Pennsylvania’s Most Inspiring Stories

Richard Metz

I grew up in suburban philadelphia, and couldn’t wait to escape. What I did like was the amount of nature around me, and became happy and comfortable being in those areas. My uncle was a painter, and a friend of my parents, so I could see that world as a possiblity. Read more>>

Nick Polito

I’m a singer-songwriter from southwestern Pennsylvania with deep blue-collar roots. After spending nearly a decade working in the coal mine, I left that life behind in 2021 to pursue music full-time. Since then, I’ve released original music, performed hundreds of live shows, and opened for artists such as Tracy Byrd, Diamond Rio, Lee Greenwood, Ira Dean (formerly of Trick Pony), and The Clarks trio. Read more>>

Justin Keiper

I actually decided I wanted to become a funeral director when I was just 15 years old. It happened after my great grandmother passed away. Her funeral was the first one I ever attended for someone truly close to me. Read more>>

Martika Bell

I founded Belle Swimwear eight years ago, inspired by a combination of personal passions and lived experiences. My love for the beach and travel played a major role, but more importantly, I noticed a significant lack of stylish, inclusive swimwear options for plus-size women. The idea became even more personal through my experiences with my mother. Read more>>

Taylar Pulliam

I began my journey with a simple point-and-shoot camera as a young girl, capturing everyday moments and exploring my love for photography. As I grew older, I invested in professional-grade equipment, including a digital SLR camera, various lenses, and lighting tools, to refine my craft and pursue photography more seriously. Read more>>

Adam Bird

I cut my teeth in radio back in 2011/2012 when I landed as a guest on a local radio show in Scottsdale, Arizona. That experience lit a fire in me. I loved the energy, the storytelling, and the entertainment side of media but even more than that, I saw how powerful a microphone can be when it’s used to serve a mission and connect people. Read more>>

Renea Boles

Rosemary Renea started as a very personal idea. I’ve always loved books and stationery, but I often noticed how little diversity there was in the products meant for readers. I wanted to create something that felt familiar, affirming, and beautiful, something that reflected real people and real lives. Read more>>

William Trostel

I first picked up a camera about 10 years ago because I wanted to film my friends and I skateboarding. Shortly after that, I began taking photos of almost everything. I found interest in all types of photography. A few years of doing it as a hobby and learning the art of photography, I began taking clients. Read more>>

Randall Cole

My name is Randall Cole. I am 31 years old and consider myself a creative in every sense of the word. My passions lie in music, digital content creation, photography, videography, and editing, as well as acting and modeling. Read more>>

Geovana Attwell

I’m Geovana Attwell, an influencer, writer, and the author of my debut poetry book, It Rained Until the Flowers Grew. My journey didn’t begin with confidence or certainty. It began in a place of deep emotional pain, growing up with bullying and the belief that I wasn’t worthy of love. Read more>>

Shockie Grant

I am a poet. I have always been a fan of poetry and literature. I had an Uncle who was an amazing writer that I would sit and write poems with when I was younger. As an adult, I have committed to performing in slams, Authoring poetry collections, and sharing my words with others. Read more>>

Raginald Paz

I started by sharing my love for toys, pop culture, and collecting purely for fun. What began as a hobby slowly grew as I focused on creating authentic, visually engaging content and connecting with others who shared the same interests. Over time, that passion opened the door to collaborations with brands I admire. Read more>>

Felicia Shanken

My journey didn’t begin in entrepreneurship; it began in service. For nearly two decades, I built a successful career in healthcare as a medical imaging professional, working in CT, MRI, and diagnostic radiology. It was meaningful work, and I was proud of it. Read more>>

Derek Lott

I’m Derek Lott, Started in fashion at 18yrs old through James Baldwin in Philly in 2011, started Diamond Dreams Movement Productions (Media Agency) & brand managed a few Up & coming Entrepreneurs from 2015-2016 & 2018 wrote my first book, ‘Views From The Trap (still available)(Poetry Book) & I started Dream$ Of Ruler$ (Fashion Brand). Read more>>

Cole Parkinson

I started out rapping for fun in my college dorm room. After graduation I saved up enough to get a home studio. I fell in love with the process of making music then I had a local show in Pottstown. I was nervous but once I hit the stage I know I was meant to perform. Read more>>

