We are so thrilled to be able to connect with some of the brightest and most inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives from across the city and beyond and this series in particular gives us the honor of introducing these folks to you in a unique way – we go beyond the story of how they got to where they are today by asking them to reflect on a variety of deeper questions that we hope will help you better connect with them, their stories and their brands. Ultimately, our hope is that more of us will spend more of our money with independent artists, creatives and small businesses and we think getting to know one another at a deeper level is step one.
Jeffery Tay
For many years, I believed that my deepest wounds came from my family of origin and my childhood. Growing up, my parents often showed favoritism toward my older brother, and I felt constantly treated unfairly. This planted the seeds of sensitivity and insecurity that followed me into adulthood. Read more>>
Liviu Tanase
They’d probably say I care about progress. I’ve always had this restless need to move forward. Sometimes that means working on myself, sometimes it’s about growing a company, and other times it’s just chasing an idea to see how far it can go. I don’t really sit still. I’m always thinking about what’s next and how to make it better. Read more>>
Jeremy Mowery
I am very committed to my belief in my need to create, so I am always working on projects. They are very therapeutic for me, so I always have some sort of film project going on and I work on them all no matter how long they take. Sometimes it takes a year to make a 5 minute short film, sometimes longer. Read more>>
Bin Luo
I see intelligence, energy, and integrity as three points of a triangle. Integrity is the base—without it, the shape doesn’t hold. Energy keeps things moving, and intelligence helps steer the direction. On a film set, for example, I’ve seen projects survive because people had integrity and energy, even when we were short on resources or still figuring things out. Read more>>
Tom Sys
Over the years I’ve spent professionally pursuing a career in the arts, I’ve learned that mistakes aren’t just inevitable, they’re essential. Looking back, some of my hardest failures came from poor business decisions, unhealthy attitudes, and toxic relationships. At the time, each felt devastating. But without those missteps, I wouldn’t have developed the resilience, insight, and discipline that now define my work. Read more>>
Teresa Dinneen
My dad taught me the most about work. He had this incredible work ethic that I’ve always admired – he could put in long, demanding hours and still make time for what mattered most to him: our family. Somehow, he managed to balance both without sacrificing either one. What really stuck with me was his ‘no pain, no gain’ philosophy. Read more>>
James Ferrero
My co-executive producer, Megan Ruble. Besides being a masterful logistics person and creative thinker, she’s also never afraid to 100% be herself. She’s a loyal friend to so many people, a hard worker, and will stand up for you even if you don’t realize you need someone in your corner. Read more>>
Lizzy Liz
I don’t really believe we’re born to do just one thing. Life isn’t a fixed script — it’s more like a crazy simulation where you get to decide your own direction. You have the power to change careers, reinvent yourself, and chase whatever brings you joy at any point. Read more>>
Robert Panico
I’ve always preferred my own metaphor that I’m sailing. Life is the ocean, my boat is my body, and my captain is my consciousness. I can pull into ports and take in all of life’s experiences. Some days the ocean is full of wind, some days I’m adrift, and other days there are storms. Read more>>
Ariel Kochbarski
Probably, yes – I’m too OCD and type A not to do my best. It’s just how I’m wired. Read more>>
Lilit Melik-Bakhshyan
Yes, I could. In fact, I often work hardest when no one is watching. My motivation comes from within, not from external validation. My lifestyle reflects that mindset. I consistently push myself in private, whether it’s sticking to a workout routine, focusing on personal growth, or building better habits. Growth and progress matter deeply to me, even when they go unnoticed. Read more>>
Boonie Mayfield
Yeah. And honestly, I’ve had to live that reality more times than I can count. There has been projects I poured everything into — late nights, endless revisions, every ounce of myself — and when they came out, the response was quiet. No applause. No viral moment. Little to no validation. Read more>>
Greg Lee
When I first started out at Warner Brothers Records, I began as a local promotion manager for the regions Oregon, Idaho and Montana, and my first year won Rookie of the Year and second year Promotion Man of the Year, awarded to the staffer that broke the most records in their respective market. Read more>>
J-Nu
The recent shows and community fundraisers happening in the wake of the Palestine Genocide and the unlawful ICE raids in LA have given me a newfound spark of creativity. Read more>>
Victoria Sirakova
Its happened with achieving your goals, its the path you are working on to get to the end and then you are ok that was nice, what is next Read more>>
Linda Espinoza
