Efrem Fesaha: Small Business Owner
Efrem Fesaha is the founder and CEO of Boon Boona Coffee, which has two locations in the Seattle area and is committed to sharing the unique coffee and coffee traditions of East Africa, as well as supporting coffee growers and the local community. With Efrem at the helm, Boon Boona has formed sustainable relationships with coffee producers, exporters, and importers in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, and other African nations, with a focus on supporting woman-owned growers. Boon Boona proudly provides an inclusive space for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized individuals.
Jenipher Lyn: Student
After hitting a breaking point while working multiple jobs, Jenipher Lyn turned to drawing as a way to cope with overwhelming stress. What began as a simple nightly habit soon evolved into a vibrant illustration style and a business built on positivity, honesty, and self acceptance.
Twyla Hall: Photographer and Mother
When photographer Twyla Hall’s son was diagnosed with autism, her camera became a way to rediscover purpose, capture authentic moments, and redefine what beauty in family photography truly means.
Yasmin Abdi
Ryan Greenleaf
How a 10-year restaurant veteran left it all behind to build a photography business he loves.
Jasmine Star: Instructor
Watching Jasmine Star in the front of a virtual classroom as she inspires other business owners, it's easy to imagine that every step of the photographer and business strategist's journey was just as confident as the woman on stage. But if you ask Jasmine, she's quick to share that her career path was filled with wrong steps that eventually led to the right steps.
Big Mike: Artist
Astor Place Hairstylists is a lot like other locally-owned, old-school barber shops in New York City, and yet not. The upright piano in the corner with "Barber Shop Idol" painted on the wall is one clue that things are a little different here these days.
T-Shirt Lady: Textile Artist
Asked what inspired her to start her first business, The T-Shirt Lady's answer is a single word: "Freedom."
Ellen Bennett: CEO & Author
What happens when you claim to own a company you don't have? For Ellen Bennett, it sparked the creation of Hedley & Bennett, a million-dollar apron brand built on bold leaps, relentless hustle, and the belief that how you look and feel translates directly to the work you do.