Mama We Made It!

"Be completely present and conscious of what you're in." Evan Haskell is an entrepreneur, and Founder/CEO of the hospitality brand Urban Flat. But before building a multi-city, luxury housing company, Evan was class clown with a 2.3 gpa, with childhood dreams of being a firefighter.

He grew up in the hills of LA, a privileged area, and a different city experience, where coyotes roamed the streets, and stargazing was an nightly ritual. In his house, it was always family first. His brothers are his greatest gift, and his father is his biggest role model.

As a kid, Evan wasn't interested in the academic side of school, but rather sports and the social aspect. Moving from public school to private school was an uncomfortable challenge, and when it was time for college, Evan got rejected by almost every university he applied to. And although Evan was a star baseball player, a snowboarding accident threw a massive curveball in his path.

But it wasn't until his first year playing college baseball that Evan was faced with the reality that he wasn't good enough, and his baseball career was fading fast. That's when he asks himself..."Do I stay here, or do I change my life right here, right now." Taking the first step to a whole new life, Evan forced himself to fall in love with learning, set goals of getting straight A's, and finding a way out.

"There's no one path."

After transferring schools and graduating with a business degree from USC, then traveling Europe for two months, diving deep into self-discovery, Evan realized how free he was, and "life begins now."

This is a story of taking control, and creating the life you want. This is about believing in yourself, making mistakes, and persevering through them. This is about pain, and surviving the throws of being an entrepreneur, while finding peace and balance. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Evan Haskell. #MamaWeMadeIt

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"We all have an extraordinary set of skills. Discover how to use them, and bet on your magic." Laci is a multi-disciplinary graphic designer, creative director, and entrepreneur, who has worked with Disney, CAA, and brands like Nike, Jordan, and Hibbett Sports. But as young child growing up in Hunstville, Alabama, Laci has memories of crying to her mother saying, "why am I not creative?" However, it wasn't that Laci lacked creativity, but rather confidence to let it out.

As an observant kid, from divorced parents, with four older brothers, Laci developed a strong sense of independence. Always focused on how to be successful, she often took on opportunities for "optics", knowing they would look good on her resume, and for the next steps in her life.

However, it wasn't until the tragic event of her older brother getting murdered, that Laci's path would soon change forever. He was the one person in her life who inspired her to be creative, and his dream became hers. Attending University of Alabama, Laci studied criminal justice and political science, but it was an internship with the FBI that would re-introduce her to the creative world, and inspire her to go back to school to major in graphic design.

Now, after traveling coast to coast, working with some of the most influential companies, and the biggest brands in the world, and being featured in Forbes, Laci will still admits she struggles with confidence - but it's her ability to be fearless, embrace her differences, have undeniable work ethic, and be relentless consistency that makes her stand out. Ladies and Gents, this is Laci Jordan. #MamaWeMadeIt

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"Share your story, people need to hear your struggle." Born in West Virginia, raised in Colorado, Chief was from a military family, where learning to be resilient was a cornerstone of his upbringing. At a young age, he was a part of a music and dance group, with his father at the helm, leading like a drill sergeant. While other kids were playing sports and games, Chief and his group were practicing day and night, performing throughout the city, and winning competitions. However, paralleling this road was also that of hanging around gangsters, selling drugs, violence, and being one decision away from ruining his life. It was this tumultuous environment where Chief learned how to navigate - but music was home, a place where would always come back to among life's madness.

As he got older, moving from Colorado to New Orleans, Atlanta and eventually LA, Chief was caught in the tornado of working job after job, hustling, making money, and pursuing music. But at the same time, when he once thought had it all, he was losing friends, connection with family, and most of all, losing himself.

However, it was a destined trip to LA that turned operating in chaos into a beautiful journey. Connecting with people he was close to, and forming new bonds with people he was meeting, Chief began to grow within a strong community that was blossoming. Soon, from performing shows and throwing parties, to working in fashion and becoming a dominant marketing figure, the kid from Colorado was truly embedding in the fabric of the city.

