Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Zoe Huynh

For me, design is more than just making something look beautiful. It has to be functional and intentional. I’ve always been drawn to aesthetics that serve a purpose, where every element is thoughtfully placed and carries intentions and purpose. I see creativity as a tool to solve problems and enhance experiences. That perspective shapes the way I approach my work, where the look and function go hand in hand to create something both visually compelling, meaningful and intentional. Read More>>

Susanne Tribo

I’ve always dreamed of having a creative career, but for the longest time, I had no idea what that would look like for me. Over the years, I’ve tried just about every hobby under the sun, but it wasn’t until I combined fitness and content creation that everything truly clicked into place. Helping people reach their goals—whether in the studio or through social media—is incredibly rewarding. Hearing their stories, seeing their progress, and knowing I can make even a small impact is what makes this career so fulfilling. I feel so fortunate to share my passion in a way that inspires and connects with others. Read More>>

Shari Diaz

I was born and raised in the Bronx to Guatemalan parents who had a clear vision for my future. They worked hard to send my sisters and me to private school, hoping we’d become doctors, lawyers, or professionals in fields that offered stability and respect. Creativity, on the other hand, was seen as a hobby – something that didn’t lead to a “real” career, especially for people like us. Read More>>

Von

I think I had the idea within me to do music to any level, regardless if I saw it as a career option or not from a young age. I remember when I was younger, I saw people like Juice WRLD, the SoundCloud Era artists blow up super quick, like overnight, and I think that was the first time I actually realized that if you want to do something in music and you think you can do it, then you should try it. I think anybody who has a passion in anything should try it even if it’s just for fun because you never know where it might take you. Read More>>

Kevin Paige

I am a born creative.   If I don’t create something with my hands, daily,  I start to get anxious and uptight.  I’ve found that I don’t enjoy making art in the traditional sense but it scratches an itch that has to be ‘got at’.  I liken it to how one feels after a good sneeze. Read More>>

Sammy Kidd

I can remember since 1st grade. I decided I was going to be an artist. I had a natural talent for drawing. Which was noticed by my peers and teachers. Inside my mind, I could go anywhere and see anything. It felt free. Instead of being trapped in a classroom practicing my math and spelling. I could create a whole new world in my head and draw it out on paper. I started taking private painting lessons at home by a painter named Sleepy Reed. He taught me how to use oil paints, all the different types of brushes and how to use them. He was a landscape painter. We would sit in my backyard and paint the trees and different types of plants. When I became a teenager I started to listen to more music. I started learning how to skateboard so, I gravitated towards skate punk bands. I would download songs/music videos, and look up new bands online that way. Read More>>

Sara Bradford

For me, pursuing an artistic and creative career was never just a decision—it was a calling. Creativity has always been how I’ve made sense of the world. As a mother to neurodivergent kids, and someone who deeply values communication and connection, I found that art, writing, podcasting, and advocacy were powerful ways to give a voice to those who are often misunderstood or overlooked. Read More>>

Tramaul Love

Balance has drastically changed over time for me. I remember in my mid teens, I would stay up late for hours practicing into the early morning. I mean not eating, drinking or getting adequate amounts of sleep which are all much needed at that age. Music was like a drug for me and there was no such thing as “balance.” It wasn’t until after I graduated from college and started to consider settling down with a wife and children that I started to make some major decisions that, unbeknownst to me, I needed to make for myself as a musician. Read More>>

Marissa Waiters

When I started my business in 2019, I was working a full-time 9-5 job with the federal government. I’d come home and shift straight into business mode by helping clients, booking trips, and hitting sales goals. At the same time, I was earning my Master’s in Communication. It was a lot, but I was committed to building something meaningful. Read More>>

Sylvia

Work life balance has changed a lot. When I first started my business over 27 years ago. I was single with no children. So I had time to work long hours and invest in the business. Things changed when I got married and had five children. I could no longer work long days. I needed to pick up my children from school and from their after school activities. Now this new phase in my life some of my children are growing up and leaving the nest. Which is allowing me to venture into new things. Read More>>

Tiffany Lindley

My perspective on work-life balance has evolved throughout my career. Being diagnosed with Lupus at 19 forced me to learn the importance of rest early on. That said, it took me time to truly listen to my body, say no with grace, and recognize when to push through versus when to pause.

Now, I see work-life balance in two key ways: balance and barriers. Because my work is deeply tied to my values—and because running my own business means part of my home is also my workspace—I have to be intentional about drawing clear lines between life and work. Ethical boundaries exist in my field, which helps, but I also set additional boundaries around my time and attention. Read More>>