The Most Inspiring Stories in St. Louis

Jacob Blassingame

Through these experiences, I have been able to grow my passion for media from not only videography, but to photography too where I have been blessed with amazing opportunities and experiences in the process. Additionally, I have participated and been apart of several OVC Championship teams competing in the Steeple Chase, 1600m, and the 8k. Read More>>

Jeremy Carter

My son was born in 2001. At that point my son’s mother decided it was a good idea to raise our son somewhere safer. We’ve lived in Vegas, Virginia and Tampa, FL. Following personal situations out of my control,we moved my son to North Carolina and I moved back to Virginia to be closer to him. I recently had some more personal situations arise which brought me to the St.Louis area,where I currently am working on my next musical project. Read More>>

Amber Weiss

I started baking with my grandmother as a child. Christmas was my favorite holiday because we would make all kinds of cookies together. Peanut clusters chocolate corn flake cookies and decorated sugar cookies, were some of our traditions. She always made Texas sheet cakes and bread pudding. I was always fascinated with all of it. I started working in a bakery when I was young while attending college and I just loved it. This is where I learned to decorate cakes. I said when I was 18 that I wanted to own a bakery one day. I just didn’t know I was going to start it when I was 45  Read More>>

Kim Fields

By continuously learning and adapting, I’ve been able to specialize further, especially with the launch of Apostille & Authenticated Services in 2022. This allowed me to assist with international document certifications. My latest venture involves tapping into the growing cannabis industry, where I provide notarization for cannabis-related documents—an exciting new field that continues to expand. Read More>>

Samy Craig Sarah Hausladen

We wanted to be different. So we decided to stand out from the normal! Offering not only Luxury Bridal Hair and Makeup BUT Men’s Bridal Grooming & Barbering too! We also added in exclusives offers of bridal prep leading up to the big day for any instudio services, so everyone can feel special! All the beauty needs for the bride and groom, plus the entire bridal party. Read More>>

Amanda Ghanbarpour

I have always loved to travel. My parents had me on a flight overseas before I was one year old and many of my childhood memories involved taking trips with my family. I lived in Germany from ages 3-7 and that early experience of living in another country shaped me in a lot of ways. By the time I reached college, I knew I wanted to study something related to my love for travel and learning about other languages and cultures. I decided to pursue a degree in linguistics with an additional major in German. My degree program led to an opportunity to study abroad in Germany and, following graduation, to then spend a year in Austria teaching English. Read More>>

Joe Walsh

That realization sparked the idea for RamsCan, a student organization that provides volunteer support for cancer foundations across the St. Louis area and spreads awareness of all types of cancer throughout our school community. Over the past year, MICDS students have completed almost 200 hours of volunteer service through RamsCan opportunities all around St. Louis. We have also worked to spread awareness about the prevalence and risk factors of cancer by presenting at school assemblies about various types of cancer. Read More>>

Mike Cotton

15 years ago I was taking a break from college for some reason I was working 3 jobs, every time I was offered a job opportunity I found someway to work my schedules where I could keep the previous job. I was a customer Service associate at Office Depot, I loss prevention agent at the Home Depot next-door to the Office Depot, and I landed my first somewhat creative job in the video production field, as cable caster/production assistant at KDHX Community radio lesser known TV Station, yes KDHX Radio once ran public access TV station for St. Louis city. Read More>>

Relentless Jay

Music is so natural and organic to me. My creativity is always stimulated. I catch a vibe and just create. I have so much inspiration from everything around me and past experiences. I would say choosing which songs to release might be the most difficult thing because I have so much to express and so many different ways I could go artistically. Also I love designing so sometimes it’s hard to find a balance between making music and designing merch. Still trying Read More>>

Tracey “trey” Wilson

That all started 15 years ago and that passion is still within me and has never left. Early on, I knew I wanted to do more than just create beautiful designs—I wanted to create designs that were eye catching and story telling. This led me to launch Branding Studio314, where I offer a range of creative services, from graphic and web design, to custom t-shirt designs to AI model curation for beauty brands. I recently added the service obituary design! Read More>>

Max Sauer

Hi, I’m Max, and I’ve been playing music in and around St. Louis for a few decades now. My band, Starwolf, has existed since 2016, and we just released our third album, Tropical Disco. Now we’re in the process of preparing for our album release show which takes place on November 9th at Off Broadway. Read More>>

David Pruitt

The transition from Toronto to the U.S. and from banking to law occurred because my wife accepted a position with a California based company and, at age 32, I decided to go to law school in San Diego. Most people thought I was nuts, but the change seemed appropriate and worth the scrutiny. As time passed, my wife was recruited to a Missouri based company just as I was finishing law school. I wrote and passed the Bar in Missouri and later opened my own law firm. Read More>>

Amanda Chasnoff

After deciding to close that company, I was a public events coordinator for the Saint Louis Zoo (so fun!) and then senior sales and events manager for Ces & Judy’s Catering, assisting with literally thousands of events and the opening of their gorgeous venue, The Venue at Maison du Lac. In addition, I have been a certified (and award winning) Life Cycle Celebrant, specializing in love story wedding ceremonies for the past 8 years. Currently, I am the owner of Signed Sealed Delivered Events, making magic for happy couples and their families. Read More>>

