We asked some of the city’s leading artists and creatives to tell us about how they decided to pursue an artistic or creative career. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Austin Sowinski Anna Harvey | Wedding Videographers & Video Editors

From a young age, we each had different creative interests. Individually, we each would’ve pursued something creative to express that part of ourselves, so it made sense to do it together when we realized that. We get to push each other and bounce our creative energies off of one another, and really share that passion for making something artistic. Being in a creative career makes every day a little different. It can come with its own challenges, but it’s still so fulfilling to be able to look at your work at the end of the day and see what you created. Read more>>

Cassey Pelayo | Product Manager, Gym Instructor, Fashion Blogger

A few years ago, I stumbled upon this quote that really made me think. It says, ” Find three hobbies you love: one to make you money, one to make you fit and one to be creative.” I realized that I am already doing the first two. So, I ventured into blogging. I’ve always been interested in fashion so why not talk about it in my blog? And that’s when Cakes and Styles (a hobby website) was born. Read more>>

Amanda (‘Mana’) Paulsen | Designer/Owner of Mana Made

I’ve spent most of my career working on the business side of the arts and never really considered myself an artist. Over the past decade, I managed several nonprofit arts programs then became a business planning consultant for museums and arts organizations across the nation. This work exposed me to a diverse range of artists, designers, and all-around creatives. It sounds cliché but being around art – and really the artists themselves that I encountered along the way – inspired me to further explore my own creative side. Read more>>

Jennifer (Jen) Lossing | Owner/Lead Designer

It was 2004, My Husband and I just got married. I was working with computers and he was working on obtaining his Masters Degree. We lived on his school campus in a tiny apartment with teal carpet. It was the ugliest carpet I had ever seen, yet I was able to turn it into a beautiful living space for us. Our friends would come to visit, they would say how impressed they were with how I made the ugly teal carpet look so good. Read more>>

Dawn Hiruko | Psychic Medium

I do not remember a time when I could not see spirit. I had a hard childhood, so I used to connect with my great grandfather, who always made me feel safe. Through our life, I have always had a very strong sense of intuition. I am an Empath, and was being called into service. I honestly didn’t know what kind of service, so I tried many things. Then, people in my husband’s family started passing away and I started seeing them. I noticed his uncle George was around a lot, so I took the chance and said, “How can I help you.” Read more>>

Giancarlos Hernandez | 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Coach & Competitor

It was always a dream of mine to pursue martial arts and professional wrestling. Even though it was a short stint, I don’t regret my time performing in a professional wrestling ring. I’ve realized the martial arts lifestyle was more for me. Read more>>