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.

Sarah Coppola | Sculptor, Photographer, Designer

I grew up in a very tiny town about 45 min east of Charlotte, NC. My dad built my childhood home on land my mom had inherited that had been in the family for hundreds of years. My two younger brothers and I had 75 acres of mostly wooded land and a creek to play in as well as a field that was rented to farmers (that had great giant mud puddles to slosh around in and the occasional arrowhead or cool rock to find). While at the time we lamented not having neighborhood kids to play with, I wouldn’t trade my childhood experience playing in nature for anything now! Read more>>

Michael and Devena Pelzer | Luxury Picnic and Micro Event Planning Specialist

Michael is a Raleigh native, and I am from the inner coastal region of Wallace, NC. Even though he is a city boy and I am a country girl, our upbringing was similar. We grew up in close-nit families who loved to gather and be around each other. I believe that is one of the main reasons why starting our business flowed together so easily because, we are bringing loved ones in safe spaces to gather together. Read more>>

Nga Nguyen | Entrepreneur

I am from Vietnam. I have lived in Washington State for 6.5 years before moved to NC to run Bee Banhmi restaurant. My background and upbringing did impact who I am today in a different way: the cultural roots were partly reasons why I made some mistakes. Read more>>

Billy Whittaker | Entrepreneur/Creative Director

I am from a small town in central North Carolina. My town was so small that it had only three stoplights while I was growing up. The thing about starting from humble roots is that, 1. You appreciate everything and 2. You understand what it is to be the small guy and 3. You have a killer work ethic. I dreamed big even as a child, so my small town started to feel like a hurdle to me early. I wanted to get out as soon as possible and start making my goals happen. Read more>>

Lauren Yarina | Chandler

I grew up in northeast Ohio and after college I moved to North Carolina (for the weather of course). My background and upbringing has highs and lows just like most of your readers. Both the highs and the lows certainly impacted where I am at today. I think my childhood house was a bit on the toxic side- you know, a lot of arguing, name calling, loneliness and not a lot of compassion or loving communication. Read more>>

Anwar Alston Jr. | Designer, Seamstress, Artist

I’m from the Eastside of Greensboro, NC, mainly the ghettos of town. Being from there has put a different type of battery in my back when it comes to imagination. Being surrounded by so many families and being around a community that’s built on foundation and hope really drove me, and inspired me to become an artist that can inspire others coming from where I’m from. I was a child of the arts since a youngin, being apart of the boys and girls club we did a lot of things surrounding the arts, so any chance I got to express myself I was there. Read more>>

Nugget (Tiffany Machler) | Multidisciplinary visual artist, Arts advocate and Entrepreneur

I was born in Massachusetts, but I have been living in NC since 1st grade, so I consider myself a proud Wilmingtonian. Reflecting on my childhood, there are specific aspects of my upbringing that have greatly influenced the woman I am today. My parents were young and uneducated, and by the time I was twelve, they had separated. As a result, the atmosphere at home revolved more around surviving rather than providing enrichment and cultural experiences. Read more>>