Nafeesa Abdul-Akbar

I started my company Authentically Her, a brand of empowering t-shirts and hoodies designed for women, about ten years ago. At that time, I was coming out of an abusive relationship and my self esteem had taken a hit. I asked myself, what did I need to see or hear to get back to the woman I used to be? Read more>>

Patrick DeMarco

Wow, where do I truly begin? So much to unpack here, but I’ll keep it brief! Honestly, my story and strength begin every waking day I’m able to get up and face this disgruntled world! It’s certainly not an easy mentality to adapt, but I encourage anyone and everyone to give it their best shot! Read more>>

Lucas DeLong

I started off as a little kid, determined to be an artist when I grew up. At 22 years old, I can say I did half of it, as I’m definitely still not grown up. When high school graduation was approaching, I saw two paths, give up on being an artist or say screw it and go to art school. Read more>>

Tommy Wyatt Blake

I started writing poetry when I was in elementary school in my diary, and by high school, it became a hobby with publishing as an eventual goal. I took courses in high school and college to practicing how to write poetry and study it. Read more>>

Chris Russell

My journey started long before there was a business plan or a logo. In 2005, while working as a Therapeutic Staff Support worker, I had an experience with a young man Tommy that completely changed how I saw fitness and potential. That moment sparked a vision for a place where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities could feel strong, confident, and capable through movement. Read more>>

Anlin MacMillan

Hi, I’m Anlin—the owner and face behind Little Treat. Thank you so much for having me. Little Treat began as something personal—making desserts for people I care about and finding joy in the details. Over time, those moments naturally turned into requests, and eventually into something more intentional. I built it slowly while working full-time, focusing on quality rather than volume. Read more>>

Richard Tevlin

I graduated with a business degree at the height of the craft beer boom, when it felt like the industry was full of momentum and possibility, and I jumped straight into brewing after college. I joined Flying Dog Brewery in Maryland as part of their cellar team, which gave me a hands-on foundation in large-scale production and the realities of running a successful craft operation. Read more>>

Ghazi Farrad

I started out as a child trying to find his way, as I am today? Today I am man, who has direction and a plan. I feel as if I had to learn a lot of stuff to get here’. There’s ins and out to life that someone can tell you, but until you actually experience it yourself sometimes you don’t learn. Read more>>

Cori Wamsley

I’ve always been a reader. I grew up with Nancy Drew and The Babysitter’s Club, then The Cat Who … series, followed by classics in high school and college. While I worked on my master’s, I decided to start writing a book, middle grade fantasy. Read more>>

Bryanna Keiser

What began as a start of mental health nursing has landed me into being the sole owner of an Alternative Wellness Studio. I worked on a very acute inpatient unit serving many individuals with mental health help, administering medications, and monitoring them day in and day out. From a long 5 years of taking care of several patients. Read more>>

Mark Krokos

I have always dreamed of owning my own business, and I finally turned that dream into reality. As a dedicated school teacher, deciding whether to start a business was not easy. In the end, I took the leap—and the results have been incredible. It all started with bubbles. My daughter and I began doing small bubble shows at home just for fun. Read more>>

Niki Wright

I studied Advertising Design in college. In that process I took a photography course, and unbeknownst to me at the time, I fell in love with it. Soon after receiving my design degree, my husband and I married, and I attended Washington School of Photography. While there, I was invited to photograph my professor’s daughter’s wedding! Read more>>

Dr. Jamisa McIvor-Bennett

I started my journey from humble beginnings, growing up in Philadelphia. Early on, I developed a strong passion for entrepreneurship and financial literacy due to my own personal experiences of not knowing much about finances early on. Read more>>

Michael Balko

I started at the bottom of the totem pole with the Erie SeaWolves in 2015 – working on the Clean Team. Year after Year, season after season I’d start to pick up extra responsibility, be given larger seasonal roles within the organization, and start to really make a name for myself! Read more>>

HIRUY TIRFE

I started playing music pretty early. I enrolled in instrumental band in 4th grade at my public elementary school, which is the first year they even let you join. I didn’t have some big master plan—I picked up the saxophone simply because my neighbor went to the same school as me and played sax. At the time, it felt like the easiest decision. Read more>>

