The Art of Balance... and Art with Abstract Painter and Yogi Gina Gaetz

Hola Gwapas and welcome to episode 25 of the Hola Gwapa Podcast! For those of you who are new to the show I’m your host Nisha Btesh. I’m also the Founder and Creative at Hola Gwapa, a digital community of ten thousand artists from all over the world, a blog, a website, this podcast and most recently my very own small batch slow fashion line! On this podcast we dismantle the limiting stories and stereotypes holding creative entrepreneurs back and together redefine what it truly means to be a successful artist.Welcome Dr. Courntey Crisp to the hola gwapa podcast. Dr. Courntey is not only a therapist, writer, editor and speaker but she is also my former neighbor based in San Diego, California. Today's episode is so important because together we sit down and dive deep into topics like the importance of mental health and wellness in the creative community, eating disorders and her personal career trajectory and niching down to become the therapist she is today. SO if you’re a lover of the arts but find yourself interested in pursuing a more traditional career path or you’d just to like to learn more about the why behind mental health and eating disorders then THIS is the conversation for you. And with that let's get into the episode.

Hola Gwapas and welcome to episode 24 of the Hola Gwapa Podcast! For those of you who are new to the show I’m your host Nisha Btesh. I’m also the Founder and Creative at Hola Gwapa, a digital community of ten thousand artists from all over the world, a blog, a website, this podcast and most recently my very own small batch slow fashion line! On this podcast we dismantle the limiting stories and stereotypes holding creative entrepreneurs back and together redefine what it truly means to be a successful artist.Today we welcome a VERY special guest to the Hola Gwapa Podcast… Kaela Arellano. Kaela is not only a thrifting fashionista, an environmental educator and outreach coordinator, a student, AND a jewelry designer she is ALSO my childhood friend from San Diego California. Our conversation goes all over the place from sustainability efforts in fashion then vs. now, the importance of an inspired education, and creating a career path all your own based on passions and purpose. SO if you’re someone who’s maybe just getting started on their creative journey or interested in how Kaelas worlds of arts and science meet then THIS is the conversation for you. And with that let's get into the episode.

Welcome Sara Schroeder back to the hola gwapa podcast. Back by popular demand this is her second time on the show and let me tell you this episode does not disappoint. Together we sit down and dive deep into topics like the nitty gritty business side of being an artist, the joy that comes from doing things your own way, the power of purpose and manifesting your dream career aaaand the significant impact journaling can have on your growth as an artist. SO if you’re a creative person who is currently in a place of feeling unsure of what they want and how to get there OR if you're just a major fan of Sara and her work like I am then THIS is the conversation for you. And with that let's get into the episode.

Today I’m sitting down with Aimee Rancer, a fashion and lifestyle blogger as well as a Creative Strategist who has worked for MEGA advertising disruptors like VaynerMedia, Pinterest and most recently Amazon.With over ten years of experience across a variety of roles in the marketing industry Aimee opens up sharing her fresh perspective on what it takes to have a kick-ass career AND a creative side hustle. In this episode we chat about career paths and following your yes, what exactly IS a global creative strategist and how you truly can have it all… as long as you’re willing to work for it! So whether you’re curious about embarking on a more corporate creative career, interested in learning more about balancing a full time role and a passion project or simply looking to feel inspired by Aimee's story then THIS is the creative conversation for you and with that let’s get into the show.

Holy moly I am SO excited about this episode because today I’m sitting down with the one-of-a-kind Sara Camposarcone. With over one million style-obsessed followers on TikTok and dubbed fashions ``sustainable maximalist” by publications like Vogue, New York Times, Harper's Bazaar and more it turns out her most impressive superpower of all is not taking any of it too seriously. In this episode we talk about her quick rise to fame, her personal style and outfit building process, how she shuts down online (and IRL) trolls with positivity and what's next on the horizon for this creative icon. So if you’re curious about gaining insights on how to leverage social media to turn your passion into a paycheck, want to learn more about what goes into the day to day of becoming a fashion influencer or are simply looking to feel inspired by Sara’s story then THIS is the creative conversation for you and with that let’s get into the show.

In 2020 the global pandemic known as COVID19 hit and affected life as we all knew it. Now Jewelry Designer, Erin Melendez saw this challenge as an opportunity and started her wildly successful business out of an RV as she transitioned from her former career in Fashion Merchandising and embarked on a new creative journey all her own. In this episode we talk about what it was like to overcome the challenges she faced as a business owner on the open road, what motivates her to create art that supports self expression AND how she managed to land a holiday pop-up at Nordstroms only a few years into launching her new business, Lady Luck Concepts. So whether you’re an aspiring small business owner, are curious about jewelry design or simply looking to feel inspired by Erin’s story then THIS is the creative conversation for you and with that let’s get into the show.

