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Portraits of the Valley

It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around the Valley.

Andrea Morgan

My name is Stephen Hamilton and I’m an DJ/Producer from Santa Barbara, CA. My interest in music started when I was 4 years old. I would peck at my grandmother’s piano and over the years taught myself how to play by ear. My mom put me in formal lessons where I learned to read sheet music. At 12, I taught myself how to DJ on vinyl. DJing was appealing to me because I knew a lot of songs and wanted to do something related to music but I didn’t sing, rap or make my own songs. I started making beats in high school. Read More>>

Ava Shokoufi

I was born and raised in Iran, the land of one thousand and one stories, before immigrating to the United States and settling in Los Angeles. I grew up in a family that admired both science and art, where education was considered a lifelong journey. From a young age, I enjoyed reading books, listening to music, and making art; living a life surrounded by beautiful stories of heritage and hope. Read More>>

Ella Lubienski

I was born and raised in the Midwest, and was the type of kid who would beg my parents to stay up after a movie so I could watch the special features. Seeing the energetic ecosystem of a film set excited me, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I was first drawn to the camera, falling in love with the choreography between the camera and the actors, and from there I found cinematography and knew that was what I wanted to do as a career. Read More>>

Elizabeth Jackson

As I gained more clients of all ages, I decided to start my own brand. I chose the name Elizabeth Aspen Photography; Elizabeth, of course, being my first name, and Aspen, the gold leaves being an homage to finding the “golden” light in photos. I have since built my website, widened my circle of clients, and have started offering milestone images, birthday photoshoots, holiday portraits, and maternity. It has been such a joy to create something of my own, that allows me to provide families with images that capture all the stages of their lives. Read More>>

Jeffrey Johnson

I grew up in South Carolina. I learned to play piano and pipe organ and paint. I moved to LA after studying music in college at the University of South Carolina. Once in LA I attended UCLA’s film scoring program, where I had the exquisite experience of learning to write music for orchestra. Since then I’ve been working with studios and filmmakers to craft the most well-suited score for their film imaginable. After years of health issues I had to take a break from scoring and started painting landscapes. Painting had a healing effect on me and I’ve been doing it ever since. Within the past year I also jumped back into writing music and have been hard at work on various film projects. Read More>>

Rose Curiel

I’m also the youngest of SEVEN children! Michael, Jenna, Elena, Tom, Christina, and David have and always will be my first best friends. They’re the best people I know. The oldest, Michael, and I are 18 years apart! My parents, Michael and Rose Curiel, always raised us to be close and to look out for each other. I also have 12 nieces and nephews…Kaila, Tessa, Ella, Brooke, Jack, Teagan, Colter, PJ, Luciana, Sienna, Lennon, and Deluca. It’s heartwarming to see all of the little ones together and how the best of us has trickled down to them. My life has always been a party! Read More>>

Shivangi Chopra

My creative career started in Jaipur, India as a fine artist and painter. I studied Art & Design for four years in high school—two terms I used interchangeably at the time, unaware of their nuanced differences. Like many South Asians, I grew up in a culture that prioritizes a STEM education, with limited exposure to what it truly means to pursue a creative career—especially one beyond the borders of India. Despite my environment, I was inspired by my mother, who studied fashion design in a far more conservative India. Her career inspired me to follow in her footsteps and pursue an art degree, even while I grappled with the expectation of choosing a more traditionally academic path. Read More>>

Silvia Medrano Vazquez

Her passing made me realize the importance of living life to the fullest and pursuing something meaningful. At the time, I was attending college, but I soon recognized that it wasn’t the right path for me. I vividly remember sitting at my work desk, reflecting on the moments my mom and I shared. From a young age, we bonded over beauty products and self-care routines. I often helped her with at-home skincare treatments and applied her makeup during her long stays at the hospital or just really difficult days. Those memories sparked a realization: I want to help people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, especially during life’s most challenging moments. Read More>>

