Thursday, May 17, 2012
Jolie Sikes-Smith, Junk Gypsy Company
Interview #026
1. What is your dream?
In high school and college my dream was simple. 2 words…I wanted to help people…after graduation, my dream grew deeper and stronger… I realized I must work with my family and live in the country. Ultimately, my dream is to never quit dreaming. and oh yeah…there’s that little dream of riding a roller coaster with Sandra Bullock.
2. How are you chasing it?
I believe in doing what you know is right and good. treating others the way you want to be treated. Staying true to yourself and your family and your earth. and I believe in working your booty off…nothing comes easy. i believe that sometimes stumbling blocks are just opportunities and that we NEVER stop learning and that no one ever knows everything….always be open minded. I believe if you stick to all of these things, the rest will fall into place.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
That fulfilling your dream can take on different forms. let it be. there ain’t nothing homemade biscuits can’t fix…don’t sweat the small stuff.
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
Sometimes, there is no business plan…no how-to manual. stay true to who you are…not to what you THINK will be successful. and NEVER stop listening.
5. What songs, art, or books inspire you?
Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin, bb king, muddy waters, Elvis…the original renegade trailblazers. they all KNEW who they were and made no apologies. they were pioneers. art…hmmm….my dad’s biscuits are art to me…and they DEFINITELY inspire me. books…ahhh, I love books. I have a huge weakness for books…I can’t seem to quit buying them at the fleamarket. I am inspired just by looking at books…piles and piles of books…all tattered and dusty with crinkled and yellowed pages. timeless. classic. now that’s good stuff.
See Jolie at: HGTV Saturday nights 7pm/6C, www.gypsyville.com, www.facebook.com/junkgypsy, http://twitter.com/#!/junkgypsy
Monday, May 7, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
INDUR: Bucky Clarke, Graphic Designer
Interview #024
1. What is your dream?
Having a single dream tends to be a bit limiting. Having a few dreams that you simultaneously strive for is what drives me. One of those dreams is to work with my fiance as a creative duo. Whether it is designing posters or designing a unique product to get manufactured and sell worldwide.
2. How are you chasing it?
Currently, I am putting my little "baby chicks" out into the world and watching each piece or idea evolve naturally.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
That following your dream(s) is not really that hard or to have had someone ask me "What are you waiting for?"
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
Start small and let your business or art evolve. Spending $10,000 will not guarantee success... We've made that mistake.
5. What songs, art, or books inspire you?
That's tough...Music that inspires is ambient chill music that allows my thoughts to grow. As for art, color blocking and vintage typography tickle my fancy.
See INDUR at:
http://www.indurdesign.com/, http://pinterest.com/indur/, https://twitter.com/#!/indur, http://indur.tumblr.com/
1. What is your dream?
Having a single dream tends to be a bit limiting. Having a few dreams that you simultaneously strive for is what drives me. One of those dreams is to work with my fiance as a creative duo. Whether it is designing posters or designing a unique product to get manufactured and sell worldwide.
2. How are you chasing it?
Currently, I am putting my little "baby chicks" out into the world and watching each piece or idea evolve naturally.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
That following your dream(s) is not really that hard or to have had someone ask me "What are you waiting for?"
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
Start small and let your business or art evolve. Spending $10,000 will not guarantee success... We've made that mistake.
5. What songs, art, or books inspire you?
That's tough...Music that inspires is ambient chill music that allows my thoughts to grow. As for art, color blocking and vintage typography tickle my fancy.
See INDUR at:
http://www.indurdesign.com/, http://pinterest.com/indur/, https://twitter.com/#!/indur, http://indur.tumblr.com/
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sydney Arnette, Owner Hide Designs by Syd
Interview #023
1. What is your dream?
I guess you could say I am living my dream. I married my highschool sweatheart 39 years ago, have 2 great kids, 4 wonderful grandkids, am self employed doing what I love to do (sewing).
2. How are you chasing it?
I guess I am chasing my dream by living it day to day.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
I know now that I have been given a wonderful talent and I can use it to make a living.
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
My advise would be just go for it no matter what it is.
5. What music, books, or art inspire you?
What inspires me is seeing something that I know I can make and making it better.
http://www.hidedesignsbysyd.com/
1. What is your dream?
I guess you could say I am living my dream. I married my highschool sweatheart 39 years ago, have 2 great kids, 4 wonderful grandkids, am self employed doing what I love to do (sewing).
2. How are you chasing it?
I guess I am chasing my dream by living it day to day.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
I know now that I have been given a wonderful talent and I can use it to make a living.
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
My advise would be just go for it no matter what it is.
