We were lucky to catch up with DeMarcus George recently and have shared our conversation below.

DeMarcus, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

As a creative person who aspires to showcase all my different crafts, it’s very enjoyable when others are interested in utilizing you for your services and skills. My true first dollar earned as a creative was when I hosted my first cooking class through the University of Louisville for a homecoming event.

I had previously constructed food events for some small events that I participated in during college, but this was my first time doing an event for an even wider audience. Given the rise of covid during the pandemic, the university wanted to do an event for students that could be organized virtually due to covid precautions throughout college universities. The students had an amazing time, and I was able to make it fun for everyone in attendance. The beautiful thing about the turnout is I had previously taken a break from creating meals on my IG food page, but people still noticed and remembered the work I did on campus. Someone had recommended me for this opportunity. This just goes to show that as you continue to put things out in the universe, it’s only timing before you get to experience cool opportunities.

DeMarcus, 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?

Throughout my whole life, I’ve always been a creative person that has loved to dabble into things that could help me express myself. While working in Tech sales full-time, I’ve always found it important to work and engage on my personal crafts outside of work. I first started getting into cooking during my freshman year of college! I’ve always been fascinated with process of making different dishes, but I didn’t have the chance to cook until moved away for college. My dormitory had a small baking competition amongst the residents and this was my first mini competition. Not having any true experience cooking, I remembered a couple of desserts my mom had previously made and I used that to my advantage. I ended up wining that competition and pushed myself to learn how to cook some of my favorite foods and desserts shortly after.

Following this I’d get groceries and start making some of my favorite foods, but it wasn’t always an easy task. It took multiple tries and segments to get dishes the way I wanted. Eventually I would start selling food plates throughout campus and desserts to students I was friends with.

This is a big part of my journey because most importantly, I tried! ! Though I am not big stages yet and am still establishing my business, I’ve had a lot of encouraging wins that have brought light towards the creative things I most enjoy.

I’ve been able to release my first instrumental tape from beat making, I’ve created a printing brand making personalized t-shirts and apparel, etc. It’s important that tough I may not be where we want to be, I’ve started! That alone give me the courage to keep going.

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?

Yes, non-creatives have to understand the journey has no specific timeline, and the results of your creativity are based on visions you’ve created for yourself. As a creative, you are in control of your value and deem the worth of everything you put your hands on. Though working in stable environments and places that give you security can be great, it’ll never give you the freedom to express yourself and live the way you want to fully.

It’s a journey with no direction, one that’s confusing, and one that people close to you may never understand, but you do it because it makes you feel happy and fulfilled. The impact you have when doing these things is beautiful. You never know how one simple project or gesture can help the next person that may need a push to help them see the light. No one will ever see or understand your potential more than yourself.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I ultimately want to be a full-time entrepreneur with multiple businesses, and I want these businesses to be able to inspire other creatives that look like me. I want to change how my community views money and opportunity. I want to create opportunities for others to be in control of their lives and live on their own terms while helping others. They say you will work more hours as an entrepreneur than you would be working for someone else, but what’s more beautiful than doing something you created and had a vision for; that ultimately could inspire someone else?

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thatmanmarco & www.instagram.com/marcosmashups
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/demarcusg
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MultifacetsOfMarco/