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.

Krista Kearse | Elopement Photographer

I adopted my twin brothers at 19 and they were 11. They have really inspired me from day one! After raising them I knew I could do anything I set my mind to. I have always loved photography and just always done it since high school. I would do senior pictures for classmates and was involved in a photography class for the yearbook. For the past 7 years, I’ve always done jobs here and there for friends and family. I was going to college for education and then had to stop my senior year to work multiple jobs to raise my brothers, now that they just graduated high school in May. I knew it was finally my time to go after my dreams! Read more>>

Leah Johnson | Joy Life Coach, Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, Certified Energy & Body worker

Living Joy Wisdom, my business, was inspired by overcoming challenges in my own life.. I was in a very difficult marriage. I suppressed my joy, When the marriage dissolved I was indeed depressed and lost my sense of inner joy. and freedom. I felt that I didn’t know myself anymore. I felt empty, had low self esteem, feeling small and lonely, I was a very unhappy and sad person. I wanted this to change. Read more>>

Nadia Rae Al-Yagout | Clinically Trained Therapist & Empowerment Mentor

As a clinically trained psychotherapist, I have been immersed in the world of psychology for years. I was fortunate enough to study depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, which is very much soul-focused psychology. I specifically chose a program that cared more about exploration of soul than medicalizing or pathologizing people’s symptoms. It was a rigorous, enriching, and transformative experience. While it was what I would argue was one of the best and most comprehensive graduate counseling programs in the country, I still felt like the traditional therapeutic paradigm was lacking. Read more>>

Jenna Gallas | Co – Owner/Booking Agent, Armadillo Ranch & Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce Special Events Coordinator

It was never a part of the plan, in all honesty. In a town holding a Colorado Creative District distinction, we are an artist-heavy community, with a bar/restaurant/music venue in the center of the Downtown Historic District of Manitou Springs. The Ancient Mariner was the literal and proverbial anchor of the music scene in Manitou, and the building was destined to turn from iconic venue to t-shirt shop. Upon hearing this news, Jenna came home one evening to convince Jason that they could intervene, sign a lease, and open up a new operation to keep the tradition alive that had been going for over 30 years at the time at 962 Manitou Ave. Read more>>

Amber Roper | Author & Trauma Specialist

After surviving a random attack and sexual assault from a stranger while jogging on my neighborhood trail, I was diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and didn’t leave my house for three months. I was in a deep, dark state of depression, anxiety and hopelessness. The pain felt unbearable at times. Being raised in a God-fearing household, I knew down in my soul that I could find hope in His word. However, getting to the point where I understood and thirsted for God’s word felt unattainable. Read more>>

Kendyl Grover | Basketball Player Development Coach

Top Flight Athletics originally began as a business plan for my final business class in college. At the time I was taking class online finishing my Business Degree, while also working a concrete construction job. Just months before, I was playing professional basketball for a team in Switzerland, The Lugano Tigers. While making extra money on the side working construction for the summer, I really had the time to identify and recognize my true passion, basketball. Read more>>

Dr. Maggie Dewan-Mandle | Pediatric and Educational Audiologist

I graduated summer of 2021 from my doctoral of audiology program. Soon after I started working as an audiologist for two different centers. One was the local pediatric hospital and the other was essentially a contract company supplying services for local school districts. I enjoyed what I did but never felt I was living out my dreams as an audiologist. I felt like something was missing and started researching what else I could do within the field of audiology. In December 2021, I was deeply unhappy with where I was at career wise. Read more>>

Brandi Babin | Author and Brainspotting Coach and Practitioner

As a mother of 4, I went through some tough times early on in motherhood. I have struggled with things that so many new mothers struggle with, including depression, anxiety, self-doubt and unfortunately due to mental and emotional abuse during those times my self-value and confidence was destroyed. I suffered PTSD from the abuse I endured throughout the years and had no idea that it was even there. I just thought “There is something wrong with me”. I started to search for anything and everything I could get my hands on to begin healing and building myself back up. Read more>>