Quinessa Solomon simply known as “Q” is a multifaceted visionary from Chicago, specializing in style empowerment and comprehensive business development. As the creative force behind Always on Q, she inspires individuals to embrace their authentic selves through her unique “Styling from the Inside Out”; philosophy. Q’s expertise extends beyond style into strategic planning, marketing optimization, and operational streamlining for brands and creatives. With a background in marketing direction and creative conceptualization, Q is not just about looking good; she’s about feeling empowered and living purposefully. As one half of the power couple behind Gordon Global Gold (G3), Q, alongside her husband KPilla, is redefining success and influence. She embodies the balance of ambition and personal fulfillment, bringing the same passion for growth and authenticity to her family life as she does to her professional endeavors.

Blake Martin is a versatile figure in the fashion and entertainment industry with nearly two decades of experience. As a fashion show producer, model coach, stage play writer, director, and bestselling author, Blake’s primary passion is high-end fashion and editorial photography.

In 2007, he founded FROW Media Group, launching a successful career that includes producing over 300 fashion shows in major cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Paris, as well as a 40-city tour in China. Blake has collaborated with top brands such as Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland, Adidas, and Nike, and won the Fashion Producer of the Year award in New York City in 2018.

In 2021, Blake transitioned to high-end fashion and editorial photography, quickly gaining recognition despite pandemic challenges. He became the first photographer from Chicago to have work featured on a Times Square billboard and has had his work appear in American Vogue twice and on the cover of Vogue Japan.

Blake’s influence extends beyond photography and fashion production. In 2023, he published his memoir, Baggage Claim, which became an Amazon bestseller, reaching #7 in the Self-Help category. He holds a degree from Benedict College and completed an entrepreneurial program at Harvard University.

Thai Perry is a passionate wardrobe stylist with a talent for storytelling through fashion. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of style, Thai specializes in creating unique looks that make people feel and look amazing. From concept shoots to special event styling, Thai brings creativity and vision to every project. Committed to inclusivity, Thai works with all shapes and sizes, ensuring every client feels confident and empowered. Whether curating a red carpet look or a themed photoshoot, Thai’s goal is to use fashion as a medium to tell compelling stories and celebrate individuality.

Nicole Richardson was Born and raised in the vibrant city of Chicago, she brings over a decade of expertise as a Celebrity Makeup Artist and licensed esthetician. Her path in the beauty world has been nothing short of a dream. Imagine traveling the globe, brushing shoulders with stars like Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Gail Bean, Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child, Beverly Johnson, Jacob Latimore, and Keke Palmer. Each encounter, each face, has been a canvas for her art, teaching Nicole invaluable lessons about the diverse beauty that exists in each of us. But here's the thing – it's not just about the celebrities. It's about you. Nicole has worked with countless skin types and tones, unearthing the secrets to enhancing natural beauty. Here, beauty isn't just skin deep – it's a reflection of your spirit. Nicole's exceptional career has equipped her with a profound understanding of diverse skin types and tones, making her an expert in accentuating the unique beauty of each client. Her hands-on experience has not only refined her skills but also bestowed upon her a treasure trove of expert tips and tricks that she's eager to share with you. A seasoned beauty expert who blends her extensive knowledge and passion to create looks that are not just beautiful, but uniquely you.

Sonya Simone is a professionally trained makeup artist and entrepreneur based in the Chicagoland Area, with over a decade of experience. Her makeup journey began in 2011 at Makeup First, School of Makeup Artistry, where she discovered her God-given talent. She has since trained with industry icons such as Sir John, Tiyana Robinson, and Renny Vasquez, honing her skills to provide top-tier service. Sonya has had the privilege of working with a diverse clientele, including artists, authors, musicians, and business professionals, each time bringing their unique beauty to life.

Sonya is dedicated to building lasting relationships with her clients, many of whom return time and again for her unparalleled artistry and personalized service.

