BUILD AN IDEA - CASSIE KIRTISINGHAM

During the months of Covid lockdowns, I know there have been new ideas and dreams bubbling up inside of people. Whether you found inspiration from time alone or something frustrated you enough to do something and get innovative, now is the time to start and here are some of my thoughts around developing an idea!

1. Start small: It’s not that your idea doesn’t have potential, it probably does, but it deserves to start well! When we first have our idea it is often grand, exciting and multi-layered. We have these big dreams of what it will look like one day and all the different aspects to it. The problem is, often our grand plans are based on assumptions we have made about the market and what we assume our market wants, which can be dangerous if we invest everything into these assumptions.

It's not the exciting or glamorous thing to do, but to save yourself a lot of money and pain, the best thing you can do is pick one small part of your idea, preferably whatever the core idea is, and test it with as little investment as possible. You want to test the product/service, the delivery, the price point, the target market and most importantly, the point of difference to competitors! Then, once you take your feedback, data and learnings, you can tweak the model where needed and invest in something you KNOW your market is looking for.

2. Ask for feedback

Often we want to keep our idea quiet until we think it is good enough for a perfect and grand reveal. What we do is we invest everything into it without showing anyone, once again, basing everything on our market assumptions. Then, because we have invested all of our resources and so much of our identity into this idea, we are too scared of feedback and we get scared, avoiding anything even remotely negative.

However, market feedback is actually your greatest tool in business and you want it as early as possible! In my first year of business, a potential client who chose not to work with us offered to sit down and explain why they didn't want to work with us and what they were looking for. Everything within me wanted to protect myself and say 'no thank you!' but I went to this sit-down and her feedback actually led me to develop one of our most successful products yet! Feedback is your friend and in the discomfort may come your greatest innovation yet.

3. Trust your gut but not your feelings.

We all love the high of a new idea. It’s one of my favourite feelings.

But then often after starting, that anxiety creeps and wakes you up in the middle of the night, or grips you when you go to talk to a customer. We often read into those feelings and think that they are a sign we shouldn't continue.

I was talking to a young videographer last year and he was saying that he loves his work, but when he thinks about it as his business, he gets anxious and wonders if that is a sign he should stop. Of course not!
Fear always seems to lurk around the really important steps in life.

A quote I love, says, ‘fear is most dangerous when it masquerades as wisdom.’

If your business is something that you know you are supposed to do and you are testing your product/service with low investment, then when you ‘feel’ scared or anxious, you need to call it out as fear. It is not a sign.

Starting a side hustle can be scary and lonely, but your feelings are just that, fleeting and fickle. Remember your why and trust your gut.

4. Never be annoyed or embarrassed about starting small and running your business ‘on the side’

Any time you are doing something you love and you are connecting that with people, it is a success. It is even more of a success if they are paying you for it!

Everyone is so different and each business grows at a different rate depending on the founder’s time/capacity and the market. For me personally, those years of starting small and gradually adding other team members, while working other jobs, are the reason that we have the processes and brand consistency that we do. Whether you are still in school, uni or working another job, starting small allows for longevity and if that’s where you want to go, starting small is what allows you to grow big.

I can’t wait to hear of all of the innovative, creative and downright progressive projects that come out of this time!
Cheering you on,

Cass

MAGAZINE CREATOR AND EDITOR - SOPHIE COTTRELL

1. Sophie!  Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, tell us a bit about yourself, and what you do:
I am an avid dreamer and creator. I always have a million ideas going through my head and to be honest, I try and do most of them. There are definitely a few hundred though that sit in a book in my bedside drawer, waiting for the right season to come out and play. I love love my family and am very close to them all. I am a passionate lover of my country and my city. I have worked in a lot of different arenas and I love that. I have worked in retail, food, helped my parents open a cafe, coffee, nannying, corporate, agencies, design, freelance and small business. I play a lot of music in my spare time, either on my piano or through my headphones, whichever suits the mood.
I am currently the Editor in Chief of Sceen'ry Magazine which is a bi-annual print travel magazine that focuses on a different city in each volume. We get locals within each city to photograph their favourite places to eat and explore and then we pull it all together.

2. What made you decide to start your own magazine?:
I was working in Corporate Travel for a number of years. Corporate was never my cup of tea, but I knew there was so much to be learned in it so I stuck it out and boy, am I so glad that I did. I left to go travel America and live with some friends. Upon returning, I met up with a friend who had been to similar places but had very different experiences, not knowing locals. This sparked the idea of starting a print magazine that locals contributed to, to show their favourite places in their city. It was a risk leaving corporate but it was also liberating and something that really pushed me to do what I was passionate about.
 

3. What do you love most about your job?
I love meeting PEOPLE. People are everything to me. Everyone has a different story and everyone's stories are valid. We try and find the hidden people within each city who are doing something remarkable and stop to listen to their stories.

We encourage everyone to do this. When you're getting coffee in the morning, talk to your barista, your server or the person clearing your table. Be aware of other people and their stories, I bet they have something that will impact you.

I also love working for myself. Its extremely challenging but so fun. You set the boundaries and you get to dream the big dreams.
 

4. Flying all over the world and experiencing new places sounds so glamorous, but have you had to face any challenges along the way? 
I love that everyone thinks I travel all the time and that it all appears so glamorous. I thought that that's what it would look like when I started the business but it is very far from that. 

I do travel, but at the moment, it is very short business trips that look more like lots of meetings. Now don't get me wrong, lots of it is super fun, the photoshoots and the interviews. 95% of my time though, looks like sitting in front of my computer and answering emails, editing articles and calculating finances... exciting right? haha. 

Starting your own business is challenging in every sense of the word. The biggest one for me is carving out time to have fun. To not feel guilty when you go to the beach for a swim or get a coffee with a friend.
 

7. Any advice for someone who wants to start their own magazine or even their own business?
Do LOTS of research. Spend time talking to people, gleaning wisdom and create a great business plan. Work out your costs and how much you will need to start. Don't be afraid to take time so you can start well.
 

8. Any exciting projects coming up?
Yes, so many! We have a few secret ones, but we are also working on our Melbourne volume which launches in November in Melbourne and we are also heading over there for the Big Design Market. We are so stoked.

YOUNG FARMER - JOSH GILBERT

1. Tell us about yourself!
Hi IZRA family! My name is Josh Gilbert- I’m 23 years old and grew up in rural NSW. I am really fortunate to have amazing parents that have dedicated their life to helping others and they have instilled this fire into my sister and I as we try and do our part. I now live in Sydney and work as a consultant and have a beautiful escape at the family farm on the Mid North Coast of NSW.

2. What do you love about farming and the land?:
I love that no two days are ever the same. Everything can change within 5 seconds whether you notice something different in the paddock or the rain starts to fall. Farming is incredibly rewarding and every day has its own challenges and wins. I feel a distinct connection to the land that my family farm and love being able to see the changing seasons transform the land. I love being able to watch the birth of cute cows too (and hopefully one day some sheep as well)!

3. When did you decide that you wanted to stay connected with farming?:
When I was young, I got caught up in the world of fast cars and fancy suits, failing to notice the absolute beauty and importance of the farm land I always grew up around. It wasn’t until a weekend away with my NSW Young Farmers Council when I was 21 that I was able to stop and realise how gorgeous the land was and that was really the time when things clicked. I got home that weekend, broke up with my partner at the time and bought a cow- things changed and I really started learning as much as I could about agriculture. Things became a lot clearer and as I explored the field more I just became more and more engaged.

4. Why is farming so important to Australia?:
In the next 35 years, the world’s population is going to increase by 2.3 Billion people. That’s a lot more mouths to feed off less land than ever before. Farming has always been a huge part of the Australian economy, but what’s more important is that it helped to build our rural and regional towns and enabled families in this area to flourish.

5. What does that look like for you now?:
Presently, I really believe I live the best of 2 worlds! During the week I work as a consultant in Sydney and still get to live out my corporate life, but I’m always desperate to head back to the farm on weekends. I still love engaging with agriculture through the week, so I am presently the Chair of NSW Young Farmers, an Art4Agriculture Young Farming Champion and I like to write and talk about faming every chance I get.

6. Best parts of Farming?: There are really two great parts to farming- the animals and the people. Watching new calves being born is incredible, as is seeing them grow up into wonderful animals for the future. It is always exciting to take a cow you have raised out into the show ring too and compare it against some of the best cattle in the local area. Although the people are just as important too. I love being able to stand in the cattle yards with my Dad and Grandfather and talk about the cows. I love the connections that I have made with people right around the world. And I love the generosity that people from the land have and their personal desire to do the best every day.

