We asked experts from a broad range of industries to open up to us about things they know about their industry but that we probably don’t and we’ve shared some of those responses below.

Amber Taylor | Owner & Boy Mom

Sola wood flowers are entirely handmade! It is literally impossible to create these flowers with a machine. Sola wood is among the lightest wood in the world and comes from the shola pith plant which grows as a type of reed in the marshes of West Bengal and Eastern India. Artisans shave the reeds down into sheets and then form them into various flower shapes. The craft is centuries old and is deeply rooted in their local culture. Read more>>

Catherine Leone | Artist Behind Leone the Artist

I think that a lot of people are under the assumption that art as a career is the “easy way out,” as if one could decide to do art and be living comfortably with minimal effort. I have met some of the hardest working individuals in the creative community. From an outside perspective it looks like you get to play with paint or clay and get paid, but realistically when you are an artist you are also a manager, social media influencer, budget master, marketing head, scheduler and event coordinator, sales associate, and designer, if not more. Read more>>

Chris Sullivan | Independent Tile Contractor

A large percentage of “professional” tile installers only know what they’ve seen others do. There has been a serious lack of education in the tile industry. There are specs and rules to go by , but most guys (and girls) out there don’t know what they are, or even that these rules exist. Let alone where to find them. We are fortunate to live in a day and age where information is easily accessible, although it is not all reliable. I learned a lot at a National Tile Contractors Association event (where I immediately joined the association) about proper installation and the liability of doing it wrong. Read more>>

Shaine Schroeder | Artist

You have absolute freedom if you want it. There’s no excuse not to be able to build a brand or a following today with the amount of available resources. Art students leave school with little to no understanding of how to turn what they produce into a financially sound career. What little advice is given is generally in the realm of finding gallery representation, and that’s just not a necessity anymore. Read more>>

Ella Reintsma | Head Coach of 5280 Synchro

5280 Synchro is an artistic swimming club (formerly known as synchronized swimming). I think one thing that most people are unaware of is that artistic swimmers are never allowed to touch the bottom or sides of the pool while they are competing. It takes an incredible amount of effort to perform while only relying on your own body for propulsion and support, all while smiling and making it look effortless. Read more>>