Where you grew up and your background can often have surprising effects on our lives and careers. We’ve asked folks from the community to tell us about how their background has affected them.

Aj Whisler | Entrepreneur

I grew up in Fremont, Ohio, on former farmland with a grip of horses, chickens, a 4-wheeler of some sort, and almost limitless freedom. My parents were a bit older when they had me, and I was significantly younger than my brother. and sister. My grandparents lived on the property with us, so we were constantly together doing all the things families in the midwest do.  Read more>>

Carlos Solorzano | Pro Drumer & Songwriter

I was born, raised and started my music career in the Los Angeles area. I was fortunate to grow up with parents who loved all kinds of music who were also very encouraging and supportive when I expressed my desire to be a musician. I would play in some school programs during my younger days, take private drum lessons for several years and attend El Camino Community College in Torrance, CA and earn an AA in Music.  Read more>>

Christine Keeley | Photographer & Director

I grew up in Haddonfield NJ as one of eight in a rather large, extended Irish-American family. Very large, actually. I was daughter #5 in a family of 6 girls and 2 boys, 23 first cousins and countless second cousins. All first cousins attended the same parochial Elementary school, but that’s another story altogether! We were lucky back then. Everyone in good health and lots of Family gatherings for every occasion. Read more>> 

Ana Santos | Illustrator & Muralist

Hi, I’m Ana and my pronouns are she/her/ella. I’m from the Basque Country, a region in the north of Spain, with their own language and their own culture. I was born and raised in Bilbao, a rainy and grey city surrounded by mountains and close to different beaches. People are really friendly and openminded there, and they socialize through food and drinks, no matter if it is raining, snowing or it is 98 degrees outdoors. So I can say that celebrating in the streets or in the nature is part of who I am. Read more>>

Feri Tyler | Metaphysical Counselor & Stagnant Thought Pattern Disrupter

I was born and raised in Oakland, California. My parents emigrated there in the late 60s from Washington D.C. I use the word emigrate because it truly was like leaving one country to permanently settle in another. Culturally, what was happening on the West Coast was quite different from the long standing traditions and expectations of the East coast. Read more>>