7. Less than favourite parts of farming?:
The worst part of farming has to be the same as all life cycles- dealing with animals dying. We pride ourselves in spending time with each animal individually over their life, ensuring we can pat them in the paddock so that they are easy to manage. Unfortunately there are times that we have an animal die by natural causes- those are the days that suck.

8. You’ve started a pretty cool project called Tractor Talks, tell us a bit about that!:
Tractor Talks is an agricultural podcast that highlights the best of farming from right around the world! I know that in order to feed more people in the next few years we have to double food supply, so Tractor Talks provides farmers with the education on how to farm better and become more innovative to manage this feat.

9. Advice for others who might be interested a career in farming:
Jump into every opportunity that presents itself and never be afraid to say yes to something you don’t know much about. There is always someone there to give you a hand and share their story and knowledge with you to build something bigger. If you would like to know more or would like to chat about farming- please contact me. My email is contact@gilbertjoshuam.com!

CAKE QUEEN - KATHERINE SABATH

1. Katherine! Thank you so much for taking the time to have a chat with us. We have to start from the beginning, tell us a bit about yourself!

Hello, my name is Katherine Sabbath! I am an enthusiastic High School English, History, Geography and Commerce teacher who has been teaching in Western Sydney for the last three years. I’ve always been a self-confessed bake-aholic and love experimenting with new flavours and concepts, so have recently packed up my teaching textbooks and dived head-first into the dessert world. I find my happy place by creating thoughtful, unique and slightly crazy cakes and desserts for loved ones, friends, and since 2014, a good chunk of Sydney! I also write recipes and am passionate about sharing my candy-coloured, creative food ideas with others. My work has been published in various magazines, website and social media channels and you can see me live in action by visiting any one of my dessert demonstrations or workshops currently being held across Sydney!

2. When did your passion for baking begin? Are you self taught?

I developed my wild sugar lust at a very young age! As soon as I could be trusted with an electric beater (I never earned my pen license in primary school but oh boy, I practiced beating those egg whites!), I would attempt a baking project. Triple chocolate brownies are where it all started for me. I could never find a chocolate brownie decadent or gooey enough, so I made my own delicious monstrosities and it snow-balled down a candy-coated, molten caramel mountain from there! As of today, I’m completely self-taught through lots of my own trial and error.

3. We drool scrolling through photos of your cakes! What was it like for you when it all went viral? What kind of influence has Instagram had for you and your career? 

I’ve been seriously gob-smacked by the amount of support I’ve received through Instagram as well as all of the wonderful people I’ve been fortunate enough to connect with over the last two and a half years! Most of the incredible opportunities I’ve been able to partake in have been because someone, somewhere has seen my work on Instagram. It’s something I would have never imagined and I thank my lucky stars every day! I try not to take it all too seriously though and still treat it as though my parents (my biggest supporters) are the only ones paying attention to what I post. Most of the things I create and post on Insta are bespoke gifts for friends or other special people in my life, and I hope it’s this simple gesture of sharing with others and thoughtfulness that the people who ‘follow’ me enjoy!

4. Your cakes are brilliantly colorful and sculptural, how would you describe your style/creations, and where do you draw inspiration from?

I suppose they’re a bit playful, a bit decadent, a bit wondrous and also a bit wacky! For me, inspiration comes from absolutely everywhere! To reign it in a little bit for you, a favourite source of inspiration close to my heart is the 1971 film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory originally written by Roald Dahl and directed by Mel Stuart. I remember seeing that movie at a very young age and just being completely blown away by the fun and wacky possibilities of dessert!

5. How long does it take you to complete one of your masterpieces? Which has been the most time consuming so far?

They can take anywhere between a few hours, to 4 or 5 days! I’ll tell you more about this below…

6. Do you have a favorite creation?

I’m really proud of any cake of mine that carries with it lots of meaning. So anything that has been created especially for my fiends and family. In particular, I love the cantilever-inspired cake I made as a surprise for a friend of mine, who is also a total architect-nerd! Her boyfriend lovingly designed a brief and inspiration board for me, while I also enlisted the help of my own partner to design and build the scaffolding for the three-tiered cake. It ended up taking us 3-4 days to make in total and was made from layers of chocolate mud cake with raspberry fudge, caramel mud cake with salted caramel fudge, and covered in a black coloured dark chocolate ganache with edible gold accents. It looked impressive but most importantly, it tasted even better and our friends loved it!

7. You’ve been very busy with demonstration classes and collaborations; Is there a particular gig that you have enjoyed the most?  

My first cake demonstration at Peter’s of Kensington! This was the first time I ever transferred my teaching background into the cake world, to a classroom filled with wonderful baking-enthusiasts. I was a little nervous at first (because I’m certainly no professional) but I had such a great time chatting away with everyone and facilitating the sharing of tips and tricks. It was after this experience that I realised I really love teaching and engaging with the baking community and want to support it as much as I can.

8. What can we expect from you next?

I’ve got my sights set on nurturing and supporting the home-baking and dessert community through sharing my ideas and recipes. I’d like to achieve this by releasing a website, video tutorials & if all goes to plan, a video series and cook books. We’ll just see how it all eventuates, I guess!

9. Best thing about baking?

I love the unlimited potential for creative freedom and the delicious opportunity to make something loin-tremblingly YUM! I also relish in sharing these sweet gestures with the people I care most about. For me, baking has always been a very relaxing, methodical and selfless act. I never want to stop sharing my bakes with others!

10. Do you have any advice for someone looking to pursue a career in baking or to step out and turn their hobbies and passions into something more?

GO FOR IT AND DO IT RIGHT NOW! Embrace making mistakes, hone your skills through lots of practice and never stop reflecting on your work. Along the journey, make sure you enjoy everything that you do, stay humble and be genuine to yourself and others. Positivity and honesty, I believe, are integral to building any successful friendship, online community of followers (if we’re talking about Blogs and Instagram etc) and eventually can lead to a successful business whereby customers would be proud to associate themselves with you and your brand.

Photos by Nikki To

FASHION DESIGNER - BRUUG

1. Tell us about yourself, what did you study at school and how did you get into
designing?

I actually studied a Bachelor of Economics at UWA then worked in interior 
design. After a lifetime of thinking fashion wasn’t a real job, I woke up one day 
conscious of how quickly I was ageing and decided it was time to follow the path 
I knew I would enjoy the most, which lead me to Bruug. I have always sketched 
clothes and shoes, as it has always been something I love. I just needed to find 
the perfect avenue!

2. What inspires your designs? 

My inspiration is derived from the everyday woman and finding the perfect outfit 
that she can wear time and time again. I love the European aesthetic so I 
incorporate clothes that have clean lines, classic cuts and can sometimes be 
seen as playful. It’s about making the every day women feel amazing every day. 

3. How would you describe your style?

I like to focus on the illusion of confidence, with an emphasis on strong cuts and 
textures. I still like to remain quite minimalist with my style. 

4. When did you begin Bruug? How hard did you have to work to get to the mass 
success that it is today?

We actually just had our second birthday so already it has been quite the 
journey! I think I’m working harder now then I ever have! I have been really 
blessed with some wonderful strokes of luck along the way and incredible 
support from all the right people. I believe it is about constantly focusing on 
improving and growing. This is what keeps me motivated through the hard times. 

5. Is there a meaning behind the name?

It is actually from my maiden name Leembruggen. I always thought Bruug would 
be a cool nickname for myself but it never really took off!

6. Are there any exciting projects coming up? What can we expect next?

We have just recently launched an additional new section of our website based 
on the Bruug Girl’s wardrobe essentials. It ranges from tee’s to pencil skirts to 
leather jackets. Just between us, Bruug Man is also definitely on the cards.

7. Favorite piece you have created?

I feel like my favourite piece is still to come. 

8. Who is your biggest influence?

My Dad- on a business level, the way he conducts himself in terms of business 
ethics is something that has never led me astray. 

9. Advice to people out there who want to pursue a career in fashion?

Don’t forget it’s a business, keeping an eye on cash flow and bottom lines is 
crucial.

EVENT ENTREPRENEUR - BRYDON

1. Hi Brydon! Tell us a bit about yourself:
Hey, I'm a 16 year old ATAR student and I go to Cecil Andrews Senior High School. I'm interested in music and anything that's Production or Design related -that includes lighting, sound and of course... Management! I enjoy writing stories and songs and investing my time on things that make the world around me better!