Now, as one of the most reputable marketing executives, working with some of the worlds biggest brands and artists, Chief's proven that life is not about limits, but rather navigating to the next chapter. “There’s no time clock. As long as you're working towards something, get there when you get there." Ladies and Gents, this is Chief Johnson. #MamaWeMadeIt

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"When you're doing what you're supposed to, everything clicks." Davin is a designer, artist, and co-founder of the clothing brands Premium Co. and Diet Starts Monday. Raised by his mother in Madisonville, Kentucky, Davin grew up in a trailer park, and would often struggle with his identity. Dealing with issues of race and wealth, Davin would find himself escaping through worlds of skating, basketball, and drawing. 

But it wasn't until after high school, when he would fully tap into his creative side. Influenced by legendary painter, Bob Ross, Davin began to hand paint t-shirts and sell them to all the DJ crews, rappers and artists throughout the music scene. Gully Originals was born and would last for six years, as Davin committed to laying the foundation of his entrepreneur path. Soon expanding to graphic design, and creating mixtape covers, Davin was becoming one of the most sought out artists among the community, with his name and reputation spreading fast. 

His ability to evolve and continue to create would lead him to expand to jewelry, and soon combine forces with Tyler Hundley to organically create Premium Co., and later join together with John Geiger to form Diet Starts Monday.

Davin believes in the long term of brand building, embracing the right and wrong decisions that lead you to where you need to be, and looking at life like a ladder, with every step as a step up. Focus on creating, and what you believe in, and whatever direction that takes you in...follow it. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Davin Gentry. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“The moment I gain personal happiness is when I stop caring.” 

LYNWOOD STAND UP! This one’s for y’all. Enter Willie B aka The Ichiban Don. Willie grew up Lynwood, CA - a city with integrity and respect, but “you don’t take no shit!” Everyone knows each other, grows up together, but divided by two sides of gangs. But, Willie was someone who got along with everyone, a neutral character with a positive soul. 

Willie’s household built on the foundation of morals. His mother was from Mississippi, and his father from Cleveland, both hard workers who provided Willie with a good childhood and encouraged his artistic and creative endeavors - drawing and music. “Music and Art are the same. I see colors in every record.”

Throughout high school, Willie gravitated and focused on all performing arts - from battle rapping to singing in choirs. Music would soon completely take over, as he finally “understood” it. 

But it wasn’t until college when Willie was introduced to the world of beat-making and production, drawn by the desire to create the perfect beat for his rapping style. After entering beat battles and crushing the competition, Willie knew there was something special. 

This new found passion, combined with unrelenting work ethic, while navigating the throws of the music industry, drove Willie to produce for Hip Hop greats like Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, J. Cole, and remain a dominant force in the game. But if you ask him how he’s doing, he’ll give you a smile, and humbly say, “pretty good.” Ladies and Gents, this is Willie B. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“Take every negative, and outweigh it with a positive.” Born and raised in Queens, NY, Hommy grew up quickly, with a savviness that could only be learned from the streets. His parents immigrated from the Dominican Republic, and while Hommy was learning English by reading TV Guides, and immersed in the rich culture of his family, he also was exposed to the deep poverty of the country, making him truly grateful for all that he had. At an early age, Hommy started drawing, and began tapping into his creativity. But it wasn’t until he discovered the art of skateboarding, that his creativity would begin to blossom. From the graphics on the board, to the tricks, style, and fashion, Hommy’s identity was quickly being shaped, and so was his network. When it was time for college, Hommy decided to double down on the world of art, pursuing art school, and crafting his dream. This would soon become one of the most challenging, yet fulfilling times of Hommy’s life. He was the underdog, and no matter how many times he fell, he rose up again, learning that “art is about the learning experience, challenging yourself, and how you progress.” As he set off into the world, the young artist from Queens would soon embark on a journey that takes him from Apple to DC, and K-Swiss, while being guided by his imagination, influenced by skateboarding, and bonded by the power of networking, to become one of the most sought out and respected designers of the culture. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Hommy Diaz. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“Trust the timing of your life.” Amelian is a multi-disciplinary, wardrobe stylist, painter, artist, visionary, creative, and a true sartorialist. Her mother is from Japan, and her father is from East Oakland, and both met in Anchorage, Alaska where Amelian was born and raised. Although she would find herself battling to sometimes fit in, Amelian loved and embraced her mixed background, and always had a lot of pride in who she was. Her deep passion for the arts, guided her through school, as well as the tough times of moving, tumultuous relationships, financial struggles, and self-doubt and guilt. 

