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.

Kristine Phommachanh | Mom of 4 & Entrepreneur

I am definitely proud to say that I was born and raised right here in Houston, Texas. I am first generation Asian-American in my family, My mom and dad both immigrated here from Laos. My dad came to the United States at 17 by himself, he left his family behind and worked extremely hard to provide for us. We didn’t have much but what we did have we never took for granted because we knew it was from his hard work and dedication. He always said “I didn’t come here and work hard for you to not make something for yourself.” Read more>>

Jason Lee Villarreal | Realtor

I was born in south Texas, also known as the Rio Grande Valley and was raised by my parents and my maternal grandmother in a 1940’s home, shared with other members of the family. The house barely measured 800 square feet, no air conditioning, no grand foyer, no butler’s pantry and certainly no pool. That house didn’t feature many amenities, but it was home because of the family under the roof and what they provided for me. Growing up from humble beginnings you are taught that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Read more>>

Ikeshia Jacobs | Serial entrepreneur

I’m from Baltimore Maryland born and raised, I grew up around a lot of violence and abuse. I grew up poor, sometimes we had no food at all in the refrigerator. I was always into trouble at school always suspended. When I started high school my mother suffered from a heart attack which landed her in a coma for a while, I had to stay with my father and visit her this was a very difficult time in my life. I decided to stay with my father after she came home she dropped me off to him around the age of 12-13. Read more>>