2. What kind of business have you started?:
In some terms we were just an Events Management company but we now have expanded to an Event Promotion company/Band Management company PLUS Artist Management! The basic run down of it all is that we organise, host, promote and run events at a few of Perth's venues and try to give new bands, musicians and artists that have never played a big stage before, a chance to have their small little fantasy under lights with a massive crowd! Of course making some profit for us to invest into bigger and better shows is also good!
I just love the feeling of giving other people the chance to try something big, the happiness and joy I see them have on stage, gives me the motivation to keep these things happening. We currently have organised & promoted events for massive bands such as MEST (USA), Hawthorne Heights (USA), Jackel (NZ), Being As An Ocean (USA), As It Is (UK), With Confidence (SYD) and many many more to come. A lot of new things are in planning, but that's yet to be released.

3. What inspired you and how did you go about making the first step?:
Being in senior highschool puts you under a lot of pressure, especially with life decisions. Having choices like Uni, Tafe, apprenticeships and work are just , to me, things that make you keep changing your mind! This company that I've created is not only just to help the music scene grow with the new generations and such, but it has taught me many new life skills for me to survive as an adult, and the company will always be something I have as a thing that I know will succeed just as something on the side!
I have to think about myself first but I'll never let my hobbies go. That aside, I've also decided in myself that I want to set myself up early. Gathering as much experience as I can that will inspire me towards multiple different job choices, I went about my first step by running my first show and it almost sold out! It wasn't until then that I fell in love with events and such, and I'll never fall back on it.

4. Biggest challenge so far?:
Biggest challenge would probably have to be adjusting to new people on a day basis, especially if these people are real industry men and women, I can't take a week to adjust, I have to adjust to any new situation swiftly and accordingly and that always includes under pressure situations and I believe that those situations are what improve and benefit any person when they try out for any career.

5. Biggest help:
I have a strong and committed team of young and aspiring events management people working with me on the same goal in supplying the right music to our music scene, purely to keep the scene alive! Of course I have my teachers as well, Miss Melanie Fowler for introducing me to music and made it my passion, Ms Christina Parry for teaching me what it means to be a team player, Mr Todd Fishwick for influencing his styles of music into my life and Mr Glen Myles for teaching me the way to be myself and still do the hard work to aspire and reach my goals in life.

6. What do you see in the future of your company?: 
I see a massive future and upbringing for myself and the entire company. I've already received messages and emails asking for help in touring Australia and these are by some massive and iconic bands in specific music scenes! I can tell you now, Empire is surely not going to slow down because we have the initiative and the strength to continue. It is my personal goal to see the music scene in Perth grow, and I won't let go of that!

FASHION DESIGNER - LUCY ABOAGYE

1. Hey Lucy! Tell us a little about yourself!!  
I am originally from Ghana, West Africa. I was born in Norway, and grew up in Bunbury. I am 24 years old and am the middle sibling to 2 beautiful sisters.

I was fortunate enough to grow up being exposed to many different vibrant cultures. 
I fell in love with fashion and design when I was 9. I remember it so vividly. My mum used to take my sister and I to the Bunbury library during the school holidays and I passionately disliked reading, so I would spend hours drawing clothing and creating characters.

2. We LOVE your work! How would you describe what you do and your style? 
Thanks! I love story telling, I take every opportunity to share my experiences, my journey and my faith. Fashion, design and art have given me the opportunity to do this. 
I was always drawn to couture, its very theatrical, and very elaborate and couture clothing are works of art that can be worn on the body.

I have always incorporated that couture- hand crafted element- to my work.

3. What are some of the things you have done to get you to this place?  
I started my Cert II in Applied Fashion Design and Technology when I was in year 12. I then completed the course in Perth; it was three-years full time at TAFE to complete the Adv. Diploma. I then went to Curtin for a year and completed the Bachelor of Arts majoring in Fashion Design.

During my studies I completed a lot of work experience, and interned at as many places as I could. This opened my eyes to the reality of the industry and gave me a lot of clarity that it was the industry I wanted to be in, regardless of the challenges it brought.

4. What do you LOVE about designing? 
I love designing because it’s the way I best know how to express my ideas and thoughts. Some things are better expressed through art forms, I struggle to find words that can adequately describe things that I have seen or experienced. I prefer to show my audience, design is another type of language.

5. Favourite designer at the moment? 
My favourtie designer VALENTINO GARAVANI, no more words needed.

6. What is your dream as a designer and what are you working towards? 
My dream is to create a business that nurtures young aspiring creatives, offers jobs to marginalised people in our community, equipping them with practical skills and trades that will help them to progress in their future career ventures. A business that supports sustainable work practises in small international communities. 
Ultimately creating smaller communities within our greater communities, which build people up and connects people from all walks of life.

7. Do you have any advice to others who are passionate about designing and want to pursue a career in it?  
To aspiring designers I would say be consistent, be persistent and be you. You will only stand out as a designer if you are true to who you are.

PHOTOGRAPHER- JARRAD SENG

1. Jarrad!  thanks for taking the time to talk to us, tell us a bit about yourself, and what you do?

I'm a twenty seven year old photographer based in Perth.  That sounds really old, now.  I used to be able to say, "twenty-one year old photographer" back in the day and feel pretty good about all the cool things I was doing whilst in the prime of my youth.  A few days ago I got an email about my ten year high school reunion.  That's depressing!  Anyway, I take photos, travel and every now and then I'll direct a short film or music video.


2. When did you decide you wanted to pursue photography/ film making and how did you go about it? 

I was more into music journalism during my college years.  I was enjoying reviewing shows and interviewing some of my favourite artists.  But there came a point, I remember it well, when I was sitting up the back of the Hyde Park Hotel with a little note pad and feeling like it was all starting to look the same.  And then I'd look over and see one of my mates, a music photographer, right up next to the stage, loving life.  So one day I took a chance and bluffed my way into a music festival as a 'photographer'.  I had to borrow my friend's camera and google 'How to take concert photos' the night before.  I felt like a pretty big fraud amongst the hardcore shooters in the pit, but it was such a rush. Jason Mraz, John Butler, Paul Kelly - all right in front of me, mere metres away.  And the pictures turned out alright as well.  I was hooked.


3. What do you like most about your job?

There're lots of things I like about my 'job'.  Firstly, it doesn't really feel like a job most of the time.  Well, I guess it does when I'm retouching nose hairs on a corporate head shot.  But most of the time I get to hang out with my mates and work together to create something unique and epic.  Or travel the world and explore new places, or stand back and watch tens of thousands of people move together as one at a rock show, or spend time working with some of my teenage idols.  I guess it's the people I get to meet, that's the main thing.  Sometimes it gets pretty weird.  Like, last year I met Skrillex whilst I was dressed as his friend Steve Aoki.  With Steve Aoki dressed like me, taking photos of us.  That was kind of weird.  But cool - I mean, this never would have happened without photography.  But yeah, weird.



4. You have experienced and achieved a lot, what are some of your favourite career highlights?

There're many but one that definitely sticks out was photographing my mate Mike (Passenger) during his set supporting Ed Sheeran in Ireland.  There were around twelve thousand people there and we were all unsure how it would go.  He was, after all, the support act.  And about to play to his biggest crowd ever.  Now I'd seen him play to almost empty pubs not so long before that, so this was a big deal. But he went on stage and killed it.  I felt like a proud parent standing back stage, capturing this milestone achievement through the lens. I remember I couldn't stop smiling. 


5. Of course we have to ask about your major troll at Stereosonic! How and where did you get the idea from to impersonate Steve Aoki ? (you totally had us fooled, and friends of ours even appeared in a few snaps haha)

People have been yelling out Steve Aoki to me for years. I don't even look like him!  The long Asian hair is about it.  He's ten years older than me and I can't even grow a beard.  Anyway, I saw that he was playing at Stereosonic and had an idea... what if I actually tried to look like him.  It turned out to be a costly and time consuming joke - having to buy multiple tickets to Stereosonic for myself and my camera man Jason, find clothes, glue on a beard, etc.  But it worked.  Way better than I could have ever imagined!  Back in high school and college I used to play jokes and make stupid videos like this all the time, so it was actually really fun doing it again and feeling like it had all come full circle.

6. Almost every news site picked up your stunt online overnight, were you surprised by how quickly it went viral? What was it like hanging out with the REAL Steve Aoki?

I knew that anyone that knew me, or knew Steve Aoki, would find it funny.  It was a classic idea.  But what I didn't anticipate was that it would still be funny to people who had no idea who either of us was.  So yeah, it was definitely a surprise how quickly it spread.

It was cool to hang out with the real Steve.  He's a surprisingly chill guy for the amount of crazy sh*! he has going on in his life.  We had a lot of fun working on part two of the prank in Melbourne.


