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.
Adrian Uriostegui | Musician & Content Creator
I grew up as a suburban kid, so a lot of my life was spent playing video games, listening to songs on my iPod nano, and watching movies. I was constantly surrounded by art, in any form, so working as a creative now is hardly a surprise to me. A lot of my drive comes from how I was raised. Being an immigrant family, my parents always worked tirelessly to make sure my brother and I even had the opportunity to think about doing something more with our lives. Their constant support has pushed me to be who I am today. Read more>>
Reena Patton | Talent Manager and Producer
I am from the San Francisco Area. I grew up in a multiculturally rich community on the Peninsula which encompasses Silicon Valley. My upbringing in a single-parent all-woman household instilled in me the fortitude and independence to trust my instincts to move confidently in the world regardless of my gender or racial identity. This solid foundation in my earlier years impacts every facet of my adult life, both personally and professionally Read more>>
Alec Boeschen | Actor & Singer-Songwriter
I am originally from St. Louis, Missouri and was fortunate enough to be raised by two loving parents. My father has always been a singer, and so from a young age, I had that musicianship and sense of creation instilled into me. Being from a town where not much happens, yet being burdened with an abundance of imagination, motivation, and urge to create, I’ve never lost those qualities even after moving to Los Angeles where tons of talented artists and creators are chasing the same dream. I thank my parents and family for supporting me in my transition to LA, without them, and the way they raised me, I couldn’t have made it. Read more>>
Yasmeen Mezenner | Voice Actor, Director, & Dialect Coach
I was born and raised in Texas and spent time in Florida as a kid which made a huge impact on me in terms of living an ocean-focused lifestyle. My father is Algerian and my mother is Mexican, but my grandfather on my mom’s side was American so though she was born and raised in Mexico she had dual citizenship. I guess that technically makes me second-generation. I grew up learning Spanish, Arabic, and English at the same time. It was very confusing but it helped me develop a strong foundation for authentic accents and dialects. I had no idea that all of this would help me later in life as an actor, especially with voice acting. Being multi-ethnic has impacted my world view and enables me to embody characters from many walks of life. It’s really challenging to pick sides or vilify a certain group when I’m so mixed so I would say that having such a mixed ancestry has increased my tolerance and empathy for all identities. I love not fitting into a box! Read more>>
Mingze Li | Graphic designer & Tattoo artist
My journey into the world of art and design began earnestly when I graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art at 19, specializing in Graphic Design. This period was crucial, as it laid the foundational stones of my career and my approach to art. Working as a lead designer for a hip toy studio in Shenzhen further honed my skills and exposed me to a wide array of creative challenges and opportunities. It was during my studies in the UK, however, that I encountered the captivating world of tattoos, marking my skin for the first time with art that resonated with my personal journey. This experience ignited a fascination with tattooing, although, at the time, I hadn’t envisioned it becoming a professional path. Read more>>
Tacondra Brown | Creative, Artist & Transformational Leader
I hail from the roots of Florida but have adopted the boots of Texas. My early years were spent in Plant City, FL, until the age of 19 when I embarked on a journey to Texas, following my husband’s military service. The experience of growing up in a small town left an indelible mark on my personality, fostering in me an appreciation for nature, simplicity, freedom, security, and a profound sense of family and community. Read more>>
Yeono | Tattoo artist
I’m from South Korea, raised by open-minded parents who fully supported my interests and passions. They themselves had tattoos and held a deep fascination for tattoo art, which introduced me to the culture from a young age. Thanks to their influence and support, I became accustomed to tattoos early on and was able to start learning the craft of tattooing at the age of 17. Also, the ingrained culture of diligence and sincerity in Korea really shaped who I am, encouraging me to always give my best and stay true in everything I do. Read more>>
Solena de Bueil | Facilitator, seer, channel and event coordinator
I’m French and I grew up in Paris in an aristocratic family. I am proud of my origins and how rich my culture is. I was raised with a lot of rules and I fought a lot with my familial environment, refusing to be put in a box and fighting to be free to speak.
It has definitely shaped me. It’s not random that I live abroad and have traveled quite a bit around the world. I always had a thirst for different ways of living and wanted to experience it by myself instead of being told what to do. And how to live my life. Read more>>