Christa

  The world at large can be an intimidating place, but Christa Tiefenbacher-Hudson is working to make it a little bit friendlier. As co-founder and managing director of the multilingual marketing communications agency TripleInk, she helps marketers connect with underserved ethnic and international audiences.

  "My role models are women who refuse to be typecast and find a way to live their lives to the fullest, with grace and compassion," Christa says. That description suits her perfectly. A native of Stuttgart, Germany, Christa serves as constant inspiration to the team of workers she’s assembled from around the globe, the definition of the American melting pot.

  Looking at Christa's photo, you're probably thinking the same question she’s answered thousands of times: What kind of dog is that? "Leo is a Leonberger, a rare giant breed that was established around 1850 in Leonberg, Germany," she explains. "Leo is a great companion and has the intelligence and gentle disposition of his ancestors, who include the St. Bernard, Newfoundland and Great Pyrenees dogs."

  Check out Christa's company at www.tripleink.com. For more information on her favorite breed of dog, check out www.leonbergerclubofamerica.com.

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Jearlyn

  "Every day as a child, my father would put his hand under my chin, look me in my face and tell me I was beautiful.   I grew up truly believing that." That beauty and confidence is evident in everything Jearlyn Steele does, and that's a long list. Her illustrious vocal career began at age four, when she opened for the legendary Mahalia Jackson. Since then, she's worked alongside such luminaries as Prince, Mavis Staples and Meryl Streep.

  Today, Jearlyn and four of her siblings comprise The Steeles, one of America's most celebrated soul and gospel groups. When The Steeles aren't touring, Jearlyn travels the country as a motivational speaker, hosts a syndicated radio show, records commercial jingles and raises a family of her own.

  "Life is about good ideas versus God ideas," says Jearlyn Steele. "A good idea is something you choose for yourself. A God idea is a path that's chosen for you." For Jearlyn, sharing her voice is one of those God ideas. "I know I've succeeded when I get goose bumps. Then I know that whatever need to be said was said, whatever needed to be sung was sung."

Check out Jearlyn's music at www.thesteelesmusic.com.

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Bonnie

  "I love the bluntness of Australians. I visited an aquarium when I was living in Sydney, and over the shark tank there was this sign that said, ‘Don't lean over the edge. If the fall doesn't kill you, the sharks will.'" Bonnie relates this anecdote with a giggle, showing the same buoyant directness she brings to nearly every situation.

  It may be a cliché to say someone brightens up any room she enters, but it's true of Bonnie and her eclectic approach to life. The list of places she's called home includes Minneapolis, Minnesota; Sydney, Australia and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her colorful career path included stints as a bartender, an accountant and a line worker at a vegetable cannery before she landed her current position as an executive administrative assistant. "I think success and happiness go hand-in-hand," Bonnie explains, "If you're happy in what you do, that's a big part of being able to call yourself successful."