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.

John Iverson | Entrepreneur

I grew up in Arvada/Westminster Colorado where my step-father ran his own fireplace installation company. That is what inspired me to start my first business in third grade, although I think that entrepreneurial spirit was innate in me. After my Mom separated from him it was apparent that if I was going to have anything I was going to have to work for it. I worked a few different jobs but benefited most from my experience in the service industry in my most formative years. Good customer service is rooted in humility and selflessness that translates into the way that you treat people in general. To own and operate any business it is imperative to treat people well. My paycheck as a waiter was a reflection of how well I treated people and is now habitual in the way that I treat people in general. Read more>>

Nicolukas | Urban/Reggaeton Artist

My name is Nicolas and artistically I’m known as Nicolukas. I was born in Bogota Colombia where my family is from too. I’m the middle child between my two siblings and I. My parents came from a middle class family and they were doing their best effort to give us a better life and moving to Colorado was a decision they took when I was 11 years old as they wanted to give us a better life and open our minds to different things by moving to the US. At first it wasn’t easy as it was a new country, culture and language, I felt as an outsider but with time people made me feel welcome. For me everything was new but I was also the new person for everyone which made me the spotlight at school and different places which help to bring out a side of me that I didn’t know existed. Read more>>

Julissa Perez Vecchini | Founder and Owner of Origins Accessories

I was born and raised on the beautiful, tropical island of Puerto Rico. When I was eleven or twelve, I remember always asking my mom to borrow her accessories, while trying to match them with my school uniform. I also loved being around my grandmother while she was sewing, because not only did she teach me her techniques, she developed her own fashion trends for the kids in our neighborhood. Somehow she also found spare time to help take care of those same children while their parents were at work. Her generous heart and caring soul was something that brought me to enjoy learning from her, and taught me the importance of giving back to others. Read more>>

Rachel Wever | Certified Fitness Trainer & Coach

I’m actually from a very small town in Missouri. Dawn is the name of the town and I always say we have more cows than people, because it’s true. Growing up in Dawn helped shape me in many ways. Most notably, is that I find it easier to connect with my clients on a more personal level than most trainers can, or care to do. People in small towns grow up at a slower pace, your neighbors and friends become more like your family. If you don’t like someone it’s just too bad, because you’re stuck with them! There’s no where to run or hide in a small town! You learn to create personal and meaningful relationships with everyone around you. Because of this, I feel it’s easier for me to connect with and have empathy for my clients. I deeply care about their personal lives and goals as if they were my own. I love celebrating with them when they reach their goals because that connection makes it feel as if I achieved my own goals as well. Read more>>