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.
Roshonda Payne
Starting over was easy when I was younger, but this time I was a little nervous about finding a new career and beginning again at my age. But after taking some time to pray and focusing on the positive things I’ve accomplished in my life so far, I decided to pursue a new career that would allow me to be creative, my own boss and to help women to look and feel better about themselves; so I enrolled in cosmetology school. And within the last 6 months, I have become a licensed cosmetologist, owner of a hair studio and luxury hair extensions brand. Read more>>
Adi Glover
I went on to study marketing and management at university in Miami and ended up staying there for about 10 years. I got my first corporate job before I even graduated. But by 2019, I started to feel unfulfilled. I found myself pulled back into entertainment. At the time, my girlfriend and best friend were both models, and as I watched them get booked for gigs, I realized I could do it too—not as a model, but behind the scenes. I was surrounded by models and creatives, and I had the business background, so I started Panorama Entertainment LLC—booking talent for music videos, commercials, throwing parties, and creating content. Read more>>
Kelly Yvonne
I am an award-winning Pole Dance Choreographer creating content for various Live and Digital Media platforms. I was nominated for the Best Choreography award at MTV’s 2019 Video Music Awards (VMAs) for choreographing FKA Twig’s Cellophane music video. I also choreographed Lil Nas X’s Montero music video, the viral sensation known for its dynamic pole and lap dance sequences. This video was awarded Video of the Year at the 2021 VMAs. Read more>>
Roscoe Bellamy
It wasn’t until 2023 — just as I was about to put my rackets down for good — that I discovered pickleball. I had heard about the sport’s growing popularity but never seriously considered playing it myself. However, seeing so many former tennis players making the switch, I decided to give it a shot. After some thought, I entered an amateur event called The Pickleball Slam. My partner and I ended up winning the tournament, which earned us the incredible opportunity to play a match against legends Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick. That weekend was truly special and solidified my decision to fully commit to pickleball. Read more>>
Aaron Mostow
The road was definitely not smooth, but the twists and turns made for one exciting drive. One of my biggest challenges has been managing an overflow of ideas—learning to prioritize the ones with the greatest potential to execute. Like many artists, I’ve wrestled with the uncertainty—the hope of breaking through, and the determination to rise above. Read more>>
Debbie Es-Haghian
After I graduated the job market was terrible. So I found another internship in the school listings with an event planner, Ryan Larson of Savoir Flair Events. I remember it so well because Ryan was hesitant to give me the internship, concerned that as a graduate, I would leave as soon as I found a paid job. But I assured her something about the job description clicked for me and I was eager to learn from her. It sounded and felt like everything I was meant to be! Read more>>
Manya Aggarwal
I started dancing as a kid. Wherever I heard music, I would end up bouncing to the beat. It was my natural response to it and that is when my mom saw something in me and then put me in dance classes. Ever since, the rest has been history and my passion for dance opened many doors. Now I have a BFA in Dance Performance and I even booked my first national dance tour. Read more>>
Cameron Thrower
While filmmaking and screenwriting are my main passions, photography keeps me grounded. That’s where CamGlammed Photography comes in. Photography allows me to slow down and capture people differently. It’s not just about creating beautiful images— it’s about telling a story in a single frame. Whether through film or photography, my goal has always been to capture raw emotion and authenticity. Read more>>
Finneas Moore
Based on that original “pitch,” Vidjay hired me to do virtual midi orchestration for a film, Panda Bear in Africa, and now for Superkitties and Minnie’s Bow Toons. I now work on those shows, as well as doing short films mostly from Savannah College of Art and Design and Ringling College of Art and Design, as well as music for some children’s books, and performing violin with orchestras such as the Redlands Symphony and LAFCI Studio orchestra. I also teach some violin. I am enjoying LA with my girlfriend Sarah, a nurse at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and am looking forward to the future. Read more>>
Aries Marie
I started modeling back in 2018—not because I saw it as a career at the time, but because I was trying to find something that made me feel seen. That same search for identity led me to pick up a camera in 2019. I didn’t know it then, but that moment would change my life. I was just trying to find something for me—to figure out who I was outside of survival. Growing up in South Central LA and Maywood, that’s what it was: survival. But I wanted more. I needed to live for something. Read more>>
