Over the years, we have consistently been blown away by the examples of generosity we’ve witnessed from our community of creatives and entrepreneurs. We asked some of them to open up to us about where they think their generosity comes from.
Tami Enfield
I think my generosity comes from a place deep down. If I were really to dig deep, it was probably formed from a place of survival as a child. My younger self thought if I gave someone what they needed, they wouldn’t leave me. Read more>>
Frank Albrecht
When I was around 16 years old and still undecided whether to become a full-time musician or not, I got in touch with Andres Mayo, an established, Latin Grammy-winning audio engineer to ask him for some advice. Out of the kindness of his heart, with nothing to gain at all, he invited me over to his studio, allowed me to hang around some of his sessions, gave my music constructive feedback, and even wrote a recommendation letter for my admission to Berklee. Read more>>
Arsh Pal
When I was younger, I used to go along with my mom to her workplace. She was an occupational therapist and worked at a nursing home. I used to talk to the seniors there and it made them feel happy and they smiled. This made me feel good because I knew I liked to help people. Read more>>
Juan Faura
My generosity comes from my parents specifically my mother. At any early age, my mom instilled kind habits in me that not only benefitted others but also myself. In fact, she always says, “Selfless service is the greatest thing that mankind can offer to one another”. This quote still resonates with me today as a 22-year-old college student. Read more>>
Ashley Walker
My generosity comes from my family and my heat just being a good person. Read more>>
Chris Trueman
I think generosity is very important in the art world. When I was first getting started, after high school but before heading to the San Francisco Art Institute I was recommended for a show in a restaurant in Sacramento by a painting instructor of mine. I was around 18 years old and I sold enough work out of the show to take off and travel Europe for four months. Read more>>
Daniel Dubbaneh
We learned generosity from our parents and grandparents. In a culture renowned for its hospitality our family practiced a form of hospitality that went above and beyond. We saw time and time again how they put all of their effort into making people feel loved through food. From a young age we saw the impact we could have by doing the small things and paying attention to the details to make people feel cared for. Read more>>
Ridhi Bhalla
My generosity comes from my own experiences and difficulties in life. With a deeper understanding of myself I am able to empathise and express my feelings towards other people. When I people share their experiences and emotions with me I am able to understand that everybody goes through their own challenges and it helps me to realise that I am not alone in my struggles. Read more>>
Kristine Olson
My “life” generosity comes from my parents who have shown me that kindness is an unending, generous gift that can be given to any person, creature or environment. Participating in a bigger cause is another act of generosity they have shared with me. Being in the service of helping others, whether they are people, creatures or environment, is something both of my parents do in their own ways. Read more>>
Jenni & Jessi Lowe & Wassgren
Our generosity comes from how we were raised with our parents. We both lived under the motto “if ya have some, give some”. Having been in the industry for almost 20 years we have dealt with employers and other stylists who can seem greedy when it comes to personal gain and that has never been our motivation. We are constantly thinking about what our next donation or giveaway could be and love seeing how happy people are when receiving it. Read more>>
Devin ‘Deva’ O’Rourke
Considering the spiritual heritage of our community keeps me humble and feeling like I will never do ‘enough’ to repay the debt of grace thats come to my own life. When I remember this I’m relieved of the burden of counting and quantifying everything and can give freely from my heart what I have to offer. Read more>>
Julia D’Angelo
Growing up with an enormously generous of heart family got the ball rolling early. It wasn’t necessarily spoken but shown in little acts of kindness in our day to day. I think that is a great lesson in not feeling pressure to take extreme measures at your own detriment. While maintaining your own mental health you are doing small gestures that have meaning and add up. It can be as free and simple as listening. Read more>>
Sérgio dos Céus Nelson
For a long time I worked as a volunteer. At the time, through the Catholic Church and VO.LA (Volontari Al Lavoro ONLUS), I had the opportunity to work in jails, nursing homes, orphanages, children’s centers, hospitals and in different charitable actions. Read more>>
