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.

Millie Montgomery

After graduating, I clocked thousands of supervised hours toward licensure while juggling personal responsibilities. It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave me exposure to a variety of therapeutic modalities and populations. Eventually, I passed the licensure exam and opened a small part-time private practice in 2022, The Stable Mental Health Services. It started with just a few clients a week, and over time it has grown. Read more>>

Max Fills

I started building my socials, testing the waters, and eventually posting full nudes — face and all. Once I made that leap, I knew I was all in. I began reaching out to female creators, hoping someone would take a chance and shoot with me. It was tough at first — lots of silence, a few rejections. But once I started filming with Hailey Rose and a couple of our videos went viral, everything changed. Read more>>

Piti

I was an EMT at the time. I was looking for hands-on experience. I wanted to be in the field, helping people, learning through action and using that as a stepping stone toward a career in healthcare. But every time I had time off from responding to 911 calls, I found myself back in Santa Barbara, hanging around my parents’ Thai restaurant. When they ran into a tough stretch, I took a leave, thinking I’d help out for a few months. Just enough to get them through. Next thing I know, I’m sweating over a stove and getting weirdly obsessed with ice cream. Playing with flavors, chasing that perfect texture. And that’s when it hit me. THIS IS IT. This is what I love. So I stayed. Read more>>

David Valencia

Honestly, I didn’t know many people on the same path. I have to admit, I struggled to find my identity in music. As a Colombian keyboard player, I didn’t really fit into the grunge scene that ruled the ’90s, and while I toured with some amazing R&B artists, I never quite felt like I belonged there either. I remember being at an audition for a RnB Funk group that was on top of the charts, when the band looked at me and asked, “So… are you Black or white?” I just smiled and said, “I’m just funky.” They all started laughing. Sometimes, a little humor goes a long way—especially when you don’t quite fit in. Read more>>

Yaretd Alcantara

I took a chance on doing something | truly love . And a few months and many sleepless nights later, one of my biggest dreams has come true. I would just like to say that the Camarillo community has welcomed me with kindness and warmth and has been so supportive and helpful as I took this big step in my life. At the time that l opened my own business, I was still working as as supervisor at a fast food restaurant in Nov. 2017, I resigned my position in the fast food industry, so I could give my full attention to building my business in Camarillo. Since Glamour Studio opened its doors in 2018, I have the pleasure to met my amazing client’s. Read more>>

Asaf Raz

Milanco Building Group started with a simple mission: to deliver high-quality, thoughtfully designed homes and spaces. I began with a passion for construction and craftsmanship, working hands-on in the industry before founding Milanco to bring a higher standard of service and creativity to our clients. Over time, through dedication, attention to detail, and a strong team, we’ve grown into a trusted name in custom homebuilding and ADUs, known for blending functionality with beautiful design. Read more>>

Parris Noelle

I started my career as a hairdresser 16 years ago. I went to school at Paul Mitchell. I always wanted to own my own salon and in 2018 that dream came true. I own bungalow 21 salon and spa in calabasas and it is truly everything I could have hoped for. Including my cafe inside my salon which was one of my first ideas when trying to think of this concept! Read more>>

Mischa Pfister

Born and raised just outside of Seattle, I practically grew up in the theater — both onstage and behind the scenes. As an actor, when it comes to bringing a character to life, I always start with the voice. Whether it’s spoken aloud or simply read on the page, a distinct voice is what separates a great script from a forgettable one. Perhaps that is why I’ve always been so fascinated by the world of voice overs. Read more>>

Julie Hackett

After graduate school, I moved to LA: not to pursue dance, but for an engineering job. For a number of years, I worked my engineering job and danced on the side – in community musical theatre shows and with a contemporary dance company. In 2018, I made the daunting decision to transition away from engineering and pursue dance full time. Since then, the journey has been an adventurous one. Read more>>

Yessenia Marquez

ver time, I built a loyal clientele and developed a reputation for consistency, professionalism, and personalized service. Every stage of my journey from working in salons to eventually managing my own space has shaped me into the stylist I am today. It hasn’t always been easy, but the challenges have pushed me to grow and refine both my skills and my vision. Read more>>

