Your occupation, job title, artistic discipline (or very brief description of what you do):

Owner of Calico, a creative studio specialising in brand identity design and illustration.

What are the earliest stories you remember hearing? The ones that told you about the world?

One of my favourite stories as kid was about Esther from the bible; a girl who was in the right place at the right time, and who made some valiant choices for the sake of others. This is a perspective that I think is pretty special in the work and business world too, that we have opportunities and platforms that allow us to help others in very practical ways.

What’s your favourite Bay of Plenty landscape, park, building, location, suburb, or side street? Why?

The redwoods in Rotorua are definitely right up there! The earthy tones and the soft light are so beautiful, and it’s pretty fun to zoom around on a mountain bike, too!

What’s an average day in your life at present?

My days start with a run or walk down to the beach, which is the perfect time to think my thoughts and get the brain and body moving. From there I head in to the office, which is currently at Bad Company workspace down in the Mount. After a coffee with the crew (from our friends at the Mount Surf Shop), the work day consists of strategy meetings, working on designs for new brands, developing packaging, illustrating campaigns or measuring up spaces for a new fitout! The scope is pretty varied which we love. After a day on the tools, I’ll either head around to a friend’s place or make the most of the last bits of sunshine outside!

For you as a creative person, who are three influential artists or thinkers?

I love the work of Nicole McLaughlin, a creative designer who mixes and matches everyday things to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Another favourite is the Hoodzpah design studio in Los Angeles, as their work is so beautiful and full of character while remaining true to what their clients want and need.

I’m very inspired by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri, who run a business podcast called MFM. It continually raises the ceiling and challenges me to think bigger and wider.

If you went away from the Bay of Plenty for a long time and then came back, what are the first three things you would do or visit?

I would jump in the ocean, settle in for a sunset picnic at Pilot Bay, and spend a whole lot of time with the incredible friends and family that live here. Great people make the place!

If you had to eat the same meal every day, what would it be?

Hands down, it would be a Vietnamese curry.

What is missing or lacking from your Bay of Plenty community or environment?

It’s been awesome to see more events start to happen, like the After Dark Urban Light Festival. I’d love to have more of those happening in the Bay, to continue to develop a creative culture and community.

What was your first real job, second, third?

I worked for a local restaurant group as their marketing manager, a non-profit training provider helping with their comms, and was then with the awesome team at Hunter Studio – an incredible photo and creative space in Pāpāmoa.

What word of advice would you offer an aspiring creative person?

Set yourself goals and challenges, and become excellent at what you do by doing it. Showing initiative and investing your 10,000 hours will take you so far.

What is your dream of happiness?

In my perspective, everyone wants to be known, to be loved, and to be understood. My dream is to be a part of the solution in making that happen – from working alongside incredible foster care charities like Homes of Hope and by doing fun things with those around me.

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