Nestled within the vibrant arts community of St. Augustine, mixed media artist Vanessa Hajje is creating a world where color, texture, and creativity come alive. In this inspiring conversation, Vanessa shares her journey from massage therapist and acupuncturist to full-time artist, revealing how art became both a creative outlet and a path to personal freedom. Through layers of paint, collage, nature, and intuition, she has built a business rooted in courage, self-expression, and the belief that creativity belongs to everyone.

This episode explores entrepreneurship, artistic vulnerability, overcoming self-doubt, raising creative children, and the importance of play in both life and business. Vanessa opens up about taking risks, trusting the creative process, building a successful art career later in life, and why she believes every person is inherently creative. A beautiful conversation for artists, entrepreneurs, dreamers, and anyone seeking the courage to create a life that feels truly their own.

Connect with Vanessa Hajje: @VanessaHajjeArt

00:00 – Welcome to Vanessa Hajje’s Art Studio
01:15 – Mixed Media Art & Finding Joy Through Creativity
03:32 – Becoming a Professional Artist at 45
05:04 – Why Art Became Therapy and a Lifeline
07:09 – Creating a Vivid Dream World Through Color
08:27 – Courage, Creativity & Taking Artistic Risks
14:19 – Why St. Augustine Feels Like Home
19:03 – Morning Routines, Inspiration & Creative Flow
23:16 – Entrepreneurship, Freedom & Living Creatively
38:16 – Advice for Artists: Courage Over Fear

Connect with Host Leandra Sweet: @TheSoulLedSessions

Nestled in the heart of North Florida, Clean & Curly Salon is more than a hair salon — it’s a calming space where women are encouraged to embrace their natural beauty and feel confident in their curls. Nichole Clark shares her inspiring journey from social work and therapy to becoming a curly hair specialist and entrepreneur, building a business rooted in authenticity, clean beauty, wellness, and genuine connection.

This conversation explores entrepreneurship, motherhood, personal growth, and the courage it takes to leave behind a career that no longer aligns. Nichole opens up about building a purpose-driven business, creating a serene experience for her clients, and why “sometimes pain is necessary for growth.” A heartfelt episode for entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone learning to trust themselves and follow what truly lights them up.

Connect with Nichole Clark: @SalonCleanCurly

This episode's Founding Sponsor: www.anastasiadesigngroup.com and find them on social media:  IG @AnastasiaDesignGroup and on FB @AnastasiaDesignGroup

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Clean & Curly Salon
01:05 – From Social Work to the Hair Industry
02:47 – Leaving a Career That No Longer Felt Aligned
04:21 – Discovering a Passion for Curly Hair
09:20 – Becoming a Business Owner Unexpectedly
14:32 – Building a Salon Focused on Comfort & Connection
18:17 – Motherhood, Entrepreneurship & Flexibility
22:43 – Morning Routines, Family Life & Balance
33:28 – Clean Beauty, Non-Toxic Products & Healthy Hair
43:11 – Mantras, Growth & Following Your Purpose

Connect with Host Leandra Sweet: @TheSoulLedSessions

Tucked along West King in the heart of St. Augustine, Maracuya by Llama was created by Staci Cleveland and Marcel Vizcarra as a vibrant extension of their love for flavor, creativity, and community. Inspired by travels through Costa Rica and Marcel’s Peruvian culinary roots, the couple transformed a historic former brothel into a colorful coffee and dessert shop centered around exotic flavors, thoughtful details, and genuine connection. Along the way, they learned how to balance entrepreneurship, creativity, partnership, and community while building a space completely outside the traditional mold. What they created is more than a café — Maracuya has become a welcoming gathering place filled with passion fruit-inspired creations, inventive lattes, intimate dinner experiences, and a sense of freedom that encourages people to slow down, connect, and fully express themselves.

