Meraki Mentors

S2E6: NETWORK! feat. Rachel Mullins

This week’s guest is Amber Sillmon, a Detroit-based writer and founder of the millennial-focused newsletter, Honestly Sis. An accountant by trade, Amber listened to her inner creativity and made the bold move to write her first novel–with no formal literature training.Amber shares what keeps her motivated, how she’s crafting her perfect writing practice, and where she learned the ins and outs of character development and storytelling. Along the way, she created a writing platform that’s reached women around the world.In this episode, we explore what it means to trust, building community when you least expect it and why it’s important to remember that your success may not come exactly as you envisioned it.To learn more about Amber Sillmon or Honestly Sis visit: ambercsillmon.com.As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions.Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!

S2E5: Learn to Trust feat. Amber Sillmon

This week’s guest is Amber Sillmon, a Detroit-based writer and founder of the millennial-focused newsletter, Honestly Sis. An accountant by trade, Amber listened to her inner creativity and made the bold move to write her first novel–with no formal literature training.Amber shares what keeps her motivated, how she’s crafting her perfect writing practice, and where she learned the ins and outs of character development and storytelling. Along the way, she created a writing platform that’s reached women around the world.In this episode, we explore what it means to trust, building community when you least expect it and why it’s important to remember that your success may not come exactly as you envisioned it.To learn more about Amber Sillmon or Honestly Sis visit: ambercsillmon.com.As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions.Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!

S2E4: There’s Room For You feat. Jovelle Tamayo

This week, we’re joined by Jovelle Tamayo, a founding member of the Authority Collective–a relatively new organization that propels the work of WOC and non-binary POC working in film, photo, and AR/VR. Together, the group is working to broaden the lens of visual media, “close the distance around resources.”Jovelle discusses image making, race and culture, how she learned the media of documentary photography and why community is more valuable than competition.In this episode, we explore why both insider and outsider narratives are needed, how to hold our favorite institutions accountable, and how these image-making has real effects on the way we interact with one another.To learn more about Jovelle Tamayo visit: http://www.jovelle.photo/.To learn more about the Authority Collective visit: http://www.authoritycollective.org/As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions.Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!

S2E3: It’s Okay to Fail feat. Michelle Marra

We’re chatting with visual artist Michelle Marra, a “spirited colorist” based out of Florida who is known for her vibrant and impressive abstract paintings. She’s here to share her triumphs and challenges as an artist with a clear reminder: don’t be afraid to fail.One of the many things we discuss this episode is the benefit of constant practice and how making the proper connections can help you to form the strength, confidence and knowledge needed to succeed at your goals. Michelle talks about her inherent yearning to create and the many jobs that finally led her to her purpose.From home studios and Instagram networking to websites and workshops, Michelle shares poignant advice that will be sure to encourage you in your endeavors.To learn more about Michelle visit: www.michellemarrastudio.com.As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions.Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!

S2E2: No Limits feat. Joanna Popper

This week we talk to Joanna Popper, the head of VR at HP and a major leader in the quest for female representation in technology, entertainment and interactive computing.Joanna discusses the twists and turns of her career, which has led her from banking to marketing, television to VR, and how she applied the famous 80-20 (making your favorite 20% of your job 80% of your next job) to her career. Along the way, she shares tips for creatives looking to network on social media.Whether you’re interested in the intersection between creativity and technology, or just wondering how to merge your artistic muscle with a fulfilling career, there’s loads to learn from Joanna!To learn more about Joanna visit: www.napturalistamoji.com.As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions.Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!

S2E1: Make a Plan feat. Napturalista’s Rynae Lindsey

Meraki Mentors is BACK with a discussion about Napturalista Moji, an Oakland-based startup that’s bringing a whole new level of diversity to the emoji game. With a mission to bring culture and inclusivity to the emoji space, this woman-centered business has tons of lessons to share!Rynae Lindsey of Napturalista Moji talks about the critical role that teamwork, planning, and patience played in creating their app, which features Black women as emojis. From creating brand awareness and merchandise to using their unique skill sets and funding their own projects, this creative team uses their creativity in the tech field every day.From idea conception to fighting through fatigue (“make it happen...even if it feels impossible or takes forever”) this season opener is sure to have you aiming high in your creative endeavors and getting the job done!To learn more about Napturalista Moji visit: www.napturalistamoji.com.As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions.Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!

S1E12: Unlearn the Rules feat. Katie Kay Chelena

In the season finale of Meraki Mentors, Katie Kay Chelena, a performance artist based in Brooklyn New York shares her experience as a member of the Neofuturists theatre company.Raised in the South, Katie shares her experience battling the “scarcity” mindset that often pervades artistic communities, and opens up about writing, directing and producing 30 plays a week.This episode if full of pearls from finding humility in nature to moving from someone who “tries to be an artist” to someone who manifests the art within.As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions.Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!

S1E11: Coach Yourself to Wellness feat. DoubleLinkks

In episode 10 of Meraki Mentors, Kimyona and Keoyona Ray of DoubleLinkks serve up some enlightening facts about wellness, the role of art in individual healing and what a life coach really does.These twin sisters work as traveling nurses, a truly creative full-time gig that allows them to spread their passion for wellness around the nation and see more of the world. Through it all, they’re determined to help individuals from all walks of life return to “a simple way of living.”You’ll learn exactly what that means, how they incorporate art into their path to wellness, and why your creative block might be a sign that your mind needs a little TLC.As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions.Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!

S1E10: Designing a Career feat. Carrboro Creative

Episode 10 of Meraki Mentors is all about creativity in your career. We’re talking to Caity and Victoria, the co-founders of Carrboro Creative, a NC-based design firm that creates branded materials for organizations and businesses of all sizes.“There’s so much creativity in how you position yourself,” and that’s exactly what this dynamic duo has exemplified. From battling creative frustrations in the workplace to flexing their natural artistic abilities, Caity and Victoria have forged their own path and are now empowering other women to do the same in whatever form their creative pursuits may be.During this discussion we tackle balancing personal lives, work lives and motherhood, using both sides of your brain to pursue entrepreneurship and the key to good design and healthy client relationships.As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions.Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!

S1E9: Sustaining Discipline feat. Anuradha Bhowmik

In episode 9 of Meraki Mentors, you’ll meet poet and creative nonfiction writer Anuradha Bhowmik, a recent MFA grad from Virginia Tech and a 2018 AWP Intro Journals Project Winner in Poetry.Anuradha never considered writing as a career, but a handful of undergraduate professors changed the course of her life. Her writing is deeply rooted in her autobiographical experiences in an immigrant family, and she discusses the aspects of her childhood that led to her love for creative nonfiction.We talk about Anuradha’s time in Blacksburg, teaching for the first time, writing as a young person and “sustaining discipline after you get your MFA.”As always, this episode features the following music: Aspire by Scott Holmes, and Purple Light by Blue Dot Sessions.Enjoy the episode and remember to Create & Connect!