May 1, 2017

Meet Missy Fine of Sherman Oaks

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Fine.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Missy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up a fourth generation Angeleno, I realized early on in life that my unique bohemian upbringing was eccentric even by Los Angeles standards. My father was the quintessential eccentric and multi-talented artist whose talent as a drummer afforded him the opportunity to travel around the world from a very early age and forge a career in unbridled creativity—a career that ranged from a USO tour across Vietnam to an unforgettable performance on the early 70’s “Gong Show”. His influence on my life began early in my infancy when he would throw me on his back and handcraft exquisite custom water fountains that he sold worldwide from our quaint Sherman Oaks home studio.

My mother, although more reserved in nature than my father, was an impressive home crafter with an incredible eye for detail. Each Halloween she would present a hand-sewn (with love) costume for me to wear, and at bake sales her adorable Rice Krispie treat bears proved too cute for many to eat. But her reputation for transforming our home into a Christmas wonderland placed her in a domestic creative realm all her own. The lesson my unique upbringing taught me was to pursue my passions fearlessly, unapologetically and invent the life I felt was worth living.

Reflecting on my past, I see a natural series of evolutions between each chapter of my education and career. As early as high school, I started my own custom jewelry company and sold my creations to Fred Segal Santa Monica. The retail experience sharpened my work ethic and opened my eyes to opportunities beyond accessories. My flair for visual design was recognized by a local set designer who employed me as an intern on music video and commercial shoots. It was during this internship that I realized I absolutely loved to “design experiences”. Eager to test out every potential medium, my interest segued into a floristry career that tested my determination with pre-sunrise wake-up calls to commute downtown to the Los Angeles Flower Mart.

After graduating from Harvard-Westlake, I focused on acquiring a degree in business entrepreneurship and marketing at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Once my academic goals were achieved, I took an additional (and indulgent) year to enroll in Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. Upon graduation, I ventured to Switzerland to work as a pastry chef at a high-end resort in the Alps. I quickly realized pastries were not my cup of tea, but the love I developed for food and the many ways it intersects with art connected strongly with my desire to create with consciousness. These principles have culminated into my sustainable vegan catering and event company in Los Angeles and have allowed me to create beauty with intent—intent to tell a story, intent to create experience. The stylistic brand of design MFI embodies has cultivated strong partnerships with SOHO House Malibu and has resonated with clients like Microsoft, Tesla, and Disney.

Uniting all of the varied forces that inspire MFI has sharpened my vision towards the future and helped me realize that at my very core, I live and breathe to create, collaborate and connect. #huho

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not to feel defeated when something doesn’t go according to plan. We’ve learned as a team that when a job doesn’t come through, there’s a reason. There is something to say for patience. The right jobs will find you and they will be more attuned to what you are mentally attracting.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Missy Fine Inc. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our mission at Missy Fine Inc is to create magical moments that inspire people to think differently. We specialize in unique styling, catering, florals and decor that are rooted in sustainable practices and conscious sourcing. Luxury shouldn’t be in the exoticness, but in the ability to create the same breathtaking experiencing using what is ethically sound.

It is not always possible either. We walk a thin line and put into practice whenever we can. We are not perfect, but we are making it a priority.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I would love to keep expanding. I am proud of my company and team because we follow the belief that it doesn’t always have to make sense at first, but if you follow your intuition, it will all work out in the end. Using all the different forces of inspiration to express myself is one of my main priorities. In the future, I hope to continue to push my comfort zone, and to take on bigger creative roles for companies that have the reach to make change in the world.

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