Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?

Those of us who were lucky to have someone see something in us long before we saw it in ourselves know how impactful it can be. We are thrilled to highlight some of those stories and honor some of the OG heroes.

Marcus Peterson

Jesus Christ, honestly I love how and it has been very intriguing as I get older, I continue to ‘learn to unlearn’. God places me in the right spaces and environments at the right time to help me create and discover the purpose he has for me on this earth. Read more>>

Suzanne Allison

My husband said… “one day you will run a pet rescue because you love animals so much. He was right. I just sorta found my calling. Read more>>

Andrew Braggins

Definitely my wife, Alyssa. She has been more supportive of me than I am of myself. We met in 2007 and got married in 2015 so she’s been in my life for awhile and continues to encourage the potential she sees in me every single day, even on the days I don’t realize it’s there. Read more>>

Chuck Haddad

My good friend and confidant Ben Halem thought me many things about the exotic car market. The good the bad and the ugly. He gave me the game when it comes to car sharing. He’s the king of his industry and saw potential in me. He’s also the co host of Cash, Cars and Superstars now streaming on all major podcast networks. Read more>>

Alexandro Rivera

Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a curious, observant kid with big dreams and a heart full of hope. I was the boy riding my bike through the dusty fields in the Central Valley, watching my parents work tirelessly under the sun and rain, not fully understanding the weight they carried—but somehow feeling it. Read more>>

Brian Hoang

My wife. Connecting back to my previous answer, when we first met, I almost never talked about being Asian. To be honest, I never thought about it much either. I only thought of myself as just Canadian. But she took an interest in my Vietnamese background. She asked me about the food and family dynamics and she read a little bit about the country’s history. Read more>>

Leopold Nunan Soares

My mother, Naira Nunan. She saw me clearly before I even understood who I was becoming. A brilliant lawyer and a fighter who never lost her magic or tenderness — she taught me that strength and softness can coexist. Her belief in me gave me the courage to create, to perform, and to lead with heart. Read more>>

Ayla Rae Neal

My parents held a unique perspective on me, seeing my potential and strengths even when I was too young to recognize them myself. They nurtured my curiosity, supported my passions, and consistently believed in me, which was instrumental in shaping my self-awareness and confidence. Their unwavering faith in me served as a guiding light, helping me navigate challenges and discover my true self. Read more>>