Entrepreneurship is the backbone of the modern economy and the driving force behind innovation and progress. It is the pursuit of creating something new and unique, which offers solutions to the world’s problems and contributes to the economy’s growth. Entrepreneurs are visionaries who take calculated risks, convert their ideas into realities, and make a significant impact on society.
The year 2023 holds immense potential for entrepreneurs, as the world continues to recover from the pandemic and adapt to the new normal. With technological advancements and a rapidly changing market, there are bound to be new and exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs. In this article, we will highlight the top 10 entrepreneurs to keep an eye on in 2023.
These entrepreneurs come from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds, and they have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, innovative thinking, and a willingness to take risks. They have built successful businesses, generated jobs, and made a significant impact on their respective fields. Whether it’s through creating groundbreaking products, solving complex problems, or disrupting established industries, these entrepreneurs are worth watching in 2023.
The article aims to provide insights into the minds of these successful entrepreneurs and shed light on the strategies and philosophies that have helped them achieve their goals. We hope that this article will inspire and motivate aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as provide valuable lessons for established entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses.
Rex Afrasiabi
Rex Afrasiabi is a leading commercial and property lawyer, the founder of a prominent law firm (M A Legal), a judge for various industry awards, a co-host on two business advisory shows, and a regular contributor to various publications and podcasts.
Rex is not just known for his business acumen but for realizing his purpose, his why, which is to help people, as he finds nothing ‘more rewarding.’ With the realization that as a lawyer, his ability to help others is limited by time, in late 2022, Rex, established a new law firm for property transactions – BOND Conveyancing. BOND Conveyancing has a digital-first approach, developing a unique technology stack that reduces the amount of data entry, human error, and paperwork required from clients and increases the productivity of their lawyers.
BOND Conveyancing has quickly grown to a national firm in Australia with several strategic partnerships with real estate agency groups and mortgage broking groups to be announced in 2023. Rex is hoping that with the use of technology and his team of lawyers, BOND Conveyancing can help more people across Australia with one of life’s biggest transactions, buying as well as selling real estate.
Dr. Leeshe N. Grimes
Dr. Leeshe N. Grimes is a licensed professional counselor (LCPC), nationally certified counselor (NCC), registered play therapist (RPT), Psychotherapist, and Board-certified supervisor. Dr. Grimes is the CEO/Founder of Elevated Minds, a private mental health practice in the DMV. She is a 4x combat veteran retired from the United States Army. She is highly sought out and known for her successes in bridging the gap for mental health in marginalized communities, Dr. Grimes is able to captivate many through her leadership and advocacy.
She uses her expertise to help break mental health barriers and ensure Black and Brown communities, formerly incarcerated individuals, and military personnel not only have access to mental health services but also receive culturally competent care. Dr. Grimes is commissioned by the State of Maryland Department of Health on the Health Equity and Policy Commission currently serving a two-year term. She is currently serving as the Bylaws Chair of the Maryland Counseling Association and working with lobbyists to further expand the mental health field for both patients and clinicians. Dr. Grimes has a mentorship program in which she mentors aspiring mental health professionals.
Nick Di Donato
For over three decades, Liberty Entertainment Group, led by Nick Di Donato has been redefining Toronto’s restaurant, nightlife, and special event experience. As creators of numerous landmark establishments Liberty Entertainment Group has become recognized as one of the most successful and innovative companies in the hospitality and entertainment industry, appreciating continuous growth and garnering constant media attention.
At the heart of this evolving urban development is President and C.E.O., Nick Di Donato. Di Donato earned his Bachelor of Science and a Professional Engineering degree from the University of Toronto. With 30 years of design and construction experience, as well as simultaneously working in the food service industry, Di Donato leads one of Canada’s most recognized and successful hospitality, nightlife, and entertainment companies.
Rain and Sky Jarrett
Rain and Sky Jarrett are powerhouse sisters on a serious mission to normalize and globalize the Relaxed Hustle where leaders can achieve bold ambitions with more joy, calm, and ease.
Committed to helping leaders stress less and live more, these powerhouse sisters are pioneering a new era of leadership that moves away from the chronic stress culture and moves towards greater impact and high levels of success while also living, leading, and parenting with a high-quality experience.
Combining their shared expertise in brain science, mindfulness, social & emotional development, and leadership maturity, their transformative approach to unlocking human potential helps leaders deepen self-awareness, cultivate adaptive leadership skills, and build personal mastery.
Their work has been instrumental in helping leaders at Fortune 500 companies across the globe expand their capacity to better manage stress and deal with the relentless and fast-paced challenges of life in the 21st century.
Aina Alive
Aina is an Entrepreneur who helps people to break into Tech by going code-free. She does a lot of pro bono work. She is a Women in Tech Ambassador, Youth Career Consultant, Mentor, and Creator.
