It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around St. Louis.
Debbie OBerg
Debbie had a wound on her leg for 2.5 years and seen 5 different physicians, 4 were dermatologist. No one was able to heal the wound. We then met the gentleman who developed our Red Light Doctor Pro edition bed at a conference. We were invited to do 3 treatments at his warehouse. Read more>>
Shannon Wood
I remember writing a song with my fraternal twin brother at the age of 5 or 6 and performing it for my parents. It was called ‘Hot Dog’. Shortly after, I got a toy drum set for Christmas. At the age of 9, I started drum lessons at a local music store in Ann Arbor, MI. Read more>>
Tracy Tanner
I didn’t start my business in boardrooms or by reading business textbooks — I started in living rooms, backyards, and family gatherings. My journey began by simply helping my sister with children’s parties. Every birthday, every celebration, I showed up to lend a hand — setting tables, decorating spaces, treating each event like it belonged in a storybook. Year after year, our ideas grew bigger. Read more>>
Maria Romine
I started Swords and Roses in 2000 with my sister, Susan. We had taken stage combat classes in Chicago, IL and decided to create a show incorporating Susan’s background as a reading specialist and my background in theater. Besides the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire, we soon found ourselves performing at libraries and scouting events. Read more>>
Khameron Davis
We are excited to share a brief history of Tru View Productions. Our company began in 2021 with a single 360 Photo Booth on a vision board, starting as a side venture while I worked as a mortgage underwriter. Three years later, I have successfully transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship and now own a diverse collection of 15 different style photo booths. Read more>>
Peretz Shlosberg
I have always been a curious person who has been interested in the human condition. Why do we do the things we do? What motivates us? What brings us down? Who are we? How do we respond to life around us? What is our potential as individuals? These questions have always been the backbone to my desire to help others. Read more>>
Joe Wieneke
I’m a collector at heart. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Garbage Pail Kids cards, He-Man action figures, Terminator toys, I kept everything from my childhood. A lot of it was on display in my home. (Still is, to be honest.) I wasn’t anticipating opening a retail store. I was in marketing and graphic design for 25 years, working for various agencies in St. Louis. Read more>>
Tom Cuneio
I was a mechanical engineering student working at MURR (nuclear research reactor) while at Mizzou in the early 90’s. We had a 3D CAD model of the reactor and used it to design equipment for subatomic particle experiments. We were using Autocad in a non-traditional way and I filed it away in mind. Read more>>
Johnny Woodward
Loveland Guitars didn’t start as a business plan. It started long before that—when I was a kid watching my grandfather’s crude guitar repairs on the old basement pool table. The kind where glue goes everywhere and you learn just as much from the mess as from the fix. My dad added to that early education in his own way. Read more>>
Jeff Gustafson
It’s been a long, strange journey thus far. My brother, Danny, and I come from the fitness industry and knew we wanted to start our own business. We weren’t sure where to start. We opened our doors on May 20th, 2020 and through some trial and error we evolved into The Brothers Beer & Bourbon House: a place to connect through craft beer and whiskey. Read more>>
Tiarra Adams
Viva La Vegan began during a time in my life where I was not healthy. I mean brain fog, anxiety through the roof, overweight, depressed and other issues. Then one day I came across a Google news article about how a plant based diet can help cure the mind of brain fog and aids with detoxing. Read more>>
Naquittia Noah
As a teenager, I worked in the summers, and seasonal at the St. Louis County Board of Elections as a temporary employee. I also worked as a poll worker. I learned early in life the importance of voting. My mother retired as a St. Louis County Board of Elections’ employee. Read more>>
matt firth
Originally from Toronto, Canada, I accepted a baseball scholarship as a RHP to Paris Texas Junior College where he played 2 years before graduating and transferring to Lindenwood University in St. Louis, MO, where he finished his collegiate baseball career. Read more>>
Amy Deschler
After working in the beauty industry for more than 12 years as a hairdresser, I was often asked where to go for a good spray tan. Aside from the large chain tanning salons—most of which focused on tanning beds or automated booths—St. Louis didn’t offer many options for custom airbrush spray tans. Read more>>
Mary Beth Flynn
Mary Beth Flynn received a degree in Human and Environmental Sciences from the University of Missouri in 1981. For many years, while raising children, she worked as a commercial designer, a professional watercolor house portrait artist and a Home Care caregiver. Artfully Aging was founded in 2009. Read more>>
Addison Boessen
My story really started when I rescued my first dog, Pink. She’s my soulmate, and she’s the one who opened my eyes to how much love an animal can bring into your life. Then came Clyde—my big, shy guy. He has taken a lot of work, patience, and understanding, but I’m grateful I get to give him exactly what he needs. Read more>>
Michell Stockmann
I never expected to become an entrepreneur. My dream was always to be a teacher, and I landed what felt like the perfect role at the school my daughters would attend. But after just one year, I was laid off. It was heartbreaking at the time, but that unexpected shift opened a new door. Read more>>
Chastity Mays
My name is Chastity Mays and I am 49 years old. I have 3 children, their names are Solo, Maleah, and Adah. I am originally from Piqua, Ohio and the majority of my family still lives there. I graduated high school from Piqua High School and went to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Read more>>
Mary Hastings
I am a solopreneur who loves to work directly with my clients. I enjoy sitting down with them before their sessions to learn more about them and learn why they came to their appointment. I personally determine what songs/colors or protocol would be most beneficial to them. After the session, I love to hear what they felt or what knowledge they gained. People are never the same as when we started the session. Read more>>
Josh Adams
My twenties were defined by experimentation—quitting my first job to renovate a four-plex with my girlfriend (now wife), attempting an independent design engineering practice, and eventually purchasing a manufacturing business founded in the 1990s. The pandemic brought some steep challenges: losing key customers, and running on fumes financially while making payroll from my dwindling personal account to support our small team. That period forced me to double down on creative resilience and on the medical manufacturing work that felt most meaningful. Read more>>
Jonyce Haynes
Well as a little girl I always played in my dolls hair. Grew up doing friends hair from home out the kitchen of course! Had jobs here and there until I went off to college for information technology but even that still wasnt enough. I wasn’t fulfilled till I went and enrolled in hair school. Completed that, and been doing what I love every since. Read more>>
Jasmine Berger
I fell in love with play therapy during an internship at a therapeutic preschool. This was the first time I saw a therapist use play in that way, and I was struck by how powerful it was for children. After graduating from the Brown School of Social Work, I continued working with children and families in non-profits and schools. Read more>>
