Posts tagged creative entrepreneur
Never Say Never & Other Things...

Earlier this year I found myself saying phrases like:

“Don’t get me wrong, if it sounds like I want _____ , I don’t actually want that.”

“I wouldn’t touch that with a 10 foot pole. I would need a lot of space from it in order to do it.”

On both accounts, I am already eating my words.

Living a life open to creative work is difficult as it is comical.
More often than not, the moment of revelation and ‘next right thing’, is right at the edge of resistance.
It’s that moment you look over the edge of a giant cliff you’ve never scaled down before and despite the beauty of the view below you laugh and say things like:

“Not in a million years!”

“As if!”

“Why would I want to do that?”

And then as you take one last look you start to ask more questions.

“Well… how would I do that anyway?”

“Why would I do it…if I did….why?”

And when the answers start coming easy and clear…that is when you know you just might need to eat your words on all accounts, pick up ‘desire’ and ‘courage’ and do the real heavy work of scaling down the edge of creative insanity.

****
Reader,


I am merely at the point of preparing my gear to scale down this tall mountain of work… but when the starting gun goes…I will be beyond tickled and frigthened to show you just the edge of what it is I said I would NEVER do…that suddenly I am going to do.

Until then,


Onwards,

Creative Field Notes | VII

Video of Amy & her seven-year-old daughter climbing the rocks at Peggys Cove, Nova Scotia.

Episode VII - A simple study on how becoming a mother alters a woman's life. Every decision, every movement is factoring in someone else.

Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.

Learning My Equipment & Software

Over the past few years, I have been doing my best to maintain and invest in my own creative business.

As much as I would like to say I am on top of all that I own, use and have fallen into using, it’s simply not true.

The truth is, I am often either emergency replacing an item (aka my laptops) and rushing to update, set up and use than genuinely taking my time and learning what these items are capable of.

I also know that personality does play a part in this. I know a few creative-based individuals who obsess over a new tool/software and would spend all of their free time figuring them out until they have mastered them. Admittedly, that is not me. I need reasons for using something, a personal or professional project, to wrap my head around using something. Although this is how I genuinely learn best, it also does naturally, at times, leave gaps.

This year, I decided to change that and am working on learning in-depth each of my tools and software.

To stay accountable to this goal, I will be updating over time what I have learned.

Equipment

Blue Yeti Mic - Used for podcast recordings & various radio docs.
Zoom h4n Pro Audio Recorder - A recent birthday gift to support my audio documentaries
Canon EOS RP - For creative and documentary captures.
MacBook Pro 14 Inch - 2021 - For every single thing I do.

Software

Final Cut Pro - For editing any footage that I use.
Final Draft 12 - For screenwriting.
Celtx - For Audio script writing
Grammarly Editor - To catch everything I am too busy to catch. ****A Ukraine business.******
Audacity - For exporting and editing audio clips.

& with all of this said, I recognize that it is a huge privilege to have these items at my disposal, and I am determined to end 2022 with a greater grasp on how I can use them to their highest potential.

WORK | Celebrate the Wins

Wrapping up a year, it’s easy to get caught up in the next thing.

I’ll be the first to say I love planning and jumping into the new

but,

before the jump,

let’s pause and take a moment to celebrate the wins of 2021.

Completing the ‘Owning It’ series alongside Natalie Dobbin and Claire Fraser was a high. Both Claire and I worked hard under our Brilliansea umbrella to create space for showcasing the skills of various women. in Owning It, we were able to share that with a broadcaster. I am so proud of our work under Brilliansea and the Owning It series.

The radio doc ‘Speak to Me!’ for CBC radio produced by Natalie Dobbin was indeed a piece of my heart in audio format. It was a learning experience to understand how to take an idea and format it for radio, but it was a fulfilling experience that left me inspired and ready to produce and create more.

The radio series ‘What We Carry with Us’ with Natalie Dobbin and Megan Piercey Monafu. A labour of love and a way to showcase a varying take on documenting the memories and people we love.

Along with these projects I have:

Finished production on a podcast for WIFT-AT.

Finished a pilot episode first draft on a drama.

Started a children’s book with a good friend and illustrator.

In collaboration with another actor and writer on a television series.

The wins are so important to remember.

It allows us to recognize that growth has occurred, and

the reminder that it will happen again.

You are never done growing.

WORK | When Creativity is Put On Hold...

Recently a handful of my laptop keys stopped working on my 2017 MacBook Pro.

This would be the second time that important keys have stopped working and the second time that the whole keyboard has been replaced.

