Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Arano.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been creative. My creative side sparked a deep sense of curiosity, and it wasn’t until I started painting that I was able to channel that energy into something I knew I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
What really pushed me to where I am today was my acceptance into SCAD. It was there that I realized talent was everywhere and that I wasn’t the only one. Everyone around me was talented and hardworking, and reality started to hit. How was I going to stand out? How was I different from everyone else? What made me me? Was I special?
I knew everyone around me was creative, but many weren’t both logistical. I leaned into this side of myself… an unfamiliar strength. I became more strategic, turning ideas and passions into reality and giving them true meaning and direction. This mindset has led me down a fruitful path, allowing me to work in industries such as real estate, international affairs, film, and now the music industry.
I am now the co-founder of Fitfo Labs, a creative playground for artists, as well as the CEO of FMG, a multimedia company offering creative services including marketing, media, music production, studio space, and screen printing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Throughout life and this process, I’ve been thrown in many directions. With that, there are two quotes that resonate deeply with me: “Do hard things intentionally,” and “Give every action a life of its own.” I’m someone who gets uneasy in stillness, so I throw myself into difficult challenges to keep life in motion.
Early on in the development of Fitfo Labs, I found myself deep in uncharted waters, learning how to swim. I had no idea what was coming. Before I could even bat an eye, we had thrown three events, produced two music videos, and hosted a giveaway. So many things had aligned, and as a crew, we had already lived through so much.
It felt like overnight, we were swamped with video footage and unsure where to begin. But we knew we had to take a step forward, put our heads down and just work. Through trial and error, we overcame the obstacles placed in front of us, learning with each step how to manage each day better. Our team slowly began to grow, each person finding their role, and not one of us wavering from the challenges ahead. There were many sleepless and discouraging nights, but none of it stopped us.
Looking back, I wouldn’t have chosen any other way to do it. We are shaped by our mistakes and struggles, but they do not define who we are; we get to choose that. What once felt like a challenge became our strength. I can confidently say that we are, and will continue to be, something great to come out of Atlanta. Our creative team has lived through the process, come out on the other side, and will continue to do so.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We’re a creative studio built to support artists, brands, and organizations under one roof. At the center of what we do is music, film, and screen printing, along with in-house creative production like videography, commercials, short-form content, podcasting, and music video production.
We operate two music studios, a podcast room (where I actually host my own podcast called ‘sessions with sammie’), a large creative playground, and a separate screen-printing facility. But what matters most to us isn’t the gear or the size of the spaces—it’s the environment we’ve built and the community that’s formed around it. Our main space is designed to feel like a backyard, with grass under your feet and a ceiling inspired by Van Gogh’s, Starry Night.
What we’re most proud of is how the space has become a place where people actually show up, collaborate, and connect in real life. In a world that’s increasingly digital, that sense of togetherness is what we strive for everyday.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Growing up with two brothers is not for the weak. They taught me how to stand on my own and fight like hell for what I want.
My favorite childhood memory is just that. I had been playing softball for a few years, but never really fell in love with it. It always seemed like one of those things that your parents make you do so you become a ‘well-rounded human’. I was stubborned and was in my little art bag and I wanted nothing else other than that. At least I thought.
I came home one day and mentioned to my older brother that they were thinking of canceling the season because a coach dropped out. He immediately jumped in and said he’d coach the team this year. He was so excited. It’s like he had been waiting for this.
We started that season running. He made us work harder than we had ever done with any coach. The drills were faster. The batting practices were longer. Base running and sliding were a must at every practice. You know that look that someone gets in their eye when they are genuinely so happy. We all had that when we were on the field. That season I really fell in love with the game. Maybe it was because I didn’t feel alone on the field anymore… There’s just something really special about having your brother on the field with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: fitfolabs.com | labsstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitfolabs | https://www.instagram.com/sammmmm.a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FitfoLabs
- Other: https://fmgworld.org
Image Credits
Tessa Wessel, Thomas Forman Jr.