Jesse Ridenour

Prior to moving to Los Angeles in 2022, I lived on the island of O‘ahu in Hawai’i for nearly five years, working as an Architect. I’m a Washington state native and received my BS in Architecture from Washington State University in 2016, and spent nearly six years working as an architectural designer. But I had always been drawn to the world of acting, and in 2019, I decided to take my first acting class through a local theatre in Honolulu. Read more>>

Alexa Sandoval

Story started in 2020 right in the middle of Covid just like everyone else i was going crazy having to quarantine with the rest of the world. I decided to turn my frustration into creative fuel and learn a new hobby. Day and night spending endless hours and investing in my craft, i was creating and learning new designs. Only practicing on myself and family with the power of social media and TikTok at its peak i was getting lots of attention encouraging me to start my Nail Page and from there everything took off. i was able to connect with so many creative influencer, music artist, photographers, small business owners and so many more cool individuals to come together and create a nail concept to help execute editorial projects. Read more>>

Jaclyn Albergoni

I began teaching meditation in person, and this year, I’m excited to be releasing The Realm Oracle Deck along with The Book of Realms, as well as online courses and other spiritual tools and products. Everything I teach, I’ve first had to teach myself. Through deep inner work, I’ve developed channeling abilities. No, it’s not like Bashar channeling an alien—what I do is more subtle. I tap into energy and receive guidance and information that flows through me. This has created a powerful connection between myself and something greater. Read more>>

Kira

The pandemic, while challenging, became a pivotal point in my career. It provided me with the opportunity to immerse myself in the study of cosmetic chemistry and the intricacies of skincare. I dedicated myself to intensive learning, including advanced training with DMK International, where I earned a paramedical certification. This additional qualification expanded my ability to provide more advanced and transformative treatments. Read more>>

Brittney Holmes

While completing my undergraduate studies, I pursued the independent music scene, photographing and interviewing bands for two alternative magazines. Outside of the studio, I was simultaneously gaining hands-on experience in film production, working behind the scenes on music videos spanning a wide range of genres—from hip hop to hardcore (2008–2011). These formative years taught me how creative concepts evolve into tangible outcomes, and offered invaluable insight into location scouting, set design, prop sourcing, and casting. Read more>>

Jennifer Ducker

I bridge the gap between people and their loved ones in spirit. I bring through evidential messages, or specific memories to bring comfort and confirmation that they are still with you. I particularly love doing Tarot readings. The Tarot is a mirror to someone’s life situation. Working with the cards I can offer definitive answers and practical strategies to whatever problem or answer you are seeking. Running alongside the spiritual practices, I’m also a trained intuitive coach, I believe the skills I have really translate well into coaching individuals who feel stuck or at a loss. I use all my tools to help people align to their purpose in life. Read more>>

Yasha Rayzberg

I was born to two Jewish immigrants from the Soviet Union, specifically from Russia. Russians tend to be very fond of theatre, it’s an important part of their culture, and my parents wanted me to be exposed to theater and the arts as much as possible. Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA, my mother was constantly taking me to plays, operas, musicals, ballets… if it was on stage, my mom and I were in the audience. I found myself feeling jealous of the people who got to go up onstage, but was told that being in the spotlight wasn’t something that I should pursue. Even though my mom loved the arts, she always wanted me to go into a more stable field.  Read more>>

Anna Todd

Ahhh, how to make this short haha. Okay, so over a decade ago, I decided on a random Sunday to take my love of reading and romance and channel it into a “secret” writing hobby on the platform Wattpad. I wrote chapter after chapter on my cell phone while raising my special needs son. I couldn’t afford to work because the cost of care for him would have been higher than any job I was qualified for. So, as he slept, I wrote chapter after chapter and the story began to explode on the platform. Word of mouth ended up making it the highest read story on the site by a big margin, and the company approached me to see what my plans to publish the story were. Read more>>

Amanh

Around the age 6 -6.5 yrs, my parents asked me to choose an instrument that I would love to learn and I picked Guitar because I thought it is cool to play the instrument as most of the rockstar has one.  So I started off with learning Guitar professionally as my first ever musical instrument ( which only lasted for 6 months as I started getting bored with it and my schedule got busy with dance. ) One day I tried playing the songs I learned in my guitar classes on my mom’s keyboard to give a surprise to my mom. Soon my mom realized that I could play any song by ear and has musical ear just like her. Read more>>