Joseph Leal

What sets us apart is our commitment to both artistry and authenticity. We believe that every person and every event has its own story, and our goal is to capture those stories in a way that feels natural, timeless, and personal. We take the time to connect with our clients, understand their vision, and work closely with them to ensure their memories are immortalized in photos that they’ll treasure forever. Read More>>

Linn Holmes

Then as I got a little “older” I began singing in a gigging choir at the age of 3, and we did our first tv performance about a year later. I did a short stint on violin before diving into classical guitar, and a few years later began studying at this conservatory-esque music school at the age of 9. From there, it just kind of kept going – I was studying everything from classical, jazz, blues and rock. I just loved it. I started my first band with my best friends – a band named Spiridoula – and we began playing gigs all around Stockholm. I was just obsessed with bands such as Fleetwood Mac, Allman Brothers, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (and yes, I did 100% get the full Stevie Nicks haircut with the side-art and everything). Read More>>

Gia Calhoun

There have been struggles with imposter syndrome at different points in my teaching career where I had to step back and learn how to trust that I know what I’m doing. Also, it can be easy to become burnt out as a Pilates teacher because your income is not fixed. It’s common to say yes to all clients, even when it’s inconvenient for you, because you don’t want to miss out. I had to learn how to prioritize myself. Last, as a new mom, the challenge I faced before creating my app was learning how to work while still raising my daughter. Read More>>

Alec Puro

Among other projects, in recent years I’ve had the pleasure of scoring the Netflix’s zombie thriller Black Summer, the hit Freeform drama The Fosters, the DreamWorks/Hulu animated series The Mighty Ones, as well as with my collaboration with Linkin Park scoring the film MALL. Other notable film projects include, All Nighter, starring Emile Hirsch and Academy Award Winner J.K. Simmons and A Happening of Monumental Proportions, actress Judy Greer’s directorial debut starring Katie Holmes, Allison Janney and Rob Riggle. Read More>>

Gally

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but that’s part of what’s made the journey so rewarding. Transitioning from accounting to pursuing acting and content creation was a big shift, and there were moments of uncertainty. In the beginning, it wasn’t always clear how I would make this new path work, especially coming from a more structured background. There were also times when I doubted myself or wondered if I was on the right track, but each struggle became a valuable learning experience. Read More>>

Noah Lang

We are known for films like the crime thriller BLOOD FOR DUST starring Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington and Josh Lucas which is on Hulu now, the queer midnight movie SWALLOWED with Cooper Koch, sci-fi drama CREEP BOX which just came out a few weeks ago, Talia Lugacy’s THIS IS NOT A WAR STORY which was a Cassavetes Nominee at the Spirit Awards, and a pretty wild documentary about mudding culture in Florida called RED, WHITE & WASTED that premiered at Tribeca amongst many others. We like to find ways to get onto set. If there’s a way to do it for a budget that is available, we will. A bad day onset beats a good day in a cubicle. Even if you’re underpaid. Which we usually are. Read More>>

Malaika Vida Butoyi

I learned that a trauma-informed approach works best for most. I had an experience early on in my own Acro practice where I attempted a foot-to-hand (standing) and I started shaking. My base instructed me to stop shaking. It was a bad directive, because I could not figure out why I was shaking in the first place, let alone stop. Read More>>

Cansu Ozyurek

It hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but those challenges have shaped me into the musician I am today. Moving to a new country and building a career in a competitive industry like music came with its own struggles—navigating visa requirements, balancing financial stability through teaching and performing, and sometimes facing self-doubt have all been part of the journey. During the pandemic, with live performances on hold, I had to adapt by leaning more into teaching and finding creative outlets to stay connected to my passion. While the road has had its ups and downs, every struggle has also been an opportunity to grow, learn, and stay resilient. Read More>>

Paul Carganilla

Growing up, I loved exploring creative opportunities. Throughout high school, I stayed heavily involved in band, theater, and music. When I reached college, my love of theater and acting really bloomed and filled my heart. Something about the theater community – being around passionate creators who were coming together to collaborate and make something big: together… I found that very exciting and rewarding. I set my sights on finding a path in which I would find myself in that sort of collaborative creative environment for the rest of my life. Like most bright-eyed, bushy-tailed actors, my dream was to eventually be a Hollywood success, and find myself on stage at the Academy Awards some day. I got an agent and started to audition for commercials, film, and television. Read More>>

