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.

Roswell Orellana | Tattoo Artist

I’m a first-generation Mexican/Guatemalan American, born and raised in Los Angeles. As I was growing up, there was a lot of pressure with going to college and being financially successful. I was always supported by my family in my artistic pursuits, but it was never really considered a future profession by either by family or I. However, as I started investing more time into my art, I saw its potential as an actual career choice and not just a hobby. I was extremely lucky to have a family that supported me from day 1 to pursue a career in tattooing. My mom said she always knew I was going to have tattoos when I got older, as I would draw all over myself with markers and was obsessed with temporary tattoos when I was still a little kid. By the time I had graduated from college with a BA in Film, I had come out as bisexual and as a transgender man. Being openly queer and getting tattooed makes me feel more like myself with every addition of art onto my body, and helping people feel more of themselves after they get work done by me is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job and passion. Read more>>

Beau Pierce | Sports Chiropractor

I still remember those Friday nights under the glow of the stadium lights, standing dutifully by my father’s side as he tended to player after player. Growing up with a son of a chiropractor for a dad meant I was no stranger to the healing power of the human body. I saw firsthand how proper care and treatment could get even the most battered athletes back on their feet. My dad’s office became a second home to me – that sterile, clinical world that felt anything but cold or uninviting. Read more>>

Maria Henry | Skincare Formulator + Astrologer

I spent my childhood on a small farm in Southwest Wisconsin, where my love for nature and freedom blossomed. Exploring the outdoors, digging in the soil, and gathering dried plants laid the foundation for my future company. Growing our own food and knowing where the ingredients came from was an important piece in my upbringing. Read more>>

Po-En Wang | 3D Character Animator | CG Generalist

Emotions and feelings are something I have long been fascinated about but struggled to convey when interacting with people. Although wearing emotions on my sleeve is not a norm in my culture, a professor helped me break through this barrier. That is when I felt the power of visual storytelling for the first time. I learned that a tool combined with effective storytelling could express a person’s emotions. I then was at the point of no return…… Read more>>

Niccolò Pacella | Composer

I was born in Milan, Italy. Don Giovanni at La Scala Theatre, a landmark of the city and one of the most famous opera houses in the world is one of my earliest memories of experiencing live music. Early exposure to classical repertoire in particular played an important role in my upbringing. How I got to where I am today has always felt serendipitous to me. Considering the choices I’ve had to make along the way, the trajectory of my life could’ve been very different. Read more>>

 Cesar Reyes | Film Director & Production Designer

I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. At the age of 17, I immigrated to the United States with my father and younger brother. I started attending school and worked as much as possible on weekends. However, needing more experience and fluency in the language, my options were limited to manual labor tasks such as house painting, lawn maintenance, and moving. Upon improving my English skills, I enrolled in cooking and baking classes and entered the food industry. However, I soon realized that spending long hours in the kitchen wasn’t fulfilling, prompting me to switch careers. I earned an Associate of Arts degree in graphic design and secured a position at a small marketing company. Read more>>