BRANDON ALLEN
The valley is a different place. Society has changed and people want a way different perspective. How the life is viewed and what the people require to stay in Locations. Moved to the Valley from Los Angeles. Music and Art has been a focus of my Career. Through live has its tough moments. Where we may lose focus on ourselves and others. Art is the combination of Life Moments through a lens of a memory. The key importance of memories that distinctly stay in your mind memories. Read more>>
Leica Palma
Now I’m a licensed esthetician and the owner of Simply Facials in Thousand Oaks, CA. I specialize in custom facials, chemical peels, and helping clients create simple, effective home skincare routines. I opened the studio just a few months ago, and the growth has been more than I imagined. It’s been a mix of excitement and a lot of hard work, but I just keep showing up and learning every day. Read more>>
Anina Net
Then came my pivot into technology. I used it to accelerate my success in the fashion industry through social media, eventually becoming a leading voice in fashion tech. This led me to speak on some of the biggest global technology stages, where I unknowingly honed my storytelling abilities—a skill that would later become invaluable in my acting career. Read more>>
Jillian Giannini
While at USC, I worked with the athletic department, supporting the football and women’s tennis teams between 2011 and 2012. That hands-on experience with athletic trainers and physical therapists really solidified my passion for the field. After graduating, I applied to physical therapy school—but it wasn’t an easy path. It took me three application cycles to be accepted. Despite the many applications I submitted, I was admitted to one program: Cal State Northridge (heck yeah! haha). And I’m so thankful—that program was exactly where I needed to be. It was there that I was first introduced to the world of pelvic health physical therapy. Read more>>
Lakesshia Pierre-Colon
I was born & raise in a poor area of Montreal called “Montréal-nord”. At the time this neighborhood was very dangerous, a lot of drugs, prostitution and violence was happening. I couldn’t go outside for to long because there was always a fight where the cops would have to be involve…I always had a lot of energy, if it wasn’t sports, it was dance and if it wasn’t dance it was music. I use to watch BET & MTV and learn all the moves from artists like Micheal Jackson, Janet Jackson, Missy Elliot, Aaliyah, Ciara, Usher, Chris Brown, Omarion, Neyo, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears & more! Read more>>
Jennifer
The seeds were planted early in my childhood that eventually led to my journey of becoming a midwife. My mother was a Lamaze instructor and taught childbirth classes in our home, which inspired my infatuation around pregnancy and childbirth at a young age. As the eldest of four siblings and 16 grandchildren, I was surrounded by babies, which helped to normalize the birthing process. When my husband and I decided to start our own family, we were eager to learn all we could about pregnancy and childbirth. We enthusiastically read books and took childbirth classes to prepare. I was thrilled to have unmedicated births supported by a wonderful doula, and we welcomed our boys into the world in 2004 and 2006. Read more>>
ERIK-G
After that, I continued my music education into college (CSUN) where I got a degree in music education. All the while, I was hustling to play gigs and trying to make a name for myself as a working professional musician. I played everywhere I could, in any genre I could. From the most seedy bars, to big music festivals, to churches, weddings, corporate events, and everything in between. Pop, Rock, R&B, Hip Hop, Urban, Gospel, Funk, Reggae, Country, Brazilian, Latin, Jazz, Salsa, Reggaeton, EDM, Musicals, you name it. Read more>>
Kent Burns
Although, similar to their own personal journey, they wanted to craft their own life for them. As they came to align with their true non-binary self, they realized the stories they saw around them in theatre, film, and television did not look like them. If it came somewhat close, it was in a minor moment or side gag. So, they took charge and started on their path to be the change they wanted to see in the world. Kent went back to school at UCLA Extension and was mentored by top industry professionals as they earned their Certificate of Business and Management of Entertainment with Distinction. Their goal was to have the skills to become a part of teams that foster inclusion, dive deep into captivating worlds, and bring that extra magic that pushes storytelling forward. Read more>>
Mariana Barajas
After graduating, I went on to get my Master’s in Counseling at LMU. That’s where I was first exposed to the idea of working for yourself. Some of my professors had private practices, and I remember thinking—that sounds incredible. After earning my degree, I started working at a nonprofit. It felt familiar and meaningful; I was offering bilingual counseling and felt a real sense of connection with everyone in this environment. The only problem? The pay was low. I was living paycheck to paycheck, with little savings and even less knowledge about retirement. Read more>>
