Meet Sonia Touri | Artist, Self-Care & Creativity Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sonia Touri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sonia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I saw a meme recently that said something like, “one day you just wake up and think ‘this ain’t it’ and rebrand your whole life” and that’s basically what happened. I’ve always had ideas of being a business owner/entrepreneur but I doubted myself so much that I always talked myself out of it. Until one day I took a step, and things started coming together in a way that felt really aligned. That’s how I knew I was on to something good.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve found solace in music and singing since I was 5 years old. It used to be something I insisted on trying to make money from but it is so sacred to me that I would do it even if a penny never came in. Right now I’m most excited about and proud of the artist collective that I started in October of last year, the Los Feliz Artist Collective. I personally was looking for a communal space of artists that felt accepting and accessible, and it didn’t seem to exist outside of open mic nights. Don’t get me wrong, open mics are great, but sometimes you get people who show up, play, and take off. I think I was trying to reach for old 60’s laurel canyon LA minus all the drug addiction. So I made it! And it’s been amazing! We meet monthly, people share what they are currently working on in a safe and supportive environment and we all have a good time. There’s a lot of connection and networking and I love it. It’s exactly what I wanted and I’m so proud of it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One day has to be a beach day which means we MUST get a sandwich at Bay Cities before hitting the sand. Personally I’m an east side girlie so we’re going to swing back to Los Feliz and have dinner at Little Dom’s followed by a movie at the Vista. Next day we’re brunching at Messhall and then hiking to the observatory. At someone point we need to hit up a Dodger game followed by drinks at Little Joy. A DTLA day: Grand Central, Angels Flight, Last Bookstore, the Library, Union Station, Olivera Street. Follow that up with dinner at Donna’s in Echo Park. See a concert in one of the many awesome historic venues, go to a museum, have a picnic at vista Hermosa park… there’s SO MUCH to do in this city and that’s why I love it so much. There’s truly something for everyone.

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 would love to dedicate my shoutout to my best friend Kalean Breen who is not only a beautiful actor and musician, she is also a voice teacher for actors at CalArts and wrote a one-woman show about her father’s family escaping the Khmer Rouge, which has gone on to connect with Cambodian communities all over the country. I’m so proud of the heartfelt and very important work she has done. Watching her work so hard has been such an inspiration and a great lesson in what it takes to make great art. I also want to dedicate this to my husband, my son, and my older brother, who cheer me on nonstop. They’re my hype team.

Instagram: Skindeepwithsonia

Youtube: Soniatouri

Image Credits
Jessie Jean Photography (only for photo with crown)