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.

Jose Perez

One of the biggest challenges was learning that creativity and business are two very different skill sets. Early on, I was focused almost entirely on producing strong creative work. Over time, I realized that if I wanted longevity, I had to grow as a strategist and as a business owner, not just as a filmmaker. Read more>>

Bradley Miller

Along the way television became part of the journey. I’ve appeared on shows like Best Thing I Ever Ate, Food Fighters, Munchies, Hell’s Kitchen, Home and Family, and CBS’s The Dish, and hosted Food Truck Nation on the Cooking Channel. These days I host my YouTube series Dishing It Out, appear as a chef expert on Bar Rescue on Paramount Plus, and recently competed on Flavortown Food Fight on Food Network. Read more>>

LT

My sister, who is also my best friend is a jack of all trades. She is creative in many things. We have ventured into other projects as partners (such as our Gourmet/Exotic Pickle business) but, unfortunately didn’t consistently stick to it. So, when the idea of doing Exotic & Gourmet Lemonade came up, it was like hey…ok let’s do something that nobody hasn’t done or seen before…let’s give them some flavors that they have never experienced that will blow their mind and keep them coming back for more, which is what exactly happens. Expect the unexpected… Read more>>

tatevik grigoryan

My Journey My journey in healthcare began as an ICU nurse immediately after graduating from nursing school. I spent nearly three years working in the intensive care unit, including during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those years were some of the most challenging and eye-opening experiences of my career. Read more>>

Carmen Serano-Gingles

I often say I’ve lived several chapters in one lifetime. I began my career as an actor, earning my SAG card in the New Line Cinema film Next Friday, and later appearing in projects including recurring roles on Breaking Bad and Marvel’s Runaways. Acting has always given me a meaningful way to explore the complexity of human emotion through storytelling. Read more>>

Jean Pierre Fouladian

With over 25 years of experience in the jewelry industry, I have dedicated my career to mastering the art and science of fine jewelry. My journey began in our family business, where I learned the fundamentals of client service and craftsmanship from a young age. Today, as a GIA Certified Diamond Grader, I combine technical precision with creative vision. Read more>>

chioke dmachi

I was born in Hollywood and raised in Southern California, and my journey into entertainment really started with curiosity. I remember seeing a commercial on TV as a kid asking if you wanted to be in commercials, and it instantly caught my attention. Read more>>

LuLu

As every individual, my story is a little different. I didn’t grow up on stage, or writing songs. I didn’t have that drive or passion (at the surface), like I did for the athletics I was pursuing from the age of 4. Read more>>

Elizabeth Joo

I began my practice with a curiosity about emotions, especially the kinds of feelings that quietly stay with us in everyday life. I was interested in how these subtle emotional states could be recorded or held through simple gestures. Read more>>

EDNA PEREZ

Floristry found me during COVID, but the journey that led me there began long before I ever knew it. After high school, I enlisted in the Marine Corps but was medically discharged due to a hip injury. When I returned home, my civilian doctor, Dr. Donald deGrange, helped guide me through recovery and encouraged me to explore the medical field. Read more>>

Allison Heutsche

I have always been drawn to creative things. I have a BFA in jewelry making and after a few years of bouncing around after college, I started working in the fashion industry in LA in 2001. My first job was with Fragments Showroom in LA being a wholesale accessory rep. From there I got into production management for Dana Kellin Jewelry. Read more>>

Kyle Ray

For as long as I can remember, I’ve just really loved movies. One of my earliest memories is watching Jaws when I was a kid. I was both fascinated and terrified. I eventually realized that if I wanted to get over the fear, I had to figure out how the magic worked. Read more>>

Kim Pagano

“Every meaningful chapter of my life started with a risk.” My journey has always centered around helping people feel seen, supported, and connected. She began her career in the beauty industry as a hairstylist and eventually became a salon owner and master trainer, mentoring others while building a thriving business. Read more>>

Nesha Foster

My Entrepreneurship Journey My journey into entrepreneurship started with a simple vision: to create something meaningful and build a better future for myself and my family. Growing up in Saint Louis, MO taught me the value of resilience, hard work, and believing in your potential even when the path isn’t always clear. Read more>>

Dr. Andrea Slominski

Like many women, when I began to go through my perimenopause, midlife, and menopause journey, I felt the call of change. I had been caring for everyone and everything around me for the previous 20 years, while putting my needs and interests on the back burner. I was working as an adjunct college professor at the time, teaching, directing, and producing in the theater department. Read more>>

Daniel Ventura

So before I did fashion and to where I am at now, I started making music in my house in 2018 spring and I was in middle school at that time. Read more>>

Ash Klaui

Hi, my name’s Ash. I’ve been in the health and fitness industry for about five years now. What started me on this journey was dealing with a lot of lower back pain and stiffness myself. I was at a dance festival one day, and my back was really bothering me. I sat down, leaned forward, and felt the tightness in my back. Read more>>

