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.
Kaloust Guedel
I am best known for founding the Excessivism movement, which critiques material excess and consumer culture, and for pioneering the use of vinyl as a painting medium. My work merges conceptual depth with visual impact, challenging perceptions and sparking dialogue about contemporary issues. An important milestone in my career was developing the Excessivist Manifesto and curating the inaugural Excessivist Initiative exhibition, which gained international recognition. What sets me apart is my commitment to breaking conventions and creating art that is both visually compelling and intellectually engaging. Read more>>
Darlene Trevino
In 2020, I realized a dream by opening Trevino Law Firm, where I strive to serve and uplift my community. As a mother of three, I understand the importance of family, and it motivates me to give back and connect with others. In my journey, I’ve learned that perseverance and compassion are powerful tools. Balancing my career, family, and community involvement is not always easy. Still, it’s a rewarding endeavor that reminds me that with hard work, hope, and a commitment to helping others, we can turn our trials into triumphs. Read more>>
Becky Castano
I am the first in my family of six to graduate from high school and pursue a graduate education. The path was far from easy—navigating private student loan debt and the high cost of living in Los Angeles while attending graduate school was a significant challenge. During my second year, I became pregnant with my first child, and just 18 months later, welcomed my third. Despite these life-changing events, I remained determined and became the first graduate student in my cohort to complete the program on time—within four years. Read more>>
Claudia Pieri Ruiz
buy a restaurant, a dream we had due to having experienced that prior coming to US. He asked me to send money to help. I worked tirelessly and sent him everything I could. Then one day, his mother called me—and the truth unraveled. He had spent all the money, was living with another woman, and she was pregnant. I was devastated. But I didn’t give up. I fought in court for two long years and eventually brought my son back home. That experience taught me the unstoppable strength of a mother’s love—it truly can move mountains. Read more>>
Siobhan Villalva
Siobhan fell in love with jewelry around 4th grade when she realized instead of buying ten things at Claire’s, she could save her money and buy one thing that would last forever from Tiffany’s. A girl that loves gift shops at hotels growing up at dance competitions all over. She is a local girl, born and raised in Ventura County, she enjoyed growing up on Silverstrand Beach, South Oxnard, Ventura and Thousand Oaks. Her great grandma owned a ranch in Thousand Oaks that the 101 freeway currently flows through the Hampshire exit and she is about as local as it gets! Read more>>
Kenny Gilmore
Most of my friends were into music as well and we would go to concerts and jam a lot. In my senior year of high school I joined Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. This opened up a whole new world of music and traveling for me. Right out of high school I started touring. We made records and toured the world. I did some other projects here and there, but it was pretty all encompassing and lasted about 10 years. I eventually started to feel burnt out on that lifestyle and wanted to have more stability, so I decided to stop touring and focus on producing and recording. I’ve been doing that ever since, and am mostly mixing these days, with occasional tracking sessions and touring doing live sound. Read more>>
Chukwudi Hodge
i’m definitely best known for my drumming even though i’ve been producing for just about as long. i’m most proud of my standing in the community around me, very happy that i maintain healthy relationships with the artists and friends whom i deeply care for and respect. maintenance of great foundational relationships is one of my highest priorities as an artist and businessman. i’m thankful that people i deeply respect reach out fir my opinion about art and culture, and i’ve worked hard to maintain my sense of taste and culture Read more>>
Rita Madozino
When I walked into my first nursing school class, I never imagined that one day I’d own one of the most trusted and loved medical spas in Encino. But my journey from clinical care to beauty entrepreneurship wasn’t a straight line — it was a winding path of hustle, heart, and hard-earned wisdom. Read more>>
Emily Lane
My style has somewhat changed since i started and i hope to see my style constantly change as i grow with my work. I do mainly black and grey work. I guess you could describe it as “illustrative” i can do a lot of fine line, and love using bold and traditional aspects in my drawings. Recently ive been trying to push flash with a “trippy psychedelic” vibe in a more American traditional influenced style. A lot of people come to me for florals and ornamental/ mandala designs which i dont think i will ever get tired of doing Read more>>
Fressia Ramos
As the months passed by, I realized my business was not being promoted enough. I decided to start posting my embroidery services on Facebook marketplace which helped my business to get more sales and promotion. This taught me to be patient, take it day by day and try to promote my business anywhere I go. Even though my business is not as big as I want, I have to keep pushing and manifest that one day it will be big enough to be my main source of income. I want to thank everyone who has supported me somehow. Read more>>
