WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO IN THE MORNING?
Honestly? Check my phone. Probably not the best habit, but it’s the truth. Most mornings I’m checking what I missed while I was asleep.
WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU DO AT NIGHT?
Usually I’m thinking about what I need to get done the next day. Even when the day is over, my mind is already making a list for tomorrow.
CAN YOU SHARE SOME DAILY HABITS OR RITUALS?
I don’t know if I’m big on rituals, but I do like to stay moving and stay curious. I try to get my steps in every day, whether that’s during a work out or just moving around the gallery when things are busy. I make time to look at things that catch my attention— art, clothes, books, objects— anything that sparks my curiosity.
WHO ARE YOUR IDEAL GUESTS?
My ideal guests are people from completely different worlds who might not normally find themselves in the same room— artists, designers, musicians, athletes, collectors, kids from Chicago. I’m less interested in a specific profile and more interested in people who have something real to contribute.
WHAT ARE YOU BORED BY?
Sameness. Especially when everyone starts looking at the same references and making the same things. I’m much more interested in people who have their own point of view— who take what’s around them and make it their own, rather than just echoing what’s already been done.
WHAT SHOULD WE BE READING?
More old books and magazines. There’s so much information that existed before the internet that gets forgotten. I think you develop a more original point of view by tracing ideas back to their roots. I feel like it’s important to have an awareness of what came before you, how ideas can evolve and that helps you to form your own perspective.
WHAT DO YOU COLLECT?
Art, clothes, shoes, books, and objects. Really, I collect things that tell stories. I’m pretty intentional about what I bring into my life. Usually there’s something about a piece that connects to me— where I’ve been, where I am, where I’m going.
THE BEST ARTHOUSE FILM(S)?
The Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind.
WHAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME?
Anything made with intention. Trends change, but when something is made with a real point of view and a reason behind it, it tends to last.
WHAT IS YOUR PERFECT MEAL?
Beef short rib, mashed potatoes, broccoli and carrots. Can’t beat that.
WHO ARE YOUR INSPIRATIONS?
My inspirations come from a lot of different places. People like Virgil Abloh and Theaster Gates have definitely had an impact on me and so has growing up in Chicago. I’m inspired by the artists I work with, my friends— people who take what they’re given and build something of their own from it.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CITY?
Chicago. It made me who I am. There are cities I love visiting, but Chicago will always be home. No matter where I go, that connection to the city always stays with me.
WHAT TAKES YOU TO CLOUD 9?
Seeing an idea that started in my head become something real— and then seeing other people connect with it in their own way. That’s a pretty good feeling.
DO YOU HAVE A SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR LIFE?
Kid Cudi— Man On The Moon.
WHERE WOULD YOU FIND YOUR DOPPELGÄNGER?
Probably somewhere between an art gallery, a sneaker store, and an airport.
WHAT IS GOOD DESIGN?
Good design solves something, but it also makes you feel something. The best design feels obvious once you see it.
WHERE DO YOU FIND GOOD DESIGN?
Everywhere. Anywhere. Architecture, cars, furniture, sneakers, packaging, old magazines. Sometimes the best references have nothing to do with what you’re actually working on.
WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?
Apres. Visvim. Brands that I feel are classic and timeless.
WHAT DOES YOUR HOUSE SMELL LIKE?
A candle or incense burning.
WHAT DOES YOUR HOUSE SOUND LIKE?
If by chance I’m not on a call- music, maybe.
WHAT IS DEAR TO YOUR HEART?
Family, my friends, the communities that have supported me, and my hometown Chicago.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?
Anywhere I haven’t been yet.
WHAT IS A RULE THAT SHOULD NEVER BE BROKEN?
Treat people with respect. No matter who they are, where they come from, or what they can do for you.
WHAT IS A RULE THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE BROKEN?
The idea that there is only one way to do something. There’s usually another way to look at it, approach it, or make it your own.
WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?
A smoothie mid-day.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORD IN ANY LANGUAGE?
Gnarly.
WHAT IS MOST DIFFICULT TO FIND IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE?
Individuality. People who can develop their own point of view feel increasingly rare.
WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST EXCITING IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE?
The unexpected connections. When people from completely different worlds come together and something new comes out of it.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY?
Chocolate Turtles.
WHAT THOUGHTS CURRENTLY OCCUPY YOU?
The future. I’m always thinking about what’s next, what’s changing, and what’s possible.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?
Cheetah.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST PIECE OF CULTURAL WORK THAT REALLY MATTERED TO YOU?
Art.
WHAT DO YOU STILL WISH TO LEARN?
How to keep looking at things with fresh eyes. There’s always more to understand.
WHAT IS STILL A MYSTERY?
The universe.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE REPRESENTATION OF SIMPLICITY?
Something that looks simple but has a lot of thought behind it.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE REPRESENTATION OF COMPLEXITY?
Something that has layers to it and keeps revealing more the longer you spend with it.
WHERE IS HAPPINESS FOUND?
“Happiness is a journey, not a destination.”
WHAT DO YOU SEE OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW?
The Chicago skyline.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL NOSTALGIC?
Learning about history.
WHAT DO YOU FIND HUMOROUS?
Life.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SLOGAN?
Don’t let your happenings destroy your happiness.
WHAT IS IN YOUR HOUSE?
A whole lot of art.
WHAT IS MODERN?
Taking what came before and finding a new way to look at it.
CAN YOU RECALL A DREAM?
I was Batman.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO?
The future.
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY?
My 5th birthday party.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TRADE?
Ideas and perspectives. I think some of the best things happen through exchange.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO FIND?
Things I haven’t seen before. People with a point of view, ideas that make me think differently, and connections I wouldn’t expect.
WHAT IS A DISTRACTION?
Anything that keeps you from paying attention.
WHAT SHOULD WE LISTEN TO?
The Founder’s Podcast.
WHAT DOES PROGRESSION MEAN TO YOU?
Taking what you’ve learned and finding a new way to use it.
WHAT WAS YOUR LAST DOWNLOAD?
Probably some sales PDF.
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Stay curious.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES OR HEROINES?
People who make something out of what they are given. People who come from places or circumstances that don’t necessarily give them an obvious path, but still find a way to build something of their own. People who find their way without a blueprint.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MISTAKE?
Probably the things I said yes to without knowing exactly where they would lead. Some of the best things in my life came from taking a chance on something before I had it all figured out.
THE BEST CULT CLASSIC?
Do The Right Thing.
ANY LAST WORDS?
Do you, by all means, but also- stop dressing so crazy.