Hola Gwapas and welcome to episode 19 of the Hola Gwapa Podcast! For those of you who are new to the show I’m your host Nisha Btesh. I’m also the Founder and Creative at Hola Gwapa, a digital community of ten thousand artists from all over the world, a blog, a website, a podcast and most recently my very own small batch slow fashion line! On this podcast we dismantle the limiting stories and stereotypes holding creative entrepreneurs back and together redefine what it truly means to be a successful artist.In this solo episode we talk all about the ins and outs of the fashion design industry honing in on the slow fashion lifecycle and its many phases. From Research and development and design to pattern making and digitizing to sampling, cutting and production - we cover it all! So whether you’re a fashion designer, aspiring to be one, or just curious to learn more about slow fashion this episode is for you. Enjoy!

I’m SO excited to wrap up our second year on The Hola Gwapa Podcast with this very special bonus episode with abstract artist, mindfulness explorer and yogi Gina Gaetz. Gina is an OG member of The Hola Gwapa community, so if you haven’t already make sure you go back and check out her writer feature on the site posted back in March of 2020. Since then Gina’s career as an Artist has flourished even further. And in this episode we really get into it - chatting transparently about our experiences in art school as a true jumping off point for our creative careers (love that we have that in common!). We chat about her passion for the practice of yoga and her yoga community and how she has actually leveraged both to catapult her career as an Artist. But what I also love is we talk about the challenges we both are facing as we actively transition our side hustles into a full time legitamit business. Gwapa’s there are SO many real and authentic inspirational nuggets within this candid conversation that are going to uplift, motivate and carry you into 2022 ready to uplevel your art game and take on your creative career with confidence. SO with that let’s get into the show!

Hola Gwapas and welcome to episode 17 of the Hola Gwapa Podcast! For those of you who are new to the show I’m your host Nisha Btesh. I’m also the Founder and Creative at Hola Gwapa a digital community of almost 12 thousand artists and creatives from all over the world, a blog, a website, an online shop, podcast and most recently a small batch slow fashion line! On this podcast we take the creative conversations even further, sharing the real stories, tips and tricks the Artists in this community have found on their journey to success. Meet Bridget Thompson, fellow Textile Designer and lover of travel and anthropology. On this episode we chat through the rich history of textiles and fabric design including fiber and fabric technology as well as textiles' social, political, and cultural impacts on the fashion and interior design industries. Bridget is not only knowledgeable and experienced in her craft but also passionate beyond her years. What I loved learning most about her creative journey is how like me, she also works a 9-5 in an industry she loves and in her spare time she’s focused on building and growing her creative hustle and brand. You truly can do it all! It’s refreshing to hear her candor as she recalls all the highs and lows she’s faced to this point balancing being an entrepreneur, designer and adult. SO If you’re at all interested in textile design or learning more about building/creating your own brand while also working a day job THIS is the episode for you. And with that let’s get into the show!

Hola Gwapas and welcome to episode 16 of the Hola Gwapa Podcast! For those of you who are new to the show I’m your host Nisha Btesh. I’m also the Founder and Creative at Hola Gwapa a digital community of almost 12 thousand artists and creatives from all over the world, a blog, a website, an online shop, podcast and most recently a small batch slow fashion line! On this podcast we take the creative conversations even further, sharing the real stories, tips and tricks the Artists in this community have found on their journey to success. I’m SO thrilled to introduce you to Jessica Santander, Jewelry Designer and Entrepreneur. With 3 years under her belt, Jessica is focused and mission driven to build and evolve her lifestyle brand. In this episode we talk about what it means to listen to your intuition, how to authentically present yourself within the context of your brand, why she believes the success in her business’s financials are directly tied to increasing the value of her self worth, why mental health matters, how to handle and learn from rejection AND how the best way to build community is just to SHOW UP CONSISTENTLY AS YOUR BEST & WORST SELF. SO this episode is really for anyone interested in building their own business from the ground up just like Jessica and myself, for anyone looking for a refresh/shift in their personal mindset towards positivity and resilience and for anyone looking to hear the truth about the amount of work, blood, sweat and tears that we’ve put in order to reap the benefits and fulfillment of living a creative life and owning brands that we can be proud of. And with that let’s get into the show!