Kristin “Kiki’ Hector

Starting out, I definitely had to learn the business side the hard way—how to price projects, how to set boundaries, how to run a team without losing your mind (or your weekends). There were plenty of late nights and moments of doubt. But through it all, I’ve learned that leaning into the uncomfortable stuff is usually where the growth happens. Read more>>

Nini Basila

As a mom of three girls and a big believer in the magic of little luxuries, beebie was born out of a very real dilemma: my girls were always raiding my jewelry collection, piling on necklaces, bracelets, and anything shiny they could find. I loved how much joy it brought them but I couldn’t find anything on the market that really matched their vibe. I wanted playful, high-quality pieces that felt special, a little elevated, and made just for them. Something with heart, style, and a sense of fun – little luxuries for your minis. Read more>>

Jennifer Abbott

In addition, Jennifer Co-Founded a local Lean In Circle and has been the spear head to growing Lean In into 10 additional Circles within SCV. Jennifer is also the Founder and Chairwoman for International Women’s day for WEWIL Collaborative (Women Empowering Women in Leadership), an organization that offers women centric professional development. Jennifer currently serves as Chairwoman for InfluenceHer, a Chamber of Commerce Women’s networking group as well as serving on the Board of Directors for the SCV Chamber of Commerce. Jennifer is a futuristic restorative achiever with a deep appreciation of belief and discipline. Read more>>

Nadia Ameri

My relationship with flower essences began at infancy when my mother gave them to me to address an illness I was experiencing. Since my youth, I had always been an avid student, lover & patron of the natural healing arts. I had used flower essences and homeopathy on and off throughout my life. Read more>>

Robert Fisher

When embarking on an international trip and opting to shoot exclusively on film, meticulous planning is required—from selecting the appropriate film stocks to navigating airport security with my gear. Every choice impacts the final output, whether it’s the printing process or the framing of the images. The entire endeavor can be a complex struggle involving processing techniques and creative decisions. However, with time and contemplation, the pieces eventually start to fall into place, leading to a more coherent understanding of the craft. Read more>>

Gio Contreras

I’ve always wanted to be a creator/influencer since back in high school. I moved to California from Georgia a few years ago, and started training in dance while getting to network and meet a lot of new people. My time as a creator/influencer started a few years back in the most unexpected way. I was out with my family to eat dinner at a local Denny’s where I suddenly ran into @TwistedPennywise aka Michael Taeza, a creator who I have been following for a while. I always thought his videos were hilarious and loved how he presented his content through Halloween expressions and being a parody of a scary character.  Read more>>

Mary Serritella

I started to pole dance at age 57 after the last of my kids had graduated from college. A friend told me that her gym was offering pole so I had to try it. Of course, I couldn’t do anything but something about it was enticing. Since I did a little gymnastics in high school and am naturally flexible, that was a little something to build on. But pole takes so much more than that. The strength part, which is absolutely essential, I had to earn. Read more>>

Rosanna Tavarez

Since then, I’ve taught at universities across the U.S., most recently at USC Kaufman, and currently serve as the BFA Program Director at CalArts. I also travel nationally and internationally to teach and choreograph. This summer, I will co-facilitate the Countertechnique “One Body, One Career” summer intensive in Amsterdam alongside its founder, Anouk Van Dijk. Read more>>

Tetchnica Louis Jean

One of the biggest challenges was storage. I didn’t have a stable place to keep my items, so I invested in a storage unit but there were times when I almost lost it because I couldn’t afford the payments. On top of that, I didn’t have transportation, which made it hard to move items or even show up for potential events. I thought about hiring a driver, but financially, that just wasn’t an option. Read more>>

Tricia

Now, Tricia Dahlgren Events has grown into something I’m so proud of. We have around 7 planners and about 20 assistants. We’ve built our team by being intuitive—really listening to what our couples need, not just on paper but emotionally, too. Pair that with strong organizational skills and a love for the details, and that’s how we earned the reputation we have today. Read more>>