Alex Pugh
My biggest struggle was losing my job at Cartoon Network during COVID. It was tough because it was unexpected. I thought the show would have lasted longer, like most. It was tough to find work. I was lost most of the time and very depressed. I felt like I wasn’t good enough to work again, or I was lacking something. I even considered changing career paths because I wasn’t sure if this was my true calling anymore. Those three years were my hardest. Following COVID and the strikes, many of my friends in animation were feeling the same way. So, I knew I wasn’t alone. However, it was a struggle. I made it through with the help of so much love and support from my friends, family, and myself, and I rediscovered my passion. Read more>>
Julie Dove
I’ve also had multiple part-time “day jobs” along the way. It’s funny that we actors call them day jobs when most of mine have been during evening hours. Since I’ve been in Los Angeles I might have been your barista, your babysitter, your server at a fancy event, or I maybe even valet parked your car. I also own an editing business called ActorEditing.com and I create demo reels for actors. I booked my first professional acting job on the tv show <i>Happy Endings</i> in August 2011, and have been fortunate to have been booking steady acting work since then. Read more>>
Kristina Saleem
Overall, yes its been relatively smooth, just in terms of taking something that was a hobby and a passion and having the ability to grow organically and have people love what I make. But there have been a few bumps along the way. I have zero background in business. I love to bake and make things that bring joy to people but I loathe all the technical sides of running a business, it just doesn’t come naturally to me and since it is not something I am passionate about it is hard to find the motivation to spend the time to learn that aspect of this. Read more>>
Sheila Donohue
I felt a calling to become an entrepreneur, to do something innovative and to help small artisan based businesses. I realized that most of the wine and olive oil producers I knew, who are small, passionate farmers, were not yet present in the US. I decided to start a company, Vero, which curates authentic, farm-to-glass, wines and olive oils from around the world which are ripe for discovery. We sell to businesses & consumers across the US and are based in Ventura. You could say SoCal is our home, with the Los Angeles market, in particular, craving the products that we curate. Read more>>
Heidi Jarrett
After I met Linda, all I knew was that I wanted to share my love of dance with others. The part of me that always felt better after I danced, I wanted to help others tap into that. Although I had been choreographing dances for myself since I was young, I didn’t really know that choreography was a job, or that not every dancer choreographs. Once my eyes were open to that fact, my focus sharpened and there was no turning back. Read more>>
Michael Hartstein
Now, his canvases burst with the same joy, color, and creativity that once defined his remodels. Inspired by the natural world, Hartstein’s impressionistic oil paintings capture everything from sun-drenched coastlines to wildlife in quiet repose. His style is expressive, vibrant, and full of movement—an homage to California’s natural beauty and his lifelong passion for the outdoors. Read more>>
Maxi Witrak
I’m from Seattle, WA, where I grew up competing heavily on horseback. I had always wanted to try theater and school plays and such, but didn’t have the time with training. Ironically, showing horses gave me my first taste of putting on a show, and wanting to give a great performance. Years later when I had moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, a teacher suggested I try standup. I still remember her asking me, “do you have anything to say?” And in my head, I thought– honestly…no? But soon, with the way standup requires you to slow down and examine everything critically, I realized oh wow… I have a TON to say. Read more>>
Molly Smith
Making candles that could hold their own against a large market came naturally to me, but learning how to build a website, become a content creator, build partnerships with large corporations and venues, etc., all while navigating anxiety, depression, grief, (life!) has been a challenge to say the least. I tend to want to do all of these things perfectly, so accepting that I’m not going to get it right every time and I have to keep moving forward and keep growing is a tough pill to swallow. But being able to see the progress in all of these things and in myself makes it incredibly gratifying and motivating to keep going! Read more>>
Sergio Alonso
In January of 2001, Nati collaborated with the city of San Fernando to initiate the Mariachi Master Apprentice Program (MMAP), a community mariachi music education program for youth, and I was asked to form part of the instructional team. Later that summer, I accepted a music teaching position at San Fernando High School (SFHS), where I took over the mariachi program. 24 years and countless of beautiful experiences later, I am still a member of Mariachi Los Camperos and continue to teach in MMAP and SFHS. The most recent mariachi musical adventure for me is actually going back to school. I am currently a doctoral candidate at Boston University where my research is in community mariachi music education. Read more>>
