"Following Dreams is an extraordinary tale inspired by the dreams of ordinary Americans... In this time of economic uncertainty, this documentary fills a void and will encourage viewers to look within for inspiration."
     - Keith York, KPBS Director of TV Programming

Following Dreams is about people who choose to pursue their own path. They don't listen to naysayers; they listen to themselves instead. Seven of the people below have found a richness of a different kind, a life full of meaning, joy and passion. One did not.

A hobbyist turned entrepreneur
Mari Morris has loved making dolls since she was a little girl. She created the Tickles Collection of doll art and reflects, "Only we decide what our fate needs to be."

A real estate developer
turned conservationist Ivan Gayler, the founder of Nature and Culture International, discovered the meaning and wonder of life by saving rain forests in Ecuador and Peru.

A singer songwriter
David Ippolito ("thatguitarman") plays concerts every weekend in Central Park in New York City. Supporting himself from contributions in his open guitar case, he says, " I'm the luckiest man alive."

An Olympic ski champion with one leg
Bonnie St. John, author of Live Your Joy, says, "I can't bear to live a life where every day that I live isn't taking me somewhere better."

A dog lover and entrepreneur
Michele loves designing dog clothes so she started Doggie Design. "How much better can it get doing what I want to do when I want to do it."

An 82-year-old big band singer
Mary Hicks fulfilled a lifelong dream to be a lead singer for a big band. "If you love it, do it!" she says.

A lawyer turned organic cheese-maker
John and Janine Putnam gave up their traditional professions and started Thistle Hill Farm in Vermont. They won the first place American Cheese Society award.

A struggling professional magician
David Kwong, a recent college graduate, struggles as he pursues a career in magic.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SUSAN POLIS SCHUTZ - PRODUCED BY AGNES CHU - EDITED BY BRET GRANATO - SOUND EDITING BY MATTHEW POLIS -
DIRECTED BY SUSAN POLIS SCHUTZ - 2009 / 57 MINUTES