Through our work we have had the good fortune of seeing firsthand how success comes in every shape, size, color, faith, and orientation. More importantly we’ve learned that success is often the result of people embracing their unique backgrounds and so we’ve asked the community to tell us about their background and how it has impacted where they are today.

Vanessa Ilnitsky | Fine Artist

I was born and raised in Wasilla, Alaska surrounded by miles of woods and mountains that surrounded the entire matsu valley. The rugged beauty of the outdoors inspired a wonder inside of me from a young age- an appreciation for detail and nature and the warmth of the sunlight, which weaves itself into my work.

Ana Miller | Hoouseless Rights Activist, musician, & Odd Duck

I was born in Golden, Colorado. My mother was the exactly what you expect for a 60’s hippie. My father was a blue collar chef. We were never well off. Hell on more then one occasion I can remember my parents going to the pawn shop to make sure rent was paid. We moved to Georgia my freshman year of High School. Read more>>

Nicole Mayes | Photographer

I was born and raised in Germany and my brother and I always were very close. We came from a one parent family and had to rely on each other quite a lot. I was married young to a serviceman and had two children. We moved to America and I was so overwhelmed at the vast open spaces, the culture and the people. Read more>>

Kelsea Fischer | Classically trained Fine Artist

I am a Colorado native that grew up loving the visual arts and knew it would be in my future. My grandmother was a Sunday school teacher and always did arts and crafts with her students and I always helped her. Read more>>

Breanna Williams | Entrepreneur

I was born and raised in California, but it was not until moving to Colorado that I felt HOME. My upbringing had everything to do with where I am today, but not in the way most might think. My parents were teen parents and I spent most of my life never digging roots. Read more>>