Austin Courtney

I began my film journey when I was 21. I was creating videos online as a hobby of sorts. I would use apps like Tik Tok and Instagram to pass time and have fun while I was at work while I was finishing up school. I got my degree in business but after graduating at 22 I realized my real passion was in cinema. Read more>>

Andrew Smith

For thirty-two years, I was a public school music and band teacher, primarily in the middle school (5-8) grades, as well as a dad of two daughters. During this time, I also enjoyed visual art and was an art-photography hobbyist. Read more>>

Rashad Colvin

I started all of this because I wanted to give kids in Pittsburgh something I wish I had when I was their age. A real football experience that was organized, positive, and actually about the kids. Not just showing up to play, but feeling like you’re part of something bigger. Read more>>

Josette Gastonguay

My story began behind the scenes, working in varying administrative and corporate roles where I’ve spent more than 25 years navigating complex organizational structures, supporting leadership, and learning strategies to get things done without having the title that demands things get done. That particular vantage point of being behind the scenes gave me a deep foundation in resilience and a wealth of business acumen. Read more>>

Nikki France

I started in November 2019, right before the pandemic hit in February 2020. I had big dreams of launching my bling business, but life has a way of leading you to where you NEED to be, not where you WANT to be. Read more>>

Julie Mastrine

Back when I first started my career in media, I was inside a political bubble. One of my first jobs out of college was working in PR as a professional political activist, pumping out partisan propaganda for causes aligned with “my side,’ organizing petitions and rallies, and speaking to press. Read more>>

Chateau Carter

Just a Working-class Man, from Humble Beginnings….. Born & raised in and around Philadelphia, inspired by Poverty, Adversity, Determination, and Inspiration. Read more>>

Nethan Nguyen

I started my journey in nails over a decade ago with a simple love for creativity and making people feel beautiful. What began as a passion quickly turned into a career as I committed myself to mastering technique, detail, and artistry. Over the years, I’ve continued to push myself through education, competitions, and constant practice, which opened doors I never imagined. Read more>>

Barry Breidegan

We didn’t set out to start a business—we just wanted something that worked. As a hunting family, we tried countless mass-market feed and attractant products that never lived up to their claims. So we started small, experimenting with our own blends and sharing them with friends and family. Read more>>

Wi-Moto Nyoka

This story begins with a teenage Afromexicana feeling stuck in her hometown of Portland, OR. She was an explorer and had a never-ending appetite for adventure. At seventeen she left home. By then she had already performed with Latin Jazz legends Eddie Palmieri and Thera Memory. Read more>>

Don Michael Mendoza

Today, I would call myself a International Talent Manager, Broadway Producer, and Micro-Influencer, but it was quite a unique journey to get here over the last 16 years. Read more>>

Khadijah Savane

My journey didn’t begin with business. It began with rebuilding. In my early twenties and thirties, I experienced deep personal loss through death and divorce. Those seasons forced me to confront grief, identity, and the question of how to keep going when life doesn’t look the way you imagined it would. Read more>>

Anthony Hochstetler

I grew up on an Amish/Mennonite dairy farm where there were always projects that needed tending to. From as far back as I can remember as a child, I was responsible for daily chores like gathering eggs from the chicken coop or feeding the calves. Such a delightful way to grow up and learn the joy of feeling useful in the world. Read more>>

Chimdi Tuffs

I was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania, raised in Chester County, Pennsylvania and earned my law degree from Temple University. I cut my teeth as a young lawyer in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office where I learned not only about the justice system, but also about the intimate lives of Philadelphia crime victims. Read more>>

Kris Hregdovic

Born and raised south of Pittsburgh, PA in North Huntingdon/Irwin area in 1987. Raised in a blue collar working family. My dad was a plumber and mom was a nurses aid, with a 7 year older brother that enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2002. Read more>>

Shane Holbein

I was born and raised in Lancaster and started working in the pest control industry right out of high school. That early experience gave me a firsthand understanding of the work itself—customer expectations, day-to-day operations, and what it takes to run service routes effectively. After saving money, I returned to college and earned a degree in computer software engineering. Read more>>