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.
Lucy Lucy
I don’t believe in chasing, but rather I believe more in attracting. However, if I must say I’m determined to go after one thing then it is personal growth. I’m an incessant learner and nothing will stop me daily from learning more personal development. Self growth keeps me evolving into the better version of myself. Read more>>
Elissa Goodman
What I’m doing today that won’t pay off for 7 to 10 years is fully living my pro-aging philosophy. So much of my focus now is on healing at a cellular level and supporting my body in ways that build long-term vitality. My daughter just welcomed her first child into the world, and becoming a grandmother has filled me with a new sense of purpose. Read more>>
khush patel
The battle I am avoiding is against a mindset that I believe steals your future. I see so many in my generation accepting a pre-packaged life: work 40 hours, party on the weekend, live for the next holiday, and repeat. They follow the rules of a system, but that system leaves them with immense financial anxiety. Read more>>
Abiodun Koya
What breaks the bonds between people is usually fear, pride, manipulation, dishonesty and the absence of empathy. Also, when we stop listening: when we forget that every soul carries its own battles, personalities, ideologies and dreams, then distance begins to grow. But what restores those bonds is compassion, forgiveness, being truthful, honest, loyal, reliable and understanding. Read more>>
Mariah Kann
I believe that energy is everything – and I can’t prove it, but I *know* it’s true. I truly believe that the energy you put into the world comes back to you. When I’m with a client, I’m not just focused on the technical work – I’m thinking about the experience I’m creating, the trust we’re building, and the care I’m putting into every step. Read more>>
Jason Bergman
Most assume agents sell homes. I build brands. Whether I’m representing a Spanish Revival in Pasadena or a hillside modern in Los Angeles, I treat every listing like a launch — with storytelling, staging, and strategy at the same level a founder brings to a company. Coming from a fashion background before joining The Agency Pasadena, I learned that luxury is emotion. Read more>>
Cristal Byrns-Cavallaro
I believe a lot of people misunderstand what spirituality truly is, and what spiritual candles actually do. Many think they’re just pretty candles with nice scents, but there’s so much more intention behind them. Each candle is crafted to hold energy, meaning, and purpose they’re tools for reflection, healing, and manifestation. Read more>>
Pooja Sethiya
People often forget makeup artists have bills too— or that our products are cheap. The truth is, our kits are filled with high-quality (and very expensive) products, and our time, skill, and hygiene standards all come at a cost. Productions offering low rates for 12-hour days really need to understand the value of our work. Read more>>
Hannah Leigh
Fame and success are not the same, and that’s something I always make sure my clients understand when I’m coaching them for auditions or navigating the acting world myself. Success is defined by you, and you alone. There are a thousand ways to live a full, meaningful life in this industry. Read more>>
Eva Vennari
Eighty-seven percent of entrepreneurs are burned out. You can find a number of articles from Fortune, to phys.org that have all said it, and I see it daily in real life. What others are secretly struggling with, but never say, is that burnout isn’t caused by overwork. I have a theory that it’s caused by purpose misalignment. Read more>>
Terrell M Green
People might think my work is only about resistance or trauma, but at its core, it’s always about love. Harriet Tubman: Love Slave is a perfect example; it reimagines Harriet not as a symbol, but as a woman who loved, lost, and still chose freedom. That human side of history often gets overlooked, just like how the heart inside activism gets ignored. Read more>>
Marina Gonc
A normal day for me starts early, around 5:30 a.m. I like to begin with 30 to 60 minutes of meditation, which really helps me set a calm and focused tone for the day. After that, I get my daughter ready for school and make sure her morning starts smoothly. Read more>>
Elysia J
To share deeper parts of my story! I have waited a long time to do this as I wanted to feel rooted, and ready, and when you share your story, sometimes people can respond in hurtful, inappropriate, or mean ways (especially on the internet) that feel apathetic, especially if it is over tender subjects. Read more>>
Joel Bryant
Humor is everywhere. In everything. It’s the salve that makes life’s toughest times more bearable and the best times even better. Ever since I could remember, I’ve found the smiles and humor in things. When you can live life through comedically-colored glasses, it takes a lot more to wipe the smile off your face. Read more>>
