"If I can be good about business, & I can do my business well—but then also care about my people & have that noticed in the marketplace—that’s way more important to me." – Greg Lafferty At 27, Greg seemingly had it all: the pedigree, the projects, the prestige of a big job at NASA. But what he really wanted was a life of impact. So, he retired (yes, at 27!) from the confines of government & began a decades-long journey of entrepreneurship rooted in faith, grit, & people-first leadership. Years later, that same spirit would draw Christina Wright to him. A few referrals & persistent follow-ups later, she landed a meeting with Greg—who was launching a company with no name, no business plan… & no investor relations lead. She jumped in anyway. Today, this mission-minded duo is building Branch Wealth Partners—an education-driven real estate firm helping people build real wealth with wisdom, heart, & long-term vision. They’re not chasing “get rich quick.” They’re building something that lasts. To learn more, learn more at branchwealthpartners.com. It’s like Tony Hsieh said: “Chase the vision, not the money. The money will end up following you.”

“So, it's not just about your business growth. It's also about … creating value & meaningful relationships.” – John Hall In third grade, John launched a lunch brokerage business. By college, he was building a student housing empire. And today? He’s a keynote speaker, investor, & co-founder of multiple companies — wildly different ventures but all rooted in one thing: adding value to others. He didn’t start out this way. Early in his career, he admits he was ego-driven & always worked an angle. Over time, he learned that the true measure of success isn’t power or profit. It’s the number of lives you elevate along the way. That belief shows up in everything he does, from how he hires, to who he partners with, to the companies he builds & invests in. For John, kindness is strategy. Relationships are capital. And success is leaving people better than you find them. From ego to impact, this story is about building a business that puts people first without sacrificing growth. To learn more, find him at Relevance.com & ArticleX.com. John was listening when Zig Ziglar said, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”

“I believe that the more my clients know I care about them, the more I can nudge them toward success.” – Natalia Worthington Natalia wasn’t supposed to be here—literally. As her parents rode a bus to make a life-altering decision, her father had a change of heart. That choice sparked a life defined by curiosity, compassion, & quiet rebellion. Born in Soviet Russia, she came of age in a system that crushed curiosity & rewarded obedience. But at home, things were different. Her father, an English professor, championed critical thinking & lifelong learning—lessons that would one day save her. Years later, as a young mom in a new country, Natalia battled isolation, depression, & weight gain. But instead of giving in, she channeled her hunger to learn & took control of her story. She healed—& then made it her mission to help others do the same. Today, Natalia helps clients thrive in six areas of deep health—from fitness to purpose. Her goal isn’t just a workout. It’s total transformation. To learn more, find her at customfitcoaching.com. Arthur Ashe once said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Natalia did just that.