I grew up in a tiny town in rural Missouri called Blue Eye. From a young age I loved music. I was constantly singing and imagining myself up on big stages in front of thousands of people. When I was 15, I performed a few songs with a live band and fell in love. I decided to teach myself how to play guitar. A few months, (and a lot of practice), later- I could play a few songs. I went to every open mic that would have me and sang my heart out. Being so young and inexperienced I was naive to how much work being a live musician is, but that didn’t stop me. A few of the venues that held the open mics gave me the opportunity to play my very own show. I was thrilled, but knew I had to learn a lot more material because live shows were anywhere from 2-4 hours long. I formed a duo act with a family friend and talented drummer-Dan Stricker. We performed every week, sometimes 4 shows a week while I was finishing high school and college. It was difficult to juggle school work, shows, and a part time job, but I loved music so much I kept at it. I finished college in 2017 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Entertainment Management.
Upon graduation I got the opportunity to work at the school district in my hometown. I come from a family of educators, and while I initially resisted the idea of becoming a teacher. This opportunity opened my eyes to how much I loved it. So while still playing live shows, I went back to school and got certified to teach. Currently I have been teaching for 5 years, and I love it. I will graduate with my master’s degree this summer.
For the last 4 years I have been playing and writing music with my sister, Alli Butler. She has been pivotal in achieving the sound I’ve always wanted- the smoky, gritty, mountain music I love. We released our first album in the Fall of 2021. We are working on our second album right now, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.
While I love singing and teaching, I can’t ignore the biggest piece to my story - my family. My mom and dad have supported me in every way imaginable, and have always encouraged me to crush my goals. My husband keeps me focused and driven. He is my steady. My son is the best thing to ever happen to me. He is a constant reminder of love and I am forever grateful I am his mom.
I’ve learned many things on my journey, treat every show as if it’s the last one you’ll ever play. Don’t get discouraged by empty rooms or empty promises. Don’t let people try to put you in a box. Music and life have a lot of things in common - lots of highs and lots of lows, but the highs sure do outweigh all of the lows. I know I will always stay driven and humble. Always patient and thankful no matter what life throws my way. I will love big and stay stubborn.
So from a 15 year old hoping for the chance to sing a few songs at a bar in my town, to now, almost 12 years later about to embark on my very first tour- never stop dreaming and never stop working. - @maddiwarrenmusic
I grew up in a little Texas town, where I was reared by hardworking parents. After high school, I moved to Houston, Texas, and started a new life there. My philosophy has always been to live life to the fullest. From traveling whenever I could to taking on new challenges in my job path, I've done it all. I've had several setbacks along the way, but I always get back up and keep going. - @jamikay1
Society has a lot of pitfalls. We're often forced into something that isn't working for us under the guise of it being the "norm." It made me feel mad, insane. As I got older I just didn't feel like I fit in, the 9-5 wasn't working for me. I felt constrained, like I wasn't allow to *live* and work.
I want to help artists, people with dreams, musicians, small businesses. I want people to feel like they can do what makes them happy, unconstrained by the "one-size-fits-all." I didn't fit in it and struggled to accept how I could break out and still feel full of purpose.
I found people who felt like me. We started making beautiful things together, putting together ideas. I started running art markets, giving artists a platform to sell their work. I found myself through art, community, collaboration.
It's taken years to recondition my idea of success and happiness. I'm young and I'm only just beginning. I really love it all. I really love you all.-@sweetheartpowder
From the great state of Texas, where salsa is king, to the bright lights of the big city, I am taking a dip into the salsa space - starting in the most unlikely of places - New York City!
Having been the founder or core team member of three previous startups, I have decided to take on my next venture - one that has been burning inside me since my college days at LSU - with a laser-focused relentlessness. Being half dreamer, half doer, I have the uncanny ability to manifest things into reality, as if the road to success were already paved.
The ultimate connector, creator and believer in anything is possible, I maintain awareness of what I am great at and what I am not, bringing together top talent to execute the DATG vision.
My life experiences of travel, business and relationships paired with my passion for products and people come together here, where I lead the way to create a new type of salsa brand! - @beniteaux
Growing up where I did, school wasn’t a main priority. I dropped out of high school my senior year [after being sexually assaulted by a fellow student] and it was no big deal to those around me. But I knew I wanted more. I needed more. I did get my GED and then enrolled in community college. I was the first person on both sides of my family, cousins, aunts, uncles, to go to college. I married young and had kids with a man who was abusive, but I persisted. My 4th daughter was born 5 days before my last semester of nursing school started. I was back at school when she was 2 weeks old. My teachers were so afraid I was going to fail boards that they charged me with plagiarism twice! Both times I sat for the academic board and proved my innocence. I won. Then I passed state nursing boards with a perfect score. The day I found out, I left my now ex husband. That was 2014. Since then, I have spent every moment healing past traumas, and letting the woman of honor that lives inside of me, come alive. It has not been an easy journey, but every minute of the fight was worth it to end up where I am now, spiritually, mentally, and professionally. I believe people and situations are placed in our lives to help us learn lessons. Those who have wronged me, I thank you. Those who have stood by my side through thick and thin, I tell you everyday how grateful I am for your love. Those who were passing through to show me who I don’t want to be and who I can be, thank you. For all of you have helped mold me into who I am today, and I have to say, I like her, thank you! But the biggest shout outs go to my four amazing daughters. Everyday I strive to make a better life for us.
Never stop fighting. Your soul deserves to shine. - @thejudgemaggie
