Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Elvatanza Hunt | Fashion Designer, Stylist, and Educator

I’ve always felt as though my career chose me! Having an artistic flair as a child fostered my creativity. With my love of sketching, designing, and sewing, I could delve deeper into my passion for a fashion career path in high school. I turned my passion into a bonafide career at The Fashion Institute of Technology. Read more>>

Anonymous Da Band | Funk fusion band

We pursued music as a career because we grew up in it and we have a lot of family members in the business who are world class professionals. We also really enjoy the camaraderie and developing our skills together. Read more>>

Da Black Mav | Recording Artist/Brand Owner/Life Distributor

It felt natural to me. We all want to be seen, heard, & or felt in some form or fashion. I actually feel we’re obligated to share our gifts to the world to show gratitude for possessing them. Read more>>

Kate Pauda | Floral Designer & Horticulturist

My favorite memories of my childhood are ones filled with nature and creative expression. I loved working in the garden with my mom as a kid; as I became a young adult, I found myself reminiscing on those times and the joy I felt working with plants. These memories, paired with my lifelong interest in visual art, led me to pursue an education in horticulture with a focus on floral design. I fell in love with the work and I’m grateful to have a career where I can use my talents to bring our clients’ visions to life! Read more>>

Mannie | HairStylist

I’m a Mama’s Boy and would often go with my mother to the salon on Fridays. Just so happened that her beautician was my cousin, the late Linda Wilkins. I would notice not only how emotionally safe my mother felt in the salon as well as how her confidence changed once she turned to see her new style in the mirror. I wanted to make others feel this security and this good once my hands touched them and they left my presence. Once I started Cosmetology School, and reach the practical part of the course, styling came natural. Read more>>

Slimm B | Rap Artist

Writing music has been my passion since I was 7 years old. I had a really hard childhood so when the stress would get to be too much for me I would just lock myself in my room and write for hours. I haven’t stopped since. Read more>>

Emily Willis | HMU Artist & Dance Instructor

Wow, I get this question all the time and what it comes down to for me is knowing that its my calling. It is my purpose in this world to serve others through creativity. It brings fun, happiness and beauty to people’s lives and that’s what people want. People want a little fun and magic in their life and I get to facilitate that. Facilitate it by teaching people young and old how to dance, how to nail that cool dance move. Facilitate beauty and happiness by creating the perfect wedding day hair & makeup look they’ve been dreaming about. Read more>>

Mohamed (4rex) Kaba | Artist & Territory Sales Manager

I feel naturally drawn to music. From growing up in environments filled with artistic minded people witch led me to Tap into art as an expression, Music, I discovered that I had a strong connection to it. I feel, it is only normal that I pursue such a direction. It makes me happy in the end, and that is one of most important thing sought after in this life, Happiness. Read more>>

Ashley Garraway | Makeup Artist & Business Owner

I was always someone who was into arts and creative projects/processes! In high school I always wore eyeshadow colors that matched my clothes and had a passion for creating unique makeup looks. Art class was one of my favorite subjects. I started doing makeup for some friends for prom and decided it was something I was passionate about but wasn’t sure I wanted to pursue a career in it at the time. I initially wanted to go to college for early childhood education. After having my first daughter shortly after graduating high school, I decided to look into makeup schools and pursue my passion in a bigger way. Read more>>

Kaylee Bahk | Artist & Designer

As a simple answer, it is my passion and what I like to do in my life. I believe I can perform the best result and be happy when I do what I love. Art has been a versatile form of a key in my life which can be anything such as a friend, language, and many more that I cannot live without. Read more>>

Karl Jackson | Technical Program Manager & Beardologists

I always liked to see things like thoughts and ideas come to life. I’ve been in the position to help products get to market, mainly software code turn into a product that people love. While looking for a product that could help solve my problems with dryness and an itchy beard, it only made sense to create what I couldn’t find. Now, I get to see people enjoy my products and the feedback I receive keeps me motivated to keep going. Live Good. Look Good. Feel Better! Read more>>

NX2 | R&B duo

We simply love the music and pretty much all our lives have had music within our family many generations before us. Music is pretty much in our DNA that’s simply all we know. Read more>>

Tajae Pusey | Rapper/musician

I pursued an artistic/creative career path because with art and innovation people sometimes with no voice have the opportunity to express and explore complex ideas, teaches lessons, give social commentary, express feelings and provide therapy. We are also able to bring different groups of people together and be a voice for the voiceless. Read more>>