5. What music, books, or art inspire you?
What inspires me is seeing something that I know I can make and making it better.
http://www.hidedesignsbysyd.com/
Friday, February 10, 2012
Dave Muscarella, Co-Founder Lokol Apps
Interview #022
1. What is your Dream?
My dream from the very beginning has been to work for myself. Essentially to live exactly how I’m living right now with just a couple more dollars in my pocket. I want to influence some sort of positive change made by the things that I’ve done; whether it’s creating a new app or giving someone something that they can remember for a long time. In a lot of ways I really do feel like I’m living my dream right now. I don’t have to go to an office every day. I can pretty much do whatever I want, and that’s been the goal my whole life, to not be controlled by anyone other than myself and what I want to do.
2. How are you chasing it?
I don’t chase my dreams. My dreams Chase me.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
The Powerball numbers last week! No, no, that’s a joke. I wish I would have known more programming language earlier on. That would have been a lot more helpful for me in the long run. I also wish I knew the people that I know now, because who you know is what really makes everything happen. I guess that kinda goes back to the advice question. Know people. Be nice.
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
One person told me to always sign your own checks. I think that’s great advice for starters. Also, whatever it is that you’re doing at this point, stop and think about what you REALLY want to be doing and do that. Work when you’re most productive. I’ve tailored my schedule so that I can work during those hours. Play. Schedule your days so that you can get out and do stuff that you want to do that’s not work. Make sure you remember to have fun.
5. What music, books or art inspire you?
Lil Wayne. It’s funny but it’s true. I look at Lil Wayne and he started out as this inner city kid with nothing who became a multi millionaire doing what he loves, and all on his own accord. I was fortunate enough to start out on a pretty good platform, where as he started with nothing and has surpassed his goals. As different as we are I can really relate to what he has done and what he continues to try to do. His work ethic is higher than most people in this world and you can tell he genuinely loves what he does. It all boils down to if you’re doing what you love, you’re going to be good at it. Artistically for me it’s Snowboarding videos. They actually capture moments of one of the biggest passions of my life, these videos make it possible for me to sit there and analyze these athletes giving their all into something they love, and to me that is inspiring.
http://www.lokolapps.com/
1. What is your Dream?
My dream from the very beginning has been to work for myself. Essentially to live exactly how I’m living right now with just a couple more dollars in my pocket. I want to influence some sort of positive change made by the things that I’ve done; whether it’s creating a new app or giving someone something that they can remember for a long time. In a lot of ways I really do feel like I’m living my dream right now. I don’t have to go to an office every day. I can pretty much do whatever I want, and that’s been the goal my whole life, to not be controlled by anyone other than myself and what I want to do.
2. How are you chasing it?
I don’t chase my dreams. My dreams Chase me.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
The Powerball numbers last week! No, no, that’s a joke. I wish I would have known more programming language earlier on. That would have been a lot more helpful for me in the long run. I also wish I knew the people that I know now, because who you know is what really makes everything happen. I guess that kinda goes back to the advice question. Know people. Be nice.
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
One person told me to always sign your own checks. I think that’s great advice for starters. Also, whatever it is that you’re doing at this point, stop and think about what you REALLY want to be doing and do that. Work when you’re most productive. I’ve tailored my schedule so that I can work during those hours. Play. Schedule your days so that you can get out and do stuff that you want to do that’s not work. Make sure you remember to have fun.
5. What music, books or art inspire you?
Lil Wayne. It’s funny but it’s true. I look at Lil Wayne and he started out as this inner city kid with nothing who became a multi millionaire doing what he loves, and all on his own accord. I was fortunate enough to start out on a pretty good platform, where as he started with nothing and has surpassed his goals. As different as we are I can really relate to what he has done and what he continues to try to do. His work ethic is higher than most people in this world and you can tell he genuinely loves what he does. It all boils down to if you’re doing what you love, you’re going to be good at it. Artistically for me it’s Snowboarding videos. They actually capture moments of one of the biggest passions of my life, these videos make it possible for me to sit there and analyze these athletes giving their all into something they love, and to me that is inspiring.
http://www.lokolapps.com/
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Jose Emroca Flores, Artist
Interview #021
1. What is your dream?
My dream is to do what I love, and love what I do. Create everywhere. Travel everywhere. Surf everywhere.
2. How are you chasing it?
By just rolling out of bed and doing it. After breakfast of course.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
It is probably the other way around for me. I was pretty gung ho when I first started out because I had nothing to lose. Getting older you kind of develop these dumb preconceived notions that can kinda hold you back. Sometimes a little bit of naivete and hunger can be a good thing. I wish I was young and dumb again. I am extremely smart now. Finally!
