Through our work we have had the good fortune of seeing firsthand how success comes in every shape, size, color, faith, and orientation. More importantly we’ve learned that success is often the result of people embracing their unique backgrounds and so we’ve asked the community to tell us about their background and how it has impacted where they are today.

JeQuetta Canady (JCANDO) | Encourager & Business Credit Coach

I’m originally from Roanoke, Alabama. I was diagnosed with Dyslexia in the 3rd grade. I struggled with fitting in and knowing who I was. I didn’t value my thoughts or my voice. I ended up being a young mother and wife right out of high school. I joined the military later in life where I got to see what leadership really looked like. It was through my military career that God not only began to show me who He was in me but, who I was in Him. After a breast cancer diagnosis and early medical retirement from the military, I started my journey in entrepreneurship and I haven’t looked back since. They call me J-CAN-DO because I believe I “CAN DO” all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Read more>>

Akira Satoh | Musician and Producer

I’m from Montreal, Canada. My ethnic background is Chilean and Japanese, which I feel are the foundations for my passion for Music. My parents are both musicians, my mother is more classically trained and my father has played more Andean folk since he was very young. I grew up with music being played around the house a lot, with a bunch of instruments within reach for me to muck about with. As a result, I have quite a connection with music, not only with making it but also listening to it. There’s such an indescribable joy I have whenever I hear a wonderful progression or timbre or anything that would be heard and used in the vast world of music. Read more>>

Tammeca Rochester | CEO/Founder

I was born in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, a small non tourist town that is known for farming. In fact, when I mention to another Jamaican that I’m from St. Elizabeth, they immediately say “oh you a country gal”. Then at the age of 4 my family and I migrated to Atlanta, Georgia where I was no longer the country gal but the “weird Jamaican”. I learned early on that being different was my special power. We were the only Jamaican family in school all the way up to high school, and the only family that was led by my mother, a force all by herself, who strongly believed our differences made us special. Read more>>

Codeine Shorty | Recording Artist

Well I’m from Chicago, born and raised (Westside) and out south. I was born into a family that had a passion for music. I use to sit n watch my uncle n older guys rap their songs they made in studio and every since then I was motivated by making music. Now once me and my cousins aged we started writing music n it seem to just stuck with me. My mother also play a big role my freshman year she brought me recording equipment once she seen how talented I was as well as my little brother.. That helped me so much because I started to find my sound while learning the basics of audio engineering. Now I record myself in the car n people would be surprised because it’s still great quality of work. So yeah my history definitely helped me get to where I’m at now. Read more>>

Filipa Babo Amaral | Kindergarden teatcher any yoga and meditation kids instructor

My name is Filipa, i´m from Portugal, always lived in Lisbon. I´m a kindergarden teatcher, and i love what i do! I realy love to work with childreen i learn so much with them. In Portugal i work as a kindergarden teatcher for a big intitution Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, in Lisbon, Portugal. My work was with children in risk. And i loved it. In 2010 i came to São Tomé e Príncipe to be a volunteer for 1 year in São Tomé. I came to work with needy communities, with children, in mé-zochi, Madalena e Ribeira Afonso in the south. In 2010 i meet my husband and i decided to be in the island for the rest of my life! 🙂 Read more>>

Chariti Hill | Loctician, Chef & Dental Assistant

I am from Atlanta, GA. Oakland City to be exact right off Cascade. Growing up seeing the things you see, all you dream of is better. Better environment, better surroundings, better resources, and better sleep at night. Growing up how we did, I knew from a child I had to do something to progress and be great. No matter what it was. Read more>>

Christian Harrison | Makeup artist and hairstyles

Well.. hello I’m christian Harrison, Born and Raised from Baltimore Maryland (AKA) Murder Land. My upbringing was very well let’s say a lot but my mom was in the hair business so was my sister they both had business and shops but I didn’t wanna do hair even tho I was taught the game but I was still trying to figure out WHO I AM…What !! Will make me different and one I Cut my eyebrow in middle school and started practicing makeup. I knew the makeup Industry was for me cosmetology was for And my background is pretty much simple…but not simple!! I grew up to be known as the bad child I couldn’t go anywhere without hearing that but I had to change that image of myself . Read more>>

Time | Music Video Director and Camera Operator

I am from Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up I was always artistic. I had a good support system around me and I was very encouraged to be creative as a child. I had my troubles and problems just like every other kid, but I can’t say my family did not support me creatively. Once I hit high school I turned to singing and song making. I really enjoyed music and singing. I hit a point as a teenager where I started to notice that I was more musically inclined than my peers and the others around me. Music was just easy for me. It flowed and I knew when I was singing I could feel a very warm deepness in my depths chest. Read more>>

Karion Blanton ( CHEF NOLA ) | Chef & food Enthusiast

I’m born and raised in New Orleans, La. My culture and where I came from definitely has had an major impact on my values and how I move thru everyday life. I come from a back ground of very strong & creative women… all most definitely in love with the kitchen. I learned from the best my mom and Grandmother. Both instilled in me high values and ambition. Being raised by great women and motherly figures has most definitely lead me to wanting to care for & feed everyone I encounter. Read more>>

Natasha Baptiste | CEO of Beguiling Phenix

I was born in Antigua, West Indies, but raised by my adoptive parents in Plantation, FL. I was raised by West Indian parents, who were deeply rooted in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. There was always that expectation and push for me to be successful, so the pressure was always on. Lol. I’m sure my parents questioned if I was picking up anything they were trying to teach me. While I was younger I definitely fought against this but as I became an adult and matured, those embedded values and biology helped me through the toughest times in my life. I was determined to make my own way and become successful. I can definitely say that nature and nurture contributed to who I am today. Read more>>

Hayden Warren | Model & Health Coach

Hello! My name is Hayden Warren, and I am 19 years old. I currently live and am from a small town, called Enterprise Alabama, home of the Boll Weevil. I love my little hometown, but has brought me many challenges for my long term goals. Modeling is not a very big thing here, and agencies are scarce. I think that’s been one of my biggest influences, is to make my hometown proud. Being from a small town, defiantly makes someone who they are. My little community supports each-other in the good and the bad. Read more>>

Carrie “Bri” Marshall | Certified Spiritual Coach, Metaphysical Store Owner and Tax Preparer

I was born in Columbus, GA but grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. My business Cane about because I like to travel and always needed to cleanse the space around me. The cities/towns I traveled to didn’t have too many Metaphysical stores. So I started ordering Sage, Florida water and crystals. Other people I met would always ask where I got it from and that is when I started buying in bulk and selling what I had. Read more>>