(Almost) Reckless

A conversation with Daniel Dooreck and Amy Smilovic. Daniel is the Founder and Head Potter at Danny D’s Mud Shop, an independent ceramics company based in Los Angeles, California. What originally began as a side-hobby out of Daniel’s garage in Echo Park has blossomed into a lively brick-and-mortar store/workshop in East Hollywood where Daniel and his small team craft and design every day. Each piece is a one-of-one created by hand without the use of machines or molds, taking influence from the American West, traditional tattooing, and quirky illustrations collected by Daniel overtime. Select pieces from the Mud Shop can be found across the globe in specially chosen retailers from Tokyo to Toronto. Throughout this episode, Amy and Daniel discuss the unique path that has led Daniel to where he is today, connecting the dots between previous jobs, dreams, and hobbies to formulate the greater picture that is Danniel’s thriving career at present. The episode was shot and produced live in Danny D’s Mud Shop in East Hollywood, CA.

A conversation with Fran Camaj and Amy Smilovic. Fran is the Founder of the Gjelina Group, an independent hospitality brand based in Venice, California. Since opening the original Gjelina restaurant on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in 2008, Fran has slowly and naturally evolved his business into a beautiful ecosystem of interdependent creative endeavors and passion projects. After Gjelina came Gjelina take-away next door, then Gjusta Bakery (originally a commissary kitchen to support dinner service at Gjelina), then Gjusta Goods, Gjusta Grocer, Gjusta Flower Shop, Gjusta Apartment, the Gjelina Hotel, and now Gjelina restaurant outposts in NYC and Las Vegas. Throughout the discussion a new theme emerges, one that highlights the three phases entrepreneurs experience when building their own business as we learn about Fran’s journey in building a brand rooted in gut instinct and passion. The episode was shot live at Gjelina in Venice, CA.

A conversation with Javier Peral and Amy Smilovic. Javier is a Music Director and Producer for a variety of creative industries spanning art, fashion, and design. Javier has been directing music for Tibi for over two decades, dating back to Tibi’s Spring 2004 Runway. Over the course of this time working together, Amy and Javier have struck a rapport only feasible through a relationship that spans 21+ years, one that allows for nearly frictionless communication through the medium of music, and an innate trust in each other’s vision and perspective. It is for this reason that Tibi has been able to successfully implement notable songs like Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses, She’s a Rainbow by The Rolling Stones, and If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot. The two discuss how your work can keep you young, the fear in explaining one’s job description to others who may not understand, and the influence of others’ perception of “giving up” on your dreams. The episode was shot and produced live at 666 Studios.

A conversation with Mara Hoffman and Amy Smilovic. Mara Hoffman is an Artist, and the Founder of Mara Hoffman, her independent, namesake label that she led as President and Creative Director for 24 years. As a prominent leader for sustainability in the luxury fashion industry, Mara decided to close her doors in the Spring of 2024, ultimately realizing that the best path forward in her environmental advocacy would be through a different lens. This episode is a journey through Mara’s career and a no-frills discussion, from Amy and Mara’s 50 years of combined experience, about the many foundational and deeply rooted issues that independent designers confront in pursuit of building a business based on principles and values that extend beyond just revenue and profit. This episode was shot and produced live at 666 Studios.

A conversation with Malcolm Mitchell and Amy Smilovic. Malcolm Mitchell is a best-selling author, poet, founder of Share the Magic Foundation, and Super Bowl champion. After retiring from the NFL in 2019 after two years due to an injury, Malcolm was confronted with a career shift earlier than expected and altered his focus to being a full-time author, writing children's books and championing the importance of youth literacy through his "Read with Malcolm" initiative. In 2016 Malcolm published his first book, The Magician's Hat, followed by My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World, which was published in 2020. Malcolm and Amy's paths first crossed at the tail end of his career with New England Patriots, and the two have remained great friends since. The episode was shot and produced live at 666 Studios.