Even if you are from the same neighborhood as someone else, you might still be coming from different places. Where you are from is a complicated question and it elicits complicated, but interesting and thought-provoking responses. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Antwan ( aka The Paint Bender ) Jackson | Artist

I grow up in Okinawa Japan ( military brat ) and it has shaped the stay of my artwork immensely ! Anime is one of my heaviest influences, I can remember being a kid watching Dragon Ball Z and buying any cards, manga or coloring books I could get my hands on and try to copy Akira Toriyamas art style. I also put a lot of Japanese kanji and katakana in my artwork. Read more>>

Eriko MonLouis | Realtor, Mom of 3, Co-founder of DJCW (nonprofit for empowering Japanese women)

I come from a rural town in Hokkaido, Japan, where my journey as a disciplined classical pianist began at the age of 3. Imagine a young girl spending 3-4 hours daily practicing the piano – that was me. While I didn’t achieve fame as a pianist, that childhood routine instilled in me discipline and the belief that “practice makes perfect.” Read more>>

Thiago Fornazier | Realtor

I am originally from São Paulo, Brazil! I have lived in the Denver area for over 14 years. I came to the US as an Au Pair (nanny), and I was part of a family here in CO. I fell in love with this state, and then I began my professional career working with clients as a Strength and Conditioning Coach and Personal Trainer. Training between Professional Athletes and Collegiate athletes to business professionals helping them achieve their true potential with their bodies. My training background has given me an appreciation for helping those seeking a goal or accomplishment to actualize their dreams. Now, as a practicing Real Estate Broker, my passion for helping others sets the stage to ensure my clients will clearly understand every step of their Real Estate transaction. Consider me your Real Estate coach! Read more>>

Jennie Omasta | Gallery Owner & Artist

I grew up in Gunnison, CO, just over the mountains from Buena Vista, where I am now! I was brought up with an outdoor-loving family and as kids we were always spending time at the lake swimming and sailing, and on the snow in the winter time. My parents also loved to travel, so I had the privilege of going to many new places and experiencing all sorts of other environments and cultures. The mountains always called me back no matter how far I roamed. Read more>>

Melina Rodriguez | Therapist & Coach

I was born in Uruguay and immigrated to the US with my family when I was 8 years old. Growing up as an immigrant was isolating, I didn’t realize at the time that I was already creating a collection of traumatic events in my psyche. When your parents are focused on getting ahead in a new country, you don’t really have the emotional support available necessary to process life as it’s happening, you just try to be good and not add to their problems. My parents had me very young (16 &19) and the themselves weren’t raised in the best circumstances. The effect of generational trauma was not stopped by immigrating thousands of miles. Growing up with this sense of emotional and physical isolation really had an impact on me wanting to understand myself and my wounds better. I learned to turn to creativity as my escape- books, art, learning, music, dance. I used to fill up pages upon pages of journals as I tried to make sense of life. Life is art and we are constantly in a state of creation. I find myself adding creative touches into my therapy work when it fits organically. I’ve experienced a lot of relational and attachment trauma, family and intimately. This deepens my work with couples seeking to reconnect and create healthier relationships and with individuals seeking to understand how attachment wounds play a role in their present lives. My desire to understand myself spills over into a desire to understand people and ease the internal experience of isolation. Isolation causes us to create coping mechanisms in order to survive, and typically these turn out to be maladaptive – substances, toxic relationships, sex and risky behaviors. Through awareness and making the subconscious conscious, change becomes tangible. I have been blessed to live the life I’ve lived. Living a life touched by a wide range of experiences allows me to connect with a wide range of clients and makes me a better therapist. Read more>>

Matt Dettmann | Head Brewer & Brewery Owner/ Operator

Originally from Wisconsin, and grew up with parents who started and ran their own business, likewise my oldest brother started his own business and he still runs multiples businesses today. We were all raised in a close family where our faith in God and Christian upbringing was paramount in our lives and in our work-life. In our family it was always hard work, and love toward others. Those values thankfully remain even more important today, and making sure I wake up everyday trying to hit the mark no matter how many times I do not. I always tell employees that we build our businesses one customer at a time through love and communication. Mass marketing, advertising, or any means of reaching many people through media is great, but it’s the opportunity to meet and form relationships with these customers that forges a long-term client who feels valued in our establishments. Read more>>

Natasha Pyeatte | Dancer, Choreographer, Artistic Director, Dance Instructor & Pilates Instructor

I grew up in Los Angeles, California, with two incredibly creative parents who instilled in me the belief that I could be anything I wanted to be. They encouraged me to pursue my passions and find happiness in whatever I chose to do. My mother, who was an amazing seamstress from a young age, became the costumer for our dance studio to help pay for my dance classes. She loved creating costumes and made sure I had everything I needed to pursue my interests. My parents always had an art project going on around our house when I was growing up. Sometimes they involved us, sometimes they didn’t, but there was always creativity happening. Growing up, I was surrounded by a community of creative individuals in the theater, dance program, gymnastics, and Girl Scouts. This diverse environment helped shape me into a well-rounded individual. I discovered my love for people and using creativity as a tool to inspire and uplift others. Read more>>