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.
Hayley Efird
Fast forward to 2017: we had moved back to my hometown of Memphis, TN, and I found myself at the peak of my career as an art director in advertising. At that time, I was solely working on the rebranding of America’s Navy, which opened the door to a lot of travel and uncommon experiences that I never would have been able to do otherwise. I was constantly filming at bases and on aircraft carriers, rarely at home. While this was life-changing and beautiful to experience, I felt less fulfilled, and that was primarily due to Peter’s absence. The more I delved into my career, the less I was able to see Peter. Read more>>
Denise McElhaney
I’ve always had a deep love for animals, especially dogs. From a young age, I found myself drawn to their personalities, loyalty, and the joy they bring. I started grooming because I wanted to combine that love with something creative and hands-on. Read more>>
Kaushal Kalra
My story began in a small village in Sohna, Gurgaon, India, where I grew up watching my father care for people not just as patients, but as family. He was the local healer, counselor, and first responder — and I saw from an early age that true healthcare is not a transaction, it is a relationship built on trust, presence, and responsibility to the community. Read more>>
Tina Moore
My church New Growth in Christ is what inspired me to start and prosper in my business. Looking back at notes and memories, the message shared on a Sunday morning in January 2014 by my awesome Bishop Sidney P. Malone. In that service, it was shared that thing, that one thing that you are passionate about. Read more>>
Jourdan Ohl
My story, like so many others, is woven with threads of hardship, resilience, and unexpected grace. I’m Jourdan, a daughter of the King, a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, and a loyal friend, now calling Hernando, Mississippi just a heartbeat from Memphis, home. Read more>>
Adrian McQuarter
Business Name: McQuarterBack Entertainment LLC Owner: Adrian D. McQuarter Music Industry Name: Qu’Adrian McQuarterBack Entertainment operates in the capacites of song writing, song arranging, track composition creation, recording, mixing, and mastering. Qu’Adrian was born in Muskegon, Michigan and his love for music began at an early age. Read more>>
Valisha Wilson
As a little girl, I was always very unique. I had leadership skills at that time as well. I always felt uncomfortable being put in a box or having to follow rules. I knew then that I wanted and needed to work for myself. I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship, although working various jobs just to provide as a single mother. Read more>>
Diane Thomas
In 2010, I visited a major theme park and had my face painted for the first time. I enjoyed the experience of being painted so much that when I returned home, I went online to research face painting. Read more>>
Cade Moore
The story of CompuBros begins with two lifelong best friends who shared a deep, mutual obsession with technology, gaming, and code. Our bond was initially forged over a common interest in all things digital, which quickly evolved from a simple hobby into a platform. For several years, this passion manifested as a successful tech blog and forum. Read more>>
Amy Keller
I have always been a crafty/artsy person. Growing up my mom and granny taught me how to sew. My mom would do all sorts of crafts with us. I loved learning from them. Throughout the years I was always making something for friends and family as gifts. About 12 years ago I started making custom shirts as a hobby. Read more>>
Akilah Adams
I started my business February 2022. As a registered Respiratory therapist who had just fought to save lives from the many deaths of COVID, I wanted to help people in a more positive way. Microshading is my number one seller which is a cosmetic tattoo to the eyebrows for more permanent solution. Read more>>
Kellan Bartosch
My brother Davin has always had unique interests and excelled in ways other kids didn’t – our parents deserve a lot of credit for encouraging that. He was good at chess, racquetball, robotics, and went to cooking camp to name a few. Read more>>
Rachelle Tate
I started working for a jeweler as an apprentice at age 18. I worked with others jewelers for then next 10 years. In 1999, I opened my own store where I offered jewelry repair, custom jewelry, watch batteries, machine engraving, restringing, stone setting, and appraisals. What sets my business apart from others is that I do all work in house. Read more>>
Jeff Allen
I’ve always been drawn to art for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, I was constantly sketching monsters, superheroes, and anything from the sci-fi and fantasy worlds that inspired me. That early love of imagination and storytelling eventually led me to pursue a degree in drawing and painting at a four-year art school. When I graduated, though, I felt frustrated. Read more>>
