I spent eight years as a creative director in advertising, then I quit my toxic corporate job to start a business that spreads joy.
Now I’m doing something new. I’m launching an Ask Me Anything series where I answer your biggest questions about creativity and help you build your V1—your version one, your brave first step.
This series is the lead-up to my new group coaching program called Creative Reset, but we’ll talk more about that later. For now, let’s get into today’s question:
What’s one piece of advice you wish you had when you started your creative journey?
I couldn’t narrow it down to just one. So here are the three biggest things I wish I knew when I committed to being a creative professional. My hope is that these ideas will inspire you to build your V1, and remind you that you’re more ready than you think.
1. Everyone is making it up as they go.
Seriously.
We like to believe that everyone around us has it all figured out. But the truth? Most people are just doing their best with the information they’ve got—improvising, adjusting, learning on the fly.
That includes your boss.
Your boss’s boss.
And yes, your boss’s boss’s boss too.
This realization changed everything for me.
For a long time, I struggled with self-doubt. I knew I was smart, talented, and capable—but I would still get stuck wondering: How do they always seem to know what they’re doing?
And then it hit me:
They’re just making it up as they go.
So why can’t I?
Let me tell you a story.
When I first became a creative director, I was working at a small social-first agency. On my very first week, both of my copywriters were out of the office. And suddenly, I was responsible for writing copy for twelve different clients—social posts, blog articles, even video scripts.
Here’s the twist:
I had always seen myself as a visual creative director. I had never led from the writing side.
So what did I do?
I panicked for a second. Then I sat down and wrote the copy.
Because the truth is, I had already written a ton of copy. I had run my own magazine in New Orleans for years. But for some reason, I didn’t believe that experience counted in my “real job.”
That was a mistake.
Your past experiences are valid. You can translate them into new challenges. You don’t need permission to use your own talent.
When I say, you are smart, you are capable, you are powerful, I’m saying it to myself too. We’re all just figuring it out. And the ones who succeed? They trust themselves enough to try.
2. The easiest way to be seen as a professional is to dress the part.
What we wear is a reflection of how we see ourselves.
I grew up as a classic nerd. I had knock-off JNCO jeans, dragon button-ups—you know the vibe. 🐉
But when I started working professionally, I noticed something:
People in junior roles dressed one way—t-shirts, jeans, sneakers.
People in leadership dressed differently—button-ups, clean silhouettes, more intention.
So I made a decision:
If I wanted to be seen as a creative director, I should start dressing like one.
Eventually, I built a sort of “uniform”: white poplin button-ups, dark jeans, and brown moccasin loafers. It made getting dressed easy. More importantly, it helped me feel confident and grounded, especially when I was doing speaking engagements or high-stakes meetings.
Now, I’m not saying you have to wear what I wore. But I am saying this:
Find your “bad bitch outfit.”
Find the clothes that make you feel like the boldest, most creative, most confident version of yourself. The version of you who takes risks, speaks up, and goes after what you want.
Because that version?
That’s the one who changes your life.
3. Your biggest breakthroughs come when you stop asking for permission.
We’re trained—especially in corporate settings—to ask for permission before taking action.
“Can I solve this problem?”
“Can I try this new idea?”
“Can I go after this dream?”
Let me be real with you:
You don’t need permission to build the life you want. Especially when it comes to your creative ideas.
If there’s a problem, solve it.
If you have an idea, make it.
If you have a dream, chase it.
It really is that simple.
So many of us are sitting around waiting for some boss, mentor, or stranger on the internet to validate our dreams. But that’s wild, right? Why would you need someone else’s permission to do the thing you were made to do?
If you got the idea, that means you’re the one who’s supposed to bring it to life. Period.
Start the business.
Make the art.
Build your V1.
And if you’re ready to actually make that happen, I want to help.
Join the Creative Reset
I’m launching Creative Reset, a three-month practical studies group coaching program where we bring your ideas to life—together.
We start by mapping out your next steps. Then we meet every other week to workshop, troubleshoot, and grow. You’ll be surrounded by a small cohort of creative people who are building their own V1s, just like you.
You’ll learn from me, and from your peers. You’ll get unstuck. You’ll move forward faster than you thought possible.
Because when creative people support each other, magic happens.
If this sounds like what you’ve been waiting for, you can learn more here:
👉 socurious.co/creative-reset
This is just the beginning of the series—I’ve already got 15 more questions queued up. But I want to hear from you too.
Got a question about your creative career?
Leave it in the comments. Let’s build your version one—together.
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You are powerful. You are capable. You are smart. And you’re allowed to make it up as you go. ✨
