We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful John Mullican. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with John below.

Alright, John thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My parents, Lee Mullican and Luchita Hurtado, were both artists. They understood the importance of finding and sharing the creative spirit that lives within us all. Growing up with them was about experiencing life in all of its beautiful palettes and colors, the most important one being love.

John, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I own, direct and manage my parents’ art estates globally.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Listen! People talk. People love to talk, talk, talk. Which is why you should listen, listen, listen. Listening is where the truth is; where you can hear what’s actually going on. Your team will respond to you when they know you’re paying attention. They will feel supported, respected and recognized. That’s all any of us want at the end of the day — is to be heard.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was a Creative Director in advertising at a Hollywood studio. I loved my job — I was creative everyday — and making great money but I was actually working two jobs. I was also becoming my mom’s full-time caregiver. Realizing the situation was getting worse and that I was beginning to burn out, I had to make choice: career or mom. I realized I was fortunate enough to be in a financial situation where I could choose, at least for a few years, to make sure my mom got the help she needed as I sorted out the family’s future. By pivoting and listening to my gut, I spent the last 6 years of my mom’s life with her on this incredible journey of getting the world to know her as an artist. At the age of 99, Luchita Hurtado made Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People of 2019, proving it’s never too late to live your dream and to start a new beginning.

Contact Info:

• Website: luchitahurtado.com, leemullican.com