Our team is mostly comprised of optimists and we are often asked where all this optimism comes from and often these questions have led to enlightening conversations and so we decided to ask others in our community where they feel their optimism comes from?

Zsuzsi Steiner

My optimism comes from the deepest places of love, loss, and gratitude. I’m a mom of three boys—one in heaven and two here with me on earth. That reality has shaped the way I see life. I know how fragile and precious each day is, which is why I do my best to live each moment to its fullest.

Losing a child changed me forever, but it also opened my eyes to the beauty in the everyday. I don’t take things for granted. I’m so thankful for my marriage, our home, and the family we’ve built. I try to stay rooted in the present, holding on to joy even in the middle of heartache. Read More>>

Rick D Molchan

I have always believed that the glass is half full. Seeking out optimism and hope is the very cornerstone of human nature. While I may have developed confidence from spending 21 years in the military (15 in the Army and 6 in the Air Force) or humility from my grandmother that raised me or patience from raising twins – Radek and Marley, it has been the belief that you can make it and that tomorrow will be a better day, but you are in charge of making it a better day. Read More>>

Anna

It’s rooted in my trust. Trust in my instincts, my intuition, and in the quiet knowing that the universe has always had my back.

Life has tested me in deep and painful ways: childhood abuse, divorce, poverty, and patterns of self-sabotage that once kept me stuck in a victim mindset. That mindset served as a form of protection for a time, but eventually I realized it was also closing the very doors I longed to walk through. Read More>>

Adam Cunningham

My optimism comes from the failures I’ve faced along the way as an entrepreneur. Staying positive is what allowed me to push through those tough moments and ultimately turn setbacks into progress. From grinding it out in a food trailer, to paying rent on an empty space for a year and a half, to hearing “no” over and over while trying to secure investors, to the delays of building out our Downtown Raleigh space during Covid, it’s been a journey.  Read More>>

RAEANNE

Interestingly, my optimism didn’t come naturally. It was built by choice, not by default. According to the science of the happiness set point, every person has a natural baseline for happiness, and mine started on the lower end of the spectrum. I wasn’t someone who naturally woke up feeling positive or enthusiastic about life. But over time, through hard life lessons, I realized that staying negative or pessimistic was costing me joy, opportunity, and connection—and I decided I wasn’t willing to tolerate that anymore. Read More>>

Mike Root

I was once held back by fear and self-doubt, having faced bullying from ages 10-17 due to my small stature and youthful appearance. Despite knowing I was destined for greatness from a young age, growing up in an area where achieving success seemed impossible made me feel like I was settling for a mediocre life. I had big dreams, but was surrounded by naysayers, so I kept them to myself. I struggled with pessimism, depression, and anxiety, which led me to seek escape through substances.  Read More>>

Richard Carranza

Life is both beautiful and harsh, it brings the ups and the downs. Everything is not always smooth and proper. Sometimes we live and we learn, while others never seem to learn, so they never live. Nothing is guaranteed except for right now, this present moment. Time is so precious, it’s so valuable you can’t put such a price on it. I know the struggle real well. I was just another Brown poor boy growing up hoping for an American Dream I knew nothing of. Read More>>

Viktorija Johnston

I’d like to think my optimism comes from the realization I have free will of sorts. It’s a reminder that I have choices and if something terrible happens, I know I can get through it because I’ve dealt with worse. I believe it’s what kept me strong physically and mentally throughout the hard times of my career and childhood. Read More>>

Jada Moss

My optimism comes from choosing to see the good in all things. I’ve learned over time that when we focus too much on the bad or negative parts of life, it can make us feel hopeless—like we’re incapable of making a difference or spreading joy. So instead of letting the hard things overwhelm me, I choose to be a light to others. I choose to help where I can. I choose to smile. I choose to love. I choose to be happy.  Read More>>

Jessica Maxey

My optimism comes from the teachings passed down to me by my parents. They’ve instilled the idea that focusing on specific tasks is the only way to achieve desired results. It helps to have family support, and my husband of 20 years, Josh, is a significant part of my support system. Wanting a better life for ourselves and our daughter, Mayu, drives me to work hard. Read More>>

Nicolle Mendoza

Optimism. I definitely have to credit my optimism to my family. Coming from humble beginnings, life wasn’t always easy for my family, but I never saw my parents dwell on the negative. In fact, they always met bumps in the road with good humor. A rejection was a redirection, if something didn’t work out, it was just an opportunity to improve. Read More>>

Angelica Dvil

I have always had a rather sunny disposition in general, but especially in a world that is so quick to judge or ridicule others I find that what we can all share is a sense of belonging. I built my optimism up over years after years of learning who I am and accepting who I am . I believe that having a level of self acceptance and self love brings optimism to not only yourself but also for others by default. Read More>>

Dr. Jairo Borja

I get my optimism from striving to be the best. I have been in and out of debt. I am not afraid to take risks if I know the rewards are greater. Sometimes I win, sometimes I don’t lose, It’s a learning experience. From that learning experience I make sure that I don’t make the same mistakes again. Read More>>

