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.
Gabrielle Garzon
I used to see myself in fragments—roles, reactions, survival patterns. What I was to others. What systems named me. Now, through my relationship with the divine as an underlying force, I see myself as infrastructure. Not ornamental. Not accidental. Designed. Responsive. Sacred in motion. This force isn’t detached or benevolent in a distant sense—it’s disruptive, demanding, intimate. It lives in truth-telling, in rupture, in refusal. Read more>>
Ruthy Nuñez
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is the one I shared with my first dog, Dylan. As my first dog, he showed me many ‘firsts’ that I needed to learn. The greatest lesson he taught me was how to slow down and truly be in the moment, because time is precious. Read more>>
Toyin Ogunsola
My relationship with God has shaped me how I see myself. I’m fearfully & wonderfully made. Scriptures empower me & my faith gives me strength. Without god I am nothing. I couldn’t do anything with him. Read more>>
James Carnes
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with God—but it didn’t come easy. I didn’t grow up feeling super confident or like I had a strong identity. I was always chasing something to prove that I was enough to people. Whether it was my football career, relationships, or financial success. Read more>>
Adam Marquis
I remember lifting a camera and realizing I could stop time. As someone who has wrestled with memory my whole life, that control was life affirming. Capturing a moment for myself and my subjects felt like giving all of us a place to come back to and a moment we could all experience together. Read more>>
Mary Elizabeth Lenahan
I clearly remember the feeling of accomplishment and independence of being a able to climb the cherry tree in our front yard. I knew I was strong and capable and ‘above’ the ground . Read more>>
Travis Hochard
Spending time in nature is essential to my mental and physical well-being. It’s where I go to unplug from the constant noise of technology and social media, and it’s also where I find my best opportunities for exercise. Whether it’s being on the river, mountain biking, skiing, or simply getting outside, nature helps me stay grounded, healthy, and balanced. Read more>>
Beth Heckel
A cultural value I protect at all costs is dignity. Every person, no matter their background or circumstances, deserves to be treated with respect and worth. In our work at Think Humanity, res toring dignity means we don’t treat people as recipients of charity, but as partners. One way we do this is by trusting and empowering local leadership. Read more>>
Alana K.
The Aloha Spirit. I was born in Hawaii and grew up on the mainland, my mothers family is from a small island of Hawaii. Even though I grew up landlocked I was taught the Aloha Spirit. Read more>>
Kylie Sligar
A cultural value I protect at all costs is that everyone deserves to feel safe in their body. This is a theme that comes up all the time in my work as a psychologist who works primarily with trauma. Read more>>
Erin Fletter
As the founder and CEO of Sticky Fingers Cooking®, being named one of ColoradoBiz Magazine’s Top Women in Colorado Business this year was a proud moment — but not just for me. Read more>>
Melodie Essig
I presented with the top Vedic scholars in the world two years in a row. Including Dr. David Frawley. Read more>>
Eryn Henderson
Honestly, it’s the relationships I’ve built with my clients. Over the years, so many of my clients turn into real friends, and that’s what means the most to me. I am incredibly honored and proud of that. Real estate can seem transactional from the outside, but for me, it is very personal. Read more>>
Amanda DeCarlo
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of in my recovery journey is building a deeper connection with my Higher Power. This connection has become the root of my confidence, faith, and trust in the path that lies ahead. Read more>>
Aubrie Van Zandt
When I was a child, my younger brother passed away. I have spent the greater part of my life mourning his loss and thinking about what could have been. In 2018 I was listening to music and had a sudden burst of inspiration. Read more>>
Sandi Calistro
My truest art, was born of heartbreak early on. That’s when I realized sitting with the things that felt the hardest brought me closer to my true self. I’ve lost both parents, my biggest supporters, the people that loved me the most. That’s been an incredibly difficult pill to swallow but has brought me closer to my spiritual journey and my truth as an artist. Read more>>
Cassandra Chacon
They would say my family, my dogs and my friends mean the most to me. At the end of the day you can have everything in your life. But that’s doesn’t matter if you don’t have anyone in your corner. Read more>>
Lisa Huron Steven Schillaci
Integrity, hands down. Intelligence and energy are both incredibly valuable — and you certainly need them when you’re running a coffee business out of a solar-powered van in the Colorado mountains — but integrity is what everything else rests on. It’s what drives how we source from local partners, how we treat our team, and how we show up for our community. Read more>>
Grant Smith
Integrity is the most important, hands down. Without integrity, there is no true version of yourself. Constantly shifting who you are to meet the expectations of others or acting outside of yourself to appease other people is the surest way to continue feeling overwhelmed in our society these days. Read more>>
Emily Pennington
I think that, as a professional creative, it is my duty to transform my pain into that which makes other people feel less alone. The best songs, essays, and books come from a place of deep specificity and insight. Both help us connect on a human level. Read more>>
