Through our work we have had the good fortune of seeing firsthand how success comes in every shape, size, color, faith, and orientation. More importantly we’ve learned that success is often the result of people embracing their unique backgrounds and so we’ve asked the community to tell us about their background and how it has impacted where they are today.

Kevin Lam | Writer/Actor/Director

I was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. Being the eldest in my family, I am the very first, first generation American in my Mexican lineage. My parents are from Sinaloa where it is very hard to live day to day due to the extremely low wages people get paid. Some people turn to making easy money (in illegal ways), or stay struggling, or cross over to the U.S. Luckily, my parents took the risk of coming to Los Angeles and made it my home. Read more>>

Amanda Catarzi | Fractional CMO and Content Writer

I was raised in a conservative, blue collar family. When I was 20 I moved to CA to make my own way. Unfortunately, I got involved with some malicious people and ended up be sex and labor trafficked for 6 months. After escaping my trafficker, I dedicated the next 8 years of my life to fighting trafficking. During that time, I wrote and passed federal legislation, created curriculums for safe houses, and took the NGO international single handedly. Read more>>

Jasmyn Krynauw | Entrepreneur, Designer & Chef

I grew up on our heritage family farm in a small South African town called Hartbeespoort. It has been in our family for roughly 200 years and passed down through generations. In Afrikaans history, my great great grandfather, Andries Pretorius was a prominent figure whose son became the first President of South Africa. Read more>>

Michael Staffeldt | Composer & Violist

I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and was lucky to be guided and encouraged by incredible musical mentors like Guillermo Quezada (Principal Violist of El Paso Symphony Orchestra) and Ida Steadman (Principal Cellist of EPSO and a Texas String Educator of the Year). I started playing viola at the age of 11, and in Texas we have this thing called All-Region and All-State where musicians from your region and State audition to be placed in a 3-day festival orchestra of the best musicians. Read more>>

Louis Quek | Electronic Music Artist, Sound Designer & DJ

Hi, my name is Louis Quek, born and raised in Singapore. I am an electronic music producer, sound designer and DJ. I perform and release music under the alias, Intriguant. I come from a hiphop Dj and turnatablist background when I started out and I have been exposed to many different genres of music in the music scene. Read more>>

Nicolette Inglese | Bakeshop Owner & Decorator

I am from Southern California. I grew up in Claremont with my parents and 3 siblings. My background has played a huge part of who I am today and the business that I started. My dad has owned and operated three Italian restaurants in the Inland Empire, the first one being open for over 30 years now. I grew up in the restaurant business and eventually had my first job working in his pizzeria. I did various jobs like serving, busing, and managing. That influenced me to go to The Collins College at Cal Poly Pomona for Hospitality and Restaurant Management where I got my degree. Read more>>

Anastasia Rutkowski | Actor, Writer

I grew up north of Boston, in the seaside town of Swampscott, MA. After losing television privileges at a young age, I discovered the beauty of Jane Austen, Louisa May Allcott and the playfulness of American Girl Dolls. Films were still allowed and led to family marathon viewings. I was always putting on shows for family and friends (whether they wanted to watch or not) which lead me to pursue a career in performance and writing. I had an immense amount of bottled-up creativity and with the invention of the laptop and Final Draft, I finally had an outlet. Read more>>

Salli Saffioti | Actress and Voiceover Artist

I am from New York…I grew up mostly 40 minutes outside of NYC on Long Island. From age 5-9 I moved all over (south fork of Long Island, Arizona, California) and ended up back in New York with my Dad from age 10 on. He was a bus driver in Jamaica, Queens and often I would go to work with him so I wouldn’t be home alone. The passengers were mostly immigrants from all over trying to get to their jobs and hard core New Yorkers, Read more>>

Jordan Rice | Licensed Esthetician

I was originally born in the Central Valley of California but ended up moving over 30 times before age 18. My upbringing has played a massive role in who I am today and how I have built my business. While moving around so many times was extremely difficult as a kid, it also gave me the privilege to see and experience a variety of communities and cultures around the US which I believe helped form me into a very resilient and compassionate person. Read more>>

Bryce Barsten & Anne Tong | Chinese American Bear (band)

Anne Tong: I was originally born in China, and immigrated to the US when I was 7. My family moved around alot in the US and we lived in many states. I eventually ended up in Spokane, WA, where I met Bryce. I quickly had to learn from a young age how to quickly make friends because we moved so much – I was always the new kid. So to this day, I love meeting new people, going to social events, and love exploring new environments. Read more>>

Susie Sharpe, MD | Artist, Physician & TEDx speaker

I grew up in Korea, and my dream was to become an artist. Unexpected circumstances led me to move to the U.S. at age 16. Without speaking any English and with no one to rely on, I felt I needed to find a different career that offered security to support myself. I decided to become a physician, although it felt like an impossible dream. Read more>>

Jaila | Actress

I am from Carmel,Indiana my background and upbringing impacted who I am today in a positive way, i grew up with a solid foundation. 2 parent household. Seeing my parents get up and go to work everyday while still making time for their family at home let me know that it was okay to go for what you want and still be able to make time for whats important. While also having a relationship with God and going to church every Sunday and having Sunday dinner with family. Read more>>

Becky Pedigo | Comic. Writer. Contemplator of Existence.

I was born and raised in Amarillo, a dusty cow town on the plains of the Texas Panhandle, by a smart, funny, and fearless single mother. I learned by watching her that you can do anything you want in life, and if someone says you can’t, let that be the fuel to keep you going. I inherited my mom’s work ethic and “let me show you how wrong you are about me” attitude. Luckily, quitting was never an option in our family. If something isn’t working, then figure out a way it will. Read more>>