The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.
Amy Stone
I began doing art as soon as I started walking. I enjoy evoking positive emotions in people and causing them to smile. Using my art as entertainment brings me and the people around me joy. As a professional face painter I love capturing the mirror moment when I hand a child or an adult the mirror to see their painted face. As a live event wedding painter, I love seeing people’s reactions as the painting unfolds throughout the night. Read more>>
Chuck Taylor
Scott and his wife Pook purchased the store from Mr. Shuff in 1995. In 1997 I was working full time at Corky’s BBQ and Scott and his sister came into pick up a family to-go order and I saw his name on the ticket and came out to say hi. We visited for a few minutes and then he told me about a 2nd store he was about to open in the Wolfcahse area. I told him congratulations and whished him the best of luck and went back to work. The next day he called me and asked me if I would come work for him and manage his new store, I said yes!. Read more>>
Breuna Jones
The TakeDown Bar started from a deeply personal moment. I had just given birth via C-section and was in recovery, navigating the joys and challenges of new motherhood. I had braids in my hair and desperately needed them taken down—but despite reaching out, no one was willing to help. The braids were small, the job time-consuming, and it became clear that a service like this simply didn’t exist. That experience stuck with me. I thought, There has to be a better way—and I can create it. Read more>>
TK Jones
Fast forward to 2004 and I accepted an opportunity to relocate with my employer to Memphis. I subsequently crossed paths with Travis and Carol Moody and at the time, Travis was teaching personal finance workshops at our church. I quickly signed up for his next seminar. Why? Well, to be honest, even though I had a degree in finance, I knew very little about how to manage my own money. Prior to relocating, I had accumulated over $30,000 in consumer debt not including my mortgage. At times, I found myself living paycheck to paycheck or supplementing my lifestyle with credit cards. Something needed to change, and I was eager to learn. His class came at just the right time. Read more>>
Clark Butcher
While I knew being the “Eat Mor Chikin” cow on Germantown Parkway wasn’t the long-term plan, it kept me busy until I got my dream job at a local bike shop—Bikes Plus! They instilled work ethic in me. No wasted time, ever. That job felt like family. The team invested in me, and I sold the $hit outta some bikes, y’all! I was barely 5 feet tall, confident AF, and when I wasn’t riding, I was dreaming of selling bikes—hybrids, kids’ bikes, whatever! I loved it. Still, I never thought this would be my career. It just felt like a smarter way to fund my passion. A few years later, I was hired away by a competitor, but soon after, I left for Europe to race after high school. Read more>>
Drew Haltom
I’m an Anglican priest serving in Memphis, TN. A few years ago, I began dreaming of a new church, and that dream is coming to life in Church of the Incarnation, a new Anglican church forming in Memphis. We’re an Anglican church who values things like liturgy and the sacraments. We wear robes and read ancient prayers and use incense. And I believe that God is using these ancient paths in a way that blesses Memphians. Personally, God has been using ancient ways of following Jesus in my own life in truly transformational ways. Read more>>
Alia Pope
Balancing life as a teacher, mom, and content creator hasn’t always been easy. There were times I felt burnt out, stretched thin, or like I was trying to do all the things without enough hours in the day. In the classroom, it can be tough pouring into kids when you’re running on empty. But even on the hardest days, I reminded myself why I started. Every challenge helped me grow, get clear on my purpose, and find joy in the process not just the end result. Read more>>
Samantha Paul
I first learned to crochet in the fall of 2021 because I wanted to make holiday gifts for my family. At the time I had no idea how important crochet would become to me. I was a college student in NYC studying acting, and I would crochet in my free time to help with my mental health. I decided to pivot from acting and move back to Memphis to study fashion and work on my crochet more. In 2022 I moved back to Memphis and I launched my website www.knottedbysam.com in 2023 while I was attending the University of Memphis. Read more>>
Michael LaVoice
I have had several science fiction and fantasy short stories published in various anthologies, and in this year saw my second science fiction series, Gladius Leagues, published by Chris Kennedy Publishing. I recently started a YouTube Channel called LaVoice In Your Head, where I talk about all the nerdy things that interest me, and am hard at work on my next series with Co-Author Peter Stanley from New Zealand, as well as making a return to some ghost writing on the side. When not writing or spending time with family, I work as a survey interviewer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in the Epidemiology Department, as part of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Read more>>
Milton SLEDGE
I go by Sledge, founder and creator of the Straight to it Podcast platform! Straight to it Podcast is a diverse platform for all up and coming artist; Musicians, athletes, comedians, chefs, rappers, singers, business owner….etc. 2024 Podcast of the year winner. Although this will be my last year as a (podcast). As of 2026 I will Change over to Straight to it (the platform). I don’t focus on viral moments, click bait, controversy, or anything negative. Which i feel is what separates me. Also my setup on my studio, I get a lot of compliments on it and it separates me Also. Not following the trend of the click bait and controversial interviewing style is what I’m most proud of; and also just seeing my vision come to life. Read more>>
Cheryl Kelley-Henderson
Ascension was born out of this shared calling to help others rise. Whether we’re coaching couples seeking deeper connection, athletes pursuing physical breakthroughs, or leaders navigating transitions, we see our work as sacred. It’s about equipping others with tools, support, and strategy to live and lead well. We didn’t rush into this—this is the fruit of years of experience, faith, and following the nudge to create something meaningful together. Read more>>
Ashley Brown
As time professed, I wanted to explore a bit more, so I do. I wanted to branch out so I began dabbling into the marketing side of things. In 2011, alongside a well-known industry playmaker, B&B Marketing/Management was launched. At that time we offered management and marketing services to indie artists, business owners, ect. Over the years, things grew tremendously and with that, we launched more services… photography and videography. So with new changes came a new name and the name changed to B&B Agency LLC. Read more>>
Marcus Stevenson
Distinguished Staffing started as an idea amongst like-minded family members in different industries All wanted to capitalize on their experiences and make a difference. The CEO was a military commander, charged with recruiting for both the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force. He felt that his expertise in recruiting could be used to make a difference by inspiring and helping people in his home town of Memphis, Tennessee find employment. Read more>>
James Jin
My story really begins in kindergarten, where I was that kid who couldn’t sit still and doodled instead of taking notes. Every week, my teachers were calling my parents, complaining about my “disruptive” behavior. For years, I genuinely thought something was wrong with me. Art became my escape, my way of letting all these millions of thoughts and emotions flow onto canvas when words just couldn’t capture what I was feeling. Read more>>
Angel Caldera
Since then, clients began reaching out—first out of curiosity, then through word of mouth. I’ve had the honor of documenting many families over the years, capturing their milestones: from engagement sessions to weddings, baby showers, and first birthdays. Being part of these moments has been an incredible gift. Read more>>
Anasha Chavez- Asforis
I explored the concept of “whatever you think, you can create”, and when you offer space for youth to do, create… essential BE, they can accomplish anything. I have been holding these two principles as the foundation of my work ever since. This is the foundation of my leadership as the Executive Director of Carpenter Art Garden. I have the great honor of carrying out our mission; growing young creatives through art, education and vocation in the Binghampton community. Read more>>
Jay Macklin
I was dumbfounded by the quickness and the intention of each line. That taught me a lot, and I’m still using them till this day, but a more matured version of my younger work. However, if you ask me when I started becoming “good”, I’ll say 3 years ago. I didn’t start pursuing digital art until 2020, being stuck in the house with Adobe Photoshop and tons of ideas. In the beginning, there was a slight learning curve with it. To me, I find it more comfortable looking at what I’m drawing. Once I broke that barrier, there was nothing stopping me from drawing whatever came to mind. Read more>>
