We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stacey Wilson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stacey below.

Stacey , looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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 am beyond happy to live my live as a creative. I’m a multi hyphenate creative. I’m an Event Producer, Visual Artist, Muralist, Graphic + Web Designer, Youth Creative Arts Teacher and most recently, DJ.

I’ve worked for myself since 2001 with the exception of one time about 10 years ago. I had a slow few months with my work and began to panic. At the time, The Onion was launching in Philly, and a friend of mine wanted to me to come on board to build relationships for their advertising department since I was connected to most venues in Philly from throwing parties. It lasted 1 week. I hated it. I realized that I am more resourceful than I was giving myself credit for. Although there is a more secure financial outcome in getting a job, I wouldn’t trade being able to dream up ideas and knowing how to execute them for anything. I’ve established myself in various areas to the point where I can lean on any of the creative avenues I’m skilled in to keep me on the path I want and meant to be on. Whether it’s throwing a party, selling my art, leading a Sip + Paint session, applying for a mural opportunity, doing flyers, websites and other graphics for businesses and creatives and now, DJing, I’ve created an eco system for myself that allows me to reply on those things whenever I need to.

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?

My true creative life began the moment she started school in 1995. I attained my love for art while studying Graphic Design as well as a multitude of various types of art at Philadelphia’s Hussian School of Art. At the same time, I also began my career in management and promotions while also designing promotional materials for the entertainment and restaurant industries while managing legendary venues Zanzibar Blue and Brave New World in Philadelphia.

My design client roster includes Dyana Williams, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Okayplayer, The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP/Kenny Gamble), Warmdaddy’s, Zanzibar Blue, EST, Digable Planets, Rennie Harris Our Movement and Jill Scott’s Blues Babe Foundation to name a few. I had also freelanced as an In Market Manager for brands and their promotions such as the Bailey’s Beauty Shop & the Crown Royal Barbershop.

With one door opening after another, my next venture in life was to start a promotion and event planning company. I decided to leave the nightclub as a Manager and enter as an Event Producer. Producing and promoting thousands of events over the past 23 years, I is the proud co-owner of the infamous party, Tastytreats, which had been the longest running party in Philadelphia, weekly for 13 years. I created the event in 2001 with then partner, Questlove of The Roots, Yameen Allworld and DJ Mike Nyce. With tons of events year after year, I’ve booked many DJ’s like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, Q-Tip, Biz Markie, Premier, Tony Touch, Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, MC Lyte, Spindarella, Beverly Bond, Prince Paul, DJ Scratch, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and many more. I’ve also produced three private afterparties Prince and also Janet Jackson’s 57th birthday party. I’ve booked performing talent like Gangstarr, Questlove, Black Thought, Marsha Ambrosius, De La Soul, Mos Def, KRS-One, MC Lyte, Master at Work, Bahamadia, Little Brother, Kool Herc, Beverly Bond, Jill Scott, John Legend, Jamie Foxx, Bilal, Reakwon and many others.

I’m responsible for branding a merchandise line, the infamous “Jawn” t-shirts, as well as creating a popular newspaper for Philadelphia called, The Jawn. I have been recognized by GPTMC (Greater Philadelphia Tourism + Marketing Corporation) as a Creative Ambassador of Philadelphia, an elite group of creative people honored by Philly360 and The Philadelphia Tourism Board. I also teach Graphic, Web, Digital and Event Design/Art classes to young people as well as teaching painting at social painting parties for kids and adults.

My skill in art and illustration became more and more a part of her life as my acrylic and ink works of urban/comic book/graffiti-esque art came sneaking out on the scene in the early 2000’s. My works on wood, canvas, sculpture and sneakers have been featured on the walls of the house of MTV’s The Real World Philadelphia on UPN 57’s Half and Half, and seen on the pages of Jill Scott’s book of poetry, The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours as well as featured in various exhibits, magazines and other outlets. In recent years, I have become a muralist due to my work at the Tiny Room For Elephants festivals. My murals can currently be seen in The Fillmore Philadelphia, One Art Community Center and at various Amazon locations. Some of my Art collectors are DJ Jazzy Jeff, Amanda Seales, Yvette Lee Bowser and more.