Beth Alcala
In High School I started getting more focused on my art. I tended to sketch during most of my classes, which would sometimes negatively reflect my grades. Whenever I would go out, I would normally carry a sketch book around in case I felt inspired, or board, which was a lot of the time. I started developing insomnia so I would spend most nights up drawing till 3 or 4 in the morning. I also did the makeup for my High Schools VMA production of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Even though I spent most of my time focusing on art, I was somehow able to attract my future husband, Andrew, who became yet another large distraction from my schooling. Despite all of that, I was somehow able to graduate, and on honor roll in 2002. Read more>>
Jovian Deadees
I started college studying Electrical Engineering but ran out of money after a year and a half and needed to find work. Because I had such a strong background in Mechanics, Science and Art I ultimately was able to work my way into an entry level position at Revlon Cosmetics. My skills took me from there. Ultimately in that industry I became a Chemist/Engineer and have worked on many products for numerous companies over the years. It’s not a boast to say many of your readers have probably worn something that I’ve worked on. Read more>>
Zachary Merian
You can find me making a fool of myself on Wafellow’s channel, and in TheEscapePodPodcast’s videos, if you’re looking for a good laugh. I also have recently been creating scripts. Something that is very new to me, but has been so exhilarating. My head is always in “fantasy land”, as I’m constantly creating stories and worlds in my mind. I’ve greatly enjoyed putting them down in script form, and would love for one day to see one of these stories come to life. As you can tell I am consistently bopping around feeding my interests, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t know what will end up sticking, but I’m very curious to find out. Read more>>
Ray Carsillo
I again co-hosted my own sports show on campus and graduated from Montclair State Cum Laude. I ended up interning at 95.5 WPLJ-FM, at the time a Top 40 radio station in NYC, as part of the Scott & Todd in the Morning show. While it wasn’t sports, the station was broadcast out of Madison Square Garden and also shared a floor with nearby ESPN Radio. The internship turned into my first job, but then WPLJ, which was owned by Disney at the time, was being sold. Fortunately, I had made enough friends at neighboring ESPN Radio that when the deal went through, I got to move over to ESPN Radio as a Technical Producer/Board Operator and left 95.5 WPLJ behind. Read more>>
Veronica Warner
And not in a sleazy sense. But types of roles, types of jobs, working with types of people that I am not interested in pursuing even if it could mean progress. Which is not to say that desperate times don’t call for desperate measures in the distant past (like game show audience work) or that I am overwhelmingly proud of every single thing I’ve ever worked on, but I am grateful that the path I chose brought me to a place where I can continue to do what makes sense to me and to smooth out the ride more and more. Read more>>
Paul Matelski
Towards the latter part of high school, it came time to decide where to go for college. The guitarist in the band I was in at the time mentioned how the guys in Dream Theater – a band I was obsessed with at the time – had all gone to Berklee College of Music. Literally in that moment, I became solely focused on going there. It sounds cliche but it really became my entire life’s focus and I was unwavering in my commitment to learning what it would take to get in Read more>>
Trisha Fey E
After high school, I attended a private Christian university and earned a degree in social work. My early career focused on domestic and sexual violence advocacy, as well as grassroots activism in Portland, supporting women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the Filipino community. During this time, dance and art were not in the background. I was also married at the time, and my then-partner and I worked closely together in activism. During our first year of marriage, I considered returning to dance and even reached out to a university dance department to ask if it was possible to start professionally at 22. Their response—”At 22, it would be hard to start dancing professionally”—discouraged me. Read more>>
Roberto Quezada
Not a smooth road, getting clients , starting from nothing , building a brand was no easy thing. Addiction / alcohol / drugs & how the past always tried to bring me down. Finding artists that stuck with me was also very hard , making ends meet was difficult , having a young daughter and picking her up & dropping her off over an hr and half away every weekend with a custody battle was a heavy weight on shoulders .i went back to prison at one point and had to try and manage my studio from inside the concrete walls, & almost lost it all. Present time now I am a full time caregiver to my partner (early-onset Alzheimer’s disease) and trying to juggle everything I have on my plate can definitely take a toll on you mentally, physically & emotionally. Read more>>
