"Be you, stay you." Born and raised in the Arizona desert, where every sunset is a picture, and the landscape is a painting. It's not surprising that it would breed one of the most captivating, young photographers of our generation. But for Jacob, life wasn't always the perfect shot. Growing up, Jacob never liked being told what to do. Getting into trouble often, he found himself as the black sheep of his family, and eventually expelled from school. When you're labeled as the "bad kid" for so long, it can become your identity. Jacob wasn't a bad kid though, and it wasn't until college that everything changed. He left home, hit "reset", and started over. People gravitate towards you, when you can just be "you", and this was a time when he could just be "Jacob". With a father in the sports industry, it was a natural trajectory for Jacob to dive into that field. However, with photography becoming more than hobby, he was faced with a choice; follow in your father's footsteps, or make a name for yourself. Choosing the latter, it was time to get to work, focus on your craft, and above all, be a good person. After 100 "no's", and a couple "yes's", the dream soon became a career, and next stop was LA. Jacob's worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet, traveled to unknown destinations, climbed buildings and construction rigs, all to capture that perfect moment through the lens. But if you ask Jacob what inspires him, he'll tell you "be your own inspiration, be your own niche, be your own biggest fan". Or, you can just look at the tattoo on his hand; CREATE. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Jacob Fischer. #MamaWeMadeIt

Connect!

IG: @jacob.fischer

@mamawemadeit

@anoushmoin

@getrauschy

mamawemadeit.com

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"Pain is the first ten rungs on the ladder of success". From Brooklyn to Staten Island, John is 100% Sicilian and had the classic Italian upbringing. While we were eating PB&J sandwiches, he was throwing down chicken cutlet heroes (Shot out to Linizio). Being the only kid in a house full of parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, there was always a little bit of chaos, and a lot of love. Causing ruckus throughout his youth, John was the class-clown, and expert prankster. From getting kicked out of high school, and almost failing out of college, John struggled with finding his direction in life - until he realized the one thing that remained consistent; his camera. John was always shooting, collecting footage, and editing videos. Suddenly, a small dream began to manifest, and his journey began. He quickly fell deeply in love with the music industry, and brought his video skills to the table. Soon, he'd find himself leaving a life of laying wood floors in Arizona, to creating hip-hop videos in LA. But, this industry is ruthless, and the journey is even more brutal. John battled with rejection, losing money, and screaming success while failure echoed back. But for John, success is a mountain of failures put together. He continued to master his craft, challenging himself everyday, in an industry where there's no faking it to make it. You either deliver or you don't. To become one of the most sought out and influential music video directors in the world, you better have more than the gift of gab and camera. No doubt, John delivers - but that's because he lives his life asking himself one question everyday: "Are you the absolute best you can be?" If the answer is yes, you're lying. Ladies and Gents, this is John Colombo. #MamaWeMadeIt

Connect!

IG: @johncolombo227

@mamawemadeit

@anoushmoin

@getrauschy

mamawemadeit.com

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"You better love this, because it's not for the faint of heart". Moving to Hollywood, chasing big-screen dreams, and sacrificing everything for the rich and famous lifestyle is far from uncommon. But what if you're just a kid? For 6 yr old Brooklyn-born Vanessa Chester, it was only about one thing: working for that next Happy Meal toy. Every audition was a chance to shine, and before she knew it, she was working with some of the greats, from Big Bird, and Mr. Snuffleupagus, to Alfonso Cuarón and Steven Spielberg. Vanessa was self-admittedly, "that weird actor kid" and owned it 100%. But what truly makes a star? Some say talent and hard work, other says it's who you know. For Vanessa, it was always about being professional, regardless of your age. However, as a child navigating the entertainment business, it's crucial to get the proper support and guidance to survive. Luckily, it came from the most important and influential person in her life; her mother. As Vanessa faced rejections, bullying, and the "raptors" of the industry, her mother kept her grounded and protected. As life progressed into adulthood, fighting the label of a "has been" and reintroducing herself to acting, her mother encouraged her to live her truth. And with that, Vanessa has embraced her incredible journey, but never forgetting that she's trying to arrive somewhere. There's nothing like being underestimated, and knowing you're capable. So for all those who believed in Becky, Janie Gibbs, and Kelly Curtis Malcolm, this one's for you. #MamaWeMadeIt

Connect!

