We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eddie Rodriguez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eddie below.
Eddie, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
One extremely missed piece in this life is truly the necessary balance between business and the craft. Mixing profitability within the craft in some cases takes away its purity in the creative process. Worrying about getting paid or how to pay eliminates so much organic thought and creative flow unintentionally soley because it’s another thing to worry about. In this lane of work, I’ve struggled with this specifically. Wanting to be accessible but also having a set price respected without undervaluing yourself. In so many situations, I’ve given and overextended in ways that I probably shouldn’t do to the normal mind but the creative brain finds no other way besides actually being resourceful regardless of the circumstances. Honestly though, this creates a level entitlement with you from the artist you help and sometimes even their peers seeing you do for them and expecting the same for themselves from you. All while wanting to respect the price, it’s a rich feeling being relied on in such a vulnerable space like creative spaces so it’s hard to say no even when the needs aren’t met on your end.
Eddie, 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 entered the industry initially as a photographer / visual artists for models, music artists, and corporate brands. Through trial and error of life and experience, I began to realize I turned a passion into a job far too early. In other words, I simply wasn’t ready to obtain all I could’ve just because the opportunity was there. I did fairly well building catalogs and digital kits for artist, aspiring models, and doing my fair share of private or corporate events and fell out of love with that version of expression quickly. I always had a musical background from playing in band in elementary school, I also played in a band with my friends, and always found myself writing poetry early in life and observing music while using it as a tool for sports or specific parts of the day to captivate certain moods. I ended up getting into music professionally by self teaching creation. It always felt like ideas were there but the tools I wanted to obtain to learn rather than pay to service when I wasn’t financially stable as is. I entered rooms as a producer to break the nice with a bunch of artists, or even an engineer trying to navigate clientele potentially, then later within the process couldn’t hide the fact I was an artist as well due to me freely releasing spontaneous music drops.
My name became VerySpecialEd with the intention of owning the fact that I am a special being much like everyone else is. Some would call it self affirmation, others would call it inspiration. Regardless, it’s remembered when met, and spoken about in rooms I haven’t stepped into yet thankfully with the fruits of my labors within artists I use my gift to assist theirs.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
My most effective strategy has been simply being a vessel for the community. I like to be multi faceted because not everyone needs the same thing but if you can provide multiple things in a range of ways within the craft, I became way more helpful to way more people. Sometimes the simple act of helping and assisting brought in my favorite clients. Being resourceful is big, especially when your intention is to not only be the resource you always needed, but being able to let people be vulnerable with you with how you can help them along their journey. A relationship is formed rather than just a client.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In 2023, I chose to live in my studio opposed to renting or owning a home. I wanted to so badly immerse myself into the craft however it took. Those times brought a lot of concern because to the normal mind, you’re all eggs in one basket and it’s the great unknown… and the way I did it was rather extreme. Not having a bed, or even a kitchen, or relying on gyms to wash up was to some character building and causes you to be resilient, but for me it was humbling and allowing me to reevaluate what I even think is normal or okay. I found myself happiest and most free during these times while most would drive themselves mad. I created daily, and used every day as an opportunity to not only get better, but help people around me do the same thing in anyway possible. I gave myself to the arts, and would do it a millions times over and over again knowing how strong it made my mind and spirit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://flow.page/veryspecialed
- Instagram: @VerySpecialEd
Image Credits
@VerySpecialEd
@jv_certified