We asked some very talented folks to tell us about the most innovative thing they’ve done in their career.
Jonathan Claasen
Our company, The Jonsteen Company, was based on a new way of seeing trees and bringing that vision to a population of folks who were not necessarily “tree poeple” or gardening enthusiasts. I often call our products “gateway drugs to nature.” and “trees for the people.” With apologies to Joni Mitchell, we indeed put “a frame” around trees in a new way, and tried to translate an enthusiasm for their beauty, interest, natural history, and intrinsic value through artful and interesting packaging and a “you can do it” attitude. Read more>>
William Regal
Being a Doberman Breeder for nine years has definitely come with its share of complications. Issues like pet travel, advertising, and communication can sometimes be difficult. When it comes to innovation in the dog breeding industry, I knew that I had to be cutting edge. I had to bring something different to the table that would make life easier for my clients and myself. Read more>>
Jasemine Knowles
Recently, I launched my first body oil making workshop here in Houston. It’s innovative because it’s one of a kind and first of its kind in the city of Houston. The Body Oil Making Experience is the perfect self-care and intimate experience for women and their friends for pamper parties, self-care days, business events, and more. In this class, I teach the fundamentals of oil blending to create natural, ultra-hydrating, customized body oils that cater to individual skin needs to help their skin glow, leaving them feeling like a hydrated hottie. Read more>>
Jahleill Deloacth
The kindest thing someone has done for me was unexpectedly hand me a envelope with enough money to buy a laptop for college. I used to be a barista at a shop called “Pret an manger”. There was this nice lady who always came to me & I’ll ring her up. As time went on & she came by regularly we became acquainted. I started opening up & each conversation would be about what I’m going through & my journey to college. She always gave good wisdom & had a book to share. Read more>>
Ellen Johnson
when I was in the thick of dealing with a personal health crisis I needed to have a test on my brain in which the practitioners needed me to be in full sleep deprivation for over 24 hours. I am not a night owl so I reached out on Facebook asking if any of my friends were willing to stay up with me all night to keep me from falling asleep. Read more>>
Kevin Kopkowski
The kindest thing anyone’s ever done for me really hits home because through out the life adventure we encounter many peaks and valleys and I have an amazing group of chosen family that’s always there for me and I truly am blessed to have them in my life that being said When I was fifteen I spent stretches of time in group homes and foster care, eventually decided moving back east where the majority of my family lives was most ideal. Read more>>
Sophia Rankin
“Never stop writing and putting your original music out there – you have to start somewhere.” These were the words Cameron Hood, half of the internationally touring duo Ryanhood, told me at my first public performance at the 2015 Tucson Folk Festival. I was fifteen, had been teaching myself guitar for a few months, and had never played in front of a crowd like that other than in classical piano recitals. Read more>>
Nyechi Oleka
I’ve always been the person behind the scenes, pushing individuals to be great in their talents, skills and endeavors. I’m a big believer in people (especially MY people) and what they have to offer when they really want to make a difference, or are doing things they are passionate about. I’ll always be a front row member in their cheering section. Read more>>
Tyrean Martinson
On a random Wednesday, not that long ago, I was struggling to get words on the page for one of my projects. Normally, having different projects in different stages helps me fend off these “blah” moments in writing because if I am not enjoying one project, I’ll switch to another one, and then go back and forth between them. However, this particular day, I felt I needed to get words on the page for a particular project and it wasn’t going well. Read more>>
David Braly
The decade of my twenties has pretty much been the overture for the work and interests I’ve had since. At 22 I was graduated from Auburn University in architecture, At 25, or so, I became a registered architect, and at 26 took leave of practicing architecture to teach. It was during the summer, after my first years of teaching that I decided to try watercoloring–it was nothing too serious, and all self-taught. One hot summer day, Read more>>
Karz Miller
The most innovative thing I’ve done with my brand is shoot a detailed-two-part skit for the release of my brand’s tracksuits. The skit was extremely creative and brought a ton of attention to my art! Read more>>
Dylan Harris
At one of the last gigs we did at the DBA Wine Bar in Pomona we had a guy who came up to us after our set and gave us a drawing he made of us playing. I’ve been performing live in front of audiences over ten years both as Superloser and with other artists, and I’ve never had anything like that happen. The idea of other creative minds reaching across to our collective creative minds through their form of art is really something that just leaves me in awe, and it’s something that I take to heart. Read more>>