HoneyBook’s Second Annual ‘20 On The Rise’ Honors 120 Freelance Solopreneurs Making Waves in 2019

HoneyBook, the leading business and financial management platform for creative solopreneurs and freelancers, is announcing its second annual 20 On The Rise, a celebration of 120 independent business owners making waves in their creative industry. The initiative honors individuals who embody HoneyBook’s core values of community, hard work and a passion for their craft. 

Honorees were recognized by their peers for the impact they’re making in their industry and nominations were open to anyone to ensure the award is inclusive of all creative entrepreneurs, not just those in the HoneyBook and Rising Tide community. Nominations were then evaluated by the company’s internal team who selected winners based on their commitment to their craft, the core values behind their business and the impact of their work on the broader community. 120 finalists were selected from six categories, 20 in each, that represent distinct sectors in the creative economy: image-makers, event professionals, designers, artists & product makers, marketing experts and coaches & consultants.

“Our mission is to support the rise of the creative economy and a key part of that is forging stronger bonds between industry peers,” said Oz Alon, CEO of HoneyBook. “20 On The Rise goes a long way to encourage community over competition, by enabling creatives to nominate fellow freelancers that they admire. We were overwhelmed by the whopping 2,800 nominations submitted this year. It’s so rewarding to see small business owners celebrate one another in this way.”
 
One honoree, Brittany Darrington, a strategic business coach for female entrepreneurs, helps women achieve their business goals. The daughter of a single mother who struggled to support her family, Brittany understands personally the importance of empowering other women to reach for their dreams.

“I’m truly honored to be a part of 20 On The Rise,” said Darrington. “When I first started my business, I found myself second-guessing my approach. Thanks to HoneyBook’s strong community of experienced entrepreneurs, I was able to gain the confidence I needed to excel. I love helping others do the same.”

Honoree Ashley Dulce, owner and founder of The Dulce Experience, is an abstract cake artist. Her business stands out for the way she incorporates emotion and personality in her confectionary creations. 

“I tell others to focus on baby steps first and build from there,” said Dulce. “Building a business takes time but if you believe in your vision, you’ll get there. The 20 On The Rise recognition motivates me to keep going and  I hope I can inspire others to do the same.” 

Creative freelancers often work alone and typically spend 80% of their time on uninspiring business management tasks and only 20% of their time practicing their craft - the reason they started their business in the first place. HoneyBook is on a mission to reverse this dilemma by not only providing business management software that streamlines the business process, but also by fostering community and celebrating the impact made by creative small business owners. 20 On The Rise was born out of a desire to create an award dedicated to celebrating creative entrepreneurship. 

“Success inspires success,” said Natalie Franke, Head of Community at HoneyBook and Co-Founder of the Rising Tide. “20 On The Rise allows us to come together to honor one another’s achievements. The opportunity to celebrate with and learn from each other is such a gift. It’s part of what makes HoneyBook so special.”
 
Why “20 On The Rise?”
To empower creative entrepreneurs to rise together doing what they love, HoneyBook is highlighting 20 standout small business owners across six categories who are making waves in their industry. 20 On The Rise celebrates those who dare to bet on their innovative work, passion and purpose. 

The 120 creative entrepreneurs and freelancers honored are: 

Image Makers
Anesha Collins, CEO, Unashamed Imaging and LearnwithAC
Angela Michelle, Founder, Raven Red
Ashley Strickland, Owner and Lead Photographer, Ashley Nicole Photography
Cassie Valente, Owner and Photographer, Cassie Valente Photography
Cheyenne Gil, CEO and Lead Photographer, Cheyenne Gil Studios
Daniel Cruz, Photographer, Daniel Cruz Photography
Elizabeth Austin-Davis, Owner and Lead Photographer, Elizabeth Austin Photography
Hana Alsoudi, Owner, Hana Alsoudi Photography
Jamaal Mackenzie, CEO and Lead Photographer, Visuals By J Mackenzie
Jeff Frandsen, Owner, Jeff Frandsen Photography + Design
Jennifer Ryals, CEO and Founder, Jennifer Ryals Photography
Jodie Brim, Founder, Jodie Brim Photography
John Branch IV, Owner and Lead Photographer, John Branch IV Photography
Katie Norris, CEO and Founder, Fotolanthropy and Foto
Lajune King, Founder, Lead Photographer, and Speaker, PhotosByLJK, LLC
Marirosa Anderson, Owner, Photography by Marirosa
Mecca Gamble Mcconnell, Photographer and Educator, Mecca Gamble Photography
Rachel Korinek, Photographer and Educator, Two Loves Studio
Sacia Matthews, CEO, Founder, and Dream Maker, Sacia Matthews
Sandra Chau, CEO, Sandra Chau PTY LTD

