We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anji Kaizen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anji below.

Anji , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

Even at a young age, I remember sneaking off to make art on my own… Stirring together mud and flowers and glittery mica to make magical potions in the backyard. Singing songs while sweeping, pretending I was Cinderella. Gluing together pages of my art and proudly presenting it to my family as a book. Staging plays with friends for our parents.

In some ways, a creative career is all I’ve ever wanted, even before I knew it was a real option.

Artistry has to fight to be taken seriously. There aren’t many grants or government programs in the USA supporting the arts, and much of our society is based around function and minimum expense rather than artistic grandeur, wonder and excitement. So like many young artists, I felt adrift in high school when it came to choosing how I’d make money as an adult.

If I had known I could successfully do it sooner, I would have! There will never be enough time to create all the things I want to create. And I absolutely wish I had prioritized my own creativity, imagination and inspirations above all else in the past.

Because listening to my own songs, holding my designs in my hands… there’s nothing like that in all the world.

So, if anyone reading this is considering a life in the arts… do it. For your own soul’s satisfaction. Do it.
If you know there’s something that sets your soul on fire, it will never rest until it’s done.
Don’t waste any more time. Go do the damn thing and make your art!!

Anji , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello! My name is Anji Kaizen, and I create majikal music. My creativity often manifests itself in the roles of a singer, a songwriter and performer. You can find my creations on my website www.anjikaizen.com or join my tribe on Patreon. I’m currently in the process of recording an alternative rock album that explores the power of personal alchemy, with a pop punk twist. Expect lots of layered, gorgeous harmonies, glittering guitar tones and exultant choruses. You can follow me on all socials @anjikaizen if you’d like to hear my music and stay up to date on the latest projects.

During the weekdays, I also coach other musical artists and singers to discover their own voice and improve their craft through my online business, Kaizen Music Studio. The studio provides personalized coaching from my own experiences in the music industry and as the owner, I am a proud a member of NATS, The Voice Foundation, and IVA (Institute of Vocal Advancement) and was awarded ” Teacher of the Year” in Troup county. It’s incredible to be able to teach artists, clients and friends to find their own sound, learn how to market themselves online, and create with greater passion and authenticity.

My mission is to inspire. To remind you, and everyone I encounter, that creativity is courageous. And to be a guide you as you step forward into the unknown. To be the siren song that calls to your heart’s purpose.

If you’d like to work together, contact: [email protected]

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

All of the incredible people that I get to make music with on a daily basis <3 I love my clients, team and bandmates. But also, I really love the ability to be my truest self. It’s an incredible gift, one that I will never take for granted after years of having dress codes, office rules and limitations placed around self-expression. I love being able to have piercings, dye my hair crazy colors, paint my nails and put on full photoshoot makeup… even if it’s just a Tuesday.

To me, being an artist is an issue of identity… my artistry IS my identity.
I love being able to express that without limitations.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience is not knowing when to quit. Anyone can be resilient if they resolve to keep going, no matter what happens.

I could have quit in college when a counselor told me I’d never make money as a musician and to study therapy, education or psychology. But I said no… And majored in music technology and songwriting.

I could have quit in 2015 when my first business, a monthly community music event, was taken over. But, I didn’t quit. Instead, I started a record label, Kaizen Records, and made even more music.

I could have quit in 2017 when my first business partner started pocketing money for the business, leaving us broke.
But, I didn’t quit. Instead, I became the sole owner and picked up even more clients, and chose better partnerships.

The point is that, if you see everything as a lesson you can learn from, there’s no need to quit.
Take all of the information you’ve received from failures or mistakes and learn how to pivot. Adapt. Evolve.
Take the time you need to think and to recover. And then come back even stronger the next time around.

That’s true resilience.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.anjikaizen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anjikaizen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anjikaizen
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/anjikaizen
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/anjikaizen
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/anjikaizen

Image Credits
Photos by Ryan Harville