Kelly LeBlanc
Walking in your purpose is never a smooth road. You are supposed to face failures, struggles and obstacles but it’s how you pick yourself up, navigate through and around those challenges that help build your character. The biggest struggle is funding your dream because not everyone will believe in your startup. And the few people who do believe in you are usually not rolling in a lot of dough that they can invest. A lot of people wait until you’re successful to jump on board supporting you so I would say that for me the biggest challenge is finding the right people to stick by you along the way. Read more>>
Zach Noel
It was inspired by a guitar part Tamara brought in at a morning band practice based on in her own words ‘pure raw emotion’ as she had just experienced a serious breakup, while its title was inspired by the tiki bar-crawl themed birthday that had been thrown for Jack the night before. It’s lyrics I had written stream of consciousness with Jack in his apartment; a bricolage inspired by Tamara’s breakup, reading climate reports about the future, and contemplating the idea of who can you turn to or count on when the world falls apart. Read more>>
Sarah Siegel-Kolodziejski
Southern California has been the perfect backdrop for our events, with the goal of taking this nationally. There’s something magical about bringing people together in this inclusive space where we can celebrate an alcohol-free lifestyle without judgment. That’s what makes Pure Clarity special—we welcome everyone, whether you’re taking a day off drinking, doing a month-long challenge, or committed to a lifetime without alcohol. It’s all about mindfulness and finding what truly works for you.” Read more>>
Scott Alan Moffitt
Post-college, I moved to Los Angeles, where I’ve been chasing the acting dream ever since…and that’s not something that will ever go away. But after a few years, it was important that I find a way to make a living while remaining creatively fulfilled. For a few years I worked at a wonderful acting school called Young Actors Space. Patrick Day, who was my boss and mentor there, allowed me to serve as the in-house dialect coach during my time there, which has since blossomed into a full-time career. Read more>>
Arian Behboodi
One day we found our dream location (again skipping agonizing details) and the story began. Build out was quite arduous since we were entering an empty shell and a new building. We wanted to be intentional about our space, maximizing for space and efficiency. Inspired by french kitchens we made a three tier counter system which allows for less back and forth between baristas creating stations for each positions, and also allowing us to expo our craft to patrons sitting at the bar or waiting for their drinks. We also needed to optimize for our floor plan which was shaped quite awkwardly. Read more>>
Nancy Pesic
So, one day, a friend of mine who worked at the front desk of a hotel asked me to help him fill out his application for a U.S. Green Card. I thought, “Why not?” and went down to the hotel to help him. While I was there, we also helped another friend fill out his application. As I was about to leave, my friend, Marko, turned to me and said, “You’re not going to apply for you?” I laughed it off, saying, “Nah, not interested.” But Marko wasn’t having it. He turned it into some sort of contest: “Let’s see who gets it and who doesn’t.” I agreed, mostly because I couldn’t resist the challenge. Read more>>
Eugene Kim
I quit piano lessons in 2nd grade and that would’ve been the end of my story if my mom didn’t convince me to go to an instrument “petting zoo” in 5th grade. I tried all the band instruments and couldn’t make a sound on a single one except for the clarinet, so that’s the one I chose (with a shrug). I was in band for fun, and didn’t practice until I barely made the district honor band as 14th chair in 7th grade. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by musicians my age that were all better than me and I realized I had been a big fish in a small pond. Read more>>
Harmony Dust
The summer my mom left, I also began a friendship with a boy from my neighborhood. When he was around, I didn’t have to worry about stealing because he would buy us food. Wise to the streets with several older siblings in “the life”, he made me feel protected in our gang-ridden neighborhood. I became deeply attached to him in what I now know is a trauma bond. Read more>>
John Rheaume
I’ve heard so many life stories and painful confessions. For some reason I have that houndog face that people feel they can tell their troubles to without being judged. I saw firsthand the struggles and suffering that people face silently every day. Eventually I was given the nickname Yoda which morphed into Yoda O. G. I met many patrons who were suicidal, telling me to my face they were going back to their apartment to kill themselves. Talking them out of it wasn’t easy. Mostly you just have to listen. Fortunately they are all still here. Read more>>
Elizabeth Gutierrez
