Creative City Podcast

The torch has been passed, and the 2018 Haile Fellows are digging in: Nicole Armstrong is developing Queen City Certified, a business certification system focused on gender equity, and Elisa Hoffman is creating School Board School, training that provides potential school board officials with the skills, experience, and mindset to be effective in that role. We talk about what it means to manage a “streaming” project, learning from each other’s type-A tendencies, and what happens *after* the fellowship. I also had some advice based on my experience as a 2017 Fellow, including: - What to do (and what to definitely NOT do) - Shipping when it hits B- - My most meaningful pivot - Incorrect assumptions I made - The fellowship year timeline - Staying on track while maintaining life balance - The one thing I recommend doing ASAP Want to get involved? Get in touch with Nicole and Elisa via People’s Liberty (hello@peoplesliberty.org), or get in touch with me at hello@tethercincinnati.com. Visit: tethercincinnati.com peoplesliberty.org Follow @tethercincy on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Follow @thestylesample on Instagram and Twitter Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Photographer extraordinaire Claudia Hershner (claudiahershner.com) operates as a commercial photographer, focusing on product, with many a passion project taking place in her Newport studio. Photography marries all the artistic elements she loves and the immediacy of photography is also particularly gratifying. Her love of collaboration with other artists and the creative process of producing a shoot led to her involvement with two separate shoots for the upcoming Tether Sourcebook: Medicine Dance and Astro Enigma. Learn how she “paints” on and with the camera, the dance photographers themselves actually do behind the lens, the many uses of crystals, and how she incorporates her fine art background into digital photography. Visit: claudiahershner.com chelseacutrell.com thebeautyway.net tethercincinnati.com Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

For this special series, I’m talking to some of the talented folks who created photo shoots for the Tether Sourcebook about their inspiration, process, and industry insights.  Visual artist and graphic designer Janet Creekmore has loved photography for a long time—she even managed a photo studio. She wanted to do a food shoot that presented a challenge, and serendipitously met photographer Marlene Rounds, who connected with food stylist Jeffrey Martin. Learn how they recruited a cast of surprisingly cooperative “real people,” how their favorite shot came together on the fly, and what happened to the food once the photos were taken (hint: they ate it).  creativeeyecandy.com poppedart.gallery janetcreekmore.com marlenerounds.com         jeffreymartinfoodstylist.com gomezsalsa.com      sliceslicebabypizza.com tethercincinnati.com

