|
*Biographies listed from left to right, top to bottom
Sophie Atkinson
Sourdough House & Coffee Bar
Sophie Atkinson is a 22-year-old entrepreneur and one of three partners behind Sourdough House & Coffee Bar, alongside Becky Atkinson and Brittany Cochran, in Benton Harbor's Arts District.
With an entrepreneurial spirit, a heart for hospitality, and a passion for her community, Sophie has played an important role in growing Sourdough House from a small cottage bakery into a thriving bakery and coffee bar. From helping develop the coffee program and leading farmers market operations to managing team relationships and learning the craft of sourdough, Sophie brings both vision and hands-on leadership to the business.
For Sophie and her partners, success is about more than bread and coffee. It's about building something meaningful through Hospitality, Craft, and Intention—creating a place of belonging and making sure there's always a seat at the table.
Oalliyah Hornes
OH Art LLC
Oalliyah Hornes is a designer and entrepreneur from Benton Harbor, MI. A Dream Academy graduate (2014) with an associate's degree in graphic design, she is largely self-taught and has built a thriving career through creativity and a dedication to helping others.
As founder of OH Art LLC, Oalliyah is a certified visual designer and award-winning artist whose work spans illustration, portrait design, and other creative forms that foster connection and expression. She is also an aspiring Art Therapist and Art Dealer, committed to supporting those facing trauma, mental illness, and learning challenges through therapeutic creativity.
In 2024, she expanded her services to include art classes for teens and young adults, offering guided, DIY, and therapeutic sessions that help participants develop artistic skills while expressing their emotions. With a career marked by awards, mentorship, and major commissioned projects, Oalliyah now looks forward to launching an art trade school for 14–21-year-olds to inspire and nurture the next generation of creative talent.
Thrijani Kantareddy
KT's Rasoi Indian Cuisine
Thrijani Kantareddy is the founder, owner, and chef of KT's Rasoi Indian Cuisine, a family-run restaurant in St. Joseph, Michigan. After earning her MBA in India in 2012 and working at Whirlpool, Larsen & Toubro, and Tata Consultancy Services, she turned her lifelong passion for cooking into a business. Her menu draws on family recipes and traditions, centering on the flavors of Telangana and Hyderabad alongside North and South Indian favorites.
Since opening in June 2024, KT's Rasoi has expanded into food truck service, corporate lunches, catering, and community events. Thrijani was named to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2026 and the Bold Women of Business Class of 2025. KT's Rasoi is a Best Places to Work 2026 winner and was nominated by the World Culinary Awards for North America's Best Indian Cuisine Restaurant 2026. Her philosophy, "Good Food, Good Mood," reflects her belief that food brings people together.
Sam Mason
Twig & Berry Kitchen | Buncha Hotties
Sam Mason is the recipe developer, photographer, and creator behind Twig & Berry Kitchen, a food and lifestyle brand rooted in slow living and garden-to-table cooking. From her two-acre property in Southwest Michigan, Sam develops, films, and photographs every recipe herself, sharing seasonal baking and family dinners with a growing community on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, her website, and her monthly newsletter.
Her work has caught the attention of brands like Smithey Ironware, Savannah Bee Company, Supernatural Sprinkles, Primal Pastures, and Maldon Salt. By day, Sam is a software engineer. By night, she's in the kitchen. Now she's turning that kitchen into a product with Buncha Hotties, unwrap-and-bake cookie dough made with real ingredients and launched with local Southwest Michigan partners.
Sam lives in Stevensville with her husband and their two boys.
James Morris
Gym Rat Physical Therapy Performance and Wellness
James Morris is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the owner of Gym Rat Physical Therapy Performance and Wellness in Stevensville. A St. Joseph native and former four-sport high school athlete, James has built his career around helping people restore function and return to the activities they enjoy.
He earned his bachelor's degree in Clinical Exercise Science from Grand Valley State University and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2020. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with additional certifications in dry needling, golf fitness, functional movement assessment, and performance training.
At Gym Rat, James provides one-on-one care that takes patients from rehabilitation to improved performance, combining hands-on treatment, progressive strength training, and movement education. Whether working with an athlete returning to competition, a golfer looking to move better, or someone seeking less pain in daily life, he helps each person make meaningful progress toward their goals.
Becky Ray
Arise Coaching & Athletics LLC
Becky Ray is a Southwest Michigan native and certified personal trainer who has spent more than 10 years working with clients in the Berrien County area. In 2021, she combined her expertise and unique training style to found Arise Coaching & Athletics, a private studio offering personalized training tailored to each client's needs. Becky holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science and certifications in strength and conditioning, pain-free performance, kettlebell, self-myofascial release, and mobility training, and is currently pursuing a nutrition certification.
She has presented for Corewell Health's Diabetes Prevention Program, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber's Embrace 2024, and the 2025 National Strength & Conditioning Association Michigan State Clinic. Becky is also the primary physical fitness and health and wellness instructor at the Lake Michigan College police academy, has volunteered with the Lakeshore High School varsity football team, and previously served as an adjunct professor in Andrews University's Department of Population Health, Nutrition & Wellness.
Kati Schoenwitz
Baroda Soda
Kati believes that strong communities are built on two things: thoughtful infrastructure and meaningful local spaces. By day, the Southwest Michigan native leverages her background in strategic marketing and growth strategy to help her civil engineering team deliver vital water infrastructure projects across the nation.
But her heart for connection extends far beyond her day job. In 2025, she and her husband brought a "new twist on an old classic" to their hometown with the launch of Baroda Soda. Conceived as a celebration of Michigan makers, the milkshake and malt spot offers a welcoming space where neighbors can share a tasty treat, discover local art, take a workshop, or gather over a board game.
For Kati, it's more than a shop—it's a home for creativity, positive experiences, and opportunities shared with other local small business owners.
Attendance is free, but a suggested $5.00 donation will support the continued growth and expansion of HYPE, ensuring more opportunities for young professionals in the years ahead.
Seating is limited, and RSVPs are requested. To RSVP, visit: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/HYPE2026.
###
|