Juliet James
The day I finally worked up the courage to pitch a story to HuffPost Personal. It was deeply personal, explaining what my life is actually like in my fat body. It was raw and vulnerable, and it changed my life in many ways. It was originally published just before the pandemic hit the US hard, but also just before my 44th birthday. Read more>>
Angela Levenson
I truly feel more excited about my work now than ever before. That excitement comes from the empowerment of running my own business that makes a meaningful, lasting difference in people’s lives. In my previous roles, it was harder to see the direct impact of my day-to-day tasks. But with organizing, the transformation is immediate and tangible. Read more>>
Otisa Eads
One of the most fulfilling parts of my work is when my clients truly listen—not just to my words, but to the heart behind them. I can think of many moments in coaching or strategy sessions when a client has paused, really taken in what I’ve shared, and then reflected it back in a way that shows they understand and are ready to act. Read more>>
Stephanie Lauredent-Diasio
Years ago, I got a promotion for my ‘dream job’ with my dream company to work with. I was over the moon until I had to work with a micromanager. Then I noticed that the goalpost moved to the next thing I needed to achieve for myself. I didn’t really give myself time to savor the accomplishment. Which is a recipe for burnout and overworking. Read more>>
Kristina Borovskaya
I don’t like when people make fun on someone who is down for some reasons. Last time I was for someone who got an anxiety and couldn’t control her reaction, while people were making fun of her.. Yes, I got obstruction, but I will never kick someone who is down. This is my morale. Read more>>
Candace Machado
I have always joked that I am a person who accidentally became important at all of the roles, jobs, and things I was involved in. But heres the thing. I didn’t become important or succeed because there was something different about me than others. I became important because I am a person who has always wanted to bust through every glass ceiling. Read more>>
Jennifer Axcell
I actually did this—quite literally—last year. In January 2024, I stepped away from the nonprofit startup I had helped build, leaving behind a title, a mission I deeply believed in, and a role that had defined much of my professional identity. But I knew in my spirit it was time. Read more>>
Nikole Stevenson
Learning the greek language and starting the process to claim property left by my ancestors in Greece. It’s going to be a long journey! Read more>>
Paula Jane Newman
The biggest battle I have been avoiding is reaching out and asking for myself. Frankly, aggressively marketing myself and my cause feels at odds with the intuitive, compassionate nature of my work. I would rather every dollar go directly into creating transformative experiences for communities, not into advertising budgets. I realize that to serve people, they first have to find us. Read more>>
Tairee Dillard
Childhood and joy the older I get the less people seem to care about things like Christmas or even your birthday not even realizing you look forward to those things not even for the gifts how often do you get to see all of your family except on holidays? Read more>>
Monica Curiel
I would regret not using my practice to honor the labor and cultural histories that have shaped me. My parents and many members of my community have contributed enormously to building and shaping our landscape, yet their work often goes unrecognized. My goal is to bring those stories to the forefront—not as nostalgia, but as a meaningful acknowledgment of their value and impact. Read more>>
Rhett Haney
One of the biggest goals, if not THE biggest goal I have in life is to perform at red rocks amphitheater here in Colorado. I have and always will regret not having the opportunity to perform there. Read more>>
Alyssa Block
That working too hard is admirable. Life is about balance and enjoyment. I think too many buy into the trap of capitalism and believe the lie that working too hard and being busy equals success. I believe success is measured in the quality of your connections. Read more>>
Poet Denoyer
The last time I felt pure joy was the day my grandson was born! Read more>>
Melody Epperson
The last time I felt genuine joy was last week when I met an adorable two-week-old alpaca named Little Larry. His mother rejected him, so the farmer—who is also named Larry—has been bottle-feeding him. This little guy followed my photographer friend and me around throughout our visit. Read more>>
Neekan Rivera
Your people, your culture, is everything. Often analysts just look at numbers and revenue. I focused first on our culture and having the right team, then the numbers grew. Read more>>
Jonna Cammack
Sorry to get political on you. When I think about character over power, I always come back to Jimmy Carter. He wasn’t perfect, no one is, but he led with honesty and humility, and you could tell he truly wanted what was best for people. What really stands out is that his good work didn’t stop when he left office. Read more>>
Jerad Larkin
Yes, I would hire me. I bring a mix of work ethic, creativity, and genuine care for the people I work with. I don’t just focus on the task at hand, I focus on relationships and long-term value. I’m always looking for ways to innovate, whether that’s leveraging technology to save time or creating events and content that help real estate professionals grow. Read more>>
Noah Ungar
I value integrity, sincerity, and ambition, three traits that I possess that sets me apart. Hiring me sounds like a great choice! Read more>>
