Art

Stream on: Apple Spotify Blending Music and Working With Your Hands As a guitar player myself, I was pretty excited to delve into the world of guitar building with the incredibly talented Cory Reynolds, the founder and owner of CRC Guitars. As a woodworker and custom guitar builder, Cory shares his inspiring journey, from his humble beginnings being homeschooled to giving one of his favorite bands a custom guitar he built. A poignant theme that emerges from our discussion is the importance of human connection in building his business. Cory candidly emphasizes the significance of in-person interactions over online presence, shedding light on the power of genuine, personal connections in nurturing his craft and business aspirations. The episode unravels Cory’s unwavering commitment to his purpose, with insights into his journey through homeschooling and early entry into the workforce. Against the backdrop of a recession, Cory’s transition from construction to guitar building not only exemplifies his adaptability but also underscores his determination to forge his own path in pursuing his passion for music and woodworking. The conversation touches upon the challenges that come with balancing a full-time job, family responsibilities, and the relentless pursuit of creativity. Cory’s vision to invest in a CNC machine to enhance efficiency and expand his craftsmanship symbolizes his unwavering dedication to constantly push the boundaries of his art. We talked about Cory’s approach to custom guitar designs and the intricacies involved in creating unique yet comfortable instruments demonstrate his acute attention to detail. His passion and precision come through vividly as he recounts the joy of witnessing a customer’s reaction to their personalized guitar for the first time, a moment he humbly admits to finding nerve-wracking. We discuss how profound the role of music has played in Cory’s life, tracing back to his formative years of playing guitar with his brother. His authenticity in translating his deep connection with music into his purpose underscores the transformative power of following one’s passion and harnessing creativity to shape a meaningful path. Cory Reynolds’ journey is not just a testament to his perseverance and resolve, but also a source of inspiration for anyone on the path of crafting their purpose. As he plans to transition his passion into one day a full-time business, it’s evident that his commitment to excellence, positive attitude, and unwavering belief in himself lay the foundation for his future success.   To listen to the full episode and discover more stories of purpose and fulfillment, you can subscribe to “Working Towards Our Purpose” on your favorite podcast platform. “Yeah. That’s that’s my favorite part of building, actually, is, it’s not necessarily the build process. It’s it’s like seeing customer’s face, like, when they they get to see it for the first time.” Cory Reynolds Topics in this episode: Being homeschooled  Working with your hands Transitioning from construction to guitar building Self taught guitar builder Doing anything you out your mind to The future of CRC guitars Giving a guitar to his favorite band Bio: Cory Reynolds Cory Reynolds spent years working in construction before finding himself in a job of a different industry he didn’t enjoy very much.  This pushed him to search for something more.  After thinking about his two passions, music and working with his hands, he decided to teach himself how to build a guitar.  After the first failed guitar, he had a friend buy the parts so he could build his second, and he’s been building guitars for people ever since.  Cory has blended his passion for working with his hands and his love for music with his business CRC Guitars.    Connect with Cory:  Follow CRC Guitars on IG Follow CRC Guitars on FB  

Stream on: Apple Spotify Artistic Entrepreneurship Art and entrepreneurship are two things that sometimes don’t really coexist, or at least have a hard time doing so. Raheem Nelson is the man that combines both. A local artist with a boundless passion for his craft, Nelson shares his inspiring journey and sheds light on how he’s harnessing his creativity to make a meaningful impact but also support himself. Growing up in New Haven, Raheem Nelson’s artistic journey found its roots at the Educational Center for the Arts (ECA). It was here that his love for art was first nurtured, setting the stage for the profound impact his hometown would have on his work. His exposure to cartooning and comic books kindled a spark that would lead him to explore various artistic mediums, from oils and life drawing to sculpture and photography. Moving on to study at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City, Nelson delved deeper into his passion, ultimately finding his calling in oil painting. His foundation year at SVA was a pivotal period that allowed him to experiment with diverse art forms, from painting live models to creating thought-provoking illustrations of bound objects. With a strong foundation in traditional art forms, Nelson has since embraced the digital realm, leveraging his learned skills to create captivating artwork digitally. His dedication to incorporating the energy, culture, and community of New Haven into his work sets him apart, infusing every piece with the essence of his roots. Nelson’s entrepreneurial spirit and artistic prowess have led him to explore various avenues of creativity. From graphic recording during meetings and events to pursuing opportunities in NFTs (non-fungible tokens), his journey has been one of bold experimentation and unyielding determination. The merging of art and entrepreneurship has been a defining factor in Nelson’s career. His ability to adapt and thrive across diverse artistic domains, coupled with his passion for graphic recording, has enabled him to not only carve out a successful path for himself but also bring value to the businesses and individuals he collaborates with. Throughout our conversation, Nelson’s dedication to infusing purpose into his art and entrepreneurial