Rising Stars: Meet Kamilla Kurmanbekova of Sherman oaks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamilla Kurmanbekova.

Hi Kamilla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story really began with curiosity—about life, about creativity, and about how we experience things. Coming from a background in set design, I’ve always been fascinated by how different elements come together to create something meaningful. Over time, I started thinking not just about creating environments, but about how we learn and connect through them. I’ve always loved the idea of blending disciplines—like in opera, where design, performance, and music all work together to create a rich experience. That way of thinking shaped both my creative work and how I approach sharing knowledge. What’s guided me most is staying curious, continuing to explore, and finding ways to inspire that same curiosity in others.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest obstacles was building something meaningful from the ground up. While the company was founded by its creator, I was the first hire, so much of the foundation was developed together. In my role as an art director and academic lead, a big challenge was figuring out how to translate a vision into a real, structured experience—especially when it came to reimagining education. We knew how we wanted it to feel—engaging, inspiring, and immersive—but shaping that into a clear format that truly worked took experimentation, collaboration, and a willingness to refine things over time. Those early trials were challenging, but they were also what helped us define something authentic and impactful.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work has always been centered around creating experiences for people. I come from a fine art and set design background, with over 17 years of building visual environments for film and creative projects. That naturally expanded into teaching, where I became interested in how people engage, learn, and connect through creative spaces. Over time, I began transitioning into culinary arts—something that has always been part of my life, as I was raised around home cooking and the culture of gathering through food. While I’m still learning and growing in that field, I see it as another form of art—one that brings people together in a very immediate, sensory way. I don’t really see my career as a straight, linear path, but more as a layered, evolving process. Each project, each discipline, adds another dimension—not just to what I do, but to who I become through it.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I try to be careful with giving universal advice, because what works for one person can completely fail for someone else. But if I had to share something, it would be more of an “anti-advice”: take the time to really understand yourself—your boundaries, your values, and what you’re actually trying to build within your field. Passion is important, but it can also overwhelm you if you don’t create a healthy separation between who you are and what you do. Your work shouldn’t be the only thing that defines you. At the same time, stay curious and open—because the moment you become too rigid, it becomes much harder to grow, create, and adapt.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lifeplusla.com/