Hi, I’m Connie. My journey as a creative junkie started early. As a biracial (Asian and Caucasian) ADHD kid, I often felt like I didn’t quite fit the mold. My sweet mom hoped I would be a math wiz like her, but creating art actually saved me. Both my mom and dad had their own creative ingenuity, so it was always in my blood. I also played sports to run some of those "hyper vibes" out. Even today, I have 101 ideas and an energy I can’t quite explain. I realized later in life that while ADHD can be frustrating, it is also a magic gift that allows me to think differently and lead with extreme compassion.

I followed that passion into the professional world, climbing from designer to Creative Director. I loved working with my teams and all the talented people along the way, but as I moved up the ladder, so did my anxiety. In a world of 3 AM deadlines and ego-driven metrics, I realized I couldn’t create while stuck in a perfectionist mindset. I was a Human-Centered Designer who had lost touch with being human.

When I was laid off in 2024, the universe offered me a different path. I stopped chasing the "shoulds" and "woulds" to look back at my 17-year-old self. I remembered the girl who just wanted to create freely. I wanted to build products that were fun and creative with a little rebellion.

At Golly Punk, we provide a creatively safe rebellion driven by a Punk Heart. To me, a Punk Heart is the intersection of radical empathy and a refusal to follow the rules that don’t make sense. It is that grit that allows you to say, "The current system isn’t working for me, so I’m going to build my own." This is a feeling many of us share in the world today.

We offer playful, nervous-system-safe coloring books and fun stuff for all ages to create joy, get a little silly with while helping them relax and nurture their inner spark. We are an inclusive brand built for children, the neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and every soul in between. I believe Play is Power, and I like to say NamiPlay: The kid in me sees the divine kid in you. Play. Create Freely. Just Be.

With the support of my partner Scott, my mom, and my amazing friends, I decided to build something that mattered. Golly Punk was born because I realized that rigid structures should never make it hard to just be. I am finally trading the corporate grid for a little creative rebellion and a lot of heart. Like a pixelated, off-center image, I am letting it be. 😘