I started art lessons as a young girl growing up in a California beach town. Art lessons were held in a Main Street studio where I could see people heading to the beach. Even as a pre-teen I was happier to be painting.

My training continued in high school and was my intended major in college, but a chance visit to fashion design school Brooks College changed my direction. During the home visit, the admissions officer noticed a painting that I had done at age 15 hanging over our fireplace. This painting swayed their decision to offer me a spot. It was a fortuitous decision as I was a well-versed seamstress.

While attending Brooks College I won a national design and sewing contest judged by none other than Edith Head herself. I spent many years in fashion/retail, eventually starting my own clothing company which sold to chains and department stores across the country.  Grossing 3 million a year and employing up to 30 workers was an accomplishment for a woman in her 20's but also a tough challenge for someone with no business background. I learned many hard lessons from that experience that I carried forward into other businesses.

Eventually I switched gears into photography and created the signature look of my company called "Angels Photographed" specializing in photographing children and families in black & white film and was featured in Southern California Nordstrom stores. That business was very successful and lasted well over a decade.

Then digital cameras started replacing film. Photo labs went out of business and fiber photo paper was hard to get. Another change was about to happen. All along I had been taking headshots of aspiring actors and meeting their managers and agents. After much consideration (and against the advice of my husband) my dear friend and I opened a talent agency in Los Angeles, California representing actors in film, TV and commercials.  Our company First Class Talent Agency is still active and thriving.