Hana Canhasi

My story began when my family immigrated to the U.S. from Kosovo in 1999 due to the war in my home country. Growing up in the United States while being surrounded by Albanian culture was tricky to navigate at first. It took me until first grade to start speaking at school; I was learning two languages simultaneously and wouldn’t even talk in class. My kindergarten teacher once asked my mom if she could send a video of me speaking because she had never heard my voice before. I’ve also had to learn how to navigate being immersed in two different cultures and mindsets, pulling what resonates with me from each to become the person I am today. Read More>>

Rachel Kinthiseng

On suggestion from my husband, he said I should look into laser machines since I seemed so fascinated with the GlowForge commercials on the TV. In late 2020, I purchased a laser machine and in early 2021, I officially started my laser crafting business – The Pineapple Workshop, LLC! As my family grew, the items I offered began to reflect what my family enjoyed using and/or gifting. Read More>>

Nwaliweaku Anidi

However, after graduating, I switched career paths to public health, and my role involved a lot of desk work. Even though I knew the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle, I found myself struggling to stay active. This experience was my lightbulb moment. I realized how easy it is for adults to be physically inactive due to real-life priorities. Yes, we make excuses sometimes, but often, they’re real challenges like not having enough time or feeling too drained after a full day of adulting. Read More>>

Twenty2forty7 W/ Cassandra Lomax

When people walk in, I want them to see the same potential I saw. Whether it’s a small party, a pop-up workshop, or something entirely different, this space has endless possibilities. The whole idea behind Twenty2Forty7 is to inspire creativity and provide a venue for people to make their vision a reality. I hope guests feel that they can create something memorable, no matter the size of the event. Read More>>

Breauna Martin

In my community, there are lots of smaller artists and business. They deserve a spotlight and acknowledgment. Grooviest Collective is a magazine that highlights artists. The first magazine was released September 16th and included 7 impressive artists. The art forms included: architecture, poetry, painting, and photography. It feels amazing to support artists and see the community grow. Currently we are working on the next issue that will be released in December! Read More>>

Ladaisha Collins

Over the years I just continue to do hair more and more. I worked in 2 shops at the age of 15. It just went up from there. In between me doing hair as a young adult I had other jobs but I never stopped doing hair because I felt like that was my passion. I still have some of the same clients today at the age 36. Their kids are now my clients. I love my clients. They’re more like my family more than anything. Now I am a wife with 2 children of my own and still striving to be better. Read More>>

Mandi Gray

Once I became a 500hr RYT (registered yoga teacher), I continued teaching many regular classes a week, collaborated with wellness professionals and decided what my next steps in my yoga journey would be. I decided my calling was to become an educator. I had such a passion for this modality and I wanted to share it even more deeply than I currently was able to share. Read More>>

Mia Hill

February of 2023, I made the most amazing decision and decided to get baptized! I gave my life to the One who gave it all for us. This, was life changing. Later that year I felt called to go on a mission trip to Colombia, South America in September. I began raising money for this, but knew I couldn’t do it on my own. Summer of 2023, I purchased my first professional camera and began my photography business, Mia Bella Photography. Read More>>

Brittany Sinn

For me, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced, especially early on in my career was connection. I’m a pretty extreme introvert and often struggle with self-confidence which really affected my ability to build my business. I found it difficult to connect with clients and even when opportunities would arise, I would often let them pass by because I lacked the confidence to put myself out there. Thankfully, with time, intentionality, and a lot of encouragement, I’ve learned to overcome these struggles and now have a business that is thriving! Read More>>

Arica Avery

The idea for STL Pot Chef emerged when I noticed a growing interest in cannabis-infused experiences, but there weren’t many high-quality options available in the St. Louis area. I wanted to create a platform that not only showcases delicious food and talented Chefs but also educates people on the culinary uses of cannabis. Read More>>

Devon Bennett

Through the course of my older teenage years I grew apart from it, there was a period where I was causing trouble and doing things I wasn’t supposed to. When I found myself at a low point mentally, I was Drawn back into music, I had some friends of mine that taught me how to record on my phone. Cohesive to when I was ditching bad habits and trying to better my living. I took music seriously and immersed my self in the world of self expression and creativity. I never looked back and started chasing goals and to eventually turn music into my profession. Read More>>

Sōlful Hornz

Starting in 2020, Sōlful Hornz is a group of high-quality musicians with a variety of backgrounds who combine their talents to create a fun and infectious soulful sound. The group of ‘horn artists’ are based out of Atlanta, GA and consists of trumpeter Dorran Thigpen and saxophonists Ryan Kilgore and Nate Myers. Together and individually, the group has performed with artists such as Tye Tribbett, Jekayln Carr, Jagged Edge, Stevie Wonder, and Anita Baker just to name a few. Their new original single, “The Light” will be available on all streaming platforms by the end of 2024. Read More>>

