It’s hard to imagine a more perfect subject for our first Small Business Spotlight than EDA Surf. EDA’s founder/owner Sean Ruttkey truly exemplifies the Blue Mind philosophy.

Ruttkay captures images in a way that observers can actually feel the way he experiences surf, its energy, and tranquility that make up the life force contained in each salty spray. These creations are his homage to the element and to the impact the ocean, and water can have on our everyday life.

Ruttkay has provided several images to Blue Mind Coworking that embrace and exude our work/productivity philosophy. His images are both calming and invigorating. He clearly embodies the blue state of mind, applying the philosophy to his personal and professional life through his art. He explains how:

Ruttkay: “Well, it’s purely foundational and let me first say that when I heard about this co-working space and I learned about the philosophy of it, I thought, ‘Thank God someone is doing this and I can’t believe they’re doing it right here in Wilmington. What a perfect idea! I’m so honored to be involved and thank you so much for inviting me into this space with my art.

I grew up in the suburbs of Washington DC. My parents exposed me to the sea at a very early age through Ocean City in Maryland. I remember always wanting to get back there…to that place, but I didn’t have access. So, I digested everything about surfing and that life. I needed to engage in this culture. I needed to be in it. Fast forward to high school. I drove to the beach every weekend. I kept a bottle of saltwater in my locker and I just splashed my face with it between classes. It just rejuvenated me. I believe that if one engages water in a specific manner, the quality of their work and life will drastically improve.

It’s all about bringing that aesthetic of water as I call it, to the public, and by virtue of surrounding themselves with it, it uplifts the consciousness. Thus, uplifting the work life. As an individual, I’m just in the world and I reflect on what I see. However, from a practical standpoint, there are tools that other people can use that I use on a daily basis. I find that when I don’t use these tools, that I don’t operate at as high a caliber as I do when I engage them.”

Embracing His Blue Mind Mentality

With characteristic enthusiasm, Ruttkay identified the three tools he uses to operate at high levels in all aspects of his life.

I engage water in a physical sense. I put myself in the water. I go to the ocean to do this every day. I have my physical activity in the ocean. When I can’t do that, I go to the swimming pool and I make sure to spend an hour doing high-volume laps in the water. I come out of that experience with a dopamine explosion that carries me through the whole day.

I consume high quantities of water. I make sure to get at least a gallon in my system throughout the day. It improves focus. We’re made of 98% water. Our brains lie in water. It’s just natural.

The aesthetic-That’s the world I operate in professionally. Looking at water. The key term is “soft fascination”. Because water is always moving and fluid, it provides the eyes and brain with a soft fascination that’s a relaxing mechanism. It brings you to a calmer state. I believe that when you surround yourself with images of water, you’re going to have a higher rate of rejuvenation and higher levels of work. If you don’t have physical access to water, you can focus your attention on images. They don’t have to be images that I put into the environment. You can focus on a nice glass of water that has a nice sunbeam hitting it. You can meditate on that.”

Why Wilmington?

Finally, I asked, “Why Wilmington?” Ruttkay responded, “I’ve been in Wilmington twenty years. When I was a junior in high school in Washington D.C. and I was hell-bent on making it to the beach somewhere. I was obsessed with the ocean. An advisor suggested I check out this place, UNCW. So, I came down to Wilmington and was just blown away. Anyone who hasn’t visited Wilmington needs to and they’ll see what I’m talking about. Anyone who lives in or who’s been to Wilmington immediately understands the gravitational pull this location has. It has all the potential that a growing business needs. However, it doesn’t have so many people that it’s hard to make those contacts needed to grow a business. Everyone’s interconnected and if you’re in those circles, your business is going to do well.”

Ruttkay added, “Environmentally speaking, it’s just gold. At Wrightsville Beach, we have this crystal blue water that is almost unheard of on the east coast, and I’m just in love with the place. To start a business, this is the place to do it. We’ve got a lot of up and comers like nCino and Live Oak Bank. These companies are internationally known. So, we’ve got a lot of potential here.”

If you’re interested in seeing some of Sean’s amazing art in person, stop by Blue Mind Coworking to see many of his great pieces. We wanted to display Sean’s art on the wall because we are inspired by the same vision: satisfaction with life due to our connection with water.

We are creating an amazing space at Blue Mind Coworking for all types of organizations to network and be productive. If you’re interested in our affordable options, check out our website to learn more. We’d love to be a part of your story and to experience the positive effects of the Blue Mind Environment.

To see more of our great friend Sean Ruttkay, visit edasurf.com.