The Future of Creative Brink

It’s been exactly 12 months since I launched Creative Brink. Time flies when you're immersed in what you love, right? But this isn't just about celebrating an anniversary; it's about sharing the journey of what this year has meant and a glimpse into what’s next for me and Creative Brink because, honestly, I didn’t have a plan when I launched it – I just knew I needed to do it.

Here’s the story of the last 12 months, lessons learned, and where things are headed next.

When I threw myself back into being an independent consultant and reluctant creator this year, I did it because the economy was unpredictable, and I was tired of depending on the whims of others.  As someone who identifies as a builder first, working highly visible roles that promised autonomy but gave the opposite, was starting to weigh on my creativity and I just badly needed something that was all mine again.

My goal with launching the newsletter was simply to provide an outlet to answer questions that were happening in my daily conversations in discussions with the brands and creators in my network. Together, we’ve explored theories about what’s next for the Creator Economy, been inspired by the way our favorite creators shift the atmosphere when they are tapped into their power, and ways to use the knowledge shared to grow your own creator-led company.  We’ve been viewed well over 700,000 times across social platforms, invited to panels, conferences, and webinars, and led strategy sessions with our favorite brands and startups. 

Writing has been my anchor this year, a skill I've honed daily to reconnect with my essence as a creator. Not all my musings made it to you, but each word penned was a step closer to understanding my role in this unpredictable world.

Balancing What You Have Now with What You Want Most

My path this year hasn't been straight, but it’s been one I’m proud to walk. Through my work at Visionary Rising (VSNRY), my hybrid consultancy and creative studio, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the transformative impact of creative thinking, from advising startups to crafting global strategies with my favorite brands, the work this year has been some of the best I’ve done and through it all, I’ve been learning how to balance being a full-time creator with entrepreneurship. 

Sometimes that has meant that my consistency as a creator suffered due to deadlines with client work, exploring other opportunities, and just outright not making the time for it.

 I tapped back into my days of juggling roles with tech giants and my side hustles where I learned that success wasn't just about the big wins that were seen; it was often about the innovation and problem-solving that happened in the silence of showing up consistently. 

So, that’s what I decided to do this year: Show up. Consistently. For myself.

 Antler and the Future: Exploring New Horizons

Antler is a global program providing founders with community, access, and eventual capital, at the earliest parts of their journey. I entered the program with a question I wanted to answer; one that had been keeping me up at night. Over 6-weeks, that idea transformed from a question that needed to be answered into a living, breathing embodiment of what can happen when you get out of your way.

 My concept of what it means to be a creator has expanded beyond someone who delivers content to anyone who has access to, and a desire for, creative endeavors through brand partnerships, expanded opportunities, and engaged audiences. To that end, I believe the term creator encompasses athletes, digital studio owners, executives, brands, and the stakeholders (Agencies, Agents, and Managers) that help them run it all.

What’s Next for Creative Brink

So, what’s next? Creative Brink will be undergoing a makeover at the top of the year as part of a transition to a platform solely focused on empowering the next generation of creator genius to launch, grow, and scale in the Creator Economy with IRL events, panels, and even more content around building creator-led media empires. 

 Looking back, so much of who I am has been wrapped up in better understanding the Creator Economy while also doing my best to contribute to its betterment. I’ve worked with creators just beginning and at the height of their careers, advised managers on how to pivot, and negotiated crazy deals (some that made history and others that just rank as the top ones that never happened) - and all of it has made me bullish on the Creator Economy. 

It’s one of the things I’ve thought most about over the past 15 years of my career and one that I’ve been so deeply committed to for longer than that. It’s also one of the reasons I decided to accept Antler’s offer as a Founder in Residence.

I’m excited to share what I’ve been working on with you soon, but for now, I’d like to thank you for your support which has meant the world to me as I navigate this chapter. I encourage you to stay dialed in and follow me on this journey.  

Until next time, keep creating and dreaming!

LaTecia

Want more? Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn and let me know how I can help you scale as a creator. Want to support this newsletter and get featured? Drop me a line & I’ll be happy to collaborate.