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.

Dr. Alexia Inhulsen

I’m from a small town in Northeastern Colorado. There were 20 students in my graduating class and 80 in my High School. Growing up here, eyes and ears were always on you. I learned a lot about maintaining a positive reputation and holding integrity to a high standard. Sports were a big part of where I was from which gave me my competitive edge but also a willingness to put aside differences in order to achieve a common goal. Read More>>

Isabel Ranney

I’m from Denver, Colorado. I spent a lot of time outside as a kid—playing by the High Line Canal, camping, hiking, and helping my mom in the garden. She’s a horticulturist, and my love of plants and the land is something she passed down to me. Nature was always a place of wonder and safety, a place where I could feel connected to something bigger than myself. Read More>>

Cory Strauch

As the son of a Nurse, I grew up in the Home Health and Senior Living environment. My first job was at 15 washing dishes in a Skilled Nursing Facility in Thornton. Once I turned 18, I got my QMAP certification and began working overnights at an Assisted Living in Lakewood. I worked at a few communities in Lakewood, including a group home and Memory Care. Around the time I was 22, I started working at an Assisted Living in Northglenn as an Overnight QMAP supervisor.  Read More>>

Donald Fodness

I was born on a farm in Minnesota. My parents divorced when I was young and each year I split my time between northern Colorado during the school year and the Fodness farm all summer. In my mom’s household we had a blended family of 8 kids and 2 adults; I was the oldest of the lot. We started out in trailer houses, and even once lived in a barn, while my stepdad (with a 10th grade education) launched his construction business which ended up doing very well by the time I was graduating high school.  Read More>>

Jacob VanOpdorp

I’m a Colorado native, born and raised in Littleton. Growing up I wasn’t really into the outdoors, and preferred to stay inside and play with my action figures or watch tv. However, my grandpa is a hunter, so when we went over to his house I would get to see all of his trophies and learn how to respect wildlife and the outdoors through him. I’m pretty sure a combination of my gentle nature and my grandpa’s feelings toward the outdoors and wildlife is what helped me find my niche in photography. Read More>>

Jamye Richardson

I was born and raised in Loveland, CO where I now run Medela Bodywork & Wellness. My mother has always been interested in natural health options. She has been my #1 fan in supporting me in finding out what type of work was fulfilling.

In my early 20’s, I was on the road of self discovery taking basic education classes and trying different jobs to see what lit me up. Read More>>

Beth Anderson

I was born and raised in Illinois by parents with a “can-do” attitude who encouraged me to explore, be creative, help others, and not be afraid to try new things—all beneficial traits that carried me along. I learned early on that I enjoyed words—the science of words, the potential of words, and playing with words on a page. Read More>>