Patrick Jérôme is a French-Canadian firefighter and self-taught woodworker from northeastern Ontario. Inspired by his father and childhood experiences building forts in the forest, Patrick developed a deep appreciation for hands-on work. ⁣ After serving in the military and transitioning to firefighting, he turned to woodworking as a creative and therapeutic outlet. In 2016, Patrick began sharing his woodworking journey on social media, combining craftsmanship with visually satisfying, music-driven videos. ⁣ His content quickly gained popularity—most notably from a viral video cleaning glue with a straw—leading to a loyal following under the name Rêverie Woodworks. Patrick specializes in small projects using reclaimed wood, often incorporating techniques like Shou Sugi Ban. 

Deserae Lindsley is an urban homesteader and passionate gardener based in South Austin, Texas. Inspired by her grandfather’s backyard garden, she began cultivating her own love for plants early on. ⁣ A former hairdresser, she leaned into gardening during the pandemic and now maintains a thriving vegetable, pollinator, and citrus garden—alongside backyard chickens—on less than a quarter-acre. ⁣ Deserae specializes in small-space, climate-smart gardening, using techniques like microclimate planning, dense planting, and shade cloths to thrive in Texas’ extreme weather. She’s an advocate for starting small, learning by doing, and embracing the patience gardening teaches.

Katie Thompson is a woodworker, designer, and community builder who discovered her passion for woodworking in 2010 after meeting her husband, a skilled furniture maker. ⁣ With a background in communications and marketing, she transitioned from digital advertising to hands-on craftsmanship, eventually creating furniture, launching her jewelry line Black Swamp, and authoring a children’s woodworking book. ⁣ Katie is also the founder of the Women of Woodworking Project, a global community that celebrates and supports women and gender non-conforming makers. Known for her thoughtful approach to design and dedication to empowering others. 

Jeff Waldman is a California-based DIY enthusiast, builder, and creative problem-solver who turned a passion for tinkering into a way of life. Originally from San Francisco, Jeff's journey into hands-on construction began unexpectedly—despite having a background in electronics from his time in the Air Force, he had no formal training in carpentry or design. ⁣ Seeking a rural escape, Jeff and his wife purchased land in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where they built everything from an outhouse to a wood-fired hot tub, treating their property as an "adult summer camp" for friends. However, in 2020, a wildfire destroyed their structures. Undeterred, Jeff rebuilt using salvaged redwood from the fallen trees, embracing a trial-and-error approach that has defined his work ever since. ⁣ Jeff's work is a testament to the power of community. The process of building together—akin to an Amish barn-raising—has brought people together, creating unforgettable experiences. His projects and insights are documented on elevatedspaces.ca, where he shares photos, videos, and a biweekly newsletter about construction, creativity, and community.

Amy is the creator behind Amy Makes That, an aesthetic Cricut crafter and educator who turned a college side hustle into a full-blown creative business. Since 2018, she’s been on a mission to make Cricut crafting more accessible, stylish, and beginner-friendly through her popular tutorials, tips, and behind-the-scenes content. ⁣ After overcoming the sudden closure of her Etsy shop in 2021, Amy rebranded and grew a loyal audience of over 100,000 across platforms. ⁣ She now balances content creation with running her handmade business, teaching online, and helping aspiring makers launch their own ventures through her course, The Craft Business Blueprint. Amy’s all about creating with purpose, connecting with your audience, and crafting a life you love. 

Erika Nolan is a Georgia-based homesteader whose journey began 13 years ago on a modest 50-square-foot backyard in New Orleans. Inspired by her mother’s illness and the lack of nutritious hospital food, Erika pursued horticulture and launched one of the first organic landscaping businesses in her region. What started as a city lot filled with veggie beds, chickens, and composting systems grew into a thriving business that caught local attention and set her on a path toward full-scale homesteading. ⁣ Prior to the pandemic, Erika built her income around eco-friendly landscaping—offering rooftop gardens, compost solutions, and organic lawn care. In 2020, as interest in self-sufficiency skyrocketed, she pivoted to online consulting, helping people around the world create their own resilient spaces. Now living on five acres in the mountains, Erika and her family practice permaculture, raise dairy goats and meat rabbits, and embrace a regenerative approach to farming that values soil health, animal welfare, and seasonal adaptation. ⁣ Erika is passionate about demystifying homesteading and sharing its realities—including the costs, labor, and emotional rewards. Through her YouTube channel and social media, she educates others on food preservation, sustainable living, and building community. While she's not off-grid, Erika emphasizes adaptability, intentional parenting, and the power of doing fulfilling work on your own terms. Her long-term goal? Keep growing, keep teaching, and inspire others to live more simply, sustainably, and purposefully.

Angela Ferraro-Fanning is a New Jersey-based author, educator, and modern homesteader who transitioned from running an eco-conscious graphic and web design business to cultivating a self-sufficient lifestyle rooted in permaculture. Inspired by the birth of her first child and a desire to reconnect with nature, she began growing nutrient-dense, chemical-free food on a small suburban lot before moving to a 6-acre farm to expand her dream—complete with livestock, horses, and a commitment to regenerative living. ⁣ Certified in permaculture through Cornell, Angela emphasizes practical, scalable sustainability for all lifestyles—from rural farms to urban apartments. Through her podcast Homestead Education, her bestselling Little Homesteader children’s book series, and The Sustainable Homestead guide, she empowers others to start small, work with nature, and reclaim control over their food, resources, and well-being. ⁣ Her philosophy blends modern design with old-world self-sufficiency—balancing aesthetics, comfort, and environmental stewardship. Angela shows that homesteading doesn’t have to be rustic or radical; it can be smart, stylish, and deeply fulfilling.

Kamal Bell is a farmer, educator, and social entrepreneur who began his agricultural journey in 2016 after studying at North Carolina A&T State University. Though initially met with skepticism and teasing for his interest in farming, Kamal remained driven by a deep commitment to addressing food deserts and challenging stereotypes about what it means to be a farmer. His passion for the outdoors and community upliftment inspired him to create a model of farming that is both purposeful and empowering. ⁣ He is the founder of Sankofa Farms, a 12-acre agricultural project based in Cedar Grove, North Carolina. Named after a West African concept meaning "to remember your roots while moving forward," the farm is dedicated to food justice, sustainability, and education. In addition to growing food, Sankofa hosts an agricultural academy for young Black men and runs innovative programs like “Bees and the Trap” to teach beekeeping. Through initiatives like these and his children’s book Ikeem Keeps Bees, Kamal aims to educate, inspire, and cultivate future leaders in agriculture. ⁣ Operating just outside of Durham, NC, Kamal focuses on sustainable, small-scale farming using tools like high tunnels and pollinator corridors to adapt to changing climates and minimize environmental impact. He shares practical, affordable solutions through social media to help others grow food in their own communities. His long-term vision includes building a health center that connects food, birth care, and education—addressing interconnected challenges like food, birthing, and literacy deserts with innovative, community-first solutions.

Carrie Anne is a furniture flipper and DIY enthusiast who turned her passion into a thriving business during the pandemic. After repurposing an old kitchen table and selling it for $300, she was inspired to start flipping furniture full-time. ⁣ Leveraging her marketing background, she built a following of 20,000 on social media, sharing transformation videos and connecting with other furniture flippers. Carrie Anne specializes in refinishing antique and mid-century modern furniture, offering budget-friendly alternatives for home renovators. ⁣ She sources pieces from Facebook Marketplace and creates engaging content that showcases her creative process, helping fund her home renovations.