For as long as I can remember, I was always passionate about different things that helped me to express myself in a creative way: painting, drawing, playing music instruments, singing, dancing, learning different languages.

While knowing my strengths and interests, I was still trying to improve skills that didn't feel natural to me, such as math and physics. Growing up in a family full of engineers, being bad in these things was just a no-go. And trying to impress them with my art skills to get approval, didn't really work either.

After several years of trying to get better at all the things that I was bad at and feeling like I'm not good enough, I realized, I'm far better off embracing my true self and everything that I was good at! 

So I decided to just follow my instincts and give it ago to see where it will lead me to!

After graduating high school with the focus on art, philosophy, and languages, while barely making it through my math exams, I finally started pursuing all my multiple passions through my degree in cultural studies: philosophy, art, languages, online media, film, and anthropology. 

During my time in university I also started my YouTube channel where I could put my interests and everything that I've learned into practice. 

Growing up feeling not good enough and an outsider in school, this platform gave me the opportunity to share my ideas online with people that shared the same interests as I did.

Through the years this helped me to develop self-confidence, to find my own voice and to build a community of like-minded people. And even though I got told multiple times to find a “real job” (because wanting to become your own boss is labeled as being “lazy”) and what I should do with my life instead, I pushed through, followed my heart and I was able to turn my hobbies into a full time job!

And this taught me something I want to help you realize as well:

What does Makoccino mean?

Besides my love for cats, sushi and coffee, I've always been a huge fan of Sailor Moon. Growing up I chose my own favorite character in this show named Sailor Jupiter aka. Makoto Kino.

Because of my admiration for her, I picked her name wherever I signed myself up online.

And believe it or not, it's been already over 15 years that I go by my nickname mako, because even my friends picked it up and started calling me this way! 

Since I love me some good coffee and especially cappuccino at that time, my friends started to call me “makoccino” from time to time (mako + cappuccino)!