Meet Karina Konupek

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karina Konupek. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Karina, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

Optimism?
I’d describe myself as a pessimistic optimist—and I use it with pride. As many immigrants do, I learned early on to keep a cautious hand on hope. It’s not that I don’t believe in things working out; I just believe in being ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. That quiet preparedness has been essential, but ultimately, living with an optimism-forward mindset has been critical to my success in business and in life.

Running your own company is a rollercoaster—there are triumphs and windfalls, yes, but also late nights, pivots, and moments where everything seems to fall apart before it clicks into place. I’ve learned from all of it.

There are times when my company is called upon to produce large-scale activations—multi-day events with moving parts, full crews, and high expectations. As the Owner and Creative Director, the responsibility falls on me to source and confirm a full team of independent artists, ensure contracts are in order, and coordinate timelines and deliverables. It’s a high-stakes dance with people who each have their own flow, businesses, and response times. Can it be done? Yes. But how, and with whom? That changes every time.

Optimism is not optional in those moments—it’s foundational. I have to trust in my ability to bring the right people together, to communicate clearly with clients, and to hold a vision that works. That mindset keeps me nimble, hopeful, and ready.

Behind every vibrant activation or joyful moment I help create is a quieter story of living in pain. At age nine, a gymnastics injury—and some not-so-helpful genetics—set me on a lifelong journey with chronic pain. For nearly five decades, I’ve lived with discomfort that never truly leaves, only shifts in intensity. But… I never stop seeking answers. I never stop creating. I never stop building my life. This has in essence become a kind of creative companion. It’s taught me resilience, sharpened my sensitivity, and deepened my capacity to find and offer joy, even in the midst of difficulty. I’ve learned to read energy, to notice nuance, and to meet people where they are—skills that directly shape how I lead Artistic LA and how I approach every event, every client, every artist. I don’t share this story for sympathy—I share it because it’s real. In a world that often asks us to hide our struggles, I believe in showing up with truth. I create not in spite of what I carry, but because of it.

But here’s what I’ve learned:
Pain doesn’t cancel out joy.
Discomfort doesn’t disqualify creativity.
And hardship doesn’t erase the power of choosing to show up beautifully, anyway.

I’ve become highly attuned to energy, to nuance, to small victories—because when you live in a body that requires constant navigation, you learn to read the world differently. That sensitivity? It pours directly into my art, into how I hold space for others, and into how I lead Artistic LA with both structure and soul.

I don’t tell this story for sympathy—I share it because it’s real. And in a world that often asks us to hide the hard parts, I believe it’s powerful to say: I create not in spite of what I carry—but because of it.

I do business regardless.
I create regardless.
I live—regardless.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Plans for the future? They’re nothing short of amazing. Life is truly a guided journey—if you’re willing to listen to its whispers and shouts.

After the loss of both my parents, it became deeply vital for my soul to tune in and honor the messages from the Universe—how to heal, how to mourn, and how to live fully in the years ahead. With the loving support of my husband, I was guided to dive deeply into creative expression, which led to the birth of something very special: Secret Forest LA (secretforestla.com), my immersive, enchanted forest experience nestled right in Burbank.

Secret Forest LA is more than a studio; it’s a gift to our community, a sanctuary for the soul, and a legacy project I cherish. This immersive gallery and event venue invites visitors to step into a whimsical world—where fairy houses exhibit themselves on the trees, bees and butterflies flit by, and real plants fill the air with fresh, earthy scents. You might find yourself standing within a massive UV crystal cave or listening to music played by plants themselves. For a few minutes, you’re no longer in bustling Los Angeles—you’re somewhere magical, familiar and different.

Though we officially opened just three months ago, after a full year of beta testing, the studio is already a hidden gem, welcoming weekend walk-ins when not booked for intimate, limitless events. The best part? Every creation I make adds another layer of whimsy, more inspiration, more heart into the space.

On the Artistic LA front, our mission continues with over two decades of experience creating bespoke artistic entertainment for clients ranging from intimate private gatherings to high-profile premieres. Artistic LA has become synonymous with quality, creativity, and professionalism. Our strength lies in crafting fully customized experiences that bring clients’ visions vividly to life—no cookie-cutter entertainment here. We work exclusively with a handpicked network of professional, insured artists who share our commitment to excellence and reliability. And while nothing on that aspect will change, we will continue to update our services and bring creativity to as many lives as possible

Secret Forest LA offers an immersive, enchanted setting unlike any other—perfect for intimate brand activations, focused corporate events, creative workshops, and celebrations that demand a touch of magic. Rooted in community and soulful creativity, both Artistic LA and Secret Forest LA provide not just events, but lasting memories.

Whether you’re seeking one-of-a-kind entertainment, a captivating venue, or a creative partnership, we’re excited to bring your vision to life. Visit ArtisticLA.com and SecretForestLA.com to explore more or reach out directly.

As for me personally? I have a treasure trove of new art projects, crafts, and creations waiting to come to life. With so many ideas buzzing, life will never be boring—only full of possibility.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities have shaped my journey more than anything else: adaptability, resourcefulness, and intuitive leadership.

Adaptability has been my survival tool and my superpower. Whether it was growing up with an immigrant mindset, working through chronic pain, or navigating the ever-changing nature of event work, being able to shift directions—gracefully or scrappily—has kept me moving forward. Life and business will always throw curveballs. The more willing you are to pivot, the more power you retain.

Resourcefulness is the muscle that turns dreams into action. I’ve built a business from scratch and with little guidance, organized full-scale events with just a few days’ notice, and kept clients dazzled without revealing how much glue was needed to hold myself together behind the scenes. When you don’t have everything you need, use what you do have. Creativity isn’t just paint and glitter—it’s how you solve, connect, stretch, and build.

Intuitive leadership came through experience, trial and error, and a lot of inner listening. My business depends on people—clients, artists, collaborators—and the more I trust my instincts about who I work with, how I show up, and what needs to be done in the moment, the smoother things go. That sense of intuition isn’t fluffy; it’s a skill you sharpen by listening to yourself, noticing patterns, and learning from both wins and mistakes.

My advice?
If you’re early in your journey:

Stay flexible. You don’t need the perfect plan—just the willingness to learn and keep moving.

Work your resource muscle. Learn to create value with whatever you’ve got in your toolkit today.

And trust yourself. Build your internal compass now—it will guide you more than any formula ever will.

The path won’t be linear, but it will be yours—and that’s where the magic is.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The biggest challenge I’m currently facing is time—specifically, having enough of it to nurture all the facets of my creative and professional life without burning out.

Between running Artistic LA, developing Secret Forest LA, supporting my community, and constantly exploring new creative projects, my days are full to the brim. And I love that—but it’s a delicate dance. My challenge is no longer about finding inspiration—it’s about protecting the energy and space to follow through on all the ideas that pour in. I’ve built a life I truly love, but that also means I’m continually managing the tension between expansion and sustainability.

To meet this challenge, I’ve started getting really intentional. I’m streamlining wherever I can, learning to delegate more, and creating pockets of quiet where I can recalibrate. Thankfully, I created a space to replenish in my studio when we’re closed to the public—Secret Forest LA isn’t just an immersive experience for others; it’s also my sanctuary. That time alone in the forest, with the scent of plants and the glow of the crystal cave, brings me back to center.

This phase of my journey is less about hustle and more about harmony. I’m not here to do everything—I’m here to do what is inline with my soul, and do it well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://artisticla.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/artisticla
• Linkedin: Karina
• Other: ticktok.com/artisticlamedium

  ticktok.com/secretforestla