For this special series, I’m talking to some of the talented folks who created photo shoots for the Tether Sourcebook about their inspiration, process, and industry insights. Makeup Artist and Educator Stefani Carol (stefanicarol.com) had a brilliant idea for the Tether Sourcebook: an underwater beauty shoot. She connected with Photographer Tina Gutierrez (tinagutierrezartsphotography.com) to help execute the concept, and they—along with an extensive team—created beautifully haunting images. Listen in and learn how! Visit: stefanicarol.com tinagutierrezartsphotography.com tethercincinnati.com thestylesample.com Follow @StefaniCarol and @tinalovesart on Instagram Follow @tethercincy on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Follow @thestylesample on Instagram and Twitter Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Cincinnati born-and-raised Creative Director Joi Sears is a creative’s creative: she’s done everything from dance and spoken word to photography and theater, earning a BFA in Acting before shifting her focus to combining the arts and social change through entrepreneurship. We talk about her ethical fashion line Amsterdamage, her sustainable pop-up shop The Green Store, and why she was banned from Europe by the Dutch government(!). We also discuss: - Her goal of traveling 30 cities outside the US by her 30th birthday, including places in Brazil, Haiti, an Ghana before winding up in Amsterdam. - The bold mouse and the poetry performance that changed the course of her life. - Her top three tips for zero-waste newbies (hint: cut back on plastic, especially single-use plastic products like water bottles and straws). - Why she wanted The Green Store to be more than a place to shop. - What she discovered researching sustainability and shopping habits of millennials. - Her dream of finding a permanent location for The Green Store and how it could be replicated and adapted to communities in cities around the world (attention funders and investors!). Also mentioned: goingzerowaste.com KetiKotiAmsterdam.nl heesterveldcc.nl thedoschool.org ethicalfashioninitiative.org cincinnatirecycles.org Poem About My Rights by June Jordan Visit: freepeopleinternational.com thegreenstorecincy.com thestylesample.com tethercincinnati.com @4freepeople on Twitter & Instagram @thegreenstorecincy on Instagram @thestylesample on Twitter & Instagram @tethercincy on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Fashion connoisseur Tony Tiemeyer (evolutionfashionstudio.com) opened his first vintage clothing store in 1984, and soon after started carrying the work of then up-and-coming designers like Todd Oldham and Donna Karan. After running several successful designer shops and managing high-end retail, he decided to take on a new challenge: e-commerce. We talk about how he started Evolution Fashion Studio, why he likes to stay incognito, and dressing Cookie Lyon in Dior. We also discuss: - How the Positively 4th Street window exhibit in downtown Cincinnati came together - Why he chose to invest in starting a business when he wasn’t sure what to study in college - How befriending a young Zac Posen eventually led to carrying designers like McQueen, Givenchy, and Lanvin. - What his upcoming plans are for Evolution’s FirstDibs (spoiler: fun things at a lower price point!) - Why he’s tempted by the idea of a brick-and-mortar but focused on growing the e-commerce side of the business. Visit: @evolution1645 on IG evolutionfashionstudio.com Positively 4th Street: http://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/visual-arts/media-gallery/20854382/positively-fourth-street @thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, & Snapchat Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Jill Goulait (circlecirclejewelry.com) started making jewelry as a hobby after taking a simple soldering class, and what began as a diversion turned into a full-fledged occupation. The simple, minimalist designs that distinguish Circle Circle Jewelry are inspired by deconstructing shapes down to their most basic form. We discuss how and why she changed the name of her business, how she found the perfect Production Assistant, and why it’s important to learn from everything you try. We also discuss: - Going through the vigorous First Batch (firstbatch.org) accelerator program - Why etsy makes a great testing ground for everything from product design to marketing - What a difference straightforward descriptions, on-figure photos, and good customer service makes - How important it is to test, measure results, and stay nimble - Possible plans to make fine jewelry and create a bridal line Visit: circlecirclejewelry.com circlecirclejewelry on Instagram and Facebook Retailers MiCA 12/v, Morrison & Me, and 21C Cincinnati Episode #27 - Fashion Designer Jenifer Sult @thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, & Snapchat Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Kick Lee landed in music production by sheer accident, after studying graphic design and discovering he wasn’t made for the corporate world. He grew up listening to music and has since become a fan of a number of genres, from bluegrass and country to hip-hop and EDM. We talk about his process for creating tracks from scratch, how music licensing works, and why he decided to make music his career (spoiler: it was when he got a $10K check for one gig!). We also discuss: - His experience at Full Sail University and why it was one of the best decisions he made. - Being a Black man with diverse tastes and talents, and the content that inspires him - The difference between exclusive vs non-exclusive licensing, and royalty back-end payments - What agencies and large companies look for when sourcing music for campaigns - Plans for KL Studios, his new recording and production studio designed to empower communities through sound - His affinity for Batman (?!?!) Visit: soundcloud.com/producerkicklee @producerkicklee on Twitter and Instagram  Elementz, Episode #25  @thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat Listen here or download on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher. Please share, subscribe and rate on iTunes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati's amazing community of creatives.

