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.

Cheylene Dollar | Author of Choosing the Sun

I am from Marquette, Michigan. A small town in the upper peninsula. If it wasn’t for the struggles I faced when I was growing up, there’s no way I would be the person that I am today. I didn’t grow up in a stable home and didn’t have the most stable parents. When you grow older, you realize who you want to be and who you don’t want to be and usually those decisions are because of what happened to you in life. It’s up to you if you want to be a reflection of the bad things that happened or choose to see the positive in those things. Read more>>

Pedro De La Cruz | Artist

My name is Pedro De La Cruz. I am an artist born in the city of Tijuana, Mexico. We lived in a world of poverty, so we knew we had to work. I sold popsicles in the streets to help my parents. I knew how to talk to people and how to draw them in different moods. That part of my life also helped shape my art, since I taught myself how to draw. Art would become my new voice and my escapism. Read more>>

Sharon Madison |

Sharon, how do you approach daily life these days? Is it the same or different from your earlier life? I’ve always believed that my mindset and attitude are key to a quality life! I must feed my mind with the right words so I can turn them into powerful actions. If I want to accomplish something, Read more>>

Katie Ford | Creator, believer, & gift giver

I am from Gillette, WY, born and raised. To explain my background and upbringing would go as follows: Two incredibly amazing parents, who raised me and my siblings to be hard working, God fearing, self sufficient, care for your neighbors, and know family is most important. I watched my parents work so hard to provide for us and give us kids anything we’d ever need. After high school I had moved to Dallas, TX. I was over Wyoming (or so I thought). The grass seemed greener on the other side of the street. Read more>>

Monica Barrett | Manager at Right Time Watches–responsible for Service and Marketing, and some weeks taking out the trash. Wife to an awesome GC hubby and the mama of three amazing boys and one furry kid.

I was born and raised in Colorado. But that isn’t where my story begins. My parents are immigrants from the former Soviet Union, my mom from Belarus and my Dad from Ukraine. I would say that is the part of the background that makes the most impact on who I am today. My parents came as teenagers, but with the help of their parents and their community, they developed the work ethic that has become synonymous with immigrants. They came without any money and barely any language. They had a wonderful community here that supported them and parents that both loved and pushed them to be their best. Read more>>

Monica Barrett | Manager at Right Time Watches–responsible for Service and Marketing, and some weeks taking out the trash. Wife to an awesome GC hubby and the mama of three amazing boys and one furry kid.

I was born and raised in Colorado. But that isn’t where my story begins. My parents are immigrants from the former Soviet Union, my mom from Belarus and my Dad from Ukraine. I would say that is the part of the background that makes the most impact on who I am today. My parents came as teenagers, but with the help of their parents and their community, they developed the work ethic that has become synonymous with immigrants. They came without any money and barely any language. Read more>>