Amelia Nash's journey from a small Canadian town to becoming a brand strategist in New York City is the epitome of non-linear creative exploration. Starting with dreams of being a French translator and drama teacher, Amelia's path took her through graphic design, marine biology aspirations, architecture firm work, insurance company design roles, freelance entrepreneurship during the pandemic, and ultimately to studying at SVA's prestigious Masters in Branding program.

Her story is marked by a fearless approach to opportunity, consistently leaving situations where she felt capped in growth, and maintaining an attitude of "confetti in the wind" - throwing out applications and ideas to see what lands. From working as the sole designer at an architecture firm to building a successful branding studio during COVID-19, Amelia demonstrates how curiosity and courage can create unexpected opportunities.

Now working as Brand and Marketing Manager at SVA's Masters in Branding program and as a senior staff writer for Print magazine, Amelia embodies the power of asking questions, embracing change, and refusing to settle for work that doesn't challenge her to grow.

Key Takeaways

• Embrace non-linear paths - Your career doesn't need to follow a straight line; sometimes the most interesting journeys are like "confetti in the wind"
• Ask questions fearlessly - Being told you "ask too many questions" might be a sign you've outgrown your current environment
• Use the one-day grief rule - Allow yourself to feel disappointment fully for one day, then move forward with renewed energy
• Apply without high expectations - Submit applications and proposals as practice runs, removing pressure and fear of rejection
• Leave when you hit your growth cap - Don't stay in positions where you can't evolve, even if they seem secure
• Turn disruption into opportunity - The pandemic became Amelia's launching pad for freelance success by helping others pivot their businesses
• Leverage curiosity as a career tool - Endless curiosity and quick boredom can be superpowers for finding new opportunities
• Don't overthink the outcome - Focus on trying rather than succeeding; most attempts won't work out, but that's not the point
• Listen for unexpected doors - A simple podcast mention led to SVA application and complete life transformation
• Choose growth over comfort - Repeatedly choosing uncertainty and challenge over stability led to increasingly fulfilling opportunities

Daring Creativity. Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic

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