Marrione Manalo is an Asian-American illustrator. She and her aunt, writer Fairlane Raymundo, are creating “Aswang,” an NFT graphic novel highlighting Asian mythology. According to Marrione, “Aswang” is the story of five young creatures who were disowned by their monster clans. In an effort to survive, they enroll in a
Madhuram Prabhakar discovered food blogging when she was experimenting with egg-free cooking and baking. “I had family members with dietary restrictions, and I was determined to create baked goods that everyone could enjoy,” Madhuram says. As the home chef experimented with various egg substitutes and baking techniques, she discovered her
Keva Epale is an art director, graphic designer and illustrator based in Paris. Her journey from working as a graphic designer in the cultural sector to starting her own business is inspiring. Keva Epale Studio, a hub for branding and storytelling, reflects the entrepreneur’s commitment to empowering her clients
art
Artist Kay Collier, also known as Kathryn Hastings, revives the lost art of letter writing with her elegant collections of wax seals, stationery and letter-writing tools. Kay’s designs are ideal for personal and special-occasion correspondence, such as wedding invitations. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to
artisanal food
Elisa Lyew was working as a pastry chef when she realized that restaurants offered few nutritious desserts, which gave her an idea. The chef began a side hustle, making pastries with wholesome ingredients and natural low-glycemic sweeteners. Today, she owns Elisa’s Love Bites, a dessert atelier in New York
Running a Creative Business
There’s a new online marketplace for artisans in town: Handmade.com. Although the site just launched this year, Handmade.com’s founders are industry veterans. They’re the same people who brought us the social-impact marketplace NOVICA. If you’re not familiar with the company, NOVICA helps artisans in
Creative Entrepreneur
Giving her guests cotton candy as a wedding favor intrigued Emily Harpel, but she found the options available at the time unappetizing. “It was honestly a little scary—clear packaging that didn’t look food safe with a giant red clown on it,” Emily said. She realized she had an
art
Ellen Jenny Watkins is a heart-healing abstract artist, author and certified coach who uses art and creativity for transformation and personal growth. Although being an artist entrepreneur was always in Ellen’s heart, she pursued a corporate career and stayed on the path for over two decades. Despite achieving success
Creative Entrepreneur
Founder Lucie Voves’ journey into the custom framing and art world began not with a business plan but with a sentimental search. Her company, Church Hill Classics, makes bespoke diploma frames, and it all started in her basement. Let’s hear from Lucie on her highly successful foray into handcrafted
Creative Entrepreneur
Have you ever felt as if your creative path was just meant to be? That’s precisely how Sonali Dixit feels about her foray into jewelry design. Growing up in Kathmandu, Nepal, a city famed for its rich artistic traditions, she was immersed in creativity practically from birth. “It’s
Merril Seidl is a collage artist and the brilliance behind More the Merrlier. Using tiny scraps of recycled magazines, the artist creates designs for greeting cards, puzzles and prints. Merril also creates original artwork and has written and illustrated two colorful children’s books. In her interview, Merril details her
Allison Nevins founded TexMex Fun Stuff, which sells handmade party decor by Mexican artists! In our discussion, Allison shares her path to entrepreneurship, how she grew a successful online venture, the inspiration she draws from her surroundings in Mexico City and the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way.
Jessica Hollander is a botanical oil and watercolor painter and the visionary behind India & Purry, a home decor, stationery and accessories collection. In our chat, the artist discusses her journey of building a flourishing design business featuring her artwork. How did you get started creating your art? I have
Yoalah Brinson wears many hats. She’s a digital artist, poet, author, songwriter, graphic designer, model, actress and disability advocate. Fun fact: She is the first Black, Middle Eastern, and disabled model to be represented by a major agency. The creative entrepreneur’s most recent design endeavor, Queen With Attitude,
Michelle DeMarco of llamaGoose Studios aims to create a more sustainable future through her art. The entrepreneur creates artisanal coloring books and donates a hefty portion of proceeds to non-profit conservation organizations, including The Conservation Foundation and Ocean Conservancy. An author and illustrator, Michelle was named a finalist for American
Rita Vilhena, who goes by the artistic name Rita Isabel, is a Portuguese painter, digital artist and photographer. She has won awards for her work, including a 2023 honorable mention by the Tokyo Foto Awards in the Editorial / Fashion category. In her interview, Rita shares her unique perspective on success,