Art became her rock, her community, her identity, and her dream - something she would never quit. After going to college in Las Vegas, and experiencing a life beyond Alaska, Amelian found her way to LA to quickly dive into the world of fashion and style. There, she would experience the life she thought she dreamed of - working with some of the biggest entertainers, making good money, and establishing herself in the industry. 

But as she says, “Be careful what you wish for. Money isn’t happiness.” Although externally things were “good”, she struggled to find true happiness, and more importantly, struggled to find her true self. It was now time for the real journey to begin… 

We often need to experience pain and suffering to know what happiness feels like. So embrace it, separate money from your value and worth, take a step back, find yourself, and love yourself.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Amelian Kashiro Hamilton. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“You have to invest in yourself before anyone can look at your situation and offer help. That’s what separates people.” 

Born in Nyack, NY, with the same birthday as Kobe, James entered this world to do something great. His family is first generation Haitian, and James grew up in a diverse neighborhood, as a kid playing basketball, loving hip hop, and into girls, clothes, and his tight crew of friends. 

But at 14 years old, his life was turned upside down, as he would have to leave everything he knew, and move to Georgia. Challenged with making new friends, experiencing racism, adapting to a new culture, and battling depression, James had to look in the mirror and ask himself “Who am I? What made me, me?”. As he progressed into college at Georgia State, pursuing pharmacy, photography, marketing, and learning the “art of the finesse”, James’ quest of self discovery continued. 

Then in 5 minutes, his whole life would change once again. A last minute trip to OVO fest would soon turn into the next chapter of James’ career, and launch him through the wild journey of the music industry. But this was more than finding a career opportunity, this was finding a purpose.

From tours with Drake, to managing Grammy nominated producers, and A&R at Universal Music Publishing, James is only now getting started. 

This is about working hard with integrity, and staying humble. This is about letting your purpose guide you. This is about connecting with people, and being grateful every step of the way. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is James Supreme. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“Everything I do is the business card for my next job.” Born and raised in LA, Danny grew up in the parallel of sports and creativity. He learned the value of strength, work ethic, and discipline from his mother, and discovered his passion for photography through old photos of her journey from Jamaica to the US. Music also played a major role in Danny’s household, and was first introduced to the industry through his older brother. This would soon lead Danny to the world of promotion, as he and his high school friends became a powerhouse crew working with the biggest artists and record labels that would come through LA. Danny’s relationships, money, and entrepreneurial spirit were growing. But it wasn’t until college, that he moved away from the comforts and certainty of LA, and into the fears and doubts of a new city. “LA raised me, the Bay made me.” It was this time period where Danny was alone, struggling not to get kicked out of school, challenging his talents, figuring out who he really was, and what journey it is that he's embarking on. It’s at this point where we have to fight for the person we truly want to be. Reconnecting with his creativity and passion, Danny let the ethos photography and film guide him. And now, it was game time, as Danny set out to be one of the music industry’s most sought out directors, filmmakers, and photographers, bringing visions and dreams to life. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Danny “Topshelf Junior" Williams. #MamaWeMadeIt

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“The root of all suffering is desire.” From a suburb just outside St. Louis, Joe Weil was quickly on the path of exploring all his creative impulses, getting lost in stories of adventures and different worlds, and truly falling in love with art, and movies. But it wasn’t until a run for 8th grade student body president that “The Election” would be the start of Psycho Films, and his entrepreneurial journey as a filmmaker. Joe was often labeled as the “weird, artsy movie-making kid” but rather than fighting it, he fully embraced it, and used this ability to connect with people, while making full length feature films. It wasn’t until Joe moved to LA for college, where his skills, dedication, work ethic, and sense of self were tested against the best up and coming filmmakers in the world. And in true Joe Weil fashion, he used this as an opportunity to bring the best together, to form something bigger than them all. From being wild and fearless college kids, to building one of the freshest companies, making videos for some the greatest music artists in the world, all of Joe’s dreams were coming to fruition. But sometimes we have to ask ourselves, are we ready for it? Can we keep it up? And most importantly, who am I?? This is a story about discovering what you love and going all in for it. This is about never giving up, and suffering more than everyone else. This is about finding happiness by looking inward. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Joe Weil. #MamaWeMadeIt

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