Meet Our 2025 PowerPlayers: Celebrating Small Business Success

A new year brings fresh opportunities, and what better way to start 2025 than by celebrating the incredible small business owners who inspire us every day? The 17hats Ambassador PowerPlayer program recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who embody the spirit of efficiency, resilience, and success in their businesses.

To kick off the year, we’re spotlighting five exceptional PowerPlayers: Nicole Larson, Ivone Cornejo, Megan Ewing, Mena Darre, and Heike Delmore. Each of these business owners has carved their own path, using 17hats to streamline their workflows, boost productivity, and create the businesses of their dreams.

Read on to learn more about their journeys, challenges, and the advice they have for fellow entrepreneurs!

Mena Darré: Turning Passion into Purpose

Mena Darré is proof that chasing your dreams is always worth the risk. After years as a middle school teacher, she made the bold decision to pursue photography full-time—an unexpected yet deeply fulfilling career shift. That leap was fueled by two life-altering events: the tragic loss of a close friend and her cousin’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Both reminders that life is too short to put dreams on hold.

Since then, Mena has built a thriving photography business, with her work featured in People Magazine, New York Magazine, Black Enterprise, Facebook Elevate, and more. She has partnered with Getty Images, Airbnb, and Washington University-St. Louis, turning her passion into a powerful personal brand. One of her biggest game-changers? 17hats. After struggling with manual invoicing, she found that the platform’s all-in-one organization of client quotes, invoices, and contracts streamlined her workflow, freeing her to focus on what she loves most—capturing impactful stories.

Mena believes in celebrating every success, whether it’s a well-earned vacation for major milestones or a small treat to acknowledge daily progress. Now, she’s setting her sights on a new goal: expanding into Personal Branding Coaching. By blending her background in education, marketing, and photography, she’s helping women entrepreneurs build confidence, package their expertise, and create a magnetic online presence.

With unwavering support from her biggest cheerleaders—her boyfriend and her mom—Mena continues to inspire others to embrace change, pivot when needed, and build a life that truly fulfills them. Her journey is a reminder that success isn’t about fitting into a mold; it’s about following your purpose and making your mark on the world.

Megan Ewing: Think Big. Act Bold. – Literally!

Megan Ewing is a passionate family and senior photographer who has built a thriving business by capturing life’s most meaningful moments. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for making clients feel comfortable in front of the camera, Megan transforms everyday moments into lasting memories. Whether she’s photographing high school seniors embarking on a new chapter or families cherishing their time together, her work reflects genuine emotion and connection.

But running a successful photography business takes more than just a creative eye—it requires organization, efficiency, and a streamlined workflow. That’s where 17hats has made all the difference. Before using 17hats, Megan spent countless hours managing client emails, tracking payments, and juggling multiple calendars. Now, with the power of automation, she’s able to focus on what she loves most: capturing beautiful images.

“17hats has completely changed the way I run my business,” Megan shares. “From booking to invoicing and even automated reminders, everything is in one place, making my workflow smoother and my client experience even better.”

One of Megan’s favorite features is Online Scheduling, which eliminates the back-and-forth emails by letting clients book sessions at their convenience. She also relies on automated invoices and contracts, ensuring that every client interaction is professional and seamless. With 17hats, she no longer worries about missed payments, lost emails, or scheduling conflicts—everything is handled effortlessly.

Beyond the time savings, 17hats has allowed Megan to scale her business while maintaining a personal touch with her clients. With more time to focus on creative projects and client relationships, she’s been able to grow her brand and take on new opportunities without feeling overwhelmed by administrative tasks.

✨ Want to run your business like Megan? 17hats helps photographers take control of their business so they can spend more time behind the camera and less time behind a desk. Try it today!

Heike Delmore: Pioneering Personal Branding Through Photography

Heike Delmore didn’t just step into personal branding photography—she helped define it. With a background in art, psychology, and marketing, Heike recognized early on that professionals needed more than just a headshot; they needed images that built trust, sparked connection, and elevated their brands. At a time when personal branding photography was virtually unheard of, she took the leap, becoming one of its early pioneers.

Her experience in advertising taught her how visuals influence perception and drive action. Pairing that knowledge with her fascination for identity and self-presentation, Heike created a business that empowers entrepreneurs and professionals to see themselves in a powerful new way—one that aligns with their goals and attracts the right clients.

Beyond photography, Heike is a dedicated coach, mentoring photographers through her signature programs, Headshot to Personal Branding and the Personal Branding Mastermind. She helps others avoid common pitfalls and fast-track their own success.

As her business grew, so did the need for efficiency. 17hats became her go-to system for streamlining admin tasks, allowing her to focus on creativity and coaching. Whether working solo or scaling with a team, she found 17hats adaptable and essential.

