All of us are where we are today partly because of our own efforts and partly because of the advice, guidance, influence and inspiration provided by others. At Voyage we have the good fortune of connecting with so many of the city’s hidden gems – from entrepreneurs and creatives to athletes, researchers and more. We asked them a simple, but important question: what is the best advice, personal or professional, that you’ve ever received?
Veronica Tharmalingam | Handbags Designer & Mom
Rocco Ceselin
From my mom when I was first pregnant with my son 7 years ago. She said “Don’t over think this. Let your body do it’s job, you sit back relax and enjoy the ride.” Best advice for me as we all have the tendency to overthink/ panic / stress and make ourselves miserable with all the information we find on the internet regarding the pregnancy and what our bodies go through and in most cases this often causes miss carriages. And this advice is applicable in different scenarios: some call it intuition/gut feeling/ universe talking. What ever it is listen to your body. It always tells you the right thing to do 🙂
@veronicatharmalingam
FB – Veronica Tharmalingam
Ivan Aguirre – Illustrator / Disney Artist
Self love starts with what we put in our bodies – Faith Litke
ivanaguirreillustration.com
instagram.com/sonichands
George Evan – Visual Artist
@teddy photographed by @GeorgeEvanPhoto for @tmrwmag Styled by @luca__kingston H&M by @Dannidoesit
“The Magic exists at the end of your comfort zone”
Annabeth Gish: Actress, Activist & Momma
Kerry Krenzin: local LA artist and photographer @kerrykrenzin
Best advice: “Happiness is equilibrium. Shift your weight.” –Tom Stoppard
twitter.com/annabeth_gish
Facebook – Annabeth Gish
Tatyana Figueiredo – Actress
No matter what your dreams are, no matter how crazy it sounds, or how hard it is to achieve, always follow your heart. Sometimes we need to look deep inside and ask ourselves what makes us happy. Just be honest with ourselves.
instagram.com/tatyanafigueiredo
imdb.me/tatyanafigueiredo
tatyanafigueiredo.com
twitter.com/Tatyfig
Kelly Donohue- Senior Copywriter & Fashion Blogger
The best advice I’ve ever received is from my Mom and it’s “Whatever you do, give it 100%”. It sounds pretty simple, but if you’re working a mundane job or struggling in a career you don’t love, it can be really hard to do. It’s so important that you do the very best you can, no matter where you find yourself in your career or your personal life. For me, when stopped saying “I can’t” and gave everything I touched my all, people noticed. Doors opened, I got promotions, I was given more fulfilling work and my life, overall, became even better than I could have imagined.
Priscilla Chavez – Baker & Culinary Arts Student
“Professional advice
I was really hard on myself for not being exactly where I wanted to be business wise, but I had to remind myself that it’s okay, great things are going to take time. Success does not happen overnight!”
Claire Tianyi Sun – Interdisciplinary Visual Artist
Claire Tianyi Sun 2018 Photographer: Ming Yang
Question of the month: The best advice I have received would be to give yourself permission to stand back, take a break, and put things into perspective. In our fast-paced world especially a place like LA its extremely easy to feel rushed and overwhelmed like you can’t stop or you won’t be able to catch up. At times like this in life or within my art practice, I’ve learned it’s so important to step back and look at the big picture, pull your mind out of the small details and pressing tasks at hand and just give yourself lots of time to reflect and digest. You will go back in with a more balanced mindset and a better understanding of yourself or the task at hand.
clairetianyisun.com
@claire.tys
MONROE – Songwriter
My one and only tattoo says “Trust the journey” which is something my mom said to me 8 years ago in a moment that had felt overwhelming and futile. This phrase opened a path of endless lessons within itself that I have been learning since. The older I get the more I understand my own tattoo and embody its meaning.
Tucker “Jericho”
Best advice I’ve received is that nobody really has it all together, so don’t worry too much if you’ve got something in shambles.
twitch.tv/jericho
twitter.com/Jericho
Cori Maass – Artist
The best advice I have ever received is that there is no failing, just learning.
Founding Member of 98 Degrees & Producer
The best advice both personally and professionally, is to always remain humble, and work harder than everyone else. Advice given to me by my father, and then years later by the legendary Stevie Wonder.
98Degrees.com
@jefftimmons
twitter.com/jefftimmons
Jordan Lowe – Fitness Enthusiast & TV Sales @ CBS
The quote that resonates with me is “How is anyone supposed to know that you are hungry if you’re not asking to be fed?” It resonates with me because it is so applicable to both my personal and professional lives. I interpret it as telling me to constantly be advocating for my goals at work and in my personal life.
Jhavia Nicole, host of Black Radical Queer Podcast, produced by ManeHustle Media
Ceyda Kirin-Trei
Best advice I’ve received: “”It’s not now or never; it’s not all or nothing.””
