Even if you are from the same neighborhood as someone else, you might still be coming from different places. Where you are from is a complicated question and it elicits complicated, but interesting and thought-provoking responses. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Pranati

I am from India. I moved as recently as September 2024 to LA to live here as an artist and musician and learn from a new journey. I had a musically sound upbringing – where rock and pop and classic rock were always playing in our home. We were encouraged (my sister and I) to learn instruments and enjoy music on a daily basis. My parents were of the correct opinion that music helps in mental development. Read More>>

Taylor Mitchell

I was born and raised in Queens, New York—a place that has profoundly shaped me both personally and professionally. When people think of New York, they often envision the relentless hustle and bustle. While it may sound cliché, it’s undeniably true. That spirit of hustle is ingrained in me, making my journey into entrepreneurship and owning multiple businesses a natural progression. Read More>>

Mingyi Gan

I’m originally from Wuhan, China, a place known for its hot-tempered yet candid people and vibrant, no-nonsense spirit. Growing up there had a huge impact on me. Wuhan has always felt free in a way that’s hard to explain—a place where the bluntness of life often means there’s no time for pretense. It’s a city where things are always happening, but it’s not the fast-paced rush that defines it; it’s more the unspoken honesty and the sharp contrasts between old and new, tradition and progress. That blend of raw energy and unfiltered truth shaped how I approach both life and my work. Read More>>

Herceny Del Cid

My name is Herceny and I was born in Santa Rosa Guatemala. I am 6th generation Coffee Farmer. We immigrated to the US when I was 5 years old. I was raised in Los Angeles, specifically Inglewood. In Guatemala we are coffee farmers. We maintained our coffee farms all year long and then sold our coffee cherries. As coffee farmers our parents couldn’t make ends meet and made the difficult decision to immigrate to the US, bringing only me and left my brother, my entire family and life as we knew it behind.  Read More>>

Rae Smith

I’m from San Bernardino, California—born and raised. Growing up in a city where survival often took priority over creativity has deeply shaped who I am, both as a person and an artist. San Bernardino is where it all began for me. It taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the power of turning what you have into something meaningful. Read More>>

Jess Sasso

I grew up in a world of strict expectations, where perfectionism was enforced, and mistakes felt like failures. My last name, Sasso, means “stone” in Italian—a name that carries weight, resilience, and an expectation of solidity. My artistic practice is a reclamation of that name, an assertion of agency within the structures that once confined me. Read More>>

Simone Keelah

I was born in Queens, New York, and grew up in the suburbs of Orlando, Florida, during a period of massive expansion. My parents are immigrants from Saint Vincent and Panama, and I was raised in a community filled with other immigrant families. On weekends, you were liable to catch me at a Filipino karaoke party, eating Lebanese delicacies, or watching Shottas with my Jamaican friends. Everything was on the table because everyone got a seat at it. Read More>>

Ryan Heimbach

I was born in Tampa, Florida and raised in Laguna Beach. Growing up in Laguna played a part with me becoming an artist. I have so much to be grateful for being raised in that town. I even met my wife there while I was doing live art at an event. Read More>>

Whitney Welsh Gibbs

I am from a small coastal community on the Central Coast of California filled with tiny fisherman houses and countless scenic views, disturbed only by the sound of waves crashing against rock and the sea air rustling the trees. I think from a young age, the beauty and wonder of my hometown really helped to impact my imagination and creativity as I began to bring stories to life on page. There was always something to explore—always something that might hold the key to the magical or otherworldly, whether it be a mossy tree stump or a deserted and hidden beach. Read More>>

Kikyo Yan

Growing up in Shanghai, China, I faced a challenging period during middle school when I was bullied by both teachers and students. This time in my life was very dark and difficult. The bullying deeply impacted my sense of self and confidence, which ultimately led me to make the bold decision to move abroad. I chose to study in Japan at the age of 14, seeking a fresh start and a new environment where I could redefine who I was. Read More>>

Andrea Carazo

I am from Guatemala, a country rich in culture, craftsmanship, and history. I’ve always been a hands-on person and grew up surrounded by traditional textiles and artisanal techniques, which naturally made me appreciate handmade craftsmanship. However, despite being immersed in this rich heritage, I realized there was a lack of education around these crafts. Read More>>

Neel Bakshi

I was born in Mumbai, the heart of Bollywood, so in a way, film has been part of my life from the very beginning. But I grew up in Pune, a major metropolitan city just a few hours from Mumbai, in a large family unit with my parents, grandparents, paternal uncle, aunt, and my sister. It was a household filled with stories – some told through film, others through family history and cultural traditions. Read More>>

Nabila Camacho

I was born in Florida, but at the age of four, my family moved to Germany, where I was raised and completed my education. Growing up in a multicultural household—my father being German and my mother Bolivian—gave me a deep appreciation for different cultures, languages, and perspectives. This diverse upbringing shaped my ability to connect with people from all walks of life, which is invaluable in the luxury real estate industry. Read More>>

Kat Davis

I’m from Compton, CA and my childhood was very unorthodox, to say the least. Growing up I often heard and experienced many kinds of violence, both inside and out my household. At a young age I found myself really lost while trying to process my emotions. I turned inward to my journal and even started to write and create my own poems/short stories. I started to read them to my adopted father, who was both a pastor and known community leader. People would come from miles away to hear him speak, or just have a conversation with him. So I thought if he liked my words, they must mean something. He LOVED my poems and always encouraged me to use my voice. Read More>>

Jacob Peterson

I always love answering this question because I grew up in three different states with different cultures and and communities.
I was born in Los Angeles and resided in Hawthorne/Inglewood, California. A few years into my childhood me and my family all moved to Shreveport, “Ratchet City”, Louisiana where I spent most of my childhood. Then, my mother decided to move us again and we currently reside in Houston, Texas where I graduated high school. Read More>>