Janice Davidson Winger, LCSW
After 28 years in community mental health, I found myself at a turning point. My work had always centered on helping others heal and grow, yet I sensed a deeper calling—to create something that would help not only individuals and families, but also the leaders and organizations responsible for shaping their environments. Read more>>
Vernon Adams
Art has always been a part of who I am. Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, creativity was my way of expressing the things I couldn’t quite put into words. Even though Memphis isn’t my native home, it’s a city that holds a big part of my heart. Read more>>
Rashedah Young
When covid hit in 2020, it literally upended the healthcare industry. I had just graduated nurse anesthesia school and was enjoying my new career when it happened and many healthcare workers were experiencing tragedies and traumas not only in the hospital realm but also in the sanctity of their homes. Read more>>
Ahmed Alaina
Hey there, I’m Ahmed Alaina… born and raised Germantown resident. I was the quarterback from Germantown High School and voted Male Athlete of the year for Germantown. While playing football, I tore my labrum and rotator cuff, which led to my first surgery. I’d say that process definitely put health and wellness first got on my radar. Read more>>
Scott Tashie
My wife and business partner, Rebekah, and I were both born and raised in Memphis, and this city has shaped everything about who we are – as people, parents, and entrepreneurs. What began as a shared passion for food and hospitality grew into a passion for creating brands and spaces that people can enjoy. Read more>>
Xinyi (Nini) Zhu
I’ve always loved drawing for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I loved drawing cutesy fairytale princesses from Grimm stories. I’d doodle in textbooks and often math home works much to my teacher’s dismay. I still remember winning an art competition in middle school and having my drawing displayed in the hallway for an entire semester. I was so proud of that! Read more>>
Miriam Boutte
My path to becoming a dietitian has been shaped by both personal experience and a deep sense of purpose. From an early age, I became aware of how closely health and nutrition are connected—heart disease, diabetes, and cancer were prevalent in my family of origin, and those experiences sparked my curiosity about how food choices influence long-term health. Read more>>
Brittany Gillard
Baylee Joi Haircare Miracle Moisturizer Editorial When my daughter Baylee Joi entered the world in 2015, she weighed a mere 3 pounds, 8 ounces. As a single mother holding this tiny, premature baby in my arms, I never imagined that my struggle to care for her delicate hair would lead me to create a haircare line. But that is exactly what happened. Read more>>
Mara Daniele
I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee by a father from Italy and a mom from Ohio. We lived back and forth from Memphis to Los Angeles as a child, and when I was 18, I moved by myself to London, UK to study songwriting. I fell absolutely in love with that city. Its energy, its people. Read more>>
Makenna Auve’
I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I’ve always been drawn to film, art, and creative ideas, but I had a hard time finding ways to bring that passion into my work life. I’m a people pleaser at heart, and for over 11 years I’ve worked in front desk, customer service, and administrative roles. Read more>>
Samuel Childers
Our Story Founded in October 2020 by Samuel Childers, STCPHOTOS began as a creative outlet driven by a passion for capturing life’s most meaningful moments. What started as a one-man pursuit soon grew into a full-fledged business known for cinematic storytelling and heartfelt imagery, specializing in wedding videography and photography that authentically reflects each couple’s story. Read more>>
Shelly Yeager
My crystal journey started as an act of self-healing—a way to reconnect, recharge, and rediscover balance through the natural magic of crystals. I found myself completely drawn in by their beauty, symbolism, and transformative energy. When I began wearing crystal jewelry, I noticed how deeply it influenced my mindset and well-being. Read more>>
Brenda Flores
I was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico. When my family arrived in Memphis, I was the age of 10- years-old and we have been here ever since. I always knew how important it was to become accustomed to the culture while maintaining my native culture and traditions. Read more>>
Nicole Della Santina
We started in 2023, when my best friend and I were still in high school. We had the idea to create a community of people who shared a passion for culture and art. Our first step was reaching out on TikTok to find others interested in contributing to the magazine or joining the editorial team. Read more>>