IG: @vanessalchester

Twitter: @VanessaChester

@anoushmoin

@getrauschy

@mamawemadeit

mamawemadeit.com

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"Have a plan in life, if you don't have a a plan you're not going to be confident" - says the guy who is among the top 1% in the mortgage business, rockin' a Stefano Ricci tie, Cartier belt, and rollin' in a 550 Benz. But what if we told you this same guy flunked the 2nd grade? Or that he was an all time C student? And that it took him 8 years just to make it through community college? The story of Francesco is one of true grit, tenacity, relentless drive, and confidence above all. With that, you can overcome anything. An LA native, Francesco's roots to the city run deep. Inspired by his mother and sister, he understood the importance of work ethic at an early age. On one end, he was a champion swimmer and can deliver the baddest Tae Kwon Do roundhouse kick at any moment. On the other, he was bouncing from school to school, hustling for work, while being the man of the house. Take a second to think back at what you were doing at 16 - now imagine if you had your own place, car, and job...for Francesco, nothing was given, everything was earned. There are many ways to make money, but if you want to build a life, you must play with precision, and lead with integrity. As he moved throughout jobs and industries, excelling with each step, he remained guided by the words of his 2nd grade tutor; "do your homework". Know your business, know your product, be the absolute best at it - because it's only then, when you can do right by people. From the kid at the bottom to the Don Dada at the top, this is Francesco Foggia. #MamaWeMadeIt

Connect!

@francesco769

francescofoggia.com

@mamawemadeit

@anoushmoin

@getrauschy

mamawemadeit.com

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You gotta know the rules to break them. Enter Matt Seigel. Growing up in Beverly Hills, Matt experienced the life we all aspire to provide for our families. One that was filled with love and possibility. He was a city kid, playing baseball, and the world was his oyster. When you have the opportunity to be whatever you desire, it may seem natural to "dream big". For Matt, there was only one thing he set out to be; a giver. As college approached, it was time to leave the bubble, and set out to discover. There, he was introduced to the love of his life, two turntables and a mixer. Music quickly became everything. It filled him with passion, creativity, and a new identity: MATTER. Becoming a DJ, and evolving to a producer, performer, band-mate, and artist, Matt gave music to the world, and was the glue that held it all together. But what happens when the glue leaves, and you want to do more than just "matter"? When you want to leave the identity you became, and discover who you really are? It's that moment where we have to tell ourselves two very hard words, "Do you". For Matt, that meant moving to NYC, to become the wrapper stuck to the gum at the bottom of a waiter's shoe in one of the greatest restaurants in the world...Yea, it's not always easy to "do you". We forget that we have to start at the bottom, and the bottom sucks. But it's those who throw their egos away, remain patient, learn, and embrace every ounce of the bottom, that make it to the top. Before we tell you how that gum wrapper became one of the most esteemed bar curators in the nation, just know that when your time does eventually come, you better be ready to hit a home run. #MamaWeMadeIt

Connect:

@matt_seigel

@mamawemadeit

@anoushmoin

@getrauschy

mamawemadeit.com

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Let's take it back to the 90's, East LA, during a time when gangs were the culture, and you had to "be" from somewhere. Whether you like it or not, this is your bubble, and you either belong or don't belong. For Benny, it was a time of survival, and seeking the meaning of acceptance. Art soon became his anchor to exist, and painting, designing tattoos, and graffiti were his way to fit in. But in his heart, he wasn't himself, but rather a product of the environment. It wasn't until Benny discovered faith through Bahá'í, that the real quest began. He would soon find his voice through performing in prisons across the country, and find purpose through the inspiring conversations he'd have. That combination of voice and purpose became the foundation of his musical journey. However, as most know, the music industry can be ruthless, and as fast as he was pulled into it, he was thrown back out. While now battling with identity and self worth, he would experience his most humbling moment when caring for the greatest person in his life; his grandmother. It's often the times when we are the most uncomfortable that we do our best work. From the struggle, we grow, and from the growth we discover. It's at that moment, when we can be our authentic self. For Benny, it came down to one sentence, "Mijo, go do your music now". Ladies and Gentlemen, we give you Benny Cassette. #MamaWeMadeIt