Event Professionals
Abeki Carter, CEO, Chic Occasions Events
Abigail Daigle, Owner, Stems Floral Design + Event Styling
Aneesa Glines, Owner and Lead Planner, Harmony Weddings and Events
Ashley Dulce, Owner, Founder, and Cakeologist, The Dulce Experience
Carol Banh Keiner, Founder and Creative Director, The Blushing Details
David Schwartz, CEO, DJ, and MC, Orion Entertainment
Erin Sanouvong, Owner, Cookie Baker, and Artist, It’s My Party Cookies and Favors
Feyisola Ogunfemi, Owner and Lead Planner, Statuesque Events
Gilbert Frogozo, Founder, Gilbert’s Lettering
Holly Gray, CEO and Color Genius, Anything But Gray Events
Kathy Romero, CEO and Founder, Kathy Romero Events
Kimberly Musial, President and Artistic Director, Luminous Sounds, Inc.
Latoya Papillon-Herr, Professional Wedding Officiant and Owner, Waning Moon Weddings by Latoya
Leah Weinberg, Owner and Creative Director, Color Pop Events
Natalie Setareh, Founder and Author, Natalie Setareh Couture Makeup Artist & Beauty Coach
Nyoka Celestine, Founder and Owner, Nyoka Gregory Beauty
Rachel E. Rice, Founder and Principal Planner, The One Moment Events
Rea Owens-Byerly, Curator of Event Experiences, Rea Danielle Designs
Susan Talamantes, CEO and Lead Hairstylist/Makeup Artist, Jireh Artistry
Tina Li, Owner and Principal Event Consultant, In the Clouds Events

Designers
Aditi Panchal, Founder, Aditi Designs
Andrea Williams, Owner, Paisley Paper Co. and Andrea Designs LLC
Austyn Elizabeth Ford, Educator, Consultant, and Website Designer, Austyn & Co.
Avi Naor, Boss Lady, Avi Scribbles Art Co.
Danait Berhe, Founder, The Asmara Agency
Elizabeth Reyes, Founder, Little Nook Studio
Gigi Davarashvili, Founder, Brand Strategist, and Web Designer, One6Creative
Illiah Vilet, Owner and Creative Director, C&V Creative
Jackie Mangiolino, Founder and Owner, The Everyday Mother
Janae Bryson, Founder, Auden & Company
Joanna Holden, Founder and Creative Director, Modular, Ink
Kathy Luong, Founder and Creative Director, Made by WMN
Kprecia Ambers, Illustrator & Owner, KP Inspires
Meagan Ward, Founder, Creatively Flawless, LLC and Femology, LLC
Naoma Serna-Zahn, Founder and Creative Director, Nuevo Studio
Nicole Yang, Creative Director, Nicole A. Yang, The Design Lab
Ruthann Rafiq, Owner and Brand/Website Designer, R Artspace
Sareka Unique, Founder, Sareka Unique Designs
Tiffani Alvaran, Founder, Boss Babe Branding
Veronica Cámara, Founder and Principal Strategist, AVO Agency

Artists & Product Makers
Allison Crawford Ford, Artist, Hello Allison Art
Amy Reader, Owner and Artist, Amy Reader Artist
Christopher Pothier, Founder, CWA Pothier Fine Art
Jenipher Lyn, Artist, Author, and Speaker, Jenipher Lyn
Jocelyn Mathewes, Artist, Jocelyn Mathewes Imagemaker
Justine Hwang, Calligrapher and Workshop Coach, It Just Flows
Kim Smith, Artist, Kim Smith Fine Art
Kit Gray, Artist, Kit Gray Illustration
Ladara McKinnon, Fine Artist, Ladara Fine Art
Manuela Guillén, Freelance Artist, Lazy Beam Arte by Manuela Guillén
Marissa Huber, Artist and Founder, Marissa Huber LLC and Carve Out Time For Art
Melissa Sulley, Founder and Maker, Josiah+Co
Molly Suber Thorpe, Owner, Molly Suber Thorpe Calligraphy & Design
Morgann McCoy, Owner, Designer, and Seamstress, A Well Worn Story
Neesha Merani, Owner, PaperWand
Nina Alberg, Founder and Creator, Mimi Moffie
Olivia Lin, Owner and Hand Letterer, Atiliay
Peggy Dean, CEO, The Pigeon Letters
Rubeena Ianigro, Founder, The Gray Muse
Shinah Chang, Chief Calligrapher, Crooked Calligraphy

