We’ve been fortunate to connect with so many brilliant, thoughtful entrepreneurs and creatives and we regularly ask them about the most important lessons they’ve learned over the course of their careers. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Audrey Sutherland Jesse Valenciana | Founders & Owners

We’re from Chicago, which is a wonderfully diverse, multicultural city. Living there directly impacted who we are in many facets of our lives, especially our business. We had the world at our fingertips and we learned about it one bite at a time. It was something we never took for granted. Read more>>

Monique Wells | Founder of MOMs

I was born and raised in Indianapolis, In. My upbringing impacted a great deal of who I am today. I grew up in First Baptist Church of North Indianapolis. I have so many fond memories and met so many amazing people who touched my life during my 22-year membership there. I was raised on 34th & Caroline Ave. which is one of the most dangerous zip codes in the city. Although I grew up a church girl and loved God, I also had to learn how to adapt to my environment because being soft would get you hurt. I adapted a tough exterior to protect the sensitive interior. I don’t fear much in life and I know by surviving my neighborhood I can survive anything life throws my way as long as I have a relationship with God! Read more>>

Grace Cain | Designer, Illustrator, and Creative Director

I grew up in the midwest before moving to the Nashville area with my family in high school. Growing up in the midwest suburbs meant that I saw a lot of the same thing. Everyone had similar cars, similar houses, similar hopes, similar dreams. There was something about the similar that made me want to be different. I was blessed to have musically and artistically inclined parents and their influence in my early life gave me freedom to pursue different activities than those around me.  Read more>>