— D. “”Choc Trei”” Henderson
This quote from my mentor is always in the back of my mind. As an overachiever and recovering perfectionist, that quote has become a personal and professional mantra. It reminds me to pace myself, because greatness and balance can coexist.
blkradqwr.libsyn.com
@blkradqwr
twitter.com/blkradqwr
facebook.com/blkradqwr
Tony Ann – Pianist and songwriter
Um I would say one of the best advices I’ve received is defenitely works towards something in life that you’re passionate at.. life goes by really fast and you really want to do something you love instead of a job that’s just a means of making making. Like for me or other musicians, when we’re playing music or writing songs, it doesn’t feel like a job and time passes by super quick, which makes the experience that much more worth while. A few other advices is that working hard is important but sometimes working efficiently is more crucial, like knowing how to achieve something and setting realistic goals. Having a good circle of friends is super important too.
Andy Allo – Actress & Singer-Songwriter
Best advice I’ve received was from my mentor Prince which was to always have integrity and put your heart in everything you do.
instagram.com/andyallo
facebook.com/andyallo
youtube.com/andyallo
open.spotify.com/artist/4oEWPXhZkFvFOJhaWZSLBx?si=zfqnYrgBSMeHpm5Avjo_lg
Jesse Haaja – Award winning filmmaker from Finland living in Los Angeles
If you are not willing to risk the usual you will have to settle for the ordinary.
instagram.com/jessehaaja
vimeo.com/330456183
Rodrigue Family fostering kittens in LA
Rodrigue Fostering
Work hard on your job, work hard on your dream and work hard to make a change, so one day your dream will be your job and your job will make a change.
instagram.com/rodriguefostering
instagram.com/imjimenacrespo
Rajat Parr and mom who lives in Kolkata
Rajat Parr
“”The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”” Mahatma Gandhi
DJ D Double D – South African DJ & Producer
Not everyone needs to know your next move ! Move in silence.
Wendy White – NYC Artist
I think I saw in a Snoop Dogg interview where he said, “I didn’t realize that once you made it, you had to keep making it.”
@dubz19
wendywhite.net
@shulamitnazarian
shulamitnazarian.com
Jay Starrett – TV Personality & Life Coach
Whatever idea, dream or goal you have, never let anyone else’s opinion stop you from chasing that. It doesn’t matter what your friends, coworkers, or FAMILY thinks. Do what YOU think is best, chase after it, and don’t stop til you get what you want!
@jqskim
Collide.com/creator/Jqskim
jaystarrett.com
#StayLoco
Jennifer and Nicole Disotell, Founders, The Bubble Tap Trailer
Seagrave Photography
Our father once told us in terms of running a business: “People may not always like the decisions you make, but as long as you are fair, they will respect you.
taptrailerco.com
@bubbletaptrailer
Rachel Kafka – Entertainment Professional & LA History Nerd
Learn to say yes, even to the things that scare you. Those are usually the opportunities that help you grow, learn, and move you ahead both in life and your career.
findinglostangeles.com
@thatrestlessredhead
Fluencee – Music Producer, Songwriter and DJ
The best advice I’ve ever received was from my mother. I grew up with a severe stutter, and I got ruthlessly bullied. Instead of hiding behind my stutter and letting it define me, she told me to own it and use it to my advantage. Now I use it as the driving force behind my music.
@fluenceemusic
open.spotify.com/artist/7tpNSl4pmI5rBxvWOMfk6j?si=sR-l34wwTL2XoU8KHbtVig
Jaelin D. – Starving’ Artist
Question of the month…… The best advice wasn’t necessarily directed towards me but I took it to heart also, “Don’t Be Afraid to Be Somebody”
Haydee Vicedo – Entrepreneur, Writer/Blogger & Proud Pinay
I think it’s not so much advice I have been given but watching my parents BE the people they are – resilient, gracious, generous. I’m a visual learner, so actions go far with me.
pinayclothing.com
@pinay_clothing
FittingForty.com
fittingforty.com
@fittingforty
Zach Selwyn -Singer-songwriter/actor
Best advice I’ve ever received was from my friend Brandon who told me “Never follow a hippie to a second location.”
M
April 19, 2019 at 19:49
My late Momma always told me, “NEVER, EVER give up. If you fall on hard times and only have 1 dress, keep it clean as there’s no excuse to be dirty, NONE. If you have to wash it in a public restroom and sit in the toilet until that dress dries, ALWAYS stay clean.” I miss her every day and her many words of wisdom throughout my life still ring true. They have saved me through various, sometimes very difficult, periods of my life. THAT’S the best advice I’ve ever received.