There are so many factors that affect how our lives turn out, but one of the most interesting is how our backgrounds give us unique strengths and perspectives that affect who we are as adults. We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about their background and upbringing and how they feel it’s impacted who they are today.

Kenneth Hatchett | aka Sae Wat. CEO of Never At Home Clothing LLC & Sae Wat Audio LLC

Born in Washington DC, raised mostly in Maryland. Went to Full Sail University graduated in 2015 with Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Recording Arts in 2015. After college I started networking with my resources, traveling in and out of California, Arizona, Washington DC, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, New Orleans while helping along tours with different artists such as; Read more>>

Leslie de Jesus | Makeup Artist

I was raised in the city of Victorville, California, being the oldest of my parents three kids. Here my dad grew his business, Leslie’s Discount Outlet, selling clothes, shoes, and household items at outdoor swap-meets and flea markets. When I was 12 years old he put me in charge of listing items on platforms like eBay and Poshmark. This is where I fell in love with the hustle and making my own money. I would go to school, finish my homework and then put all my energy towards listing items, learning how to make them sell, and shipping them out. Read more>>

Taylor Smith | Clothing Designer

I am from Newport Beach, California and first started my company in quarantine. I grew up in a very large family full of creative people so I feel like designing is in my blood. My mom has always been super into arts and crafts and we were finding ourselves crafting something different almost every other week. Being taught how to sew by my mom in 3rd grade, was when my passion for fashion started. Ever since I was finding myself fixing and tailoring clothing. It wasn’t until quarantine, that I started to make my own clothing. I get my creative ideas from every day people, seeing the unique things they are wearing. Read more>>

Terrance Disman | Entertainment Mogul

I was born and raised in New Jersey. My company started in Edgewater Park,NJ. New Jersey has been a big staple for me, they supported me when I first started and still do to this day. I think if I didn’t go through what I went through in NJ, I wouldn’t have moved across the country to expand my business and give people in NJ opportunities to see the west coast for the first time. The experiences I went through on the east coast molded me today into who I am. The bad times taught me about different people and when to walk away from an opportunity. The good times taught me that I can do this and that I have the power inside of me to accomplish even my wildest dreams. I’m forever thankful for my life in NJ. Read more>>