What’s good, what’s good… Alright, so who are you and what do you do?
Nolan Smith, I am a 22 year old Student/Connector. I have a passion for culture and bringing people together through several different mediums (producing/promoting/managing/booking). I run venturasfinest.com which is a local online magazine that features Fashion, Art, Music and Sports. I am also a full-time Love spreader.
Haha. I’m sure somewhere, you just made someone smile. What inspires you? Someone or something in particular?
There are so many people/places/things that I draw inspiration from. Really Anyone who has turned doing what they love into a career for themselves.
Definitely something to strive for. Do you see yourself doing this your whole life or is this just a step into something bigger and better? Like, let’s say, 10 years?
Haha! That’s a good question! I see what I am doing now potentially evolving into a career. Hopefully it continues to grow into something bigger/better. I’m working on my 5 year plan as we speak so 10 is tough to say haha! I hope that in 10 years I have traveled and connected with people all around the world continuing to grow as an individual everyday.
What role does street wear and the boutique life play in all this?
It plays a very large role! The street wear culture has inspired me tremendously over the past 5 years. Whether it be learning the basics of marketing and branding by following The Hundreds blog or spending time with Nick Tershay (Diamond Supply Co.) and picking his brain. I’ve spent alot of time just kickin it on Fairfax just soaking in the culture and also building relationships. I’ve always thought street wear was dope because it is all the cool subcultures rolled into one (surfing, skating, hip-hop, punk rock) but at the same time it’s not limited to any one of those things. It’s a lifestyle.
Let’s get a little deep on this last one… Is there a “Movement” in Ventura? How can someone become a positive part of it?
I always find it funny when people call what it is that they’re doing a “movement” like what exactly classifies something as a “movement”!? At any rate, there are definitely some people getting together and making things happen in this town and it is refreshing to see. VenturasFinest.com is a local platform for the movers and shakers in the Fashion, Music, Art and Sports world which pretty much encompasses all creative people. I think for anything to really pop in this town it is going to take a collective effort from several individuals and a clear cut vision. It’s also good to see some friendly competition, it drives everyone to improve upon their craft. Collaboration is also crucial to making things move at a quicker rate, im sure their is some corny quote about teamwork that would go perfectly right here, but it’s true!
Haha. All real talk though!..Last Shout Outs?
Shout out to my best friends in the world the FABB 5. Shout out to the LightTeam! Everybody, I love you all. Shout out to The Biz Kids, thanks for everything!
Big Thanks to Ventura’s Finest and make sure to check his blog daily at www.venturasfinest.com and also add him on Facebook for updates!
– The Biz Kids
The Biz Kids 