A big part of making decisions is determining what our actions and choices have been inspired by. So we asked decision makers from the community to tell us about what they are inspired by.

Jeannette Maré | Ben’s Bells Founder & PhD Student

I am inspired by humble people. There is so much strength and confidence in true humility – knowing that you’re not better or worse than anyone, that learning is a forever process, and that we really need each other. People who approach their work and their lives with humility aren’t afraid to listen, ask questions, make mistakes, and grow. Letting go of competitive instincts is liberating. Read more>>

Taryn Shank | Holistic Health Coach

I’m inspired by love, kindness and others following their passions. Hundreds of people have inspired me throughout my life. I think it’s important to not look at one person for inspiration. I also think it’s important to not idolize others for what they have accomplished but look at them as someone who has accomplished something that you can accomplish, too. I look everywhere for inspiration. From Gary V, to my clients who are wanting to be better versions of themselves. I get inspired when I see people bettering their lives. You can tell when someone has that spark in their heart and are doing good in the world by spreading love in their own way. Thats what inspires me. Read more>>

Marisol Valenzuela | Cosmetologist

This a great question! My biggest inspiration would have to be my family. My siblings and I were fortunate enough to have two hard working parents. Growing up as part of the lower-middle class, we constantly saw our parents struggle to make ends meet. They were living pay check to pay check and worked multiple jobs. Although some of those jobs paid really well, they still had 4 kids at home who they needed to support. My parents never gave up. They provided us a wonderful life filled with amazing opportunities. I couldn’t thank them enough. My biggest goal in life is to be able to retire my family and I hope to achieve it one day. Besides my family, I am surrounded by amazing people everyday. I work alongside 4 creative artist who constantly think outside the box. We have created a positive, lifting and exciting environment at Veronica & Co. You know you love what you do when it doesn’t feel like work. I definitely am so proud of the clientele I have built. My clients are mostly women. Read more>>

Peris Lopez | Visual Artist & Student

Sometimes I’m not inspired. At times I find myself completely wrapped up in the external material world and exist as a mind-body system without much awareness. I think this usually happens when my focus is situated on satisfying a society that values infinite accumulation above all else. It is easy for me to feel as if I’m closed off from accessing my awareness when I give in to the systemic pressure to obsess over reclaiming the past and fearing the future. When I’m connected to a feeling of transcendence beyond my physical and thinking reality, I feel most inspired to create. I believe visual art has the unique power to communicate with the deepest part of human existence — our consciousness. Intellectualism and language always fall short in expressing the truth of our collective consciousness. Art, on the other hand, reminds me of the magic within the ordered chaos of our boundless existence. Read more>>