We recently connected with Shanthony Exum and have shared our conversation below.

Shanthony, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I’ve been making a full-time living from my creative work, and it’s been quite a journey! Ten years ago, I was laid off from an advertising job. I’d always had this dream of freelancing, so I thought, ‘Why not now?’ It was a bold move, especially leaving behind the security of a regular paycheck.

Starting out wasn’t easy. Building a client base took some time and a lot of effort. One thing I learned early on was the importance of finding a niche. It really helps you stand out in a crowded field. And, of course, doing top-notch work for every client is key. Happy clients not only come back, but they also spread the word about you.

Looking back, I think I could’ve sped up my progress. In the early days, I took on a lot of small, low-paying gigs. If I had to do it over, I’d focus that energy on personal projects that really excited me and aligned more with my career goals. These projects could have positioned me better for the work I’m passionate about.

Organization is another big lesson. Being organized saves so much time and headaches. Time is money in our field, right? I’ve learned a ton about being a working artist, so much so that I even wrote a book, ‘Hustle Life Balance,’ to share these insights with others. It’s all about balancing your passion and practicality as a freelancer.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Shanthony Exum, a multimedia artist who is musically known as Miss Eaves. I’m an illustrator, designer, paper mache artist, musician, and improv comedy teacher & performer. One thing about me – I’ve always been into a variety of things, which is why I love working for myself. It gives me the freedom to manage my time and pursue the projects that really resonate with me. My journey started with a love for DIY culture and a passion for expressing myself through various mediums. Most people know me via my song ‘Thunder Thighs,’ which became a bit of a body positivity anthem back in 2017. The music video for that track was co-directed with my friend April Maxey. I take an active role in all aspects of my music videos, from directing to art direction, ensuring each piece resonates with creativity and inclusivity.
My work has been featured in some pretty cool places like The New York Times, Billboard, NPR, Time Magazine, and Glamour. And if you have seen Netflix’s ‘Big Mouth’ or HBO’s ‘Insecure,’ you might have heard my song ‘Hump Day’ there!
On the design side, I primarily collaborate with social justice organizations, educational groups, and nonprofits. It’s really important to me to work with clients who share my vision of the world. I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing groups like the National Forest Foundation, Black Futures Lab, the Brookings Institute, MTV’s Look Different, and the North Star Fund.
I’m a huge fan of illustration, which led me to an exciting collaboration with my friend Nisha. We created a book called ‘Dear Humans,’ focusing on teaching children about environmental stewardship. Projects like this are my sweet spot – using my creative skills to make a positive impact.
What I want my potential clients, followers, and fans to know is that at the heart of all my work is a passion for making a difference, whether it’s through music, design, or comedy. My brand is all about creativity with a purpose, and I’m always looking for new ways to blend my skills and interests to create something meaningful and fun.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me has consistently been my existing client base. I firmly believe in giving my absolute best in every project, being thoroughly organized, and delivering exceptional work. This commitment to quality has not only led to repeat business but has also turned my current clients into valuable advocates for my work.

Most of my new projects come from these two channels: clients rehiring me for new initiatives and referrals they make to their network. It’s a testament to the trust and satisfaction they have in my work. This approach has not only helped in sustaining my business but also in growing it organically through word-of-mouth, which I find to be incredibly rewarding.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was a pivotal moment in my career when I faced a significant challenge that eventually led to substantial growth. I lost my biggest client, who contributed to 50% of my income, as they decided to move my position in-house. This came with just a two-week notice, putting me in a tight spot to quickly fill the income gap.

While this was an incredibly tough time, it turned out to be a valuable learning experience. It pushed me to shift my focus away from relying heavily on retainer clients. This change made me more versatile and agile in my business approach. It also gave me the opportunity to sharpen my skills in pitching and proposal writing, which are crucial in my line of work.

One practical change I made following this experience was to include a new clause in my contracts. This clause specifies the amount of notice required if a retainer client decides not to renew. It ensures I have sufficient time to seek other work and maintain my schedule effectively. This adaptation in my contracts is just one example of how I’ve learned to safeguard my business.

This experience taught me that life and business are about growing from hard lessons. It’s about adapting, learning, and evolving to become more resilient and better equipped for future challenges

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shanthony.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hustlelifebalance
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissEaves
• Other: You can buy my book about freelancing here: https://www.hustlelifebalance.com/

Image Credits
Most photos are credited to me except the thunder thighs screen shot is Max Skaff and the Exposure kills (all white room) is Robert Menzer