Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mila Milana. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mila, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Most people look at the life of a creative and think it must be the best thing ever, well to a point. Making a full time living as a talent definitely takes time it is not a process to rush and doesn’t come all at once. I remember when I began to take my talents more seriously and rely on them as a primary source of income, to say the least I was a bit confused. If I could say anything to the 2016 creator me I would tell her don’t forget to invest in marketing. Once I started to put my talents in the eyes of the people I was able to cover my cost of living then some. Knowing what I know now about the many paths I have chosen to take, I could have definitely mapped out my plans more thoroughly.

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

Ok, so let’s just say I jumped into this industry twice. When I was a sophomore in high school (I believe it was) I entered into my first beauty pageant, and was crowned (that is also a long story) I dabbled in that life but it always came second to sports so I never went for it. Around the same time I found myself falling in love with the art of tattooing, something I could really use as a tool to transport me to a place of peace. When I finally decided to be through with sports I found myself in this extreme grey space not knowing life outside of being an athlete was different like a deep breath of cold air. Most people don’t know what athletes face when they decide to no longer be an athlete, however the discipline that I have procured from being an athlete has shaped not only my life as well as my mindset, which makes me an asset in any room I walk in. With the teachings I’d gathered I was able to become a freelance model, and now my worlds of modeling and tattooing are being coming one as I shift my regular glamour shots to a more alternative approach, no longer hiding my body art yet embracing it becoming a full time Tattoo Model for a very prestigious tattoo artist here in Houston. Which gives me enough time to handle both modeling and tattooing. This year the Mila Milana Brand will be going to a period of rebranding. Look forward to introducing to the brand, Stay Tuned!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creator, is building your own schedule, working by you own rules yet following a standard. I must say I love the freedom.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The pivot of all pivots from freelancers to mother. It was a switch I didn’t let slow me down early on but now a a single mother I find myself setting aside the tedious task of being a self managed creative and taking on the task of embodying my inner child and giving my child a mate to play with, when we are not napping that is. Which adds to the joy of being able to set your own schedule you can take a break when need. So when the time is right I will pivot right back into place.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Tat2mamii

Image Credits
Joseph Baldwin