Marketing Experts
Allison Evelyn Gower, Branding Coach and Copywriting Strategist, Allison Evelyn, Inc.
Cassandra Le, Founder, CEO, and Copywriter, The Quirky Pineapple Studio
Catalina Jean, Owner, Photographer, and SEO-Funologist, SEO is Fun and Catalina Jean Photography
Danae A. Edmonds, Founder, Aspiring Co. LLC
Elaine Rau, Founder and CEO, LadyBossBlogger
Hattie Dunstan, Lead Marketer and Social Strategist, Funstans Marketing
Jamar Diggs, Founder and Business/Social Media Strategist, J Diggs Media
Joy Michelle Aleman, Photographer, Educator, and Youtuber, Joy Michelle Photography
Judy Tsuei, Founder, Wild Hearted Words
Kay Fabella, Story Finder, Kay Fabella
Kelly Cochran, CEO, Loud Blonde
Kristen Achziger, Ethical Sales Strategist and Brand Messaging Consultant, Going Ultraviolet
Latrice Claiborne, CEO and Systems/Operations Strategist, Trinity Business Solutions
Leah Hall, Personal Brand Strategist, Leah Hall Co.
Liz Fleming, Personal Branding and Marketing Strategist, Elisabeth Fleming
Melissa Alam, Founder and Creative Director, Alam Digital and FearlessCon
Shannon Siriano Greenwood, Founder, Rebelle Con
Tasha Booth, CEO, The Launch Guild
Tom Ross, CEO, Design Cuts
Tript Johal, Founder, Buzzing Creatives and Trip Johal

Coaches and Consultants
Annette Stepanian, Lawyer for Entrepreneurs, Annette Stepanian, Your Legal BFF
Ashley Cox, Founder and Leadership Mentor, Ashley Cox | Leadership Mentor For Women
Braden Adam Drake, CEO, Braden Drake LLC and Braden Drake Law
Brittany Darrington, Founder and Corporate Exit Officer, The Corporate Misfit Club
Elaine Lou Cartas, CEO, Elaine Lou Coaching
Erin Perkins, Founder, Mabely Q Consulting
Fiona Minett, Founder, Boss Your PR
Geomyra Pollard, Life and Business Coach, Coaching For Creatives
Hafsa Rana, Mom Mentor and Content Strategist, Happily Hafsa
Isabella Silverio, CEO and Head Business Fairy, Guava Empowerment LLC
Jordan GIll, Founder, Systems Saved Me
Karina Ramos, CEO, The Voyage Society
Kea Meyers Duggan, Life and Career Makeover Coach and Speaker
Keina Newell, Founder, Wealth Over Now
Kirsten Palladino, Educator and Co-Owner, Equally Wed Pro
Kronda Adair, CEO, Karvel Digital
Kyle Goldie, Business Coach and Educator, Goldie Coaching LLC
Neha O’Rourke, Founder and Career Coach, Somewhere In Between Coaching, LLC
Nichole Beiner Powell-Newman, CEO, Founder, Speaker, Facilitator, Leader, and Culture Consultant, Nichole Gabrielle & Co.
Shunta Grant, Business Educator, Shunta Grant Podcast: Business, Life, and Joy and Because of Zoe

For full profiles of all winners visit: https://ontherise.honeybook.com/

About HoneyBook 
HoneyBook is the leading business and financial management platform for solopreneurs and freelancers. Over 75,000 creative entrepreneurs connect through its platform to manage their business, collaborate and book clients -- all in one place. HoneyBook enables creative entrepreneurs to focus more on doing what they love and less on administrative tasks like invoicing and payments. From the first reply to the final payment, HoneyBook makes it easy for people to book their ideal client faster, more frequently, and with less legwork. Founded in 2013, HoneyBook is based in San Francisco and funded by Citi Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners and Aleph. 

 Learn more at honeybook.com. 

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