Jonathon Curci PHOTO BY EDOARDO SIMONOTTI
Associate, McKown Weinstein Associates, mwaluxury.com
A fourth-generation real estate mogul, Jonathon Curci's passion for one of Orange County's most prominent fields is in his blood. "My great-grandfather was a developer throughout Southern California and the next generations of our family have followed in his footsteps in one aspect of real estate or another," shares Curci, who credits his great grandfather as one of the driving forces in both his personal and professional life. While Curci has set multiple records throughout his real estate career, his biggest highlight happened in 2021 when he successfully transacted the highest residential sale in Orange County's history on a home in Laguna Beach that sold for a whopping $70 million. Here, the associate at McKown Weinstein Associates discusses his record-breaking year and what's next.
Tell us about your $70 million sale in Laguna Beach. It was an interesting, off-market deal that took some creative searching, given that my clients had seen everything on the market that met their criteria. I was born and raised here with a keen sense of the iconic properties that take up the oceanfront, so I simply started knocking on doors and calling my refined list of the area's top brokers and residents, which then led to them acquiring the property. This was so fulfilling because I refused to give up, and, in the end, I believe they ended up with arguably the finest property on the Orange County coastline.
How do you feel you've changed the landscape of your industry in our community? Setting the record of the highest sale ever has changed the international view of Orange County and has personally given me exposure that I would otherwise have not had. I hope to continue to fulfill my clients' needs and to do it in a way that helps bring joy to their lives.
What's next? I am currently working on projects that give me more insight into the development process that my great-grandfather and family have continued for over 80 years. I am always continuing to learn and develop skills to better my profession and lead me to other projects in the future.
What do you want your legacy to be? I want my legacy to be built on trust and confidence. My legacy should show that there is pride in being a good person and being a good businessman, simultaneously. My career is based on relationships first, business second.
Jessica Johnson PHOTO BY DOMINIC PETRUZZI
Fashion designer and owner, Jessica Johnson, shopjessicajohnson.com
A proponent of shopping small, fashion designer Jessica Johnson is making waves in her hometown of Newport Beach and beyond with her eponymous apparel brand and boutique. Opened in May 2021 in Costa Mesa's Plaza Sereno, the mother of four's first brick-and-mortar showcases the elegant beachchic womenswear that she's designed and produced just up the road in Los Angeles since 2015. With collaborations and the expansion of the custom side of her fashion business on the horizon, Johnson's stylish state of mind inspires both her peers and the next generation of American-made clothing brands.
We know you as an innovator in fashion and as a local philanthropist. What sparked your passion for your field? I have always loved the creative arts, especially fashion and writing. It was a dream of mine to create my own line and that became a reality in 2015. Along with creating beautiful, effortlessly chic clothing, giving back to society has also been a passion. I feel so fortunate to be able to help raise funds for not just my own philanthropic organization, The CJ Hubbard Foundation, but others such as the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and EverFree (formerly Willow).
How do you feel you've changed the landscape of your industry in our community? My line is unique and special in Orange County because I am a local designer whose clothing is made in Los Angeles and not overseas. With Jessica Johnson, we are making it cool to shop locally and with intention. We live in a world of mass production and fast fashion. Jessica Johnson is the opposite of that—we have smaller collections that you won’t see in every department store and we are proud to be part of the 'slow fashion movement.' Additionally, our clothing is always ethically made.
What has been your silver lining in the past year? Definitely opening my first boutique in Orange County and all the new clients I have met. I have also loved all the exclusive collaborations we have done; working with other designers is such an inspirational thrill.
What do you want your legacy to be? The legacy I hope to leave behind is one of passion, creativity, love, generosity, laughter, hard work and gratitude; one of living life to its fullest while doing my best to appreciate day-to-day moments.
Victoria Kennedy PHOTO BY LAUREN CATE PHOTOGRAPHY
Owner and founder, Kennedy Contemporary, kennedycontemporary.com
A graduate of Stanford University and Claremont Graduate University, Orange County native Victoria Kennedy is painting the town at Kennedy Contemporary, her debut art gallery that bowed in January 2021. Tucked in The Walk on Westcliff Drive in Newport Beach, the gallery is the culmination of Kennedy's passion for showcasing both established and on-the-rise contemporary artists. And when it comes to matters of art, Kennedy knows her stuff—she's worked in galleries throughout San Francisco and Park City, Utah, plus served as the curator of the world's leading online gallery, Saatchi Art. Here, the entrepreneur waxes poetic about turning her passion into a full-time business.
We know you as an innovator in the arts. What sparked your passion for your field? While at Stanford University, I focused on medieval and early modern art history. It wasn't until after graduating, when I started working in a contemporary art gallery, that I developed a love and appreciation for contemporary art. It is a powerful thing to be able to support an artist's career; by selling their works to collectors, you enable them to continue to create meaningful art.
