We had the good fortune of connecting with Treasure Harewood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Treasure, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
When I started creating it began as a hobby that I would do occasionally. Maybe once a week or less. As my interest grew so did the amount of time I spent working on it. Crafting changed from an occasional hobby to a part time career for me and I had to learn to balance that with my other responsibilities. I have a job I work at full time so I had to manage my time around that as well. The main thing I’ve learned is to spend as much time as possible working on my art. By as much time as possible, I mean as much as I can without turning it into a task or a job. I still want to see it as something I enjoy and do for fun. So while I like the benefit of selling what I make, I also refuse to push myself to the point that I start to dislike it or don’t get the same enjoyment. Sometimes I spend hours and back-to-back days crafting. Other times I can go an entire week without making anything. It’s all about maintaining a healthy balance.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been creating resin art for over 6 years and I feel like that in itself sets me apart. I’m proud of the amount of time I have dedicated to my passion and the skills I’ve learned. I love that I can take that knowledge and help people that are just starting out. I enjoy helping others with tips and tricks that I have come up with or learned. Getting to where I am today took dedication and consistency. It was difficult. There definitely has been some trial and error, and I feel like it is an ongoing learning experience. One of the main lessons I’ve learned is that mistakes will be made, but it is just a part of the process. Also, sometimes things don’t work out exactly the way you expected but you have to adapt and keep going, I want the world to know that this was a group effort. I could not be where I am without the support of my friends and loved ones. From setting up at shows, to helping me choose my business name, I am constantly grateful for the people behind the scenes that show up for me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve been to a few events put together by Fever and would want to see what they were hosting that week. The two events I’ve been to so far I enjoyed (The Van Gogh Experience and The Mad Hatter’s Tea and Gin Party). I would recommend going to Ponce City Market and specifically stopping at the City Winery tasting room. Also, because I think it is important to support locally owned black businesses, I would definitely recommend trying out Flavor Rich on Buford Hwy. They have amazing food, especially for brunch. For locally grown fruits, veggies, herbs, and plants I would stop by City Fresh Gardens near Campcreek, it is Black and Female owned. The owner also teaches you how to grow your own food and/or help set up a home garden. Finally, I would insist on trying out Rollerfit ATL, another Black and Female owned business. It is a great and fun way to learn how to skate and also get in some fitness and exercise.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shoutout to a few great people:

To my Mom and sister, Thank you for giving me that nudge to start Koasted. I literally wouldn’t be where I am today without you both.

Elysia, thank you for your unwavering support, encouragement and help all these years. I know this is something I chose to pursue, but you’ve been right there with me along the way and I am incredibly thankful.

Ashley, my Roadie! Always supportive and always pulling up when I need a helping hand.

Website: www.KoastedCo.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/KoastedCo

Twitter: Twitter.com/KoastedCo

Facebook: Facebook.com/Koasted

Youtube: Youtube.com/Koasted

Other: TikTok: Tiktok.com/@Koasted

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