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.

Carlotta Darice Taylor | Award-Winning Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Coach

I grew up a child abuse victim, in and out of foster care and shelters. The impact has taken several forms over the years. I endured a phase of un-forgiveness, estrangement, and a lack of self love. In some areas it strengthened my ability to overcome and empowered my ability to never feel sorry for myself. It took several years before I arose to the person I am today. Only God could have protected me from the snares that could have taken me out at any point of life. I am stronger and wiser, and the adversity pressured and polished the stone into a diamond. Read more>>

Sarah Krippner | Intuitive Healer, Breathwork facilitator, & Retreat Host

I spent most of my young life in Minneapolis, MN. I left after high school graduation to go live on Long Island, NY because college was not an option for me financially. Plus, I had no idea who I was back then. College seemed overwhelming. My parents were good parents in some ways and really emotionally inept in others. We always had food and a place to live. But there were a lot of screaming matches, threats of desertion. Both of my parents were alcoholics. I became one to. But that is where the beautiful part of the story is seeded. My childhood trauma and then my own self-destructive behaviors led me to healing. I didn’t realize at the time that the choice to turn my life around just to survive became the turning point that directed me to my purpose. Read more>>

Vitalii Mazur | Photographer

I was born and raised in Ukraine, but now I live in Toronto, Canada. My journey into photography began in the early 2000s when I started taking pictures using my parents’ film Olympus camera. Back then, photography was more about having fun with friends, taking playful shots, and not taking it too seriously. I was quite young and had no real knowledge of photography. Things started to change when I got my first mobile phone with a built-in camera at the age of 16. This marked the beginning of a more serious exploration of photography. I became genuinely interested in the art of capturing moments, delving into the study and practice of photography. It was an activity that resonated with me on a deep level. Read more>>

Ced Wynez | Recording Artist, Producer, Songwriter

I was born and raised in Miami, FL. I grew up in the neighborhood of Liberty City/Brown Sub area. My upbringing wasn’t as bad far as some people coming from where I’m from but I seen a lot of good and bad times. After my mother passed away in 1994 at the age of 12 years old my grandmother kept me and my brother in the church. I can say that was the beginning of the impact my life was about to experience. I’ve spent so many years not knowing and doing a lot of questioning that I couldn’t find the answers to at that time. Getting as far away from religion as possible has impacted me till this day. Read more>>