Thankfully we have found a way to take care of this, and it hasn’t impeded my life as much as it could have.

That being said,

All the creatives in the house know-how jarring it can be when that one tool breaks or that one time you had set aside for your craft is hindered by something.

Angst. Panic, and perhaps some swear words.

This is life.

When best-laid plans for a moment in time are interrupted by something, someone or some force.

How can the creative person move past this and make it work to their benefit?

UNPLUG

If you use technology as your craft and are forced to put the most essential tools in the shop or wait for replacements, let your clients and colleagues know the time frame of your absence while you wait, what you will be working on in the meantime and unplug.

There is nothing more freeing than not seeing every new event, opportunity, pop culture update, text, email etc.

A creative mind is renewed by the silence and space of a day uninterrupted by other alerts.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Don’t overthink this. It doesn’t need to be high brow or anything overt. For me, it can be as simple as watching a documentary, listening to a podcast, playing around with my camera or reading good fiction.

WALK

When last forced to go without my laptop (you’d be surprised how much of my professional and personal life exists on it), my almost daily walk was chock-full of ideas for new and continued projects. Walks and showers are where I find my clear thoughts, but this was different. This was with the peace knowing I couldn’t immediately do anything about these ideas and possible work moves once I arrived home.

SHARE

Know who your creative support is and have a good catch-up on allllll those feels. As much as we’d like to think that everyone has it all together, knowing exactly what they are doing at all hours of the day and year. They don’t. They are just as clueless, frustrated and questioning themselves from time to time as you.

And lastly,

Give yourself a pat on the back.

Your creativity is already in who you are.

You are enough.

You bring more than enough to the table

and sometimes

an exhale, followed by an inhale

even if forced

is the exact right thing before you break a new wave onto the shore.

WORK | September Reset
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I found a leaf on the ground that had fallen last week. Red, bold and proud. It was the first of its kind in the path I had chosen.

It was brilliant, daring and a warning sign.

Autumn is coming.

A shiver went up my arms as I let it go and continued on my way.

This is the way Septembers often hit me.

A brilliant bright small sign that the ground is shifting, preparing and reading itself for a different type of growth.

Much happens beneath the soil after leaves have fallen. Healing, preparation and recovery occurs. Observations and space is made for the next round of growth.

This September I have been preparing space in my life, at my desk and in my soul for a new kind of work and lifestyle.

Space for creative exploration in dance, doodles and in the quiet moments of creating a life with the space I inhabit.

Space for intentional project development.

Working carefully on many smaller projects over the year has taught me that intentional meaningful work can happen when it is given the care, thought and space for discernment it needs.

I have been lit up like a candle with what it means to create connection, conversation, insight and moments for learning in the work I create and I am ready for more.

It’s easy to skim over our whims, ideas and passing thoughts, but there is something precious in the careful and slow honing in on what won’t leave the heart, mind and soul.

In many ways I am speeding up. Grabbing my seat belt and rushing to click it in place before everything starts revving up around me.

Yet,

Something I am learning is that when things are picking up pace,

that is the exact time to put ones hand on ones heart, plant one’s feet to the ground and close ones eyes to keep pace with the rhythm of what it means to be human.

I am not a machine.

I am a person.

I will stay grounded as I create, connect and commune.

I will stay paced with my heart beat despite the rush of life that is bound to create beauty and chaos around me.

I will dig my feet into the ground and stay true.

And I will dig deep into every moment.

WORK | She + Me Round Table : Overcoming Your Fear & Moving Outside of Your Comfort Zone
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I had the pleasure earlier this spring to join Noor Aubaid, Heather Burke and Ariel Gough in a round table discussion that cracked open topics that are near and dear to all of our hearts.

This episode is a recent release and they describe it here:

In our very first round table discussion, we sit down with Ariel Gough co-founder of Bailly Fragrance, and Amy Grace writer and producer, consultant, and co-creator of Brilliansea to chat about everything entrepreneurial. We get raw and real about how to take the leap of faith and what's needed when choosing purpose and passion. We drop the secrets on how to: turn your worst moments into sharable lessons, and how to make your wildest dreams come true!

What this episode so wonderfully captures is the sacred space that is created when we come together in our uniqueness, honour the work and journey that have led us all to this table and continue the narrative of support, celebration, deep questions and most important, the sharing and listening to each other.

I am amazed to have had the chance to share and to hear the voices of these women.

What an honour.

