We caught up with the brilliant and insightful KEVIN WATKINS a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi KEVIN, thanks for joining us 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?

Earning a living being a full-time creative is simultaneously very challenging and highly rewarding. I was able to make a pretty seamless transition due to pursuing my passion after hours while holding a full time job during the day for the first few years. In doing so I established a decent client base that made transition possible. There are so many things I did not consider at first, namely taxes and health insurance. Had I known what I know now the process would have been incredibly smooth, its all about getting your systems in place first.

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 grew up very creative, always drawing and creating any and everything I could with the resources available to me at that time. As I got older I strayed away from creative opportunities in favor of more financially lucrative ones. I ended up with a degree in Marketing and a career in the financial field which made a very analytical thinker, but I yearned for a creative outlet. Then I got my hands on my first camera, a Nikon D200, there was no turning back. I fell deeply in love with the art of photography and videography. The technical aspects of crafting a “perfect” image fed one side of my brain while the artistry behind it fed my soul and a found what was missing from my life.

My unified skillsets allow me to provide unique marketing solutions to my clients. I am both a creative photographer/videographer and marketing/branding guru. I help businesses increase their reach to their potential clients. I am most proud of the brands I have helped reach their goals and all the happy clients I have had. Wether its capturing a special moment such as a graduation or assisting in a marketing campaign, I am proud of it all.

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

There are a number of goals that drive my journey, and they all surround fostering a community in which creatives can collaborate, sharpen their skillsets, as well as provide opportunities for artists to make a living doing what they love. My aim in the very near future is to open a space (SDL Studios) for collaboration and creation.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I can recommend a number of books; Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley, The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. I think these are a great start in getting your mind ready for the entrepreneurial journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sdlcreativestudios.com
• Instagram: @sdlcreativestudios
• Facebook: sdlcreativestudios
• Youtube: sdlcreativestudios