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.

BRENT RAMIREZ

At its core, Born to Perform is what I wish had existed for me when I first fell in love with theatre. It’s not just about putting on shows. It’s about training — real technique, clear progression, discipline, artistry, and character development. It’s about helping young performers grow not only on stage, but as confident, resilient human beings.  Read more>>

Anita Wu, L.Ac.

My path to Traditional Chinese Medicine began with a simple but profound realization: people possess a remarkable capacity to heal when they are truly heard and when their care addresses the root cause rather than masking symptoms. This realization inspired the creation of AcuHealth Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in the San Fernando Valley – a sanctuary where patients are never rushed and time-tested wisdom meets modern, evidence-based care. Read more>>

Reid Kawakami

I started as a life long athlete and got into working out from sports. As the competition in high school became more intense, I wanted to lift weights to become stronger and bigger. This turned into a life long passion that followed me through college and ultimately for my entire life. Read more>>

Deidre Gavin

During my preteen years, I suffered from hormonal acne. I can remember how it made me feel which was an introduction to Skin Care. I never intended on being an Esthetician. I was an actress who fell in love with Skin Care. always in search of a cure for my hormonal acne in my preteen years, I can remember how it made me feel . Read more>>

Paola Kassabian

I first encountered pottery in middle school and was immediately captivated by clay. For many years afterward, I admired ceramics from a distance, without the time or opportunity to fully commit to the practice. In 2021, I returned to clay by joining a local ceramics studio and began throwing on the wheel again. Read more>>

Nancy Mitchell

It all started when I began searching for a service dog for my son, who has Down syndrome. I believed a highly trained service dog could help him navigate school and provide one-on-one support throughout his day. We were placed on a six-year waitlist. After a year with no progress, I decided to take a leap of faith. Read more>>

Brad Gold

I always wanted to work in finance so I transitioned into wealth a management where I ended up at Morgan Stanley, and then Merrill – the pandemic hit and I feel in love w Picleball – I ended up trying to figure out why there were no facilities to play — from there all my time and effort came into building a pickleball club in the area, and found the most amazing piece of land— I partnered with one of my best friends who I met at Chappatal Elementary and we forged ahead – I quit my career and run the pickleball club full time Read more>>

Jedediah Huss

I earned my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California, where I developed a strong interest in surgical and implant dentistry. As my career progressed, I pursued extensive continuing education and advanced training in implantology, eventually becoming a Diplomate with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). Read more>>

Jessee Clarkson

As a kid, I was always into monster movies, sci-fi & fantasy movies (and of course Halloween), so as a young teen, I was always haunting halloween & costume stores to find anything I could use to create my own characters & makeups. Read more>>

Helen and Sabrina Mechammil / Goodrum

Our story really begins long before LAGREE Mi ever had a name. We grew up in a big, vibrant Syrian family where everything revolved around connection — food, movement, resilience, and showing up for one another. Strength wasn’t just physical in our home; it was emotional, cultural, and deeply rooted in community. Helen has always been immersed in wellness. Read more>>

Amanda Simon

I started in the beauty industry 20 years ago as a makeup artist for the Australian brand Napoleon Perdis when they expanded into the United States. That experience opened the door to everything for me. I was immersed in artistry, education, and client connection from the very beginning, and it laid the foundation for the career I’ve built today. Read more>>

Elham Thompson

I have long been fascinated by the power and resilience of the human mind. That curiosity became a calling during college, when I found myself navigating the tension between my traditional Iranian upbringing and my American social environment. At the suggestion of a mentor, I sought counseling—and was struck by how transformative it felt to have a safe, thoughtful space to explore my experience. Read more>>

Carlos Pena

I started my business in 1991. Since then, I have been in four different locations, up until 2022, while my location was 5009 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA, when my shop was destroyed by LA Swat Team. Read more>>

Phillene Alexander

My journey into entrepreneurship started during a very personal and quiet season of my life. On the outside, I was working in finance and doing all the practical things, but on the inside, I felt God gently calling me into something deeper, something more meaningful and aligned with love and faith. Read more>>

Christine Spooner

I became a certified Jazzercise Instructor and franchise owner when I first became a Mom. I was a stay at home Mom looking for connection within my community with other moms and also wanted to find a workout where I felt comfortable bringing my baby. I fell in love with Jazzercise and the women who attended. Read more>>

Scott Howe

Art has been a part of my life since elementary school, shaping not only my creativity but my entire journey. From developing clothing lines and crafting jewelry to owning hip-hop shops and teaching, art has always been the foundation of everything I pursue. The creation of The Hyste wasn’t part of a master plan—it emerged out of necessity. Read more>>

Dale Voelker

My earliest memories of making art is coloring books, drawing on paper placemats at restaurants, art contests in elementary school, ceramics in middle school and batik in high school. College was focused on graphic design and drawing and painting in the spare moments. Read more>>

