Lindsay’s Bold Journey Interview
Lindsay’s studio and work were recently featured in Bold Journey! Read an excerpt here and then head over to get the full scoop!
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Lindsay with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I grew up in a military household, with both of my parents serving in the Air Force. They were firm believers that you had to work hard for the things you wanted. Sometimes, they juggled more than one job, and even ran a side hustle baking birthday cakes, all to ensure we had a good life. While I had a relatively privileged upbringing, I understood from an early age that everything we had was a direct result of their dedication and sacrifice.
The first time I truly grasped what it meant to earn something for myself was in the 5th grade. I wanted to attend a two-week Girl Scout camp that summer, and while my parents supported the idea, they made it clear I had to help pay for it. For about two months, my dad and I woke up early three days a week to deliver newspapers before school. On Thursdays, I’d rise even earlier to collect aluminum cans from our neighbors’ recycling bins, and my mom would drive me to the recycling center to sell them.
I can’t remember exactly how much money I made, but I’ll never forget the pride I felt going to camp that summer, knowing I had worked for it. It was the first time I truly appreciated something I had earned through my own efforts. That lesson stayed with me.
My parents continued to instill these values throughout my teenage years, reinforcing a strong work ethic that shaped who I am today. By the time I was 13, instead of giving me an allowance, my parents had me bagging groceries for tips at the Commissary. At 15, they bought me my first car—a 1969 VW Bug—but I had to cover the gas myself, so I worked part-time after school.
These lessons built a foundation that would carry me through adulthood. Without that work ethic, I likely would have given up on my dream to make a living through art. I wouldn’t have survived financially in San Francisco for as long as I have, and Brick and Mortar Studios—the community ceramic studio I now own and operate—would not exist. My parents’ belief in hard work didn’t just give me a sense of responsibility; it gave me the resilience to pursue my passions, no matter how difficult the road ahead.
