“If you stand for nothing, you fall for everything”

We asked the community to tell us about the values and principles that guide their lives and businesses.

Refugio Refugio Rodriguez | CEO REFISNACKS TM

Kindness is the value that matters most to me, and for a simple yet profound reason – it is how I navigate this universe. In a world where countless individuals can pass us by like strangers in a crowded room, it only takes one person to extend a hand, show compassion, and believe in us to make a world of difference. Kindness transcends barriers and connects us on a fundamental level, reminding us of our shared humanity. It has the power to uplift spirits, heal wounds, and create a ripple effect of positivity. This principle is a guiding light in my life because it reminds me of the transformative impact one small act of kindness can have, not only on the recipient but also on the giver. Through kindness, I find my path in this complex world. It fosters a sense of empathy, unity, and genuine connection in an often disconnected universe. Read more>>

Dave Berumen | Cobbler

Fair Pricing and Fair Pay: I’m a reluctant capitalist. Although I own a business and participate in capitalism, I try to operate in a way that my early 20s anti-capitalist/punk self would respect. I want to be financially stable, not rich. And I want my employees to be paid well and feel appreciated. Useful to our community: My business decisions are based on what services my community needs. San Bernardino County is one of the poorest counties in the US and I tailor my services with that in mind. As much as I would love to work on only high quality boots and bags, I want to be useful to people of every economic class. Read more>>

Yifeng Wang | Product & UI/UX designer

The two values or principles that matter most to me are open-mindedness and user-centricity. These values have guided me throughout my design journey, as I have explored new technologies, connected with users, and adapted to changing environments. Open-mindedness helps me embrace new challenges and opportunities, such as emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, AR/VR, and cloud computing. I have a curiosity and a passion for learning about these technologies and how they can benefit people. For example, when I first entered the cloud computing domain, I had no background knowledge of it. It was a very challenging and complex domain, but I saw its potential. The world was moving to the cloud and the pandemic had accelerated the trend, so I decided to learn about it. Read more>>

Jeanette Affolter | Fitness Model & Influencer

One of the values that matters most to me is staying true and authentic to yourself regardless of fear or judgement from others. I used to feel like I had to be a certain way or there were things that I couldn’t do because of other people. I also see people close to me suffering from that issue so that’s why i want to help others feel like they can be themselves 100%. Read more>>