Skyler Mulhearn
Like with anything new you start, whether it’s starting school, learning a new career, or even riding a bike there are always bumps along the way. Building a business takes time, patience, and flexibility, and there have definitely been moments where things didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped. From navigating permits and logistics to figuring out how to market something new and unique, it’s been a learning experience from day one. Read more>>
Vin Stratton
Working in a creative industry always poses its challenges. I was struggling to understand where I want to be in the photography industry or if I wanted to pursue something completely different. It was a struggle feeling like I was going into a very competitive scene and I wasn’t always confident about my work. But with time and experience I learned what I value both for what I make and what I do on set. Read more>>
Khushbu Dalsania
After my marriage, I moved to the United States. Incredibly, within my very first week here, I found a job teaching Indian dance at a Ballet studio. Teaching Indian classical dance in a new cultural environment revealed a major shift: unlike in India, where students are surrounded by these traditions daily, my students here—mostly South Asian Americans—had little exposure to this art form in their everyday lives. Read more>>
Eric Ballew
We are a photo booth company that specializes in creating unique experiences. Instead of just offering photos with cheap props, we cater to the client. We offer customized back drops, flower walls, custom made photo templates, unique photo props as well as high end decor. We focus on the aesthetics and the small details to make sure our clients are getting more than just a photobooth. Read more>>
Glenroy Brown
At 22, I took a leap and moved from New York to California with nothing guaranteed. The job I lined up fell through, but instead of giving up, I started building connections, putting up flyers, and creating my own opportunities. That grind led to my first big real estate deal—close to six figures—which opened the door to everything that followed. Read more>>
Nancy “Fang” Phang
My journey into the world of headwear started in a pretty unexpected way. Blindness runs in my family, and when I was in high school, doctors told me I could lose my vision completely by the time I turned 30. That news flipped a switch in me. I didn’t want to waste a moment of the time I could still see, so I started traveling—and traveling light. Read more>>
Allison Willett
I discovered the power of skincare when I was 20, but the journey began long before that. Growing up, I struggled with severe acne that left me feeling insecure and constantly searching for solutions. One day, desperate to try something—anything—I booked my first facial. I walked out of that treatment room knowing I had found my calling. I wanted to help others feel confident in their skin, just as I was learning to feel in mine. Read more>>
Sophie Achekian
Seeking something more meaningful, I enrolled in the four-year graduate program at Emperor’s College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Santa Monica. It was a true sink-or-swim few years for me: a full time, corporate job, evening classes, demanding coursework, and raising two young children. My older son was born halfway through the program, and my younger son arrived just days before graduation. In fact,, I took my very last final exam from the hospital. Read more>>
Diana Dray
At the same time, I’m working toward launching my own production company so I can help shape the kinds of stories I want to tell and create opportunities for others along the way. I’m currently in early development on several original projects. Especially now, as more productions are leaving the U.S. to film abroad, I believe it’s more important than ever to create and produce domestically, building community, infrastructure and space for new voices to thrive. Read more>>
Lilliana Castro
The lack of accessible, targeted care made it clear that there was a gap in the industry—one that left many individuals, like myself, without the support they needed. The dream of opening my own space felt out of reach, especially as I had to invest my own money to get started. It was a challenging journey, but my passion for scalp care and helping others pushed me forward. What once felt impossible is now a space where people can finally receive the care and relaxation they deserve. Read more>>
Ramiro Fauve
I started in print and TV ads when I was three. Later, on the East coast in my early teens, I trained in fine art, method acting, and opera—which led me into back to the West coast and into advertising, graphic design, illustration, paintings and mega-murals, scenic design, branding, themed entertainment, film and music production, um… and videos, albums, writing, sculpting, inventing—tapping every form of storytelling I could get my hands on. Read more>>
Taylor Jaye
Over time, I started doing hair on set, which opened doors for me to step back into modeling—this time with more experience, confidence, and a stronger sense of self. Today, I’ve been modeling full-time for about a year and a half and doing hair for nearly three years. Living in LA hasn’t always been easy, but stepping out on faith and starting my business allowed me to thrive in both industries I love. Read more>>
Wilmer Rivera