Samantha Vincoli-Miyamoto

As so many stories go, it started because of my mom! More specifically, I was in an interim period between college and graduate school, and I was working for her at the time. She encouraged me to become a notary, and I am glad to report that I followed her advice. Being a notary has been a fulfilling secondary career path. Read more>>

Hailey Simons Thomas Frye

Back in August of 2024, myself (Hailey) and Thomas were out, deliberating on the future, discussing the path we were on, versus where we wanted to go. On a whim, we half-joked about opening up our own music studio (myself being a viola player and Thomas a guitarist). We had both been teaching for some time and realized we could do so much more. Read more>>

Diana Lerner

My journey into acupuncture and Chinese medicine was shaped by both personal experiences and seeing firsthand how powerful this medicine can be. Growing up, I struggled with digestive concerns and skin issues that conventional treatments alone never fully resolved. Those experiences made me curious about health at a young age and sparked a deeper interest in understanding the body beyond just treating symptoms. Read more>>

BJ and Harmony Colangelo

In the early days of the COVID-19 quarantine, we did what just about everyone else was doing and started watching comfort movies. I (BJ) thought this would be the perfect opportunity to show Harmony some of my favorite ‘sleepover movies,’ or the teen girl films I watched non-stop throughout my adolescence. Read more>>

Rossie McCree

I started acting in highschool in PortlandOregon, where I’m originally from, and got my first break as a lead in an Independent film when I was 24. I had always wanted to be a film actress so this break was everything to me. I continued to get roles in plays and worked as an extra in a Lifetime movie and local commercials. Read more>>

Shekeda Holland

I didn’t step into this journey with a perfect plan—I stepped into it with faith, resilience, and a willingness to rebuild when life didn’t go the way I expected. My story really began in a season of transition. I had experienced deep personal setbacks—divorce, relocation, and moments where everything familiar felt like it was shifting at once. Read more>>

Terrica Walker

My story starts on a trip in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Some friends and I were having breakfast, and somehow got into a conversation about PG County, MD, our hometown, and the entertainment industry. At this time, I’d lived in LA for about 3 years but still knew very little about the industry. I’d only worked on a few small projects. Read more>>

Allex Austin

After playing professional basketball overseas in Africa, I moved to California to experience the state for the first time. While competing in leagues such as The Surgeon, VBL, and the Drew League, my performance on the court led to opportunities to model for a clothing company. Read more>>

Pink Lady Jackie Goldberg

The Dynamic Pink Lady, Jackie Goldberg, 93 years young in her 94th year, reinvented herself 21 years ago, as a Motivational Speaker, creating seminars and workshops, from her book called, “Get Up, Get Out, & Get a Life!” to encourage those over 60, to follow new paths by staying vital, productive, creative and energetic. Read more>>

Zuleima and Adriana Jimenez and Diego

I was a runner, running from a lot and trying to get school paid and also I just wanted to run away from Oxnard. I suffered from a lot of health problems so I went to figure it out by majoring in public health and finding root causes to things that lead me to minoring in holistic studies, herbal remedies, and “alternative” forms of healing. Read more>>

Krishnaveni Palanivelu

My journey into cybersecurity was anything but conventional. I began my career in electronics and communications engineering in India, where I developed a deep fascination with how systems connect, communicate and how they can fail. That curiosity about system vulnerabilities became the foundation of everything I’ve built since. Read more>>

Cameron Castillo

It’s been a wild ride getting to where I am today! All my life, I’ve always loved having a creative outlet, whether that was through drawing, painting, sewing, writing, and of course, decorating. In my early 20s, I found myself drawn to Instagram accounts that belonged to various people in the industry, from event planners to florists to photographers. Read more>>

Nathan Sarria

I was raised in Southern California and attended Palmdale High School, where I took my first formal art class. I enjoyed art growing up, but at that point I didn’t necessarily see it as a career yet. One moment that stuck with me happened not long after high school. Read more>>

Elizabeth Seropian

I started my jewelry business alongside my sister-in-law, inspired by our shared love for timeless, vintage design. We noticed that so much of the affordable jewelry we owned would quickly tarnish, losing its beauty and longevity, and we felt there was a gap for pieces that could truly last. Read more>>

Julie Blanco

I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, myofascial pain and while on disability with uncontrollable pain we decided I needed something to focus on. The doctor’s had me on a health journey which included running but I needed something for my brain so I started reading sometimes audio books. I also worked on my relationship with God. I learned so much and gained so much knowledge. Read more>>

David Quiroz

My story starts in Michoacán, Mexico, in a small town called Tuxpan, just outside of Morelia. My family is deeply rooted in that land. I come from a long line of farmers and ranchers who harvest avocados, which is probably why I still feel most grounded when I’m working with my hands, planting, and being in the soil. Read more>>