Connect:

@bennycassette

@mamawemadeit

@anoushmoin

@getrauschy

mamawemadeit.com

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Chasing dreams will make us do crazy things, but like Jimi Hendrix said, "You have to go on and be crazy. Craziness is like heaven." For NoMBe, there was simply no other option. Growing up in Germany, he lived in a true melting pot of cultures. His father, a German artist-manager, and mother, a world-renowned model from Brooklyn. But, it was music that really touched NoMBe's soul when he first was introduced to piano, and encouraged to let his imagination run wild. As his path continued, with aspirations to be a producer, he would find himself dedicating every possible moment to crafting beats, inventing sounds, and creating musical landscapes that would soon become the foundation of his artistry. However, there's always "that" moment where life presents to us the person we could be vs. the person we should be; and if we're not careful, we can easily miss it.  For NoMBe, that moment came from an audition flyer stuck to the bottom of a shoe. That flyer would soon give him the opportunity to step out from behind the scenes, look into the face of his potential, and catapult his journey of "coming to America". But, it's truly when the American Dream becomes the beautiful struggle that the songs can now be written, and the artist is born. This is a powerful story of self-discovery, persistence, love and grit, Young Hearts and California Girls. Ladies, Gentlemen, and Freaks; this is NoMBe. #MamaWeMadeIt

CONNECT!

@nombemusic

@mamawemadeit 

@anoushmoin

@getrauschy

mamawemadeit.com

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The next time someone calls you weird, say "thank you". Earry Hall is the definition of weird (look it up). Growing up in South Side, Chicago, gangs were like teams, ball was life, and Earry was the dude rockin' bell bottoms, listening to Marvin Gaye. His role model was his mother; a protector, entrepreneur, and father figure. To her, Earry wasn't weird, he was "rare". Discovering art as a young kid, Earry would often get in trouble for drawing excessively in class. But it was in those moments where his mother would teach him the most important life lesson that would become the foundation of his entire journey; it's not wrong, it's just wrong timing. However, it wasn't until Earry made a college bet to start a business, that he truly understood what his mom was telling him. When we need to make money, we can often lose ourselves, sacrifice the things we love, forget what our passions are, and leave our happiness behind. But we have to remember, happiness is a choice, and a gift that we give ourselves. When Earry had to make that choice, he paid attention to the times he lost track of time, and in that, found himself. Earry's drawings would lead him to become one of the most illustrious and sought after designers, working with the most influential brands in the world. However, Earry has the soul of an entrepreneur, and it's only at these great heights when he's really just getting started. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Universe of Earry Hall. #MamaWeMadeIt

IG: @earryhall @mamawemadeit @anoushmoin @getrauschy

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ISSA MOVIE!! Welcome to Elmhurst, Queens. One of the most culturally diverse places in NY. It was the 80's and young Steve Patiño was jumping rooftops, climbing fire escapes, with the soundtrack of Thriller, break beats of Hip Hop, bright colors of the graffiti painted trains, and the Mets win the World Series. Life was good, but the struggle was very real. Steve comes from a family line of merchants and learned the game at an early age from the best to ever do it; his Mama. Growing up in Queens was all about style and fashion, and with that comes power. From the Polo Head Lo-life crews to the Air Max drops, Steve did everything he could to support his fashion. But it wasn't until he turned a neighborhood shoe store into one of the hottest sneaker spots in all of NY, that "Sneaker" Steve was born. It was this moment that set Steve on his path to becoming one of the most groundbreaking and influential people in fashion history. However, as we know, the journey to the top brings many falls. But what's crazy with Steve is that, he chose to fall. Sometimes we need to take two steps back to move ten steps forward, but we often are too scared to lose financial security, social status, and give up material items, while holding on tight to our egos. However, courage is defined as the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Steve's story is one of courage, perseverance, greatness, and above all, being a fashion Don Dada. From Queens to Hollywood, this is "Sneaker" Steve. #MamaWeMadeIt

Connect with "Sneaker" Steve: @sneakersteve @androidhomme

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