We were lucky to catch up with Denise Carson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Denise, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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 worked in the entertainment industry for years chasing monetary gains. I created a pretty good career for myself, but I still experienced dark times. Once I realized that I was empty no matter how much money I made, I started to ask questions about this thing called Purpose. Meaning what can you do with your life to solely help others. Once I started to connect to Purpose, work was less fulfilling. Being busy was not attractive if I wasn’t making an impact. So I shifted my thinking and shifted my life. I started to be aware of the things I connected myself to, aware of the energies I let in my inner circle. I became aware. Knowledge is knowing, wisdom is applying. I stepped into my gifts and began using them for the greatest good.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Denise Carson and I have been working in the entertainment business for over a decade. While working this business and dealing with my own personal traumas, I experienced egos birthed from darkness in the workplace. Superiors feeling like they can speak to people any type of way. As I began to heal my dark side I realized the power of entertainment and the impact it has on the individual. That allowed me to birth the speaker, author and producer as a business versus a separate entity. I began working straight out of high school with a vision to start my own production company one day. My biggest challenge working productions is not my job but individuals associated with the job. Depending on their energy and how they enhance their job began to overshadow my passion. I began to question my dreams due to hardships of trying to prove myself. A huge challenge for me was advocating for myself without appearing irate and uncollaborative. Instead of giving up I started to build my own shows that incorporated self traumas as well as what i’ve seen displayed in the workplace with others in dark spaces. I began to believe in myself and have the ability to do what I was chosen to do, like creating experiences about people who live in darkness by mirroring both their personal and professional lives. I am most proud of establishing myself as a brand instead of just an employee. Using my knowledge of purpose to show off the talents that are given to me, I shifted my thinking from worker to CEO. That’s my biggest accomplishment, putting an LLC behind my name so I can help others do the same!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The famous turning point I experienced in my career is the day I got to spend with Gladys Knight. I was hired as the driver assistant to help get her to the locations desired for her to film. As I am in the presence of greatness, I didn’t feel as great. I had one dollar to my name, riding the bus to work to come and pick up an Escalade that was parked at the hotel. I would often have to sneak on the train in order to make a day ends. One particular day which was the finale of the shoot, Gladys Knight invited me to have lunch with her and her family. The gag was it was late, I was worried about getting home and I didn’t have any funds for a cab (uber was not operating). Instead of moving in fear I accepted to stay to assist her and guarantee she made it to her destination safely. I couldn’t even be present in the moment cause I was so worried about my own problems that I didn’t recognize a legend wanting to spend time with me. As the day continued night began to fall. The train would soon stop running and all I can worry about was being stuck after work. Ms. Knight was scheduled to get on her tour bus that night. So as she did, the day ended and I took her to her bus to depart. Before leaving, she hugged me and said thank you. As I walked away her security guard screamed “Hey, Ms. Knight wants to bless you”. He handed me a $50 bill and said thank you. I thought to myself, “WOW God I spent the day worrying about something you already fixed”. My biggest lesson was to worry less and pray more because God is always working ahead of time for your situation.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My main goal is to heal through entertainment, producing my show “The Transformational Experience”. As I went through my dark hours, I experienced a comfort that allowed me to stay comfortable in darkness. Surviving is easy, living takes courage. As I began to use courage, I bursted out of what this year’s theme show will be, The Power of the Cocoon, to grow my wings. I adapted some principles that I openly share to individuals that might help them during their moments. As we know, a butterfly never sees its own wings & its beauty. With the production of “The Transformational Experience”, it will help individuals through darkness, where I display deep groundbreaking conversations with self on a stage filled with vulnerability to tap into the “selves” of the audience and recognize their traumas, shadows, and egos that they weren’t aware of. Be sure to save the date for “The Transformational Experience – The Power of the Cocoon” Saturday, January 14th at the Epi Center, tickets available now. Stay connected via:
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Prosperous_Hustler
- Facebook: Denise Carson- Purposenaire
- Linkedin: Denise Carson
- Twitter: Denise Carson LLC
- Youtube: Denise Carson
- Other: I call myself a Purposenaire. Like others chase Paper, I chase Purpose
Image Credits
Instagram Handle @majorphotography Sharod Fields