The Purposeful Creative: For Anyone Trying To Find Their Place In The World

My guest for today is Roxy Navarro, she is the founder of Works of Heart, a design studio that serves mission-based groups by providing effective branding and visual story telling to help these groups solve the issues of lack of awareness and access to market.

In this conversation, we do a deep dive into why and how she started her company while she was still in college, and then how she continued to run it as the CEO while juggling a full-time day job in a big corporation for a full three and a half years.

We also talk about her insights on what it takes to pursue meaningful work, and the kind of questions you need to ask yourself. And we also walk that awkward intersection between purpose and profit, and the constant journey of figuring out how mix both without compromising one or the other.

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF…

You’re somebody who has a day job right now, and are struggling with juggling it with a side-hustle, or are planning to do this — this episode will definitely inspire you.

Enroll in the FREE workshop on how to turn your passion into something profitable:

Be a source of inspiration for others:

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Follow us on social media:

* The show’s Instagram: @thepurposefulcreative

* The host’s Instagram: @arrianeserafico

* The host on Twitter: @arrianeserafico

* Or just check out the hashtag #thepurposefulcreative

In today’s story, I’m bringing back Abbey Sy, who I talked to in the previous episode. Abbey is an artist and best-selling author, with over a hundred thousand followers on Instagram, and has published two books. In this minisode, she’ll tell us about her beginnings, and the exact three steps she took to start selling her work and getting her first client.

Notes from Abbey:

How to start selling your art on products:

* Raise your starting capital (hers was only $120!).

* Make the products.

* Make a social media account.

* Try joining a bazaar (rent is approx. $100).

How to start getting your first client as an artist or illustrator:

* Create your portfolio or website (or just a dedicated art Instagram account).

* Make a Behance account, especially if you want more international clients.

Enroll in the FREE workshop on how to turn your passion into something profitable:

Follow us on social media:

* The show’s Instagram: @thepurposefulcreative

* The host’s Instagram: @arrianeserafico

* The host on Twitter: @arrianeserafico

* Or just check out the hashtag #thepurposefulcreative

My guest for today is Abbey Sy, an artist and best-selling author from Manila, Philippines.  Passionate about both art and travel, she is best known for her hand-lettering work and travel illustrations.

She has written books on lettering and journaling, and continues to explore ways to make art and share stories through her own eyes.

She also has an amazing online community, with over 113,000 Instagram followers as of this recording.

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF…

You’re someone who has major apprehensions about whether your art can be something that can actually sustain you or feed you. I hope that this episode shows you that it is completely possible to be creative, to be an artist, but at the same time, to infuse it with productivity, organization, and entrepreneurship.

Enroll in the FREE workshop on how to turn your passion into something profitable:

Be a source of inspiration for others:

Share these tweetables!

Follow us on social media:

* The show’s Instagram: @thepurposefulcreative

* The host’s Instagram: @arrianeserafico

* The host on Twitter: @arrianeserafico

* Or just check out the hashtag #thepurposefulcreative

Today’s episode was inspired by my recent trip to Morocco: I’ll be  sharing with you some tips and steps you can take so that you can also find your own tribe.

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF…

You’re someone who struggles with finding kindred spirits who share in their same passions, and who push them to become better versions of themselves. This episode is specially dedicated to adults who find it challenging to find like-minded and like-spirited friends, especially after graduating from school and going into the real world.

Enroll in the FREE workshop on how to turn your passion into something profitable:

Be a source of inspiration for others:

Share these tweetables!

Follow us on social media:

* The show’s Instagram: @thepurposefulcreative

* The host’s Instagram: @arrianeserafico

* The host on Twitter: @arrianeserafico

* Or just check out the hashtag #thepurposefulcreative

Most times, the days and the week just roll by, and if we’re not mindful about reviewing our progress regularly, then time just escapes us.

I’m going to share my personal process on how to be always aware of my growth and goals. I do this at the end of every month so that I can improve in the coming month.

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF…

you want to start being mindful of your progress.

Listen to the 4 guide questions that you can use so you can do you own monthly review.

Be a source of inspiration for others:

Share these tweetables!

Follow us on social media:

* The show’s Instagram: @thepurposefulcreative

* The host’s Instagram: @arrianeserafico

* The host on Twitter: @arrianeserafico

* Or just check out the hashtag #thepurposefulcreative

This special episode invites you to take part in our community challenge called ’30 Stories of Empathy’.”

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF…

You want to make empathy and compassion a habit.

The challenge: How it works

The #30storiesofempathy challenge is a 30-day challenge to genuinely listen to, and collect a story from one person every day while actively practicing compassion and non-judgment, until empathy becomes your habit. That one person must be someone who is different from you, whether in experience, perspective, background, or opinion.

Notice that the call to action here is not to TALK to the other person, but to LISTEN.

The mechanics are super simple:

* Interact with 1 person who’s different from you (in experience, background, perspective, opinion, gender, age, etc)

* Listen to him/her + collect a story in an effort to understand him/her better (remember: listen with empathy and compassion, listen to understand, not to reply)

* Thank the person

* Document your insights. You can do so privately in a journal, or, if you decide to share it online, our official hashtag is #30storiesofempathy. You can also tag us on Instagram: @thepurposefulcreative.

Who should I talk to? The 30 people can be…

A person you disagree with, the security personnel in the mall, your Uber driver, your 15-year-old cousin, the waitress at your favorite restaurant, a street stall vendor, someone on the bus or the train, your former professor, someone from a different religion, someone who grew up in a different province or state, a former high school classmate, your transgender friend, or maybe, if you’re up for it, your seemingly apathetic co-worker who you don’t get along with.

What topics should I talk about?

There are also different questions you can ask them, but make sure to ask questions that ellicit stories, not debates.