Connect with Marcella and Staci: @MaracuyaByLlama

This episode's Founding Sponsor: www.anastasiadesigngroup.com and find them on social media:  IG @AnastasiaDesignGroup and on FB @AnastasiaDesignGroup

Chapters

00:00 – The Story Behind Maracuya by Llama
02:00 – Bringing Exotic Flavors & Passion Fruit to St. Augustine
05:36 – Opening Day Chaos & Building the Team
09:12 – “Fuel Your Passion” & Baking During COVID
11:29 – Leaving the Corporate Grind & Starting a Business
13:39 – The Historic Building & Unique Atmosphere
17:01 – Culinary Inspiration, Travel & Creative Collaboration
18:26 – Intimate Wine Pairing Dinners & Storytelling Through Food
20:31 – Entrepreneurship, Community & Serving the Locals
28:24 – Collaboration, Creativity & Living the Dream Life

Connect with Host Leandra Sweet: @TheSoulLedSessions

Tucked inside one of St. Augustine’s most respected creative spaces, Anastasia Design Group has become a reflection of artistry, resilience, and decades of entrepreneurial grit. Valerie and Natalie share the realities of building a successful interior design business from the ground up — navigating creativity, construction, cash flow, partnerships, motherhood, and the emotional weight that often comes with entrepreneurship. Their conversation explores the beauty of designing homes that truly reflect the people living in them, the importance of intuition and authenticity in business, and the lessons learned through years of trusting themselves, adapting through uncertainty, and creating a life rooted in both freedom and purpose.

Connect with Founding Sponsor Anastasia Design Group:  www.anastasiadesigngroup.com and find them on social media: IG @AnastasiaDesignGroup and on FB @AnastasiaDesignGroup

Chapters

00:00 – The Story Behind Anastasia Design Group
 01:42 – Starting a Design Career Through a Cold Call
 05:06 – The Reality of Running a Creative Business
 07:55 – Navigating Entrepreneurship, Risk & Uncertainty
 10:39 – Authenticity, Integrity & Designing Without Ego
 14:23 – Discovering a Client’s True Style
 18:04 – Freedom vs. Responsibility as a Business Owner
 20:06 – Delegation, Teamwork & Letting Go of Control
 25:17 – Inside Furniture Market & Industry Trends
 29:31 – Multiple Income Streams & Financial Survival
 42:00 – Evolving From Mentor & Assistant to Creative Partners
 51:57 – Entrepreneurship, Self-Awareness & Building a Creative Life

Connect with Host Leandra Sweet: @TheSoulLedSessions

Tucked into the heart of Uptown St. Augustine, Cookiebird Ice Cream Bar was born from a dream Mike and Kate Alfieri never imagined would fully come to life. With no formal restaurant background and years spent in corporate careers, creative work, and family life, the couple took a leap into entrepreneurship fueled mostly by instinct, passion, and a love for community. Along the way, they learned everything from staffing and customer service to soft serve recipes, machine repairs, and the delicate balance of running a family business together. What they created is more than an ice cream shop — Cookiebird has become a nostalgic gathering place rooted in connection, wellness, creativity, and the simple joy of slowing down for something sweet.

Follow Mike and Kate: @Cookiebird_IceCreamBar

This episodes Founding Sponsor: www.anastasiadesigngroup.com and find them on social media: IG @AnastasiaDesignGroup and on FB @AnastasiaDesignGroup

Chapters

 00:00 – Behind the Scenes & Starting Over
 00:44 – The Dream Behind Cookie Bird Ice Cream
 02:51 – From Corporate Careers to Entrepreneurship
 05:04 – Learning to Lead, Pivot & Build a Team
 07:30 – Why St. Augustine Inspired the Business
 09:48 – Creating Clean, Nostalgic Soft Serve for the Community
 12:08 – Building a Local Gathering Place & Family Memories
 16:09 – Entrepreneurship, Personal Growth & Morning Routines
 23:05 – Balancing Marriage, Parenthood & Business Ownership
 39:12 – Advice for Young Entrepreneurs & Dreaming Bigger

Connect with Host Leandra Sweet: @TheSoulLedSessions