We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carly Lind a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carly, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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?
I have just begun transitioning into a period of my life where the things I have always loved doing have turned into my career, and I am really loving where I’m at. I fought for it, but now that I’ve arrived, it’s a great feeling. My day job is curating content for different brands at a marketing agency, which began as making content on all platforms because I just thought it was fun. I also do sound baths at both my home yoga studios once a month and am happy to be playing live for people more, while being able to pay my bills. When I first moved out here, I had no support from my family financially, so figuring out how to get to this point has been a struggle. Surviving included waiting tables, working at 3 different yoga studios, doing any odd job to pay the bills, but to know I’ve finally obtained something I enjoy, is a big step.
Carly, 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 moved out here about a decade ago to sing and write songs. I looked at music and being an artist as a business, and social media was a free way to promote, so I thought why not promote? I learned the ins and outs of social media, how it worked, and how to create great content. This led me to work in influencer marketing, curating content for new apps, apps in beta, etc. I now offer social media management and UGC packages for different brands/artists.
I had also been dancing professionally on the side for many years, teaching yoga and being in the wellness space. I connected music and yoga together by giving sound baths. I now do sound baths for corporate events, privates and workshops at yoga studios.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
As of right now, I’ve been reading “The One Thing” and it’s really changed my way of thinking. I have worked so many jobs, tapped into so many hobbies and although I’m good at many things, I always felt like I wasn’t getting as far as I wanted in anything. This book helps point out that as Americans, we’re taught multi-tasking is a thing and we need to be doing multiple things at once to be “successful.” This hustle culture is a lie. This book points out how to choose one thing, and then map out how you plan to do that one thing and be consistent about it. It may seem small, but it makes all the difference in productivity and scheduling.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I don’t come from money. I have never had anyone to really help or support me even emotionally. My parents died, and most of my family doesn’t keep in touch. If I wanted something done, I had to learn how to be resourceful. The saying “if you want it bad enough, you’ll make it happen,” is so true. I never had the money, but I always found someone willing to do a trade for a music video. I learned how to add value where I couldn’t maybe with actual currency, but could offer something else. Social Media gave me leverage in self promo, Basically, what I’m trying to say is, where there is a will, there is a way, and staying in LA is hard. It’s not going to be for everyone, and that’s totally fine. There are days I still ask myself, what am I doing!? lol but I keep going, because I know it’s what my parents would want for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carlylindofficial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queencarlyy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QueenCarlyyy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-lind-30961648/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Carly_Lind
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCVoRms6A73vXAeMbWY3L2A
- Other: Tiktok- https://www.tiktok.com/@queencarlyyyyy
Image Credits
IVanna Jackson, Phillip Meneses, Dima Skakun