Meet Alyssa Renee Made

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssa Renee Made and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
One piece of advice that was always really hard for me to swallow is to “niche down”. I find myself constantly reinvigorated in entrepreneurship as I’m pivoting from design to photography or adding a new skill to my metaphorical toolbox. It is important to figure out who your ideal client is – but maybe you have more than one. I can understand the ease that comes along when following the advice of narrowing down your work into a specific niche, but for me that will always feel more limiting than helpful.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Collaborative energy lights me up more than anything else. I’m inspired by the passion and artistry of others and my art is about helping them feel seen and understood as their most authentic selves. When that connects with their ideal client and they’re able to share their gifts with the world, that’s a successful project for me. I’m inspired by artists of all kinds and brands with creative or wholehearted products. Regenerative, slow fashion, thoughtfully made artisan goods – the passion of the people who create beautiful, intentional work is what inspires me to create.

As someone who started their career as a jewelry designer, to a DIY and craft expert, into wedding photography and more, I know what it takes to run wild with your creative dreams.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ocean Beach is the spot for nomads! We could start the day at OB Beans or get a burrito at Mike’s. There’s a crystal shop I love right down the road called Crystal Visions – a must visit. If it’s a chill day, we could just hang on the beach and make some new friends, then peruse the Farmer’s Market and hang out for the drum circle.

I also really love the entire La Jolla area. Another fun day would be to take a morning yoga class in La Jolla, or do a cold plunge and meditation with @jenn.journeys. Then we’d head to the glider port and watch people hang gliding for a while. My favorite place to watch the sunset is at Windansea beach, so we’d pick up some food (probably a burrito again) and shoot a couple of rolls of film for the sunset at the beach.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a lot of people, jobs and projects that were a part of my creative journey, so it’s hard to choose! There was workshop in 2019 I attended called TripLit that really opened my eyes to the possibilities of life and how I could literally create my life and career to be whatever I wanted it to be. That experience led me to pursue full-time travel and life in my camper van, which I achieved and am still living today. My best friend Michelle of The Cotton Collective taught me almost everything I know about photography, editing and running a heart-centered business. Most recently, I have been a part of Diana Davis Creative’s group entrepreneurship programs and have found my mind even more expanded to pursue what is possible for me in my biggest dreams for life and career.

Website: alyssareneemade.com

Instagram: @alyssareneemade

Image Credits
All images by me, photo of me by Melanie Julian Photo