After Covid 19 I was let go and try to start my own bussiness. Years later after a Simple LinkedIn approach and conversation I knew Miller Mccoy from limitless MFG, we instantly clicked and match with his company needs and started a great relationship. I’ve gained lot of knowledge on branding and merchandising. I’ve also contribute with my knowledge on production operations management making this a hell of ride. Everyday we both limitless and I learn something new on production, development, sampling, fulfillment and other areas of the business. Read more>>
Angela Claffey
I opened the non proft sector of my business named Hungry Girl Ministries. We are in the process of getting Medical approved so we can help those who can not afford insurance and foster youth. We believe healing needs to be mind, body, and spirit. At 14 years old I was a suicide survivor due to a neighborhood boy came to find me when it was announced that I left a goodbye note and the police where trying to find me. He sat and talked to me until he gave me hope to walk back home together. I know God sent him and I survived for a reason and want to go after the person who is desperate to stop the pain and together we can find a way back to hope. Read more>>
Humberto Castaneda
Though his journey began in media, Humberto found his true calling in real estate — a career that allows him to merge communication, creativity, and service. Whether he’s working with first-time buyers or touring homes with unique architectural charm, Humberto brings unmatched attention to detail, genuine enthusiasm, and a passion for helping families unlock their dreams. He proudly serves North Hollywood, Valley Village, Studio City, and beyond. Read more>>
Hannah Barretto
My background is in corporate fashion—I spent over a decade in buying and merchandising, working with brands here in Los Angeles as well as a major national retailer. I absolutely loved what I was doing, so when I was laid off after having my second child, it was a tough moment. But it also pushed me to think creatively and tap into what I’ve always been passionate about: helping people feel confident in what they wear and how they present themselves. Read more>>
Alexis Harrington
In 2020, I graduated from Cal State University of Northridge with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology : Dance Option. In the middle of the pandemic I started to teach Heels training to Adults. 2021, started traveling across the west coast to south teaching classes giving my students knowledge and love through dance. 2022 I booked my first performance as choreographer and dancer for Jeremih. 2023 I booked my first tour with jeremih on 50 cent’s final lap tour. Im currently still dancing with jeremih and touring along with being director at the children studio Read more>>
Sophie Potrykus
A childhood of playing in orchestras and bands would later lead me to double majoring in Bass Performance and Film Scoring, where I was able to combine my love for music and film, and work with others who have the same passion. During my first year in Los Angeles, I worked as an Assistant Music Editor to Nick South on films such as Vacation Friends (2021) and He’s All That (2021), but I knew I wanted to continue playing bass as much as possible, and explore all the different facets of life I was interested in. Luckily, I moved to a city that embraced all the possibilities. Read more>>
Tim Secrest
From there I had a brief stint at the University of Vermont for 2 years, and majored in Theatre. Knowing that I wanted to further pursue lighting for specifically concerts and live entertainment, I then transferred to CalArts in 2016 and graduated from there in 2019 with a BFA in Lighting Design. I managed to get a few tours before COVID struck, but our industry was shut down more than a year. Once things open up, it was like the floodgates of touring opened up and there was so much work! After several years touring in different roles from Lighting Director, Special Effects Operator, Lighting Crew Chief, etc. I am now currently the Lighting Designer for Elvis Costello where I also program and operate his tours since the beginning of 2025. Read more>>
Amber Niswander
For years, Emily poured her energy into Education- studying at the University of Southern California and teaching elementary school for nearly 15 years. But Emily’s true calling always revolved around movement. From a young age, dance was her love language, and fitness her lifeline. She became a barre instructor after the birth of her first child, witnessing firsthand the transformative power a routine of movement can have on the body. Her dream for CELÉ Wellness was to create a space where women could truly embrace their bodies, offering a gym, three diverse fitness studios, and group classes that are not just challenging, but genuinely fun and energizing. Read more>>
Marisia Piert
My journey in developing my art started off when I was 6 coloring in Lisa Franks coloring books. I would color for hours until one day I wanted to make something of my own. At around 10 I watched my first anime series Naruto and I liked the art style and started drawing anime on old printer paper. with school pencils and 99cent store supplies. My love for anime developed over the years and i delved deeper in distinguishing my art style which is semi realistic. I took AP art and decided to study animation as my college career. I now teach freelance and am in the works of developing a visual novel. Read more>>
Austin Chase