7. Any advice for someone who wants to get into photography/ film making?

Work hard and be nice to people.  Also if you're asking someone (me) for help or advice, don't spell their name wrong.  Seriously.  If you've sent me an email in the past and never received a reply, maybe check how you spelled my name. How hard is it?!  You've obviously had to type in my email address correctly in the first place which IS MY NAME!  C'mon!!!  I've always wanted to write a reply like "Well, my first piece of advice is to spell my name right."  But I always chicken out because I don't want to be that guy.  So instead I'm doing it through your blog, how's that for passive aggressive! Um, yeah and collaborate with other artists. And support each other - you don't make it through this industry alone!


8. Any exciting projects coming up?

I'm back in Perth for a couple months working on three or four series of works. Some solo and other collaborations.  They are as different as you can possibly get. And one of them revolves around Justin Bieber. Hopefully we'll see them all come to life before the end of the year :)

Keep up with all things Jarrad and have your mind blown a little by the images below...

RADIO PRODUCER

Tell us a little about your job:

So In short I look after all the audio production for the Dan and Maz Radio Show. For example, this week that’s included everything from recording backstage interviews with Sia & The Hilltop Hoods and then editing them, going on a roadtrip around Sydney with the guys and turning the audio we record into a package to playback to our listeners and then creating the daily promos to promote what’s happened on the show or what’s coming up, podcasts and everything else the show might need.

How did you get your start in radio?:

Have to thank the parentals initially for this one! I had a keen interest in live sound mixing, and then at 14, my mum showing me this newspaper ad desperately looking for people to help out at the local community station. My dad and I went along, and that’s when I fell in love with it all. I then did a couple years work experience at a commercial station whilst at school, then landed a gig in Sydney, followed by Perth and now back in Sydney doing their breaky show.

What are some of the challenges you faced to get you where you are today?:

The biggest challenge has been learning that everything comes at a price. On paper having the
opportunity to work for my favourite radio stations in Sydney, at 21, is literally the dream. Behind the scenes though that took an enormous amount of hours spent in a dark studio learning how to produce audio and packing up and moving to the other side of Australia for a year to continue that learning.
There’s also a certain type of pressure that comes with producing live radio, so literally during the week that  means work is my only focus, not leaving a lot of room to maintain relationships with the fam and friends or have much of a life outside of work. Not to say this can’t happen, I just haven’t worked out the balance yet ;)

Best thing about being in radio:

Not going to lie, the work perks are great! Meeting celebrities use to be the best thing about being in radio and no doubt spending an afternoon recording Snow Patrol, making small talk with Ed Sheeran about the Beatles or meeting Taylor Swift are all fun moments that I won’t forget. But I quickly realised that these are just regular humans with a particular talent and that there were some incredible people in my everyday life that probs deserve way more credit for what they contribute each and every day. It’s valuable lessons like that, learnt in the last four years, that honestly is the best part about being in Radio

What would be your dream job/show to work on?:

The vision was always to produce the breakfast show for 2dayfm. When I achieved that last year, I flipped out and thought what’s next? Where to from here, do I move overseas, do I leave radio and do something else? A big part of that comes from my restless nature, always wanting to move on to bigger and better things, and the other part comes from the instant generation that we live in where if we’re not achieving goals instantly or getting that next personal sense of gratification, we can be living out of disappointment instead of the anticipation for the plan I believe God has for each of us. So right now, I’m trying to enjoy this moment.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get into radio:

Go get a taste for it; everyone has got a community station that would really benefit from fresh passion and willingness to learn. Stay humble, always. The industry will swallow you and your dreams if you let pride get in the way of learning. Realise that it’s never to late to start, that honest hard work will always pay off in the end and the biggest thing – invest the same amount of commitment in building relationships, and a life outside of your work goals, because career success is a very lonely thing if don’t have good people around you to enjoy the journey.

TV JOURNALISM

We interview Channel 7 TV News Reporter, Jessica Dietrich.

Tell us a little about your job:

There is not a day that is the same! It can start off at 6am chasing a police story from overnight, to sitting in court for four hours, to finishing at a movie premiere interviewing Cate Blanchett! It can get a bit dizzy. If you ask me what story I was covering this time last week, I'd have to stop and think about that for a minute. News is constant and crazy. My workplace if often stressful with a lot of deadlines. It keeps the heart racing and that's why I love it.

When did you decide you wanted to pursue journalism and what did you have to do to get here?: 

I love people. I love telling their stories. I felt a strong pull towards media in my teens. Having grown up with a love of music, singing, drama and public speaking, I didn't mind the idea of presenting. When it came to choosing what I was going to do at Uni, I was either going to go to WAAPA and study Musical Theatre and aim for Broadway, or I was going to pursue journalism. I chose that.

I did my Communication degree (I actually did my majors in Public Relations and Advertising). I worked in PR and marketing during Uni and was almost about to go down that path, but I got accepted into a post graduate diploma at WAAPA for Broadcasting. It was a year intensive and during that time I did as much work experience as possible, at Channel 7 in Perth, 6PR and at Channel 7 in Sydney (which actually helped me get the job I have now!)

I moved straight to Sydney after my course and threw my hat in the ring and hoped for the best! I got casual work at Channel 7 to start. Then was offered a full time reporting job at 2GB. It wasn't easy! I regularly worked the overnight shift (get in at 8.30pm... leave at 6 the next morning). I can't say I miss those nights! But it was an important part of my training. I always kept a foot in the door at Channel 7, going in casually for a weekend producing shift on my day off (which meant sometimes I worked 18 or 19 days straight! 18 months later, I started a full time gig at Seven as a News Producer. Hugely rewarding! And that has opened doors for me to get on the road as a TV news reporter. But there's been a lot of sacrifice to get to this point. I work most weekends, all public holidays including Christmas and Easter. I’ve missed birthdays and weddings. There are a lot of very early mornings and very late nights. But I know it's gradually paying off. 

Jess interviewing Cate Blanchett

What have been some of the biggest lessons you've learnt in your career so far?: 

To be fair. And to be kind. Every day I'm forced into challenging situations and conversations. Many stories are very sad… car crashes, deaths. I find myself talking to people who are going through grief. My job is to persuade them to talk, but being a good human is knowing when to respect their privacy and give them space.

I’ve learnt to be bold. I have to ask the hard questions all the time. I like to remind myself this is an opportunity to be a voice (and an ear) for others.

To believe in myself. One thing I realised pretty early on is if you don't back yourself and show confidence, you don't get very far. It's hard to dull the doubting voice inside that says you don’t have the goods and you won’t make it. But you have to block it out. There’s been many a cold call or email to news directors, asking for a chance, spruiking my skills. Doors don’t just open. A lot of the time you have to knock and knock again.. and make yourself known.

Don’t worry about what others are doing. I’m running my own race. I want to achieve my personal best and keep pushing the barriers. I don’t measure my progress in terms of how others are performing.

Jess and Heidi Klum

You have interviewed some pretty interesting people! Favourites?: 

Wow! I should really start writing these down so I remember. A lot of people have been pretty cool! Recently I interviewed a 109 year old man, who knits penguin jumpers for a hobbie! It was amazing to meet someone who was still so sharp and witty, despite his age. Jean Paul Gaultier was also quite amazing. He's a huge international fashion icon and was just oozing with passion for what he does. Passionate people always leave a mark on you. 

Any embarrassing moments on tv?:

Not yet!! I haven't done too much live TV yet.. but watch this space! I have had a few blunders on radio though. One of those horror midnight shifts, the clocks wound back an hour (so I had 2x 4am bulletins). I confused myself as to what time it was and there was a bit of an on air brain explosion that's been played back to me numerous times and made an ABC show called 'Media Watch' (you NEVER want to be on media watch!) I was pretty upset about it at the time, but I can laugh about it now. You need at least one of those moments to keep it real!

What would be your dream role?: 

Full time Entertainment Reporter/Presenter probably! But I'm really happy doing what I'm doing now (I'm only just getting started). It's been a journey getting here and I want to enjoy it.

Do you have any advice for anyone else looking to pursue a career in tv journalism?: 

Work experience! Get a foot in the door and soak everything up like a sponge. Start reading the papers, listen to the radio every morning. Do your journalism degree. Ask questions. Learn short hand (I still need to brush up on this). Take whatever opportunity comes up when you finish uni (regional and radio are your best bet!) Always thank the people who give you your break. And make sure you're ready for the ride! It's hardly glamorous (at least not straight away...) It's tough work. You've got to have a real love (and tolerance) of people, Be as good a listener as you are a talker… and have a thick skin.

Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us and we look forward to seeing your face on our tv screens!

