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.
Eskandar and Meghan Hilwi
For sure. I think everyone who creates something finds fulfillment and joy in the process and completion of a creation. Whether it’s music, a project around the house, raising a child, or something work related – I think we all have things that we want to do well because it is something we desire to do. Read more>>
Manuel A. Delgado
I have learned so much more from the struggles and losses in my life. I believe I am a better man because of it. I treat my team like family because I had family treat me poorly. Read more>>
Meghan Swindlehurst
Suffering has taught me just how resilient and powerful I am. Read more>>
Teresitta Jones
Journaling , prayer breakfast kids before I start my day I like to make sure I’m motivated and aware of the importance of being selfless in a selfish world Read more>>
Gary Barragan
I think a frequent misunderstanding about my business is that headshots can be done by anyone. Technically yes, any photographer should be able to produce a decent headshot, but when you hire a photographer specialized in headshots you’re going to get far more than just a “decent” picture. Read more>>
Garrett DeVaughn
Fear of exile, and/or being left behind. Having a physical limitation teaches many things. The most literal for me was that if the community decided to leave me, I physical would be unable to keep up. Everyone needs community, for we are social creatures. In my case, I have feared for my survival, perhaps more than others, should the supports I have ever disappear. Read more>>
Alexander D’Alessandro
The three defining wounds that scarred me, broke me, and ultimately shaped me into who I am today are rooted in family, health, and relationships. The first was realizing that much of my family cared little for me, with only a few exceptions. For a long time, that truth was devastating. Read more>>
Sarah Swensen
Like many creatives, I juggle multiple jobs to support my dream of becoming a professional songwriter. With a Master’s Degree in Social Work, I’ve been able to find a balance between my career and my passion. My mornings start with taking care of my Corgi, Chloe, before logging onto my computer to provide clinical supervision for Master’s-level social workers. Read more>>
Natalie Madigan
What makes me lose track of time and truly find myself is being in nature. One of my favorite rituals is walking along nature trails with my dog. It’s a space where I can reflect, pray, and express gratitude for the life I’ve been given, even in challenging seasons. Read more>>
Pierce Alexander
I’d say my early 20s. A lot of my first full-length album, The Minutehand, came from experiences I had between 2019 and 2022. That was a time when my life was changing pretty drastically as I transitioned into adulthood, and of course it was also right in the middle of the pandemic and lockdown. Read more>>
YEARB4
We live and breathe YEARB4. Each of us have sacrificed so much for this band and our music. Our families have poured so much into us and supporting us in more ways than we can count. The music we write, record, release, and play show after show after show will forever be our number one goal. We are committed to making this work. Read more>>
Tobyq Swager
In 2006, a tornado went through Goodlettsville. It tracked through our neighborhood as it continued northeast toward Gallatin. Many of our neighbors were affected, some devastatingly so, but our home didn’t receive any damage. That weekend, we took food to the crews working to help our neighbors begin the recovery process. Read more>>
Mike Maeshiro
On February 1st, 2020, I watched a Taylor Swift documentary where she cried about gay rights and what people like me deserved while I was still closeted. That set me on a trajectory to wake up and realize that I was on the wrong side of history and suffering for it. Read more>>
Parker Hawkins
I think anyone that sees me on stage or in the studio would agree that I am doing what I am born to do. There have been times in my life when I have questioned the decisions that led me where I am today, but I always knew deep down that I never had a choice. I was built for this! Read more>>
Megan Feveryear
A time when someone truly listened was my Youth Pastor Darin Parry. Various times in my life he has been the person I can always go to for advice and simply find that advice is not only given, laughs are shared, and common ground is always found. Darin listens and shares his heart in a way that get’s down to each person’s level . Read more>>
Brandon Hutcheson
100% What you see on stage is who we are in the studio, hanging out with our buddies, or going to the grocery store. We can’t be anyone but ourselves 100% of the time. Read more>>
Charles Chandler
When people hear of a ‘cash home buyer’ it is common for people to associate that with ‘sleezy investor’ or ‘low ball’ offers. And for some cash home buying companies, THAT’S TRUE! Look, there are bad actors in every industry. But, there’s a pretty simple way to stand out and above competition – transparency, integrity, and following through on commitments made. Read more>>
Stacey Kay & Kayla Bulmer Stacey Kay & Kayla Bulmer
BODY ISSUES! Honestly, both of us could win Oscars for how confident and sassy we look on the outside… but the truth is, behind the scenes, we’re fighting the same insecurities as everyone else. Some days it feels like our bodies are the meanest hecklers in the crowd, and social media only hands them a microphone. Read more>>
Puneet Singh Singhal
I think people may misunderstand my legacy as only about disability rights. While disability justice is at the heart of my work, my vision is broader: it’s about rethinking how we design societies so that no one is left behind in moments of crisis, whether climate, economic, or social. Read more>>
Mikey Black
I understand morals, I understand being valued important and being a leader I understand, loyalty, respect, and privacy. A lot of people don’t understand these things a lot of people think that things that you do won’t come back upon you like karma some people have bad karma, and some people have good karma. It all depends. Read more>>
Dimitris Nezis
I want to be remembered, as a pure hearted man, with big dreams, who, no matter how much they tried to tear him down, mock him, fight him, belittle him, followed them til the end. Read more>>
John Quillen
Jimmy Carter recently passed away but I think he’s one of the greatest humans to ever grace the planet. It is not what he did during his presidency but afterwards that defined him. He’s living proof that you can always have a second act and it can often be better than the first. Read more>>
Dawn Pfingstena
100% at 57 I don’t have time or the desire to pretend that I’m anything other than what you see in real life. Read more>>
Mackenzie Berger
Yes. There have definitely been times I almost gave up. Photography can feel gloriously creative and deeply lonely at the same time. Read more>>
