Where you grew up and your background can often have surprising effects on our lives and careers. We’ve asked folks from the community to tell us about how their background has affected them.

Chuan Ching Ho | Motion Designer

I am based in New York City, NY where I graduated from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in Computer Arts (MFA). Read more>>

Gracielle Grace” Willberg | Immigration attorney “

I was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela. I immigrated to the United States as a baby, but as I grew up I witnessed the difficulty of navigating American culture from the viewpoint of my hardworking parents. Over time, my parents overcame the difficulties of legalizing our status in the US, which later inspired me to do the same for other recent arrivals to the US. Read more>>

Laci J Mailey | Actor/Writer/Producer

I was born in British Columbia, Canada in a small town called Fruitvale. The usual story: one main street, no stoplights, nothing to do but drive around in your friends car and smoke cigarettes. My parents were both very expressive and emotional people. Hilarious, creative and very charming. My dad passed when I was fourteen and I was raised by a single mother. Read more>>

Gino Webster & Tahirah Banks-Webster Webster & Banks-Webster | Co-Founders Thoughtful Agency Inc.

We are from one of the smallest islands in the British Caribbean. Anguilla. It is literally, 12K people on a good day. While we grew up in a small community we had opportunities that exposed us to the wider World. Read more>>

JC Chiam | Studio Engineer, Music Producer

I was born and raised in Singapore, went to Berklee College of Music in Boston before moving to Los Angeles. Read more>>

Velvet Fontenette | Licensed Cosmetologist and Licensed Nail tech

My name is Velvet Fontenette. I was born and raised in Los Ángeles California and now I reside in Las Vegas Nevada. I did not have the best upbringing at all. To this day, I do not know my parents nor do I know where I come from. I did not let that stop me, and I did not make excuses! Growing up in foster care, I received a $40 allowance every month. Read more>>

Jesse Brunt & Michelle Sloey | Freelance Filmmakers & Origin Artists

Jesse and I are both from a small town in upstate New York, nestled between Buffalo and Syracuse called, Rochester. Rochester is the home of George Eastman of Eastman Kodak. Growing up both of our families worked the assembly lines making film, in addition to the daily factory life of what was needed and necessary. Read more>>

Emma Ware | Health Coach, Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, & RYT-200 Yoga Instructor

I was born in LA to my father of Irish/Russian descent and my mother who is Japanese. Due to both my parents work our main base was Tokyo, Japan but we travelled all over the world and by the time I was 18, I had checked off over 40 countries off my list. Both my parents were always into health, working out, and were huge foodies so I always grew up trying new foods and because of my travels and exposer to so many different cultures, I developed a love for different cuisines. Read more>>

Rod Kuntz | Author, Teacher, Speaker, Network Marketer, Entrepreneur

I am one of six kids who grew up in a small town in south eastern Montana. I learned a work ethic and discipline from hard working and industrious parents. My mother was a hospital nurse who also worked a second job at the nursing home. My father worked in construction but also drove school buses, and sold encyclopedias and vacuum cleaners on the side. Read more>>