Pivoting more than five times in her career, Aina learned that the most challenging part is to identify what skills you can transfer to the new industry and what is important to learn right away. Transitioning is challenging since you need to gain practical knowledge nobody teaches you at schools or in professional courses. This gave Aina an idea to pivot her company mission from preparing candidates for professional certifications to teaching them practical skills using fun and engaging materials.
Aina is an experienced Agile and Business Consultant. Her boutique company Bee Agile Tutoring helps large enterprises to transform and become adaptable to new changes and flexible enough to thrive in an unpredictable world.
Markus Kaulius
Markus Kaulius is dedicated to helping others achieve the most out of life through business, fitness, and faith. Kaulius is the passionate Founder and CEO of Magnum Nutraceuticals, the multiple-award-winning sports nutrition brand, and sits on the board of many companies. Since overcoming personal challenges, Kaulius has helped millions of people around the world reach their health, fitness, and professional goals.
Kaulius’ passion for entrepreneurship is matched by his willingness to give back through charity. He aims to better his local and global communities through philanthropic initiatives that range from being a leader in fundraising that has led to millions of dollars and countless hours for their local community kitchen to sponsoring a full elementary school in Haiti. With over 25 years of leadership, Kaulius empowers fellow entrepreneurs and is recognized for his experience, expertise, and philanthropy in publications and networks across the globe; including CNN, Fox Business, and PBS.
Todd Lien
Todd Lien is the CEO/director of iStage Entertainment in Los Angeles and an out-and-proud queer bilingual (Mandarin/English) actor and singer from Taiwan. He founded iStage Entertainment, a film, and stage production company, to be mission-focused – to increase Asian American visibility and representation through scouting and coaching Asian American child actors/singers.
Since the iStage Entertainment launch, Todd has utilized his language and performance skills to seek out and coach over 100 young artists from immigrant families. Many of these artists have been signed by agencies and appeared on national television, in major brand commercials, and on film, including a recent Marvel superhero film. iStage Entertainment has also gained recognition for the film productions that Todd has directed, with productions being officially selected by over 30 film festivals and winning over 20 awards, including Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Child Actor, and Best Producer.
AJ Sharp
Food media entrepreneur, strategist, and broadcaster, AJ Sharp has been the secret ingredient behind many international food brands’ success stories. She’s an enormously motivational public speaker and food awards judge. AJ is passionate about great-tasting, sustainable food, and drink. She loves people and helping them to tell their stories which comes across very clearly on The FoodTalk Show, which she co-presents with food guru Susie Warran-Smith CBE.
Hugely strategic and practical, AJ is a leading advisor for food businesses looking to grow, consulting on communications, PR, and brand strategy, through her multi-award-winning food and drink PR agency Sharp Relations, which she founded in 2010. The Sharp Relations team has mentored, supported, and implemented the growth plans for hundreds of small food & drinks businesses over the past 12 years. The Sharp team is talented and experienced at seeing exactly what a brand or business needs to do to grow.
Kelly Green
Kelly Green is a force to be reckoned with in the technology industry. She’s made a name for herself in the tech world and she is also known for her work in supporting and mentoring other women in the industry. In a male-dominated industry, she’s a powerful voice for change and progress. With her vast knowledge and experience, Kelly is helping to redefine what it means to be successful in the tech world. She started her career in her twenties and joined the Cisco systems Dallas office where she was only one of two females. She took some time to get accustomed to the ratio and gradually accepted the fact that she will have to survive in this male-dominated industry. However, that never stopped her from achieving anything she wanted. In fact, Kelly was greatly supported by her male colleagues.
Mika Furuya
As owner and proprietor of MIKA, an art-themed bar and gathering space in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Mika’s goal is to support and collaborate with local artists and businesses. Opened in July, 2020 under the unfortunate circumstances of the pandemic, the multi-purpose venue has grown popular with a wide variety of guests and patrons in this celebrated artists’ neighborhood.
In addition to offering a delightful roster of local craft beers, sake, wine, bespoke cocktails, and snacks with a Japanese flair, the 5,500 square foot space, which includes an outdoor terrace, also features music, games, meeting, and event spaces. On any given day at Mika, you could find an art fair, sake tasting, comedy show, magic shop, yoga class or any one of a multitude of holiday and special events.
Originally from Japan, Mika Is an artist and illustrator who cherishes the connection with people in the community and uses her skills to curate a host unique events both public and private. In November, 2021, she was given the Solidarity Award by CUFFH (Churches United for Fair Housing) for generously donating facilities for a project empowering NYC families. Along with assistant manager Max, the Yorkie, Mika uses her talent and resources to do her best job of making people happy.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the future of entrepreneurship is bright, and 2023 promises to be a year full of new and exciting opportunities. These top 10 entrepreneurs are at the forefront of their respective industries, and they are poised to make a significant impact in the coming year. It’s an exciting time to be an entrepreneur, and we can’t wait to see what these visionaries will achieve in 2023.
