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.

Cyn Marie Bastos | Executive Wellness Coach

In my role as an Executive Wellness Coach, my inspiration stems from recognizing the intrinsic links between personal well-being and the broader community. It goes beyond individual growth, emphasizing the human-centric and inclusive nature of wellness, which is foundational to the human experience. Wellness, for me, transcends a mere goal; it’s a process deeply rooted in the human experience. It involves striking a balance between personal well-being and the health of the community, acknowledging that the well-being of individuals is at the core of a thriving community. Read more>>

Gavin Larsen | Dance writer, former dancer, and dance teacher

I am continually inspired by other artists, whether they are in my field, adjacent to it, or working in a form completely unfamiliar to me. Watching other artists at work reinvigorates my own urge to create, to refine, to develop and produce. Several years ago, I was awarded a fellowship at an arts foundation residency program and spent three months in the company of seven other artists– writers, painters, sculptors, mixed media creators– and although we were not obliged to share or work communally, we regularly came together to get to know each other and find out about what everyone else was focused on. That was the first time I heard myself, when asked “what do you do?” respond that I am a writer, and my work is about dance. Receiving the interest that my cohorts expressed on hearing that was such a powerful force. Read more>>

Olivia Hudgins | Visual Artist

There’s inspiration everywhere you look, especially as an artist. I find inspiration strikes me when I least expect it, when I see an interesting landscape or building, or the way the light strikes someone’s face, or a color combination that makes me look twice. I save these bits of information in my head and draw upon them when creating a piece of artwork. Read more>>

Charlotte Purvis | Customer Service Consultant, Author (The Customer Communication Formula), Speaker

What inspires me in my role as a Customer Service consultant is knowing I am making a difference in the lives of others. This quote from my book, The Customer Communication Formula, tells you more about my inspiration and motivation: When we think of Customer Service, we often think of procedures, process, protocol. Customer Service is so much more. As Customer Service Professionals, organizational leaders, and consultants, we have an opportunity to influence organizations, to change lives, to be a blessing, and to make the world a better place. Just as I learned in my beloved (hometown) Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Read more>>

Chrysta Nichols | Content Creator

Several elements fuel my passion as a content creator in the realm of media. The diverse array of shows, advertisements, videos, and music serves as a wellspring of inspiration, shaping the visual direction of my content creation. Role models like Derrra, whose journey I admire, provide a constant motivation, reinforcing my belief in the attainability of the success I aspire to achieve. Despite facing challenges both personally and in content creation, the faith and the assurance that success awaits at the end serve as my inspiration to keep going as a creative. Read more>>