It's big news when Guinness World Records declares someone is the world's smallest -- no matter if it's the smallest woman, smallest man or smallest mom.
But while being the shortest person in a category is a big deal for record-keepers, size isn't the only thing that matters to the record-setters.
For instance, Jhoti Amge, 18, of Nagpur, India, who, at 24.7 inches, was recently named world's smallest woman, but her main focus in life is pursuing a love of fashion by customizing her own clothes and jewelry, and working towards her goal of being an actress in Bollywood films.
Check out this gallery to see other little people with big dreams, as well as our collection of videos.
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World's Shortest Man Meets World's Shortest Woman
To promote the newest edition of Guinness World Records, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, who at 21.5 inches is the world's shortest man, met the world's Shortest Woman, Jyoti Amge, who measures 24.7 inches.
World's Smallest Woman: Jyoti Amge
Jyoti Amge, 18, of Nagpur, India, who is 24.7 inches tall, has just been declared the world's smallest living woman. Amge is a budding fashionista who customizes her own clothes and jewelry. She is also pursuing a career as an actress in Bollywood films.
World's Smallest Siblings: Brad And Bridgette Jordan
Bridgette Jordan, 22, of Sandoval, Ill., who is 2 feet 3 inches tall, and her brother Brad, 20, who is 3 feet 2.5 inches tall, are the world's shortest siblings. Bridgette loves dancing and cheerleading while Brad enjoys gymnastics and doing magic tricks.
World's Smallest Mom: Stacey Herald
Stacey Herald of Dry Ridge, Ky., is only 28.5 inches tall, but that hasn't stopped her from giving birth to three kids in the last five years. Or from running a business called "Katari's Corner," named after her oldest daughter, that sells used baby items.
World's Smallest Living Man: Junrey Balawing
The shortest living man, the Philippines' Junrey Balawing, 18, who measures 23.5 inches tall, has limited mobility preventing him from following in his dad's bigger footsteps and becoming a blacksmith. But he is developing into quite the foodie with an appreciation for chocolate and beer -- but only in small quantities.
World's Smallest Married Couple: Douglas Maistre Breger da Silva and Claudia Pereira Rocha
Douglas Maistre Breger da Silva, 42, and Claudia Pereira Rocha, 39, of Curitiba, Brazil, are the shortest married couple in the world. He measures 35 inches tall and she is an inch taller. Thirteen years of happy marriage is an even more impressive feat for anyone, tall or short.
World's Smallest Firefighter
Vince Brasco poses for a picture at a firefighter training station on Dec. 14, 2011 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Firemen are typically big with lots of braun but dwarf Vince Brasco is showing them it's not the size that counts. Determined Vince, 19, from Pittsburgh, USA, has been a volunteer fireman in his local area for four years and mans the hose at neighborhood blazes with the rest of his crew. Despite being only 4ft 2in, tough Vince, who works part time in an electronics store and is studying to become a nurse, can bench press over three times his own 6-stone 3lb weight, lifting a whopping 265 lbs. at his local gym. His strength - and his determination to never let his height stop him from doing anything - means he is powerful enough to wield the fire hose and go on rescue jobs.
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Posted: 12/16/11 04:22 PM ET