On any given morning, the hum of enterprise is as predictable as the sunrise. From the tech incubators of Silicon Valley to the creative studios of Detroit, the American entrepreneurial spirit thrives with vibrant intensity. Yet, beneath the well-trodden paths, the unsung heroes of innovation are redefining what it means to lead in their fields.
As we look forward to 2024, it’s time to spotlight the Top 10 Entrepreneurs to Watch. These visionaries are not merely climbing the ranks—they are pivoting the very axis of their industries. From a visionary in the interior fit-out industry, transforming everyday spaces into sustainable environments, to a strategist behind a budding PR agency, every face is the epitome of innovation and adaptability
This year promises to be a monumental chapter in the narrative of American business, a seismic rewrite led by those who dare to venture off the beaten path. These entrepreneurs are not just participating in the market—they are actively redesigning it, crafting a future where innovation leads the way.
Tara Johnson
Captivating charm and a contagious smile – meet Tara Johnson, the mastermind behind Toasting with Tara, a brand that’s making waves in the world of hosting and entertaining. As the Founder and self-proclaimed “Chief Chic Creator,” Tara’s story is anything but ordinary.
She’s not your run-of-the-mill businesswoman; she’s a super single mom as well who aced the college scene, rocked parenthood, and navigated a thriving career with style. Tara’s 15-year journey through real estate and medical sales led her to a revelation: her true passion lies in creating captivating tablescapes and simplifying the art of hosting.
Returning to her Maryland roots at the prime age of 40, Tara launched Toasting with Tara, offering eco-friendly, 100% cotton, biodegradable, and recyclable table decor that’s both stunning and guilt-free. Her innovative cocktail napkin stand, now patent pending, is a massive hit.
Her Instagram feed, bustling with aesthetic charm and boasting over 5K followers, stands as dazzling proof of her field mastery.
Though a newcomer, Toasting with Tara is already gracing hundreds of homes and stores nationwide. Tara’s grand plan? To be the top-tier supplier of luxury disposables, making any event, from yacht parties to corporate events, an effortlessly chic affair.
Here’s to Tara, the top self-made woman reshaping the world of entertaining, one chic creation at a time. Visit her website or follow her on Instagram to learn more about this incredible woman.
Glycanage – (Nikolina Lauc)
A Draper University alumna and seasoned entrepreneur, Nikolina Lauc commands attention as the CEO of GlycanAge, a trailblazing health tech and longevity startup. Her mission is to make prevention possible and help people across the world increase their health span.
Recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year in Croatia, Nikolina’s strategic foresight and commitment to innovation set her apart. At GlycanAge’s helm, she’s leveraging the world’s largest glycome dataset, pioneering advanced blood biomarkers that predict age-related diseases, all while translating her father, Dr. Gordan Lauc’s breakthrough research into practical solutions.
Under Nikolina’s guidance, GlycanAge expands horizons, developing diagnostic tests for early disease detection—empowering individuals to reshape health trajectories. Solidifying its status, the brand has been prominently featured in major publications, including the BBC, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and The Times.
In the longevity industry, Nikolina Lauc stands out, not just with her vision, but her willingness to break barriers and find simple, personalised solutions that can slow down ageing.
Dr. Csilla Ari D`Agostino
Dr. Csilla Ari D`Agostino, an accomplished neuroscientist and the visionary behind Audacious Nutrition, stands as a leading influence in her domain. Her scientific work and entrepreneurial journey have reshaped our understanding of nutrition and health.
Launched in 2021, Audacious Nutrition introduced KetoStart – a game-changing line of exogenous ketone products combined with electrolytes, providing much-needed extra energy, and helping to enhance both physical and mental performance.
With 20 years of dedicated neuroscience research and numerous patents in the field of ketones, Dr. Ari`s mission was to create premium quality ketone formulations that address all the limitations of existing products, while making truly delicious, highly effective and affordable products.
What makes Audacious Nutrition truly stand out is the perfect synergy between high quality ingredients and the neuroscientist’s expertise. Her creations are backed by strong science, can improve focus, boost brain function, control appetite, and provide steady energy, contributing to our overall well-being, metabolic health and performance.
Having an exceptional track record of customer feedback is not a surprise: athletes, gym owners, students and nutritionists rave about the products, just as much as business professionals, elderly people or those with mental health problems. Audacious Nutrition goes a few steps further to ensure that its products are also cost-effective, easy to use, with eco-friendly packaging, while part of the sales is donated to support great causes.
With unwavering commitment to quality and environment, Dr. Ari is dedicated to helping others achieve the “impossible”. Explore her Website, Instagram, and LinkedIn to discover her remarkable contributions to the world of nutritional supplements and her new products that were just launched recently.