Check out the Episode Here:
She + Me Podcast

Noor Aubaid
Heather Burke
Ariel Gough

LIFESTYLE | Living & Working Holistically
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Somehow, somewhere, at some point we are apt to find ourselves believing that in order to do what we feel intrinsically called to do (especially those called into creative industries) we must sell our whole selves to an industry in order to be taken seriously.

To be a writer, one must be churning out manuscripts, scripts, poems and plays like machines.
To be an actor one must be in every topical show, series, performance that the current society is raving about on twitter.
To be a visual artist, one must have a booming social media account full of Lucious images that gain a million likes within seconds of posting.

Somehow we have found that this means ‘success’ and that this is what we need to do in order to be validated in our work, our life and our ultimate existence on this earth.

It’s all a lie.

All of it.

If you write, you are a writer.

If you act, you are an actor.

If you make visual art, you are a visual artist.

How much or how little is irrelevant.

How many people know your name is a selfish and silly game the creative industries and society have taught us to believe equals our self worth.

What matters?

How much of yourself is in the work you do?
How are you showing up for your work, not just in the moments you do it, but also the moments you don’t?
How do you cultivate and create space for those that consume, collaborate and support the work?
How do you honour your own rhythm and pacing?
How are you living not just within the work, but outside the work?

Everything informs everything.

Martin Short is known to have this idea that he is only the sum of his total whole self. If he has nine sections of his life, and one aspect of his life isn’t doing the hottest at any given moment then the rest of those parts, no matter how seemingly important or unimportant are all part of the balance to remind oneself, being successful at one part of life, but terrible at the other parts does not mean success. But to find ways to honour varying aspects of oneself, is to approach life and work as a whole person.

Creatives like to think they are the best or the worst depending on the day.

I’d like to see more of us believe that we are just like each other.

Human beings answering a calling as best they can while working to be there for their friends, family, side projects, personal growth and everything inbetween.

We are more than our awards, subscribers, honourable mentions, our nominations and our successes, or lack thereof.

We are people.
Living.
Breathing.
Thinking.
Reflecting.
Working.
people.


WORK | Brilliansea | Winter 2021
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Happy New year to everyone who continues to make Brilliansea a vibrant and growing community!!

2020 may have derailed our plans, but in many ways, it allowed us to see how we can focus in on community more, make connections with those outside our own province, and look at our values in a new way.

Here is what we got planned so far:

Expect in Studio Interviews

When possible, we are going to record in studio again at a minimal and maintainable rate. Without setting number goals, we are aiming to take opportunities safely as they occur and are hopeful to begin releasing one studio interview a month starting early this year. We miss those spotlight vibes and hope to bring them back to you.

Expect Insta Lives

It seems important that we maintain insta live interviews, not just for pandemic reasons, but also to reach others we may not be able to interview easily in person. This allows us to delve deeper in the world of different mediums, backgrounds and range in our interviews.

Expect More Engagement

We want to know what you want. And this means talking to you more.
What do you enjoy seeing from us the most?
Re-posts, interviews, lives, outdoor events, collaborations?
We genuinely want to know how to serve you.

Expect Mindfulness

The one thing we have naturally evolved into, is to wanting to create space that isn’t about the hustle of creators, entrepreneurs and innovators, but about what it takes, what it looks like and how to care for oneself and one another. This means we don’t want to be the feed and platform that feeds the monster that says you need to die to yourself to create, be seen and be heard. We want to share what others are up to, learning, and doing to commune, to celebrate and to collaborate.

We expect great things to come from this new year and it’s been a shake up for everyone, so now it’s time to shake out and press in to new things, new perspective and a new way of doing things.

SPOTLIGHT | Noor Aubaid
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****NOTE: due to technical difficulties Noor’s interview did not come out as clear as we would hope. We look forward to a redo & time we can even welcome her into our studio.

Noor Aubaid 

Brand & Digital Strategist
Creator of the She + Me Podcas
t

Noor can be found working with others as a Brand & Digital strategist, while also interviewing and celebrating female founders in their journey, lives and work through her podcast She + Me.

Noor is a compassionate and passionate woman who has been actively creating content to show that success doesn’t need to look anyone way and that creativity and inspiration can start from anywhere. 

She also has the insight into what it means to be a creative entrepreneur that enables her to leverage that knowledge and lift up others through all aspects of her work.

