We recently connected with Alexandra Rabassa and have shared our conversation below.

Alexandra, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

As a business owner, the best investment I ever made was in myself! Talent and gifting can only take you so far. I’ve been an artist at heart since I was child. I remember my family always being around me, asking me to draw different things for them. However, coming out of high school, I was conflicted about what career to choose. The world would tell me that there was no money in art and that I would never be able to support myself or a family. I knew I didn’t want to fall into the “starving artist” stereotype, but I also knew that I would be miserable if I lived a lifestyle I was not passionate about. Life needed to be meaningful! There were some hard truths I had to face. I knew I had a gift for art and was creative, but I had no idea how to make a living from it.

To sharpen my skills, I did a year of art school, and then I went to a technical school for graphic design and 3D animation. This education helped expand the artist in me, but it still did not teach me how to thrive in the field. It was a harsh reality when I had my first child and I couldn’t find a job in design that paid enough to support us. I ended up working in the medical field because they were paying more. I was in “survival mode” and was not thinking at all about pursuing that creative dream. Twelve years flew by, and I was miserable running the rat race! With 2 kids now, I had to face a fork in the road. Do I suck it up and stay in stability, or do I make drastic moves to pursue my dream life in the creative field?

I chose option “C.” I stood still and took a chance on God. I prayed that He would lead me to the teaching necessary to build the lifestyle I wanted. And He did just that! I was led to a business coach who was holding a meeting near me. I went to all her trainings and even went out of state a couple of times for continued training. It was not free! But it was the best investment I ever made. I experienced more personal growth in that year of my life than I ever did in my twelve years of working in a medical office.

I began working and building my little graphic and web design business at night, and eventually I was able to walk away from the medical field and work my business full time. More than 10 years later, and with a family of five, Pure Impulse Creations is still going strong! There have been ups and downs, and many more lessons have been learned along the way. The amazing thing is that the human brain has no limit to its capacity to learn new things. We have no control over people, their different personalities, the economy, or the many circumstances that come our way; we only have control over ourselves and our ability to learn new skills. I have made it a habit to invest in myself every time I’m stuck on something that’s limiting my ability to grow and expand.

Here are some of the most valuable lessons I can share: you can have excuses or you can have results but you can’t have both; a successful mindset is always looking for solutions to problems; failure is a fantastic teacher and can propel you to your next level of growth if you allow it; pain is part of the gains; self-care and mental health care are not optional they are vital; growth in any part of life will never be convenient or comfortable; and you can always bet on God and expect an abundant return!

Alexandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have found that creating art is spontaneous, unpredictable, and impulsive. I believe some of the best works of art are born from an impulsive spark of imagination that flows and expands into something wondrous, which then moves the viewer in unexpected ways. It was from this thought that Pure Impulse Creations was built. I wanted to build something that was more than creative art; I wanted to build something that made an impact on the lives of the recipients, and I used graphic design as my paintbrush. I enjoy original art and painting, but as a tech-head, I geek out over digital art and animation!

Pure Impulse Creations, in short, provides web and graphic design solutions for growing entities, but the goal is to grab their vision and bring it to life in a way that inspires them to reach new heights of success in their field. This requires building a relationship with the client and really getting to know their heart behind their business goals. What sets us apart is that we’re in it for the long road. In no way do I look to get rich off one client; instead, I build long-term relationships that turn into faithful business partners for life! These long-term relationships are what set my business apart from the rest; they’re what keep us afloat during the hard times and what bring us closer together as a community.

Building each other up will forever be more advantageous than going after a quick buck. In a vast ocean of sharks, Pure Impulse Creations is more than the creative designs it produces; it is a propelling force that strives to elevate and accelerate their clientele. Never underestimate the power of creative art; a small piece of digital design can have the ability to move the world!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

“You need to figure things out on your own; nobody is going to be there for you.” This was hard-wired in my head, and I became extremely independent. This mentality drove me to anxiety and panic attacks. I was so overworked because I felt as though I couldn’t trust anyone that it damaged my nervous system. Rome was not built in a day, nor was it built by one person alone. Contrary to popular belief, being “Ms. Independent” is not the way to success! It took me years to unlearn this mindset, and I still find myself sometimes not asking for help when I need it. So, how do we learn to trust others and build together? You have to open your mind to the idea that not everyone is out to get you. This can be difficult for anyone who’s ever been deceived by people, so basically, everyone! It will take a leap of faith for most, but when our minds are open to the possibility that there are people who can align with us in our business journey, suddenly all kinds of doors open to all types of opportunities. What we focus on is what we get more of. So, when my mind was closed to people helping me, I saw no one available for me, but when I opened my mind, I suddenly realized there were people available, willing and able to help me all along. It is okay and actually healthy to ask for help. Those who are meant for you will find you and grow with you; it just takes a little faith.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I can’t speak for everyone, but I do believe that the brains of most creative people are wired completely differently than anyone else. A creative person spends a lot of time in their heads. We are creative thinkers and visionaries. We are highly sensitive to the world around us but may not know how to express what we feel in words, so we express our emotions through our creative outlets instead. We are passionate and optimistic, preferring to create a world where there is hope, love, and power. A creative person is unique in every way and externally different as well. These differences can make some people feel uncomfortable, as many in this world see differences as a threat. I have experienced these prejudices in one form or another throughout my life. I was always, and I still am, very different. I have been called “weird,” and “crazy,” even. I used to get offended, but now I welcome these name tags as “middle names,” and embrace my whole creative self, knowing that my differences and the differences of other creative people can bring life and light into the world. It’s like having our very own superpower.

We don’t necessarily need to be understood; all we need is to be accepted just as we are, with all our uniqueness, knowing that something amazing is always brewing in our minds.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alexandrarabassa.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pureimpulsecreations
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pureimpulsecreations