Erin Faaborg

As with any business, there are growing pains associated with becoming a leader in outdoor furniture. The key to overcoming these challenges is forging strong relationships. At Willow Creek Designs, we pride ourselves on our ability to connect personally with each of our customers to execute their unique outdoor visions. Our customers show us love with every purchase, so we strive to reciprocate that sentiment by going above and beyond in providing them with service. Our suppliers know us well and we appreciate their commitment to providing us with the highest quality materials which we are able to offer every purchaser of Willow Creek furniture. Read More>>

Ali Sarrow

In November 2019, the salon made the difficult decision to close its doors. Though this was an unexpected and devastating reality, it became an opportunity for personal and professional growth for me. In February 2020, I joined my second salon team at Crowning Glory Hair Salon in Burbank, where I am today and am honored to work alongside some of the most talented hairstylists I’ve ever met. Read More>>

Gloria Soto

As a master Reiki therapist and teacher, I am dedicated to fostering well being and relaxation through the Usui Method of Reiki healing. My practice incorporates the soothing benefits of aromatherapy and a variety of complementary healing techniques to create a holistic experience. I believe in empowering individuals on their journey towards greater balance and harmony. If you are seeking a natural approach to stress reduction and improved overall health, I invite you to explore the transformative power of Reiki. Read More>>

Robert Morgan Fisher

I was born in Austin, Texas. My father was a Naval Flight Officer so our family spent time in California, Washington State, Ohio, Virginia and Florida. I returned to The University of Texas at Austin where I began performing music in bars and coffeehouses. While in Texas, I became a correspondent for MTV/VH-1 and soon migrated to Los Angeles where I put my Radio, T.V. and Film Degree to work in various jobs including executive/production assistant, composer/arranger, announcer and finally as a writer of scripts, music, comedy and fiction. Read More>>

Jordan Alexander

I am a First generation American, born and raised in Los Angeles. My father is from Guatemala and my mother is from El Salvador. They immigrated separately to the United States of America, in the early 80’s, to escape a war, and for an opportunity at a better life. Growing up I was very shy, and quiet, I perceived life very differently. As a kid, I would play with Barbie’s and I would escape into a different world. I would always brush and style the dolls as well as all the girls in my family. I knew “hair” was always something I wanted to do. Crazy enough this year marks 10 years of my professional career as a hairstylist. It’s been a wild journey filled with countless blessings, growth & success. Read More>>

Sara Mckinley

Film and TV acting is where my heart lies, but I also have a love for Musical Theatre as well. I’m a big action movie fan, especially Marvel films, so that is my big goal one day. I’m also an equestrian- I’ve been riding for almost 20 years, and I’d love to get into riding for film as well. During the pandemic I got certified as a dog trainer, so one day it would be a dream to work with horses and dogs on film sets alongside my acting. I’m a writer as well- though I mostly do poetry and short stories. I have a dry sense of humor and a quiet, still acting style that I think probably sets me apart from others. I’d love to play a role like April Ludgate from Parks and Rec one day. Read More>>

Kerri Kasem

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, by my father, Casey Kasem, and my mom, Linda Kasem Naylor. Despite my dad’s fame, he kept us grounded, prioritizing education and values like discipline and kindness. My mom nurtured my creativity—she supported my love for horseback riding by taking me to the barn several days a week, which became a therapeutic outlet, especially after their divorce. Read More>>

Dingding Hu

When it came time for college, I chose theater directing, and I also started working in tons of different roles on sets—assistant director, script supervisor, distribution, screenwriter,—learning the ins and outs of filmmaking. But as time went on, I realized that what I loved most was producing—the process of bringing a story to life from start to finish. So, I quit my job and came to the U.S. to learn more about producing. Read More>>

