The 2019 group of Most Interesting People are no doubt a talented bunch. We asked them what advice they would give someone looking to break into their individual areas of expertise!

Ted Viator

What is the best way to keep landscaping looking beautiful?

Maintenance! A landscape is a growing project that changes with each season and year. If a landscape is not maintained with proper weeding, trimming a pruning, the design will suffer.

What is the most useful gardening tool that everyone should purchase?

Your hands! And absolutely never ever a weed eater. My personal favorite tool is pruning snips.

Phyllis Arceneaux

What advice would you give to anyone looking to improve their workplace rapport?

You need to establish with your team members the things that feel like support to each of you. Be up front about the things that you think cause problems. When someone points out behavior that could potentially be problematic, be gracious and let them know you’re committed to changing your habits because you want to be a part of the team.

Jerome Weber

What would you say to someone interested in getting into art?

People expect to be able to draw like Rembrandt from the get go, and that’s just not how it works. If you can only draw stick people, work from there. Keep your early art. I kept some of my very first pieces and it’s helpful to look back and see how far I’ve come. It really helps you keep at it.

What is one purchase that should be made by someone looking to get into art?

I think the first thing would be to buy a book on how to draw. Specifically, a book on how to draw landscape and perspective. You can be a great painter, but if your perspective and drawing isn’t there, it won’t work. 

Dan Liu

What is the one herb or natural remedy that you think everyone should be using more of?

Ginger! I recommend different herbs and properties for different elements. But the one thing everyone should have more of is ginger. Ginger keeps your insides warm. If you have a cold, I tell people to slice ginger and onion and boil them together. You’ll sweat the virus out.

Terrance Morgan

If someone wants to get into breakdancing, what’s the first thing they should know?

Of course, most importantly, having fun, but also taking time to learn how to dance on beat. They should also do their research on the history, like the Rocksteady Crew, New York City Breakers and the roots of hip hop culture and the fundamental moves like top rock, go down, footwork and freeze.

Faryal Atif

What advice would you give someone who was considering going back to school?

Just go! Sometimes we get scared and it’s hard to imagine how we will manage all of our time and our responsibilities, but overthinking it is the biggest mistake. If you simply start, everything will fall into place. Stay open minded and be positive and just take the next step!

Jennifer Beslin

What would you tell someone who wants to make photography their career?

Go to business school! If you have an interest in photography, you’ll learn it and you’ll develop your style. But, you need a solid business background to get you through that side of it. I’d also tell them not to be afraid to charge what you deserve. You are so worth it! Don’t short change yourself. If you’re going to do this, you have to be able to make a living.  

Doc Thomas

If someone wanted to start giving back to their community, where would you tell them to start?

I’d tell them to start with themselves. You have to look at your life and decide what it is you are willing to do for free, for absolutely nothing in return. The Lord has blessed us all with certain gifts – it’s our job to find out what those gifts are and to put them to use. If you’re looking for something in return, you aren’t truly helping your community.