“If you stand for nothing, you fall for everything”

We asked the community to tell us about the values and principles that guide their lives and businesses.

PJ Covello | Artist

Honestly, this changes for me from time to time. I think the value that matters most to me at this current moment is authenticity. Not just to ourselves but towards others. I’ve lived a majority of my life attempting to squeeze into someone else’s box. Someone else’s vision of me. I grew up in a broken home (or homes, as it were), and was constantly vying for approval from every adult in my life. Read more>>

Delu Duan | Composer & Sound Designer

A significant value for me in creating my work is to observe and listen to life. I have worked as a sound designer for six years in film, animation, and interactive projects, and I have come to realize that sound design enriches narration and helps immerse the audience.  The sound elements constantly communicate with the audience invisibly and subtly. The sound will affect the texture of the items you see, thus affecting the character’s personality. Read more>>

Corrine Rogers | CEO & Founder

Having Integrity. The flow and energy of life is constant and unpredictable. If you don’t stand for something you stand for anything. Read more>>

Michelle Stanford | Storyboard and Comic Artist

Cliche as it sounds, the most important principle to me is staying true to yourself. That means knowing that the path to success is seldom a straightforward one, and not compromising your integrity or goals for someone else. There have been well-meaning friends and family who in the past advised me to change my artwork to fit a more profitable or popular niche, but compromising on my art is like compromising on my voice. If my heart’s not behind what I draw, I’ll be miserable, and if I’m miserable, what am I even doing here? Read more>>

Sam Holik | Musician

Artistic integrity. It’s all one has. I’ve always thought that if I couldn’t make my music and art successful monetarily, I would spend everything I have to keep making it the way I want anyway. I would never compromise the vision of my band Perfect’s music, because that would be akin to character assassination to me! Read more>>