Our community is comprised of some absolutely brilliant entrepreneurs and so we asked a few of them to tell us the story of how they came up with the ideas for their business.

Joey & Chanel Bradfisch | Founders & Booth Operators

We had a photo booth at our wedding in 2012. We had some amazing memories from it, but to be perfectly honest, it was terrible from a service and quality standpoint. No digital files, so we, as the couple, did not get to see the photos from the evening. Everyone had to cram in a box to take the photo. The quality of the photos was mediocre… the list goes on. We loved the idea and the thought process behind a photo booth, but we wanted to do better for people. We did a ton of research, implemented services and standards we wished we would have had for our wedding service, and found the photo booths we use today! Read more>>

Cynthia Baysinger | Owner & Creator

I started making cheese plates in 2016 with my good friend, Carrieanne. We would get together on Friday nights after work and put together cheese plates and drink wine. Back then it was more about the different cheeses and wine than the artistic element; but over time I started to evolve. I came across an instagram page of a fellow cheese lover and upcoming influencer in what I now call, our industry, who would create these elaborate and artistic grazing boards and I immediately wanted to try for myself. I have an artistic background and love entertaining so it came pretty naturally to me, once I got the basics down. I made boards for friends and family for almost 3 years before I started Modern Brie. Read more>>

Lori Baker | Health Coach

I have always been interested in nutrition and the science behind it and combined that with my passion for helping people. Chronic diseases are responsible for seven out of 10 deaths in the U.S., killing more than 1.7 million Americans each year. I saw a need for health coaches in both the private and public sector. There is so much information on diets, nutrition, exercise, etc and most people don’t have the time to distill that information so they wind up frustrated and confused. As well, most doctors have little to no knowledge of nutrition and don’t consider it when treating patients. Read more>>

Kelly Marie Schwahn | President & Hair Artist

It is no secret Hair Salons in Arizona have been significantly impacted by COVID-19, including being forced to closed for 6 weeks in April & May 2020. While facing a global pandemic, economic downturn and skyrocketing unemployment, Schwahn Salon in Mesa has not only opened a larger salon location but has also re-branded and re-structured its operations to provide customers an experience that is new and unique to the Salon industry. It is called “Hair Health Care”, and it’s the product of combining a medical clinic and hair salon together. “The health of your hair is our top priority. We are the salon you turn to for rehabilitating damaged hair”, says Kelly Marie Schwahn, CEO of Schwahn Salon. “When my husband with 30 years of experience as a Medical Administrator was laid off from his job due to COVID-19, we could have become scared and worried. Read more>>

Serena Nicolle | Singer-Songwriter & Musician

I’ve always loved music ever since I was a child, but my passion didn’t truly start until I sang at my first talent show when I was 11 years old. The song was “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. I saw how I could move people, physically and emotionally, and decided to continue from then on. I started writing songs when I was 14 years old, a freshman in high school. Soon after, I put a group together to showcase my original music. Unfortunately, no one could fully commit to the group and I made the decision that I now had enough confidence to start performing solo my second year of college. My dad promoted me like crazy and still continues to do so. Thanks, Dad! Now, I perform all over the valley and I am lucky enough to be able to pay musicians to join me. Read more>>

Rhea Blasko | Curator

I never knew exactly what I wanted to do when growing up but I knew it would be creative and that I had to be my own boss. When I moved to Arizona in 2013 I was in my mid 20’s and was finally ready to focus on myself. I went to trade school for interior design and after graduating worked for a few interior designers in the valley. I quickly realized there were things about the job that I really didn’t enjoy. Being from a small town in Indiana where the average traffic moves at 35 mph I pretty much felt like I was going to die everyday on all these crazy freeways!! In a days work I found myself mostly in my car and all over the Valley. I came home drained from battling traffic and hardly being acknowledged at fancy furniture stores. I loved the idea of making homes beautiful but also making people feel at home. While I struggled to find my calling and my style I found myself at an interview with a local designer and she asked me “where do you see yourself in the next 5 year?” I responded that I saw myself owning my own home boutique store. Read more>>