Stephanie Bohanon studied finance and commercial real estate before a store management position at Preneur crossed her path. The brainchild of Procter & Gamble, Preneur is a yearlong 3rd party popup shop created to share new Tide products with the market and showcase local businesses. We chat about working with independent businesses, what it means to be an experiential retailer, and how today’s ambitious youths make us want to play catch-up. We also discuss: - The benefits of trying new creative ideas to see what sticks - How smaller makers benefit from working with large brands, and vice versa - Upcoming themes like sports, independent fashion (yay!), and wellness - Hosting a series of small events like speaker series, shopping events, and cocktail hours - Partner brands like Arkadiance, Native Brand, Originalitees, Game Day Feels, and Loner Visit: Preneur, 1333 Walnut St. at the corner of Walnut & Mercer @PreneurCincy on Facebook and Instagram MORTAR Pitch night podcast @thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, & Snapchat Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Film Director Brandon Faris co-founded video production studio LEAPFrame in 2013, but his real first love is music. After studying sound production, he took on stints engineering music for commercials (he wrote a song a for Ford Truck ad!) and as a youth minister before learning to edit video by creating classic spots and mini-documentaries for Current TV. We talk about how he got his first videos on air, why he started his own podcast (Filmmakers Drinking Bourbon), and how he’s really a fashionista at heart. We also discussed: - Why getting a job as a used car salesman literally made him cry - Realizing his sweet spot was between somewhere between editing in a dark room and new business development - Product-izing and packaging the video production process - How he always has multiple books in circulation (how?) - Why he converted to a 15-piece capsule wardrobe (again, how?) Visit: brandonfaris.com leapframe.com @bfaris on Instagram @brandonfaris onTwitter fdbpodcast.com thelineup.nyc thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat To listen, head to www.creativecitypodcast.com or download on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher. Please share, subscribe and rate on iTunes.

Friends Suzy and Brittney met in the first day of class during their 2nd year in college, and have been inseparable ever since. They started Handzy (hellohandzy.com) as a graphic design studio, creating branding for small businesses and stationery for craft fairs before embarking on a new venture: retail. We talk about working with other independent creators, how a more visually holistic approach to design has streamlined their process, and why Instagram Friends are (almost) as good as IRL ones. We also discussed: - How having a shop started as an inside joke that quickly turned into a reality - The process of creating and curating their rad Instagram images - How wedding invitations are the bridge between client work and stationery design - Why networking is not nearly as effective (or fun!) as friend-making - How they approach blogging as a small business Visit: Handzy Design Shop + Studio, 15 W Pike Street, Covington, KY hellohandzy.com hellohandzy on Instagram, Pinterest & Facebook CityFlea.com PleasantryOTR.com HotelCovington.com BraxtonBrewing.com TheHannaford.com DurhamBrandCo.com (aka Boy Handzy) Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Designer Chris Glass (chrisglass.com) intended to go to school to study film, but wound up in Visual Communication, transitioning from analog to computer-based work on the cusp of the digital revolution. We talk about how he progressed from creating CD-ROMS (remember those?) to designing the logo for the Obama administration’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, how taking daily photos turned into a motivator to lead an interesting life, and why the Beliebers came after him on Twitter. We also discussed: - How being attracted to a “rock sensibility” led him to design everything from album covers to t-shirts - Finding the rhythm and the beauty of having mundane rest days - His Haile Foundation Fellowship focused on learning more about photography and celebrating the way it can bring people together - The importance of physically meeting in a space and exploring it together - Launching the new PhotoScouting Cincinnati book (available April 3rd!) and Pixels & Ink co-working space Visit: chrisglass.com http://chrisglass.com PhotoCorps.org http://www.photocorps.org/ pixelsand.ink http://www.pixelsand.ink wireandtwine.com http://wireandtwine.com @glass on Twitter @thephotocorps on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thephotocorps/ PeoplesLiberty.org Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

We’re back for Season 4! In episode #31, I talk to Pam Kravetz, an Artist and Art Educator with a penchant for "tutus, big wigs, and faux furs.” She’s done everything from performative art and yarn bombing to teaching children and radical puppetry. We chat about how she found her voice as an artist, the importance of connecting with people through public art, and earning two college varsity letters as the University of Cincinnati Bearcat mascot(!) We also discussed: - Celebrating what you’re good at, and pushing yourself in areas you’re not - How volunteering as a docent helped her realize she enjoyed talking about and teaching art - Why teaching has made her a better artist and vice versa - The need to say something different with her work in today’s political climate - Letting go of the idea of perfection Visit: pamkravetzart.com Pam Kravetz on Facebook @pamkravetz on Instagram  artworkscincinnati.org brazeestreetstudios.com www.pendletonartcenter.com thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

