Peoria Florist’s story began 24 years ago when Anthem Pleasant took on his first flower delivery job. From the very start, he realized that flowers had a unique ability to bring joy, and that joy became the foundation for his career in floristry. Anthem’s journey led him through various florists across the country, where he honed his skills. Eventually, he had the opportunity to buy Peoria Florist, turning a lifelong passion into his own business. “For me, working with flowers has never felt like work—it’s a passion that continues to bloom every day,” Anthem shared.

Daniel Hood’s journey into the roofing industry was anything but conventional. In 2011, while playing football for the University of Tennessee, he witnessed the damage caused by major hailstorms in Knoxville. Wanting to help residents while earning extra income, he entered the roofing business. What started as a short-term endeavor quickly became a passion, leading him to establish Daniel Hood Roofing, a company built on hard work, teamwork, and a dedication to helping people rebuild after storms.

Gilbert Guzman’s journey to owning Pope Photo Records wasn’t a simple one. Initially working for a competitor, he had a passion for the industry but lacked the financing to make a purchase when the business went up for sale. A conversation with a friend, who had the capital to invest, changed the trajectory of his career. Together, they worked out an agreement where his friend would finance the purchase, and Gilbert would operate the business with the option to buy it at a later date.

Lidya Mandala’s journey into the spa industry was inspired by her time in the high-tech world, where she saw the toll that stress took on people’s lives. She realized that in the pursuit of success, many neglect their well-being. This insight led her to create Spa Réveil, a sanctuary where people can restore balance, rejuvenate, and prioritize self-care.

For Kenneth Ellis, owner of A+ Tree & Crane, tree work has been a lifelong calling. His passion for the industry was solidified after assisting with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts, where he saw firsthand the impact skilled tree service could make.

Bobby Robinson’s journey into web design began in 1994 when he immersed himself in Adobe Suites, HTML, and Flash. This early exposure laid the foundation for his future career and eventually led to the creation of Black Anchor Design.