Shelby Linka

Accounting runs in my family both my grandfather and father were accountants so following in their footsteps felt like a natural path for me. I majored in accounting at California State University, Northridge where I developed a strong interest in accounting and decided to pursue it more seriously. Read more>>

Robert Richardson

I started Consulting 4K9’s about four years ago by training my own dog at the park. People began stopping to watch and asking for help, and I started working with dogs for free. As word spread through the community and my volunteer work with shelters and rescues, the business grew. Read more>>

Danielle K

What I began as a one-person operation outside of New Orleans in 2015 has expanded into four studios I own and operate across the country, including California. Over the years, I’ve supported and mentored professionals in the industry, helping many turn their skills into sustainable careers. Every location is run by an intimate, trusted team alongside of myself committed to excellence and growth. Read more>>

Hang Lam

I graduated from UC Berkely with a Bachelor’s of Arts in English and quickly realized I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. At this time, I was sharing an apartment with my older sister who was going back to school to pursue her career in nursing. Read more>>

Hayli Evans

I began working as a therapist in a community mental health and recovery center setting in the Inland Empire. This work was as rewarding as it was challenging. I am grateful for my early experience because it helped to shape the way that I see the world and the powerful role that the therapeutic relationship can play in healing. Read more>>

Jack Murphy

After graduating from high school, I took some time off to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Having lost my dad a few years earlier, I didn’t have a fully formed plan and needed time to reflect. I did some traveling and returned to LA, but I still didn’t have a clear direction. Read more>>

Milana Ivashkina

My journey into the beauty industry started with a genuine love for aesthetics and self-expression. I’ve always believed that beauty is more than appearance — it’s confidence, energy, and the way a woman carries herself after feeling cared for. I began by immersing myself in the craft, learning not only techniques but also understanding client psychology, detail, and service experience. Read more>>

Eva Vaisman

I am from Argentina, and I have lived in this beautiful country for 47 years, a journey filled with vibrant colors and fragrant blooms. My passion for flowers has guided my career for 36 years, transforming them into exquisite arrangements that tell stories and evoke emotions. Read more>>

Ulises Espinoza

My journey into technology began with a childhood fascination for gaming, design, and code, but my path to entrepreneurship was forged in the trenches of high-pressure sales. After navigating roles in everything from telemarketing to door-to-door acquisitions for AT&T, I hit a turning point in my early 20s. Read more>>

Paula Kropp

My story in real estate began as an assistant to a top-producing agent in Orange County. I had a front-row seat to excellence. I watched closely, learned quickly, and developed a deep respect for the details that make a great Realtor truly great. When I launched my own career in 1998 at Coldwell Banker in Mission Viejo, I leaned into what I had learned. Read more>>

Yamila Guerra

I’m Yamila Guerra, a Cuban-born singer, dancer, actress, songwriter, and producer, and my story begins with the rhythm of my roots. Growing up surrounded by the rich musical culture of Cuba, I fell in love with music and dance at a very young age. Performing wasn’t just something I enjoyed, it was part of who I was. Read more>>

Diana Antillon

I’ve always believed that life’s milestones no matter how small deserve to be celebrated with beauty and intention. My story started with the magic of the Tea Party under the name Padme Tea Party, I focused on those delicate, whimsical details that make a child’s eyes light up. Read more>>

Vlada Haggerty

I grew up and began my makeup artist career in Ukraine. I moved to Los Angeles in 2013. This is when I also started posting my makeup looks and lip art regularly on Instagram. I love creative makeup that tells stories or holds memories, and I use the lip art process as a type of meditation. It is surprisingly relaxing for my brain. Read more>>

Preciosa Dominguez

My name is Preciosa. I am 26 years old and about 3 years ago I decided to pursue a vision I created while attending a college 10 hours away from home. While attending a university so far away from home I started to realize my goal and wish wasn’t necessarily to pursue a degree. Read more>>

Natalia Allen

i’ve always been drawn to photography, even during the years when I wasn’t actively doing it. I grew up in Colombia and moved to Simi Valley as a child. I actually started college studying photography because I thought that’s what I would pursue, but life took me in a different direction and I ended up working in finance. Read more>>

Julie LaPlaca

I spent years working in the entertainment industry as a television producer. Most notably, I was a Supervising Producer on The Bachelor franchise for seven years. I worked closely with the leads, traveling the world and asking them deep, vulnerable questions about love and what they desired for their lives. Somewhere along the way, I realized I had never asked myself those same questions! Read more>>

Stephanie Lydell

I started working this field at an early age, 20 years old. From group homes to schools specializing in special need classes. I worked towards receiving my education in this field and one day decided to bet on myself and follow my vision of helping people with disabilities in a caring and empathetic way. I’ve been a vendor with regional center since 2020. Read more>>