Balancing it all got tougher as I got older. Between volleyball, high school jazz band, French class, and memorizing scripts, it was a lot. After landing a few voiceover jobs, I transitioned to partial homeschooling to avoid constantly missing class. At 16, I tested out of high school and took a short acting break to focus on college, where I earned a degree in New Media Journalism by the time I was 18. Read more>>
Jessica Hunter
I always loved anything creative, in the UK I went to art college. Moving to a new country can be a strange experience and being able to connect with other artists and customers at markets and events with my chocolates has helped me greatly feel more a part of the culture here. Read more>>
Chef Lisa Robinson
In 2020, needing to channel my creative and physical energy I started making jams, jellies and marmalades from locally sourced fruits found in Ojai, Carpinteria, Ventura, and Oxnard. What began as an effort to repurpose unused fruits evolved into LuLu Belle CA, my small-batch jam brand. Still, at the heart of my work is the intimate, immersive experience of being a private chef—designing soulful meals and special moments. Read more>>
Rebecca Masor
Another challenge: When I first began my training as a massage therapist, I found myself comparing my skill level to the more advanced students, and was left feeling incompetent. I didn’t understand at the time that, just because me and my classmates were all taking the same introductory course, it didn’t mean we all shared the same level of skill and experience. I had to learn to associate my development as its own unfolding, and not compare it’s process to those around me. Read more>>
Savannah Valdez
My business is all about creating delicious pastries with a playful twist on classic favorites. At the heart of what I do are my signature Messy Croissants—buttery, flaky, and filled with unique sweet or savory flavors. From bright and tangy lemon meringue and rich chocolate ganache to savory creations like roasted tomato mozzarella and Caprese croissant sandwiches, each one is designed to surprise and delight. Read more>>
Kristina Van Orden
To answer your second question aside from the financial stresses any of us small business owners face, for me the biggest struggle has been reconciling my love of yoga, fitness and athletics with marketing and the raw reality of the business world. The same concerns I had in corporate America permeate the wellness industry as well – business at the end of the day is business. I imagine it is the same experience an artist or musician has when they create something from deep inside and share it – you leave yourself open and vulnerable. But the yogi in me is working on embracing this too! Read more>>
Christopher Parnell
Previously, at 21, I hit rock bottom. Through that darkness, I found sobriety, meditation, and a second chance at life—a kind of rebirth. I immersed myself in healing and studied with various teachers. As I deepened in meditation and transformational work, I began offering energy and bodywork full-time. That path laid the foundation for the day I felt the potency of the Didgeridoo and fully dove into learning how to play proficiently—alongside learning the art of leading Sound Journeys. Allowing me to serve a wider audience and share the depth of where I went within that day. Read more>>
Asa Fris
I ended up attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas for a BFA in Theater and a BA in Psychology. After that, I found myself in Milwaukee as an acting apprentice, and a connection there brought me finally here to LA. I’ve been here for a little over a year now, and still have lots to learn about the industry, and the lifestyle, though I’m now very fond of North Hollywood and LA. Currently I’m involving myself in the theater scene here as much as possible, through working as an actor, director, assistant stage manager, and reviewer, and I was a lead in my first feature, an indie horror set to come out within the next year. Read more>>
Hung Chi Hsu
Looking ahead, I envision a future where AI systems seamlessly enhance character design from gaming, where 2D graphics naturally evolve into rich 3D animation, and where virtual environments become our primary shared spaces. In that world, environment artists won’t just dress a scene—we’ll be the architects of the 3D internet, shaping how people live, work, and connect in virtual realms. Read more>>
Misty Farber
I enjoy inspiring and leading the next generation of therapists and I am grateful for the fresh perspectives that they bring to the field. I have a naturally curious mind and a love of learning and enjoy seeking out new trainings in the field that provide evidence-based care. In the last few years, I have been trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) for treating trauma and anxiety and Gottman Training for couples therapy. My private practice has grown over the past five years, and I now see clients that are teens and adults and couples for therapy each week. Read more>>
Alireza Bidar
Working in the commercial industry also came with its own set of difficulties, the hours were often long and intense, with tight deadlines and constant pressure. Then came the cultural challenges. Moving to Singapore was a big shock for me culturally. Every time I moved, whether to a new country or even just a new city, it felt like starting over. Each move came with emotional, financial, and professional setbacks, and rebuilding took time. Read more>>
Lorena Bravo
