(San Francisco, CA) - Welcome to 2020! Excited to have recently uploaded some of my favorite 2019 #bspokeofficehours chats onto Instagram. IGTV finally allowed me to upload longer-form video, making each of these original IGLIVE videos rewatchable via IGTV, the YouTube of Instagram.
Photo: Lorenzo Hodges
COMEDY | Angela Hoover, Comedian and Celebrity Impressionist, Los Angeles, CA
Angela Hoover makes me laugh out loud (in a good way). Introduced to her Instagram account by a friend, her impressions of three Kardashians discussing their brands had me in stiches. Our May 2019 conversation was peppered with some fun, real-time sidebars about being a mom and raising her kids in the age of mobile phones, but also included: her personal brand development and management; the always-present motivational question of whether she’s “waiting or creating”; her creative process; how her “America’s Got Talent” experience helped solidify her approach to comedy. 36 minutes. Watch here. Visit Angela on Instagram for her hilarious posts and stories. Keep up with Angela’s upcoming performances, get a Cameo “Real Housewives” impression message and book her at AngelaHoover.com.
OPERA | Joanna Ceja, Education Director, Long Beach Opera, Long Beach, CA
Good social media brings people together. That’s how I discovered LA mezzo soprano Joanna Ceja, singing the role of “West Side Story'“ Maria in an Instagram shared by tenor Joshua Guerrero. Even though we hadn’t yet met in person, Joanna was a warm and natural conversationalist. As 2019 began, I realized Joanna was the perfect person with whom to partner and launch #bspokeofficehours. We had an incredibly fun chat this past February, discussing people of color, image and authenticity in opera; building personal brand and community outreach at Long Beach Opera; her vocal style; why emotional singing is best; being in a rock band, too (!!) . Definitely stay to hear Joanna sing Lady Gaga’s “Shallow” upon viewer request. 49 minutes. Watch here. See Joanna perform in Anchorage Opera’s production of “Frida” on February 14, 15 and 16, and The Industry in Los Angeles’ production of “Sweetland” on February 27 - March 15.
Photo: Emily Payne
INTERIOR DESIGN | Claudia Juestal, Principal, Adeeni Design Group and Galerie, San Francisco, CA
I’d been connected to Claudia Juestel via social media for many years when we finally met in 2018 (thanks to the wonderful David Landis). Once #bspokeofficehours launched, Claudia was at the top of my ask list. Happily, we filmed this August 2019 in-person chat over Viennese coffee at her beautiful Adeeni Design Galerie on Post Street, in San Francisco. In addition to discussing her expert take on early and mid-century Austrian interior design and design aesthetic, Claudia explained how she tells her clients’ unique design stories in their homes and businesses, as part of a larger, invaluable client experience / process discussion. Claudia also gave me the most wonderful tour! 38 minutes. Watch here. Follow Claudia’s journey on Instagram and visit Adeeni Design Group online to explore and engage her interior design expertise.