We were lucky to catch up with Brooke Packard recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brooke, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Ever since I was young I followed the rules, but I always had an itch for taking risk. As I’ve grown, I’ve taken more risks with larger losses and/or rewards. In the long run, I’d say it’s all paid off.

I’ve always been motivated and stubborn in what I plan to accomplish. First, I was making and selling jewelry at art fairs. Second, I was switched from softball to volleyball and going D1 with a full ride scholarship. Third, I took a massive risk and left my D1 scholarship. I then made a point to break into the modeling, fashion and entertainment industry. I’ve also started creating and selling my art again. Each of these decisions were big and had loss with them but the reward and fulfillment for accomplishing each of these things was like no other.

What most people don’t know, is that I’ve been modeling since 2017. I worked a part time job, went to full time college and traveled 8+ hours to and from NYC 1-2X a month all at the same time. I managed to do it all and graduate with a double Bachelors Degree in Design Management and Sociology while also minoring in Business Management.

Since then, I made the move across country in the middle of COVID to Southern California to start my own life and plant roots. I’ve never looked back. By far, the best decision I’ve made. My life has come with many trials and tribulations but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m where I’m supposed to be and experiencing what I’m supposed to be experiencing in my life right now. I wouldn’t be where I am today without risk. Besides, are you truly living if you’re playing it safe?

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?

I managed to break into the modeling, fashion and entertainment industry by pursuing it and researching it for a year or two before I finally made a breakthrough. Like I said previously, I’m determined and stubborn when I want to accomplish something!

The first runway show I walked was in NYC for NYFW. I have since walked and shot for hundreds of designers. You can view and read more about that on my website www.Brookepackard.myportfolio.com in the ‘About’ page.

Services I provide are modeling (runway, print, commercial, e-commerce and fitness), content creation for different brands (previous brands include but aren’t limited to; JMP The Label and Goli Nutrition), and art that I create via drawing, painting and graphic designs. I do accept commissioned art work for made to order.

I’m always inspired to create and have a love and passion for all things creatively driven.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Right now, there are little to no laws and regulations for freelance artists regardless of the industry they are in. The term ‘starving artist’ is absolutely a thing and is far more common than we’d like to admit. It’s incredibly difficult to obtain a full time, livable income based on a creatives creative services. The SAG-AFTRA strike is well overdue but we also need to shed light on the modeling industry in the U.S. If I’m not mistaken, there are zero laws and regulations in place in any state in the U.S. that allows and protection or legal rights to models in the fashion industry.

Support your local creatives and most importantly, support your friends and family who are creatives. Family and friends should be paying for your work to show support and not be asking for freebies. Even just sharing their work on your social media channels and by word of mouth is a great way to support. Spread love not criticism.

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?

Not everyone has the same mindset, dreams and aspirations, career path and so on. With that being said, the majority of people in my hometown do not have a creative mindset or passion for the arts. It’s uncommon there.

There’s something to be said about the creatives like myself who do have that creative mindset. We all move away to other states where there’s a more dense population like a major city. There is opportunity and like minded people to grow your creative endeavors and skillset.

Those who choose a high salary job behind a desk, I cannot relate to. I can understand their decision but will never comprehend how some don’t know what their passion is or have any will to find it. Due to the one path mindset, they don’t understand how someone like me would rather end up living paycheck to paycheck pursuing my passions. That’s obviously not the end goal as we’d all like to make bank as well. But life isn’t worth living if you don’t have anything that fulfills your passions, fuels your soul and speaks to you in a way nothing else can.

Art is expression, no matter what medium it’s created with. I urge those of you who can’t relate to open up your mind to allow different perspective and possibility. You may be surprised what you learn. You may even find your passion or reignite one you thought was once lost.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Brookepackard.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/brooke_packard
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-packard-a3a896104
• Other: www.TikTok.com/brooke_packard

Image Credits
Both art images are art created by yours truly. In no particular order photographers are: @adrianthephotographer @christiansalinas.ig @aimeesportraits @mingtelo @jimmy_canon MUA in no particular order: @carlosgbeauty @michaelvincentacademy and yours truly