We recently connected with Chrystina Hanson-Hakam and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Chrystina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
My business, Creative + Unusual Everyday, is constantly evolving and growing. Like the name, the point is tapping into your creativity and uniqueness in every moment. The foundation of CUE is as a Coaching and Feng Shui consulting business. From here I integrate all my other interests whenever possible. My latest project is The Elemental Values Card Deck. The idea for this deck seemed to drop in from the ether—the inspired realization being, “wow, the Five Elements system could really help people connect to their personal values!” Essentially finding a sweet spot where my Coaching and Feng Shui could play together. While working with clients on their personal values I found that oftentimes they were either disconnected from their values, or felt they didn’t have choices in their lives. The Elemental Values deck became an invitation, to explore and then take steps toward choosing their values—a reminder that we always have some kind of choice.
This project feels like a real synthesis of all my interests: Art Making, Feng Shui and Coaching. I had never created anything like this before, so the learning curve was high. Luckily I have a great Coach and our sessions kept me on track. From the artwork, concept, to the design—I created it all. There’s nothing like it. Values and The Five Elements haven’t been linked in this way, to this degree, ever. Especially in terms of using the Five Elements as a tool for understanding what’s blocking, what motivates, and what can support your personal values. And when you’re having trouble staying true to your vision and values, this system shows you where to go for support, how to make that first step.
If an idea has popped into your head, and it excites you but is also a little scary—go for it and see what happens! That’s what I did.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I am a Feng Shui Consultant, Life Coach and Artist. My goal is to live as authentically as possible—and share what I learn with the world. For my clients, I offer the support to courageously live as their fullest selves in a space that fully supports and inspires them. I got into this by noticing what comes naturally, having a love for learning, and following my nose. And a lot of self-permission to go my own way. My products range from: consultations on space—getting the energy to flow and feel great; coaching around dreams and visions; workshops and retreats on personal values that incorporate Kundalini yoga and Art Making; to The Elemental Values Card Deck for exploring and taking action on personal values; handmade brushes; and paintings. I also teach Kundalini Yoga, work with Sound Healing, and as a Photostylist—making things beautiful. I own a wellness center, The Qi House, with my partner Acupuncturist Cary Hakam.
Ever since I was little I took time to rearrange my space. Sometimes redecorating my bedroom every couple of weeks. Trying out new ideas, making it feel good, creating a world that could support me. I grew up in a commune, many people in the house, and this was the one area of life that I had some control over! It wasn’t until I was older that I realized I had developed a special skill—adjusting the energy of a space. I’d just assumed everyone did this! Well, they don’t. The first Feng Shui book I ever read was Clear Your Clutter by Karen Kingston. This is when I learned that people do this for a living! At the time I was working as a Photostylist and didn’t yet see a way to transition into this line of work.
In 2018 the space, time, and my mind opened up—I enrolled into my first Feng Shui certification course at The School of Wind and Water, led by Carole Hyder. It just made perfect sense, I was a natural. It felt a bit like coming home. These teachings were based on the BTB lineage, which is a “modern” technique emphasizing intention and energy, using the Bagua map. In 2020 I continued my studies with Dana Claudet at The School of Intention, which was even more modern, and involved lots of study into why Feng Shui works. After consulting with many clients, I noticed that sometimes what I was called in for was just a surface issue. The real issues were hiding under the surface. At that point, I enrolled in the Wayfinder Life Coach Training led by Martha Beck, which gave me the training I would need to work with clients struggling with those deeper issues. Equipped with Feng Shui and Coaching tools I’m able to offer something very unique. I’m not just shifting the energy of the home, I have the tools to dive in deeper, to uncover limiting beliefs, patterns that keep clients stuck on repeat. Always working with the space and the person who occupies it. If you’re unfamiliar with Feng Shui, here are a few things it can do: attract opportunities; bring clarity to indecision; clear negative energies; clear clutter and create spaciousness; create a space you love; reenergize your life; support transitions in life; claim and clear a space after remodel or move; and adjust space after divorce or death.
When you study, or offer any service, you also make use of those tools. In Feng Shui-ing my own home and getting coached by my mentor, I reconnected with my artistic endeavors. Pottery, painting, dance, music. I dreamt of a way to combine all these skills, and in 2022 I created my first Values Retreat. A combo of Kundalini Yoga, Values, Coaching, and art making. Continuing this dream, in 2024 Creative + Unusual Everyday was born, offering people tools for living a life that can be just that, creative and unusual all the time! Their own unique creation.
Years ago when I was studying welding, fashion design, interior design, and jazz singing—and thinking I needed to pick one of these interests, a teacher said to me: “think of all your interests as your children, sometimes one gets a little more attention, so you zoom in on that interest for a bit, but you don’t get rid of the rest of them. They’re all your children!” My path has taken me from one interest to the next. Sometimes I get tripped up and wonder what the heck I’m doing, how will this turn out? But I always come back to that wisdom, and the more I lean in, the more it continues to work and grow. If you’re also a person of many interests—you got this!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to learn that all my interests are wonderful, fruitful, necessary, and unlearn that I can only become successful by choosing just one of them. For a long time I put pressure on myself to choose what I was going to be, that one thing. Looking back, this actually resulted in some lost opportunities. Years ago, because I wasn’t 100% sure, or not ready to pick that “one thing”, I said “no” to getting designs of my clothing made for Nordstrom. That’s the big one I remember. There were others. Once I allowed myself to love everything I love, do everything that calls to me, I figured out how to integrate them all. To create something new. Now I will say YES to opportunities that show up. You never know where something will lead you.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I think pivoting is my super power. Over my life I’ve experienced many pivot points. My first job out of college was as a graphic designer then I pivoted to being a metalsmith. Moving to different cities, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Minneapolis, I enjoyed recreating myself each time. Trying on new careers and loving the thrill. From Office Manager, to First Hand Stitcher in the theater, to Photo Stylist. And now working on my business, Creative + Unusual Everyday. I think it’s important to be able to pivot, problem solve a changing life, in an ever changing world. There’s always uncertainty, and it is a great skill to have in your pocket.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chrystinahakam.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrystinahakam/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrystina.hanson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrystinahakam/
