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.
Debbie Carroll
There are always struggles. I have been accepted into galleries whose doors have later closed, but it does seem that something even better comes along in these situations. I don’t always jury into the shows I’d like to be in, but rejection is part of the art business, and the sooner one accepts that the better. Telling me “no” is a sure fire way of making me double down and try that much harder! Read more>>
Celinda De La Fuente
During the chaos of 2020, when the world stood still, I finally listened to the whispers of my soul. I left behind my teaching career because my body would no longer continue to function—but the Universe had a plan. Something greater was calling me. Energy healing found me like an old friend I had forgotten, and as I learned to awaken the great healer within my being, I knew I was meant to share this medicine with others. Read more>>
Sarah Duffy
My journey as an artist and storyteller started in Ireland, where I was born, but it truly took shape after moving to Boston. Growing up in the city, I was surrounded by street art, music, and the vibrant mix of cultures that defined each neighborhood. I spent a lot of time in places like Copley Square and “The Pit” at Harvard Square in Cambridge, where artists, misfits, transients, and those struggling with addiction gathered. These spaces became my classrooms—where I learned about resilience, expression, and the raw honesty of human experience. Read more>>
Kristina Stangl
In the past, I worked in both the private and public sectors. For nine years, I worked at the federal government, serving in various roles such as an analyst, a quality control coordinator, a project manager and an information technology administrator. It was an overall great experience, but after the pandemic, I found myself wanting to explore more career options and to not be tied down to one specific city or industry. Read more>>
Jeanette Lira
I started Positive Soul Holistic Therapy, now Auravia Therapy and Wellness; as a mission to ensure others didn’t have to face mental health challenges alone. What began as a way to process my own loss turned into a thriving practice that provides therapy and wellness services under one roof. Over the years, I expanded my work to include Lumvia, a company dedicated to supporting and mentoring mental health professionals, helping them navigate billing, credentialing, business development, and identity work. Read more>>
Mashaun Hirschler
My story starts when I was just eight years old. My mom, caught in her addiction to crack cocaine, kicked me out. By the time I was 13, I had entered the foster care system. What hurt the most was realizing that because I was Black, my own grandmother didn’t want me—she chose not to take me in. But just three months later, she took in my white brother and raised him herself. That moment broke something in me. Read more>>
Allen Thomas
Throughout my life, there have been multiple times when the I experienced discouragement and decided to step away from music. In those moments, I felt God was asking me to put down the microphone and take a break. Growing in my faith always brought me back to writing and recording songs. There has always been a song in my spirit even down to when there has been a flicker of a flame in my life. Read more>>
Andrew Martinez
It all started in 2012 when I came across an online course about affiliate marketing which talked about how to make money selling other people’s products and services. The whole premise of the course was to create an email marketing funnel, create a blog, and then strategically insert your affiliate links within all your blog content and email content. This course also walked me through the steps in setting up a website. As I was completing each step (registering the domain, setting up hosting, etc.), I became very fascinated by how websites worked on the back end. Read more>>
Dr. Robb Kelly
Before achieving sobriety, I was a hopeless, chronic alcoholic. I am not sure when I crossed the line from social drinking to alcoholism, I just know I did, and my life would never be the same again. I was married with children and had a great career; life could not have been better. The only problem was that I drank too much, and when I did, I lost control. When I enjoyed my drinking, I could not control it, and when I controlled my drinking, I could not enjoy life. Finally, alcoholism gripped me hard and like most people I sank quickly. Read more>>
Andy Michel
I started simply by sharing my world whether it was my love for all things creative, my journey in digital marketing, or just being unapologetically myself online. Somewhere along the way, I realized that what I loved most wasn’t just creating content, but creating connections. That realization led me to Diablos Outsports Association, where I now serve as a Board Member and the Director of Digital Marketing and Social Media. It’s a volunteer role, but honestly? It’s one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. Helping build an inclusive space where LGBTQ+ folks can show up, play and find their people? That’s the kind of work that feeds the soul. Read more>>
Mallum Sanchez
When we first devised the idea of the Mallum Sanchez Foundation, we had planned to have our community ready in a relatively short period of time. However, as we approached the projected launch, we realized that there was a significant amount of work to be done, more than we had previously expected. Read more>>
Monica Connolly
Now, as a transformation expert and mindset coach, I specialize in guiding ambitious yet unfulfilled women—whether they’re empty nesters, navigating career shifts, or feeling stuck—through their own breakthrough moments. Through The THRIVE Blueprint, my coaching programs, and my Rise and Thrive Mastermind, I help women reclaim their confidence, health, and purpose so they can step boldly into the next chapter of their lives. Read more>>
Nick Snyder
Everything changed when I attended a corporate retreat and realized that what I was doing professionally wasn’t where my true passion lay. Shortly after, I attended a friend’s wedding in Las Vegas, where the bride’s brother-in-law, a former sous chef, introduced me to the fundamentals of cooking on a deeper level. Over the course of several days, we prepared breakfast and dinner for all the guests, and on the wedding day, we spent the entire day cooking for the reception. That experience was an eye-opener—it was the first time I truly felt the energy, creativity, and camaraderie that comes with working in a kitchen. Read more>>
Carolyn Wells
The mission of DbD is to offer a wholesome environment with quality dance classes and training for every individual in every stage of life. This includes making sure your dancer is dressed appropriately from class to stage, music that any ears can hear, and dancing that any parent would be happy to watch. Read more>>
