There are so many factors that affect how our lives turn out, but one of the most interesting is how our backgrounds give us unique strengths and perspectives that affect who we are as adults. We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about their background and upbringing and how they feel it’s impacted who they are today.

Brett Dooley | Singer-Songwriter and Engineer

I would say that a person’s background and history impacts everything in their life. In fact, the sum total of my life so far still has great effect on the decisions that I make today. This is something that I explored deeply while I was writing the album that I’m releasing in February. Read more>>

Jeff & Brittany Lehman | Working Parents & Nonprofit Founders

We both are originally from Northern California and both of us grew up watching our parents do everything around the house. If there was anything that needed fixing or maintenance our parents did it. Both of us learned how to be self-sufficient and take on any challenge and to not be afraid of failure. Read more>>

Cantrell Maryott Driver | Visual and performance artist

I grew up walking in the muted colored hills and sandy arroyos of the Sonoran desert. Old and misshapen parts, rusty and washed with an ancient patina, became mysterious treasures. Read more>>

Tasha Schultz | Interior Designer + Vintage Connoisseur

I was born and raised in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Raised in an entrepreneurial home and developed a fondness for creative freedom, hard work and the belief + support that I could be anything I wanted when I “grew up”. I spent my summers with a paint brush in my hand, working for my parents painting company. Read more>>