We asked some brilliant folks from the community to tell us about the most important lesson their business or career has taught them. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Johnny Talay | Lifestyle Photographer

I was born in the Philippines and moved to Los Angeles with my family when I was 4 years old. Coming from a Filipino background, there wasn’t much encouragement to pursue creative fields. Read more>>

YONGCHEN WU | Filmmaker & Cinematographer

I come from Taiyuan, a city in Shanxi province, China. Ever since I moved to the U.S. for my studies at sixteen, I’ve always felt a bit nervous when people ask me where I’m from. As we all know, China is a vast country, and my hometown is in a relatively obscure province. Sometimes, even fellow Chinese people might not know where it is! Read more>>

Niki Li | Visual Artist & Graphic Designer

I am Niki Li, a visual artist and graphic designer originally from China, now thriving in the dynamic environment of New York City. This vibrant metropolis, with its multifaceted diversity, has become the fertile ground for my professional and personal growth. Read more>> 

Taylor Cobb | Author, Entrepreneur, & Advocate

I’m born and raised in Baltimore, but my mom’s folks hail from Chicago and my dad’s from Alabama, so I feel I got a good mix of cultures to surround me growing up. I’m the oldest of four kids and my mom and dad were young when I was born, so I spent a lot of my early years with my grandparents, aunts, and cousins. Read more>>

Jenny Huang | Lifestyle Blogger & Product Lead

I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and later moved with my family to Highland Park and eventually Lincoln Heights. Not having a lot of financial resources growing up, I was and am extremely grateful for the free resources available in the community that helped get me college-ready and eventually start my undergraduate journey at UCLA. Read more>>

Kie Sample | Music Producer & DJ

I am form Los Angeles, California. My parents are big on Music, more specifically Hip-Hop. So over my childhood, I was constantly surrounded by music and its culture. On the way to Elementry School my parents would always play my favorite CD, Kanye’s 3rd album “Graduation”. Read more>>

Marshall Gallagher | Freelance Musician

I’m from a boring little suburban city called Littleton, CO – about a 30 minute drive south of Denver. Nothing in particular sets me apart background-wise, but I did spend quite a bit of time working for my Dad, who started his own business when I was very little. Read more>>

Rebecca Hormozi | Media Producer, Director, and Photo-Taker

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, to a Brazilian mom and a Persian dad. During my childhood, I attended Lycée International de Los Angeles. Thanks to my parents, the location I grew up in, and the school I attended, I was exposed to a wide range of cultures. Read more>>

Monique Roman Stone | Small Business Owner/Interior Designer

I’m originally from LA, but I grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. Coming from a lower-class family, we always put family and health first. Growing up within the Latino community, I fell in love with everything colorful and full of life. That passion has stuck with me and now drives my business. Read more>>

Asami Kuroki | Groomer animal rescuer

I’m from Japan. I moved here when I was 15 years old and attended a boarding school in Connecticut. I have always felt that the US has been my home since childhood. My parents, who were artists, supported my interests in the arts. Read more>>

Bruce Gregg | Writer & Artist

I’m from Upstate, New York, about half an hour North of Albany. I grew up listening to 102.7 WEQX, a radio station in Manchester, Vermont, where my mother was a DJ throughout most of my childhood. That’s become a huge influence in my art, but besides that, I wasn’t close to a major city or anything. Read more>>