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.

Ashley Carter

I’m originally from the small town of Mt. Olive, North Carolina, which most people know for its famous pickles or its university you can see from the highway; however, I know it as my hometown and the place that I’m grateful I was raised in. I grew up there because it is my mother’s hometown and we moved there shortly after I was born. Mt. Olive is one of those places where everyone knows everyone and there’s only one elementary school and one middle school. Read More>>

Rich Burghgraef

I grew up in New Jersey. My dad was in sales and my mom was in real estate so it was somewhat of a natural progression into running a real estate team. Learning to sell in New Jersey, I appreciated that people told you exactly where you stood (sometimes loudly!) Read More>>

Melanie Devontenno

I’m originally from Mount Vernon, NY, and my background has shaped me into who I am today in so many meaningful ways. Growing up, I spent countless hours cooking and baking with my grandmother, Helen, who instilled in me a love for the kitchen. Baking became not just a skill but a true passion and a therapeutic outlet for me. Read More>>

Alina V. Roach

Creatively leading with values is integral to who I am. My entrepreneurial journey is deeply rooted in a holistic understanding of wellness that intertwines technology, creativity, and faith. From a young age, I have experienced faith in the living God as a powerful catalyst for mental and emotional well-being, which fundamentally shapes my approach to design.  Read More>>

Nate Shockley

I grew up playing music and always loving various art forms, but I was by no means a visual artist.
I didn’t mean for this to become a career, it was a hobby and escape from myself and the world around me. Read More>>

Natalie Schorr

I don’t think I pursued an artistic career; I think it pursued me. Being creative is so much a part of who I am that I cannot really separate myself from it. I have had to take on many other jobs in the past in order to support myself and my family, but I was always able to find creativity in the cracks and moments between life. Also, creativity takes a lot of different forms. Read More>>

J.l. Baldwin

There really was no question as to why I chose a creative career because I had always been drawn to books and storytelling. It was not long after I wrote my first short story for a school assignment where I fell in love with writing and telling a story. Being able to create an entire world where I came up with characters, a plot, setting, resonated deep down within me. It was in that moment I realized okay, this is what I want to do. I want to do this for the rest of my life. Read More>>