We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gwendolyn Lind a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Gwendolyn, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Since I was a kid, I’ve always been interested in many different things. Curiosity has been a constant in my life, and it started early—back in preschool. It was Career Day, the day when parents, friends, and family would gather to watch each child step onto the stage, proudly announcing what they wanted to be when they grew up, holding up a drawing or painting of their dream job. Some kids said they wanted to be doctors, teachers, or firefighters, confidently sharing their dreams with the audience. When my turn came, I walked up, looked out at the crowd of expectant faces, and without skipping a beat, I proudly declared, “When I grow up, I want to be a rainbow.”
Everyone chuckled and thought it was adorable, but looking back now, that moment holds more meaning than I ever realized. I didn’t find my purpose in a single moment, a single job, or even a single industry—it’s been a winding journey of exploration, trial, and discovery, shaped by every new challenge I’ve taken on. And in many ways, I have become that rainbow I once dreamed of being. Each new experience has been like adding a new color, another piece of the spectrum, helping me explore my options before I finally reach the end of my own rainbow.
With a bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Cal State Fullerton, I’ve worked in many different industries as a Data Analyst. What I’ve come to realize is that being a Data Analyst isn’t clearly defined by any one industry. Each field requires a different set of skills, knowledge, and context to interpret data in meaningful ways—each one bringing a unique experience and helping me discover more about my strengths and weaknesses.
I started as a Data Science Intern with a defense company, where I helped the team create algorithms to analyze and detect acoustic signals for aircrafts and drones. This job pushed me into programming, where I had to quickly teach myself how to code in a program I had only learned at a basic level during one semester in college, and then dive straight into the project. I leaned on coworkers as resources to understand the full scope of the project and learn from what had worked—and what hadn’t—in the past.
Next, I worked as a data analyst in the healthcare industry, focusing on billing and claims. This role helped me sharpen my skills in attention to detail, organization, and efficiency. I also learned a lot about medical and technical terms and the ins and outs of hospital operations—an eye-opening dive into the industry.
After that, I worked as a data analyst creating Affirmative Action Plans for federal contractors. My role involved analyzing workforce data and delivering expert presentations to interpret AAP data, identify areas for improvement, and offer strategic recommendations on adverse impact, pay equity, and diversity gaps. I found I really enjoyed talking with clients, helping them understand what they needed to do on their end to be compliant. It was rewarding knowing I could be a resource and truly help them navigate the challenging process.
And even to this day, I am still on a journey. I believe finding your purpose isn’t about discovering a final destination in life but rather embracing the journey itself—never missing a moment to learn more about yourself, adapt to new environments, and continue growing both personally and mentally. I am still on that rainbow, adding new colors and savoring every step of the journey, knowing that the process of growth and discovery is just as meaningful as the destination itself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Alongside my analytical roles, I’ve also nurtured my passion for creativity through running my own small business with my dad. We officially called that business Artisan Night Lights. We originally started by creating high-end lamps from our woodshop in our garage, where I would paint on multiple layers of glass, which were then placed into craftsman-style lamp bases designed by my dad. Over the years, we’ve showcased our work at various art events, including The Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach (both summer and winter) and other local markets. These experiences allowed us to engage directly with customers and share our artistic process. As we continued selling our high-end lamps, people kept asking if we had anything smaller—this led to the creation of our night lights.
We’ve created over 500 unique night lights, simply because we love the process of making art. At shows, we enjoy drawing people into our booth by sharing the stories behind our pieces. My dad’s photography captures everything from iconic places we’ve visited on family vacations or his own travels to a variety of animals, including our cats, dogs, backyard chickens, and even my pet rooster, named Peeps. As for my paintings, we take pleasure in explaining the inspiration and techniques behind each one. Every night light carries its own story to tell.
For example, with my acrylic birch tree series, I explain to customers how I painted on multiple layers of glass using acrylics and then used a palette knife to create a textured background for the sunset. I also share the story behind my pug sketch, which came about because so many customers asked if we had any pugs. I finally sketched one out, and of course, all the pug lovers immediately fell in love with it. Another favorite of mine is a piece called “Purr,” which was my first oil painting. It features my mischievous tabby cat wrapped in a Hawaiian lei, and I love sharing her story. These are just a few examples of how we engage with everyone, sharing the personal stories behind each piece we create.
We genuinely love getting requests from customers because it pushes us to keep creating new art. Being creative and working together is something we truly enjoy. We constantly collaborate, discussing composition, balance, and how a piece connects with others. That piece may evoke a fond memory or even spark a great laugh. It’s a process we both find exciting and rewarding.
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?
Throughout my journey, I’ve found that certain qualities have been key in helping me navigate both challenges and opportunities. These qualities have shaped my growth and have been essential in my success. While many qualities are useful, I’ve found these three to be the most impactful.
Persistence. Persistence is crucial, especially when things get challenging or when you feel like giving up. There have been times in my life when I struggled with imposter syndrome or felt like I didn’t belong, but pushing through, continuing to learn, and growing is the best thing you can do for yourself. Persistence keeps you moving forward and ensures you never give up.
Curiosity. Stay curious and be open to new careers or paths. You may think you want to become something, but as you work in that industry, you might realize another door opens that feels like a better fit. Being open to new possibilities allows opportunities to come your way. Asking questions and staying curious helps those opportunities find you and prepares you to embrace them.
Communication. Strong communication skills are essential, no matter what industry you end up in. You’ll always be working with people, whether it’s in a team on a project or with clients and customers to understand their needs. Being able to communicate effectively makes the job easier and also positions you as an important person. Communication is everything—the way you present yourself, your tone, your demeanor, and how you express yourself can make all the difference in building relationships. It helps you connect with others, understand their point of view, and recognize their strengths and weaknesses, which benefits both you and the company.
I didn’t start out with these qualities, but through learning, growing, and figuring out what works and what doesn’t, I developed them. Persistence helped me push through the tough times, curiosity kept me open to new opportunities, and strong communication allowed me to bring people together. These qualities have been the foundation of my journey and have shaped the path I’m on today.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The person who has helped me the most in life is my dad. I owe him everything. He has taught me so much and shaped me into the person I am today. Through every challenge, he has been my strength, offering guidance and support when I needed it most. In my best moments, he has been my biggest cheerleader, always encouraging me to push forward. In my worst moments, he has been my rock, always standing by my side and helping me find my way back on the right path. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his unconditional love, sacrifices, and the countless lessons he has passed down to me.
From teaching me a wide range of life skills, my dad has been there at every milestone, helping me grow through lessons that continue to shape my life. For practical skills, he taught me how to cook, like making pancakes from scratch together when I was young, and how to fix things around the house, like leaky sprinklers in the front yard. These hands-on lessons gave me the confidence and the tools to tackle any challenge, knowing that with the right approach, I can handle anything, even if it’s new to me. For emotional skills, he helped me build emotional strength by encouraging healthy habits, like walking together every day, and creating space for us to talk openly about our feelings. His support taught me to believe in myself, express my emotions, and never be afraid to ask for help. For creative skills, he instilled in me a mindset of thinking outside the box, adapting to challenges, and coming up with innovative solutions. Whether in design, business, or everyday life, I approach problems with a unique blend of originality, resourcefulness, and resilience.
My dad’s influence has been the foundation of who I am today, and I carry his lessons with me in everything I do. His love, guidance, and unwavering support continue to inspire me to approach life with confidence, creativity, and the strength to face any challenge that comes my way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artisannightlights.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwendolynlind/
Image Credits
Christine Lind
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