The oldest man in Australia is knitting woolly jumpers for penguins affected by an oil spill, which were dying, until the jumpers saved them. Jessica Dietrich reports.

#DesignLyf

1. Shaedyn! You’re mad for all things photography, design and videography, tell us a little about what you do:

I capture moments and bring crazy conceptualised, abstract ideas that pop into the ever-ticking mind of mine to life! That’s what I do… though there are the added processes of conceptualisation (brain storms, brain storms, brain storms oh and some drawing and some more brain storms-ha!), directing models and working alongside clients, the never-ending long hours of editing and super tight squishy deadlines. But hey if none of that existed life would be boring!

2. What do you love about each of the areas you work in; photography, design and videography?:

Photography: Photography was my first true love! I love how different people, from different walks of life, going through different journeys can create their own meaning through an image and make it personal to them. It truly is a heart warming thing when an image that you have created mesmerises someone and sparks a whole new world of imagination within their own mind, it’s crazy what one photo can do!

Design: I obviously love creating and seeing an idea come together after hours and hours of hard work and then eventually seeing the end product come to life in the eyes of others… that’s what it is all about!

Videography: I love the entire process behind videography from concept to the final product, filming scenes and getting that winner shot you were after is always super rewarding and provides so much stoke which makes you even more excited for the edit! Eventually getting to the stoke once again of the viewers loving something that you have put so much time and effort into is seriously so cool… and it will never stop being an amazing feeling!

3. Where do your creative ideas come from and what is involved in the process of developing them from conception to realisation? :

A lot of my ideas literally pop into my head, sometimes I legit look a bit spaced out because I’m off in the land of dreaming up fun new concepts and ideas! Or they stem from researching other cool pieces/ styles of work on the world wide web (mainly on pinterest or behance) or they can come from an inanimate object I see like a shape/ colour or even a word or expression or hairstyle. REALLY, ideas can stem from anything!
But developing them is a different story… I learnt that brainstorming is a super important step in creating an initial idea into an AMAZINGLY awesome idea that has potential- taking that idea and stretching it into something you wouldn’t think possible. After brain storming you either start sketching very rough mock designs/ layouts/ scenes etc and turn them into some form of a draft.
From there you start turning that draft into a reality! That is a slight over view of the steps it takes to get from concept to project.

4. Favourite Brands at the moment:

Oh golly so many different brands I am inspired by at the moment, I’ve always had a thing for clothing design and am frothing over NZ based brand Huffer! They not only create super crisp designs on clothing but have generated a sweet design aesthetic with in their branding and marketing. Their latest photography campaign by James K Lowe for their Autumn look book was super simplistic but really captured the clothing line and market, serious inspiration!   

5. Ultimate dream brand you would love to work for one day:

Huffer! Or if I was to aim even higher I would love to shoot for high-end fashion magazines like vogue NY or creative magazines such as Yen, even designing for such magazines would suffice!

6. You’ve always kind of had your own style and that may have made school a bit of a tricky place for you, what advice do you have for others who may not fit that standard mold?:

First thing I want to say, is to remember that different is a good thing. Look at all the musicians and other creatives, do you think they got where they are today by trying to be a people pleaser and stick to the mold that is set by society?! Be you and don’t let anyone make you think there is anything wrong with that.
At school I had a pretty rough time and it really brought me down and feel as if there was something wrong with the person I was created to be.

People were rough so I thought I had to be like them; the bullies, to be accepted in life. Though that didn’t work and made me feel even more down because I wouldn’t allow myself to be me and I ended up just hating life. 

In the end, after years of being bullied and conforming, I realised the problem didn’t lay with me it was within them and their own insecurities!

PLEASE don’t pull yourself down to the level of the people who can’t accept you for you! Know that you have been created the way you are for a reason,

Be the bigger person in every situation because in the end you will always come out on top no matter what.

FASHION BLOGGER

1. Hi Angeline! Tell us about what you do:

I think I'm what people call a 'slashie'.. I do a computer/IT job during the day, an assistant/media girl for a pretty cool online shop label in the arvo (check out @helloparry, you'll thank me later). I do some radio gig over at The Scope, a multicultural youth radio station on 6EBAFM. I do events and creative gigs for fashion labels/companies like Perth Fashion Festival, Betts for Her, Westfield, River Island and Missguided to name a few. I also blog from everything fashion, lifestyle and relationship on www.lovethread.com.au while finishing my Mass Communications degree. 

2. How did you start the Love Thread blog?:

Well it definitely wasn't a light bulb moment. Love Thread originally started as a university project in 2011. We had to build a blog or a website about something that we like, I'm a girl so of course I chose fashion.

Years went by and I didn't think much of it until my friends urged me to pursue it. I’m so grateful that they did! I'm so blessed to have a super awesome, talented and supportive group of friends. Although I don’t see myself as a writer or anything creative, they must have seen something in me. A year on and I've collaborated with the coolest brands and companies around! I can't thank my friends enough! I heard this quote somewhere and it’s been so true for me. "You are only going to be as good as the people you surround yourself with."

3. Who is in your team/works on the blog with you?:

I'm the writer and creative director of Love Thread, my hubby is the editor and (sometimes) photographer (if I buy him lollies first though!). I have great friends who takes amazing photos for me too. They are incredible and you should definitely follow @yoshikdesign & @gracerobinson on insta. My Bali travel photos are by my buddy @wibiudayana.

4. What do you love about fashion?:

We live in a world that is constantly trying to make us something else, through fashion I feel like I can express my self and my creativity. I love dressing up and putting together things that may not seem to work but with the right accessories and a dash of creativity, I've created my own piece of art.

5. Tell us about what you hope to achieve through your blog and where you see it going:

Ever since I was young my dream is to make a difference in the world. I want to have my own orphanage or foundation where I can share love, help and give hope to the destitutes in developing countries. I wasn't sure how I could achieve this, but I knew that's what I wanted to do. I never have imagined my blog to be where it is now, but I'm grateful for every opportunities that I've got. I see the potential of this little blog and I finally got that 'light bulb' moment where I realised that I can actually make that dream a reality.

Last year I started @lovethreadproject, a side project of mine which supports non-profit organisations focused on helping children, youth and women at risk. @lovethreadproject aims to support the charities through events, garage sales and all profits from Love Thread blog. My first project was with The Esther Foundation, we raised awareness and much needed funds for young women at risk in my hometown Perth.

My hope is to one day to see Love Thread making a difference throughout the world. To thread love, hope, & joy and to ignite dreams lying dormant in the dreamers.

6. You donate all profits from your blog to charity, why is that important to you?

I was raised by a single mother and things weren't always peachy. We struggled, a lot, growing up. But my mom has the most generous soul. Although sometimes she found it hard to provide for us, she would welcome anyone to our table and open our home to people that needed help. She has always encouraged us to be kind and giving, so it all started from her. 

7. What tips do you have for someone who would like to start a blog?

1. Believe in yourself and the beauty of your dreams. People will try to knock you down and convince you that your dreams are stupid. Don't let anyone dull your sparkle.

2. Write a goal. Ask yourself what do you want to achieve through your blog. Trust me, it'll serve as a reminder why you started in the first place.

3. Find your niche. What are you passionate about? Sports? cooking? fashion? Have you found your passion? If so, whatever it is, write about that. 

4. Be authentic. There might be other people doing the same thing as you, but there's only one YOU. Write from the heart, share from your own experiences, be real. Your story matters. 

5. Research. Do your research well. Find who or what your inspirations are, look at other blogs, then learn (not copy) from them. 

6. Invest time and effort. Blogging takes A LOT of time. From designing your layout, deciding on themes, fonts or logo, to writing the posts, taking and editing photos, etc. One tip though, use Blogger or Wordpress, they're easy to use and they have themes for free.

7. Keep moving forward. Always remember by doing what you love, you inspire and awaken the heart of others.​ 

VIDEOGRAPHER

1. Tell us about your job and what you do:

I make films for a living, I film & then edit many different jobs from weddings to commercials using a range of different camera gear to creatively achieve what the client is after.

2. When did you decide you wanted to pursue videography and what did you do about it?:

I finished school knowing I didn't want to study any further & wasn't really sure what to do, I just knew I wanted to make a living out of doing something that I love & am passionate about & that was film.

3. Favourite thing about the whole filming and production process?:

The entire process is fun & really gets your brain thinking creatively but my favourite part is definitely watching the final edit & showing clients who are more often than not, stoked with the final result.

4. You have worked on some pretty cool projects, tell us about some of your favourites:

Some of my favourite projects have been working with other people who are creative in different fields, I've made films about street artists & surf photographers & we just vibe off of each other & are able to create something really special. Also personal projects are my favourite, making a film from my travels is always the most rewarding thing to create.

