We recently connected with Nicolette Ellis and have shared our conversation below.
Nicolette , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I’ve been taking leaps as a Creative since I was 17 years old. I moved out of my childhood home in MD to go to school for acting in NYC at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Once I did that at such a young age, I committed myself to a creative path and never moved back home, no matter how hard it got. Now taking risks, didn’t always work in my favor but it has taught me valuable lessons along the way. I always thought “oh I’m just going to be an actress only.” especially when I was in my early 20’s, but I’ve learned that there’s more to my creativity than just being one thing. Since I’ve taken risks, doors have opened that have stretched me in many ways. All of a sudden, I’m a founder of my creative brand itsRandom, I’m an Assistant Director, I’m an editor, I paint wearable art, and more. I do what brings me joy. Even when doubt is seeping in, I still ground myself in knowing that taking risks got me here. I had to learn that with the multi-hyphenate lane, you have to surrender that some seasons a creative project may require more attention.
Through it all, the highs and lows, and the in-betweens… I’ve always moved with gratitude for the risks.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I become a multi-hyphenate creative first by being an Actress and it has evolved into something way more over the years. My 20’s were for exploring who I want to be, and my 30’s are for becoming a creative of all sorts. I launched my creative brand itsRandom, during the pandemic in 2020 and it has taken form to becoming a home for everyday creatives. With affirmations, merch and workshops that creatives can tap into at any moment they need a friendly reminder. Its designed to always keep creative wellness at the front of whatever it is they are pursuing. I love serving the community in this way. In addition to all of that, I’m also an Assistant Director and Editor. I genuinely enjoy collaborating and bringing client’s visions to life.
But, I’m most proud of itsRandom, its my baby. It constantly shows me that a business really has to be nurtured in order to evolve. I see such big things for itsRandom, and sometimes I want those things immediately, but I know it takes time. But, from the type of conversations I’ve had with creatives always warms my heart. I always want creatives to feel like its a safe space, because it truly is. There was a workshop I did called “Hustle Culture isn’t Real” and the activities I created from journal entries, meditations,and the energy in the room that was cultivated. It was amazing. I felt like I learned a lot too, and realized “if I could be doing this all the time, I would.” That’s when I knew itsRandom is truly bigger than what I ever imagined, and I’m really dedicated to making that happen.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I’m actively unlearning is racing against an internal clock.
Full transparency, I have had thoughts of “why am I not further along in my career” and it would put me in this constant motion to prove something to myself. Which would cause me to skip steps, and often focus on the end goal and not what it takes to get there with some creative projects. Then, my creativity would feel forced. I don’t ever want that.
I remember in 2024, which was one of the hardest years for me, because I lost my Aunt in April. I felt like I wanted to get back to acting and just do a play, it ended up not being the most enjoyable process… because I didn’t honor what I was actually feeling. Ya know? Which was grief. I wasn’t ready to just do an acting gig again, I needed to honor the time of processing my feelings first. That’s when I was like okay, maybe I need to learn to take my time with assessing things before just doing something “just because.”
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
First, I think everyone is creative in some way. But, someone that make their living doing corporate 9-5 job, may struggle to understand my schedule and my sources of income. I have a job as a Social Media Assistant, where I work from home, but its still creative. That’s the consistent income, but from everything else as a creative, everything is so spur of the moment. Sometimes its freelance and some seasons are better than others and some are slow.
It may not make all the sense to someone, but it’s really the way I live my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yesitisrandom.com
- Instagram: @Nicolette.Ellis / @Yesitisrandom
Image Credits
The group photos are taken by Destiny Owens (@thedestinyowens / @theddoproductionsllc)