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.

Samuel Goldsworthy | Sam Industries, Inc., Entrepreneur, Welder and Metal Fabricator

I was born and raised in North County San Diego. My earliest memory was going to work with my father, who was an automotive mechanic, I used to hide in my dads snap on tool box, I was probably three years old, so needless to say I was raised in an industrial environment. My father even owned his own shop in Vista for a few years. Read more>>

Alijah Jacob Buada | Writer & Storyteller

I was born in San Jose, California, and raised in Stockton. Both sides of my family are determined, hardworking people who always put their family first. They all instilled in me the importance of being family-oriented, goal-driven, and a role model — especially for my younger cousins. My Mount Rushmore of creative influences has to be Anthony Bourdain, Haruki Murakami, Ryo Fukui, and Wes Anderson. Read more>>

C. Osvaldo Gomez | Financial Education Advocate, Author, & Teacher

I was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and immigrated to San Jose, CA with my family in the early eighties. Being an immigrant and seeing my parents struggle to make ends meet provided me with motivation to work hard (hustle) and prove that I belonged in this country. It also fostered a feeling of tremendous gratitude for the opportunity I was given to better my life. I don’t take US Citizenship for granted. Read more>>