Byron Vasquez
There are moments in one’s life that can be extremely powerful and if they happen when you’re a child you don’t really register how powerful they could be.. I remember in 7th grade there was an English teacher that everyone HATED. Mrs. Wurtz! She was tough and gave a good amount of work. And I was fortunate enough to be in her class. Read more>>
Lost Angeles
It’s maybe not one memory but a collection of things from my youth that feel like my deepest truth throughout my life: I was born to be a performer. When I was a little kid I really loved Hilary Duff/Lizzie McGuire and this was my first introduction to music. This naturally leads into Hannah Montana as well and then Lady Gaga. Read more>>
Liam O’Brien
When I first transitioned from playing guitar in a band to composing music for visual media, I was concerned that my lack of classical training would be a disadvantage. I explored music theory and took a few piano lessons, but, much like my early experience learning guitar, I found that formal lessons were not the best fit for my learning style. Read more>>
Maria Melkonian-Maissian
Authenticity. It shapes how we work, how we communicate, and how we build relationships. When you stay true to what you believe in, decisions become clearer and connections become real. Everything else follows from that. Read more>>
Nathan Gibbs
One of the most surprising things I’ve learned about my customers is that most of them love to purchase directly from me. I find that fortunately, and unfortunately, they prefer talking to me in person about their purchase. Especially when it comes to original art. Read more>>
Hilary Ijieh
My dad unfortunately passed away 4 years ago in September, which is both my mom’s and my birth month. As a result, my anxieties usually starts to peak mid August. I remember venting to my friends and family that I wasn’t excited to celebrate my birthday or even acknowledge that another year has gone by. Read more>>
Steven Davis
Recently. We just finished a round of funding, and it went very well. So well, that people were sending me emails that I had never met telling me that they knew one of the persons who invested and loved our product. They wanted to invest also. Things are going really good at the moment. Read more>>
Arthur Romeo
I feel joy every time I see my daughter go to school and is happy and healthy and excited about her classes. She does animation and art at the Hollywood High School magnet program. She’s doing very well and that makes me feel so sublime. She’s so funny she’s always cracking jokes and making funny drawings and animations. Read more>>
Laura Vega
Joy for me is a tingling feeling all over- even your skull feels a vibration. Most recently felt this after I submitted a short story about my dad. If picked it meant I would become a published writer! Then it happened! Read more>>
Derek Sulek
The last time I truly felt joy was quite recently. In August of this year, I had the incredible privilege of marrying the love of my life, Neginah. Our wedding took place in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by our closest family and friends who came together to celebrate with us. Read more>>
Henry Lipatov
The last time I felt true joy was on set, watching a small crew bring a scene from “TIMER” to life. Seeing everyone’s passion turn an idea from my head into a real world moment—that’s pure joy to me. Read more>>
Melanie Benson
Smart, capable experts often get it wrong when they rely too heavily on their past reputation and what USED to work, instead of continuing to refine and adapt their visibility and marketing strategies for today’s market. Read more>>
Alison Curdt
I think smart people sometimes get it wrong by confusing being busy with being effective. We live in a world that celebrates overachievement and constant motion, but real growth—whether in golf, business, or life—comes from reflection, awareness, and purpose. Many high performers focus on accumulating knowledge, credentials, or wins, but overlook emotional intelligence, balance, and connection. Read more>>
Lyudmyla Grytsyna
Honestly? I’m learning from my three little gurus at home – my kids. They’re masters of presence, creativity, and emotional expression! One moment they’re teaching me patience, the next they’re reminding me to breathe deeply and let go. Read more>>
Mara Marini
I admire people who stay kind no matter how successful they become. One person who really stands out to me is Amy Poehler. She’s wildly talented and respected, but what I admired most working with her was how grounded, generous, and collaborative she is. True character isn’t about power – it’s about how you treat people when you don’t have to impress them. Read more>>
Michelle Majors
My team. I spend a lot of time talking to my executive producer and artist development coaches Dilemma and Dyshon. They offer a lot of insight and wisdom about the industry and how to become great and succeed. Read more>>