I’m most proud of my overall body of work. Sometimes you don’t really get to marinate in the success of what you have done and created but looking back on my 25 year career, I’m super proud to have contributed at a high level to the Creative Arts + Nightlife world in Philly and beyond. What sets me apart is my true love and dedication for each craft I’m creating in. I think that’s part of my longevity. Being consistent. Being trustworthy. Being authentic. I’m so thankful for it all.

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

My goal for my creative journey is to continue to thrive in my work/business and also be a life long learner. I think there’s no reason to stop learning new things. Whether it’s to create another stream of revenue for yourself or just for pure pleasure. During Covid, my partner DJ Mike Nyce, started to teach me how to DJ. I couldn’t really pick it up at the time, it all just seemed like alot.

I think that the next thing I’d like to learn is Game Design. And who knows what else down the road. As an entrepreneur, I think there is always an opportunity to elevate your current services or add on to elevate something that you may already to. Whether to offer clients additional services, get more gigs or like I said, to just gain more knowledge and to have fun!

We’re on this planet once. Why not have fun creating?! There’s still so many creative things that I would love to do that I haven’t done yet. Maybe I will one day, maybe I won’t. But I can say that there is truly never a time in my life where I feel bored. Don’t get that confused with rest and stillness. As creatives, we need that so much. The stillness is where some of the magic happens. Where the ideas manifest, where concepts are born. It’s necessary for Artists to have time to do nothing. And of course, rest is an absolute. But, other than that – I have so much I’m inspired to do, there’s never a time when I don’t have anything to do. That’s what I dream of honestly, that time when I have nothing else to do to be able to make something, try something new or learn something new.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I have a client that I first worked for as a manager and also was a designer for their businesses when I first came out of college. Over the span of close to 20 years, although I left the management side of our relationship to go on my own ventures, I remained their designer. In 2013, an event I had produced for 13 years (every week) had to come to an end because the club it was at was closing, Although I had other avenues of income, that was my constant one. I did have some concerns because it was sudden. I went to that client and pitched a retainer commitment as opposed to the per job structure we’ve had for so very long. We agreed on a number for certain work for a few of the venues that they owned.

Over time, more began to be added to my plate. More than we had originally agreed upon. I began to feel uncomfortable with the amount of value I was giving compared to what I was being paid. I knew I was worth so much more. I asked for a meeting to discuss it. The day of the meeting came and we all sat down to chat. I explained that I would like to change the retainer fee to reflect all of the new projects and venues that were added on. It didn’t go well.

By the end of the meeting I felt really disrespected and hurt. This was someone that was in my life for 20 years. I valued the relationship that we had but in that moment, it was clear to me that they didn’t value me the same way. I cut the meeting short and went home. I wasn’t able to shake it off. I felt stuck in a way. I felt disappointed in myself because I felt dependent on that money.

Later that night, I was watching TV. Marc Cuban came on the screen. It was him discussing with someone about what means when you ask for a raise and don’t get it. He explained how in that moment, they are confirming your worth to them. And that most likely will never changed. I felt like in that moment, he was speaking to me. It was meant for me to see it, hear it and absorb it.

The next day, I wrote them an email. Nothing hateful, nothing emotional. Just merely explaining that it was my time to move on. I was nervous. I had anxiety about it. But I knew it was time to bet on myself. Since that moment, I never once regretted moving on. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. The time I was spending on their work, not being compensated properly, now allowed me so much time to nurture new relationships, dream new dreams, execute to concepts, and so much more.

I say all of this to day – don’t be scared to bet on yourself. And sometimes, you’ll be in a situation when you just know that it’s come to the end of the road. In that moment, you much believe in your abilities and know that you can do it. It may take hard work and a new outlook to pivot in a way that’s sustainable but it’s so, so worth it.

And maybe in this moment, I’m your Marc Cuban. If so, good luck :)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flygirrl.com / www.theflylifeagency.com
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