Insta Live Link <———

MORE NOOR

Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/she-me/

Website

https://www.sheme.co/

SPOTLIGHT | Jhoanna Gonzales Miners
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jhoanna.spotlight.quote.byamygrace

Jhoanna Gonzales Miners

CEO & Principal Consultant at SeasonNova & Creative Director at NOVADEI

Jhoanna can be found championing others in their creativity with NOVADEI, interacting with clients through her consulting businesses and work, while also finding ways to reflect and slow down. 

Jhoanna is a grounded spirit who creates space and empathy in her consultant work through unconscious bias, anti racism and bi-stander intervention training and continues to bring a healthy perspective and understanding into the workplace.

She also happens to have a beautiful way in reminding us through all aspects of her work to reflect on the deeper values and meaning behind our actions, motives and work.

Watch the Insta Live <—-

MORE JHOANNA

WEBSITES

https://seasonova.ca

http://novadei.com

WORK | Brilliansea's Summer Update
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2020 has been a continual shifting and adjusting to the changes type of year. We at Brilliansea have been doing our best to ride these waves and changes.

As we enter into the Summer, we have committed to continue our socially distanced 'insta live' interviews on a bi-weekly basis and continue to share the content of the variety of women that make up the Atlantic provinces and beyond.

Brilliansea continues to seek to be a platform that creates a community of celebration and insight into the inner workings of creative and entrepreneurial women. We are always looking to find new ways to highlight your voices and are continually reassessing how we can do that better and push ourselves to think outside the box.

For Claire and I, Brilliansea is where we find solidarity and connection to something deeper than 'the hustle'.

Less of a business, more of a community.

Although many of our 'communing' and in-person work has had to be on the back burner for the last past few months, the passion for bringing people together remains our true north.

We can’t wait to be in person again and are aiming to reconvene that portion of our work after the summer and as safety measures in our studio/situations allow.

WORK | Brilliansea Instagram Live Series
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insta.live.brilliansea.byamygrace

We are so proud of the women we have featured over the past year and a half.

As we came to the end of the interviews we had backlogged before our provincial shut down for social distancing, we discussed how we could serve others and bring support to those we know, those we haven’t met yet, and those who follow us.

How Instagram Live Series will work:

*unseen technical difficulties notwithstanding

On Monday’s

We will announce and introduce our feature guest of the week.
We will share the exact time of the Instagram live chat

On Wednesday’s

We will host the Instagram live interview / chat
We will share the live video on our feed post-interview

On Friday’s

We will share a takeaway from the live chat
Shower the week’s feature guest with love & support!

How you can get involved

Follow us on Instagram! <——
Join in celebrating various creative/entrepreneurial women by sharing and liking their work.
Join in on our live chats.
Share with us the various brilliant women you know and love!

SPOTLIGHT | Jenna Oosterholt
Jenna.quote.byamygrace

Jenna Oosterholt

Entrepreneur

Jenna can be found running the Ville Caffeine Bar in downtown Halifax, N.S., while also harnessing her passion for people by working to bring an element of entertainment to those who frequent her establishment.

Jenna is enthusiastic about bringing others a unique take on coffee, community and foodservice and remains grounded by working on her entrepreneurial goals by reminding herself of her core values in creativity and people.

She also happens to carry unique energy that brings her closer to others and continues to propel her forward in all that she does.

MORE JENNA

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thevillecaffeinebar/

Website

https://www.thevillecaffeinebar.com

SPOTLIGHT | Autumn Grant
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Autumn Grant

Co-founder of Flo Meditation & Wellness / People and Culture Leader

Autumn can be found running her business Flo Meditation, while also using her love for creativity in all that she does, be it cooking at home, spending time with her young daughter and whatever else she touches.

Autumn is enthusiastic about creating community, following your passions and celebrating the mind and body transformation that comes through meditation and wellness.

She also happens to show up for herself with or without her daughter in tow and embraces the journey of what it means to be a woman who leads.

More Autumn

WEBSITE

https://flomeditation.ca

INSTAGRAMS

https://www.instagram.com/avtvmn/

https://www.instagram.com/flomeditation/

SPOTLIGHT | Denika Coakley
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Denika Coakley

Designer & Woodworker

Denika can be found working and running her own business ‘DC Woodworks’ while also thoughtfully investing in her two daughters lives.

Denika is passionate about bringing both artistic design and woodwork together, is constantly working with her hands in all forms of creativity and expression and believes that being your most raw and true self is of value in this world.

She also happens to bring a depth and sense of ease in the room that welcomes others to relax and be themselves.

MORE DENIKA

Shop

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/DCWW?ref=search_shop_redirect

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/dc_woodworks/

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/dcwoodworks902/