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.

Valerie Peaches Embry | Parent, Musician, Interactive Workshop Presenter,

I am from Gary Indiana. I was raised in a predominately black community of blue collar workers who migrated from the south. Family and community meant everything. Neighbors were extended family and helped to raise and mentor others in our neighborhood. Many character values were taught, instilled and upheld. Read more>>

Lisa Moore | Life & Movement Coach and Full-time Momma!

I grew up in small town Utah, smack dab in the middle of LDS community. My parents had both grown up in an active church going family but as adults, they didn’t… so naturally our family didn’t either. It never really was a big deal that we didn’t go to church, but I always felt a deep kind of faith inside me. Read more>>

Brent Rudisill | Sticker and Sign shop

In 2010 I bought my first vinyl cutter with my tax return from working at a skate and snowboard shop in Durango. It started as a hobby and I would make shop stickers for some of the local shops down there. We moved to Denver in 2012 and I kept doing it on the side. My roommate Eric at the time had one as well and was doing small stuff for his network and I was doing stickers for mine. Read more>>

Cameron Sandoval | Licensed Realtor/Broker Assoicate

I was born and raised in Aurora, Colorado and went to Grandview High School. For most of my life I have been an athlete. I played football and basketball all the way through high school then ended up going to Colorado State University to play football. While attending CSU I got my degree in Business with a concentration in Finance. Read more>>

Julia Sørensen Shaw | Visual Artist and Creative Director

I am first generation American, both my parents were born and raised in Denmark. Growing up and being familiar with two different cultures really helped me be able to have a more board and understanding view of the world, which I think is helpful in every regard. We were fortunate to be able to travel to Denmark at least twice a year to visit family and friends, making it very easy to hold on to my native language, Danish. Read more>>

Leah Casper | Singer Songwriter, Dance Artist, Choreographer, Executive Artistic Director of LuneAseas

I grew up in central Iowa. I believe our backgrounds can make us who we are or inspire us to help foster growth in ourselves for things we would like to change for the better. I came from a rural community with not a lot of opportunity to participate in the arts or grow the way I wish I could have. My mom was great at finding those opportunities that I could be apart of. Read more>>