, but for many years I kept it small. I was afraid of being seen, of taking up space, of showing my ideas with confidence. Read more>>

Kapri Dabrowska

While I was extremely lucky to have many wonderful relationships in my life, I think that the main person that deserves a distinction here is my mom. My mom has worked very hard her whole life to make sure that I could grow and develop my interests, and be successful in what I find passionate. Read more>>

Taryn Luquin

God- when i got closer to God i understood how He shaped to be the person I am today. This is exactly what gets me up in the morning and to show up for people around me. Read more>>

Yevheniia Neff

One truth I rarely articulate is how fragile stability can feel in life. Growing up or moving to a new country showed me that things can change in an instant, and that shapes how I approach everything—from relationships to work. It’s a quiet truth I carry with me: being resilient, careful, and thoughtful matters more than I often say out loud Read more>>

Ashley A.

One of the deepest truths I live by is that pain can shape you in ways comfort never will. I rarely say it aloud, but suffering taught me more about who I am than any form of success ever did. That truth changed how I move through the world and how I show up for my children and my patients. Read more>>

Marcia og big mama Robertson

One day im going to die ..Non of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. Remind yourself every morning when you wake up that each day is a gift and you’re bound to make the most of the blessings you’ve been given.The moment you start acting like life is a blessing is the moment it will start acting like one. Read more>>

Jim McCaffree

Maybe it’s not that early, but when I first acted in high school. It was the spring variety show, and I got to be in comedy sketches, ripped off from Carol Burnett & Friends and SNL. I never felt confident about anything before, and it changed my life. Read more>>

Effie Spence

I love this question because power can mean so many different things. Power can be when I got on stage the first time, or stood up to a bully, or came to tell the truth about something that frightened me, but the story of power I want to share is much more whimsical and innocent. Read more>>

Cheyanne Taylor

A cultural value I protect at all costs is time. We live in a ‘grind culture’, but I have learned that I want to work to live not live to work. I value quality time with others especially as my family has spread throughout the country and even abroad. Read more>>

Marlene Dandler

Freedom. Especially freedom of speech and medical freedom. Read more>>

Megan Dadsi

In a world where the digital world seems to be dominating a lot of businesses the power in a physical store (brick and mortar) still makes a huge powerful impact to a community. Despite the rise of e-commerce, a majority of consumers still prefer the human interaction to make final purchases in a physical store. Read more>>

Sheryl Coughlan

What’s surprised me most is how many of our customers come to us not just because they’re treasure-hunting or decorating a home, but because they’re going through major life changes; moving, downsizing, inheriting property, or needing to manage an estate. Read more>>

Dylan Toomer

Recently I’ve had to make a decision that will affect my future and it was weighing on my mind for months. But I finally called someone I trust and love and Im glad I did because I haven’t felt that loved and supported in a while, and If Im being honest I didn’t believe I deserved it. Read more>>

Erika Apelgren

I don’t know if people are getting it ‘wrong.’ Everyone has their own journey and their own timing. But I do think many people are focused on things that keep them disconnected from themselves. Read more>>

Chrisse SOUKAI

I believe the person I’m learning the most from is my martial art coach, along with my entire martial art/wushu community and the art form itself. Read more>>

The Happy Casualties

Nicholas Ceglio Read more>>

Anu Kumar

I admire so many people in the art communities I’m part of, but there’s one woman who always stands out to me. She’s in her eighties—though you would never know it by the way she fills her life. Read more>>

Sydney Lawson

I have deep admiration for the people on a film set who show up early, leave last, and work hard even when they’re exhausted—all to keep the workflow safe and efficient. They’re often assistants who receive little recognition, yet they show up because they care about filmmaking and want to be part of something larger than themselves. Read more>>

Andre Muñoz

Without a doubt — my mom. Her strength has never come from status or influence, but from her heart, her resilience, and the way she’s faced every challenge with grace and determination. Read more>>

Brandon Lessard

There’s a great interview with Bryan Cranston where he talks about his style of acting that he calls ‘testing the branch.’ His philosophy is to take the emotions and intentions of the character and amp it up to 11. To find the place where the ‘branch’ snaps. Read more>>

Albert Kurniawan

Absolutely YES! Why? Because I know my own strengths better than anyone. Because I trust my ability to learn, adapt and figure things out. Because I have seen myself overcome challenges before and I know I am capable. Because I bring value whether it’s work ethics, creativity, reliability or something else. I understand what I stand for and what I bring to a team. Read more>>