It’s hard to remember just what life was like before the pandemic brought nearly every aspect of our lives to an abrupt halt. If the past couple of years have taught us anything, it’s the undeniable importance of community, compassion and being a good neighbor. Including chefs, musicians, creatives and more, we asked 11 Twin Cities changemakers to share how they have grown in 2021 and what’s on the horizon as they look ahead into 2022.
Photography by Heidi Ehalt
Sean Sherman
Chef/Co-owner of Owamni and The Sioux Chef
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
This past year has been challenging for everyone in so many ways. I witnessed immense growth and development for both our nonprofit, Natifs, and our restaurant, Owamni. I really focused on developing a staff and on the importance of education and engagement.
What are you currently grateful for?
I am grateful for the team we’ve built to intentionally create something unique and make our visions a reality.
What’s your mantra heading into next year?
Be the answer to your ancestors’ prayers.
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
I’m most excited about growing our nonprofit and opening extensions of the Indigenous Food Lab in other regions around the United States. I’m also excited for my second cookbook, which is currently in the works.
Photography by Sara Fish
Meghan Kreidler
Musician and Actress
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
I think I’ve learned how to further step outside my comfort zone, to trust my voice and to not be afraid to ask for what I want. After a year of being disconnected in so many ways, I feel less fearful about what people think about me and I want to celebrate myself and others more openly.
What are you currently grateful for?
I’m grateful for my band, Kiss the Tiger. I’m grateful that we’re able to play and create music together and that we’ve been so uplifted by our community this year.
What is your mantra heading into next year?
Go for it.
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
Kiss the Tiger is kicking things into high gear at the top of 2022 at Icehouse Mpls performing Stone Baby. It’s a rock-and-roll spoken word experience we’ve created in partnership with Trademark Theater, and it’s going to be a trip. We’re also playing First Avenue for The Current’s 17th Anniversary Party and hitting the road in February for some out-of-town dates.
Photography by Joe Dammel
Sarah Edwards
Founder of Some Great People
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
I’ve grown tremendously as a business leader. At the start of the pandemic, I had extreme anxiety and fear at the possibility of losing my business. With in-person events going away, we had to get creative. I’ve also learned the benefit of owning a small company.
What are you currently grateful for?
I’m grateful for my team that inspires me every day to learn, grow and do better than the day before. My focus each day is to work on how I can make things extremely clear for everyone around me. Personally, I’m grateful that I got married in September and that my husband and I were able to enjoy a beautiful honeymoon in Italy. We just bought a home in Northeast Minneapolis, and we’re planning a remodel to make it uniquely us.
What’s your mantra heading into next year?
The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said. (Peter Druckner)
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
I am taking a few of my passions and bringing them all together to create something I believe will help a lot of people navigate the intersection of technology and mental health. I’m also a huge basketball fan, and it’s a dream that our team is working with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Photography by Shayla Owodunni
Shayla Owodunni
Founder of the Plant Penthouse
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
How I define achievement and rest became an exercise of immense growth. As someone who feels most alive when creating, I often mistake consistently being on the go as achievement. Actively seeking rest has refreshed my outlook.
What are you currently grateful for?
I am most grateful for my community and a renewed sense of exuberance for life. While family and friends create a community that keeps me in remembrance of what matters, finding excitement in the smallest moments helps me revel in the same.
What’s your mantra heading into next year?
To grow roots in realms providing cultivation and resilient reflection.
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
After much anticipation, I look forward to debuting my Plant Penthouse headquarters early next year! Embracing patience, gratitude and plenty of palm trees will culminate into the doors opening to host workshops and events around thriving wherever we may call home.
Photography by Eliesa Johnson
Ann Kim
Chef/Owner of Pizzeria Lola, Young Joni, Hello Pizza, and Sooki & Mimi
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
I’ve grown as a leader by doing less, trusting more and empowering others. It isn’t easy for someone wired like me, and mistakes happen along the way, but there’s nothing to be gained by hanging onto things and habits that don’t serve you.
What are you currently grateful for?
I am grateful for my health, exercise, ice-cold plunges and wood-fired saunas, nature, and my family. And of course, pizza and tacos!
What’s your mantra heading into next year?
Fuck fear!
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
Change. Always change.
Photography provided by Mollie Windmiller
Mollie Windmiller
Creative Director/Owner of LAB
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
I have given myself more grace and allowed space and time for things to come into fruition. While I know we work to live and not live to work, that reality didn’t truly hit me until I realized how much I was working this past year. It’s time to shift and create space to live and care for ourselves and the ones we love. I’ve learned to start making this the priority and to support others in doing so.