To you, what does it mean to be an innovator? To me, an innovator is someone who introduces new and exciting changes or products. Personally, I believe the most impactful innovators are committed to improving the community in which they live and serve. We're in this for the long game and plan to be supporting our artists and serving our clients in Orange County for years to come.
What's next? We will be premiering a solo exhibition with renowned Laguna Beach artist Chris Gwaltney on May 19. This will be Chris' first local solo exhibition since 2011 and we are excited to share his collection of abstract works with our collectors as he is primarily known for his figurative works. We are also bringing on two new artists, Christopher Benson (Santa Fe, N.M.) and Shane McClatchey (Laguna Beach). Both Christopher and Shane are incredibly talented artists who will bring fresh perspectives to our gallery roster. Christopher is a two-time winner of the Pollock-Krasner Award and has been painting for over four decades. Shane received his MFA from the Laguna College of Art & Design and is at the start of a promising art career.
Paul McClean PHOTO BY JOHN RUSSO
Principal architect, McClean Design, mccleandesign.com
A Southern California resident by way of Dublin, Paul McClean has been living his American dream since opening McClean Design in 2000. The Orange-based architectural design firm counts Beyoncé, JAY-Z and Calvin Klein among its elite clientele with McClean leading the way as its principal architect. While McClean's residential projects span the western United States and beyond, his work in Southern California features his hallmark technique of eliminating barriers between a home's exterior and interior with a modern approach that wows with water features throughout. Here, McClean shares how he's building upon his firm's 22-year legacy and paving the way for the next generation of architects both near and far.
We know you as an innovator in the design industry. What sparked your passion for your field? The spark was always there; as a young boy growing up in Dublin, I liked nothing better than to draw houses all day long. I became fascinated from an early age with the work of Frank Lloyd Wright through books at our local library and later discovered the case study houses here in L.A., as well as the work of Schindler and Neutra. I began to explore in more depth the wonderful history of experimental design that has developed in California, and that is what attracted me to come live here.
How do you feel you've changed the landscape of your industry in our community? Building in Southern California presents its own unique challenges due to topography, climate and density. I’d like to think we embrace this and provide our clients with a contemporary home that incorporates ample light and water, and seamlessly connects with the environment and the incredible views that are often available to us. We are part of a larger community of architects and designers hoping to promote positive ways of living through cross-collaboration within the industry, and I think that we can all be proud of the history of innovation in residential design that has been happening here for over a century now.
What do you hope to accomplish in 2022? Our firm is looking forward to the completion of 10 new residences this year. On the design side, many new projects across the country and globe will be starting to take shape, and we hope to continue to build relationships with wonderful clients, consultants and builders. It can take up to five years to build some of our homes, so we are always looking forward to finishing one of them.
What do you want your legacy to be? I hope we will be remembered for creating beautiful homes that are connected to their environment and provide our clients and their families with a haven in a busy world; that we had a positive influence on their lives and also on the people we work with to make these projects come to life.
Elizabeth Andrade PHOTO BY CODY POSPISIL
CEO, Family Assistance Ministries, family-assistance.org
"From a young age, I was naturally inclined to resolve problems," says Elizabeth Andrade, CEO of San Clemente-based nonprofit Family Assistance Ministries (FAM). "I entered my career in social work with the idea that we must examine the needs of people with a full-lens perspective and then work to improve the systems that support our community members in need. I quickly grew eager to understand why homelessness exists. It has since then been my life mission to examine, understand, educate, and in [doing] so, create solutions to address the needs of people without housing." Since assuming her position two years ago, Andrade has helped navigate the faith-based charity—which aims to equip those in need with food, shelter and personalized support—through the ever-changing waters of the pandemic. March will see the launch of FAM's Resale Boutique in Laguna Niguel, where locals can donate, volunteer and shop in support of the organization, while its annual FAM Gala will return May 20 at the historic Casino San Clemente. "The past two years have served as a catalyst for change," shares Andrade. "We have had to rethink how we do things, and it has anchored us on our 'why.'"
How do you feel you've changed the landscape of our community? FAM was founded on a partnership of faith-based organizations joining forces to address the needs of those facing hunger and homelessness. In the last 23 years, FAM has stayed true to this vision and has kept the spirit of collaboration. Our collaboration with 13 South Orange County cities allows us to understand not only the concerns of our community, but to work to resolve them in an equitable and comprehensive manner.
What do you hope to accomplish in 2022? The impact of COVID-19 continues to affect the low-income communities FAM serves. We have grown programs, like our food services, senior services and rental assistance, to address the desperate need of those coming to FAM for help. We hope for a 2022 that allows for the community engagement and participation aspect of FAM to prevail.
Who inspires you? Civil rights activist and labor leader Dolores Huerta. She worked tirelessly for fairness and equity. She coined the phrase 'Si, se puede' (Yes, we can), and has been a source of inspiration throughout my career to build leaders and create sustainable community-led change.
What is your motto in life? Be the change you wish to see in the world.
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