For the final episode of Season 3, I talk to Project Manager Extraordinaire Janet Hill (janethillevents.com), who’s a pro when it comes to finding the path to get things done. She’s worked on everything from ArtWorks’ 21 Candles anniversary celebration to location management for the Marauders movie filmed here in Cincinnati. We chat about the reward of seeing a vision come to life, why collaboration is SO important on large-scale events, and how working at Kenner Toy Co was just as fun as you think would be. We also discussed: - How being a Girl Scout led to gaining experience organizing things and events - How working on the opening of Sawyer Point Park and the Cincinnati bicentennial helped her quick start her career - The secret to keeping up with all of the moving parts of a large-scale project - Being more collaborative than competitive - How to take advantage of unpredictable scenarios and go with the flow Visit: janethillevents.com LinkedIn - Janet Hill thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Katie Fraser & Jacob Trevino founded Gorilla Cinema (gorillacinemapresents.com), a creative experience company. What started as a pop-up pairing cocktails and movies led to opening immersive bar environments (The Overlook Lodge, Video Archive) that are playful, approachable, and incorporate the element of surprise. We talk about the importance of building trust among your community of followers, their plans to create other large-scale immersive experiences, and how convenient it is to be able to store random stuff in your own bar. We also discussed: - Their mission of projecting wonder via guerrilla marketing - Doing something that seems crazy with the intent of making something magical - Bringing extra life to neighborhoods by being approachable and considering what works best for each area - How they hope to foster a community of people who will bring their own creative ideas to life. - Why they decided to give The Overlook Lodge's biggest fans keys to the bar Visit: - GorillaCinemaPresents.com - GorillaCinema on Facebook - gorillacinemapresents on Instagram - @gorillacinema on Twitter - gorillacinemapr on Pinterest - thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

James Avant IV started Obsessive Cake Disorder (ocdcakes.com) to make mental health more approachable by associating it with something positive—like cake. As the winner of the 2016 ArtWorks’ Big Pitch, he’s using the winnings to grow Bakeologie (bakeologie.co), a community kitchen with the goal of getting friends and neighbors around the table to eat, build, and create community. We talk about his background as a culinary instructor, the versatility of baking, and why he didn’t bring any cookies to share during our interview :-( Also discussed: - How he practiced for the ArtWorks Big Pitch and what he did with the Big Check - Why his experience with multiple therapists led him to pursue a degree in Neurobiology - Creating a class experience that is accessible, affordable, and social - His current baking obsession (hint: it involves eclairs) - What it’s like working at the Findlay Kitchen Visit: OCDCakes.com Bakeologie.co @jamesavantiv on Twitter @ocdcakes on Instagram and Facebook @bakeologies on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @thestylesample on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Fashion Designer Jenifer Sult is the founder of Cut + Sewn (www.cutsewn.com), a multidisiplinary studio that provides design and sewing services in addition to a full product development package for fashion and soft-good product designers. Jenifer’s love of sewing started at an early age, when she started making her own clothes in elementary school(!), and hasn’t waned since. We talk about launching a collection of home-sewing patterns called Daughters of Style, how she helps clients get from the idea stage to the product stage, and why Cincinnati is the perfect place to start a fashion business. We also discuss: - The intuition and understanding that go into the art of pattern making - Why 50% of her fashion designer clients come from New York City - How she connects with small factories right here in the USA - Being part of Artworks Big Pitch and launching a product with First Batch - Opening the SHOWROOM storefront to showcase goods from independent designers Visit: www.cutsewn.com Episode 19 featuring Cosette Showroom independent designer showcase (shwrmgallery@gmail.com) cutsewncincinnati on Instagram @cut_sewn on Twitter @thestylesample on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion Hifi

