Meet Bonnie Harris Hayden | Pom Pilot and CPC (Chief Pom Creator)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bonnie Harris Hayden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bonnie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I didn’t actually set out to start a business. It unfolded organically, which has been a wonderful surprise. BEHOLD THE POM began with a promise. And one cotton pom pom.

I was going through a tough time in my life, dealing with an incredible amount of stress from work, family, and having health issues. I needed to find a joyful focus while navigating such a challenging chapter.

I’m an estate attorney and lifelong artist who doesn’t get to paint as much as I’d like. But I know the healing power of creating. And I knew that if I could create one new piece of art every day for a year, that it would transform my mental health.

I had been dabbling with making cute creatures out of cotton pom poms and realized I could create all kinds of characters – from superheroes to animals, food, historical figures, anything.

So I committed to creating one cotton pom pom character every day for a year. (And if I made small characters out of pom poms I wouldn’t have to buy 365 canvases and figure out where to put those canvases).

Creating a small, soft, colorful piece of art every day turned into a lifesaver for me. It became a daily, meditative, healing practice. Making that daily promise to myself and keeping that commitment – no matter what – for 365 consecutive days – was a transformative experience.

Now I’ve created an entire Pom Universe with over 400 characters. Each one has a number, a special name, and fun bio – from celebrity-inspired Poms (Behold #73 Pomela Anderson) to original characters (Behold #242 Marty The Lactose-Intolerant Mouse.) In the Pom Universe, Pepperoni is Pomperoni. An anchovy becomes Pomchovy – not to be confused with Pom Jovi.

The response to my pom pom art has been so incredible that I’ve set up a business called BEHOLD THE POM.

BEHOLD THE POM has had several art shows, and appeared at charity events, Michael Kors Century City, and the Montana Ave boutique, Larissa Love. BEHOLD THE POM also has a website, Instagram, music video, and book.

I’m currently creating BEHOLD THE POM kits for adults. Because adults need healthy ways to manage their stress. For me, creating pom pom art is my wellness practice. It may be unconventional, but it’s a very joyful and relaxing way to manage all the pressure and take a time out. It’s the break I look forward to most.

I’ve had Create-A-Pom events – whether it’s at the BT5K Charity Walk LA, a private classroom, or a virtual talk for the American Heart Association where the attendees made Poms with kits I provided. Even when sitting at home making Pom with my friends, everyone relishes in the joyful focus, creative, colorful and sparkly exploration/expression, and sense of accomplishment they feel after an hour of Pomming.

I’m currently having a great time brainstorming all the ways BEHOLD THE POM can inspire adults who are seeking a unique activity/practice that may improve their mental health.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
How many estate attorneys do you know who routinely walk through airport security with bags of cotton pom poms and googly eyes?

My commitment and persistence also set me apart from others. Even on the days I traveled for work, I still made my Pom of The Day – creating characters in hotels, restaurants, Ubers, and airports. At the beginning of my year-long commitment, I had a terrifying episode of SVT (supra ventricular tachycardia) where my heart was beating over 200 beats per minute. I ended up in the ER. I still made my Pom of The Day – this time incorporating part of my hospital wristband. Luckily, my SVT’s were fixed with a procedure (an ablation) a couple of months later and I made a Pom when I came home from the hospital that day, too.

I am extremely proud of myself for chipping away at my obstacles each day – one Pom at a time. Doing this one small, positive thing each day truly transformed my life: 365 positive actions, 365 joyful characters, 365 flashes of inspiration and creativity, 365 kept promises to myself, 365 creations to share with others – it all adds up!

This art, this practice, this business has helped teach me some important lessons: how to create rather than control; waking up and working out my artistic muscles daily strengthens those muscles; I can easily shift my energy and vibration. Plus it’s brought me closer to my parents, and it’s helped me learn to let go and understand that the rest of my life would be much easier if I went about it the same way as I approach BEHOLD THE POM!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend and I would have to go shopping and eating on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica – Larissa Love Boutique, Bijou Indochine, Curated LA, Rosti, R + D Kitchen, and definitely visit a bunch of restaurants in Culver City – Fifty One Kitchen, Culver Hotel, Meet In Paris. Run around to the art galleries at Bergamot Station, like bG Gallery, and the Arts District in Culver City, have drinks at the Peninsula Hotel, take a walk on the beach and watch the sunset, have dinner at Il Moro. Shop some more at Lundeen’s in Culver City, and at Michael Kors in Century City, find some live music at a private home in Santa Monica, walk around some of the beautiful neighborhoods in Santa Monica and Bel Air for an “urban hike” and grab some frozen yogurt. Eventually head to the Huntington in Pasadena, and see if there are any new exhibits at the Cory Helford Gallery.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am so thankful to have amazing support in my life for this project and this business – from my family and friends, to the Pom Team consisting of Brandy, our Chief Media Officer; Jason, our Chief Harmony Officer; Noodle, my dog, who is our Chief Wellness Officer; and my Grandma who started teaching me art when I was three years old – she is our Chief Angel Officer. It takes a village!

Last year, we participated in the American Brain Tumor Association Walk in Los Angeles and BEHOLD THE POM will be participating again on Saturday, October 26th in Santa Monica. This will coincide with an art show at Curated LA on Montana Avenue where the Poms will be modeling beautiful jewelry and hosting the shop from October 22nd – October 26th.

We had a wonderful event called “Love Pom” at the Larissa Love boutique in Santa Monica for Valentine’s Day and we recently worked with the American Heart Association to present a virtual BEHOLD THE POM experience to their Circle of Red members in May, 2024.

June 29th and 30th BEHOLD THE POM will have an art show at Bijou Indochine in Santa Monica, and we will be returning to Michael Kors Century City for a special VIP event in August.

We’re grateful for the invitation to visit Asteme Academy and Pom with the kids and teachers – they are incredible creators! I’d also like to give a shout out to Alex Smith and the crew of the documentary we are making about my story which I call the “Pomcumentary”. Be on the lookout for the world premier of the film!

BEHOLD THE POM gives a special shout out to our wonderful supporters who have commissioned custom Poms, purchased art, bought the book, and attended our in-person events. I also give shout outs to all of my friends and family who gave me positive support and feedback about every daily Pom during those 365 days.

Website: www.beholdthepom.com

Instagram: @beholdthepom

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pom-pilot-944652289/

Facebook: Behold The Pom

Youtube: https://youtu.be/mgDx0Y4FBU4?si=FZ5O1H2V274IzqvI

Other: www.linktr.ee/beholdthepom 

Image Credits
Brandy Menefee