From Artist to Entrepreneur

From Artist to Entrepreneur: The Obsession with Building Something Bigger

Growing up, no one taught me business. I was an order-taker, always doing what I was told, clocking in and clocking out. But even back then, something inside me said I was meant for more. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew I wasn’t made to just follow. I wanted to be an artist, to have a clean studio where everything I touched turned valuable—where people would see my work and say, “That’s an M.A.R. piece.” I had this deep feeling that I was meant to create something lasting, something that could make a mark.

The Reality Check: From Dreams to Business

But the reality of making that dream come true hit hard. Being an artist wasn’t just about creating; it was about the grind, the obsession, and the discipline it takes to turn talent into something sustainable. Over time, I realized that the next thing I needed to master was business. Business isn’t just about making a profit; it’s about legacy. It’s about changing the trajectory of my family, honoring my mom’s immigrant journey, and using this opportunity to build something bigger than myself.

Learning Business Through Every Moment

I don’t remember the exact moment I became obsessed with business, but it’s been a journey of constant learning and adaptation. From selling chocolates as a kid to testing designs in graphic arts, I started seeing that there was more to it than just the final product. You had to know the process, the psychology, the client journey, and how to keep things moving smoothly.

Now, I’m constantly studying businesses everywhere I go—from Apple’s sleek designs to mom-and-pop shops that know every customer by name. I analyze how restaurants operate, how they talk to customers, how clean their spaces are. I look at car companies, comic stores, even how America’s Tires got so big. I listen to podcasts, film business leaders, and soak up every little detail about how they run their operations.

Obsessed with Creating the Best Possible Experience

My obsession is this: How do I make my agency feel exclusive, seamless, and effortless from start to finish? How do I make the onboarding process flawless? How do I deliver videos in a way that feels premium, fast, and easy? From contracts to invoices, to creating authentic content that speaks to the client’s core—every step matters. I study agencies like Paula Scherer’s, Stefan Sagmeister’s, and the best in the game. I look at what’s working, what’s innovative, and how I can adapt those lessons to make my agency better.

Constantly Adapting and Evolving

I write everything down—on my whiteboard, on scraps of paper, in notebooks. Every influence, every lesson, every idea. I go to conferences, study body language, confidence, and storytelling. I’m not just creating a business; I’m creating an experience. I see every interaction as a chance to make something extraordinary.

This isn’t just about business; it’s about building something that outlasts me. It’s about evolving, learning, and constantly pushing to see everything from a new perspective. Because, at the end of the day, I’m not just building a business—I’m building a legacy.