Peggy Spolar

I attribute my success to my grandparents Joseph and Mary, and my parents, especially my mother Mary. They taught me from a very young age that we're all equal regardless of race, religion, social status, or upbringing. My grandmother taught me that Jesus loves the little children in the yellow, black, and white, and that we need to find the yellow ones in our coloring books so we learn that white and brown have to get along. They taught me about integrity, compassion, and standing up for what's right. When I was raped and nearly died at bandstand, eight homeless men saved my life and gave me their blood. That experience, combined with my upbringing, taught me that we must all rise and shine as the stars we are, regardless of our circumstances. My parents supported me even when I had to use language they didn't approve of to reach the kids I was helping in the music industry. They understood that my mission was bigger than their comfort, and they gave me the foundation to never give up on making the world a better place.

The best career advice I ever received came from my grandparents Joseph and Mary, and my mother Mary. They taught me that with your imagination and your mind, you can have anything you want. Papa Joe showed me this when I said I wished we weren't poor and could have a soda. He took me to the hand pump and pumped water into my glass, and I imagined it was Coke, and it was the best thing I ever tasted. He said, don't worry when you're poor, or that we can't have some. With your imagination, you can have the world. They also taught me to treat everyone equally, regardless of race or social status. My grandmother taught me that we come in multiple flavors, and that the white and the brown have to get along to create energy without drama and hate. They taught me integrity, to never lie, and to stand up for what's right even when it's hard. These lessons from my grandparents shaped everything I do in my career and my life.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to protect your work and your interests from the very beginning. Secure qualified legal representation, take the time to understand contracts and copyright implications, and be cautious when working with advisors whose loyalties may be aligned with labels, publishers, or other third parties. Most importantly, educate yourself about the business side of the industry so you can make informed decisions and avoid being exploited. In short, keep yourself legally protected and empowered through knowledge.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is navigating the inevitable trials and tribulations that come with both personal and professional growth. Success is rarely a straight path, and resilience is often tested through setbacks, uncertainty, and adversity. At the same time, these experiences present opportunities to develop strength, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of both the industry and oneself. Throughout my journey, I have faced many challenges, but each one has provided valuable lessons that have helped me grow, persevere, and ultimately emerge stronger.

The values most important to me are making a better world for all mankind, regardless of race, religion, social status, or upbringing. Integrity is everything - my parents taught me never to lie, and they would put pepper on our tongues if we did. Compassion and empathy drive everything I do. I believe we must all rise, polarized, to shine the stars that we are. I stay in my Walmart clothes because Walmart is the largest retailer in 68 countries, and I believe in the middle class - they're the ones who give blood, grow our food, and truck it to us. We need everyone, including the homeless who give blood to get a $45 food card to eat. Determination is key - you can't give up when you see injustice. I've brought 96 homeless people through my door to help them get on their feet. I believe that regardless of your color or background, you deserve dignity and a chance to shine. We're all created perfect, and we need to help each other stay that way instead of tearing each other down.