Creating and building things has been my happy place for as long as I can remember. While most kids wanted new toys, I was always drawn to the world of stationery and art supplies—pencils, paints, brushes, charcoal, and sketchbooks, there was something magical about it all. I’d spend hours sorting my crayons by color, testing every watercolor pencil, and collecting art supplies like they were treasure. Even the smell of fresh paper and the pop of a fresh paint tube felt full of possibility.

My grandmother and I crafted projects every single day after school, and those moments shaped my creativity, my confidence, and eventually, my career.