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.

Kendra LaRoche | Biophilic Designer

I was born in Jacksonville, FL but never stayed in one place long. I have lived all over Florida and many other states and currently reside in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. In a small coastal town along the Gulf of Mexico. Growing up we moved a lot. I was fortunate enough to have many different backgrounds to my childhood. The landscapes of New Hampshire to the tropical foliage of South Florida. The natural beauty surrounding me I have to believe plays a part in my love for plants and my passion to bring plants to my clients homes. Read more>>

Javon Johnson | Executive music producer

I am from Miami fl (brownsub) but have a Bahamian background. my background and upbringing impacted me in a major way with the Bahamian culture being musical and most of my family were musically inclined singing and instrument wise so I basically grew up around it Read more>>

Maya Wierzbicki | Private Chef

I was born and raised in Lebanon, and immigrated to the US as an early teen. My upbringing and cultural background have a great impact on who I am today. Food and community are rooted in the Lebanese tradition, which really drives me to be so passionate about what I do. I want to share with my community the love I have through food. Read more>>

José (“Dark”) Rodriguez | Sculptor & Illustrator

Seems straightforward enough but man, there’s so much to cover in that question! I’m honestly not sure where to begin but I’ll try to keep it succinct. Read more>>

Brev Sullivan | Multi genre guitarist

I am from Hollywood Fla. My family was very artistic. My mother is an artist and singer. My father was Jazz legend Ira Sullivan. Musical instruments were very prominent in our household and eventually I just started playing whatever instrument that was laying around the house. My family never forced me to follow a music career but they were very influential in my decision to study music and eventually become a musician. Read more>>

Ivan Tomasevic | Photographer

I was born in Nasice, a small town in eastern Croatia, just before the outbreak of the Serbo-Croatian war. My father was involved in the conflict, so the entire experience shaped my early years. I spent my teenage years skateboarding and filming skateboard videos with my friends. This period was a big influence in shaping my interests and outlook on life, ultimately leading me to discover my love for photography. Although I was always involved in creative circles, my educational path led me to pursue engineering due to various societal and economic influences. Years later, when Croatia entered the EU, I relocated to Berlin, Germany, where I decided to continue my journey with photography. I began my formal education in visual arts there and later completed my master’s degree in Antwerp, Belgium. Over time, my dedication shifted entirely towards photography and visual arts. Read more>>

Anel De Castro | Interior Designer, speaker, author, coach and philanthropist

I was born in Dominican Republic in the mid 80’s, and I love my culture- the music, the food, the customs, the warmth of the people, the city, the rich architectural treasures and history (La Zona Colonial is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the oldest European settlement in the New World), the mountains, waterfalls, beaches and even a desert! All of it is in my DNA and an intrinsic part of my being, as a Dominican of course, but also majorly influential in me becoming an Interior Designer. Growing up in a different country and then coming to the USA made me fully aware of how much of a blessing it is to live here. Even though I had to leave a big portion of my family, learn a new language and culture among many other new things, as an adult I have gotten really present to the sacrifices my parents made so that my brother and I had the opportunity to to study here and learn English and become naturalized citizens. It has also been the basis for my love of travel and exploring as I have a very nomadic and curious soul. I believe traveling at a young age sparked that in me, my first time in an airplane I was eight years old, and since then my fascination with anything flight related and airports has gotten quite serious lol. Read more>>

Gabriel Turnquest | Artist & Visual Storyteller

I’m from The Bahamas, was born in Nassau, and lived in Grand Bahama for six and a half years. Between transitions, I changed schools a lot, which meant readjusting every few years. Luckily my mom would always support any recreational endeavors of mine, whether it be sports, music, or something out of the ordinary. Being raised in an environment that supported individuality helped set the stones for me to explore and discover my love for artistry, specifically in the field of photography and cinematography. Most importantly, I appreciate the importance of a community that I developed through my childhood experience, and I get to seek and create that through my work every day. Read more>>

Monique Jackson | Educational Leader

I am from Boston Massachusetts and I grew up in the inner city. The community was diverse and rich in culture. I loved school and my teachers made a great impact in my life. I eventually followed in their footsteps and studied Early Childhood Education. Read more>>

Romi Wallach | Co-Founder of the Daily Drip

I am born and raised in Toronto Canada. I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. My parents were business partners with my uncle, in real estate development. My mom was one of very few women in this business when I was growing up and I was fortunate to grow up watching my father and my uncle support her in a way that if they had opportunities where men would refuse to work with women (and yes, this happened), they walked away from them without hesitation. I watched my parents work incredibly hard but always put my sister and I first. My mom really set the bar when it comes to working full time and being such an incredibly present and incredible mom. One of my parents were always at a volleyball comp, dance comp, and carpooling us all over town, helping us with homework. My parents showed us that family always came first, and how important it is to show up for the people you love and care about. That being said, I remember wandering into my parents room at night at 10pm or later and they would be working to make up for the time they took to be with us. In addition to that, they were active in philanthropy. They were leaders in the community and they involved my sister and I in all of the events. We learned from a very early age how important it was to give back and not just by giving money but by investing time and energy. All of this shaped who I am today and why I care so deeply about supporting my community, my friends and family. My parents showed me what really matters in this life by doing not just by speaking. I watched my father passionately connect people to one another and the genuine joy he got from making those connections. There is no doubt that he played a pivotal role in why so much of my career is rooted in connections and impact. Read more>>