I founded this nonprofit organization because I personally understand what it means to be in need of support. When I was pregnant with my first child, I was a college student in a single-income household, and I struggled to find free resources for my family. Unfortunately, many of the available programs had eligibility requirements that we did not meet. I promised myself that once I graduated and my child was born, I would give back to my community by sharing the items my baby outgrew with other families in need. Read more>>
Laurence Bee
What sets me apart from other engineers is that I like to fuse genres. Also, when you step on the booth you’re already in the vibe you need to be. I listen to the record before we start to adjust the sonics to your voice. Brand wise I’m proud that I’m someone who’s creates in a way that lets the artist be themselves when they record. It’s the little things artist do that they’re not aware of. As an engineer it’s my job to catch that. Everything that I’ve listed before is what I offer to all artist. Read more>>
Eliza Glants
From a young age, my life was enriched by the dual practices of professional martial arts and traditional Armenian dance. Guided by my father, my karate coach, I honed my skills in martial arts, taking in its principles of focus and self-discipline. Simultaneously, my beloved grandfather, my dance instructor, introduced me to the world of dance, cultivating a passion for movement, grace, and emotions. This unique blend of physical disciplines not only enriched my childhood but also instilled in me an appreciation for dedication, hard work and commitment required in both karate and dance. Read more>>
Scot Little Bihlman
I have also been working under the name “Little Bilhman” and released “The Legend of Hipster Billings” with Metalville Records. Recently, I had three of my songs featured in the Amazon Prime hit TV show “Cross.” As a teacher and educator, I have published a book titled “Total Blues Drummer” with Alfred Publishing, and coming soon, a memoir called “Zen Tones,” with Books We Love Publishing. As a SAG member, I have done commercials, and print ad work with Harley-Davidson and Ducati to name a few. Read more>>
Lindsay Bushman
Pilates On Demand with Lindsay is an online fitness platform and YouTube channel where I offer real-time home workout videos in different fields of fitness like pilates, yoga, rebounder, strength training, mobility & more. One of my favorite things is sequencing the workout routines in my youtube videos – to me that is my art. My style is all about creative verbal cues with no background music — so people can really tune into their bodies and feel every move. I attract clients who want to go deeper, who want to understand and connect with their workouts, not just go through the motions. Read more>>
Adam Claus
Most people assume we just click a button on a camera, then print a photo. Behind the scenes, however, there’s a ton of work that goes into creating both a unique experience and custom artwork for each client. While our clients don’t see that, we’re always thrilled when they are blown away by the special touches we do to make their time with us memorable, not to mention the final portrait they hang on their wall. All of the stress gets washed away when we see a client react to our artwork. You can tolerate a lot when the reward is getting to create artwork that people love. Read more>>
Berlanti Azhak
We wanted to start a new kind of event company that handled both Venue Management and Event Planning and Production. Our goal was to offer specialized private estate event planning to our couples and venue management for our estate owners. We utilizing the knowledge and experience acquired from both divisions to help grow in ways our competitors could not. Read more>>
Ritch Esra
In 1992, I founded The Music Business Registry (www.musicregistry.com), a groundbreaking company that revolutionized the way industry professionals connect and communicate. Now approaching its 33rd anniversary in September 2025, the Registry remains the premier source for up-to-date contact information across all sectors of the music business. This indispensable resource continues to empower thousands of artists, executives, and industry insiders by facilitating vital connections and advancing careers. In addition to the Registry, I also publish SCORE, a leading weekly music business newsletter that curates and delivers 12 of the most significant industry news stories that professionals may have missed. Read more>>
Elior Antwi
I grew up in Tel-Aviv, Israel. I started making beats at 16. Since I didn’t know any rappers I could work with, I started rapping and releasing my own music. That’s how I made a name for myself in the Tel Aviv rap scene and started producing for other rappers in Israel. Me and the rappers I’ve worked with had a big part in shaping the sound of Israeli hiphop since it wasn’t really a thing before we started doing it, At 26, almost two years ago, I moved to LA to pursue bigger opportunities since I felt I had hit a glass ceiling back home. I barely knew anyone here, and it was hard and lonely for me at first, but now, I work with all sorts of artists here in LA and collaborate with amazing producers and writers I have met along the way. Read more>>
