Rooted and Reaching

From Factory Floor to 120 Murals: Alex Ann Allen on Building a Creative Career in South Bend

Muralist and curator Alex Ann Allen shares the story of quitting his factory job to pursue art full-time, growing from zero murals to over 120 across Indiana. In this conversation, Alex opens up about the discipline of creative entrepreneurship, the business of pricing murals, founding the Mural Mania festival, and why inspiring the next generation of artists matters most. Key Takeaways: ● You don't need permission to start. Alex had never painted a mural before his first commission, but he walked into it with guts and figured it out on the wall. ● Planning makes the leap possible. Before going full-time, Alex journaled budgets and saved six months of expenses to create a financial runway for his creative career. ● Preparation is the real work. Up to 70% of a mural project happens before the artist ever touches the wall, a reality most people never see. ● Versatility keeps the work alive. Shifting between geometric, floral, portrait, and other styles prevents burnout and serves a wider range of client needs. ● Community accelerates growth. A group text with 15 fellow muralists, supportive clients, and mentors who appeared along the way have been essential to Alex's development as both an artist and a business owner. ● Pricing evolves with your portfolio. Alex charges by square footage with a minimum rate, a practice that protects his time and attracts the right clients. ● Showing the process builds the brand. Sharing behind-the-scenes reels of mural creation draws more engagement than posting finished work alone. ● The starving artist myth needs to end. Alex is proof that a creative career is financially viable with discipline, planning, and business sense. Chapters: ● 00:00 - Meet Alex Ann Allen: Full-Time Muralist and Curator ● 01:05 - From Factory Work to Following a Passion ● 03:31 - The First Mural and Falling in Love with Large-Scale Art ● 06:15 - Artistic Evolution: Geometrics, Florals, and Beyond ● 09:20 - The Business of Murals: Pricing, Clients, and Discipline ● 14:06 - Sacrifice, Preparation, and the 70% Nobody Sees ● 17:10 - The South Bend Museum of Art and the Transitory Nature of Murals ● 22:37 - Mural Mania: Building a Festival from Scratch ● 31:13 - Advice for Aspiring Creatives and Inspiring the Next Generation Guest Info: Alex Ann Allen ● Full-time muralist, curator, and creative entrepreneur ● Based in South Bend, Indiana ● Founder and curator of Mural Mania, an annual mural festival in South Bend (entering its 5th year) ● Over 120 indoor and outdoor murals completed across Indiana ● Currently co-project managing a new mini mural festival in La Porte, Indiana with the Lubeznik Center for the Arts Resources Mentioned: ● Mural Mania Festival: July 29 through August 2 (Year 5, South Bend) ● Lubeznik Center for the Arts, La Porte, Indiana: www.lubeznikcenter.org ● Indy Arts Council: www.indyarts.org ● South Bend Museum of Art: www.southbendart.org ● DTSB (Downtown South Bend): www.dtsb.com ● Splice (video editing app for reels): www.spliceapp.com ● Cameron Moberg, curator from Rensselaer who inspired the Mural Mania concept ● J2 Marketing, South Bend (Alex's first mural commission) Connect: ● Rooted & Reaching Podcast: www.southbendelkhart.org ● Host: Marty Mechtenberg #RootedAndReaching #SouthBend #Elkhart #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #SmallBusiness #MuralMania #PublicArt #Murals #CreativeEntrepreneur #SouthBendArt #SupportLocalArtists #CommunityArt

From Baby Food to Bold Flavors: Aiye Akhigbe’s Sticky Spoons Journey

In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Aiye Akhigbe, founder and owner of Sticky Spoons LLC. What began as a personal mission to create healthier, homemade food for her children, rather than relying on commercial baby food, Aiye's idea quickly evolved into something much bigger. In this episode, Aiye talks about her journey from making small batches of baby food to developing a full line of handcrafted jams made with simple, real ingredients, fruit, sugar, and time-honored recipes, without fillers or preservatives. Marty and Aiye, talk about the power of community, the importance of staying true to your values, and the resilience it takes to grow a brand. RESOURCES Sticky Spoons Jam: https://stickyspoonsjam.com/ [https://stickyspoonsjam.com/] CONTACT Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/]

Jumping Out of Your Comfort Zone with NutriPop Founder Ujaswin Jain

In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Ujaswin Jain, founder of NutriPop, to discuss Jain’s entrepreneurial journey of bringing a beloved Indian snack, popped water lily seeds, to health-conscious snackers in America. Ujaswin opens up about how his own fitness and nutrition journey sparked the idea to create a snack that hits all the cravings without the guilt. He shares what it was like leaving his corporate data analyst job, stepping out of his comfort zone, and chasing a dream that seemed impossible at times. They also dive into what makes NutriPop special, its nutrient-packed profile, the fun of introducing something totally new, and the clever marketing moves that help it stand out in a crowded snack world. RESOURCES NutriPop: https://snacknutripop.com/ [https://snacknutripop.com/] CONTACT Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/]

Building Momentum: Kris Priemer on Community, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship

In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Kris Priemer, a visionary entrepreneur whose passion for building community has helped shape South Bend’s entrepreneurial scene. Kris shares the story of his career journey and how it led to the creation of Momentum, a dynamic space designed to bring innovators and creators together. They talk about the challenges he faced along the way, the wins that made it worthwhile, and why collaboration and community are at the heart of every successful venture. Kris shares why creating inspiring spaces matters and how nurturing talent can spark long-term innovation across an entire region. RESOURCES Momentum: https://momentumsb.com/ [https://momentumsb.com/] CONTACT Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/]

Pressing Forward: Ryan Blake on Building Purely Press Organic

In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Ryan Blake, co-founder of Purely Press Organic, a local juicery that has grown dramatically since its early days. Marty and Ryan discuss the power of adaptability and innovation, especially in responding to shifting market trends and consumer needs. They explore what drew Ryan and his wife into the organic food industry, the role of community in their growth, and the strategic choices behind their recent expansion. Listen as Ryan shares key lessons from both triumphs and setbacks, underscoring the importance of passion and perseverance in entrepreneurship. RESOURCES Purely Pressed: https://www.purelypressedorganic.com/ [https://www.purelypressedorganic.com/] CONTACT Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/]