5. Who would be your dream brand to work for?:

Burton Snowboards, I'm addicted to snowboarding yet live in probably the furtherest direction possible from a slope. Burton have & continue to push the sport since its very inception & they inspire me greatly.

6. Which videographers and artists do you find most inspiring right now?:

Brainfarm are on a whole 'nother planet! Joe Simon from the US is always next level & also Two Bearded Men from New Zealand are always inspiring.

7. Tips for someone interested in pursuing a career in videography:

Start now, with whatever you have! Don't wait until you get 'that' camera or piece of gear. Use what you have, be inspired by others & just start creating.

8. Any exciting projects in the works?: 

Me & my long time friend Liam Gillie have come together to create our own brand that meshes film, photography, art & love for the outdoors. It's called Set Sail Co & has just gone live. Our aim is to inspire others to follow their gifts & passions & to build a community that brings people together from all different fields e.g. artist, photographers, athletes & provide them with a platform to further their gift & inspire those who are following in their footsteps.

Keep up with all things Matthew and Set Sail Co here:
 

Set Sail is a clothing brand based in Perth, Western Australia created by Matthew Bettinaglio & Liam Gillie. Growing up in a surf/skate culture on the sunny shores of WA we are dreamers/do-ers that believe there is always more on the horizon, you just have to set sail. We are passionate about inspiring others to follow their gifts & passions & our aim is to build a community that brings people together from all different fields e.g. artists, photographers, athletes & provide them with a platform to further their gift & inspire those who are following in their footsteps. 10% of all profits will go to a different charity with every season of new product. Music by M83

MUSIC PUBLICITY SPECIALIST

Tell us about your job:

I work for a boutique firm called ON THE MAP PR and we are music publicity specialists.  We work with music artists and bands and help them get editorial coverage across the media, whether it be interview features/review or news pieces across the newspapers, magazines, streetpress, online websites or on the radio or TV.  It's a super fun job getting to work with new music daily and it's pretty satisfying to help indie bands make a name for themselves too.  It's also a massive thrill when you get to have fun with some of your fave bands and call it 'work'.

Growing up, what kind of job did you want to have?:

I always wanted to be a sports journalist when I was a kid.  I did work experience at channel 10 with legendary sports journalist, Steve Quartermain and grew up going to the footy each week with my Dad and brothers.  I also played basketball and tennis for local clubs, so the world of sport seemed like the obvious choice.  I ended up studying journalism at RMIT in Melbourne and triple majored in print journalism, PR and radio and after getting more involved in the live music scene during my uni years (checking out live shows regularly and had a full-time muso for a boyfriend/now hubby) it seems my career has definitely led me down the right path.

How did you get started in this field?:

I was incredibly lucky to break in to the music industry, as it's a small and competitive little niche.  It just so happened that my work friend from my first full time job (doing PR for the Australian Bridal Service) had a sister who worked for the record label, Sony Music.  My friend would always be coming to work and talking about the latest artists to listen to and it just seemed soo cool that this was what some people got to do for work.  So when her sister was looking for a new PR assistant, I applied and managed to talk my way in to the job and haven't looked back since.  I worked for Sony for almost 7 years and 3 years ago left to take part in a quick tv stint with my sister (working with my other big love, food – we repped VIC on MKR in 2012) and I then started up ON THE MAP PR.  It was the best decision I could have ever made and I love getting to hand pick the artists that we truly believe in and those who inspire us.  We're also really lucky to be buddies with the major labels still and get to do a bit of work for major recording and touring artists as well as indie acts.

What do you LOVE about your job?: 

I love most things about my job and there's not really anything that I can whine about – I get to listen to heaps of new music and work with such creative music artists on a daily basis.  I also get to chat with media from around the country each day – it's such a social job, there's never a dull moment and with all my work buddies, there's always a couch to sleep on when I head interstate!!  It's also soo satisfying to see our little acts grow and go on to do big things.  We've worked with bands that have started out playing to 20 friends and family at little venues in Melbourne to now selling out national & international tours, including some pretty big venues such as The Forum.  We feel like proud parents when our bands get recognition in the industry, and feel especially satisfied when they start achieving their own goals.

Who are some of the coolest artists you have worked with?: 

As mentioned, before starting ON THE MAP PR, I did a decent stint at Sony Music, so I pretty much worked with and alongside all the big commercial Sony acts – everyone from P!nk to Beyonce to the Foo Fighters and then to some of my fave Aussie acts like Kate Miller-Heidke and Something For Kate.  We're also incredibly fortunate to be able to work with some amazing Aussie and international acts now at ON THE MAP – last year we promoted major national tours for Boy & Bear, RÜFÜS, Ella Hooper, The Paper Kites, Ron Pope, Boom Crash Opera and more.

Tell us about some of the skills you picked up while at school, that help you do your job well today:

School was soo important for me, as it really helped build my self-confidence and also my ability to speak in a public realm.  Having a fantastic English teacher was also vital to assist in being accepted in to Journalism and of course, I wouldn't have managed to get in to uni straight out of school if I hadn't finished year 12.  12 years on, my best friends are from school and I'm grateful for this and the many awesome experiences and skills picked up from my school days.

Advice for anyone interested in getting into this kind of career:

Public Relations and publicity are great fields for avid communicators and socialites.  If you love talking non-stop and used to get in trouble for being a little too lively and talkative at school, this field is probably for you.  It involves a lot of socialising and a lot of fun, but also a lot of work both in and out of the office.  10 hour days are often the norm, but it rarely feels like 'work'.  And though the music industry is a tough one to crack, if you're passionate about music I urge you to persist from all angles.  Apply for jobs, get experience by going to all the interviews you can and ensure you write unique cover letters for each application.  Apply for cadetships and internships and set aside a period of time that you're willing to work for free, as the more experience you have in the industry, the more employable you are to companies.  And if you love the idea of PR but music isn't for you – remember that most industries require PR as almost all fields need people to communicate their products/clients/story to the media and that is exactly what a publicist is - the go-between that liaises with the media on behalf of a company.

ARTIST

Rachelle is crazy for all things art and creativity and get this, at just 23 she has made her passion into a job! Here she chats about what makes her tick and how she got to where she is. 

1. Tell us about your job:

My Job! I’m a practicing artist- I work from a sweet little studio down the back end of Willeton, surrounded by mechanic workshops and a lot big grizzly guys. From there I run my own freelance business with artworks by request (“commission” is the fancy word for it!) and also any upcoming exhibitions I’m part of. I’ve also taught at UWA in the Visual Art courses taken by all kinds of students- from peeps studying pharmacy to anthropology- which makes for some pretty interesting classes!

Rachelle Dusting

2. What are your favourite styles and why?:

Oooh…I have many! At the moment, I’m lovin the work of Aussie artists Robin Eley and Joel Rea- these guys have some serious painting skillz in portraits and understanding colour.  Maria Teicher does some freaky things with plastic and portraits too- which is inspiring a lot of my more recent works on paper. I’m fascinated with painting paper and plastics. I’m also loving anything typography or handlettering related- people like @blackliststudio and @thearticulate are big favs.

3. How old were you when you decided that you wanted to pursue art and what steps did you take to do that?:

I was in yr 7. We were making aprons- and mine was Picasso inspired (duh!). One of the popular girls looked across at me, looked down at my work, and then looked back up. “Rachelle, you should totally be an artist when you grow up”.

A few years later when I realised I could study art after high-school, I wanted to do EVERYTHING to make sure that happened. I failed a really important subject in yr 12 which meant that I didn’t have enough marks to get into the course I wanted- but that didn’t stop me trying. Because I worked hard at every subject- regardless of how much I sucked at it- I had a lot of support from my teachers and principle which helped me get into uni.

Since finishing highschool I’ve had so many incredible opportunities in and outside of uni, getting to study art at Institiute Seni Indonesia, visit my mentor in New York at the NYAA, and this year I was given a scholarship to a painting intensive run by Robin Eley in Adelaide- which was AH-mazing!  

4. What is it about being creative and artistic that you love so much?:

I love that I can use painting and drawing to communicate with people. I’m not a great story teller, nor the most eloquent writer, but give me a pencil or a paintbrush and I can express to you a story of my exact thought and feelings.

I love that art and creativity brings me close to others so far away. Especially through social media outlets like facebook and instagram, I’m able to extend my artistic circle of friends because of this common interest and passion for anything art-related.