Erica Qing

The road was definitely a challenging one. I was broke most of the time trying to pursue my passions. I had to make a lot of hard decisions and sacrifices with working and going to school. The biggest challenge for me was trying to figure out when it would be a good time to do certain things, until I came down to the conclusion that there’s never a right time. I just have to do it. Then I would question how I would be able to afford monthly expenses while trying to do all of these things on my list and thankfully my faith in God pushed me through and I was able to accomplish my goals while still being able to manage every day life. Read more>>

Andrea Santorsa

What began as a passion quickly turned into something more serious as I dedicated myself to developing my sound and honing my craft. Over time, I’ve been lucky to achieve some great milestones — including multiple entries in the Beatport and Traxsource Top 100 charts. One of the highlights of my journey so far has been recently releasing a track with Grammy-nominated Canadian singer Shimmer Johnson. It’s been an exciting ride, and I’m just getting started! Read more>>

Marcelo Verdad

Before leaving México, I visited one of my witches. At the time, the moment felt small, almost meaningless, but with time, it has become prophetic. Without me telling her anything about myself or my plans, she said two things. First, she offered me a random book she happened to have about creating picture books — a book that, unknowingly, predicted my future career. She asked me simply to keep it. I never read it, but it’s still in my bookshelf and I can actually see it from here in this moment. I can’t reveal the second thing she said just yet, but I’ve been working on a project that might confirm her second prophecy. I think about that encounter often. Read more>>

Siavash Jaraiedi

My journey toward art was less like a decision and more like an inner, instinctive need or perhaps an unconditional acceptance of destiny. I vividly remember that from a very young age, I could feel the emotions of those around me with an intensity far beyond what was expected for my age. The sadness that weighed on others would deeply sadden me, and their joy would reflect within me. It is a trait that still stays with me. Read more>>

Beck Williams

I come from theater, having worked regionally and internationally, and earned my BA in Drama at UC Irvine. The last several years I’ve been primarily working in film and television. Most recently I wrote, directed, and acted in an award winning short film called PACE, which is currently on the festival circuit, having screened in national and international festivals including the American Pavilion at Cannes, Cleveland International Film Festival, and Dances with Films. I am currently in development on the feature I have written expanding this story. Read more>>

Daniel Andrews

As the market evolved, so did I. I became obsessed with what’s next — how design, smart systems, and global materials were shaping the future of real estate. That’s what led me to DASH212. We don’t just react to trends — we anticipate where the market is headed. As GM of the U.S. division, I focus on sourcing high-margin opportunities, building homes that are smarter and more efficient, and creating timeless spaces using clean lines, international finishes, and intentional design. Read more>>

Hudson Mateus

I’m a Brazilian tattoo artist living now in Los Angeles. I’ve been tattooing for 12 years and I’m a truly lover of traditional tattoos. Since I was a child I always loved art in its various versions. I’ve always been passionate about drawing and transforming that into tattoos felt like discovering my true direction. Read more>>

Joelle Brian

During the pandemic, I had to find a way to get through a really tough time. I decided to pursue my life long dream of becoming an artist. Although collaboration to create music was tricky, I was able to build a solid portfolio of music that has gotten over 100,000 streams and the music has been featured on Netflix. Read more>>

Sophie Aguila

In Summer 2023, I participated in a work-study in Los Angeles as a development intern at HIVEMIND, an LA-based production company behind projects including THE WITCHER and THE EXPANSE. During my time in this program, I learned more about the LA industry, and identified this as the next city I would need to move to in order to begin making my dreams a reality. In Summer 2024, made the cross-country drive to set down new roots in Burbank, California. I’ve met so many amazing creatives so far, and look forward to upcoming collaborations this summer on a few new short films currently in pre-production! Read more>>

Roman Keshishyan

We were the couple who was always cooking, grilling, serving up all sorts of innovative dishes. We’d take traditional dishes from our childhoods and put our own spin on them. Our loved ones were always joking that we were in the wrong career paths. Until one day, when we had our daughter, Vienna Luna, we realized that maybe all the joking held some sort of a prophecy. We loved cooking as a couple, we worked flawlessly together in one kitchen, we genuinely loved hosting and bringing people together through food, and perhaps most importantly it was one of the many reasons why we fell in love. Read more>>

