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.

Shan Ojehomon, MSN, RN-BC

Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I truly believe that captures the essence of my work. If I retired tomorrow, I think my clients and their families would miss my kindred spirit, bubbly personality, and patience. Read more>>

Marni Truelove

I want to believe that my shoppers and consignors would miss the entire experience of shopping with us–discovering unique designer treasures to add to their closets (often new with tags) and sharing fitting room fun with other ladies. Read more>>

Thomas Boutros

The Energy and Presence – You don’t just play songs; you read the room, adapt on the fly, and keep the dance floor alive from the first dance to the last song. Couples would miss someone who brings real-time excitement and a personal touch to every moment. Read more>>

James Clark

Jesus said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul, and the second is like unto it, to love your neighbor as yourself. If we loved our neighbors as ourselves, we would not do half the things that most of us do, and those things are what break the bonds between each of us. Read more>>

Aidan San Diego

I believe bonds between people can be broken in a lot of ways. If you look at all of the closest relationships in your life, what do they all have in common? Can you think of one? I can’t exactly. Hardship of any form can break bonds, but it can also be a very fertile ground to build relationships as well. Read more>>

Anne-Marie Kida

The illusion that we are separate. I think we have a tendency to forget our shared humanity – our longing to be seen or be loved and we build walls around our hearts. Fear, judgement and disconnection grow in that space of forgetting. Remembering restores those bonds. Remembering that we are all connected. Read more>>

Melissa Lewis

The one thing that can really injure a human soul is another human soul. The one thing that can heal a human soul is another human soul. Our words, actions and feelings can create such beauty if we let them. People give so much of their power to worry, doubt and anxiety. Read more>>

Arianna Hume

Of course, I’m happy to be chatting with y’all again! A question we get a lot is, “What exactly is the Liberty Ladder System℠?” We coined this term to highlight what makes our on-site programming at Liberty Music Academy unique! Read more>>

alectra busey

I think photographers and the work we do are often misunderstood. People usually only see the final images, but not the countless things that happen behind the scenes. There’s editing, planning, setting up and breaking down equipment, organizing shots and locations, and making sure everything runs smoothly for the client. Read more>>

Rick Caballo

That it is not needed! Branding isn’t optional—it’s essential. It’s the foundation of your story and identity, the key element your target audience connects with and remembers. When your branding is strong and clear, everything else—marketing, publicity, social media, merchandise—naturally aligns and flows from it. Without it, you’re just throwing darts in the dark. Read more>>

jen goodall

For me, its impostor syndrome is that quiet, nagging belief that you’re not really qualified or deserving of your success—even when you’ve proven your abilities. I think so many people struggle with it silently, especially women and creatives, and it can feel profoundly isolating despite being far more common than most of us realize. Another big one is constant comparison. Read more>>

Tycho Bergquist

There is an Unhappiness Epidemic in our world. People believe they have to live at a sub-optimal level of ‘okayness’ and so they just drift along, close to the edge, wondering when their life will start. People will ask others ‘How are you?’ and not really mean it. And people will answer ‘Good!’ and feel like complete shells of themselves. Read more>>

Amanda Meadows

I think the biggest misunderstanding about my legacy might be that people assume I’m making fun of the trailer park lifestyle. But the truth is, everything I do comes from my own life, my own background, and my own circumstances. I want people to know that southern poor communities are real, that we may do things differently, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Read more>>

Chanel Gresham

People may mistake my legacy for the titles, the books, the coaching programs, or the outward success. They might think it was about business or brand. But the truth is—my legacy was never about building a name; it was about building people. What may be misunderstood is that everything I created wasn’t meant to spotlight me, but to spark transformation in others. Read more>>

Nathanael DeLong

In a world that idolizes fame/fortune/success, I think people will misunderstand our band name ‘We The Least.’ We want the name of Jesus to be famous, not our own names. We are the least important part of what we do. Read more>>

Becky Durkee

Currently, I am working on growing my new host travel agency. So while I still am actively planning trips for others, I am also seeking new agents. I would say I am doing a 50/50 split on training new agents and helping them get started while booking for my clients. It’s very satisfying! Read more>>

Justin McEwen

Working at my Full-time job as a Cook/line server at a Senior living facility and part-time bartender as well! Read more>>

Jaycee King

Most days for me start and end with music. I work full-time in construction, but before I head out I usually squeeze in some writing, recording, editing, or planning. Then it’s a long day on the job site, and as soon as I get home, I’m right back into music until I crash. Read more>>

Tiffany Young

A typical day for me starts with prayer, followed by a workout to get my energy flowing. Throughout the day, I’m on multiple phone calls, managing clients’ social media pages, and responding to emails and text messages. At any given moment, I might switch gears to edit a video, create a graphic, or handle other creative tasks to keep projects moving forward. Read more>>

Skip Ewing

My days right now are filled with travel, time in the studio, and writing for the second half of my new album. (The first half is finished, and new music is coming in September.) Read more>>

Kevin Barry

A normal day is wake up in a hotel room, good find breakfast, kill about 8 hours either walking around a mall, seeing a movie or maybe going on a adventure in the random town we are in that day, then get to the venue set up to soundcheck, eat, wait a little longer then play a show, after that we talk to to fans sell merch then loadout and go back to the hotel to sleep and repeat that process! Read more>>

MASH

I’m producing several tracks for some artists. So I wake up, have breakfast, pray and meditate, and get right into production. It’s a lot of work and looking at a screen sitting down for several hours, so I try to go out and play tennis, and/or get up after every hour. Read more>>

Mikey Denton

My wife. Shes constantly pushing me, wants me to ask questions instead of ignore them, she has helped me run a business (really she ran it I was just the face), and she constantly makes me want to do better for our family. Not by force but just witnessing her drive for things makes me want to replicate it Read more>>

Leigh Achenbach

When I married my husband Joey, how I saw myself completely changed. I was always the shy, quiet one who kept to myself and did what I was supposed to do. I would not call myself confident at all growing up. Read more>>

Lauren Wells

My relationship with Jesus definitely shapes how I view myself more than anything. As I’ve walked with God, especially in my adult years, I’ve learned to value myself based on God’s unconditional love for me, rather than what I can accomplish in this life. Read more>>

MUNK FOO

the relationship i have with myself shaped me the most for sure. I’ve been self-actualized for a long time and once I was able to accept me for me and be comfortable in my talents, gifts, abilities, my body, mind, and spirit I was able to begin molding myself intentionally to the person I’ve been called to be. Read more>>

Annalee Neeley

My relationship with God has certainly shaped how I see myself the most because it is through my knowing God that I know my given identity, purpose, and calling. This might sound a bit odd as so much of culture and media teaches that we–autonomous individuals–ultimately shape our self-image and perception. I believe quite differently. Read more>>

The Heels

Recently, we had the incredible honor of joining Alabama on their Roll-On North America Tour and opening their shows with our acoustic trio set for sold-out crowds of country music fans. It was a dream come true for us! Walking off stage that first night, Brittni made us all laugh when she said, ‘Thank you, Puckett’s! Read more>>

Jones Kolbinsky

Absolutely not. Laughter is for folks on the left side of the bell curve… The Laugher Curve, if you will… As an intellectual, I refuse to laugh at anything that doesn’t tickle my ideological fervor, or instill a sense of wonder and awe… Read more>>

Jess Coale

I have avoided it for awhile but deep down I know I am being called to step into the spotlight. I lived in fear for the majority of my life; whether it be asking a question, speaking to a group of people, fear of rejection, being laughed at etc. Read more>>