We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maya Carpenter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Maya, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
The journey of a creative is often filled with unexpected twists and turns, requiring a well of resilience and a willingness to pivot when necessary. My path has been a testament to this, marked by significant changes and the persistent challenge of navigating rejection.
To give some back story, I began my college career as a Theatre major, fueled by a passion for acting and the performing arts. However, under the advice of my family, I pivoted to journalism, which was deemed a more practical career choice. Despite this shift, I discovered that practicality is relative—only a small percentage of journalists achieve significant success in their craft.
Graduating college a year before the 2008 recession, I entered a job market that was anything but promising. My initial roles were as a newspaper reporter (an almost obsolete field), and I quickly realized that they were not aligned with my true calling. Despite my efforts, I was rejected and fired from two reporting jobs. This period was incredibly challenging, filled with self-doubt and frustration. Yet, it also served as a crucial learning experience: I recognized that these setbacks were not reflections of my abilities but signs that I wasn’t being true to myself.
Seeking a medium that resonated more with my desire to have my voice heard, I moved into radio. This transition was a positive step, offering a platform to express myself more authentically. However, my true dream of becoming an actor remained unfulfilled. Embracing this aspiration, I boldly moved to Los Angeles, a city synonymous with opportunity and rejection. For more than five years, I faced countless rejections, each “no” a reminder of the resilience needed to succeed in the competitive world of the entertainment industry.
After years of perseverance in Los Angeles, I made another significant pivot. Recognizing that my journey had equipped me with unique insights into handling rejection and navigating career transitions, I moved back home to Florida. I entered into education as a teacher after encouragement from my father, who had been an educator for 20 years. This role allowed me to impact lives directly and use my experiences to inspire others. Eventually, I transitioned into my current role as an HR Director, where I leverage my journey to help others navigate their professional paths and embrace flexibility.
When I was released from my second reporting job, it felt like the end of the road, a devastating blow to my confidence. I vividly remember sitting in my apartment, feeling a mix of anger, confusion, and helplessness. The future seemed uncertain, and my dreams felt increasingly out of reach.
Despite this setback, I chose to view it as an opportunity for growth. I took time to reflect on what truly mattered to me and realized that my passion lies in storytelling and connecting with others, not just through writing but in more dynamic, engaging ways. This introspection led me to explore radio and eventually to pursue acting.
Every rejection I faced in Los Angeles further solidified my resilience. I learned to see each “no” as a signal to refine my approach. It didn’t make navigating any less painful, but it made it possible. This mindset shift was crucial. Instead of internalizing rejection as a personal failure, I began to view it as part of the process—a necessary experience on the path to success.
Now, as a motivational speaker, I use my voice to help others navigate their career journeys, especially in handling rejection. My story serves as a powerful testament to the importance of resilience. I encourage others to embrace their unique paths, to pivot without fear, and to use every experience, whether perceived as positive or negative, as fuel for growth.
In sharing my story, I hope to illustrate that the creative journey is rarely linear. It demands flexibility and the courage to pivot when necessary. Each challenge faced is an opportunity to learn and grow. By embracing these principles, I’ve turned rejection into a powerful motivator, fueling my journey and enabling me to inspire others to do the same.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m a professional speaker, storyteller, and facilitator specializing in communication and social-emotional learning.
Throughout my career, I consistently found myself drawn to roles that involved connecting with people and helping them communicate more effectively. About seven years ago, I began speaking professionally, albeit inconsistently. It was only recently that I recognized this as my true calling. I decided to channel my passion into starting my own business, which is still a work in progress. Still, it’s dedicated to helping individuals and organizations enhance their communication skills and build stronger relationships.
I will offer various services to bolster effective communication and social-emotional learning. This includes keynote speaking, where I deliver engaging presentations on communication strategies, relationship building, and speaking to individuals about navigating rejection. I will also conduct workshops and seminars that are interactive and tailored to enhance team dynamics and workplace culture.
Additionally, I provide strategies for individuals looking to develop their communication skills and leadership training for businesses aiming to improve internal communication and employee engagement. I address several key issues, such as overcoming communication barriers, fostering stronger relationships, and enhancing emotional intelligence. I teach social-emotional learning principles, which help individuals improve self-awareness, self-regulation, and interpersonal skills. I focus on improving organizational leadership skills and team dynamics to create a more cohesive and productive work environment.
More recently, I was living and teaching in South Korea, which was an incredible experience that deeply influenced my approach to social-emotional learning. Teaching English there, I focused on helping students develop their emotional intelligence and communication skills. This experience reinforced the importance of empathy, cultural awareness, and the ability to connect across language barriers.
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.
One thing that non-creatives might struggle to understand about my journey as a creative is its inherent unpredictability and non-linearity. Unlike traditional career paths that often follow a clear, step-by-step progression, a creative path can be winding and filled with unexpected turns. This can be disorienting and might seem unstable or impractical to those accustomed to a more linear route. However, it’s important to normalize the idea that it’s okay to change your mind and pivot toward what truly ignites your passion, no matter how far along you are on another path. Deciding to pursue a different direction doesn’t invalidate your previous choices but reflects your growth and evolution.
For those who have followed a traditional, linear path, it’s crucial to recognize that having a persistent, burning passion is a significant indicator that there is something else worth exploring. If a desire or interest continues to call to you despite how long it’s been, it’s a sign that it holds a meaningful place in your life. Ignoring it might lead to feelings of regret or unfulfillment. Exploring these passions isn’t just about personal satisfaction—it’s also about recognizing that what you have to offer could be exactly what someone else needs.
The world thrives on diverse talents and contributions from all kinds of people. Your unique skills, perspectives, and passions are essential in this ecosystem. Even if your path seems unconventional, it’s worth remembering that there is no single “correct” way to choose a career. What matters most is finding a path that resonates with who you are and allows you to serve others effectively.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being creative is the opportunity to be a light in the darkness. As a creative, I can transform adversity into art to make sorrow sound so impactful that when people hear me speak about my trials, they hear strength, perseverance, and hope. This unique capacity to navigate and reshape my experiences into something beautiful and inspiring is why I proudly call myself “The Resilience Navigator.”
Creatives and artists often face the reality that our field has no guarantees. We enter with the hope and determination to succeed, yet we remain acutely aware that our journey could change direction at any moment. This uncertainty demands constant adaptation and resilience. We must pivot, innovate, and find new ways to express ourselves and connect with others. Do I still perform? Absolutely. But, I know that whether I am on the big screen, on a stage motivating others, or teaching strategies to a group, I am still a storyteller and will always be one.
Despite these challenges, the process of creating and sharing art brings fulfillment. My work allows me to touch lives, evoke emotions, and inspire others. The ability to turn personal struggles into universal messages of strength and beauty is rewarding. Knowing that my art can resonate with others, providing them with comfort or inspiration, makes the creative journey incredibly worthwhile.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.flowcode.com/page/msmaya
- Instagram: @itsmsmaya
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayancarpenter
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayacarpenter/
Image Credits
The professional shots were taken by RTW Photography in Orlando, Florida.