Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Victoria Howard | Floral Designer

I truly believe I have always been an artist. Starting from a child, drawling my own fashion designs, teaching myself how to sew purses which were actually just strips of fabric lol. Art was my favorite subject, throughout my entire school years. Read more>>

Yueyue Zhang | Storyboard Artist & Illustrator

I embarked on an artistic journey because my passion for drawing has been ingrained in me since kindergarten. Being naturally introverted, drawing became my primary means of communicating with the world around me. My artistic perspective deepened significantly during middle school when I was introduced to the films and behind-the-scenes documentaries of Miyazaki. Read more>>

Perissa York | Actor & Owner of LunarSKN Jewelry

I embarked on a career as an actor because it allows me to delve into the depths of self-expression, self-discovery, and profound connection. Through my craft, I’ve found a medium where words often fall short, yet emotions resonate deeply. Read more>>

Perfect Animal | Band

There are really only a few ways to put this. Creative individuals don’t necessarily choose to be artists – it just sort of finds them. In short, our minds play with themselves. Read more>>

Nancy Nguyen | Actor, VTuber, & Nail Technician

My earliest childhood memories consist of dressing up, singing along to Disney Princess movies, drawing characters, giving them voices and their own storylines into little notebooks. I was constantly reading books or manga, watching anime, cartoons, playing video games and even tried to start a web show with my best friends from elementary to middle school.  Read more>>

Tierra Aoki | CEO and Founder

I am a true Pisces and thrive on creativity. Around the time I was 10 years old I knew my career and life would be centered around the arts. I am originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and I moved to Atlanta, Georgia for a better career opportunity and to learn more about the Fashion industry. Read more>>

Michelle Paradis | Photographer / Creative Director

In a way I didn’t choose it. My mom gave me a Barbie Film Camera when I was about 10 years old. When I got that roll developed, everything started to make sense. I felt connected to the world around me. Read more>>

Saurabh Rathi | Multi-modal Experience Designer

My creative journey path I believe, is a rather complex curve that has been shaped by various pivotal moments. My journey into the creative realm stemmed from a deep-rooted passion for design that originated in my childhood fascination with cars. I spent countless hours sketching cars in my school notebooks, dreaming of turning that passion into a career. Read more>>

Jhay Armanee’ | Beautician, Natural Hair Care Brand Owner

I realized I had more to offer my community. Playing small was easy, comfortable, safe but unfulfilling! I always had a “behind the shadows” attitude about myself, dimming my own light to avoid recognition; good and bad. It was time to branch out & I knew, I wanted to enter the industry where the capability of outpouring love into the community was boundless… the beauty industry! Read more>> 

Nia Richardson | Clothing Designer

I pursued an artistic career because I realized regular school just wasn’t for me so now I attend SCAD at the Atlanta campus. But I pursued my artistic passion at a very young age. Read more>>

David Etumnu | Professional Dancer, Choreographer & Content Creator

Being an artist and a creative was always within me and was another form of language I could communicate to anyone without saying a word. One dance move could someone smile or want to dance with me. One whole art piece such as a dance visual, could inspire someone to explore their own canvas. Read more>>

Anthony Lopez | Lomakeitsnow Producer l

I started to pursue my career as a producer when I was around 16 I’d freestyle a lot with my friends and listen to music Smoke and we’d just have fun most of my friends were mainly rapping. I kinda just did it you you know for fun just to know I’m saying have fun really but I was more into the beat side because I was like you know what I don’t really wanna rap so I’m like I might as well make beats so got into making beats and I started doing tutorials and when I first started my beast they didn’t really sound that good. Read more>>

Marjorie Silva | YouTuber

Deciding whether to keep going or to give up is a challenging decision, especially when it comes to something as personal and meaningful as my YouTube channel. For me, the answer lies in my passion and purpose. My YouTube channel is not just a platform for sharing my experiences; it’s a way to educate and inspire others. Read more>>

Lauren Kong | Screen/Stage/Voice Actor, Singer, Artist, & Student

I grew up an only kid with busy parents who initially wanted to pursue creative careers until life and a need for financial stability got in the way, so in a way their creativity passed down to me and all the time spent on my own really encouraged me to cultivate it. Read more>>