Artist-Designers Janet Creekmore and Ben Neal focus on branding for retail, restaurant, and mixed-used lifestyle centers via creative studio Eye Candy (creativeeyecandy.com), but their passion can be summed up thusly: they design for place. We talk about their mobile gallery project POPPED ART, the benefits of being nosy, and how they bring high art into the design process. We also discuss: -How they initially partnered up and joined forces -Becoming part of a community by activating underutilized spaces -What they’ve learned working with People’s Liberty -Why art and artists are crucial to economic development -Tips for combining art and design -The beauty of whiteboards and kanban, a visual process-management system Visit: creativeeyecandy.com poppedart.gallery @eyecandydesign on Instagram @poppedartgallery on Instagram @thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat Head to www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Spoken Word Instructor Jori Cotton and Teaching Artist for music Nick Rose work with Elementz (elementz.org), an youth-focused organization dedicated to social and emotional development through the arts. We talk about poetry slams and music performance, the upcoming Artist Showcase, and the rewarding work of helping young people find their voice. We also discuss: -The Elementz Artist Showcase on Thursday October 27th, featuring music, dance and youth poetry -Louder Than a Bomb and the new Poetry Out Loud program via a partnership with Ohio Arts Council -Providing a space where young people can grow and ask questions -Open community dance classes on Mondays (!) Visit: elementz.org ElementzHipHop on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SoundCloud, and Vimeo TheStyleSample on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat Featured music by Elementz artists: “Brazilian" by Alex Stallings "Callin’ Me" by T Rock Head to CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Intro & outro music by The Passion HiFi

Illustrator Erin Barker (erinbarkerillustration.com) always knew she wanted to be an artist, deciding to focus on illustration after several years of experience. We talk about growing up with parents who were designers, how an unfulfilling job taught her what she shouldn’t do as a career, and the importance of creating projects for yourself in your desired line of work. We also discuss: The advice she gives to aspiring illustrators Making personal work as a creative outlet Why copying your idols isn’t necessarily a bad thing The childhood influences that inspire her work today Visit: erinbarkerillustration.com www.behance.net/ebarkerdesign hooraylorraine.tumblr.com @hooraylorraine on Instagram @thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat Head to www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Photographer Josh Anderson (josh-anderson.com) got his start in photojournalism a little over 10 years ago, and has since moved into fine art and fashion photography. We talk about what it’s like to be part of a traveling press pool, his first professional job (for Interview magazine, no less!), and his best advice for new photographers looking to get experience. We also discuss: -Moving from the literal work of newspapers to more creative endeavors -The trick to “capturing something before it happens” -Why it’s important to let yourself grow -The most important thing to consider when finding clients Visit: josh-anderson.com jjoshandersonn.tumblr.com @jjoshandersonn on Instagram @thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat Head to www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the mailing list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Artists, designers, activists, and nonprofit leaders Anh Tran and Catherine Richards make conceptual art that’s an expression of love and friendship through collaborative enterprise Hark+Hark (harkandhark.com). We talk - and laugh - about staying true to yourself as a maker, listening to your gut instincts, and why talking to *everyone* is the best way to learn and grow. We also discuss: - How they found manufacturers to produce their jewelry line - Real life research and development - How the “magic key” to success is really just working - Partnering with other experts to form the “bigger brain" - Their upcoming Style + Sustainability gala featuring living garments created by Cincinnati fashion designers Visit: harkandhark.com modernmakers.org catherinerichardsart.com Brooke Shanesy Photography Zephyr Gallery @catherinerichardsart on IG @anhtrananhtran on IG @thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat This episode is supported by ArtWorks. For more information, visit artworkscincinnati.org. Head to www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the email list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of creatives. Music by The Passion HiFi

Photo Stylist and all-around creative babe Jessie Cundiff (jessiecundiff.com) started as a fine artist and has been a successful freelance stylist for six years. We chat about what it takes to build your portfolio, the importance of doing the work, and why being part of a community makes a difference in work and in life. We also discuss: -How Jessie got her start as a stylist -How her fine arts skills help her on the job -What she looks for in an assistant stylist -Why it’s fun to experiment and push boundaries -Taking time to travel and explore -Being a Big Sister! Visit: JessieCundiff.com @jessccbell on Instagram Creative City episode #15 - Rosie Kovacs of Brush Factory Furniture TheStyleSample.com @thestylesample on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat Head to www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the email list to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion HiFi

