We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jared Woods a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jared, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
The most important experience I had in a job that helped me as a business owner was the countdown of the clock before I began each shift. Because I hated every job I’ve ever had, I always had a hard time feeling motivated to even go to work in the first place. Having to count down the hours, minutes, and seconds before a shift started was one of the main things that motivated me to become an entrepreneur. I didn’t like the idea of someone else controlling my time. At one period, I had to work 7 days per week and 40 hours per week for an entire month and a half, and that was dreadful to me. My parents had to work multiple jobs throughout my childhood, and the time they spent at work took away from quality time they were able to spend with me. It seemed like they didn’t really get the chance to fully enjoy their lives; they lived to work and even though this helped them ensure that I had a good childhood, I knew this wasn’t the life I wanted for myself. I always wanted to be the family man that could enjoy every important moment with his family.
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’ve been into art and fashion since I was a child, but I gained recognition from my peers based on the way I would dress. As I shared before, I hated working a job, so I decided to become an entrepreneur after feeling like working jobs was a waste of my time. I would attend local fashion shows, I always kept a sketch book, and I always kept a book of business ideas that I would eventually pursue when I acquired the funds to do so. The power of social media, my own legwork, and networking, the desire to become an entrepreneur, and praying to The Most High is what helped me get into the industry. I provide exclusive designer streetwear, various mixed media art, including canvas artwork, glass-framed artwork, sculptures, coasters, fiber art, and resin artwork. I help my clients find the right colors, canvas sizes, and mediums they want for commissioned projects, My work brings out peoples’ youthful side, improves their confidence, and inspires them to be who they truly are. My part of history isn’t finished being written yet, so I don’t know right now what I’m most proud of. If I had to choose one thing right now, it would be the fact that my loved ones are with me to share these historic moments, although there are some of my loved ones who aren’t here today. Rest in peace to all of them. The main things I want people to know are that I’m an artist first, it’s very important that people know me as an art dealer. I’m also a designer, and my artwork and designing is very cohesive. You can tell that my work is mine. “Beg to be different.”
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the healing it brings me. The process helps bring me healing from whatever I’m dealing with, whether knowingly or unknowingly. It helps me release whatever I need to release and helps me take out my feelings on a canvas. For a long time, this was something I never knew I needed. We all think we do certain things to get healing, but the healing might be temporary. As a creative, I create everyday, even when I’m stuck, I get the healing everyday whether I’m designing or doing art.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Society could do a better job at spreading the word about artists. Word-of-mouth would fill in lots of gaps for artists who need exposure. Showing up to events and participating is also a way that society could support artists. Coming out to free events and bringing people along would help artists tell their stories to more people through our artwork. If clients were willing to pay what the artist wants for their artwork, that would be ideal for a thriving creative ecosystem, in the same way people pay the price Mercedes-Benz wants for their cars. More workshops, artist residency programs, coffee shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and other businesses incorporating local art would also help. Auctions and donations from bigger financial institutions would be a huge plus.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.art-testimonies.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/art.testimonies
- Facebook: Woody Pacino
- Linkedin: Jared Woods
- Youtube: Stylesbylani