For example:

* “How is the experience of being a _____?”

* “Why are you so passionate about the issue of ____?”

* “Can you tell me more about how you became a ____?”

* “Why do you believe in ___?”

* FOR MORE PROMPTS/IDEAS, sign up for the community list in the form below.

How long should the conversation be?

For as long as you can learn something new! Your conversation can go for 5 quick minutes, or you can invite them for lunch or coffee. You can also reach out to people online, but try to have as much in-person interactions as you can.

When should I start?

Any time in February — we’re starting as early as February 2. We’ll do the challenge until March to give people time to catch up. But if you read this way beyond March 2017, please feel free to carry it on and still do it.

How do I start? First step: Sign up below

 

Very Important: Empathy Guidelines for Engaging Any Person

* Let your default question be, “Why is that?”

* Another rephrasing is, “Can you tell me more about that?” This encourages the other person to tell a story. Even when you think you know the answer, ask WHY. Let the answers surprise you.

* Listen to understand, not to reply.

* Again this challenge is built on the act of listening, not talking, or convincing, or debating. When the other person talks, listen actively, instead of thinking about what you’re going to say back. Genuinely be interested in what they’re saying. That means get off your phone!

* Don’t interject your own opinions.

* Remember, this challenge is not about you. Leave your assumptions at the door. One of the biggest enemies of empathy is the past experience, knowledge, and pre-conceived notions and assumptions of the person asking the question. This is often called, “The Curse of Knowledge” — which states that, once you know something,

“My quarter life crisis was spent mourning after the lives I didn’t get to live. I wanted to do more, be more… to see if I could flex my muscles in other spaces.”

This is just one of the many, many truth bombs that our guest for this episode, Isa Garcia, dropped in today’s show. Isa is a teacher, writer, and published author, and I’m so lucky to call her my friend.

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF…

Anyone who is just approaching your quarter life crisis, or is currently neck-deep in it, or even someone who has already overcome her/his own quarter-life crisis.

I hope that this episode shows you two very different perspectives and stories on how you can approach your own quarter life crisis. Neither one is right or wrong, both are valid, and it’s really up to your personality and your own unique situation.

But I hope that by listening in, we can get you to ask yourself the tough questions.

Dealing with your own quarter life crisis? We made a journal just for you.

Our Crossroads Journal contains reflection prompts, guide questions, pep talks, and some tough love — it will hold your hand, then tug you right out of that rut you’re currently stuck in. Click the image below to see a video preview of what’s inside the journal.

THE CROSSROADS JOURNAL WILL HELP YOU…

* MOVE FORWARD instead of forever overthinking or feeling stuck

* Uncover what your next step will be, so you can break out of your never-ending cycle of overthinking and what-if’s

* GET CLARITY about what’s next for you

* Rethink your priorities, reflect on your options, and become more intentional about choosing what’s next for you

* This will have a major impact on your life direction, if you let it

* MAKE AN INTENTIONAL DECISION THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU

* Make a decision based on YOUR honest goals and desires

* Instead of asking everyone and anyone about their opinion and advice, and ending up with so many other people making your life decisions for you

Click here to get your copy of The Crossroads Journal.

Be a source of inspiration for others:

Share these tweetables!

Follow us on social media:

* The show’s Instagram: @thepurposefulcreative

* The host’s Instagram: @arrianeserafico

* The host on Twitter: @arrianeserafico

* Or just check out the hashtag #thepurposefulcreative

“I have had this passion project in my head for quite some time now. Should I quit my job to really put all my energies to pursuing this idea/business? Because right now, I barely have time or energy because of my day job.”

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF…

You struggle with the roadblock mentioned above. We’ll give you ideas for questions you can ask yourself to help guide your next steps and decisions.

I’m back with our minisode series called:

From Block to Breakthrough.

In each of these quick minisodes, we will be taking one common roadblock or excuse from our listeners — and then I’ll give you one actionable step you can try – to help you break through it.

 

Click the image below to join our free workshop!

Be a source of inspiration for others:

Share these tweetables!

Links to check out

* YNAB: You Need A Budget

* The Braver Goals E-Course: Learn how to set better goals, better productivity systems, and follow through on your ideas.

Follow us on social media:

* The show’s Instagram: @thepurposefulcreative

* The host’s Instagram: @arrianeserafico

* The host on Twitter: @arrianeserafico

* Or just check out the hashtag #thepurposefulcreative

In this episode, I’m sharing 4 steps on how to raise funds your passion project or big goal.

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF…

This episode is perfect for anyone who is still struggling with managing her or his money, and often uses lack of money as an excuse to not pursue an idea or passion or dream.

In this episode, I use my own story as a case study and example for how you can implement the 4 steps. By following the 4 steps, (and a lot of hustling & sleepless nights), I was able to raise a Passion Project Fund of $3760 (PHP 173,500) in 3 months.

That Passion Project Fund ended up financing my airfare, my enrollment fees, and my starting capital for my business.

Listen to the episode to find out how you can do it, too.

FREEBIES & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

The Free Budgeting Guide

You may also read this blog post: Why Your Savings Account Is Not Growing.

Click the image below to join our free workshop!

Or you may enter your email here to get access to the free workshop:

Be a source of inspiration for others:

Share these tweetables!

Follow us on social media:

* The show’s Instagram: @thepurposefulcreative

* The host’s Instagram: @arrianeserafico

* The host on Twitter: @arrianeserafico

* Or just check out the hashtag #thepurposefulcreative

“I want to pursue this idea, but it’s been done before! And they’ve  already done it SO well – who am I to think I can top that?”

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF…

You struggle with the roadblock mentioned above. We’ll give you ideas on how to break through that insecurity