Social and Civic Innovation Specialist Tamaya Dennard spends her time sparking civic engagement at Design Impact, a nonprofit design firm focused on social justice and social change issues. It’s no wonder she went from being voted “most likely to change the world” in high school to working as an agent of change, but just how did she make the leap from real estate to politics? We talk about how she went from stuffing envelopes for a friend to managing PG Sittenfeld's political campaign, why quitting a "good job" to work at City Hall for a MUCH lower salary (thank goodness she had an understanding landlord!) was a pivotal moment, how she leverages the relationships she’s built to make a difference in the community, and why it’s important to create opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to come together. Follow Tamaya on Facebook at Tamaya Dennard, @tdennard on Twitter, and @tedennard on Instagram Head to www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the Curated Creatives newsletter to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion HiFi

Dynamic creative duo Emmit Jones and Josh Jacob founded Cosette (ouicosette.com), a cross-disciplinary design practice focused on serving the fashion, luxury, lifestyle, and culture industries. Their small (3 person!) team works within the branding realm and favors a direct client-to-creative relationship, but they choose to focus on the brands they like to serve, including the “new creative class.” After plying me with liquor, we talked about the roots of their subversive core ethos, why Emmit wound up at New York Men’s Fashion Week, and how making actual friends is just as important as building business relationships. Head to www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for links and previous episodes, and sign up for the Curated Creatives newsletter to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion HiFi

Fashion Designer Chanel Scales of SHINGO (facebook.com/ShingoLLC) talks designing custom styles for confident women, her plans to produce a ready-to-wear line, and the importance of having a supportive team who believes in you AND in themselves. As part of Cincinnati Music Festival’s Throwback Thursday event highlighting fashions from the 60s through modern day, Chanel is busy handling the “good stress” that comes with increased opportunities. One of her afrocentric prom dress designs went viral, and we discuss how important it is to shut down for a bit (perhaps in a floating tank?) to alleviate anxiety, gain clarity and let creative inspiration emerge. Head to www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for links, previous episodes, and to sign up for the Curated Creatives newsletter to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion HiFi

Fashion designer and two-time Project Runway contestant Asha Daniels (ashaama.com) gets real about reality show casting (psych evaluation, anyone?), how she went from interning at Garanimals to creating designs for a major fashion house, and why she decided to forgo corporate in favor of her own couture line. We got into details about the email that got her an internship at Marchesa (listen up, aspiring designers), a random draping experiment that eventually became the showpiece of the bridal couture line, and one guest judge’s* utter rudeness--which was completely cut from the show. Asha has some exciting design projects coming up this Fall--including designing not one, but two wedding dresses for her own nuptials--so fellow fashion lovers will want to take note! *I’m gonna spoil it for you: Zac Posen. I know. I was shocked too. Visit CreativeCityPodcast.com to listen to previous episodes, and sign up for the Curated Creatives newsletter to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion Hifi

Copy Director and Brand Consultant Katie Hicks of Kith Creative (www.kithcreative.com) talks about the ins and outs of starting your own creative business, her journey from small agency copywriter to working with international fashion brands, and why it’s so important to have faith in your own decisions. Katie and I have a lot in common, despite the fact that she actually enjoys writing (how, Sway?): Listening to podcasts made her want to create her own, one that highlighted the people making moves in Cincinnati’s creative community. Sound familiar? We chat about what a Copy Director really does, how she decided to quit her day job (it was pretty spontaneous!), and how much fun it is to create the person behind the brand. Visit CreativeCityPodcast.com to listen to previous episodes, and sign up for the Curated Creatives newsletter to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion Hifi