Carina Remi
Carina Remi, a mindful trailblazer, and spiritual thought leader, radiates charisma and uplifts others. For eight years, she has shared wisdom, triumphing over adversities to become a beacon of light. Refusing to let her struggles define her, Carina is known for her passion for service and charismatic presence. She generously shares the lessons she has learned from her experiences, guiding and inspiring others on their journey toward spiritual awakening and self-realization.
With an Honors Degree in Philosophy, Carina’s accomplishments span academia and business. She’s an active Rising Stars Foundation and Monday Girl Social Club member. As a self-published author, Carina’s words resonate with authenticity. Through Soul Tribe, she fosters a community for mindfulness, self-discovery, and empowerment.
Soul Tribe’s online workshop transcends limitations, embracing new possibilities. Carina’s journey from suppression fuels her mission to empower others, reminding them of their worthiness. Carina envisions a massive community of enlightened individuals, redefining power and radiating love.
Connect with Carina on her official website, Instagram and TikTok to be a part of the movement that embraces resilience and authenticity. Carina Remi is undoubtedly illuminating souls and inspiring transformative change.
Meet onyxopal, Where Creative Ingenuity Meets Corporate Excellence
In the bustling realm of media, entertainment, and technology, onyxopal, spearheaded by the innovative entrepreneur Claire Joan Uhar, has emerged as a distinctive collective based in Los Angeles. Dissimilar to conventional studios, onyxopal takes a novel approach, strategically cultivating relationships and diversifying revenue streams for media, entertainment, and tech companies, as well as individual creatives.
Claire’s remarkable decade-long career reflects a unique blend of corporate expertise and creative flair, empowering her growing “diverse and complementary” clientele to thrive in a competitive landscape.
With an evocative name, onyxopal symbolizes the fusion of two seemingly contrasting elements – onyx and opal. This name embodies Claire’s vision of bridging the gap between corporate excellence and creative ingenuity, facilitating a platform where clients can leverage the strengths of both realms.
The vision for onyxopal goes beyond the present format. Claire envisions future growth and collaboration for the onyxopal portfolio, and eventually will seek out opportunities to invest in the next generation of these companies, creatives, and content platforms. This drive towards innovation and positive change reflects Claire’s unwavering commitment to empower businesses and individuals alike.
Navigating the dynamic landscape of media and technology, onyxopal’s journey continues to redefine industry norms and offer a compelling option for those seeking to stand out in this ever-evolving space.
As Claire’s pioneering spirit continues to lead onyxopal, the collective embodies the spirit of innovation that shifts culture.
If you are a company, creative, or content platform interested in learning more, contact via website onyxopal.co.
Lacey Waterman
Lacey Waterman is an accomplished self-made individual and founder of Strand Studio, a full-service branding and advertising studio headquartered out of her A. Quincy Jones home, made available for client and film shoots. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising from Art Center College of Design and a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Yale University, Lacey has honed her expertise in this field, and continues to give back with over six years of teaching experience.
Lacey has worked with some of the biggest companies in the industry, such as Mythology (Previously Partners&Spade), TBWA/Chiat/Day, McCann Erickson, Red Antler, Pentagram, Media Arts Lab, Google Creative Lab, and Droga5. Her client work ranges from self-funded start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, including Ollie, Sonos, GoPuff and Amazon — all a testament to her exceptional work rooted in strategic brand building.
Lacey’s work has garnered her numerous awards and recognition at Cannes, The Obie Awards, The One Show, The Clios, The Andy Awards, and The Art Director’s Club. Her name has been featured in many esteemed publications such as D&AD, Communication Arts, Lürzer’s Archive, Shots Magazine, and CMYK Magazine.
What sets Lacey apart is her unwavering commitment to the quality of work and one-on-one relationships with clients and collaborators. With her heart and soul poured into Strand Studio, Lacey is poised to continue breaking barriers and building impactful brands in the future.
Augustin Ndikuriyo
As an Africa Tourism Expert & Digital Marketing Specialist, Augustin Ndikuriyo has dedicated his career to promoting the true image of Africa through sustainable tourism.
As the Founder of Augustine Tours, a company that offers customized wildlife and cultural experiences, he has established a reputation for providing unique and authentic experiences that benefit visitors and local communities.
With over 13 years of experience, “Augustine Tours” has won the trust of international institutions such as the US Marines, the US Embassy in Burundi, the Nokia Network System, and the European Union. The company aims is to provide tours and promote cultural and educational exchange, preserving cultural heritage, wildlife, and nature. The tours are designed to benefit visitors and local employment and are tailored to meet the expectations of guests from around the world.
It all started in 2010 when Augustin quit his job as a hotel receptionist to start his own tour company. Despite a lack of support from friends and family, he followed his passion and used his savings of $1500 to create “Augustine Tours.” Through hard work and determination, he built a successful business, learning online marketing skills and improving his English to serve his clients better.
“Augustine Tours” has offices in Burundi, Rwanda, and Germany and has received positive feedback from clients who have returned home with “fantastic memories and very positive impressions.” Augustin’s background is modest; he was born in Burundi to a humble family with no business, political connections, or social standing. He was brought up in a culture that valued perseverance and hard work.
