Kevyn Lee-Wellington

Fluffy’s Sno-Balls was a 16-year-old dream of mine. In 2005, I moved to California because of Hurricane Katrina. My family was fragmented across the south; my paternal grandmother was missing, and my maternal grandfather was missing. I drove to California non-stop heading straight to the American Red Cross and told them, “My name is Kevyn Lee and I need food, shelter and clothing.” The ARC provided me with a $1000.00 gift card, and I purchased myself a suit, shirts and shoes so that I could have clothing to interview for jobs. Read more>>

Bharti Trivedi

I am California based fiber artist living with my two girls and a supportive husband. While I was born in India, I am now living in Milpitas, California. I think that an Artist’s journey is special and brings joy to many. My journey has been a roller-coaster ride full of adventures. Be it my journey from India to California or from being a cyber security engineer to home engineer. What gave wings to this venture (YASHI DESIGNS) is my curiosity in art since childhood. Read more>>

Dmitriy Ivanov

Personal statement before dental school: While our life experiences shape who we are, some put us on our career path. My interest in dentistry was sparked at age twelve, the day my dad took me to see a dentist for my toothache. I had always been afraid of the dental office, especially shots; however, at that moment, no one other than a dentist could cure my pain. At the first sight of the needle, I refused the anesthetic. It took one touch of the burr for me to reconsider. Soon, my pain subsided. Read more>>

Jennifer Mitchell

I started my journey as a freelance makeup and hairstylist here in Los Angeles back in 2017. Upon graduating with my B.A. in Communications at Cal State Fullerton, I wanted to break into the beauty industry in some way, shape or form. Upon doing my research into the people and companies I was interested in on LinkedIn, I noticed a common thread. Many of these people had a background as a freelance makeup artist and were now working as Project Managers, Social Media Coordinators, etc. Read more>>

Tia Brumbelow

I started as a kid’s graphic tee line where I wanted to have cute clothes for boys and raise awareness for rare conditions like, Kagami Ogata Syndrome which my son Dex happens to have. I soon realized that my love and passion for all things home was something I really want to pursue and add so, I started adding home decor and that is what my shop carries today! Read more>>

Alyssia Strasser

I am a 23-year-old artist, born and raised in San Pedro, right by the harbor. I always have been drawn to the arts in many ways, through playing piano, writing stories, and lots of crafting- but I didn’t pursue the fine arts (like painting) until high school. I was particularly interested in macrame and knot-making throughout my early childhood and adolescence. I was obsessed with making friendship bracelets and made a little business out of it in fifth grade with my business cards I printed online. Read more>>

JohnJames Urata

Growing up art was something I always ran to. Something that I always found myself doing. Whether I was drawing, painting, building, or filming. I’ve always like to think outside the box and create an experience you haven’t felt before snd fall in love with. Art runs in my family so it was no surprise that I would be creating too. Drawing was my first introduction to art. From elementary to high school I always have received art awards. I’m not Picasso but I think the creativeness and thought that went into the art made it great.  Read more>>

Goran Perkunic

I went to culinary school in Germany in the late 80s and after moving to LA in 1991 I worked at United Airlines first and business class till about 1994. After several carrier changes I discovered my true love and passion for cooking again. Through the course of a few years working with other catering companies and in Treatment facilities I was fortunate to make some connections and was able to start building my own business. Starting with breakfast in commercial production I was able to build my clientele and eventually offer lunch and dinner aswell! Read more>>

Alicia Thornhill

I was born and raised in Southern California but it wasn’t until I moved to Florida that I got to finally pursue an education and career in the beauty industry. I gained my esthetics and massage therapy license. Around the summer of 2013, I then moved back to California, got married, and got a job doing full body waxing and secured a second job doing lash extensions in Culver City. Within the first year or our marriage, we were expecting our first child. After working for other businesses for 3 years, I realized I wanted and needed to create a life where I could create my own schedule, be with my daughter, and make more money. Read more>>

Aquina La’Shae

I started photography in high school in 2002-2003, It’s funny because I really didn’t like the class and only had taken it because it was literally an elective. But I had a natural talent that my photography teacher ( Stan cacti) kept pushing me more and more to delve deeper into it but I just had no interest in becoming a photographer let alone do it long term especially being that I was super shy and barely liked talking to people. Before photography truly became a passion of mine I taught myself how to draw. Read more>>

Patrice Sylvain Dawson

I was always fascinated with Makeup since age 11. I would always be the one who would do everyone’s Makeup and Hair. In 2013, I began to create a professional career on Makeup Artistry. I took first Makeup Class with Last Looks Makeup Academy based in Los Angeles but I attended the class in Houston, Tx. for 2 weeks. I learned alot but still felt I needed more education so I enrolled in the Touch Makeup Academy in Houston, Tx. It was an intense 3 month program. Read more>>

KENYELLE ASH

I’m a natural creator and visionary so how I got started was innate. When I was an adolescent, my mother put me in a young boss program and I’ve carried that energy with me every since. Everywhere I showed up, I showed up ready to make a change and innovate. I’m the person that my friends called if/when they were ready to go the next level so starting Millions In Progress is truly the definition of when passion meets purpose. Read more>>

babyghost

Music has been my greatest passion my whole life, and I don’t remember wanting to pursue anything else. At six, I joined my first choir, and not long after, began writing my first skeletal original songs. In high school, I joined more prestigious groups and was awarded opportunities to perform at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, South Korea’s Fire Festival on Jeju Island, and more. Going into higher education as a musician allowed even bigger challenges and performances, but also opened my mind to other avenues. Read more>>