“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.

Livya Howard-Yashar | Movement Director, Musician, Performance Coach

Authenticity and radical honesty. When it comes to making art and putting one’s self out into the world, people are going to immediately gravitate to lived experiences that they can relate to on a fundamental level. Sometimes that means just going with the first impulse or gut reaction to something, rather than overthinking it. Read more>> 

Vildan Starr | Artist & Lawyer

Authenticity and originality stand at the core of both my personal and professional life. These values resonate deeply with me, stemming from my diverse background and the artistic path I’ve navigated. In my art, I strive for authenticity by allowing each piece to be a truthful expression of my emotions and perspectives at the moment of creation. Read more>> 

Lisa Loyd | Co-Founder JJwinks

Sustainability is one of the core values at JJwinks. Growing up in the ’70s with a mother that recycled and composted it was instilled into me as a young girl. We make great efforts to do as little damage to the earth as possible. Read more>> 

Richard Knapp | Photographer

Authenticity— Without it, you’re just another face in the crowd. Read more>>

Jodie Niss | Art teacher and Artist

Showing my students how expression through art is more important than painting like a photograph. I try to help my students find joy in creating. Creating has always been so important to me, and I want to show people that anybody can do it in their own way. Read more>>

Yiyang Qian | Japanese painting and Illustration Artist

My values are influenced by Eastern thought and culture, and I think the most important principles for me are inclusiveness, sensitivity to the limitations of myself , and sincerity of expression. I am very fond of Buddhist and Taoist culture. There is a saying in Taoism that “Taoism follows nature”, that is, it follows nature and embraces the workings of all things. Read more>>