Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Xavier D’Leau. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Xavier, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Before 2020, I was working in the housing crisis in New York City with houseless people who lived with dual diagnoses. I pretty much lived a linear life up until that point. I graduated high school, went to college, got a job, struggled like every other millennial–nothing too far out of the norm. I was doing creative work on the side, including podcasting, but it was a hobby. It was a hobby that made a little money from time to time, but still a hobby nonetheless.

All of a sudden, the world shut down–however my place of employment didn’t seem to believe the risk factors that came with face-to-face interactions at the time. Where my job title and description did not fit the criteria to be an essential worker, my employer continued to pressure employees to be in-office.

As someone who lives with a heart condition, I couldn’t take that risk. I also couldn’t take the risk of getting my loved ones sick because of my negligent employer and the need for that damn job. One night, I got an email from my director at 8:30pm requesting that I go to a clients home and have a conversation about their inability to pay rent. I threw my phone across my apartment and went to bed. I was beyond annoyed and disappointed in the lack of humanity during this time.

Something woke me up at 4am that next day. All I could hear in my head was “You know what you have to do. Everything will be okay.” I opened my computer. I opened outlook. I sent an email stating that I quit immediately and to not contact me about anything. Harsh, I know. But I believe this was what needed to happen. Otherwise I’d be stuck in analysis paralysis, aka, over thinking this decision.

And let me tell you–it worked out. I currently live in Los Angeles in an amazing place with my partner. I’m healthier, happier, and earning more than I was previously now that I work for myself.

Xavier, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Xavier D’leau. I began as a youtuber back in 2007-2008. I didn’t set out with any intention, other than to be funnier on the internet than the guy that had dumped me a few weeks prior via text message. I let pettiness be my motivator, and I created a vlog series called The X. D. Experience which documented my life in college and living in New York. I then joined the social media bandwagon and became a pretty well-known personality on Twitter. My vlogs and twitter feed led to a bunch of opportunities from assisting in a script re-write for a film, speaking on panels, working as a marketing director for a major film and a TEDx talk! Now, I produce digital content for myself and others. I podcast and provide digital content under the Jade & X. D. umbrella and I provide digital consultation services for those who are interested in making their digital imprint–whatever that may look like-but need the extra boost in getting started.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

As someone who once was working a fulltime job at the same time as earning a living as a creative, you get to fully understand where some of the negative feedback comes from in regards to certain aspects of content creation or working as a creative. The largest part is everyone needing to unlearn that most of our jobs aren’t as we pretend they are. Once we get over that hump, we can all realize that everyone here is just trying to make a living like everyone else.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I think NFTs are pointless. A few clients have asked me about them, and I tell them not to bother.

Contact Info:

• Website: xavierdleau.com
• Instagram: @xavier.dleau
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/xavierdleau
• Twitter: @xavierdleau