Colin Bates

When I was starting out my main niche was running around the city and taking photos. I would show the good side of Saint Louis and how architecturally beautiful it was. We have some really old and great buildings here and I loved showing that. This is the photography that I most love doing because it’s the most fun in my opinion, Overtime I got good at doing portraits and other subject-related shoots. I’m most proud of the work that gets published I’m grateful enough to have been published a few times and that’s what I’m most proud of. Read More>>

Tabatha Gomillia

As an electrical inspector, I constantly see the same pattern of problems in electrical industry. I wanted a way to share the knowledge and information that I have with the electrical contractors and electrical Industry. I had a vision to start an electrical podcast, allowing the electrical industry to call the podcast and ask the lady inspector any NEC electrical code related to the electrical contractors job project. The concept would allow the electrical contractor to ask a questions before having an inspection and the inspection fail. One small opportunity, one small decision, lead me to a lifetime continuous success and fulfillment. Read More>>

Hollis West

It’s not always an easy journey, but it’s one I’m happy to be on. Sometimes it can be hard getting noticed when you’re a small business owner just starting out. It can also be a challenge finding enough time in the day to do the work I feel the most passionate about. As a full time student pursuing an art education degree, while also working part-time, it can certainly get difficult planning my schedule. Read More>>

Brenai Brown

What I didn’t know 6 years ago was how much of an influence I was going to make moving to Texas. In 2019, right before the pandemic, my family and I moved to Dallas TX. As they say everything is bigger in Texas, so I fit right in! Within my first year in Dallas my modeling, social media, and finances took off. To date I’ve worked with many great photographers, models, and influencers. My story is how I turned what God gave me into a career. Bringing positivity and light to the Plus Size community Read More>>

Karah Bess

I got my first tarot reading when I was young with my mom. It opened me up to a whole new world of spirituality. I started reading tarot shortly after, and began practicing on my family. I started my business at 17 shortly after graduating high school. Mainly doing pop-up markets and beginning my journey with private parties. Read More>>

Kelton Barron

A round 2019 myself (Kelton Barron) and our lead guitar player (jack schantz) had two people we had met each other through in high school one of them being our ex drummer and another guitar player we all knew, at that point it was me doing vocals and everybody else making up the rest. It was nothing special just doing old Metallica, diamond head and some very very rough various florida death metal covers lol. Read More>>

Jessica Mannisi

After completing an internship during my graduate work, I was very fortunate to be hired on as the curatorial assistant of the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center at Southwestern Illinois College, and was soon promoted to assistant curator, cutting my teeth in all aspects of the museum/gallery field. Read More>>

Rubina Jones

I also began working as a caricature artist at Six Flags Saint Louis, where I furthered my love for art commissions and drawing from life, and to this day will be one of my favorite jobs. Both of these places inspired me to keep pursuing my education, allowing me to do what i love, and fall in love with the creative processes. I now reside at Kansas City Art Institute as a transferred junior in Illustration and Printmaking, in pursuit of a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Read More>>

Greysinful

I seemed to get burnt out no matter where I worked. One day, a friend of mine from college sent me a post over Instagram. A local tattoo artist was searching for an apprentice at her private studio. I almost didn’t apply as I had no photos of my work ready, a lack of confidence in my work, and worried about being able to afford it. A voice in the back of my head told me the worst that could happen was nothing, and maybe I’d get some good advice. Instead, I got hired at Saint Studios the day before my 25th birthday. Now, over six months later, I’m tattooing regularly and my art career has taken off in ways I never imagined. Read More>>

Amanda Meredith

I was previously managing an auto repair shop in Ferguson for about five and half years. I became pregnant with my last in 2022. The dynamics of my position there shifted hard with the owner during my pregnancy and after delivery. Plans were agreed for me to work from home after delivery in which I started getting things shifted within the business and outside for me to get setup from home, in which I did. I started that process in June of that year. After my C-section in November, about six weeks after, I went back to work, from home.  Read More>>

Antonio Perry

Although professionally, I focused my career on business, my passion for history and teaching remained. While at HSSU, I would write extensive essays discussing how historical events in American history affected today’s society. While writing these essays (still on a flash drive), I often used the alias The Ghetto Activist. After graduating, the essays turned into FB rants until my wife (then girlfriend) suggested I make a blog, and that’s how the blog theghettoactivist.com was born. Read More>>

Wavez Brewer

It started when COVID-19 first happened. My film crew and I couldn’t film as much as we wanted to, so I wanted to think of how I could still create and act without being outside. Then BOOM!! I knew I was always unique with my voice, so I started walking down my road to voice acting. doing it my way and on my terms! Read More>>

Amy Lemire

I became interested in personal and professional development when I was 19 and went to seminars when I was in college to build my self confidence. Later in my sales career, I also joined Toastmasters during the 14 years I lived in Chicago. I also became involved in Tony Robbins seminars and became a ‘Senior Leader’ in 2021. Read More>>