Life, Lessons, & Legacies

Through the work we do we are incredibly fortunate to find and learn about so many incredible artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. Their stories, the lessons that they’ve learned and the legacies they are building inspire us beyond words. Below, we have highlighted a few of those amazing folks and we hope you’ll check out their stories and their responses to some of the fundamental questions the help form the foundation of our lives and careers.

Alejandra Montaño

This fall, I’ll be opening my own gallery on 4th Avenue in downtown Tucson. It’s the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, a way to honor my parents, inspire my son, and celebrate my community through art. I’m excited to create a space that reflects both my roots and creative vision, and to share it with Tucson.<br> Read more>>

Mark Lopez

One of the biggest fears that has held me back in life has been the fear of judgment—worrying about what people would think or say about my work. As a creative, that fear can be paralyzing. You put so much of yourself into what you create, and the thought of it being dismissed or criticized negatively can make you hesitate. Read more>>

Gustavo De Angeles

Definitely the dead of my brother Eduardo when I was still very young. I looked up to him, He was my role model, my influence in music and in life. He was a great artist, not only did he play music, but he was a consummate sculptor and a painter, a jewelry maker, etc. Read more>>

Norma Rojas

A moment that really shaped how I see the world was becoming a mom while living far from my family in Peru. I had to grow up quickly, learn to rely on myself, and create a support system from zero. Read more>>

Jennifer Everett

My band teacher in junior high suggested that I compete nationally. I would never in a million years have thought that I had a chance of ranking well but ended up with a very high national rank. I don’t remember the exact rank, but it was something like 13th in the nation. Prior to that time in my life, my other grades were pretty mediocre. Read more>>

Jenny Ballou

From the moment I was born, I’ve turned everything into something creative. Even as I navigated societal pressures and the expectations of “what we were told to be,” I stayed true to the person I was always meant to become. I’ve explored every facet of the creative world – experimenting, learning, and growing along the way. Read more>>

Marlena Freeman

Yes. I once witnessed a domestic violence client — along with her two-year-old sister and another sister who was in a wheelchair — being turned away when they came to seek help at a gym where I worked. Read more>>

Todd Scalise

The biggest misunderstanding is the cultural expectation that an artist’s creative expression should be “fixed”—that we must establish a reproducible style or visual product. This expectation is unfairly applied to visual art in our society. The reality of my practice is the opposite: my art and my message are in constant flow. They are always evolving and developing. Read more>>

Debbie Hart

I don’t think that mystery shopping is seen as a real business. First: Business owners don’t understand that the shop reports can be a great training tool for their teams. Second: Shoppers don’t understand the importance of giving correct answers and detailed comments. If business owners reviewed reports regularly with their teams, they would get better results, like improved customer experiences and increased revenue Read more>>

Howard Falco

In my experience working with hundreds of individuals over twenty years one of the major things people internally struggle with is self-worth. Many often feel unworthy or incapable of what they truly want to experience. Nothing could be further from the truth. Read more>>

Katie Grear

I think people may assume my legacy is about tattoos or books, but really it’s about community. Inked & Bound was never just a business — it was a space built for people to feel seen, welcomed, and inspired. My legacy isn’t the brand; it’s the feeling it gave people. Read more>>

Michael Olivas

Each day brings something different, but since I started working full time in photography, every day feels like a new journey. The other morning, I woke up at 3:30 am to photograph a bloody nun series alongside Irene Silver and her assistant Emilio. Read more>>

Karrie Idstein

I would have to say Jeanie Buss, the owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers. She has carved out a powerful legacy in a space long dominated by men. As the first female controlling owner to leading an NBA team to a championship, she has inspired so many women in business and in the sports industry. Read more>>