Dominika Laureto (maiden name Liwinska) was born in Poland and grew up in a communist country. Her family was poor, along with plenty of other families who were also struggling. She said that her family had become conditioned to be strong-minded because they did not know there was a better way to exist. 

“As children, we had to be very creative just to survive, and we found ways to find happiness. We were melting sugar in a pan to make candy and other treats that we didn’t have access to,” Dominika shared. 

 After Poland became a democratic country, her family was introduced to quality products and services that Europeans and Americans took for granted. Still, they remained in a low-income bracket and couldn’t afford to splurge on this new way of life. When Liwinska went to college in the United States, she only had $500 in her pocket. Her story is remarkable. In Poland, she graduated number one academically in high school. She received a college scholarship and decided halfway through to finish her studies in the United States.

“I came here for my American dream with nothing but five hundred dollars and a winning attitude. I learned to survive no matter what and never gave up,” Dominika reflected.