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.

Dauma Stirbyte | Ceramic Artist

I was born and raised in Lithuania, in the 90s, right after our country regained its independence from the Soviet Union. I was always a creative and sensitive kid. I used to draw/use watercolors because it was the most accessible and affordable thing I could do. I come from an underprivileged background, and there were many things we couldn’t afford or do. Read more>>

Johanny Kim” Guzman | Art Director & Percussionist Musician”

I am a Latin woman, with Spanish roots, I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, from an early age I was introduced to music thanks to my father’s melodies on his saxophone. My mother, a visionary woman, pushed me and my father towards the arts from a very young age. The activities I did as a child, such as modeling, participating in beauty pageants, music, dancing and acting, have undoubtedly had an impact on my personal development and who I am today as an adult. Read more>>

Vanessa Schefke | Writer, Filmmaker, Creative Director

I was born in Germany, and we moved around quite a bit, every few years or so. My parents are political and cultural journalists, my mom especially was constantly seeking out new adventures and stories. We lived in Ecuador, visited Senegal, Gambia, or Egypt, moved to the Canary Islands in Spain, then in various German cities, we spent time in New York and Holland, before ultimately landing in Miami when I was 13. I now live between Miami and Berlin, Germany. Read more>>