Ava Wolf shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Ava, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I am usually the first one to wake up in my house – I try to get up before my 3 year old daughter so that I can wake up more gradually. I don’t always do this, but my goal is to wake up, meditate, stretch, then have some chill time to myself. I might watch a show or go for a walk around the neighborhood while listening to a podcast. I’ll also put a pot of coffee on and have some breakfast. Once my daughter is up, I’ll get her ready for day-care and my husband and I will share some time with her before the work day starts.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a freelance illustrator and small business owner. I run Aviate Press, a small shop full of paper goods and lifestyle products geared towards feminists and self-care enthusiasts. I don’t have professional training in illustration, but it’s been a passion of mine my whole life. I think the magic of my brand really came alive when I started creating art based on my experiences in therapy – people started to connect more with my illustrations, which started online conversations around mental health.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
I learned so much about running a business and being an illustrator when I joined a co-working studio with some fellow illustrators in the area. Many of them were already established and had a lot of knowledge about the industry and how to hone your craft. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
My younger self needed to hear that I am more than my talents. That I am lovable even when I’m not performing or doing something impressive. I am lucky to have a lot of passions and talents, but when I was growing up those things got me the most love and attention, which in turn made my younger self believe that that’s how you earn love.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
It’s a part of me, but there’s so much more to me than the self-care loving illustrator you see online. I’m also a silly, soccer-loving mom who watches Real Housewives. I’ve been spending more time off social media lately, which feels weird, but really nice. It’s definitely become a big part of my identity.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
My own experiences have taught me to try to be more empathetic to people’s situations and circumstances. I really try to understand why people act or think they way they do and to see them for more than their opinions or ‘negative’ traits. I have felt misunderstood or judged when I was going through a really difficult time, so I try my best not to do that to others who might not be at their best because of life circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aviatepress.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aviatepress/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/aviate_press/
Image Credits
Alex Crawford
