10 Creative Entrepreneurs On Pursuing An Authentic Career Path

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10 Creative Entrepreneurs On Pursuing An Authentic Career Path By Jane Claire Hervey on May 8, 2018 Since I started writing this column in October 2017, I have had the pleasure of interviewing

This week, I have pulled 10 quotes from previous interviews of mine that speak to the importance of pursuing a career you love. Their collective wisdom is nothing short of inspiring. Read up below.

1 10 Creative Entrepreneurs On Pursuing An Authentic Career Path By Jane Claire Hervey on May 8, 2018 Since I started writing this column in October 2017, I have had the pleasure of interviewing creative entrepreneurs at various stages of their careers each motivated to solve problems and create work they believe in. This week, I have pulled 10 quotes from previous interviews of mine that speak to the importance of pursuing a career you love. Their collective wisdom is nothing short of inspiring. Read up below. Emily Elyse Miller (Courtesy of The Breakfast Club) 1.) Creative producer Emily Elyse Miller on developing your niche "The best way I can describe it is to imagine staring at one of those pixelated picture puzzles. You know there s a unicorn about to pop off the page (and you re very excited about that) but for now, all you see is fuzzy dots. Friends around you slowly start to see the unicorn jealousy might kick in but stay strong, this will be worth it. Still not seeing it? That s how it feels to start a creative business. Clarity comes in time, and the best way to find it is to seek out projects and clients you truly believe in. It took me almost two years to realize my unicorn looked more like a fried egg, and the commonality of

2 everything fulfilling to me, revolved around morning rituals and meals. Having this niche allows me to excel and stay focused. Goals expand and shape-shift over time but when you start to see those pixels again, and you will, focus on that image, and don t stop looking until you see the unicorn, too. Or in my case, a delicious breakfast food." 2.) Singer/songwriter Tarriona "Tank" Ball on going after your passion loudly "You playing small does not serve the world. It's true you being small doesn't serve the world. You playing it down doesn't help your friend out or help yourself. So, you should be loud, and turn the music all the way up." 3.) Former actress and nonprofits leader Karyn Parsons on pursuing your work with joy "When you re doing something that feels really good, and you pump good energy into it, it comes through in the work. Keep the joy flowing. You can be serious and joyful. Those emotions go well together." 4.) Photographer Driely Schwartz on finding inspiration in your peers "Look for those that came before you, and the ones that came before them. Look for the artists that inspire the artists that inspire you. Sometimes it helps just knowing someone else, somewhere else, lived through the same questions and left their art behind, so you can use their footprints as a guide, until you find your own path. Step on that shit like you mean it. But more so, expect anything worthwhile to take a long time." Photo of Elise Swopes (Courtesy of Elise Swops)

5.) Photographer and conceptual artist Elise Swopes on caring deeply about the work "People are always trying to find this secret recipe, and it s not a 'fake it until you make it' kind of thing.

3 5.) Photographer and conceptual artist Elise Swopes on caring deeply about the work "People are always trying to find this secret recipe, and it s not a 'fake it until you make it' kind of thing. You ll be exhausted the energy comes from caring. You ve also got to stay inspired by all of the negativity. A lot of people let it collapse them." Lauren Ash (Photo Courtesy of Maureen Nicol) 6.) Wellness entrepreneur and yogi Lauren Ash on being honest about what you actually want "Take time for stillness, for reflection, for asking 'What do I want?' And then be unafraid going after it. Personalize that vision for yourself, because it s easy now with social media and self-care being trendy to think someone else s journey will work for you, but really be intentional with it. Design your life for yourself." 7.) Artist and author Sharon Louden on doing things without others' approval "No one needs permission and yet everyone seeks it. Every artist should live how they want to live. Creativity and free expression is within all of us, and artists embody that. We don t need permission."

8.) Social media messaging strategist Elena Hansen on doing the work well "There s nothing worse than being excited to work with someone because of what you see on social media, only to find out that

4 8.) Social media messaging strategist Elena Hansen on doing the work well "There s nothing worse than being excited to work with someone because of what you see on social media, only to find out that they re a pain to work with. You want to build a reputation where you re top of mind for anyone to refer you whether you re a photographer, influencer, agency. You can t build a sustainable business off of a bunch of one-time opportunities." Paige Fraser, styled By Stilettob0ss (Photo courtesy of Nohemi Moran) 9.) Dancer and educator Paige Fraser on connecting with mentors "Find mentors and teachers that believe in you but also push, encourage and guide you. Do the work and stay humble." 10.) Artist and urban planner Candy Chang on turning your perceived weaknesses into strengths "I ve learned that your struggles can lead to your greatest service to others. I went to so many community meetings where the 'voice' of the community ended up being the handful of people who could make it or the loudest people in the room. I had a hard time speaking up or initiating conversations, and I thought my shyness was a weakness. But it pushed me to explore other ways to have a communal conversation. As a reserved person

5 in an urban planning world where the loudest people ruled, it made me wonder how it could be different and more inclusive. When you re struggling, there s a good chance you re not alone, that other people feel it too, and it might be an opportunity to change the system."

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