my story

“We always knew you were going to be your own boss from age 5, we just had no idea what that was going to look like.” -My Parents

The first job I ever wanted was princess. Not the fairytale kind, but the Kate Winslet and Meghan Markle kind. When I was little, I’d research countries with reigning monarchies and royal sons close to my age. But that dream came to an abrupt end the day I watched my first episode of Fixer Upper.

From that moment on, I was certain, I was going to be an interior designer. Joanna Gaines became my ultimate inspiration. Her authenticity, her balance of family and purpose, and her creative intuition, I wanted to live that kind of intentional, beautiful life.

Every birthday and holiday after that, I unwrapped design books, sketchpads, and graph paper. I had my sights set on Parsons School of Design in New York, with a semester in Paris. To save for that dream, I started working as a hostess for my dad in Montecito, California, not a bad gig when your regulars are Ellen, Oprah, and Katy Perry. I learned early that being a “somebody” takes a lot more than it looks like from the outside.

But as my step-grandmother used to say, “Life is what happens when you make other plans.”

High school didn’t go quite as I expected. A painful experience with friends left me questioning everything. I finished school online, worked full time, and rebuilt my confidence one small step at a time. Somewhere in that process, I realized I didn’t want to be a “somebody” in the world’s eyes, I wanted to create something that mattered.

That “something” started in an unexpected place: doing my French homework in a bar booth at the Montecito Wine Bistro (pre-opening, of course). The owner, Pierre Lafond, sat down with me and offered to help with my homework. We talked for a while and he noticed my curiosity and creativity and asked if I’d take new photos for the restaurant website. I said yes, and that single opportunity changed everything. He published my photos, asked about my artistic choices, and gave me my first real taste of creative purpose.

Before long, I was running the restaurant’s social media, blending photography, design, and storytelling. For the first time, I saw my creativity directly impact people. Guests came in asking for cocktails and dishes they’d seen online. My ideas had power, and my work had impact.

I was hooked.

That’s where it all began, my journey into visual design, branding, and creative storytelling. What started with a love for interiors evolved into a passion for building meaningful, beautiful experiences that connect people to purpose… Whether that’s through a brand, a space, or a story.