Build Boldly: Creative Grit with Artist & Fashion Designer Pato Gomez
How embracing imperfection, staying consistent, and asking for what you want can fuel a sustainable creative career
Creative work is personal and putting it out into the world can feel like a constant tug-of-war between perfectionism and visibility.
In this exclusive Sweat, Strategy, and Success episode, Pato Gomez, founder and creative director of What Excites You, opens up about the reality of being an artist with a 9-to-5, the fear of not being "better than your last," and how selling art isn't just about the work, it’s about courage and connection.
🎭 “Some of the greatest artworks come from not trying that hard... Creativity isn’t always about outdoing yourself.”
Pato shares tactical ways he's built community and income without selling out:
💸 Offering original artwork at accessible prices
🎟 Hosting raffles to make buying art fun and low-risk
🎤 Boldly asking people—“Hey, do you want to buy some art?”
But his biggest advice? Don’t wait to be ready. Get uncomfortable. Dress up. Show up. Ask. That’s how his first fashion show landed in a downtown Austin venue—for free.
🧵 “It was awkward. But the first person I talked to gave me the venue.”
This episode is a must-listen for any creative stuck between dreaming and doing. Whether you’re building a brand after hours or trying to monetize your art, Pato’s story is a reminder that real growth happens when you lean into discomfort and keep showing up.