There are so many factors that affect how our lives turn out, but one of the most interesting is how our backgrounds give us unique strengths and perspectives that affect who we are as adults. We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about their background and upbringing and how they feel it’s impacted who they are today.

Madison Dufour | Cosmetologist and Barber, Hair Blog Author

My name is Madison. I grew up on a cattle ranch and was raised by entrepreneurs. Growing up I never wanted to be an entrepreneur, I saw how difficult and stressful it was on my parents. But the values that I grew up with have helped me and driven me to be the business owner that I am today.
On the ranch, there is no room for excuses. I was taught that when you do a job you do it well and you do it right the first time. It doesn’t matter if you are tired, or don’t feel like doing it, because, in the end, the job still needs to be done. Read more>>

Kristabell Stansbury | CEO Chrysalis Continuing Care

I was born and raised in what used to be the small mountain town of Conifer here in Colorado. I moved around the USA a bit and I also lived in Zambia, Africa. The background that has really influenced my life today, was that I became a drug addict in my early teens along with experiencing mental health problems, which led to dropping out of school, homelessness, being sex trafficked, and experiencing violence, dysfunction, and abusive relationships. I also, lost amazing opportunities that I had worked so hard to obtain due to my addiction. Read more>>

Patric Massey | Freelance Graphic Artist

I was a very hard headed kid, that thought he knew everything. I dropped out of school and took my GED just because i felt school was not meant for me. I tried playing for multiple semi professional teams. I was never selected, not because i wasn’t good or talented, but because i had nothing to back it up with. No high school or college game film. To them i was just some random kid off the street. I found myself up in Montana out of all the places i could of chose. No phone, one duffle bag full of shoes and clothes, and probably 200$ in my pocket. Read more>>