Rosie Kovacs of Brush Factory Furniture (brushmanufactory.com) talks starting a business right out of school (and in the middle of the recession), learning to be strategic about growth, and why it’s important to make design accessible to everyone. Brush Factory won $20,000 via an ArtWorks Big Pitch business grant, so we chatted about what really happens during the application process and how she and her partner wound up (unexpectedly!) spending the money, their initial desire to combine fashion and craft, how they figured out the wholesale game and built relationships with boutiques all over the country, and how working with a mentor helped them articulate why they were in business and determine their real purpose. Visit CreativeCityPodcast.com to listen to previous episodes, and sign up for the Curated Creatives newsletter to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion Hifi

Deogracias Lerma, Polly Magazine (www.pollymagazine.com) Founder--and Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director/Chief Photographer-- talks about working with famed photographer Annie Leibovitz in New York, what it takes to start a print magazine in an increasingly digital world, and the importance of taking the initiative to create what you want to see. For Deo (his nickname literally means God), growing up with three sisters meant there were a lot of women’s magazines around the house. He was smitten, and after years of working as a photographer for other publications, he started Polly with the intention of capturing people’s stories and showing the struggle behind the art. Producing content and securing advertisers ain’t easy, and Deo quickly learned that while wearing all the hats forces you to learn things, it’s fine to make it up as you go and learn along the way. If you’re interested in learning how this regional magazine with a national flair came to be, you’ll want to listen to this episode! Visit CreativeCityPodcast.com to listen to previous episodes, and sign up for the Curated Creatives newsletter to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion Hifi

In 2015, CityBeat Senior Editor Maija Zummo added another bullet to her resume: Cofounder of shopmadeincincinnati.com, a (very literal) online resource for Cincinnati-based makers. The site is like a hyper-local, well-curated Etsy, built to help people discover and shop locally made home goods, food, jewelry, ceramics, and more. We talked about starting a business based on a personal need (Maija needed to find local makers for CityBeat editorials, and with a little help from a People’s Liberty Project Grant, the site was born), why it was important to offer artisans a platform for exposure as well as an additional revenue stream, how she juggles a day job and a side hustle, and the allure of breezy pants. If you’re interested in starting an online business, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode! Visit CreativeCityPodcast.com to listen to previous episodes, and sign up for the Curated Creatives newsletter to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion Hifi

Photographer and CEO of The Lodge (thelodgeky.com) Scott Beseler talks turning a masonic lodge into a multi-use creative studio, collaborating with Walk the Moon, and the importance of combining word-of-mouth marketing with one—to-one outreach. Scott and I talked about his vision: creating a space where his mutual friends—photographers, graphic designers, painters, screen printers, and musicians-could have a creative outlet (and stop making excuses). It took five years(!), but creative space and recording studio The Lodge, located in a former masonic temple in Dayton Kentucky, is ready to host a community of artists. We discussed starting small and expanding later, lamented about the adult conversations that have to happen in order to run a business (insurance, anyone?), and tried to pinpoint the increasingly blurred line between work and life. Visit CreativeCityPodcast.com for previous episodes, and sign up for the #CuratedCreatives newsletter to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion Hifi

Regina Russo, Director of Communication for the Contemporary Arts Center, talks about helping people find and share their cultural voice, her experience working for “the Oprah of Detroit” after college, and the importance of always being connected to the community. As a child, Regina knew she wanted to be like Phil Donahue even before she understood what that really meant. She’d always been fascinated by conversation and the exchange of ideas, by the electrifying feeling that comes when you’re aligned with your purpose. We chatted about her progression from radio to television to communications, how life-altering events gave her permission to create the life she wanted, and why it’s imperative to use your gifts in a meaningful way. Follow @whatshotregina on Instagram and Twitter Visit CreativeCityPodcast.com for previous episodes, and sign up for the #CuratedCreatives newsletter to keep up with Cincinnati’s amazing community of makers. Music by The Passion Hifi