Yany Santos

Hi, my name is Yany Santos. I am a first gen Mexican American pilates instructor for the 818 San Fernando Valley. I am the founder, ceo and pilates instructor for Niña Fresa Pilates and we are based in Los Angeles but also host pop up pilates classes in different cities in southern and Northern California. Read more>>

Felisha Wong

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, but my path into the arts wasn’t exactly traditional. I actually come from a science background. I studied birds and the evolution of birdsong, and spent years thinking about how animals communicate. In a funny way, that curiosity about sound and expression eventually led me into performance. Read more>>

Melissa Keklak

I started my career in public relations working at agencies on a variety of brands before becoming the Director of Public Relations at Casio Electronics, where I oversaw brand portfolios including G-Shock and Baby-G. Read more>>

Andy Thompson

I am a life long artist. I was always fascinated by people who could draw or illustrate. I loved comic books growing up, and I would attempt to draw the pictures in the comics. I would draw pictures of Wolverine and sell them for .25 cents to class makes when I was a kid. Read more>>

Edward Bonilla

In 2017, a close friend of mine, Taurino Ruiz, reached out and asked if I’d be interested in helping expand sales for his nursery. At the time, I was working a full-time marketing job and saw it as an opportunity to earn some extra cash on the side. Read more>>

Anna Lyampert Emil Grazovski

VRLA Tech was founded in 2016 with a focus on supplying enterprise computing hardware to businesses, government agencies, and universities. In the early years, we worked primarily as an independent distributor of Dell and HP servers, workstations, and storage systems. Many organizations needed reliable enterprise hardware but were frustrated by long lead times and high costs when purchasing directly from large manufacturers. Read more>>

Jessica McGraw

I created Baltic Mermaid when I was a new mom, when my now 13 year old was only 1.5 years old. Back in 2014, I was making baltic amber and gemstone teething necklaces & adult jewelry out of my living room and was quickly shipping orders all over the place. As my kids grew, so did Baltic Mermaid. Read more>>

Ray Nomair

I founded Onguard Security with the goal of providing reliable and professional security services while creating opportunities for others in the industry. While attending California State University, Northridge (CSUN), I developed a strong interest in business and entrepreneurship, which ultimately led me to start Onguard Security. Read more>>

Brian Glashow

My path to a career in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine has been a long burn that began with an intro to Chinese religions course my freshman year in college. While we also looked at Confucianism, Chinese Buddhism and Maoism, it was Taoism and the writings of Lao Tzu, and Chuang Tzu, that left a lasting impression. Read more>>

Byron Walker

My name is Byron Walker, and my journey has always been centered around creativity, faith, and helping others bring their visions to life. I started out with a passion for media and storytelling, which led me to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Media Production and later an MBA in Business Management. Read more>>

Glenn Willson

Boatel on the Water has been offering our unique stays on our two 40ft, comfortable, spacious Boatels in the Ventura Harbor since 2016 and have earned hundreds of 5 star reviews on platforms like Airbnb from our happy guests. In 2025 alone, we welcomed over 900 guests on our Boatels. Read more>>

Joshua Trujillo

I got my start in the shutter industry in 2005 in my early 20s, working as a customer service rep for one of the largest shutter companies in California. I didn’t just stay in my role—I took initiative. After my shifts, I would shadow one of the top salespeople in the company during his evening appointments. Read more>>

Michael Teoli

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but I knew I wanted to pursue it seriously in 7th grade when I became unhealthily obsessed with The Beatles. That led me to Berklee College of Music, where I graduated in 2004 with a degree in Contemporary Writing and Production with a focus in film scoring. Read more>>

Michelle Soto

My journey with KidzFunLA began with a simple idea, creating memorable, joy filled experiences for kids and youth. I launched the business in late 2019, and not to long after, the world shifted in ways none of us expected. Like many others I had to pause and really rethink what this could become. Read more>>

Becky McCormick

The Home Ranch now has evolved into a sought-after venue that provides endless opportunities where couples, families, professional associations, cinematographers and creatives can bring their visions to life in this one-of-a-kind environment. The lively gardens and the quiet beauty of the property create an open setting where guests can smile, laugh, and forget the world that exists beyond the tree line. McCormick Ranch is now shaped by 6 generations of love, and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to open our home and host your next event. Read more>>

Stephanie Paul

Fourteen years ago, I began to morph that background into a coaching and training business, starting with speakers, presenters, and pitching executive teams for fundraising — ultimately helping collectively raise nearly a billion dollars in financing for Series B–D start-up funds. I also worked in the TED talk arena and coached over 70 speakers Internationally and was the organizer and executive producer of TEDx Mission Viejo. Read more>>