Gabby Sibaja

In the beginning of my time in Los Angeles, I had a plethora of odd jobs, just trying my hand at anything and everything. I think as a young adult, you’re in this weird purgatory of adulthood where, on paper, you’re mature enough to move away from home, but you’re also just throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks to figure out what type of “adult” you want to be. Read More>>

Yadira Rodriguez

I started looking for ways to make extra income now and also something I could do part time once I retire from my full time job. I found it interesting and also love that you can set your own schedule and work as much or as little as you’d like. I am in the customer service industry so that came natural to me. Learning the Notarial process and laws was the biggest challenge for me, but once I got through that it’s been a great experience and glad I took a chance to learn something new. Read More>>

Jerry Cook

My wife and I started Freedom’s Way Baptist Church on March 14, 2002 in Santa Clarita Ca. I have been the senior pastor at Freedom’s Way coming up on 23 years this March 2025. Our desire is for Christ to be proclaimed without compromise and that our church be a beacon of hope and light in an otherwise dark world. Read More>>

Dyane Thyfault

There were many challenges. I had 3 children and my husband is a firefighter who was gone more than half the month. The building I rented had multiple issues with roof, plumbing and electrical issues and eventually flooded. I moved to a new location in 2019. In 2020 covid hit and it shut my business down multiple times and I am just now recovering from the financial loss. Read More>>

Dana Gedrick

The Zen Roller is a patented hand-held holistic Himalayan salt roller, born from the resilience and determination of Dana Gedrick, who, with the support of her family and friends, turned her personal challenges into a source of healing. After enduring years of pain and skin irritations from Ulcerative Colitis, Dana, an experienced manager of a salt cave in Santa Barbara, channeled her experiences into creating a holistic remedy. As a licensed Esthetician, her vision extended beyond her own healing—she aspired to assist others facing skin issues as well. After four years of dedicated development and research, the Zen Roller emerged, revealing a multitude of benefits not only for people but also for our beloved dogs. Read More>>

Jacqueline East

It wasn’t until I graduated from Community College when I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try acting for real this time. I had tried acting classes in High School and a little bit in College but didn’t feel like I could do it until it was a decision to what to do after Community College. I got into two Cal State Universities but my mom said she knew my heart wasn’t sold into continuing college so it wasn’t smart to spend all this money unless it was fully something I loved. I am very grateful for my mom seeing that in me because that’s the fire I needed to believe in myself. So with her approval I decided to start making my way out to Los Angeles. Read More>>

Fabian Guillen

We combined our talents to create a good flow between the two of us. Heather has been doing photography for the past 2 years, but also has a background in the beauty industry with a cosmetology license and also in the fashion industry briefly, as a model. With her background and mine— photography and marketing— we were able to build the business we have today. We’re so happy with where we’ve come and we can’t wait to keep growing for the rest of our careers, because you never truly stop expanding your knowledge and skills. Read More>>

Mj Gilmore

Executive protection/private security, I’ve been doing the longest time, for about 17 years now. I got started doing club security when I was 16 years old at all age nightclubs. Then progress to every level of security: hospital, residential, commercial, private, school, executive protection/bodyguard, estate security, set security, tour and international Security and some helping out with some law-enforcement/federal security. Now I have my own Security Company and we are international, it has been a challenge, but a blessing in the same accord! Read More>>

Tatiana Mekikyan

After I finished my masters, I started to do freelance social media management where I managed social media accounts for different businesses in Los Angeles, mainly in the Burbank & Glendale area. I fell in love with social media more because not only was I doing it for myself and growing my own platform, but I’m helping other businesses do the same. I still want to work in entertainment, but the goal is to work more on the social media marketing aspect in the future, where I can create content for campaigns or even have high-profile talent as my clients. Read More>>

Knarik Arzumanyan

The path wasn’t smooth for me, especially being a woman in her 30s who was new in the United States with language barriers. But when you love the job you do, you can overcome all kinds of obstacles. For two years I worked for free, collaborating with many photographers and models for different types of projects, until I gained a confidence and recognition. Read More>>