Jolie had her start in her sister's salon at the age of 15, where she learned the basis of hair care and customer service through the mentorship of the master stylists around her. From there, she completed 2 years of college at the University of Missouri-Columbia, majoring in journalism, but soon realized her real passion was for the beauty industry and attained her cosmetology license in 2009. 

Since then, she has become a colorist and master stylist herself, perfecting her craft by taking classes and constantly researching. She specializes in color, natural hair, hair shaping techniques, extensions and overall health of the hair and scalp. Currently, she works as a master stylist on Chicago’s south side and is also a mother, artist, entrepreneur and lover of all things beautiful. 

Nikki Thigpen discovered her passion for braiding at the age of seven. She pursued formal education in the field at Capri Beauty College and further refined her skills at Trenz Beauty Academy. What began as a hobby alongside other professions evolved into a full-time career as a natural hairstylist when Nikki made the decision to dedicate herself entirely to her craft.

As a leader and mentor in the natural hair industry, Nikki has made significant contributions. She has provided foundational braiding instruction to both children and adults and has guided advanced braiders in enhancing their entrepreneurial skills to improve their own businesses.

Nikki’s expertise has earned her recognition in various competitive arenas. She has won multiple braiding competitions across the United States, including the Best Braider in Chicago Award in 2020. Her teaching experience extends internationally, having conducted braiding classes in Paris and served as a judge at hair shows in Chicago and Toronto.

In addition to her educational and competitive achievements, Nikki has styled models and celebrities for fashion shows, marketing campaigns, and red-carpet events. She has collaborated with notable brands such as Kaleidoscope and Luster’s Hair Products, and has partnered with Adidas, further establishing her influence in the industry.

Leo Allen, also known as Leo The Leo, is a versatile creative from the south suburbs of Chicago. His work spans photography, cinematography, and acting, appearing on Chicago tv series Power Book IV: Force, Justified: City Primeval, The Chi, Chicago Fire, and more. As a multidisciplinary artist, Leo aims to create captivating, enduring visual experiences that spark conversations and inspire curiosity. Drawing inspiration from his surroundings, he strives to produce art that resonates with the human experience and establishes a connection with the viewer. Looking ahead, Leo plans to expand his acting career and deepen his expertise in cinematography. He is excited about developing his distinctive style within the craft, with a vision that promises to captivate and inspire.

Micah Butler brings extensive leader ship experience as well as creative expertise in content management and monetization. As an Army Veteran he excels in building and leading teams and as your digital marketing expert, he will help to you define and accomplish your goals .

Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, born in Berlin and raised in Kansas City, KS is a distinguished actress and entrepreneur with a rich career spanning film, television, and voiceover work. A graduate of the Theater School at DePaul University, Cynthia's early successes included Warner Brothers' The Lake House, FOX's Prison Break. Chicago Code, and the NAACP Award-winning, The Real Husbands of Hollywood.

Cynthia’s recent work includes The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey on AppleTV+ and her starring role as Cathy Montgomery in Average Joe on Netflix. Cynthia’s diverse portfolio also features notable roles in Survivor’s Remorse, Nashville, Bosch, and the NBC pilot Love is a Four-Letter Word. She has appeared in Prince of Peoria on Netflix, the holiday comedy ‘Twas the Chaos Before Christmas, and the gritty drama Coyote. Her independent feature film Hard Miles received acclaim and is now available on major digital platforms and is screening on Delta flights internationally.

Cynthia has voiced prominent characters such as Gamora in Marvel’s What If, Queen Dahut in The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep, and several roles in video games including Halo 5, League of Legends, CyberPunk 2077 and Starfield.

Cynthia champions BIPOC creatives, arts education and is passionate about real estate and community development. Recently returned to Chicago, where she began her career, she now teaches at DePaul University’s Theater School and runs CynCity Creative. Through her journey from overcoming personal and professional challenges to achieving success, Cynthia is committed to helping others tell their stories and reach their fullest potential. With CynCity Creative, Cynthia and her team are dedicated to guiding you on your creative journey and helping you craft your own narrative.