ventures shone through. Whether it’s bringing visual storytelling to life or empowering presenters through his graphic recordings, his work is driven by a deep-seated desire to uplift others and create a meaningful impact. Looking ahead, Nelson’s trajectory brims with promise. His unwavering commitment to using graphic recording for good, partnering with nonprofits, and spreading his art across different states and countries all attest to his vision of making a difference through his craft. Raheem Nelson’s narrative is not just one of artistic achievement but also a testament to the resilience and creativity found within New Haven. His journey from ECA to the global stage of NFTs reflects the boundless potential that lies within the city’s artistic community. As we wrapped up our conversation it’s clear that Raheem’s dedication to art, entrepreneurship, and the community encapsulates the very essence of working towards one’s purpose. His story serves as a testament to the transformative power of art and the unwavering spirit of those who endeavor to make a meaningful impact through their creative pursuits.   To listen to the full episode and discover more stories of purpose and fulfillment, you can subscribe to “Working Towards Our Purpose” on your favorite podcast platform.  “Art has the power to uplift, connect, and spark meaningful dialogue. Through art, we can work towards a purpose that impacts and inspires others.” Raheem Nelson Topics in this episode: Creating and selling comic books at a young age Communing to art college in NYC from New Haven What it’s like finding a job in art after college  Balancing day jobs and artistic endeavors  Embracing experimentation and willingness to adapt What is graphic recording? How NFT’s can benefit artists Having artwork featured in Time Square NYC Purpose and happiness  What artistic entrepreneurship looks like Bio: Raheem Nelson Raheem Nelson is a New Haven-born and raised artist who discovered his passion for art at an early age. Growing up with a love for comic books and cartoons, he began creating his own comics during grade school. As he entered high school at Aces ECA in New Haven.  His artistic abilities started to flourish, especially in the areas of oils and life drawing. This led him to further his education at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he focused on cartooning but found that oil painting had the most significant impact on him. During his foundation year at college, he had the opportunity to explore various art forms, just like at ECA. Now, Raheem creates his art digitally, reflecting the energy, culture, and community of his hometown. He takes pride in incorporating his New Haven roots into his work, showcasing his unique perspective as an artist. Connect with Raheem:  Raheem’s website Follow Raheem on IG Arts page & Fashion Page Follow Milford Arts Council Get your tickets for the networking trip to Ghana

Stream on: Apple Spotify Clothing That Inspires Tea Montgomery is a multi-talented artist, entrepreneur, and fashion designer. As the owner of Threads by Tea, Tea’s journey is both inspirational and empowering, encapsulating the essence of pursuing one’s dreams and making a positive impact on the community. Tea’s story hails from New Haven, a place that breathes art and entrepreneurship. He embodies the vibrant culture of his surroundings, where he found his passion and purpose through creativity and vision. Like many of us, Tea recognized a gap in the market when he struggled to find clothing that reflected his style and size. Fueled by her frustration, he taught herself how to make his own clothes and transformed his new skills into a successful business venture. What is truly remarkable about Tea’s journey is his unwavering commitment to continuous growth and evolution. He speaks candidly about the shift from creating clothing to envisioning his brand as a lifestyle powerhouse, exploring products beyond apparel, such as soaps. His aspirations extend to hiring a team to handle the tasks she no longer wants to do, demonstrating a clear vision for scaling his business and expanding his positive influence. As Tea delved into his “why,” it was evident that his purpose goes far beyond entrepreneurship. His ambitions are steeped in inspiring and empowering dreamers, leaving a timeless legacy, providing for his son, relishing the freedom of entrepreneurship, and uplifting his community. This profound dedication to making a meaningful impact serves as a guiding light for all aspiring entrepreneurs and purpose-seekers. In our enlightening conversation, Tea shared invaluable insights on the significance of self-care in the pursuit of our purpose. Emphasizing the essential need to make time for ourselves.  He outlined his daily goals for mental and physical well-being. From waking up early to engaging in exercise, nourishing the body with breakfast, and indulging in reading, Tea’s emphasis on incorporating self-nurturing activities resonated deeply with our listeners. Furthermore, Tea touched upon the essential significance of valuing oneself, making sacrifices to prioritize self-care, and finding activities that bring peace to our minds, whether through meditation or other pleasurable hobbies. His guidance serves as a gentle reminder for all of us to reevaluate our accomplishments, appreciate our progress, and continue propelling ourselves forward. Tea’s perspective on being a student of all the games he plays is an inspiring reminder of the necessity to constantly seek knowledge, grow, and share wisdom with others. His steadfast commitment to learning and evolving as an individual and entrepreneur epitomizes the spirit of “Working Towards Our Purpose.” Additionally, our conversation illuminated the importance of surrounding ourselves with valuable and trustworthy individuals, as well as finding spaces and networks where entrepreneurs and creatives can converge to learn and flourish.  