We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Estee Marie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Estee, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path was in high school. I had always been into the arts from choir, to creative writing, to dance – I had a love for all things dealing with creative expression. I have so many creative interests and the goal is to pursue them all in the proper timing. I initially wanted to go to Cal Arts, but my immigrant parent’s perspective of college encouraged me to pursue other options. So I landed at UCLA getting an interdisciplinary degree in African American Studies with and emphasis in Film and Television.

Upon graduating I was working in the film industry and subbing. Somehow I ended up in the classroom full-time teaching Common Core Art & Literacy. Even though I was in the 4 walls of the classroom every day, I was still pursuing creative ventures in the evening from producing open mic events in the Greater Los Angeles Area, to eventually co-hosting a faith based Spoken Word TV show on Time Warner Cable’s Faith on Demand Channel.

No matter where I was working, the desire to pursue art never left me, so I decided it was time to give myself a real chance.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a survivor—and a creative. I believe God gave me the gift of artistic expression not just to cope, but to heal. A seed was planted in middle school during a creative writing class that changed everything. It was the first time I realized that words could hold pain, process truth, and plant hope. That one spark eventually grew into my poetry collection, These Dry Bones, which captures the journey from despair to restoration.

Over time, I realized my healing wasn’t just in creating—it was also in curating. I began producing events and hosting spaces that allowed other artists to share their hearts. I was building what I always needed growing up: a safe space to be seen, heard, and spiritually supported.

Now, I use the tools that helped me heal—art, poetry, faith, and color—to help others do the same. Through my Grave to Garden Workshop, I guide participants in identifying the “dry places” in their lives and move toward wholeness using poetry, self-expression, and reflection.

I’ve recently launched The Heart Pour, a monthly membership community designed for those craving soul care, creative flow, and spiritual renewal. Members receive self-care art boxes, join live paint sessions, and receive guided reflection prompts that honor their mind, body, and spirit.

In addition to community work, I also consult with schools and organizations—facilitating healing-centered workshops that focus on emotional wellness, trauma-informed communication, and what I call the Creative Professional Development. These sessions are designed to help leadership teams build deeper trust, clarity, and understanding—both within themselves and with each other.

At the core of all I do is a mission to help us reconnect with the inner child within—to create sacred spaces where expression becomes healing, and healing leads to transformation. Whether it’s in a classroom, on a canvas, or in a quiet moment of reflection, I help people move from surviving to creating—to reclaim their voice and pour from a healed place.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

One book I’ve read in my entrepreneurial journey that shifted alot of things around for me is The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann.

Like many purpose-driven entrepreneurs, I was once caught up in the pressure of chasing six-figure months and rapid growth, but The Go-Giver reminded me to pause and return to the heart of why I do this work in the first place.

The five laws outlined in the book spoke directly to some of my core values: generosity, service, and impact. It affirmed that when we lead with giving; when we show up with the intention to pour into others, the right opportunities, clients, and abundance naturally follow.

Since reading it, I’ve been much more intentional about the impact my work is having on those who experience it. From my creative healing workshops to my membership community, I now ask, “How can I serve my audience?” instead of “How can I hit the next milestone?”

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, my mission is to create safe, sacred spaces where healing and creative expression meet. Everything I do flows from the belief that art is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline, especially for those of us who’ve learned to survive by suppressing our stories.

My creative journey is rooted in healing… not just mine, but ours as a collective. I believe many of us are walking around with buried emotions, unreleased grief, unspoken dreams. Through art, poetry, and Spirit-led reflection, I help people gently unearth what’s been hidden and bring it into the light – where it can be seen, processed, and transformed.

The ultimate goal of my work is restoration: to help people return to themselves, to God, and to the creative voice within. My mission is to remind people that even what feels barren, broken, or buried isn’t the end of their story. The dry bones can live again. The places we thought were too far gone can become gardens, if we have the courage to name what hurts and the tools to begin creating again.

So yes, my mission is deeply personal… but it’s also collective. I’m here to help others discover that the same breath that brought dry bones to life is still breathing in them. Their garden is already growing. I’m just here to hand them some creative tools to culitvate what’s growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theheartpour.com/memberships
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamesteemarie
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/esteemarie
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamesteemarie