We had the good fortune of connecting with Dakota Scott Schambach and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dakota, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up in North Phoenix. I’d say my upbringing has had a really significant impact on who I am today. And the funny thing is I’ve noticed it more as I’ve gotten older. I was raised by a single mom and I am the older sibling out of my sister and I. And I think because of that I am very self-sufficient and extremely independent. I’m not really afraid to figure things out for myself. If something needs to be done, I just do it. I don’t like waiting around for someone else to help me, when I can do it myself. I have a really strong work ethic. I’ve never really gotten things handed to me, which at a young age seemed unfair, but now I am EXTREMELY grateful for it. It taught me to value what I have, work for what I want, and not focus on materialistic things. We never took lavish summer vacations or had the newest technology, etc. So now, as an adult, I think I appreciate those things more because they weren’t a regular occurrence and because I worked hard to earn them. I’ve been working since I was 16 and I actually can’t even remember the last time I wasn’t working multiple jobs. Even now, I work full-time and have a few part-time side hustles as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a graphic designer, but I’m also an overall creative. I graduated from FIDM with a degree in visual communications and tried out different jobs to see what I liked and what I didn’t like. What I realized is that I LOVE having my hands in multiple pots. And I usually enjoy my job the most when everyday looks different. I think a lot of people forget that it’s ok to move on from a job you don’t like. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve never settled. My happiness is extremely important to me, so if I’m not happy, I’m not afraid to move on. Like I said, I tried a lot of different jobs, from event coordinating to virtual assistant, and that’s eventually what led me to where I am now. I always figured I’d want to do something more hands on, like be apart of a retail visual team, and so I didn’t realize how much I would love graphic design until recently. I’ve come to recognize and appreciate how great my attention to detail is and that has helped me so much. It definitely hasn’t been easy. I struggle with anxiety, so being thrust into new scenarios and jobs can be a lot for me to take in. But I’ve gotten really good at trusting my gut instincts. I have strong visceral reactions, so I know when a job isn’t right for me, or when I need to remove myself from a situation. But then that can be hard because of the anxiety. It’s a cycle. But I just try to tell myself that everything will work itself out in the end and what’s meant to be will be.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my friend was visiting we’d: Do brunch at The Canal Club. Hang out by the pool at the new Arrive hotel. Stop by Teaspressa for a tea. Take Instagram worthy content at all three places. Head up north for a night near Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend to take in the sights. Stop by Sedona on the way back for some hiking. Grab a coffee at one of the Press locations. Munch on a bruschetta board at Postino. Hit up Nami for dessert. Struggle to make it up Camelback Mountain. More brunch at Elly’s. Swing by the Churchill to see what’s going on there. And hang out in the cute Airbnb we rented.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
For sure my mom. Like I mentioned she was a single parent. So I learned all of my independence from her. She’s always had faith in me even when I had no idea what I was doing – and to be honest I still don’t know what I’m doing. If I’m crying on the couch from stress or anxiety, she reassures me that things will always work out. She believes in me. When I moved to LA right after high school she didn’t try to talk me out of it. If I say I want to start whatever new business it is I want to start that week she doesn’t question it. I think there’s not a doubt in her mind that I won’t figure things out and pave my own way to success.

Website: https://www.syrupandscott.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakota_scottt/

Nominate someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.