09/02/2026
It still amazes me to look back and remember where this all began.
What started as a small drama club idea grew into something much bigger than we ever imagined. We brought together writers, students, volunteers, and our community, and eight weeks later we had our first successful program. That one opportunity opened the door to more schools, another business, our first brick-and-mortar, and eventually a nonprofit that started right at our kitchen table.
That kitchen table idea became JDS Creative Academy, creating opportunities for youth, teens, adults, and individuals of all abilities through classes, workshops, workforce development, media, festivals, television, radio, podcasts, and so much more.
None of it happened overnight. We simply kept getting creative, saying yes to opportunities, and finding ways to make things work.
As we get closer to the second anniversary of my TEDxTemecula talk, I keep thinking about how creativity, entrepreneurship, and the arts have connected every part of my journey.
has also been such an important part of our community, and with the next talks coming soon, it feels like the perfect time to revisit this story and the message behind it.
And now, as we get ready for the launch of CreativePreneur, it feels like another one of those dots is connecting.
From a kitchen table to everything that came after, never underestimate what one creative idea can become.
More to come very soon.