Daphne Bryant
Ever since I was little I’ve loved writing and reading, and I ended up going to Emerson College for Creative Writing. While I was there I got involved in a bunch of different organizations, but ultimately fell in love with print magazines and editorial. My junior year I got the impulsive idea to make my own, independent zine, something super whimsical and DIY, something that felt like an extension of my brain and the things that I adore. That was Dreamworldgirl! Now I live in Los Angeles, where I’m building our West Coast branch and working to form community that feels both genuine and spontaneous <3 Read more>>
Laurie Adachi
Probably the biggest struggle was learning how to be a business owner. I’m still learning. Another challenge was the pandemic. I had to close the offices, though I and the other therapists in the office were able to work remotely using teletherapy services. I took many trainings during that time to learn how to administer remote assessments, but in the end, I didn’t feel a remote assessment was as strong as in-person testing. So after a few months, I opened my office, with necessary precautions (though not interferences), in order to provide in-person testing. I have been blessed to be able to keep business thriving. Read more>>
Isabela Santos
My fondest childhood memories are of watching TV and movies. I accidentally learned English at 12 just by watching too much subtitled American TV. Looking back, I realize I was a pretty lonely kid growing up in a very complicated environment. I was always the top student without trying too hard, so people had big expectations about what I’d do with my life. At 15, I realized I could make a career in entertainment and never looked back. Read more>>
Hannah Hueston
During this time, I met a boy, ran off to do a couple of years on ships to follow him, was in a pretty bad situation, and I lost sight of myself and what I wanted while being treated poorly. Got my heart broken, of course, but it sent me in the direction of The Empire Strips Back; a Star Wars Parody Burlesque Show. Yes, it is as crazy as it sounds. Being a part of that show healed me during this time of feeling lost. They gave me a purpose again while doing something I loved. It made me realize, anything was possible for me. Read more>>
Madison Mills
As time has progressed, I have become more invested in holistic methods of healing. I am on the road to becoming a 500 hour Certified Yoga Teacher this year as I complete my 300HR-RYT journey. I currently offer several services through Happy Healing including 1:1 yoga sessions, group classes and events in local spaces, hand made aromatherapy Florida Water spray, locally sourced crystals, and more. Recently, I have been exploring hosting pop-up in-person yoga classes & healing circles in outdoor LA spaces around the city. Follow me on instagram (@happyhealingmomma) to keep updated with where I will be hosting my next event! Read more>>
Patrick
In high school, I was still just an obsessive music enthusiast, unsure of how to break into the industry but certain that music had to be a part of my life. Everything shifted after I moved to Sacramento. At the age of 19, on a visit to Lancaster, I attended a party and was surprised to see a good friend of mine DJing. Shoutout to Isaiah Blueford. The energy in the room was electric. People were dancing on countertops, the building was packed, and the vibe was unforgettable. Seeing him control the crowd, setting the mood and tempo of the night, sparked something deep inside me. Read more>>
Michael Rubke
Right now, my primary focus is on growing this venture organically, understanding that it may take a few years to truly take off. Whether it’s inspiring others by showcasing certain products or collaborating with clients to transform a space, my goal is to connect with people who have a passion for home design or are simply looking for creative ideas and practical tips for their own projects. And in this age of social media, the sky’s the limit when it comes to connecting with a vast audience and expanding your reach. Read more>>
Cathy Koo
As a commercial producer and event planner, it is very important to guide the needs of the client and coordinate the conditions that can be achieved on site. I am very lucky. In my past work, there were many unforeseen challenges that happened, but my team and I were able to solve the various emergencies in the end. In addition to my personal ability, the help of my teammates is also indispensable. Read more>>
Dion York Foley
Being evenly left and right brained, I struggled to identify my path in life. I always felt like I was being tugged between pursuing business and being a creative. Those closest to me urged me to be a Doctor or a lawyer to avoid the struggles they went through. I was encouraged to live a creative life, making art and music, just not professionally. First I was pre-med, Doctor’s get all the babes they said. Later, while studying to be an entertainment lawyer, I found myself on a film set with my sister, an actress. I was immediately drawn to filmmaking like flies to honey. I soon took up an internship with a local production company to learn the ropes and pay my dues. A short time later I was hired on full time and ended up working on 5 films that year. It was trial by fire, and I never looked back. Read more>>