I’m back with a Very Special Episode (no, not the one where Jessie is addicted to caffeine pills) of the Creative City podcast. This time, I took my portable studio - aka laptop and mic - on location to MORTAR’s Life’s a Pitch event, where I talked to four of the program’s recent graduates about their businesses and future aspirations. Since the venue was a bar, I set up shop on the “quiet” back patio, only to be thwarted by a monsoon that decided to roll through anytime I hit record. Can you say background noise? The event was great, though, and I managed to catch up with a few of the talented folks rounding out the Spring graduating class: Rebecca Denney of Paleolicious Cincy - Catering locally produced, organic food that tastes great. paleoliciouscincy.com Katy Dietz of Green Man Twist - Soft serve ice cream with a community focus, based in Walnut Hills. facebook.com/Greenmantwist Stephanie Bohanon of Beaux Studios - A concept salon that’s combines a beauty salon, retail space, and events venue. instagram.com/beauxstudio.oh Rolandis Williams of iCleanology - Specialty cleaning services for the restaurant industry (apologies--the first part of our interview got cut off). www.icleanology.com, coming soon To learn more about MORTAR’s commitment to building communities through entrepreneurship, check out my chat with Allen Woods in episode 8 at www.creativecitypodcast.com. Music by The Passion Hi-Fi

Event Stylist Christina Christian (somethingchicdesign.com) talks about how her business evolved from planning events for friends and family to working with national clients, what she does to give her work that “wow factor”, and how she balances being an attentive mom and a driven entrepreneur. And yes, that’s her real name! As a one-woman operation with a weekly news segment under her belt (and the discipline to wake up at 4am to answer emails!), I found her desire to make educating young people part of her business strategy very admirable. If you’re a company of one looking to expand your business, you’ll love this episode. Visit www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for more information and additional episodes! Music by The Passion Hifi

Interior Designer and HighStreet (www.highstreetcincinnati.com) Co-founder Leah Spurrier talks about how she launched her career with a clear vision and a solid plan, how her one-person business grew into a nationally recognized lifestyle brand, and why she intentionally chose to come to Cincinnati to pursue her dreams. Visit www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for more information and additional episodes! Music by The Passion Hifi

MORTAR Co-founder and Branding Gladiator Allen Woods (justcallmeallen.com) talks about shaping a rough idea into a refined diamond, the importance of inclusion and diverse perspectives, and the initial pitch he received from his business partners (hint: “It was pretty terrible.”) Visit www.CreativeCityPodcast.com for more information and additional episodes! Music by The Passion Hifi

Multi-hyphenate James Marable owns Original Thought Required (otrfresh.com), works as a Social Media Strategist/Recruitment Marketer at Macy’s, and produces events all over the city, but what is the glue holding all of those things together? In this episode, he talks about building a brand story, the importance of being able to lean on your network, and his time as the kid who ran a successful candy enterprise (every school had one!). Visit CreativeCityPodcast.com for more information and additional episodes! Music by The Passion Hifi

UI/UX Designer and AIGA Cincinnati President Ryan Cayabyab talks about building his first website (hint: it was pre-GeoCities), collaborating with other passionate professionals, and the best ways to become invaluable to the creative community. More episodes at creativecitypodcast.com. Music by The Passion HiFi.

Entertainment Editor Tasha Stewart explains how she got started as a journalist, what it’s like to manage a digital content team, and the best way to find All The Fun (it’s an actual job!). Warning: there’s a fair amount of giggling (because that’s what girlfriends DO, okay?) and a short choir interlude in praise of Fetty Wap. Visit CreativeCityPodcast.com for more information and additional episodes!

Corporate’s Matt Tomamichel reveals how dealing with the death of a friend pushed him to pursue his dream of entrepreneurship, why he still interns with other companies, and the importance of building a network. Turns out he really is a cool guy. Visit www.creativecitypodcast.com. Music by The Passion Hifi.

Cincy Chic founder Amy Scalia talks about working on your own dime, launching a multimedia brand, and what a difference it makes when you’re passionate about what you do. Visit www.creativecitypodcast.com

Micah Paldino of Fallon Thatcher talks making up your own job title, how Blaise Bender was born, and what it means to have the support of your private #squad.

Grace Dobush of Crafty Supermarket and Midwest Craft Con talks crafty entrepreneurship, how to pitch freelance stories, and trend predictions for 2016 (hint: get your Shrinky Dinks ready). Intro & outro music: Untouchable by The Passion HiFi