What are you currently grateful for?
I am grateful for my Minnesota community and seeing the passion people have not just for their own businesses but for authentically supporting others. I’m also grateful for the beauty of winter and how Minnesotans fully embrace it.
What’s your mantra heading into next year?
Better together.
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
LAB is working on new ways to connect with the community to elevate, promote and cheer on local businesses on a more ongoing basis. We look forward to continuing to be a resource for businesses beyond branding and creative services and to position them in front of their ideal audience in new and unique ways.
Photography provided by Gavin Kaysen
Gavin Kaysen
Chef/Owner of Spoon and Stable and Demi
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
I grew in many ways that allowed me to see the importance of my family and being there for them in any way possible. In business, I tried to be as honest and transparent with my team as possible. As a result, we were able to have impactful discussions about where we wanted to be and how to get there as a company. I genuinely believe we are better today than we were before the pandemic because we’ve been mutually vulnerable.
What are you currently grateful for?
I am grateful to have a healthy family and team and for the angels who helped get our team vaccinated and stay ahead of the curve in a time of uncertainty. I’m grateful my restaurants are open again and full of guests enjoying themselves and connecting with others over food. I am grateful to my partners who stood by me and helped me navigate the year.
What’s your mantra heading into next year?
You will not fail. You will help others along the way. What you do this year is what builds the foundation for the future.
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
Both our new restaurant and cafe in partnership with the Four Seasons Minneapolis are projected to be opening next summer. I can’t wait to share more soon!
Photography provided by Chastity Brown
Chastity Brown
Musician
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
I’m obsessed with learning more about my craft, specifically the aspects of soul music that resonate with audiences during live performances. This has taken on an even greater importance the past couple years with so little opportunity to perform. I like unpacking not just what strikes as a powerful moment in a song, but why it does.
What are you currently grateful for?
I am grateful to be loved.
What is your mantra heading into next year?
Nurture joy. Allow yourself to just be.
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
I’ve written and recorded a tremendous amount of new music that I am excited to share with the world. It’s been more than four years in the making, and I’m eager to get these songs out and to tour again. I have upcoming shows with my wonderful friend Valerie June next spring and more things in the works.
Photography by Victoria Campbell
Laura Schara
Artful Living Resident Outdoorswoman and Host of Minnesota Bound
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
Every year I strive to go beyond what I’ve already learned and to challenge myself in new ways. Throughout the pandemic, most of the challenges I faced were outdoor-related. I picked up cross-country skiing, harvested my first deer in Hawaii and began pushing my hiking adventures with higher elevation gains.
What are you currently grateful for?
I believe daily gratitude is the key to happiness. I’m grateful for my health, family, friends and little things like witnessing a sunrise or sunset.
What’s your mantra heading into next year?
To live a life that makes my heart sing.
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
I’m building a new home! I look forward to bringing elements and touches of nature into the design. I have heard homebuilding can occasionally throw a few curve balls, so I also look forward to embracing the unexpected.
Photography provided by Richard Moody
Richard Moody
Founder of IAmMoody
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
I have grown to understand that conversations about diversity and inclusion are real. I will continue to push for diversity and inclusion in the Minnesota fashion community and throughout my Uptown community.
What are you currently grateful for?
I am grateful for my family’s health and my continued friendships both locally and globally. I also am grateful that Minneapolis was not burned down. We must all continue to work toward a brighter new day together.
What’s your mantra heading into next year?
Never say never. Never give up. Never give in. Be you, do you and love yourself.
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
I am excited to be working with team IAmMoody and Martin Patrick 3 to create another black attire party and diverse men’s fashion show. I’m also excited to be producing a fashion show for Women United of United Way.
Photography provided by Marion Parke
Marion Parke
Podiatric Surgeon and Luxury Footwear Designer
In what ways have you grown in the past year?
Our team really persevered and used creative thinking to not only rebound but thrive in 2021. It was a real testament to the power of grit, focus and determination.
What are you currently grateful for?
I’m currently grateful for my family, friends, coworkers and my health.
What’s your mantra heading into next year?
Listen generously.
Anything exciting on the horizon in 2022?
We have a new production and development team in Italy. While we’ve been working with them for a few months, the latest product that’s being created won’t be available until the start of next year. If you like the current collection, just wait until you see what comes next.