In embracing our vulnerabilities and speaking about our visions and dreams, Tea and I both emphasized, the significance of speaking about our dreams to others and the potency of manifesting our goals through vulnerability and accountability resounds as a call to action for all our listeners. As we navigated through Tea Montgomery’s compelling narrative, his tenacity and passion left an indelible impression on our hearts. His dedication to infusing creativity, empowerment, and purpose into his business serves as a beacon of inspiration and guidance for those striving to carve their own path to success.   To listen to the full episode and discover more stories of purpose and fulfillment, you can subscribe to “Working Towards Our Purpose” on your favorite podcast platform. “Success is being in complete control of my schedule and controlling who I work with and, you know, what situations I put myself in. And so if I can, obviously, I have bills, I have kids. So if I can pay my bills, and keep control of my schedule, I feel like I’m successful.” Tea Montgomery Topics in this episode: Importance of self-care and setting goals for mental and physical health Clothing as an art form Problem-Solving and Creativity Transferability of skills to different areas and professions Finding spaces and networks where entrepreneurs and creatives can come together to learn and grow Emphasis on being true to oneself in business and constantly rediscovering higher levels of oneself Speaking visions and dreams to others to help clarify and make them more real Using clothing as a way to express art Bio: Tea Montgomery Tea Montgomery, born and raised in New Haven, is a true embodiment of the city’s culture of art and entrepreneurship. Growing up in a city that is both a startup hub and a thriving art community, Tea found his passion creating a business that combined both worlds.  Threads by tea is a venture that was born out of his frustration with the lack of options for clothing needs.  So he made his own.  And then people starting coming to him to make custom wearable art pieces. Through this business, Tea has found a way to blend her love for art with her entrepreneurial spirit, creating a unique and inspiring brand for others like her. Connect with Tea: Threads by Tea Tea’s IG to see some of his work

Stream on: Apple Spotify Turning Art Into A Full Time Business In this episode I sat down with Elizabeth Taylor of LaCroix Artistry, as she shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from a job that left her unfulfilled to becoming a full-time artist. Elizabeth’s story begins with a familiar struggle—a demanding job and the desire for greater work-life balance. She found herself working in logistics, juggling a demanding schedule while caring for her two young children. The experience of missing out on precious time with her children due to work left her feeling unfulfilled and led her to prioritize finding a more meaningful path. After leaving her job in logistics, Elizabeth explored volunteer work and various part-time positions until she found her way to art. Describing herself as a creative child who had set aside her artistic pursuits, Elizabeth rediscovered her passion for art through personal therapeutic painting sessions. As she poured herself into her art, sharing her work with others and receiving positive feedback fueled her growing passion.  While building her business, Elizabeth found herself grappling with the balance between creating art for herself and catering to the market’s demands. She realized that aligning her art with the needs of businesses, such as custom chalkboards and window paintings, was a more practical approach to sustaining her passion as a full-time career. For Elizabeth, success goes beyond financial gain. She views being in control of her schedule, choosing her clients, and living authentically as paramount measures of success. With a business management background, she brings a unique blend of creative and analytical thinking to her approach, setting goals and continuing to learn from her experiences and failures. Elizabeth highlights the importance of ongoing learning, vulnerability, and perseverance in pursuing one’s passion. She emphasizes the value of continuous personal and professional growth, stressing the significance of making a concerted effort to connect with others authentically, both in business and in her personal life. Elizabeth’s message to individuals feeling stuck in unfulfilling jobs is simple yet powerful: fail forward and be willing to pivot when necessary. She urges others to embrace the unknown, take calculated risks, and cultivate a mindset where learning from every experience is the ultimate goal.   To listen to the full episode and discover more stories of purpose and fulfillment, you can subscribe to “Working Towards Our Purpose” on your favorite podcast platform.   “Success is being in complete control of my schedule and controlling who I work with and, you know, what situations I put myself in. And so if I can, obviously, I have bills, I have kids. So if I can pay my bills, and keep control of my schedule, I feel like I’m successful.” Elizabeth Taylor Topics in this episode: A unique art business, including custom chalkboards, window paintings, canvases, and apparel Breaking Away from Unfulfilling Work Wanting to spend more time with children  The importance of failure and humility in the pursuit of one’s goals Effective self-promotion and networking as vital tools for success Discussion on valuing setting your own schedule  Defining Success on Her Own Terms Discussion on the value of ongoing learning and self-improvement Embracing Vulnerability and Growth Bio: Elizabeth Taylor Elizabeth Taylor is a former logistics professional who made the decision to leave her demanding and unfulfilling job in order to spend more time with her two young children. After realizing that she wanted to pursue something more meaningful, she took the courageous step of quitting her job without a clear plan in mind. LaCroix Artistry is now her full time art business where she specializes in window paintings and outdoor murals for businesses.   Connect with Elizabeth: LaCroix ArtistryElizabeth’s IGShop Taylor’s Art