Augustin’s journey should serve as motivation to anyone who wants to pursue their passion and make a difference in the world. He is a true tribute to the power of hard work, tenacity, and the notion that everything is achievable with enough effort and dedication. He aspires to encourage the youth about entrepreneurship through his tourism services and regular educational content employing the power of digital transformation.
In 2024, Augustin intends to start a marketing company that will provide digital marketing solutions to tourism companies. Check his company’s socials, like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, to stay updated.
Noah Kleiner
What if your next personal breakthrough is waiting on a cliffside? Noah Kleiner of Equinox Guiding Service crafts journeys that elevate more than just your altitude. As a Certified Multipitch and Ice Instructor recognized by the American Mountain Guide Association, Noah’s climbing career reached new heights.
Equinox Guiding Service, Noah’s brainchild, isn’t your typical climbing guide service – it’s a transformative experience hub. Prioritizing education over climbing, Equinox stands out by fostering a learning environment for individuals seeking personal growth. Noah’s accolades extend to establishing Equinox as an Accredited business by the American Mountain Guide Association, a testament to his commitment to excellence.
Beyond the rocky crags of New England, Noah’s passion for exploration unfurls through guided expeditions, such as the triumphant odyssey to Greece last year. Yet, Equinox Guiding Service isn’t merely about scaling heights; it’s a tight-knit, supportive community where climbing becomes a shared journey.
In the heart of Equinox Guiding Service beats a shared passion, a beat echoing the footsteps of climbers on a collective journey. Noah’s dreams extend far beyond the rock faces – he envisions Equinox as a haven where education, exploration, and community converge, creating a space where every climber’s story becomes a part of something greater.
Noah Kleiner, the visionary entrepreneur behind Equinox Guiding Service, doesn’t just guide climbers – he shapes transformative journeys, one climb at a time.
Adam Spencer
Hailing from Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Adam Spencer is the President and CEO of AbleDocs, a global leader in digital accessibility. He’s a fearless leader and successful entrepreneur who has always pressed ahead despite obstacles in search of the best solution. As a serial entrepreneur, Adam believes in drawing from first-hand experiences, be it his success or failures. What sets him apart is that he puts all of himself into everything he pursues. He’s committed to building a thriving company while eliminating barriers for people with print disabilities.
Adam founded AbleDocs in 2019, following years of being in the digital accessibility space following his mother’s initial ask over a decade ago for him to create documents that a colleague with a print disability could interact with independently. The company has grown to become the world leader in digital accessibility, with operations in seven countries. AbleDocs provides enterprises with a comprehensive suite of tools and services to assure high-volume document accessibility compliance, document accessibility testing, accessibility training, and web accessibility compliance. AbleDocs is the only company in the world that guarantees compliance with every file it produces and backs it up with guaranteed liability coverage of
$10,000,000.
All firms, no matter their size, should commit to addressing digital accessibility as a priority rather than an afterthought. Moreover, companies should include it in their strategic planning activities, as in many countries, digital accessibility isn’t just a nice to have, but rather, it’s the law. Through AbleDocs, Adam’s objective is to ensure the accessibility of all types of digital content by developing focused methods and solutions. The company’s mission is to assist organizations in developing and implementing long-term plans that ensure clients can interact with information without obstacles using proprietary technologies and field expertise.
Adam believes in inclusivity through accessibility. He mainly focuses on the importance of entrepreneurship in curating societal change for the better. To learn more about Adam and AbleDocs, check their LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Jesse Simpson
Unlock abundance in your life and business with Jesse Simpson, the US Marine Corps Combat Veteran and former fighter turned entrepreneur, now the CEO of Abundance Codes. Recognized for his physical toughness and mentorship prowess, he’s not just a veteran; he’s a community servant, recognized as the Arizona State Firefighter of the Year in 2017.
With Abundance Codes, Jesse helps entrepreneurs get the financing they need to start up or scale their business – without using their own money. His academic prowess is evident with the highest honors, receiving a Master of Global Management from Arizona State University. However, Jesse’s not just about the degrees; he’s about real-world impact helping business owners go all in on their goals and vision, leveraging 0% interest business credit.
Given that money woes top the list for many Americans, Jesse steps in with a helping hand, offering credit repair and business funding solutions. He provides vital initial investment to entrepreneurs who have difficulty with their startups.
To find out more about his vision, follow him on Instagram or Linkedin to stay connected and join his Abundance Masterclass.
Cortney Armitage is an investigative journalist born and raised in Los Angeles. Though her job may be analytical, she loves the realms of storytelling & creating content as a freelancer. Having a degree in Masters of Letters (Creative Writing) from California State University, she has gained insights into writing standards and conventions. Cortney’s work has been featured in various publications and magazines. Her writings speak versatility which makes Cortney outshine many in her field of expertise.