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.

Bruce Avery II | Screenwriter, Editor, Director, Cinematographer, Photographer, Animator, And Film maker

well i’m from Baytown Texas. A place with little entertainment and filled with industrial plants. Being around that gets boring and makes you beg for a way out. Don’t get me wrong i Love my home town but being there my choices for work were extremely limited and nowhere near what i wanted . I didn’t want to be stuck in the cycle of people who get out of HighSchool, go straight to the plants, and be there for the rest of my life. I wanted to do something different something that challenged my mind and let my creative juices flow. everybody else was concerned with how much money they made. My concern was was that i made a career for myself that help me get to where i want to be my way. Read more>>

Archie Mr. 180″ Jenkins SR. | Serial Entrepreneur – Photographer

“I started my own business because I needed a change. I wanted to be the example of what change looks like and change the mode and stigma. I had a vision to change the narrative and make money at the same time. However, what struck me was that I had to stop caring about the money and really focus on walking in my purpose. When I began to walk in my purpose, I began to realize that I was winning. I stopped caring about making a certain number of sales but focus on changing a certain number of lives each month. I focused on my vision and purpose, and that’s when I began to truly succeed.” Read more>>