We recently connected with Toni Haas and have shared our conversation below.

Toni, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

I love vacation!!!

I think it’s important to take time to recharge and decrease burnout from the day to day life.
I love making new memories with loved ones and adventures in general.

It’s a time for:

Improve well-being
Trying something new
Strengthen relationships
Leisure time
Relaxing
Spending time with loved ones
Reading
Creating Art
Naps
Walks
Nature
Writing

I was inspired by my grandchildren while on vacation in New Zealand and wrote and illustrated a book called, Goodnight Surf City!!! I wrote and illustrated the book to inspire others to get outside, go on adventurers, enjoy what is around you with your family, and make memories.

“Oh, the places you’ll go.”

– Dr. Seuss

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 have always loved being creative, drawing, painting, writing poems and short stories since I can remember.

While I was on vacation in New Zealand, I was inspired and excited to rediscover my creative passions again.
I started by drawing and painting a picture of my grandson skateboarding and the illustrations took off from there. I enjoyed it so much, I kept going and came up with the idea for the book, Goodnight Surf City!!!

I illustrated 5 of my grandchildren throughout the book and hide their names throughout for them to find. It has been so fun and rewarding to be creating again. It’s a fun rhyme book for childrens and it takes them to some of my families favorite spots in Huntington Beach, Surf City, USA, which is also my hometown since the late 1980’s.

It has been fun to share with the world, but especially my grandchildren.
I have (6) grandchildren now, so I’ll have more fun adding our new addition in my next book.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being creative, is a growth mindset, self-confidence, and improved focus.

This book allowed me to express my emotions and share how I feel about my grandchildren, where I live and how much my family and I love it.

It’s been so fun to imagine again, from colors, space, shapes, ideas and so much more!

Art is an amazing teacher!!!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Before I started creating this book, I was working a regular 9-5 job. I still enjoy working as a Sales & Contracts Administrator, but not as many days. I enjoy the people I work with and we grow together in our industry.

I think resilience is knowing that you have the power to change and grow from anything you desire. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from life’s challenges.

I wanted more creativity in my life, so I feel that resilience helped me adapt and switch gears to gain more balance and incorporate more of what I wanted in my life moving forward. It’s never too late to rediscover what is that you are good at and make something from your self-discovery. Whether you are 40, 50 or 60, it’s never too late to live out your dreams that you had as a child.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goodnightsurfcity.com
• Instagram: @goodnightsurfcity
• Facebook: goodnightsurfcity
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonihaas
• Twitter: @haas_toni17757
• Youtube: @ToniHaas-nv5eo

Image Credits

@rocket.and.ripley.retrievers
@shakalifebeachart
@internationalsurfingmuseum
@ronaldhouseoc
@ivyelkingtonphotography
@ivyeklington