We love asking the folks that inspire and excite us about what inspires and excites them. Check out their responses below.

Marconi Calindas-Cafege | Visual Artist

Such a loaded question, whew, there are so many that have inspired me to pursue art and the creative business we are in now. I am definitely inspired by people, their sacrifices, their creativity, their passion and aspirations as well as their struggles and challenges they go through every day.  Read more>>

Yihao Wang | Graphic Designer

As a graphic designer, my journey began with a focus on new media art during my early university years. However, I eventually shifted gears and pursued graphic design as my major, drawing upon my background in art history studies. Read more>>

Katie Little | Artist & Small Business Owner

Nature inspires a lot of my art. Living in Southern California, I grew up by the beach and wanted to find a way to recreate it. When I discovered I could get the look of ocean waves with resin and a special heat gun technique, I was hooked. Read more>>

George Janji | Vertebral Vitalist & Chiropractor

I’m inspired by the people who developed chiropractic into a dominant healing force. It took a while, almost 140 years, and we were ridiculed a lot! But their conviction was bigger than anything else. This is why I feel I was born to take care of this profession.  Read more>>

Gankyō (Kirk) Nakamura (Kanesaka) | Assistant Professor of Japanese and Asian Studies, Japanese dancer and instructor, Kimekomi doll artist and instructor, first non-Japanese to become a professional Kabuki actor

I am a Nisei, or second-generation born Japanese-American (actually Nisei-han, or second-generation and a half). My grandmother was born on Maui and one of her wishes was for her grandchildren to learn some aspect of their Japanese culture. Read more>>