Thrown Into Deep Water: How Grit and Creativity Forged a Founder

Eva’s story is one of evolution, not linear success.   Born in Soviet-era Lithuania, Eva grew up in a deeply communal, family-centered environment shaped by discipline, creativity, and survival. When the Soviet Union collapsed, uncertainty forced an entire generation to confront freedom without a roadmap. That upheaval ultimately brought Eva to the United States—landing in Tucson, Arizona, as a teenager navigating identity, culture shock, and independence.   At just 16 years old, Eva made the extraordinary decision to return to Tucson alone to finish high school—emancipated, working multiple jobs, and determined not to waste the opportunity she had been given. Education became her anchor. Creativity became her language.  After discovering interior design almost by accident, Eva found a field that perfectly blended structure and expression. But it was the 2008 recession—losing her job with just a laptop and $70 in the bank—that forced her into entrepreneurship.   In this conversation with Manny Teran, Eva reflects on:   Why being thrown into deep water builds courage How early family legacy shapes leadership values  The tension between structure and freedom  Why quiet, uncertain times are fertile ground for creativity  What it really takes to reinvent yourself—again and again   This is not a story about overnight success. It’s a story about becoming.