In our view, values and principles are the foundation upon which our lives, careers and relationships are built. So, we asked folks we admire to open up to us about the values and principles that matter most to them.

Ciara Rudas | Musician

I value my gut feelings above anything else. Building internal trust to listen to that intangible, indescribable bodily expression of “knowing” is an exercise that I must constantly keep up with in order to reap its rewards. I feel there are no wrong or right answers – no worst or best work – and so in a creative context I purely aim to stay true to myself. Much like walking a familiar path in the dark, all I really can do is use my senses and trust my feet to find their footing. Read more>>

Mark Nichols | Owner / Architect of MNichols Design

Listening to the Client to help them achieve the best version of their vision. In starting my own Architecture Practice, I wanted to provide design services that didn’t adhere to one fixed Architectural Style, but instead were flexible and could deliver thoughtful design solutions to whatever the Client was envisioning. Read more>>

James Junk | aka Andrei Dominiq, Graphic Designer + Creator of James Junk

Fun! It’s a small word that holds such a big meaning. I don’t hold myself to a lot of standards, or lead my life with overly expansive criteria, but a non-negotiable I do have is fun. If I’m not having fun, I don’t do it. Not unlike most of the world, I am indoctrinated with the people-pleaser DNA, and it has taken a lot of work on my part to learn that “no” is a perfectly good answer. I’ve put myself in a lot of situations and worked with a lot of folks that, retrospectively, I should have never been in or worked with, and I treat them today as reminders to myself that life is too fleeting, too fickle to spend any measure of your time not having fun. Read more>>

Haley J | Live Play Bingo Host & Mental Health Advocate

For me, it’s all about the feeling. When I visualize what I want in life, I try to detach from an exact picture of what it “looks like” and more so of how I want to feel in it. Making real connections with others in this world is the most important thing to me, so as long as I feel like the decisions I’m making are in alignment with who I authentically am, I’m good with that. Read more>>