Yes. As a mental health clinician, I often encounter situations where a client’s health insurance company denies coverage for necessary care. In those moments, I choose to advocate on my client’s behalf, even though it can cost me both time and potential compensation. This advocacy means hours spent on the phone, writing appeals, and navigating complex systems—much of which is unpaid. Read more>>
Joe Russo
Hollywood is always chasing fads. Every time there’s a new win at the box-office, studio execs and producers race to find the next version of that hit. That’s been especially true for someone like me who specializes in writing for the horror genre over the last ten years. First it was ‘We need to find our version of GET OUT?’ Then it was HEREDITARY. Read more>>
Deanna Rowland
Trust yourself. I definitely used to second guess myself a lot before making decisions, to the point where I would get so caught up in the negative ‘what-ifs’ that I couldn’t decide things until the very last second. The majority of the time, I knew exactly what I wanted from the beginning but I let doubts overshadow what I already knew. Read more>>
Alaizabel Cray
If you were to strip me away of my name (both my legal one and my stage name), all of the things I do as a model, writer, and entertainer, and if you were to take away everything I own, you would find a woman who, at the end of the day wants three things: 1. Read more>>
Rebecca Lee
There’s a lot I try to capture genuinely in the public version of myself. I share my fails, my mistakes, and my real curiosity and happiness when I’m out exploring and traveling. But of course, there’s also a lot I don’t show. I don’t show how messy life feels when I’m overwhelmed and behind. Read more>>
yahman berry
I know you’ve probably heard this a million times from others but Im chasing a better life. Now im not just taking about buying a mansion with a Ferrari and a beautiful wife or what social media views are of a ‘better life’. I truly want to live a stress free life , in terms I had to be realistic with my future. Read more>>
Xing-Mai Deng
What I’m chasing, at its core, is the chance to tell good stories—or at the very least, to contribute to telling them well. That’s always been the magnetic pull of cinema for me. Of course, being a filmmaker today is not exactly a smooth pursuit. Globally, cinema has been in a slow decline, and I don’t see it finding a stable equilibrium anytime soon. Read more>>
Trévon Session
Whether it’s a professional photographer for the NBA, creating viral content for social media, or breaking Guinness world records one thing is for sure. I’ve been chasing perfection knowing I’ll never really achieve it. Increasing my mental, physical, and spiritual capacity in order to be the best version of myself is all I can be. Read more>>
Jeehye Shin
Today, I’m drawing—just as I always have. It’s one of the rare moments when I can focus completely. I’m also continuing to tattoo, knowing that it may not bring immediate rewards, but in 7–10 years, this persistence will show in how much I’ve grown. Read more>>
Razor Rob McCullough
I’ve created a progression martial arts system based on mixed martial arts striking. I’ve launched it at my gym in Huntington Beach California. The program is based on my personal battle tested experience. The program is called Razor Striking System its an affiliate training program . Read more>>
David Richards
Trust and safety. I believe that when either of these are not present in a relationship, environment or exchange it is not possible to have authentic connection between ourselves and others. When we don’t feel safe to show up as our authentic selves, we can’t share and receive from an open, honest place. Read more>>
Cameron Jordan
I think what breaks bonds between people is disconnection—when we stop listening, misunderstand each other, or fail to show up. When we get a little lazy and forget to be curious with one another. What restores those bonds is presence, love and empathy. In my photography work, I try to create that space. Read more>>
Destinee Richardson
Suffering taught me that resilience and adaptability will always help you win in the end. It is so necessary to have the self awareness when something isn’t working for you and the adaptability to be able to think outside of your comfort zone and push yourself to new horizons. Read more>>
Kartar Diamond
Even with all the exposure to Feng Shui in the Western world over the last few decades, I think that most people still assume that Feng Shui is more of a belief system or a Chinese cultural practice, rather than an Earth science, based on many sound principles that everyone can relate to, and which everyone is affected by. Read more>>
Miguel – Angel Ortiz
I think one of the biggest misunderstandings about Hoops413 is that people sometimes look at us as just another basketball program. Because we’re outside and faith-based, some assume we’re not as serious or professional. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. We use the game as a platform to teach not just skills, but character, confidence, and purpose. Read more>>
Nickie Jean
Within my Mystery School there are multiple offerings I have available for people to experience, but one of them tends to be more misunderstood than others which is my tantric ceremony. It is not only misunderstood, but also tends to be shrouded with the energetics of shame that are lingering around the concept of sensuality overall within society. Read more>>
David A. Romero
I think I’ve fallen into a dichotomy of being seen as either a comedic poet or a serious publisher. Read more>>