Shana Azad
When started, I had no background in fashion—I just wanted to create. I taught myself (with a lot of help from my mom): from sourcing fabric to working with dye houses, dealing with delays, production errors, and miscommunication. It was a lot of trial and error, long nights, tears, and endless drives across Los Angeles trying to pull it all together. Those moments test you, but they also help Read more>>
Amani A.k.a Aurora Minter
She made medicine out of food and soulful prayers of devotion to having each and every meal be both highly nourishing and supremely tasty. I was raised in a world where spirit was tangible… in the food that nourished our bellies, in our tea, in our hands.. She always told me I had healing hands, and would squeeze every foot massage she could out of me. And movement… my mother supported me in the performing arts throughout my early years. And I’ve been dancing and performing since I could walk, putting on living room shows with all the drama and flair I could muster. Read more>>
Yessenia Sánchez
When I was in high school I thought I wanted to be an animator because I loved to draw, but when I took a multimedia class my junior year I realized I enjoyed all aspects of filmmaking, live action and animation alike. My passion for post production grew as I continued my education, and towards the end of my time at Pratt Institute I knew I wanted to purse editing more intently. So I seeked mentorship from my amazing editing professor, Sewra Kidane, who helped me find my first gig as an Assistant Editor on a John Hardy commercial. Read more>>
Dominic Parker
I played with Sound Curfew and another band called .XOM throughout my teenage years. I learned so much from working in both of those bands. Those are warm, vintage years in my mind. Eventually I felt compelled to try my hand at creating material on my own, exploring sounds, styles, and production techniques both familiar and foreign to me with my producer Diego Hodge at his studio Valley Crest Recording. The album that materialized is called Translucence, released in that tumultuous year 2020, and was my first under the banner The Sympathy Of All Things. Five years have passed and in that time I have created my sophomore record titled: AMARGI, set for release on August 1st, 2025. Read more>>
Odile Corso
A community of creative women began to form. With my background in marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and nearly 40 years of modeling around the world in the fashion industry, I created a platform to showcase these amazing, talented women and their creations. The name, ‘MarVia’, I created with my two daughters’ names: Marlena and Olivia, matched together. They, too, have been an integral part in this beautiful endeavor, which, now, going into our second year, continues to thrive and inspire. Read more>>
Angela Landeros
When I started massage school I did not know I would be challenged with my own body. I knew that I had tight muscles and a problem with my left leg but I blamed it on having hip surgery in 2007. I learned how to use the foam roller to do self-massage to help my body feel a little better so that I could continue to help others. I even developed a percussion massage tool that I use on myself and clients. Read more>>
Matt O’Neill
Well, like with all of us, it’s a very long story. I’ll summarize much of it. I can trace it back to when the daycare babysitter called my mom, freaked out because she didn’t realize I was recreating George Washington chopping down the cherry tree when I was whacking a tree with a stick or when I was crawling around the yard with my ear to the ground mimicking the way robins listen for earthworms. Or when I would put together entire “shows” using household appliances while portraying multiple characters, or my love for my view master, etc. Typical kid stuff, though my infatuation took it to another level. Read more>>
Ali Valentine
I like to think of myself as a poet and vocalist. While I dabble in a few other instruments, my true strength lies in writing songs and singing. I’m my own toughest critic, but that’s what keeps me sharp. My cultural background, alongside my operatic training, gives my voice a unique quality that I believe sets me apart from others in the same space. My voice is my signature, and I hope one day it’ll stand alongside the greats like Freddie Mercury, Chris Cornell, Don Henley, and Chris Stapleton. Read more>>
Vaia
In search of better prospects, I relocated to Los Angeles, only to discover that many productions had moved to other states. This transition meant starting from scratch—securing my SAG card and establishing a new network of connections in a highly competitive environment. It was a long and challenging process. I continued to train and network and spent a year doing background work before finally landing my SAG card through a National commercial that called for an Olympic-level boxer, which aligned perfectly with my background. Read more>>