Andrew Smith

Today, my focus is on honoring and evolving my mom’s vision. We continue to cook from scratch, using fresh, local, extraordinary ingredients, and we work hard to create a place that feels like coming home — warm, welcoming, and deeply cared for. We’ve also expanded by roasting our own coffee here in Los Angeles, crafted specifically to complement our food. It’s bold, rich, and complex, without the excessive acidity that’s common in a lot of newer coffee styles. I’m incredibly excited about where we are and where we’re headed. Sweet Butter has always been built on love, and it still is today. Read more>>

Klaudia Paletta

During the pandemic in 2020, I started sharing chair yoga and breathing practices with my abuelita. Seeing how accessible movement and intentional breathing could bring comfort and connection to someone I love deeply sparked something in me. That’s when Pink Means Go was born, a project rooted in love, culture, and accessibility. I wanted to share yoga with my community and see myself reflected in that community. Read more>>

Austin Reed

A couple of years later, in 2017, a childhood friend of mine started gaining serious traction as a rapper on the Los Angeles scene. He asked me to manage him. I had no experience in management at the time, but his drive and persistence convinced me to jump in and help however I could. That moment marked the beginning of my artist management journey. Read more>>

Nicola Vann

As an undergrad at UNC Chapel Hill, theatre production in non-traditional spaces became my unofficial thesis. I directed Midsummer in the campus’s magical arboretum. With support from UNC’s Morehead-Cain Foundation, I conducted research on alternative venues in New York City, London, Dublin, and at the incomparable Edinburgh Fringe. When our student theatre group lost access to our primary performance space, a traditional black box theatre, I led the transition to working in site-specific spaces instead. This included our favorite watering hole, a well-worn dive bar called Linda’s. It worked. Very well. Read more>>

Destiny Fuentes & Barbara Gutierrez Fuentes & Gutierrez

We’ve always embraced our roots, and it was at a vibrant event hosted by Persona, a Latina-owned store in Los Angeles, that the spark for Chicas Braidz was lit. Seeing Moños de Mi Niñez, a braider celebrating tradition through her work, made us realize that living in our authenticity and honoring our culture was powerful. That moment inspired us to create Chicas Braidz—a space where we proudly represent our Salvadoran heritage, build community, and express our art through every braid. Read more>>

Julia Wester

I started out as a Television Producer and even won an Emmy, but after a decade, I realized it no longer fulfilled me. While planning my wedding, I rediscovered my love for creating and made the bold decision to pivot careers at 30. I interned and worked for free to learn the ropes, which eventually led to a role with Joy Cho of Oh Joy!, where I became the in-house prop stylist and later Creative Content Director. Read more>>

Naomi Ayende

One of the biggest struggles early on was funding. As an independent production company rooted in Puerto Rico, we didn’t have the same access to financial backing or industry connections that bigger studios in places like LA or New York might have. So we had to get creative—crowdfunding, applying for grants, calling in favors, and pulling together talented teams who believed in the mission even when we couldn’t pay them what they deserved. Read more>>

Aja

From there, I just kept building… project by project, brand by brand. I focused on creating cinematic content, UGC, CGC, and licensed marketing material across the Beauty, Home, and Lifestyle spaces. I poured my heart into every campaign, and over time, that work opened doors to collaborations with brands I had once admired from afar like TPH by Taraji P. Henson, Mielle Organics, Dove, TreSemmé, Walmart, Target, and so many more. Read more>>

Tony Gardiner

Home and Away has a long history of launching the careers of Australian talent—from Isla Fisher to Chris Hemsworth—and during my time as DP, I was fortunate to receive multiple awards for my work. After many years of asking (and probably a little begging), I was given the chance to direct the show in 2019. I directed for two years before taking up an offer to direct another iconic Australian series, Neighbours—the show that famously helped launch Margot Robbie’s career. Read more>>

