Meet Katrina Centeno-Nguyen | Calligrapher, Artist, Influencer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katrina Centeno-Nguyen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katrina, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Upon starting Calligraphy Katrina 13 years ago, I was attending college, in my 20s and learning the business. Being an artist and business owner means that every decision is made to improve the structure and reputation of the company, continuing to educate oneself to further gain knowledge, understanding that we have to keep evolving while staying true to the artistry. all while keeping the mind and soul at top shape. From the beginning, I have tried to keep a discipline of checking my schedule multiple times starting the moment I wake up to seconds before I sleep so I can plan ahead. I believe in efficiency, for the least time to be wasted, be as productive as possible, and to always do the work at the best of your ability. For me, the only way to keep a balanced life is to ensure that ALL work has been finished for everyone’s peace of mind. Since I am a workaholic and have always chosen to go overtime, I usually would work about 12 hours, 6 days a week. However, I know that I have to keep an agile mind and body, so I strictly took Sunday off to recuperate that included self-care and healing, especially with a physically and mentally strenuous job. It is also imperative to communicate with loved ones and friends to keep open and beautiful relationships. My goal for the formative years of the company was to have a more aggressive approach with stabilization. Within a few years, I was able to establish a more solid client base who understood my kind of art, With trial and error, I started placing more efforts and resources into expanding my company’s portfolio by adding services that our clients would commonly outsource and make an ideal brand. Fast-forward to our 10th year in business. now with a husband and incoming child, I found that balance was even more important than ever. There are sacrifices involved, but essential to be a more productive business owner and still be present at home. Our home kept a schedule and outsourced help to be more efficient; we hired full-time child care and housekeeping, kept a window for family time, maintained a Sunday-off (that I would “pay back” if I had to work on a Sunday), an hour less sleep, and if needed, use a ride-share between meetings so I can rest or make calls in the car. Now with over a decade with a growing family and business, the foundation that was built earlier on, the small sacrifices, continued discipline, and acquired knowledge, have become important tools to keep this life balanced.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a calligrapher. I was lucky enough to be gifted with a unique penmanship that evolved into making a variety of different original fonts, all that I am able to proficiently write at great speed. This and the ability to compose work on mediums other than paper is what had set me apart from others. I started my professional career 13 years ago, when I was 19 in 2007, well before social media became an important part in marketing. It would have been easier to establish a brand online especially since our work is reliant on visual representation, but with word-of-mouth and continuation of producing quality work is what helped bring the trust that we needed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I may be biased but I am in love with my home city of Pasadena so we will definitely start here. A full day can be spent at the Huntington Library alone, strolling along the gardens and having tea. The Langham hotel is also a beautiful spot for overlooking the neighboring towns while having a cocktail. If possible, a run around the Rose Bowl in lieu of a gym, even shopping at the Rose Bowl flea market or Old Town Pasadena could be fun. There is a diverse variety of restaurants in our city from our favorite Japanese restaurant, Osawa on Raymond, to Alexander Steakhouse on Los Robles, to our own branch of Urth Cafe. Depending on their interests, since my friends will be here for a week, the remaining days can be spent in Los Angeles, Malibu, Santa Barbara, even to Solvang for Berry picking and wine tasting if they have time! Los Angeles is vast, Downtown alone has Chinatown (dimsum), Little Tokyo (the best ramen and sushi!), and Grand Central Market that has houses at least a dozen different casual spots. Los Feliz, Silverlake, Echo Park has wonderful eats life Cafe Stella and Figaro for French food. Walk around West Hollywood for shopping on Melrose or at the Grove and eat at favorites like Pinks Hotdogs, Jon and Vinny’s and the Original Farmers’ Market. Have lunch at Thai Town before heading to Hollywood at the Walk of Fame and Dolby Theater. I personally love bringing guests to LACMA, MOCA and the Getty Museums. If they have time, we can also watch a broadway show at Pantages Theater.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
God, my family, my friends, my fans, my Events community! Without their love, patience (because I know I can be difficult!), understanding, support, and appreciation of my work, I don’t know how I can ever find the courage to keep moving forward.

Website: www.calligraphykatrina.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/calligkatrina
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/calligraphykatrina
Facebook: www.facebook.com/calligraphykatrina
Youtube: www.youtube.com/calligraphykatrina

Image Credits
Cat Benner of Next Exit Photography