We were lucky to catch up with Clarissa Butler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Clarissa, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Living in the bustling heart of L.A., creativity has always been my driving force. Whether curating art for legendary venues like Westlake Recording Studios, crafting eye-catching flyers for the iconic Viper Room, or orchestrating photoshoots for lifestyle brands, I’ve always immersed myself in the world of creative execution.
In 2019, a pivotal shift occurred as I transitioned from freelance gigs to establishing an official S-Corp. The catalyst? A serendipitous opportunity that arose during my tenure teaching art at a woman-owned gallery in Costa Mesa. A commercial development firm sought to infuse local art into their project, and my name was brought to the forefront by one of the gallery owners. Initially daunting, the prospect of spearheading such a large-scale project soon revealed itself as the culmination of my diverse experiences.
Embracing the mantra of saying yes to opportunities before feeling fully ready, I embarked on what would become the transformative project known as “Canvas”. What began as curating a spec suite blossomed into a monumental three-year journey encompassing seven murals, seventeen artists, five lobbies, two co-working spaces, and an array of custom furniture and lighting. Not to mention, overseeing landscaping consulting and media production to amplify the property’s impact.
Throughout my career, mentors urged me to pick a lane. Yet, it was my multidimensional background spanning branding, art, interiors, and media that enabled me to grasp the broader vision and intention of the project. Seamlessly weaving these elements together, I crafted a dynamic work campus that resonated with its audience on multiple levels.
The journey of CB Creative Agency is a testament to the power of embracing diverse skill sets and refusing to be confined to a singular lane. As I reflect on the path that led me here, I’m grateful for the opportunities seized and challenges overcome. CB Creative Agency stands as the embodiment of my unwavering commitment to pushing creative boundaries and shaping immersive experiences that leave a lasting impact.
In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, CB Creative Agency serves as a beacon of inspiration—a testament to the transformative potential of embracing one’s unique journey and harnessing creativity as a catalyst for innovation.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I believe authenticity is the most important quality in work and life.

What sets us apart: My ability to multi-task and harness creativity alongside my business acumen.

CREATIVITY AT WORK
Based in Orange County, CB Creative Agency develops visual assets through art consulting, interior design, and custom fabrications. We translate our clients distinct intentions through designing environments and content that directly reflect their core mission.

Clarissa Butler is the Founder + Creative Director of CB Creative Agency. She has spent over 17 years in the creative business space working with art, fashion, and lifestyle brands. Her design sensibilities and ability to execute large scale projects seamlessly, makes CB Creative one of the most sought after agencies in the creative space.

Raised on the East Coast, Clarissa has lived in California for over 17 yrs and loves working with innovative artists and entrepreneurs.

When she’s not obsessing over the details you’ll find her gaining perspective at galleries and museums, luxuriating at a boutique hotel, two steppin’ to old school hip hop, or cracking up at a local comedy club.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I built my reputation within my market by always leading with integrity and effectively delivering my client’s visions.

By building trust and fostering genuine relationships with clients and vendors, I create an environment that fosters creativity and connectivity.

My large scale projects serve as a lifesize portfolio to other potential clients.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I’m always inspired by creative entrepreneurs that seamlessly translate their aesthetic from one medium to another. Pharrell Williams has been a constant source of inspiration, going from being a music producer to consulting in fashion, designing a hotel, skincare and more, he has a definitive style that transcends any one medium.
Recommended reading: “Pharrell: Places and Spaces I’ve Been.”

One of Steve Jobs quotes is my favorite, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”
Recommended video watch: Steve Jobs 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cbcreative.agency/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbcreative.agency
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbcreative.agency/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-butler-cbcreative/

Image Credits

Brandon Shigeta
Shafik
Hugo Landa Garcia