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.

Eva Leon

During my life I’ve found people that have helped me, and for me it’s important to help others find resources in the community because together we are more. Read More>> 

Michelle Varley

Hi, I’m Michelle Varley — the heart and eye behind Varleys Photography.

I grew up in Midwest City, Oklahoma, surrounded by strong family values, community spirit, and a deep appreciation for life’s simple joys. Before I ever picked up a camera professionally, I spent 30 years as a hobbyist photographer traveling the world, capturing moments for family, friends, and my own memories. Photography has always been my passion, even as I built a career as a respiratory therapist, caring for people in life’s most vulnerable moments. That work taught me patience, empathy, and the art of truly seeing people — qualities that now guide my photography. Read More>> 

Val Smith

I grew up in North Texas in a family owned and operated restaurant known for our Chicken Fried Steak and Famous Enchiladas. The whole family jumped in to help when we needed more hands on busy nights. At the age of 9, I was in the back of the kitchen rolling silverware and filling baked potatoes with butter and cheese, my older sister was seating people and my mom was making sure everything was running smoothly. It’s in my blood to be on the serving side of the restaurant and that’s where I’m the most comfortable. Read More>> 

Patty Powers

I grew up in the middle of the country in a small town, Madison county Virginia. I was homeschooled until eighth grade and then went to a different private school every year of high school. My mom was trying to find the best place for me to go to high school. I come from a background of entrepreneurs and my dad is a carpenter, self-taught. My brother owns his own solar company and they are both quite successful. My dad built my parents house and the older I’ve gotten the more clutter I have seen in the home. I didn’t realize that I had an issue with clutter and anxiety until a few years ago when I flew home to visit. Read More>>

Lorne Fultonberg

I grew up in the no-longer-small town of Superior, CO. The more I think about my upbringing, the more my love of swing jazz music and movement makes sense. But it wouldn’t have been possible without family, friends, teachers and mentors who saw something in me—often before I saw it myself. I was lucky to have parents who enjoyed music, valued the performing arts and supported me unconditionally. I was just as fortunate to have a truly top-notch music education at Superior Elementary School. I can still remember many of the lessons that, I now realize, were early exposure to one of my greatest passions. My middle school language arts teacher essentially made me audition for our school’s production of Fiddler on the Roof, and I was forever changed. Read More>> 

Stephanie Gillis

I’m originally from Minnesota but mostly grew up here in Colorado. Growing up, both my parents worked full time jobs and we didn’t have a lot of money so extracurriculars that normally keep kids busy like sports, dance, etc, so I was left to my own devices most of the time. That led to a lot of imaginary friends and adventures to act out. Stories and characters just came to life as a kid and then I started writing them down. I never shared them with anyone for years and years. They were just for me. I moved out of state for college, and then out of the country for work. When I came back to the US I was feeling lost and alone and it was my characters that helped me through tough times and I decided to give publishing a shot. Now I have five full novels and over a dozen short stories out in the wild! Read More>> 

Savannah Merwin

My journey began in Las Vegas, Nevada, though I spent my childhood crisscrossing the country, from Texas and Tennessee to California and Florida. I changed schools eight times, a chaotic rhythm that became my normal. The constant question people ask is if my family was in the military; the truth is, my childhood was defined by a troubled home life. My parents divorced when I was young, and I often felt caught in the crosshairs of their personal struggles. Read More>> 

Taylor Spain

I am originally from Nashville Tennessee. I lived in Los Angeles for a time and have been in Colorado for the last 12 years. I grew up in a family of artisans and tradesmen in Tennessee, from my great grandparents on both sides down to me we have all been some kind of crafter or maker. My parents both ran businesses in the construction industry and I started showing up on job sites as a small kid. Once I got a little older, the freedom and satisfaction of running a business and creating things was an obvious choice. The value of being taught how to work with my hands and give people something they enjoy is second to none. That background of family and growing up in a central hub for music in Nashville I think was a mix that doomed me to a creative path. There didn’t seem to be much else I wanted to do but create. Read More>> 

Cynthia Stadd

I grew up in Baltimore, but hightailed it out of there right after high school to go to the big city – NYC – to pursue my dreams of being on Broadway.  I got very close to realizing this dream as I became a professional musical theatre performer for almost 10 years. Although the experience was incredible, it also set me up to be in a pressure cooker of perfectionism and body image madness. Read More>>