Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

Steve Irwin, Benito Antonio(Bad Bunny), Eiichiro Oda, Alphonse Mucha, Jennifer Stenhouse, Simone Giertz, Kumiko Kihara, and Hayao Miyazaki. I could keep going! I am inspired by humans who unabashedly pursue their passions in ways that educate, nourish the soul, and share their spark of inspiration with the world around them. I, too, am an Artist with a dream. My work is an invitation to look closer, dream bigger, and expand our capabilities of collaboration. Are you in? I believe in you. :)

How do you stay motivated?

I am driven by my fierce love of the arts, our planet, and by the all-consuming desire to do right by my friendships across the world. Mitsuro Hikime, Metal Arts, and the sisterhood between Japan + Portland OR, all changed my life forever. I want to help give this meaningful 1300 year old tradition the most loving support to inspire more people and thrive within the PNW community. I want to spark a New Era in Metalwork Apprenticeships and deepen our connection to the Bees, Trees, and Seas!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I'd create a space dedicated to teaching traditional Mitsuro Hikime and Japanese metal casting in Portland, Oregon with the mindset to deepen our international cultural exchange through art and innovation. We can collaboratively lay a foundation for this new educational program to support its growth, inspire a new generation of trade/craftspeople, and support a long-lasting relationship going forward! Time to lean into that which machines cannot replicate. Let's go build a beautiful world