Meet Kristian Thomassen

We were lucky to catch up with Kristian Thomassen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristian, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I think my work ethic was born from not quite fitting in. Growing up in a small town in Denmark, I often felt like an outsider – the kid who dressed differently, thought differently, and dreamed bigger than what felt “acceptable.” There wasn’t much space for that, and over time, I realized that if I couldn’t find belonging socially, I’d try to earn it through what I could do. Work became my outlet – the place where I could channel all that restless energy and prove, to myself and maybe to others, that I had something to offer.

In that sense, work wasn’t just about ambition – it was about finding purpose and, honestly, recognition. I’ve been really lucky to cross paths with people who saw something in me and gave me a chance. At my first job in a movie theater, a manager promoted me to a leadership role when I was probably way too young for it. Later, in New York, I had mentors who believed in me even when I brought a lot of bold (and sometimes disruptive) ideas to the table. That kind of support means everything – especially when you’re used to being the one who doesn’t quite “fit the mold.”

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I work at the intersection of creativity and strategy – helping brands tell stories that resonate, inspire, and connect. Currently, I’m a Creative Brand Marketing Specialist at MA+ Group, one of the leading creative advertising agencies globally. In that role, I’ve been lucky to contribute to campaigns for iconic names like Loro Piana, Gucci, J Crew, and Etro – translating ideas into concepts that feel human, elevated, and culturally relevant.

In parallel, I serve as Brand Manager for Neighborhood Projects, a hospitality group behind several popular restaurants in New York City, including The Golden Swan in the West Village. What excites me most about this work is that we’re not just running restaurants – we’re creating experiences. Right now, we’re developing new initiatives across our venues that push beyond the traditional idea of dining and aim to create immersive, memorable moments. Whether it’s through storytelling, visual identity, or guest experience design, the goal is always to make people feel something.

At the core of everything I do is a belief that creativity is a tool for connection. I’m drawn to projects that challenge convention and create space for individuality – because that’s ultimately what I was looking for myself when I first got started.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Self-awareness
Knowing who I am – and who I’m not – has been a compass in everything I do. When you grow up feeling different, you learn early on to tune in to your own instincts. That same awareness has helped me make difficult decisions, like walking away from opportunities that looked good on paper but didn’t feel right in practice. My advice? Get comfortable being alone with yourself, and ask the hard questions early: What drives you? What drains you? What do you want to stand for?

2. Adaptability
Moving to New York with no safety net forced me to learn fast and figure things out on the fly. I’ve worked in advertising, hospitality, events, fashion – and each environment required me to show up differently. Adaptability isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about learning how to apply who you are in different contexts. The more open you are to change, the more resilient you become.

3. Creative communication
Being able to express ideas clearly – visually, verbally, emotionally – has probably been the most powerful skill in my career. Whether I’m pitching a brand concept or designing a guest experience at a restaurant, it all comes down to storytelling. For anyone starting out, practice communicating your ideas, not just creating them. Clarity is what gets you in the room. Emotional resonance is what keeps you there.

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?

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one person – but two women come to mind immediately: Artist and designer, Camilla Stærk, and model Helena Christensen.

When I first met them, it was supposed to be a freelance job. But very quickly, it became something else entirely. I was at a low point – burned out, anxious, and unsure whether there was actually a place for someone like me in this industry. Camilla and Helena didn’t just give me work – they gave me a sense of belonging. They took me under their wings in a way I never expected, and they’ve since become my chosen family in New York.

In a city that can be both thrilling and incredibly isolating, they created space for me to land, breathe, and rebuild. Whether it’s traveling together, working on creative projects, or simply sitting around the dinner table, they’ve taught me so much about leading with integrity, staying grounded, and embracing softness in a world that often rewards hardness.

Their generosity, strength, and openness have shaped not just how I work – but how I live. They reminded me that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of your identity or your well-being. And more than anything, they showed me what it looks like to lift others as you rise.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: kristian.hvid

Image Credits

They’re all private photos.