Roxy Ramirez
Generosity, I believe just like any other trait, is shaped by a combination of your upbringing, the people you choose to surround yourself with & your inherent qualities. Growing up, we didn’t have much, but yet, that never stopped my family from ever sharing. We often had gatherings & everyone was invited. Holidays were all about everyone coming together & bringing food to share. If you needed something, there was always someone that could help figure it out, it was just our nature. Read more>>
Matt Shoup
In 2005, I was a new entrepreneur. My business was beginning to establish and gain traction, and I also needed a lot of help with the things I did not know. One day, I walked into a coffee shop, and bumped into a man who owned a very successful company. He offered to buy me coffee, sat me down, and poured into me. He poured into me with coffee, his time, and his knowledge and insights into business. Read more>>
Lenese Calleea
My generosity comes from mother and grand mother. I grew up in a house with the both of them. They are very giving people. I come from a family from the south side of Chicago that are products of their environment. I saw them take in family members after being incarcerated, returning from rehab and being evicted. Read more>>
Steffi Reyes-Thomas
I am a giver. Generosity is my love language. I fantasize about being able to provide for my extended family, community, and beyond. Giving gifts brings me so much joy and I put energy in giving the perfect gift! I give so much so to others that I often need to be reminded that I am also worthy of my gifts and attention. Read more>>
Rebecca Benenati
First of all, to me being generous means that I can give my time, my heart, my experience and my resources in a way that serves my family, friends and community and leaves me feeling content and full. I learned to be generous from my family of origin. My parents and my siblings always made time for me and for being together. Read more>>
Bessie LeeCappell
I have a very generous family. I was raised by my maternal grandparents and aunt. I grew up seeing them give to the homeless, charity for the church and welcome neighbors into their home for a hot meal. My mother was also one to provide to others. My mother was an amazing cook. She would make meals and offer them to her friends and neighbors. Giving is in my blood! Read more>>
Elliott Jeter
My generosity derives from a few sources: my family, friends, and faith. My family shows generosity in so many ways, but the biggest way is through love. I’ll take a moment to highlight my parents. My parents (Lewis Sr. and Carolyn Jeter) are preparing to celebrate 47 years of marriage on March 31st, 2024. Read more>>
Tucson Tome Gnome
As a nonprofit organization, our generosity is rooted in our mission: “The Tome Gnome strives to build a culture and community that is united in the joy of reading by providing free books to inspire literacy, reading, empathy, kindness, and happiness.” We live that mission by running a monthly bookish community scavenger hunt! Read more>>
Jovion Curtis
My generosity comes from all the good people have done for me throughout my life and all the lessons they have taught me so I just pay it forward. Read more>>
Eric Michael Espiritu
Generosity can come in many different forms from giving someone your time to donating to charity to also simply just giving someone kindness. While in the past I have given lots of people my time and I’ve donated to charity and done charitable things, the act of giving kindness to people is what I’ve done the most in my life and what I’d like to focus on in regards to where my generosity comes from. Read more>>
LaToya Ball
I’d have to say my resilience came from becoming a first-time solopreneur. Figuring out that I didn’t have all the answers to everything, and everything was really on me. This lead to more than enough lessons where I figured out Success comes from the lessons. Read more>>
Shojuan Spence
I have always been a very generous person. From spending money, to being there for people, or even just lending an ear. Therefore i believe that my generosity comes from my heart. I have a big heart with so much positivity to share. Read more>>
Juan Marcel Smith, Jr.
So, this is a funny thing about me – when asked about certain things I usually can flow freely with my answer, however, now I am sitting and really thinking (possibly overthinking) my response. That is one thing people often say to me “don’t overthink it”. So the simple answer is this, my generosity comes from watching my mom and dad give to others without hesitation. I am the second oldest out of 10 children (7 biological, 3 my dad adopted). Read more>>
