07/26/2026
Yesterday I shared a post that included an AI-generated image.
My intention was to avoid using another artist's photo or work without permission, and I also didn't want to appear to be promoting one artist over another, so I chose to use an AI-generated image instead. I now better understand the perspective many artists have on AI-generated images, and I sincerely apologize to anyone I offended.
The hardest part of all this hasn't been accepting that I got something wrong. It's been watching a mistake turn into assumptions about my integrity, my values and who I am as a person. It has been one of the most painful experiences I've had as a business owner.
As a business owner, I believe in accountability. If we make a mistake, we should own it, learn from it, and do better.
But I also believe there's a difference between holding someone accountable and publicly shaming them.
Too often, we assume intent before asking questions. We assume someone doesn't care, when in reality they may simply not have known.
A private message. A respectful conversation. A willingness to reach out before condemning. Those things can make all the difference.
You can hold someone accountable without assuming the worst about them.
Mistakes can be corrected. Damage to someone's reputation is much harder to undo.
I hope we can continue building a community where we choose respectful communication over public condemnation, curiosity over assumptions, and kindness over judgment.