Jaimelene Salgado

The main thing I’ve learned as a small business owner is that time, consistency, and so much effort goes such a long way! This journey has not been the smoothest road but it really is a journey reflective of what you make of it. One of the main things that may be considered a struggle is how much we actually work. Being in business for almost 8 years, there are days where I want to “call out” or not be responsible for others and my obligations but regardless they are my duties. Sometimes I reflect on how this is my life and how blessed I am to say, “I own two coffee shops”. The struggles come with life but it is very worth it. Read more>>

Missy Carter

The sales effort for the recruitment of new members. I effectively communicate with management staff and associates to increase knowledge of membership goals, membership satisfaction, membership retention, and membership activities. I love working in the golf industry. I started as a cart girl when I was 18, and I worked very hard in my career to become a director. Read more>>

Paul Lefko

Sometimes I’ll send a photo to a model, thinking it’s among my best work, and get no reply, or hear that they prefer something else entirely. It’s taught me the importance of staying true to my eye and instincts. If someone is hiring me, they’re hiring my vision—not just a camera. And, like most photographers, I’ve encountered a few of the classic “horror” stories—people demanding RAW files after a TFP shoot, or not respecting creative boundaries. Those moments are rare, but they come with the territory. All of it, though—the challenges, the quiet wins, the occasional frustrations—has helped shape the way I shoot and how I see the world through the lens. Read more>>

Rafael Larin

Most of us do not have a smooth road in life. That’s unrealistic. Things happen, putting it nicely. It might be business or family that create obstacles. Finances are always a struggle when you’re starting out. Are you investing enough or too much? Are you investing in the right places or the wrong places? Trial and error can get expensive too. So, proper analysis is critical, even if it doesn’t always work out as planned. Read more>>

Victor Ponce

From 2013 to 2022, he resided in Brazil, where he solidified his reputation as a skilled Director of Photography. His work during this period was characterized by a keen eye for visual storytelling and a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between light and shadow. Victor’s fluency in English, Spanish, and Portuguese has allowed him to collaborate with a wide range of artists and productions, enhancing his adaptability in various cultural contexts. Read more>>

Ashlo And Sandra

We originally met while working in HR and became friends early on. Eventually the friendship blossomed into a marriage (think twilight minus the gloomy weather ,vampires and impending doom). After some time we both realized the office life wasn’t for us and left with no backup plan. We both were always drawn to the arts and wanted to pursue careers in it. So we both decided to do what any starving artist would do…deliver food to make some money and have absolutely no game plan as to how we were going to make it. Read more>>

Jason Fray

Additionally, I have partnered with one of my best friends to create a boutique apparel company called The 13th House, where we produce celestial-themed hats and other items. As a creative with an appreciation for fashion, it’s a passion project that I thoroughly enjoy, allowing me to be entrepreneurial while learning the ins and outs of running a business. Including my hobby of photography, I truly possess a deep interest in a variety of different art forms within the broader creative umbrella. Read more>>

Mike Fisher

I am one of the only (maybe only) full time mask painter in California. I paint for everyone from kids, Jr goalies, Beer League players, College goalies all the way up to professionals. It seems like a strange and crazy niche job, especially here in California but it’s actually a large global market and has a lot of varied and talented artists all over the world. I’m honored to be among them. I stay busy year round. Read more>>

Gina Maltese

My approach is very personalized. I specialize in custom facials and incorporate advanced technology like LED light therapy—blue, red, and yellow—as well as radio frequency using the Zemits CrystalFrax Pro. Every treatment is customized, because I believe skin responds best when we treat it with both intention and care. I have worked with many Plastic surgeons and Dermatologist, a few who are still my mentors to this day. Read more>>

Robbie Gennet

The biggest obstacles represent opportunities if you are looking for the silver lining. The first major obstacle I faced was a serious hand injury I sustained on tour with a band called 7Mary3. On a bumpy road, I fell on a broken beer bottle on our tour bus. It cut all the tendons to my right forefinger, which happens to be one of my favorites. I had surgery and missed two shows, then managed to finish the tour left-handed. It took me months to rehabilitate my hand and then retrain to play piano. Out of that came my album Pianarchy, which is an improvisational style I invented out of creating interesting paths when my finger would misfire. I’ve released three albums of Pianarchy and enjoy creating it without the injury to blame. Read more>>

