We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Louie Gamon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Louie below.
Louie, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
Here is a clear, compassionate response using your story, written in a reflective first-person voice:
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I have persisted through mental health challenges by turning pain into purpose and finding healing through creativity and community.
My son Esben was only 12 years old when he began experiencing severe bullying at school. The impact was devastating. He became deeply depressed to the point where he was contemplating suicide, and he was admitted to a local mental health facility for a week. While that week helped stabilize him, he wasn’t fully himself afterward. As parents, we tried everything we could to help bring back his spark—video games, movies, toys, art—anything that might help him reconnect with joy and confidence.
The turning point came when I decided to participate in a local art and craft show and brought Esben along with me. While I sold my art, Esben sat nearby with a sketchpad, quietly drawing. A customer noticed his work, showed genuine interest, and purchased one of his sketches for $20. In that moment, I saw something change. There was a spark—pride, validation, and a sense of worth—that I hadn’t seen in a long time.
That experience was deeply meaningful for both of us. It showed me how powerful creativity, encouragement, and community can be in healing mental health struggles. It also inspired me to create a marketplace for artists and crafters—a space where people could feel seen, valued, and supported, just like Esben did that day. Through that journey, I learned that persistence doesn’t always mean pushing forward alone; sometimes it means creating spaces where hope and healing can grow.
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?
At the Artist, Crafters, and Creators Bazaar in Las Cruces, we bring together the most passionate local makers, artisans, and creative entrepreneurs to celebrate and share their work with the community. Our bazaar is more than a marketplace — it’s a vibrant gathering where artistry, craftsmanship, and creativity converge to form an inclusive, energetic experience for both makers and visitors.
What We Do
We curate a dynamic mix of artists, crafters, creators, and small business owners who offer everything from handcrafted jewelry and original artwork to artisanal foods, home goods, wearable art, and unique gift items you won’t find anywhere else. Each vendor brings their own story, skill, and style — making every visit feel fresh and full of discovery.
What Makes It Exciting and Special
Community First: One of the most exciting parts of the ACC Bazaar is the sense of community. It’s a place where neighbors meet makers, local creatives connect with each other, and everyone — from seasoned artisans to first-time shoppers — feels welcome.
Local Flavor: Our vendors are deeply rooted in southern New Mexico, and their work reflects the spirit, culture, and creative energy of Las Cruces and the surrounding region. Every piece has a story, and every purchase helps support a local dream.
Interactive Experience: It’s not just about shopping — it’s about connecting. You’ll often find live demos, one-on-one conversations with creators, and opportunities to learn about the techniques and inspiration behind the work you love.
What Folks Should Know About Us
Whether you’re hunting for that perfect gift, discovering new artists, or just enjoying a day out, the ACC Bazaar offers something for everyone. It also serves as a launching point for many small businesses — helping emerging makers gain exposure and build sustainable creative careers.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that have had the biggest impact on this journey are love, patience, and knowledge — not just as ideas, but as daily practices that shape how we build, grow, and show up for our community.
Love
Love is the foundation of everything we do. It’s the love for art, creativity, and the people behind it that keeps us going — especially during hard or uncertain moments. Love shows up as compassion, inclusivity, and genuine care for others’ success, not just your own.
Advice: Lead with love. Support others openly, collaborate instead of competing, and stay connected to your “why.” When your work is rooted in love, people feel it — and that connection is more powerful than any marketing strategy.
Patience
Growth rarely happens overnight. Building something meaningful takes time, consistency, and the willingness to move forward even when progress feels slow. Patience teaches you to trust the process, learn from setbacks, and allow things to unfold naturally.
Advice: Give yourself grace. Don’t rush your journey or compare your timeline to someone else’s. Focus on showing up consistently, refining your craft, and understanding that every step — even the difficult ones — is part of the path.
Knowledge
Knowledge empowers confidence. Whether it’s learning your craft, understanding business basics, or simply listening to others’ experiences, knowledge helps you make informed decisions and adapt as you grow. It’s an ongoing process, not a destination.
Advice: Stay curious. Ask questions, seek mentors, learn from mistakes, and never stop educating yourself. The more you learn, the more prepared and resilient you become.
In the end, love keeps you grounded, patience keeps you moving, and knowledge keeps you growing. When these three work together, they create a journey that’s not only successful — but meaningful.
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 been most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and develop the skills, qualities, and knowledge I needed to be successful is my wife, Eunice.
Aside from being deeply involved alongside me through the tech business, graphic design business, and even the pork rind business, she has always been the steady force that keeps everything grounded. When things get overwhelming or distractions creep in, she’s the one who helps me re-center and re-focus on what truly matters — family, purpose, and balance.
Her support goes far beyond business. She brings clarity during uncertainty, calm during stress, and perspective when it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Having someone who believes in you, challenges you with love, and reminds you of your core values makes all the difference, and Eunice has been that constant anchor throughout the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.accbazaar.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/accbazaar
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/accbazaarlc
Image Credits
Photos taken at the Mesilla Valley Mall
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
