Really appreciate the shoutout! Here’s my story I was in the fiat mines too. For about 1.5 years I coached cybersecurity teams, helping them collaborate across the globe. I appreciated the work, but I knew early on that a laptop-bound career wasn't for me. I wanted to be out in the world, seeing the fruits of my labour So I made a pact with myself, every Sunday for a year was dedicated for me. No agenda, just permission to be curious. I tried different art forms, toyed with business ideas, let my mind wander without restriction. That's when I got deep into film photography. I'd walk the streets of my city, hyper-aware of every detail around me, shooting and developing rolls. I was fascinated with stained glass windows, there are so many where I live, and told myself one day I'd like try it out, take a workshop Two years ago I moved to Texas for a work secondment, consulting for a large oil company. New city, not many friends, a lot of time alone, which honestly suited me. I knew the job wasn't a true reflection of who I was, so I leaned into that solitude. I looked back at my self across my life, what I naturally enjoyed doing if I had the choice, because I think that's where you find yourself in your purest form. I kept my Sunday commitment, but this time I was on YouTube, falling down rabbit holes of artisans around the world creating incredible work. I found a stained glass artist and that was it. Watched everything they made, learned the process inside out, started sketching my own designs in my spare time When I came home, I started building. Small pieces at first, just getting familiar with the craft. I had enough saved to step back from work for a while, which I needed. Working in Oil & Gas had taken a lot out of me and I lost sight of myself for a moment. I took a sabbatical from work, started creating more, I put my work out into the local community, and the project inquiries haven't stopped since A big misconception about finding your passion is that some people just get lucky. To me, that couldn't be further from the truth. It takes intention, time, patience, and humility. If your sole focus is making money on the side, I don't think you'll find it. But if your focus is play, exploration, and genuine curiosity, then that's a different story entirely Thanks for reading!

I spent years in sales and project management in the construction industry and eventually became a contractor myself specializing in interior and exterior stone design. It took years to build relationships with architects, tradesmen, sub-contractors and other interior designers who frequently refer me or bring me into their projects. I specialize in high-end specialized stone projects like fireplaces, bookmatched marble, statues, restorations, fountains, culverts, stuff that not many people know how to tackle. I prefer that to tile and marble jobs like kitchens and bathrooms which I find tedious and boring. I would credit finding a niche and building a reputation and forming strong relationships in my field as my edge. I am still building my business model and see it changing and expanding which I will talk about here in the future. Thanks for asking!

Ima just paste my intro post here from fall 2024: 📝 036744aa…

Looking back, the things that gave me the most return, were all the instances that pushed me out of my comfort zone. My parents enrolling me to music academy while I couldn’t care less at the time. My classical guitar teacher challenging me to actually start practicing instead of just coming to class. I took the challenge. Some classmates asking me to start a band with them, cause there was a “free stage” coming up at school. Joining bands with older, better and more experienced players. Shaky legs, but I was determined to catch up. Deciding to go and study electric guitar in a different country. I knew absolutely no-one there and felt so out of place. Learning myself how to code websites and how to use photoshop so I could start designing band artwork and online promo. Traveling 7 hours by train to go and do audition for a band that I thought was way above my league. I ended up recording several albums and touring the world for a couple of years with them. There’s many more examples of this, and they all have the same things in common: fear and/or struggle, and the pulling “nah, forget about it” option. Unless my gut feeling told me to not do something, I always took the challenge. No matter what. And I still do. Every tour I impose a certain challenge on myself. Can be anything, f.e. water only, no carbs, practice daily, cold showers only, daily workout, etc. Some of them have been insane, but I love the all-or-nothing attitude :)

Thank you sincerely! Really appreciated. Long live my friend

Yeah but don’t have much respect . The price should be the Real one: having humans , Artisans , working .

This is amazing. I’ve thought of studying stone carving in Italy many times because I’ve worked with some of the very few stone carvers on the West Coast. New York is the perfect place for this but maybe I’ll build the west coast version of this. I LOVE this thank you sharing it. Really fucking cool!!!!!!

I feel you so much. That said , I wish I could have the possibility NOT to work for big GC … always a pain. But family , bills , etc. Rarely do I create now .

What about structural masonry? Do you have any of those kinds of jobs where the walls are entirely made of brick or stone? Or is that just too expensive these days?

Que bueno no sabia que habías hecho todo eso

Noted…

What did the shift from project management to stone design look like? Were you already doing design work before your years in sales and management? Thank you for sharing!

I love that you e discovered your niche and that you love it.

circular staircases? hoping 4 a yes/gOOd deal Helennostr: @Helen Yrmom

Actually I never really auditioned for Epica. Back in 2004, while I was doing college of music, I was asked by keyboard player Coen to replace their guitar player for just 1 show in France. Afterwards, we kept in touch throughout the years, and I also played in one of Coen’s bands for his final exam at college of music. Then when that same guitar player decided to leave the band in 2008, they just asked me again. Fun story: Right before I did the rehearsal for that 1 show in 2004, the drummer mentioned he’d give me a hard time just to stir things up within the band. A couple of songs in, he stopped playing and started shouting at me. “You haven’t played a single straight note. You totally suck. I don’t want you to play the show. Etc etc” He really went all in, and everyone was so confused. They asked me to play certain riffs, didn’t hear what was wrong, but the drummer kept saying how bad it sounded and shit. At some point I actually was in doubt if it was still part of his prank or if he was actually serious 😂

Neat. Thank you again for sharing!

Haha, it sure did 😂