Cristina Lopez

I am a Community Specialist at Hart & Highland. My role focuses on building genuine connections between brands and their audiences through social listening and tracking community sentiment. I believe social media should be fun, and I love thinking creatively about brand building. I’ve always wanted to work in a creative field and so I believe I’ve manifested this job, and approaching my third year! We work with amazing clients and I love my team so much. Read more>>

Brian Kiley

I grew up in Newton, Mass which is right next to Conan’s hometown of Brookline. Coincidentally, we went to the same Catholic Sunday school (CCD) as kids and I was in his brother’s Luke’s class. My brother Dan was in Conan’s class in CCD and then later at Harvard. My brother Dan is now a judge and still the smart one of the family. Read more>>

SKY Palkowitz

I was born and raised in New York. First the city, where I started dance classes at 2, and moved to Long Island at 5, where I spent the rest of my formative years. Growing up with the heart of New York City just miles away, I was immediately inspired by theatre, the arts, museum trips, school outings, Broadway, and all of the TV commercials advertising the current shows… “Evita starring Patti Lapone!”, “A Chorus Line!”, “Jesus Christ Superstar!”, “Annie!!”, “Cats!!”, “I laughed, I cried, I had a good time!” I wanted to see them all. I wanted to embed myself in the fantasy of theatre. Read more>>

Minas Martirosyan

Like many startups, our journey has been marked by change. We’ve navigated ownership and equity shifts, but what’s remained constant is our commitment to the vision and the values we started with. That shared foundation has allowed us to grow organically, maintaining the positive energy and culture that fuels our team. We believe that culture is everything when you’re building something that challenges the status quo. Read more>>

Daniel

Life is a rollercoaster. Lots of ups and downs. Working for myself I’ve had to learn difficult lessons from lack of self discipline. This business has a lot of negative elements that took me years to distance myself from. I struggled from not having any business education, I had to learn about work ethic, producing a quality product, consistency, and marketing, all on my own, from just years of trial and error. And then on top of that being a single parent, and making sure to put my children first. Read more>>

Ken Pfalzgraf

Knowing that she was non-verbal, had fine motor skill problems and used approximated sign language, I just knew that Tami’s ability to express her true potential had not been tapped. When I inquired as to what the opinion was based on, I was told “a lack of emerging math skills”. I knew that Tami responded to the beat of music and I reasoned that the notes and timing that make up music were the underpinnings of rhythm and that Tami responded to rhythm, I went about building a makeshift guitar out of a cigar box and a simple drum out of some wood and a license plate. Read more>>

Rob McIntyre

My instructor in college said I was a strong candidate for a music performance major, so I switched. However I did not feel that looking for music gigs and playing around and traveling was for me either despite my love of playing. I took a general course called Rhetoric of Vision and Sound. I was completely taken with the idea of film sound. I added a double major and graduated with a double major in Music Performance and Communications Digital Film. While in my communications courses I sought out to study sound on my own. There wasn’t a lot of study in that specific arena when I was in school. I had to make my own path. I pitched for every job in sound on every project we filmed. I decided I would train my ear in music and learn how film worked and how to construct a story in Communications. I would learn all the software on my own. Read more>>

Jesse Flores

So, here’s my story. I’m Jesse, 36, and I call Palm Springs home now, sharing it with my fiancé. But my roots are down in San Juan Capistrano. Then, at 13, I got transplanted to the Coachella Valley. Imagine: new kid, a bit on the heavier side, definitely shy. I had to figure out a way to break the ice, to get people to see me before they judged me. Turns out, humor and a bit of charisma were my secret weapons. I learned to entertain, to make people laugh, and it became second nature. Read more>>

Crystal Clark

I was born in Illinois and raised primarily in North Carolina, due to my parents work, I attended nine different schools between kindergarten and 12th grade. Each new school proved a challenge. While I liked people and wanted to talk to them, to make friends, I was shy. Yet each move to a different school or different state pulled me out of my shell, opened up my voice and taught me how to communicate with others. By the time I enrolled in college, communicating came naturally to me and it is now a skill I utilize daily in my professional life as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Read more>>