Kesia Nielsen

Seeing possibility and momentum in challenges is something that took me many years of practice. It takes incredible self-awareness and a realistic sense of living too. My optimism came from surrounding myself with good, forward-thinking people, toning down my own self-criticism, and believing that I was creating something genuinely worth while.  Read More>>

444 Dust

I’ve been through a lot of trials and challenges in my life, but personally I found that when I was walking with the Lord, things were easier. Isaiah 40:31 says

“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.” Read More>>

Biz Hyzy

As I get older, the more I appreciate how I was raised. My family is quick to see the humor in situations others might find frustrating and to find the silver lining when things don’t go the way you want. Because of that, I approach most projects with a can-do attitude and with the knowledge that, even if something falls apart, I’ll at least have learned a worthwhile lesson (or even have a funny story to tell later!). Read More>>

Danielle Ste. Just

As a tech optimist and a futurist, my optimism is based upon the enduring story of human ingenuity. History shows that humans always strive for a better quality of life, and creating a sustainable economy from our extractive economy—led by large-scale solar and battery installations—is the way of the future.  Read More>>

Christiano Green

My optimism didn’t come wrapped in sunshine. It was carved out of shadow.

I grew up believing that life was going to be harder for me — because that’s what I was told. I still remember the moment I came out to my father. He looked me in the eyes and said, “You know this means life is going to be more difficult for you, right?” And in that moment, something inside me broke — not because I didn’t already know that, but because hearing it confirmed it.  Read More>>

Jen Kourtei

Life has thrown its fair share of challenges my way, leaving me with one clear option: to keep pushing forward. Early on, I realized that my mindset was a crucial tool in getting through tough times.

Sure, I could let negativity take over and worry about the worst outcomes…and sometimes they did happen. But, I also had the choice to embrace a lesson my mom taught me: “this time tomorrow.” This phrase serves as a reminder that if I can just make it through this hurdle, stress, or heartbreak, things might look different by tomorrow. Read More>>

Marcus Canillas

It comes from my family; that’s my team. Every day, they remind me what I’m working for and who I want to show up for. I stay active, on and off the paddle courts, because movement keeps me grounded and focused. But really, it’s love that fuels me. When you’re surrounded by people who believe in you, it’s hard not to believe in yourself too. Read More>>

Chris Sarfin

I guess growing up, I was taught to try and find the humor in challenging situations. I just remind myself that, at the end of the day, everything is temporary. For me, optimism is also about self-care; taking care of yourself means holding onto a sense of hope. But that doesn’t mean you should neglect reality. Let’s be real — it’s not always easy, but you can try to condition yourself to hold onto that hope. Read More>>

Kimmi Nguyen Lehr

I was blessed with a happy childhood even though we didn’t have very much in the beginning. My parents often reminded me that while some situations we have no control over, we always have control over our own attitude and how we respond to a situation. In most cases, I am always on the lookout for the good and generally put my attention there. I’ve tried to pass along this attitude to our children, especially since they have to manage multiple severe food allergies and focusing on what they miss out on rather than what they get to enjoy could be very disheartening. Read More>>

Danielle Hani

I think my optimism comes from a strong sense that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be right now. Moving to LA was a big step toward pursuing my dream of becoming a film composer, and I genuinely feel that the decisions I’ve made so far have been right for both my personal growth and my career. I try to follow my intuition and trust my gut, and that approach keeps me feeling positive and excited about what lies ahead Read More>>

Kwame Sarfo

My optimism comes from the way I see the bigger picture and refuse to settle. I’ve got a vision for my life that’s bigger than where I am now, and every move I make—whether it’s scaling my income, building my store, or hiring smart—is a step toward that future. Even when life hits hard—like the accident that could’ve changed everything—I don’t fold.  Read More>>

Todd Ramsey Moore

I have always been able to accomplish the most important things by remaining optimistic. Pessimism is something that can extinguish the fire in your spirit. When I was a kid, my mom took me to a class called the Silva Mind Control Method.
One of the basic principals taught in the course was positive reinforcement which was perpetuated in a sort of self hypnosis. I also learned to train my mind to achieve an alpha state which can calm the mind and help with focus. Read More>>

Rachel Hargrave

I have heard it said that optimism–that magical trait desperately desired by many and yet also maligned by some as being “whimsical” or “naive”–is less about “being happy all the time” and much more about possessing and practicing the skill of resilience. And I couldn’t agree more.

That means I actually believe that optimism is, at its core, less a personality trait and more of a learnable skill; a muscle you might say, one that builds strength when flexed and eventually becomes second nature to use. Read More>>

Andrew Christoforou

My optimism comes from the deep belief that I am divinely supported by my higher self, my guides and the universal oneness that connects us all. Even through the toughest challenges and breakdowns in my journey I have this inner knowing that it’s all for a reason. That I must learn some valuable lessons that will support my purpose and passions in life. Read More>>