We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennifer Ayala a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

The memory is still gently etched into my memories. It was the Fourth of July weekend and I was asked to attend a pool gathering at the fabulous Hotel Zaza in Houston, Texas. The drinks were flowing and the people that I was surrounded with that day had this ambitous ambience about them. The day went on and as I was laying poolside in my little bikini that dubbed me as little sailor moon that day, my phone rang and the art curator’s name flashed across my phone. What on earth, I thought to myself. Nonetheless, I answered my phone and heard him (the art curator) on the other line frantically asking me what I wanted for my art piece entitled, Soul Ties. So for a little bit of backstory, I had recently been asked to be a part of an all women’s art show and therefore, my art was now being displayed at the following shows, though for this one, I was not in attendance. To be quite honest, I did not even imagine it being bought, so I had no clue what I wanted to charge. I was just happy to be a part of the wonderful art community. But here I was discussing prices with he art curator for this unknown human who thought my art was splendid enough to buy right off the wall of the show. It felt like a dream. Seeing as how I was extremely unprepared, I told him to just go with what he thought. That day my first piece of art was sold. I can probably tell that story over and over because I have never felt so proud. Unfortunately, I never did find out who bought it.

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

Me? Where shall I begin. I work a full time job for the City of Houston and then I come home and begin my second full time job, motherhood. There is not a lot of time for me to sit and write or create anything at all, but when I do, I get so lost in it that the outside world really no longer exists to me. It is not until my baby girls come scurrying into my room to ask me how much longer I’ll be or what is for dinner that I realize I’m hours in. Those moments are my visual and mental freedom, those are my souls ties to the outside world. As I have stated in a previous interview, I began writing as a young girl. My love for writing comes from my mother, I believe. Being a creative is something that I truly believe also comes from my fathers side of the family. The more I dig, the more I realize that more and more of my family has ties to the creative world. For me, it is nice to know that this is what connects us into our bloodline. Nowadays, I have taken up more painting, although I must admit, I am definitely an amateur. I use mixed media to create how I feel on the inside so to say. After all the paintings I have done. I have found that my favorite way to paint is more abstract bodies. What sets me apart from others? I would say everything. Everyone has this different creative side that comes out onto a canvas, paper, whatever it is you create on. We are all different and it shows in our work.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the most rewarding things I can say about being an artist, creative, write, is the people that reach out to you. The comments, direct messages, and praise I have gotten has been almost overwhelming at times. When I get people telling me that I have inspired them to write more or express themselves more on a creative realm, I feel like my life purpose is being fulfilled. Recently I met a small business owner who swears when I walk into his place he sees this beautiful, positive aura around me and those are the things that make life so much better. The fact that I know I can make a positive influence others. He has asked me to display my work in his business and even bought my first poetry book. More to come soon.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

SylviaPlath. Sylvia Plath is by far my favorite author, write, creative, and poet. Her work seems to touch me in a way no other work has ever done. She speaks such beauty in her words and I find myself lost in her verbiage. Something so melancholic about the way she wrote that I will never quite understand. Her biography was just phenomenal! If you have not read it, you must!

Contact Info:

• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
None needed.