Daphne Gale

Growing up, I had this intense Italian soccer coach who made our team recite a Latin motto at the end of every practice: “Nil Satis Nisi Optimum”—“Nothing is enough unless it’s the best.” That soundbite stuck with me, and now, years into pursuing music full-time, I still feel it. It shaped my idea of success into something punishing — something always just out of reach. Read More>>

Susi Gonzalez

Besides deciding to work for myself, the best decision I made was to stick to what I love—natural nails. I stayed in my lane, even when trends pulled in other directions, and that really helped me build a loyal little community that appreciates the same things I do. Read More>>

Asteroth

Our Legacy: Every time anyone saw our name on a flyer, or anyone knew that we were gonna play, they knew we would steal the show with our music. Our music that demands your attention and your interest builds the more that you listen as you go on a cacophonous adventure full of harmonies and melodies Read More>>

Alicia Zamora

The principle that matters most to me is trust. I think it’s something I’ve always needed in order to feel grounded—in friendships, in creative spaces, and just in life in general. For me, trust isn’t really about big dramatic moments. It’s more about the small, everyday things: knowing that when I open up, it won’t be used against me later.  Read More>>

Yurii Holiak

In the luxury wedding and family photography world, personalization is everything. My clients aren’t looking for a cookie-cutter look — they want their story captured with intention, elegance, and emotional depth. I don’t force every moment into one visual style. Instead, I adapt to the mood, the light, the couple’s energy, and the uniqueness of the setting — whether it’s a romantic elopement on the California coast or a grand wedding in New York City. Read More>>

Dennis Crane

You can’t ride a bike nude in downtown Los Angeles. It’s illegal.

Mark Gomez

For me, the end goal is something that is ever changing, and something I constantly question. In the beginning, the goal was to use art as an outlet, and as my voice; it allowed me to express emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a way, that I couldn’t do with words. However, after a while of showcasing my art and talking about it with others. I found my own voice and the goal shifted. Read More>>

Adam Del Monte

Having grown up in SPain, England, Germany, Holland and Israel, I have always considered myself to be mostly European and Israeli in nature. I never thought I would ever end up in the United States. Taking the plunge to decide that I would move with my whole family to Los Angeles took a lot of courage to leave everything I knew behind and cross the Altlantic into a new world. Read More>>

Kristi Taht

One of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make was coming to terms with the harsh reality of our circumstances and recognizing that I needed to shut down my company. Standing in front of the mirror, I had to confront the emotional weight and personal responsibility of this decision. It wasn’t just about closing a business—it was about the lives and livelihoods of the 300 employees who had committed their time, talent, and trust to our shared vision. Read More>>

Skylar Taylor

The most important lesson I’ve learned as a founder and serial entrepreneur is this: know yourself better than anyone giving you advice. Everyone will have something to say mentors, investors, friends, strangers but at the end of the day, you are the one living your vision. You’re born alone and you’ll leave this earth alone, so you better get clear on who you are, what your gift is, and how you’re meant to show up in the world. That inner compass? That’s your legacy. That’s your brand. And when it’s grounded in self-awareness, it becomes unstoppable. Read More>>

Tan Universe

The most important lesson I’ve learned through pursuing my band for almost seven years now is that if you are truly passionate about something, it is always worth chasing. Though Tan Universe has never paid my bills or been my main job, it has given me so many unique and special experiences that I never would have had if I had never given it my best shot. Being the manager of the band as well, it has also helped me develop many useful life skills such as networking, using social media to promote a business, negotiation skills, and knowing how to sell yourself. Read More>>

Dr. Kofi-Charu Nat Turner

I’m from Inglewood, California and got to grow up near my grandmother, Caffie Greene, one of the most distinguished civil rights leaders in Los Angeles history. Being brought up by activist parents and alongside my grandma in South Los Angeles meant serving the community and not just yourself was a highly praised value in my family and led me into teaching and how I found the spiritual foundation of my activism as a student of Africana Studies studying abroad and teaching in Ghana.  Read More>>

Chris Jimenez

I currently reside in Loma Linda, California—most people recognize it as part of the Inland Empire, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. But I was born and raised in Orange County, CA, which is where the foundation of who I am today really began to form.

My love for heavy metal was sparked by my dad when I was around 9 years old. He handed me two CDs—World Wide Live by Scorpions and Back in Black by AC/DC. From the moment I hit play, something clicked. The energy, the emotion, the raw power—I was instantly hooked. But as I got older, my ears craved more: faster riffs, heavier drums, more intensity. That curiosity led me to discover thrash metal, death metal, and even more extreme subgenres that pushed the limits of sound and feeling. Read More>>