What an incredible story, I'm incredibly proud of myself.
I grew up w/ a single mom fighting cancer most of my childhood, was left to fend for myself in the world at 17 when she passed, went on to earn 3 degrees, have traveled to 30+ countries, am an award-winning artist, & building my 2nd tech company.
And though I've tried and failed new things more times than I can count, like any true go-getter, I have lived unwaveringly in my truth to follow the visions I have been given & my persistence pays off.
I'm part of the <1% of Black women who have raised venture capital in American history and in my very first try at running a scaled business, customer testimonials described my work in product design, curriculum development and facilitation as life-changing, the best they've ever had, and revenue grew 90% off of referrals.
My art is notably awarded. I had a whole life in the arts and education fields before entering tech and it planted the roots for where I am now. It also shaped my love for product design, its basically artsy tech. Arianna Huffington recruited me after seeing my photojournalism my first months in the field, I earned fellowships, grants, & exhibition features across San Francisco, one of the greatest arts cities in the world, for my mixed-media work in AR, film, and photography (website: kristina.fyi ).
I took my first solo trip at 17 years old, worked onboard a Disney cruise ship, and I have traveled the world studying arts, design and architecture. In college, when I studied abroad in Spain to soak up the works of Picasso & Gaudi, I continued exploring more greats throughout Europe. Now 30+ countries down, I've digested worldwide cultures, creative knowledge & inspiration from the greats and contemporaries.
Combined with my 15+ years as an executive leading workplace development, 3rd spaces, experiential environments, after-school programs, plus experiencing and researching the reality of mental health struggles faced by founders, creatives, & underrepresented employees, my toolkit runs deep.
All of my wisdom, expertise, & love is now being poured into building my 2nd company, Infinityland, hospitality to live, work, & create. As a creative genius who understands the struggles navigating between making and managing. Making your art and innovations and managing your basic needs is often difficult, hence the starving artist trope.
That's why I lean in heavy to the vision I was given to create spaces of belonging, inspiration, accessibility, sustainability, & tech-efficiency to support dreamers, thinkers & doers, the artists & innovators that shape the soul of society.
From sensory-conscious neuroarchitecture to nurture the mind, production studios, supplies, resources, & in-house gigs. We are building with intention..
I am grateful for every experience that has led me back to myself to complete this mission.
If you build it, they will come. I'm building it. What a story.
Join the journey at www.toinfinityland.com
Former professional footballer - Client Relationship Manager - Maxwell Bond: Growing tech businesses through the creation of talent partnerships
1moLegend! What a guy!! Congratulations on 13 years at a great company pal!