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.

Mauricio Herrera | President

I am the youngest of six children, born into a life marked by both adversity and resilience. At the tender age of six, our father’s passing cast a shadow over our family. Faced with the challenges of making ends meet, my mother, with the financial support of family, made a courageous decision for my sake. She took me—the youngest—and embarked on a journey to the United States, leaving behind our homeland with hopes of crafting a better future for me and, eventually, our remaining siblings. Read more>>

Philistine Norwood | God Fearing Boss Mom

I am originally from Palm Beach County. Born and raised in Riviera Beach FL. The neighborhood I grew up in with all my friends was called Stoney Brooks. In the time that I grew up it was a little more peaceful then today, however there were still your average everyday crimes and things going on. I remember always going outside to play and just wanting to be grown so I can leave. Now don’t get me wrong it wasn’t a horrible neighborhood we did a lot as kids and came up with some cool games to have fun, I just knew I didn’t want to make a life surrounding this neighborhood. Like I said we had the typical crimes and drugs around but I knew as a child I would be destined for some thing a little more bigger. I was raised in a one parent home, My mother was a single mother of myself and my sister and my dad was a single parent of just myself. Majority of the time my mother was working so she could take care of us and my dad I would see him on the weekends or most school days until I started living with him full time for school. I remember as I was growing up I said I’m not going to work myself day in and day out for some one else. But life happens and I did have to work but while working it taught me to be humble, disciplined, and respectful to the next thing I was set out to do and that was to become a business owner by any means. Palm Beach is the type of place where everyone is doing the same thing just in a different way and that’s brilliant. I knew I wanted to be a business owner of what ever was going to keep me rich. Well as I said it didn’t quite work out that way and I not only had to get a job to survive I was still in high school, so yes crunch time was real. Between having senior dues to pay and other things I needed as a I was growing up I got comfortable with working. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not saying anything bad or negative about working a job cause truth be told you have to start some where. I just knew I didn’t want to stay there in the job setting all my life. Read more>>

Eurice Rojas | Writer & Entrepreneur

I was born in New York City in 1958. My family returned to live in Cuba after my birth, where my father was arrested as a political prisoner, and after he was released, we ultimately escaped in 1961 and returned to New York City. Read more>>

Rose Mercado | Music Consultant & Media Creative

I grew up in rural Pennsylvania, in a small town that few people have heard of. My humble beginnings and limited access to different types of music in the 1980s and 1990s led me down a path to discover success through my life’s greatest passion, music. Read more>>

Erik Ringman | Neon Artist & Physical Designer

I always say I was born on the slopes of Mt. Olympus, that is to say on the 1-yard-line into the endzone that is Los Angeles – where millions around the globe either quest to come, or merely dream of doing such. We manufacture and export culture to the world here, I have a keen awareness of the entertainment business’ ruthless and clinical nature that does nothing to taint my wholehearted belief in Hollywood magic. For anything to have its full power, it must embrace its shadow and its light equally & simultaneously, and the Southland is alive with this duality. This unified view, laughing with not at, is fundamental to me and my work. Read more>>

Woodarlie Toto | Registered Behavior Therapist, Model, Content Creator, Motivational Speaker

I am from Haiti, born in Carrefour and raised in Léogâne and Pétion-Ville for a while. My upbringing in Haiti, amidst financial struggles and witnessing my mother’s sacrifices, has deeply influenced who I am today. Despite the challenges, my mother instilled in me a strong work ethic and the belief that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. She encouraged me to pursue my passions, like dance and beauty pageants, and pushed me to excel academically. Read more>>

Vivian Thomas | Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor’s Degree in Psychiatry, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, & Clinical Nurse Educator

I was born and raised in Medellin, Colombia, and moved to the United States in my late teens. I have always loved medicine and people, so I became a critical care/trauma Registered Nurse for about a decade. Nevertheless, I was always eager to keep learning and serving the community in different capacities, so I returned to school and became an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. I worked in many great places before eventually earning a Doctorate in Psychiatry and Mental Health and a professorship at Nova Southeastern University. Read more>>

Ricardo Rick” Arce | Business Litigation Lawyer”

I am from the vibrant city of Miami, Florida — specifically unincorporated Miami-Dade County, nestled just west of Tamiami Park. My childhood epitomized the quintessential 80s experience, filled with carefree days playing baseball, navigating the neighborhood streets on my BMX bike, skateboarding and constructing makeshift ramps, and adventuring beyond. I have wonderful memories of growing up during my elementary school days at Saint Kevin Catholic School. I excelled as a cross-country runner, and showcased my talent on the baseball diamond as part of the Khoury League at Tamiami Park. These achievements nurtured my confidence and instilled in me a sense of pride. Read more>>