Owner of This is Folklore Hat Co. John Fish (’10) featured on Leading the Pride
April 3, 2019Leading the Pride continues this month by talking with International School of Art and Design alumnus, John Fish (’10). Fish, originally from Iron River, MI, came to Finlandia as a graphic design major to learn how to apply graphics to skateboards. During his time at Finlandia, he spent a large amount of time in the fiber studio and wood shop because he enjoyed building and working with his hands. Having graduated in the midst of a recession, Fish opted to move to Portland, OR and dabbled in a number of odd jobs designing and working in antique shops. Approximately five years ago, Fish became interested in hat making and explored the opportunity to transform an antique shop into a hat store called This is Folklore Hat Co.
Listen as host Olivia Myers and Fish talk about the challenges of starting a new business and the importance of following your dreams when working in the arts.
John Fish’s WORDS OF WISDOM
“Art is a business. I remember being in art school and having people tell me that and being like, ‘You just don’t get it. Art is a sacred thing.’ But art is a business and it can go where ever you want it go.”
STORY SUGGESTIONS
Know an amazing Suomi or Finlandia alum we should feature or even would like to be featured yourself? We’d love to have you!
Drop us a line at communications@finlandia.edu.
FINLANDIA PODCAST NETWORK
Thanks for checking out Leading the Pride, one of four podcasts in the Finlandia University Podcast Network. Leading the Pride is a monthly interview series getting to know the story of Suomi College/Finlandia University alumni. You can check out an archive at finlandia.edu/fridays. We also invite you to subscribe to the Finlandia Podcast Network wherever you get podcasts.
- Finlandia Fridays (weekly podcast going through a wide variety of FinnU topics)
- Lion Around (bi-weekly student-ran podcast)
- This Week in Finlandia Athletics (weekly podcast talking Finlandia Lions athletics)
- Leading the Pride (monthly interview podcast with FinnU alumni)
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