I love that being creative and artistic inspires other people. I believe, and will argue, that everyone is BOTH creative and artistic. Everyone. But the way you channel your creative and artistic side is different to the way I channel my creative and artistic side.

5. Who are some of your all time favourite artists?:

All time favourites!

·       Maria Teicher -  fascinating artworks that create great discussion on 21stC portraiture

·       Pippa McManus – Perth based Fashion Illustrator for all the ladies

·       David Kassan – the Michaelangelo of the 21stC

·       Robin Eley – my Aussie art hero! 

6. Top 5 Instagram accounts to follow?:

Big fan of promoting Perth Artists, so the people I’d look out for here are:

·       Jarrad Seng – Photographer/ Film

·       Love Thread – Fashion Blogger

·       Andrew Frazer – Bunbury based Artist and Illustrator

·       Sarsar – Perth based Illustrator

·       Little Lofts – Perth/Singapore Photographer and Café Hunter

7. Any advice for those who want to pursue art?:

GO FOR IT. Don’t let anyone tell you it’ll be too tough to make it a career. If you have the spark, then fan that flame by getting a mentor and go after it wholeheartedly! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there; email others who inspire you- ask the questions that buzz around in your brain! If you’ve got the desire to do it, work hard and persevere with it- you’ll always have set backs, but if you work hard and commit to what you love, the right doors will always open for you.

You're going to want to keep up to date with all things Rachelle, so here you go!: 

LIFESTYLE BLOGGERS - The Boyfriend Shirt

We chat events, Paris Fashion Week and how to start a blog, with Holly from The Boyfriend Shirt - the cool kids of the Perth Blogging scene.

1. Hi Holly! We LOVE The Boyfriend Shirt, what inspired you to start?:

Holly

Lou and I wanted to create a 'one stop' space where people could check out all the amazing things that were going on in Perth! We wanted to be a platform for emerging artists, designers and cultural organisations that we were passionate about.

3. Who is in your team/works with you?:

Lou and I manage the day to day admin, articles and instagram as well as attending events to blog about them. We then have a photographer Kai (check him out on insta at @kairidley) who attends some events with us and also helps us out with interview pictures or any pictures of us when needed. We have a feature writer Kaleb too who is a busy man but writes for us when he is free!

4. Your blog features some great local cafes, do you have a favourite at the moment?:

We have both just moved to new neighbourhoods so it's always exciting to discover new favourites. At the moment probably Little Bird in Northbridge, Taylor's in the Swan Valley and of course The Loft in Freo will always have our heart!

Holly and Louisa

5. What are some of the cool events you have been to this year?:

Gosh, we have been so lucky to see so many amazing things Perth has to offer this year! Some highlights would be the Truffle Kerfuffle, Polo in the Valley, and meeting Patricia Field for Enex100. We have also been involved in some events this year such as The Hidden Sound and putting on our first YOUNGATART night at Linton and Kay Gallery.

6. Now I see The Boyfriend Shirt just got back from Paris, tell us a bit about that!:

Lou headed over for Paris Fashion Week and was able to meet up with other bloggers and designers to check out the new season's trends. Check out her Fashion Week photo diary and her behind the scenes shoot with Perth favourite Aurelio Costarella now up on the blog!

7. What tips do you have for someone who would like to start a blog?:

Be prepared to work from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep and then some. When we travel we end up waking up in the middle of the night to answer emails and touch base with each other but for us we love it so it isn't a hardship. If you make sure you are blogging about your passion then it never gets too hard to manage!

Surround yourself with good people who support you and understand - whether it is making date night somewhere to review for the blog, or patient friends who won't mind you taking a million pictures for your site. It is so important to have these people around you believing in you!

TRICK SHOTS - How Ridiculous

How Ridiculous are World Record holding 'trick shotters' - yeh it's totally a thing! We chat with Scott Gaunson, one of their four members.

Hi Scott, tell us about How Ridiculous?:

How Ridiculous was founded initially by four young guys. We are just your average guys who are passionate about sport, trick shots and making a difference. We want to inspire all people to live selflessly, give generously and be a part of this movement by doing your bit and buying in to collectively fighting against child poverty.

How did the idea start?:

Initially we saw another group in America known as Dude Perfect doing a similar thing and we thought that we could have a go too.

What are the group dynamics like?:

The group dynamics are very similar to a group friendship everyone would be familiar with. Lots of laughs, many stories, we are all uniquely different and bring our own flavours to the group. But all in all we just enjoying hanging out and doing life together.

What was the moment that made you think you could really take this somewhere?:

For the first video we did just want to get a few laughs from our local friends and family. It just was something that we did spontaneously for a bit of fun, something that we thought would be really enjoyable in our free time.

It could be different for the other guys but I personally always did and still do think that we can take this somewhere or to a new level.

Tell us about your world record. How many attempts were there and how did it feel when you finally nailed it?:

I suppose in the lead up to the shot as we were planning it in Perth, I personally was really confident that we would make it. I knew that we had more assistance than any other shot. I knew we had more basketballs and a lift to transport the basketballs up and down which was going to be much more efficient and less taxing than what we were faced with in our previous world record at the light Tower at the WACA.

However that confidence quickly disappeared in about one second when I took the first glance down 91m down to the ground where the ring was. This was an unforgettable moment really because it was so confronting. It was confronting simply because I could hardly make out the ring.

It is for this reason that when we did eventually make the shot after about 100 attempts or about 90 minutes it was one of the greatest feelings of relief I have experienced. It is really hard to explain But an experience I will never forget.

Where have you travelled for How Ridiculous?:

- Rotterdam, The Netherlands

- Rio De Janeiro (Brett was in a World Cup ad for McDonalds) 

- Throughout the Eastern States of Australia

- Soon we are off to the Philippines

- Urban Western Australia

What kind of training do you have to do to stay in shape?:

Umm we actually don’t do training as such, but more so meetings and brainstorming what we would like to do in the future.

Favourite Tricks so far:

- Our golf trick shot which involved smashing a plate in the air as we hit a golf ball off a tee clay pigeon style.

- Our world Record Shot in Rotterdam

- Hole in one on a par 3 by throwing the golf ball in

- Raffles Basketball Shot

 What are your future plans personally and for How Ridiculous?

-        We are just about to release a documentary that contains entertainment but also educates and makes people aware of the poverty and injustice in our world today.

-        We would love to eventually make a shot from over 100 m high

-        Visit our sponsor children in the Philippines

Tell us about Compassion:

Compassion's mission statement is to respond to God’s call to serve the poor and share the gospel with the nations.

It is simply because of this statement that we want to do everything we can to get behind and support Compassion. This is purely because we fully embrace and agree with their mission statement and we know that they have a fantastic team that has the capacity to live/be a vessel for others to get on board too.

Any advice for others wanting to turn their hobbies into something bigger?:

Absolutely! It really is one of the most over complicated things that people talk about these days. I personally think it is a simple case of getting out there and having a go. When I go fishing I would never catch a fish unless I get my line in the water. So get out there and get your line in the water?

 Check our all their tricks, documentary trailer and keep up to date with future attempts!

MUSIC PRODUCER - Alvyn Tan

At just 21, Alvyn's list of credits as a music producer and muso are longer than Miley's tongue. Here he chats favourite gigs, the programs he uses and how you can get your start.

1. Tell us about your work as a music producer: 

Basically I make music with a laptop. There's really not that much to it in my opinion. In terms of what I've done so far, I've been a session band member for Tim & Jean as well as the producer for The Lazy Calm over the last few years. I've also made music for independent filmmakers and organisations on the side whenever opportunities arise. Currently I'm working as a solo artist under the name of LVYN which is mostly electronic music and beats. I'm also in the process of producing tracks for Young Chozen's upcoming EP and I'm excited to see what will happen from that. As more of a hobby I also enjoy DJing using Ableton which is the same software I use to record with. This allows me to bring production elements to a live DJ setup which is fun. Other than that I'm always looking for valuable opportunities to collaborate with people and produce music. 


2. There are quite a few different artists and projects you've been involved with, what are some of your favourites so far?:

My time playing as a session musician for Tim & Jean was fun. I got to tour around Australia playing at big festivals which was an awesome and humbling experience. After that as previously mentioned I became the producer, guitarist and keyboardist for my band The Lazy Calm and made an album contracted under Universal Records which was a great learning curve for me. These two projects would probably be my favourites so far.

