Have you ever had a moment where something just clicks? A moment where you were in a flow state, wrapped up in something bigger than yourself, something that brings you joy and suddenly an idea pops into your head. This is what people call an "ah-ha moment."
I have always considered myself a bit of an outdoorsman. Fishing, hiking, hunting and camping have always been at the forefront of my passions. To be in nature has always given me a sense of wholeness. When I left the beautiful landscapes of Montana and traded it for the swamps and coastlines of Florida, I thought I had lost a little part of me. I would try to find places where I could be in solitude in this bustling state. Eventually, I realized something, I didn't lose a part of me; it awoke something new. I started exploring new landscapes, becoming more creative with my photography, and becoming inspired with the new landscapes of Florida's nature. Complacency was silently killing me in Montana and I didn't realize this. I was content, happy and didn't care for much more... at least I thought.
(Photo: Fishing for trout in the Beartooth Mountains Montana)
"A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials." -Seneca
The first two years in Florida were a struggle. Being unhappy with my job and finding it hard to get excited about anything. I was depressed. One day I finally had enough of my job and walked out after making a scene in the pipe manufacturing plant where I worked. I just couldn't take the harassment and abuse from the shop manager. I didn't want to tell anyone what had happened. Embarrassed with the way I reacted, I knew I needed a place where I can breathe. Without hesitation the job search began not knowing it would be a month before being back to work. My wife was taking up the slack for the loss of my job, and it was unfair to her. In between job searching and taking care of the house, I would find nature parks to go walk in to try and clear my head. This gave me a reason to pick up my camera again and start taking pictures. It wasn't long after that I was getting up and heading to the nature preserve before the sun comes up in hopes to catch amazing photos of wildlife. The walks became longer and the thoughts even deeper. Nature had become a creative space for me and my mindset began to shift to a more peaceful place. Starting a new job in a stable environment made this shift in my life even more meaningful.
(Photo: Sunset on the banks of lake McCleod in Eagle lake, Florida)
"As long as you live, keep learning how to live" -Seneca
Fast forward another year... I transferred to an Office in Tampa where I would start yet another journey in pursuing an AutoCAD designer position for the industry that I have been in for most of my career. This makes for long drives but more time to listen to podcasts and books on philosophy, theology and psychology. I began taking notes and journaling. My morning weekend walks in nature become social media posts where I can share my thoughts and things that I have learned with others. At first, it's just a video here and there. Then comes the death of two former colleagues. One was due to alcoholism and the other, murdered... I couldn't help but think there was more that maybe I could have done for the one who died from alcoholism. That day the decision was made to post everyday even if it was just to share a quote I learned or a simple thought in hopes it might make someone's day better or give them the courage to continue through a rough patch. It wasn't long before I started getting positive feedback about the content I was creating though my viewership was low. At the time of writing this my following is still low but I am reminded why I am doing it.
(Photo: Lake Hancock, Circle B Bar Preserve Florida. Taken by Nicole Burkey)
"The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
This was the "AH-HA!" moment... I love art, photography, anything that gave a creative spark, so I would share my photography and occasional art piece in my videos. On one of my walks, I thought.. what if someone wants to maybe buy my photography?.. I didn't want to sell someone an over-priced aluminum print to hang on the wall to collect dust. What if I give them functional pieces, something that serves a daily purpose. Everyone needs/wears clothes, why not make T-shirts? I bring my idea home to my wife after a long walk in the woods of Florida. She loves and supports the idea. But what do I call the brand? The Stoics were so called because of ancient Greek piece of architecture called a stoa. A stoa is a covered front walk with large columns that had steps leading to the front entrance. Here the Stoics would gather to learn from each other, discuss politics, everyday life and philosophy. Nature was my stoa. This is where my ideas, thoughts and philosophy would come about and with today's technology, this would be pushed out to the world through social media posts. Nature also became my studio where my creativity would flow. Thus, Studio Stoa was born combining studio (A creative space) and Stoa (A platform to share my philosophy) seemed perfect.
This is just the beginning. If the story resonated, subscribe here for more — behind-the-scenes from the trail, the philosophy that drives the brand, and first looks at new collections.
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