Now, Heike is expanding her impact through speaking engagements, sharing how strategic imagery can transform businesses and careers. With her philosophy—”Change comes from small actions taken consistently”—she’s inspiring both clients and photographers to step into their next level with confidence.

Nicole Larson: Helping Creative Businesses Thrive with 17hats

Nicole Larson’s journey as a business owner has profoundly shaped who she is, both professionally and personally. She’s developed an abundance mindset, something she values deeply after working through the challenges of growing her business. She approaches setbacks not as failures but as learning opportunities, which helps her stay grounded and focused on the bigger picture.

Nicole Larson’s journey as a business owner has profoundly shaped who she is, both professionally and personally. She’s developed an abundance mindset, something she values deeply after working through the challenges of growing her business. She approaches setbacks not as failures but as learning opportunities, which helps her stay grounded and focused on the bigger picture.

When celebrating wins, big or small, Nicole makes sure to treat her family, invest in her education, or indulge in some self-care. These moments remind her why she works so hard. One task that used to overwhelm her, like scheduling meetings with endless back-and-forth emails, has become effortless thanks to 17hats’ scheduling tool. This feature allows her to focus on what truly matters—growing her business.

Nicole reflects on how 17hats has been integral to her success. Without its systems in place, her business wouldn’t have been able to scale so effectively. In particular, the Workflows feature has been a game-changer. It keeps projects moving smoothly, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks.

For Nicole, the pure joy of being a business owner comes from the freedom to make decisions and changes quickly, setting an example for her children in the process. She’s excited about the future, particularly as she explores creating micro tools to serve the niches she’s passionate about.

Above all, Nicole’s biggest cheerleader is her husband, whose unwavering encouragement keeps her going, especially when doubt creeps in. When people think of Nicole’s business, she wants them to feel calm, knowing they’ll be working with someone who is authentic and genuinely enjoys helping them succeed.

Ivone Cornejo: Capturing Love and Life’s Milestones

Ivone Cornejo’s business journey began with a strong connection to her roots. Having migrated from Ecuador as a child, Ivone’s love for capturing memories began early, using a camcorder to document family gatherings. Together with her husband Mario, they found a shared passion for photography. Faced with the choice of either diving in full-time or walking away, they took the plunge, starting their business from home. Twenty-two years later, their dream of owning a storefront and capturing memories that will be cherished for generations has become a reality.

One of Ivone’s most significant “I can’t believe this is happening” moments came during the pandemic. She took it upon herself to revamp their website, ensuring their work was accessible to clients. Despite the challenges, they were able to continue serving their community, showing clients their work and adapting to new demands. The ability to remain flexible and innovative during such difficult times was a testament to their resilience.

Her business has shaped Ivone not only as an entrepreneur but also as a person. She finds herself with a deeper appreciation for family, relationships, and love. Ivone’s work allows her to witness joy and celebrate life’s milestones—moments that are often filled with laughter, love, and tears.

Staying grounded is crucial for Ivone. When things don’t go as planned, she embraces her feelings and processes them. She also finds support through her husband, who is her sounding board, and through the tight-knit community they’ve built by staying active in local events and their church.

The most unexpected win in Ivone’s journey was completing the Entrepreneurship Pioneers Initiative from Rutgers Business School. Balancing work, school, and raising a family was challenging, but it paid off with a grant that provided much-needed support for their business.

17hats has been an essential tool in Ivone’s business growth, particularly with client management. Features like online scheduling, workflows, and automated reminders have helped Ivone stay organized and streamline communication with clients. These systems allow her to focus more on what truly matters—delivering exceptional experiences and preserving life’s most meaningful moments.

For Ivone, her children and parents are her biggest cheerleaders, encouraging her through every step of the journey. Their support keeps her motivated, especially as her own children begin to take an interest in the arts, further fueling her passion for capturing the beauty in life’s moments.

Ivone’s philosophy is rooted in love, inspired by 1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.” This guiding principle influences every aspect of her work, from the way she interacts with clients to how she captures their most cherished memories.

Learn More & Follow Our PowerPlayers

Mena Darre – Brand With Mena
www.brandwithmena.com
instagram.com/mena.darre

Megan Ewing – Think Big. Act Bold.
www.thinkbigactbold.com
www.instagram.com/i_am_meganewing

Heiki Delmore – Heike Delmore Photography
www.heikedelmore.com
www.instagram.com/heikedelmore/

Nicole Larson – Let Nicole Help
letnicolehelp.com
www.instagram.com/letnicolehelp/

Ivone Cornejo – MC Productions
mcproductionsnj.com
www.instagram.com/mcproductionsnj/