Life, Lessons, & Legacies

Through the work we do we are incredibly fortunate to find and learn about so many incredible local artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. Their stories, the lessons that they’ve learned and the legacies they are building inspire us beyond words. Below, we have highlighted a few of those amazing folks and we hope you’ll check out their stories and their responses to some of the fundamental questions the help form the foundation of our lives and careers.

Elise Blasco

Since I went into detail with the other questions, I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. Yes, I believe I am doing what I was born to do. I was born to be passionate, and as long as that is alive, then so am I! Read more>>

Ners Neonlumberjack

I am astoundingly appreciative that my parents did not discourage me from becoming an artist. They did not exactly encourage it, but I’ll see it as a win. I’ll say it a thousand times, but everyone is born an artist. One by one they are told they can’t/shouldn’t/won’t or simply warned that they will starve if that is what they choose. Read more>>

LaRance Braggs

I’m walking a path and I know it because I fill fulfilled each time I am able to help change someone’s life. Read more>>

Sharael Kolberg

Yes! I feel that my personality shines through in my writing, on my podcast, and on social media. I love adventure—to explore the world and experience new things. As a breast cancer survivor, I take health and wellness to heart. I’m always striving for interesting and ground-breaking ways to improve my well-being, even when I’m traveling. Read more>>

Melanie Doshi

At the heart of everything Melanie does is honesty and connection. She strives to be as open and genuine as possible — in life, in business, and in community. Whether you’ve met her through the shop, her family, or around town, if you’ve connected with her, you’ve met the real Melanie. Read more>>

Jax-Prince Sovereign Heaux

A lot has happened since my last interview; namely, that I’ve been recovering at/in a Domestic Violence Shelter, following the very public and very messy breakup of my ex-boyfriend and I, after it came to light that he had cheated on me, and on Mother’s Day at that; a day when I’m already grieving the loss of not only my own mother, but my child as well. Read more>>

Alexander ‘Boz’ Bozicevich

Someone recently referred to my body of work as “the Boz Cinematic Universe” and it captivated me instantly. The phrase clarified my calling: to break through as a multi-hyphenate. That sounds like a tall order, and it is, but I finally feel prolific enough to claim the mission outright. Read more>>

Lois Lee

I’m very proud of building a community of young women and men who were once child prostitutes – young people who were never seen – after everyone else had given up hope on them. Read more>>

chase lock

The value of a dollar, who is truly your freinds and family. Read more>>

Max Shamooil

Suffering strips away illusions. It forces reflection, revealing what truly matters—values, relationships, purpose. Success might build confidence, but suffering builds endurance. It shows you what you can survive, even when you thought you couldn’t. When everything falls apart, you realize how little control you truly have. Suffering often clarifies what you’ve been avoiding. It forces decisions, confronts truths, and reveals the cost of staying stuck. Read more>>

Devon Bragg

That in order to be worth something, or even be a person, you have to be good at your job, that you have to be useful and that you’re worth nothing. You have to achieve all the time and never stop – and once you do, you’re a failure (or even that you are a failure all the time). Read more>>

Yukari Yokomizo

When I’m not working, I love to craft with my friends. Whether it’s making jewelry or making beaded purses or bedazzling cry babies or sonny angels or sunglasses lol . Read more>>

Mike Cuenca

Experience. Experience as many things as one can. It’s important to get out of your comfort zone. That is how we evolve as beings. Order something different on the menu. Discover new music. Roam a different part of town. Revisit something you hated, you’ll be surprised. Read opinions opposite of yours. Be open to them. Don’t immediately discard them. I’m a film obsessive. Read more>>

Kayla G.

My closest friends would probably say that what really matters to me is meaning. Whether it’s in my art, my relationships, or the energy I put out. I care about things that feel real. They’d say I value connection, peace, and purpose more than anything. I love seeing people feel seen, and creating moments that remind them they matter. Read more>>

Jessica Law

I am committed to the belief that imagination is the key capable of unlocking an entirely new future. Read more>>

Danielle Keaton

A project I’m deeply committed to no matter how long it takes is The Art Club. It’s more than just a community; it’s a movement to bring artists together to share their art, their voices, and their hearts. Read more>>

Lauren Guerra

Studying abroad was one of the most formative experiences of my life. I will always have tremendous love for Madrid, Spain because it showed me a different way to live. European lifestyle is so much more laid back than US culture. I can’t wait to go back! Read more>>

