Trigger Warning: Mention of suicidal ideation occurring from 45:46-48:17. Please take care of yourself, and if you need to, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Resources can be found at SAMHSA.gov.

In today’s episode, we chat with Tommy Geoco, a U.S. Marine turned designer and startup founder. Tommy shares his insights and experiences with finding the right work-life balance, entrepreneurship as a designer, and giving back to your community. We also discuss protecting your mental health while participating in hussle culture and how identity and profession interconnect.

Here’s a look at our discussion:

0:01 : Creating community for designers
4:00: The future of the creator space
7:30 : Tommy’s career trajectory and journey into design roles
17:00 : Lessons learned as a first time founder
21:00 : Protecting your mental health and hustle culture
26:00 : Work-life balance & tying your identity to your profession
43:30 : Being open & authentic on social media
47:00 : What’s coming up next for Tommy & how to get in touch

Links mentioned in this episode:

Finding Value in Building Community with Tommy Geoco