We had the good fortune of connecting with James Rao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I decided to start my own business it was mainly to have a side hustle while I still work and go to school. I wanted to make a business doing something I really loved to do. I think it’s important when you step out into the world wanting to make and grow a business to let it be something you are passionate about. That’s why I chose to create stickers and now it’s grown to include different things like badge holders, buttons, cups, and printed waterproof stickers with even new stuff coming soon.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love doing my art! I make a lot of different stuff ranging from digital art to photography. I do a good amount of portrait digital art I’m really proud of those the most they take so much time and I go into great detail making them. My photography is something I want to start getting more into as well, I’m really proud of all the photos I take and edit. My latest set of photos is from my time in San Francisco and Joshua Tree. I really try to connect my art to my shop and want to start selling prints or commissions. I wouldn’t say I’ve made it professionally with my art yet, I’m working toward that goal every day. It is hard to be seen online especially with it being so easy for anybody to post online, so I just keep creating and making my presence online, and hopefully soon I can reach the goals I set and then make new ones.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first night he’s in town we are going to the Tipsy Crow, my favorite bar to hang out at when I want to go out but not go to a club. We would also go to Seaport village to get some food from the vendors there. Then we would go to Convey area for Korean bbq.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been given a lot of support for wanting to start my own little business from my friends and family. My friends are also into the art scene either in the traditional sense or digitally and a few of them and I have talked about making a new business and integrating it with my current one. I owe my current passion for digital art and creating hands-on to my high school graphic design teacher, he taught me everything I needed to get off the ground and inspired me to go and learn all the new things I now make, his name was Mr.Bolton. An old podcast I listened to really inspired me as well, it’s called College Info Geek. The creator of the podcast and he’s also an entrepreneur Thomas Frank really inspired me with how he created his business,

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PersonaFactory?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Instagram: @jr_photography1812 @the_persona_factory

Twitter: @Doctor_Finn1812

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.