Figure It Out

This week, I'm joined by Marian Sarkisian, the creator behind Cakes by Marian. What started as making birthday and wedding cakes evolved into a viral sensation, with hyper-realistic cake creations that have captivated millions across TikTok, YouTube, and social media. Today, she has built an audience of over a million subscribers on YouTube and hundreds of thousands of followers across platforms. Marian shares her journey from discovering her passion for baking to becoming one of the internet's most recognizable cake artists. We talk about entrepreneurship, taking risks, growing a personal brand, navigating social media success, and the shifts it takes to turn a creative hobby into a thriving career.

Behind every unforgettable restaurant is a vision and someone who knows how to bring it to life. Meet Carnie Armenian, Design Director at Kelly Architects. In this episode, we explore the art and strategy behind designing some of the most beautiful upscale restaurants and hospitality spaces. From creating environments that elevate the guest experience to balancing aesthetics, functionality, and brand identity, Carnie shares what it really takes to transform an idea into a destination. As a young Armenian woman in architecture, Carnie has helped bring to life renowned projects including Gravitas, TATEL, Gucci, Bacio di Latte, and many more. She also shares how Kelly Architects has distinguished itself through a boutique, hands-on approach, where relationships, trust, and referrals have become the firm's most powerful form of marketing. Whether you're passionate about design, hospitality, entrepreneurship, or building a luxury brand, this conversation offers a fascinating look inside the world of architecture—and the people shaping the spaces we love most.

On this episode, I sit down with Aren Bazerkanian, founder and creative director of Havid Nagan — an independent luxury watch brand redefining modern watchmaking through timeless craftsmanship and bold design. From working in real estate to immersing himself in the world of high-end watchmaking, Aren took an unconventional path to building his own Swiss watch company from the ground up.

We talk about what it really takes to create a luxury brand without investors, the pressure of building something rooted in legacy and artistry, and how his Armenian heritage, obsession with watchmaking history, and belief in independent craftsmanship shaped Havid Nagan into one of the most talked-about emerging names in the watch world. 

This episode is about vision, conviction, and choosing to build something lasting — even when the odds say otherwise.

Meet Ani Abrahamyan — an Armenian woman, mother, and member of the U.S. Air Force who chose a path far outside of traditional cultural expectations. In a community where women are often encouraged to follow more conventional roles, Ani carved her own lane through service, discipline, and determination — balancing military life, motherhood, and her Armenian identity with strength and pride.

On this episode of Figure It Out with Lilit, we talk about breaking generational norms, navigating judgment, redefining what strength looks like as a woman, and the courage it takes to choose a life that’s true to yourself.

This week, I sit down with Vatche & Andy, founders of MuscleLab, to talk about how two completely different skill sets — kinesiology and marketing — came together to build one of LA’s fastest-growing wellness brands. What started in 2020 with uncertainty, slow days, and struggling to find clients turned into a blessing in disguise, when word-of-mouth from celebrity clients helped put Muscle Lab on the map.

Now with three successful businesses and more on the way, their story is a reminder that growth comes from staying focused on the bigger picture, believing in your vision, and never giving up on the mission to help people.

Nadine and Paul of Tacori have stepped in to help grow their family business into the household name it is today. With their father still closely involved, they’ve brought a fresh, modern perspective to the brand—evolving it while staying true to its foundation in craftsmanship and quality. They introduced their now-iconic crescent design, a signature detail that set Tacori apart and helped define the “modern vintage” aesthetic they’re known for. While Tacori creates a wide range of custom jewelry, it’s this distinct style that made the brand instantly recognizable. Through hard work, strong family partnership, and a forward-thinking mindset, Nadine and Paul have expanded Tacori into one of the top names in the industry—working with clients around the world, featured on shows like The Bachelor, and worn by leading celebrities. In this episode, they share the lessons, mindset, and decisions that helped shape Tacori’s success—and what it really takes to grow a legacy brand.

Meet Zaven & Van — the visionaries behind Zartonk Media, a platform built with purpose, pride, and a deep sense of responsibility to the Armenian community worldwide. What started as a desire to tell our stories differently turned into a movement: one that bridges the gap between Armenia and Armenians across the globe. Breaking away from traditional media, they recognized early on that social media isn’t just a tool—it’s the new language of connection, storytelling, and truth. Through Zartonk, they spotlight Armenian excellence, resilience, and success stories that deserve to be seen and celebrated. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to uplift, to inform, and to unite a global community through content that inspires the next generation to stay connected, proud, and empowered.

Hayk Barseghyan, the force behind Meat Master LA, is a true American success story—an immigrant who, in just nine years in the U.S., has built a standout brand in Los Angeles by redefining the meat industry. Driven by a deep love and passion for his craft, Hayk traveled the world to study meat at the highest level, including being invited to Japan to immerse himself in its renowned meat culture and earn certification. While his culinary expertise laid the foundation, he credits love, passion, energy, and consistency as his true formula for success. By leveraging social media to share his knowledge and fearlessly put himself out there, he’s built a powerful presence that attracts both a loyal audience and high-profile clientele—including names like John Legend. Today, he’s carved out a unique niche as a meat master and continues to expand his brand with intention and impact.

Not every success story starts with stability — some start with survival. In this episode of Figure It Out with Lilit, Isabel Alysa, founder of Dolce Glow, opens up about her upbringing in foster care and how those early experiences shaped the woman and founder she is today. From navigating uncertainty at a young age to building one of the most recognized names in the sunless tanning industry, Isabel shares the resilience, mindset, and self-belief it took to create her own path. We talk about what it really means to start from nothing, how to stay grounded while building a brand, and the moments that test you before they transform you. This episode is a reminder that your past doesn’t define you — it can fuel you. 

On this episode, we dive into what it really means to walk away from something that looks like “the dream”… but doesn’t feel like it. Qveen Herby, formerly known as Karmin), made the bold decision to leave a record deal — a path many spend their entire careers chasing — to rebuild on their own terms. What they realized was this: success without alignment isn’t success at all. Instead of staying comfortable, they chose uncertainty. Instead of following expectations, they chose authenticity. And instead of creating what the industry wanted, they committed to creating what they truly loved. What followed wasn’t instant — it was intentional. Project by project, they built an independent career rooted in creative freedom, self-trust, and evolution. Today, with multiple independent albums behind them and a world tour ahead, they stand as proof that betting on yourself isn’t reckless — it’s necessary. As the industry shifted, they adapted — learning how to leverage social media, understanding the power of direct connection, and evolving with the changing landscape instead of resisting it. This episode isn’t just about music.; it’s about identity, alignment & growth.