We recently connected with Jay Pryor and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jay thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I’ve been depending on myself to generate my own paycheck for 20 years. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had the thought that I should just “get a job”. Lately, I’ve had that thought more often as I just turned 58 and retirement is around the corner.

However, almost every time I have that thought it’s because I am focusing on something that is not working or I am in a creative slump. When I remember the principle that what I focus on gets bigger I remember all the reasons I love being an entrepreneur. I love setting my own schedule, working from my house and getting to go off on a creative tangent at any time. I am so blessed to get to make a powerful difference for other people and get paid to do it. I am so blessed to get paid to educate, entertain and support other humans in their own personal transformation.

The worry, the stress or the wonder about what it would be like to have a steady eddy paycheck is something every entrepreneur has. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. Being an entrepreneur is a spiritual journey. You have to have a lot of faith to keep at it every day.

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 am a creative entrepreneur and I spend most of my days working in my own business as an executive coach, DEIB trainer, Speaker, and facilitating personal development workshops. I’m the author of the book, “Lean Inside: Seven Steps to Personal Power.” My signature transformational process has been used by thousands of people to access a new level of power in their lives.
I have always been a trailblazer, coming out as a Butch lesbian at the age of 18 in 1985. I began my life as a queer educator in my early 20’s. I began my transition to a transgender man in 2001 and walked through life as a “White Man undercover” for 18 years. However, I identified as non-binary before the word existed and I now identify as a “lesbian with a beard.”

In 2019, I wrote a “One Human Show” about my life as a trans/nonbinary human called the “Gender Reveal Party” I am available to perform this powerful, transformational show, The Gender Reveal Party for organizations, businesses and universities that are ready to explore gender in a deep and meaningful way.

I also share my story when I train employees with my Queer DEIB trainings. These trainings are the first step to start creating a workforce that is conscious of psychological safety for all employees.

My pronouns are they/them. I am a creative serial entrepreneur, spiritual practitioner, author, “hersband,” and “Maddy.”

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I think as humans we often have to learn things over and over again. One of mine that is relevant is that I am in fact a
“creative”.

My perspective of someone that is “creative” is someone used to be someone that creates art that is tangible like a painter or sculptor. I was a huge failure in art class and decided then that i was not a creative person.

It wasn’t until I already had started my own coaching business, written a book, wrote a show and and performed it that I finally had a revelation that I am a “Creative”.

This is important because once I claimed the word, “creative” I started giving myself permission to create. I had a completely different view of myself and my life as a creative person.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As an Out Queer performer, speaker and trainer I have one driving force or huge “WHY” . That is to create a world where all kids are safe.
Before I came out in the 80’s I was a suicidal mess. I was one of those people that believed I would rather be dead that queer.
Once I kicked the closet door open and started sharing my story as a suicidal queer youth. I could see that I was making a difference for queer youth dealing with coming out. I vowed to tell my story and keep educating until every queer kid feels safe coming out.

On one hand we have come a long way. I used to lead queer rights marches and now I attend Pride parades. In the 80’s we never even dreamed we would have our marriages acknowledged by our government.
However, this current backlash against the queer community especially all the anti trans legislation across the country tell me there is still a lot of work to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jaypryorconsulting.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegenderrevealparty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaypryorconsulting
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaypryor
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PryorJay
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JayPryorcoach
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/jay_pryor_consulting/

Image Credits

Jeff Burkhead, Backstory Photograghy

Ailecia Ruscin, Oh Snap Photo