Welcome to season 2, episode 49 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast.
This week I interview three incredible young entrepreneurs from New Jersey. All are doing something they love and are continuing to share their artistic talents with the world.
My first guest is Jack Marra. Jack is 16 years old and an incredible artist. He creates fan art, has many requests for commissioned work from his close to 6,000 Instagram followers, and makes beautiful artistic keychains. Jack shares about how his confidence increased as others took notice of his artwork at a younger age. Sharing fan art from the show Stranger Things truly helped Jack see an increase in followers. From there more opportunities were created. Jack goes on to share the importance of creating characters and that people really enjoy following character stories even if they have never heard of them before. You can see some of Jack's work by following @inkycat186 or purchase artwork at his Etsy shop - @iinkycatz.
My next guest is Sienna Grinwald-Alves. Sienna is a junior in college and is attaining her bachelor's degree in music education. She teaches vocal and beginner piano lessons and is also a budding opera singer. She was inspired by her grandfather who was an aspiring opera singer himself. When she was a junior in performing arts high school with a focus on vocal training, Sienna was asked to lead the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation's AOK Performance Group. During that time parent's of AOK Performance Group students asked Sienna if she could provide individual vocal lessons. From there she started her performing arts studio called Operatunity Performing Arts Center. Sienna's students have ranged from ages 6 to 81 years old. You can find out more on Instagram @operatunity.pac.
Lastly, I interview Hudson Galik. Hudson creates amazing woodworking pieces that he sells. He created an amazing shaker solid wood table for his home and from there realized how much he felt connected to this craft. He named his business Woodism, which is a combination of the word wood from woodworking and autism. Hudson is on the autism spectrum and sees this artistic outlet as a way to express himself and increase his confidence. You can follow him on Instagram @woodismusa or by going to his website -
AboutWoodism.com.
All my guests this week answer my last question which is, what advice would you give to someone who is young and has a talent that they want to share with the world? Take a listen to hear their important words of encouragement.
It is so important to support small business when making purchases throughout the year. It takes great courage at a young age to put your work out in the public eye. Help support these young entrepreneur's businesses.
Next week, I interview Gail Siggelakis. Gail is an award-winning author of the personal growth book, The Affirming Way of Life: See the Good, Speak the Good, Spread the Good. She is also a transformational life coach, and a former elementary school educator.
Today is the Day
Website: https://todayisthedayliveit.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/todayistheday/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/todayistheday
The Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation
Website: www.applaudourkids.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/applaudourkids
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/applaudourkids
Sign-up for our mailing list, schedule a conversation with Jodi or ask a Changemaker a question: jodi@todayisthedayliveit.com
Have a great week everyone!