So what exactly is Westwood Westwood? It’s a platform where we showcase and celebrate those who have created a ‘career’ out of passion and curiosity. It’s for the misfits and risk-takers who didn’t follow the conventional way(s) of achieving ‘success,’ though receiving praise from others wasn’t really the goal anyway. We truly believe that everyone has a desire to pursue their dreams and follow their own path; some just need more nudging, examples and reassurance.
That’s precisely why Westwood Westwood is live. In weeks, months and (hopefully) years to come, our objective is to effectively remind everyone that no matter the craft or skill, with persistence and perseverance, anyone can lead a purposeful life while attaining various accomplishments and happiness. While we’ll launch new stories around specific individuals (i.e. entrepreneurial creatives) every week, we will also have relevant and insightful content that resonates and inspires.
On that note, I’m proud to launch our first week of Westwood Westwood with Ari Taymor! If you’re not familiar with his story, Ari was and is one of the youngest chefs in America to have earned so many distinctions (Bon Appétit Magazine's Best New Restaurant, 2013; Food & Wine’s Best New Chef, 2014; and James Beard Rising Star Chef nominee, 2015). Alongside Ashleigh Parsons (Co-Founder of Alma), Taymor had opened a small restaurant meant as a pop-up of sorts at 26 years old without investors or backing of anyone noteworthy. Four years later, he and Alma are both in completely different places; physically in that Alma is now at The Standard Hollywood and mentally, Ari has a revitalized perspective on how to better balance and navigate through EVERYTHING.
Enjoy.