Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Coffey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Kelly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How do you think about spending on the little things / small joys when finances are tight?
When I look back, I’ve always found ways to budget for life’s finest gifts like a cup of coffee or museum entry fee. I don’t have to seek out reasons why I shouldn’t buy the coffee, eat the cake, or hang the art when I worked so hard to do exactly that.
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?
Emergence Arts rose from ashes of torched rejection letters, imposter syndrome, and the scared, insecure, and inexperienced kid who wasn’t prepared for what it took to pursue her dreams as a photographer, artist, and librarian. I formed Emergence Arts to create community spaces and host events to exchange resources, tools, and wisdom amongst each other. My mission is to find more of what we have in common and less of what keeps us feeling alienated from society. I currently coach individuals, both 1:1 and in groups, to build confidence asking for help, trust ourselves to try something new, find comfort in providing + receiving support, and pursue the next steps in our lives with grace, joy, and adaptability, I assist new entrepreneurs in registering for tax EINs, LLCs, revising resumes, prepping for interviews, plan cultural events + art markets, and whatever else it takes to get the next chapter of your life started.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
While I always put aside a few bucks for things like coffee or a matinee, the same goes for my future planning. Growing up having to work, pay taxes, sacrifice going out on weekends, pass going on trips, or skip parties throughout my life paid off, but only because when I had jobs, I put away the smallest amount. It’s imperative to stash away $5 here, $10 there, to talk to bankers, sign up for listservs and virtual groups where advisors do what I do for artists: exchange resources, tools, and expertise. I often take advice from experts in their fields.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
“old dogs can’t learn new tricks”
Nothing and nobody determines my self-worth. Anything I want to pursue, I shall, in one form or another. The reality is I may not realistically be in a place to take certain roles on, but nothing should stop me from checking to see what alternatives are available for what I choose to do today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vedhead.com/cv
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergence.arts/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emergencearts/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergencearts
- Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/emergence-arts-35688683193
Image Credits
vedhead Photography
Ian M. Torres, @mydiscerningeye