Yara Herrera

Eager to take the next step in my career, I left to help open Chef David Chang’s Majordomo. At this time of my life I started to feel disillusioned with the industry, and David encouraged me to keep at it and offered her a job at Momofuku Ko in New York.. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and the restaurant closed, I pivoted and accepted my first chef de cuisine role at Xilonen in Brooklyn. I took this opportunity to fully tap into and explore her heritage, embracing the concept’s vegan and Mexican menu. Read More>>

Sarah French

I feel very fortunate to have had grown up in Minnesota. It taught me many core values including work ethic, the value of a dollar, how important relationships are, being friendly and genuine is a good thing but don’t let others walk all over you. I grew up in a single parent household. My mom raised 2 little girls on her own. She taught us the life lessons of hard work and dedication. I also learned about struggle and to appreciate what I have. I wouldn’t change my upbringing for anything, because it’s made me who I am today. I met my dad in my teen years and I’m so grateful to have him in my life. I am very strong willed and have always worked hard for what I want in life. Read More>>

Susaye Greene

We moved to NYC where I began doing commercials, got an agent and dug deeper into my vocal training and my painting skills. I won city wide prizes for both. I was put forward by my school choir to sing with Harry Belafonte on his “Streets I have Walked” album, and I was invited to sing with a small group of classmates on the popular tv show “Bell Telephone Hour”. We did two episodes. After that Mr Belafonte invited my mother and I to his office in Manhattan and asked if I could be a part of his next world tour as a soloist. Read More>>

Cat Cordero

In April 2021 I took a leap of faith and quit my full time corporate marketing job to pursue my career as Permanent Makeup Artist full time. And in November 2021 I opened House of Venus a beauty studio where I am able to create beautiful brows and where other artists and estheticians can come and offer services. I’ve now taken over 12 courses as a Permanent Makeup Artist and now offer Powder Brows, Nano Brows, and Lip Blush. I currently am an educator for Powder and Combo Brows. Read More>>

Maria Joana Aguiar

When my parents separated in the early ’80s, my mom decided to return to Brazil, where I was raised and built my life. I earned a degree in advertising and began a rewarding career in communications, leading me through diverse industries—from music production to sports broadcasting and event planning. Over two decades, I built a rich network, traveled the world, collaborated on memorable projects, and found ways to use my voice, literally and figuratively, as a tool for work. From singing to event hosting to voice-overs, I embraced the idea of wearing multiple hats, even when it wasn’t widely accepted. Today, having more than one career is considered normal, but back then, it was not. Read More>>

Patrick Ortman

I’m trying to be kind to everyone and aware of their journey and I’m trying to catch the big fish (if you know, you know). I’ve worked with billionaires and I’ve worked with people living out of their vans. We’ve all got problems. It’s not always easy to be kind. But kindness doesn’t mean acquiescence. The other thing: no matter how hard it gets, don’t let your passion go away. Give life your heart. My heart has been broken many times. But I’d rather live a real life than to become a passionless automaton. That’s AI’s job. Read More>>

Krystal Castillo

Oh of course not. If it weren’t for my support system, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Being in the arts there’s the feeling of being an imposter that I don’t believe ever goes away. No matter how great I feel in my craft it looms over me. Social media does not help that feeling. Seeing others peoples successes and feeling that you are not doing enough. It is a feeling I have had since I was a child, I remember thinking “wow I am so confident in myself yet so insecure”. But it is such a human emotion. In the industry we hear more no’s than yes’ and you have to be careful to not let that affect you. I am eternally grateful that my inner circle is there to ground me and give me a reality check. Everyone’s paths are different and I am doing enough. Read More>>

Jake Albright

Smooth, in some respects, but mostly challenging. People love the speaker cart, and the community has been really supportive, but tea is not an easy sell. Loose leaf is still a foreign concept, and LA is very much a coffee town. When people think about tea, they think matcha, boba, herbal blends. Tea bags full of crumbs and artificial ingredients are the norm. This is the western concept of tea that I’m trying to break through. It’s proven extremely difficult, but I’m hopeful. Read More>>

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