Marcello De Francisci

Arriving in Los Angeles and witnessing the reality of people’s dreams being crushed by life itself alongside intricate political nature of creative industries across the board, the strength I drew from this tragedy, which ultimately empowered me to never give up. Read more>>

Jerami Monreal

I think I stopped hiding my pain a little over a year and a half ago when I admitted to myself, and those around me- that I felt stuck. I think I had so much pent up sadness that I let percolate through my entire body. I would reveal to others one piece of information at a time that I was struggling. Read more>>

Kelleia Sheerin

The show that I’m working on now, STRIPPED is a perfect example of actually using my pain and turning it into power in the form of healing. Power in the truest sense in that it’s become a story that I can share. Read more>>

Vic Brown

I’m most at peace when I’m photographing in a new place. It’s my therapy, just me, my AirPods, and my FujiFilm X-Pro3. Recently I spent time in London and Paris, and exploring those cities made for one of the best trips I’ve ever had. London in particular gave me this unexpected sense of joy and freedom. Read more>>

Cat Wright

As a child, my parents instilled in me the value of hard work and personal rewards. I think that is why I am so goal-oriented and work better under the pressure of setting a benchmark. In high school, it was that I wanted to get good grades so I could get a scholarship because then I could get to LA faster. Read more>>

Natalie Sierra

I think, as an artist, you can’t help but give everything of yourself. Praise from others is nice, but you don’t give away your most secret self solely for the praise of others. You can’t help but bare your soul in the camera, on paper, or however you choose to create art. Read more>>

Jayda Aslan

Yes, once in 2004. My friends and I were on vacation in Thailand and didn’t act fast in getting to the islands as we had planned to visit first. That was the year a massive tsunami wiped out those islands and sadly, many of its inhabitants . Not acting fast may have literally saved our lives. Read more>>

Anna Lownes

I actually think in our business we have to stand up for ourselves and often times it does cost us something. It’s happened that I’ve had to turn down jobs or opportunities if I don’t feel that the compensation is fair for the amount of work being requested. Or the client will move onto someone who will work for less (sadly). Read more>>

L Akinyi

my soul. and the wisdom from my life experiences. Read more>>

Alex Nahai

I believe they would miss the trust and confidence that comes with knowing I will always go the extra mile for them. Clients often tell me they value that I combine legal skill with a practical, business-minded perspective. I think the blend of advocacy and real-world insight is not always easy to find. Read more>>

Kevin Castillo

Many people can break bonds by loss of trust, being distant, miscommunication, not supportive, being to controlling, unaddressed conflict, etc. Exmaples can be a ‘friend’ taking credit for your work, not supporting a friends brand, a family or friend lies about something important that can lead to more problems, repetitive small neglects like not answering calls, texts, etc. Read more>>

RICHARD HENDERSON

Being creative. I’m constantly in that mode. Inspired by my daily surroundings. Read more>>

Robert Kandell

After being in business for myself for three decades, there are only two rules that guide my business. They are (#1) ‘I will provide for my family’ and (#2) ‘I will be entertained’. The first rule is pretty straightforward. I have a strong awareness of my family’s expenses (i.e., ‘a lot’) and what I need to produce to support them. Read more>>

Sariel Elkaim

What’s meant for me will find me when I’m ready. Read more>>

Berkley the Artist

The very first time I felt my power was in fourth grade. I joined the choir at my school and my teacher’s name was Mr. Gary Landry. For whatever reason, I was added into the choir class later on in the semester rather than the top. That meant I was behind on the music and I didn’t know the other kids. I was shy. Read more>>

Philippe Morotti

There are many. I think that the United States of America was built on great ideas and values. When I came here in 1990, I was impressed with the opportunities given to people that were willing to work hard, to integrate and to contribute to their community. Read more>>

Tisha Morris

One of the most surprising things I’ve learned from my clients is just how resilient and endlessly creative they are in an industry that’s constantly shifting. Whether they’re writers, filmmakers, or other creators, they continue to adapt, reinvent, and find new ways to tell stories—even when the business models or platforms they once relied on are changing. Read more>>

Tere Schwartzbart

I wouldn’t say this is the last time I felt joy (I experience joy in the Lord pretty much daily in all circumstances) but this is a recent example. When walking in a blighted part of DTLA, I was struck by the most beautiful little flowers growing in a pile of rubble next to a Skid Row sidewalk. Read more>>

Crystal DeLeo

As a child but even to this day, praying to the Lord and reading my bible has always helped me when I am feeling sad or scared. He has helped me get through so many ups and downs in life and I know that He will help me get through all of the things to come. Read more>>