Meet Orla Ananda | Mural Artist & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Orla Ananda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Orla, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I think my first thought was that I don’t want to work 9-5 anymore, or in general, work for someone else. My business sort of started on its own. Painting murals, and canvases, and creating collages started as a hobby at first. I had no idea that this will become my full-time job. I started growing rapidly during the summer of 2022 and made a choice to start my own business, taking a leap of faith that creative work will be able to support my lifestyle. And it did!

The deeper purpose behind my business is to improve people’s lives and boost businesses by activating and beautifying spaces that we live, work, and spend time in. It really makes a difference.

So, answering your question, the main thought was “Why do I want to dedicate my life to what I do?”,

That “Why” opened the doors to endless opportunities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

What sets you apart from others?

I paint from my heart and I paint with a purpose. I think I truly create murals for each space with an honest desire to help a client or a business to stand out, to become unique. It’s always a collaborative process. It’s not about me, it’s about working together and bringing the best out of every project. I think my genuine intention to help is what makes my art and my business stand out.

What you are most proud of or excited about?

I am definitely proud that I took a huge risk of not getting a full-time job and believed in myself. I worked with big brands and have big names publications behind my back, but these are just the results of consistent hard work. Being recognized is not the goal, the process of becoming someone and helping people along the way is the most exciting part of it all. I really think that I am not even close to where my potential is going to take me. I am excited about the journey of the unknown.

How did you get to where you are today professionally?

Consistent hard work. Taking risks. Sticking to a routine and schedule. Taking action every day even when nothing happens. Changing approaches, trying different instruments, and always learning. Never stop learning. My favorite saying: “Successful people never stop learning. Poor people know everything already”

Was it easy?

– No. It wasn’t easy. Nothing good comes easy. The problem is that we, our kids, are used to seeing only the tippy top of most people’s successes. We don’t see the hard every day work behind it. The struggles, overcoming challenges, and rejections. Nothing happens overnight. Plus it would be boring that way, no?

If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

– I get a lot of help from people around me. I don’t do it alone. My therapist, my mentor, my family, my friends, my followers on social media. I also take a lot of time for self-care, meditation, yoga, breath work, clod plunges, etc.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

– Everything happens for a reason and every challenge, person, and event is an opportunity to learn something and get stronger, healthier, and better. I look back on all my falls and difficult situations and think: “Thank God it happened!”

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

– I think the main message I try to deliver is not even what my work is, although I love what I do and definitely want to be recognized beyond my community. I want people to know that anything is possible, any idea or work that you do can turn into a life’s purpose. Especially for women. Just do it, try, learn, make mistakes, fall, get back up, and do it again.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Eat : Contessa, Mandolin, Surf Club,

Drink: Esme rooftop, Medium Cool, Lagniappe, Lost Boy

Hang out: Definitely walk around Wynwood, Upper Buena Vista

Art: Rubell Museum, Perez, Museum of Graffiti, ICA

Endless beaches! It’s Miami!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I believe that my story was built on a series of events, people, and practices that took place over time. My first inspiration was an old-time friend, an artist Thierry Guetta, known as Mr. Brainwash, who for years encouraged me to follow my heart and creativity. Second, my family, who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Of course, my therapist, who helped me to work through inner fears and insecurities, who helped me to be me.

My mentor, who is helping me to expand my business and become the well-known, successful artist that I want to be.

And finally, the countless books that are stored in my library, such as Start with Why by Simon Sinek, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson, and The 4-hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris. The list goes on and on.

The biggest thank you is to my endless desire to learn and grow, I never stop taking courses, listening to podcasts, and participating in webinars and masterminds. There is so much to learn, so much!

Website: https://www.orlaananda.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orla_ananda/

Image Credits
I have rights, all photos belong to me