I am now actually working on an online version of my school to be able to reach people who might not have access to dance studios in their area. It can also be helpful to folks who are on a tight budget, but still want to include the transition of the first dance at their wedding and would like to look and feel comfortable on the floor. I now get to work on a little bit of everything! I still get flown around to work with competitors, but I have a special place in my heart for those couples that experience partner dancing for the first time in preparation for their wedding. They are the type of student I spend the most time with. Read more>>
Vira Bushta
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting over in a new country comes with many challenges — emotionally, professionally, and practically. One of the first struggles was understanding how the beauty industry works in the U.S. Unlike in Ukraine, where my experience spoke for itself, here I had to go through a completely new process to become licensed. It was complicated, unfamiliar, and filled with paperwork I wasn’t used to. Read more>>
Ashley
What didn’t come quite so naturally was the business side of things. My background has mostly been in corporate environments, so stepping into entrepreneurship—learning how to market myself, show up on social media, and constantly put my work out there—was a whole new world. There have been moments of real discouragement. I’ve had art shows where I didn’t sell a single piece. I’ve hosted tea workshops where no one showed up. Read more>>
Andrea Arias
One unique part of the practice is our work with athletes and high performers. As an athlete myself, I deeply understand the mindset of pushing past limits—ignoring signals from the body to meet a goal or break through resistance. It’s an incredibly creative survival mechanism. But what got you here, won’t always get you where you want to go next. Therapy offers space to begin listening to the body again—healing in ways logic alone can’t reach. Read more>>
Letizia Baker
Lucky for me, my mom was a singer, which meant I had access to all her makeup when she’d leave for gigs. I’d sneak into her room and try to recreate the looks I saw in ’90s magazines, back when supermodels ruled the beauty world. I started reading the editorial credits and recognizing names like Laura Mercier, Kevyn Aucoin, Sonia Kashuk, and Pat McGrath. Those were my beauty idols before I even understood what a makeup artist really did. Read more>>
Richard Miyake
I’ve developed my own visual style when it comes to photography and editing, every photo and video is intentional, shaped by how I see the product or moment through my eyes. I can explain exactly what I saw, how I captured it, and why. I also create dynamic videos, including still photo sequences, in a unique way that adds texture and personality to each post. All of this transfers to food and travel as well…every picture tells a story. Read more>>
Jackie Lapin
I got hooked on history in the 4th grade when they took our class to one of the California Missions. I minored in California History at USC while getting my journalism degree. Shortly after graduation, I experienced my first Caribbean Cruise, and I loved capturing the amazing beauty and historic sites we visited. And after starting my career, I started finding relaxation and escape in historic novels, history books and biographies. It wasn’t long before photographing historic localities became my secret passion, and I made a point to jump on a plane at least once or twice a year for a few weeks of exploring. Read more>>
Sarah Rose Nelson
My photography origins are still so vivid: I grew up in Wisconsin. The summer I turned 10, (the year was 2004 & the band Taking Back Sunday was playing in my Walkman) my cousin let me take analog photos on her Nikon FM2 at our family’s cabin. It was such a definitive moment. When the photos were developed, I didn’t realize how a single picture could signify such nostalgia. The action of taking a photo, then holding the photo in your hand weeks later held such visceral meaning to me. It made me feel emotional and proud. How you could physically articulate a once present moment in time as both a viewer and creator. After that, I was hooked. Read more>>
Natalie Iturbe Jackson
I started my career at a small event planning company in Agoura Hills, where I learned a lot about the administrative side of event planning. When the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis hit, the company took a big hit as many of their clients were in that field. As the company leadership navigated these huge economic changes, I saw how money was prioritized over people, and how poorly the people who physically made the events happen were treated. I left soon after, embarking in a nine month self discovery era. Read more>>
Destiny Rivera-Gomez
I am the daughter of Hector Rivera and Cecilia Gomez, the youngest of nine. But I was raised by a woman named Diana, who took me in at 11 months and raised me as her own. My mother has passed away from an overdose and my father was deported shortly after for his undocumented status. I grew up in the City of Pomona, where I continue to live and organize in. I am the Arts and Culture Organizer for a non-profit known as Gente Organizada/People Organized. Read more>>
Barbara Kris
I knew I didn’t want to go back, but running a business, learning tech, marketing, creating content, it was like learning a whole new language. Add to that the challenge of stepping into a new identity as a coach, and yes, I struggled with confidence, especially in those early years. Read more>>