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
Well, I am not the best at this stuff either, so I am probably the wrong guy to ask. But I have made a career out of this art somehow, and I think it just came down to really digging what you're doing. Not listening to your parents when they told you to be an accountant or insurance salesman. Best advice I got was when I was working as a busboy at a crappy Mexican restaurant and the cocky manager comes up to me and says, "Hey! Just do what you love, and money will come naturally. Now go clean that table." If that enthusiasm comes through in your work then people will feel the extreme need to throw you bags of money so you can eat fresh sushi instead of 3 day old sushi and travel. Oh yeah, being cool to people helps too.
5. What songs, art, or books inspire you?
Lately I have had a guilty pleasure of chick bands. I just like to hear girls singing instead of guys. Maybe I don't relate to their problems as much, but why would I only want to hear a guy sing about manly things? Girls have prettier voices. As far as art and books, I like to look at all types of art from photography to abstract sculpture, to classical painting and even really really bad art. Sometimes the bad stuff has a good idea but the technique is a bit wacky. I just try to get inspired by any little thing that strikes me and try to be sensitive to what does.
See Emroca art at: www.emroca.com
1. What is your dream?
My dream is to do what I love, and love what I do. Create everywhere. Travel everywhere. Surf everywhere.
2. How are you chasing it?
By just rolling out of bed and doing it. After breakfast of course.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
It is probably the other way around for me. I was pretty gung ho when I first started out because I had nothing to lose. Getting older you kind of develop these dumb preconceived notions that can kinda hold you back. Sometimes a little bit of naivete and hunger can be a good thing. I wish I was young and dumb again. I am extremely smart now. Finally!
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
Well, I am not the best at this stuff either, so I am probably the wrong guy to ask. But I have made a career out of this art somehow, and I think it just came down to really digging what you're doing. Not listening to your parents when they told you to be an accountant or insurance salesman. Best advice I got was when I was working as a busboy at a crappy Mexican restaurant and the cocky manager comes up to me and says, "Hey! Just do what you love, and money will come naturally. Now go clean that table." If that enthusiasm comes through in your work then people will feel the extreme need to throw you bags of money so you can eat fresh sushi instead of 3 day old sushi and travel. Oh yeah, being cool to people helps too.
5. What songs, art, or books inspire you?
Lately I have had a guilty pleasure of chick bands. I just like to hear girls singing instead of guys. Maybe I don't relate to their problems as much, but why would I only want to hear a guy sing about manly things? Girls have prettier voices. As far as art and books, I like to look at all types of art from photography to abstract sculpture, to classical painting and even really really bad art. Sometimes the bad stuff has a good idea but the technique is a bit wacky. I just try to get inspired by any little thing that strikes me and try to be sensitive to what does.
See Emroca art at: www.emroca.com
Monday, December 26, 2011
Julie Sezer, Owner of Gypsy Jule
Interview #020
1. What is your dream?
To finally get my act together, get to a point that my life and work will have the power to help those dealt bad cards in life.
2. How are you chasing it?
Currently I own and operate a clothing, accessory and gift store for women. We are uniquely different than other stores in our area in that we "march to our own beat". I think this definitely sends a message to not be afraid (although it can be scary) to be different. Our Eclectic style has helped to differentiate us. I will continue to seek unique items and unusual combinations to keep our store exciting to visit.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
I love art that speaks to my soul...particularly
art that has a rustic vibe. If it's distressed and aged looking....more than
likely I will love it! I am completely in awe of the historical art and
paintings throughout mosques and old churches...I mean how DID they do that??
Musically I love most genres but am completely drawn to country music.
I am learning that I love other sounds too but mostly anything with a
pure voice or an edgy honky tonk feel:)...lately I'm inspired by Miranda
Lambert & Beverly McClellan and thrilled beyond measure that Tim McGraw has
a new album to be released in January...his new song...."Better than I
used to be" speaks perfectly to me....there's always room for
improvement!
Find Julie at: www.gypsyjule.com; Gypsy Jule Twitter
1. What is your dream?
To finally get my act together, get to a point that my life and work will have the power to help those dealt bad cards in life.
2. How are you chasing it?
Currently I own and operate a clothing, accessory and gift store for women. We are uniquely different than other stores in our area in that we "march to our own beat". I think this definitely sends a message to not be afraid (although it can be scary) to be different. Our Eclectic style has helped to differentiate us. I will continue to seek unique items and unusual combinations to keep our store exciting to visit.
3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
The website!!....the importance of
really building on that with YOUR own style and brand. Also....I'm not
really good at networking and I have learned the hard way that this is
invaluable.
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
4. What advice do you have for new business owners?
Be prepared for disappointments,
excitement and the ups and downs. It's all part of the journey that will
get you to your destination.
5. What songs, art or books inspire you?
5. What songs, art or books inspire you?
Find Julie at: www.gypsyjule.com; Gypsy Jule Twitter
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