3. What do you love about producing music?: 

At home studio

For me, producing is a way of expressing myself through crafting sounds into music. I enjoy trying to experiment with weird noises and then turning them into something melodic. For example I might record a random sound of something ridiculous like maybe a hammer hitting glass and then stretch that sample until it becomes a melody, which may then become the hook of a song. Being a producer is awesome because unlike playing in a live situation where things are spontaneous and often imperfect, you can sit down for hours recording, tweaking and modifying sounds til you feel you are either satisfied or frustrated. I love the fact that you can start off with something in mind and finish with a sound that was completely different to what was intended because of the way creativity flows. Producing is definitely something that's a part of who I am now and has enabled me to convey how I feel to others without necessarily having to write lyrics and sing.  

4. You have been playing in bands and producing music for several years now, how did you get started?:
 
I started out learning classical piano when I was 6, then picked up guitar and started messing around on drums a few years later. In high school I played and sang in a pop punk band and it was then that I started to try and record my bands' songs at home with a computer which sparked my interest in music production. But in terms of learning how to use recording software and equipment, like many others I've basically learned everything I know from friends and Youtube. 

5. Where do you get your inspiration from?: 

Mainly just life and how I'm feeling as well as whatever I'm listening too at the time. (which really sucks sometimes because I want my music to sound original!)

 

6. Best gigs you've performed at:

Probably have to be Splendour in the Grass 2011 (with Foster the People and many other acts) as well as Wonderland 2013 (with Flume, Bag Raiders, PNAU and Alison Wonderland)

Wonderland 2013

7. Favourite artists at the moment: 
 (in no particular order)

Ta-Ku 
Cashmere Cat
Kaytranada 
Trippy Turtle
Odesza
Disclosure
Banks
James Vincent McMorrow
Stevie Wonder
Aphex Twin 

8. Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

Erykah Badu

 9. What advice do you have for someone who wants to start producing music?: 

Lazy Calm

If you want to get into production, a basic setup involves a computer with recording software, a midi keyboard, an audio interface, a microphone, headphones and studio monitors. However the backbone of an entire setup is in the software, so essentially that's all you need to get started. If you have a Mac, Garageband is a good place to start then moving to either Logic or Ableton is quite a common course of action.

In regards to learning, Youtube and Google are your best friends. There's tonnes of information out there for free which is awesome for people that want to get into it.

However, what it takes to be a producer is someone who has the patience and humility to learn and continually improve. It's not easy to master the art of production (I have a very very long way to go) but if you ask me, it is very fulfilling in the long term and definitely recommend giving it a go if you feel like you might enjoy it.

Check out Lazy Calm's latest:

CHAMPION BODY BOARDER - Ben Player

Three time World Champion Body Boarder, Ben Player, chats waves, travel and how he got so darn good!!

1. Tell us about your sport and what you’ve achieved: 

I am a bodyboarder. I know it's weird to introduce myself that way, but for me bodyboarding is the centre of my life so I thought it would only right that I introduce myself that way. To me Bodyboarding is my life and the reason I wake everyday. I began bodyboarding when I was 10 years old (25 years ago now) and was completely hooked from the get go and always wanted to be professional and to be the best I could be. In 2005 I won my first world title and since I then have won another two in 2007 and again last year.  

2. What do you love about body boarding?:

I love the way it feels to ride a wave, the wind screaming in your ears as you tear down the wave. I have always gotten a buzz out of that, but I also I love the fact that there is no ceiling to bodyboarding, your performance is as good as your motivation. You always get back what you put in and you achieve small goals on a daily basis as a result. Every day is a chance to get better, fitter and stronger.

3. Tell us about your early years and how you got your start:

I started at Avalon beach when I was 10 years old around the same time as my older brother started to body board. I was pretty fortunate that my Mum - who had just split up from Dad - decided to move from Leichart (an hour from the beach) to the beach and introduce us to the beach lifestyle and wave riding on a variety of surf crafts but I had the most fun bodyboarding so I stuck with it and it was all I wanted to do. 

4. Who has been your biggest support?:

My biggest supporter has been my Mum for sure, Mum always supported my dreams to be a professional bodyboarder. I am really lucky to have the opportunity to have my Mum supporting my dream. I often think about my peers who also had so much talent growing up but weren't offered the same support by their parents to try and chase their dreams and fell by the wayside. My brother is also one of my biggest supporters, he was always the person I looked up to, wanted to be like, I guess you could say that he was the biggest role model in my life. 

5. What kind of commitment is required to go pro and get to where you are?:

There is a massive level of commitment to go pro, just like all professional sports, body boarding is very competitive. I often tell people that there is no such thing as a natural at anything and that if you want to be the best at something all you have to do is give it 110% commitment. That rule applies to any sport, school or work. If you want something enough you should be able to achieve it if you give it everything 

6. Where are the best waves?:

There are so many surf spots around the world that I love to surf, and so many more that I have never surfed. There's a combination of things that create an amazing wave: strong swell, a perfect shaped reef, great winds and accessibility, and no two waves are ever the same. To me my favourite surf spot would have to be Padang Padang in Bali because it is the closest wave that I have ever seen to perfection and ticks all the boxes of what makes an amazing wave. 

7. Favourite country bodyboarding has taken you to?:

I love Tahiti! It is easily the most beautiful place I have ever visited. Its beauty is in its simplicity. There's nothing manufactured about it, it's as the gods created it millions of years ago and it is perfect that way. The people in Tahiti are the most welcoming and friendly people in the world, they live simply and easily and truly appreciate the land they were born on. 

8. What advice do you have for someone wanting to go pro in their sport?:

My best piece of advice I can give anyone can be crossed over into any other sport, and that is setting goals. To be the best, you need to set a goal which is the highest goal possible (for me it was winning a world title) and break that goal down into smaller achievable goals that you can aim toward on a daily basis. Sometimes you never get to the big goal as that goal might shift, but it doesn't matter as long as you are going in a positive direction and aiming toward something to keep you focused. 

9. What's next for you?:

I'm in Santiago airport at the moment on my way back from the South American leg of the APB World Tour, I didn't get the results here that I wanted and have slid down the tally from first place to fourth place. So now I'm heading back home to apply the above advice to myself and break down how I'm going to win the world title this year and give those goals 110% of my focus. Can't stop, won't stop.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER - Mylan

Meet Mylan. She is the BRILLIANT designer of our iZRA logo and the postcard you got when we came to your school. Here she chats about how she got started and the exciting project she has in the works!!

1. Tell us about your job:

Hello Mylan is my independently run creative studio and I get to make any kind of pretty thing that a client requests; albums, logos, merchandise, flyers, you name it and I’d be stoked to help out.

2. When did you decide you wanted to be a Designer and what did you do about it?:

Somehow even as a youngen, I knew I wanted a creative career.

It was when I got a high school scholarship in Art that I realized that I could really pursue something. I was exposed to all forms of creativity, including the more specific stream of Graphic Design and things took off from there! My local youth ministry took me under their media team’s wing and I was able to learn and dabble in bits and bobs. In year 12, I was actually able to choose to do Graphic Design instead of Math, leaving me absolutely chuffed and on the road to a degree!

3. Favourite thing about designing:

I’m such a fan of ideas, being able to have them brew in your mind even if it’s not the most logical solution; it’s just super great! And it’s crazy fun to see something in your head and be a part of making it become something real for others to experience too.

4. Who would be your dream brand to work for?:

I’d probably pass out if ever the opportunity of collaborating with Gorman arose!

5. Who are your favourite designers at the moment?:

I’ve got a massive crush on Emma Dime and Blacklist Studio!

6. Tips for someone interested in pursuing a career in design:

Go on and be brave, even if it just begins with a Facebook page or Tumblr!

7. Any exciting projects in the works?:

Always! In fact, I just finished a job for this lovely lass from iZRA!

But aside from Hello Mylan; I head up The Little Help Project alongside stargazer and dear friend, Aly Byrne. Here’s a little snippet about who we are, what we dream of and do:

Here at The Little Help Project, we believe in helping where we can.

We believe in changing the statistics one person at a time.

The Little Help Project (TLHP) is a movement that preaches the power of generosity and collectivity when approaching local & global issues. We exist to inspire young individuals like you to create a personal culture of generosity, and we also give you a platform to do so.

TLHP sells a range of fun, house-designed and printed goods to wear / to use / to admire. We donate part proceeds of all sales to selected charities and community projects – so you can rest assured your wins are always someone else’s too.

Mylan and co-founder of TLHP, Aly

We are currently working on workshops with Alta-1 (Joondalup Campus) and our Etsy store is due to launch soon…but for now, Join in on the fun!

The Little Help Project

Instagram: @thelittlehelpproject

Facebook: facebook.com/thelittlehelpproject

Coming soon: thelittlehelpproject.com

Hello Mylan

Instagram: @hellomylan

Website: hellomylan.com

Facebook: facebook.com/hellomylan