We recently connected with Leah McCloskey and have shared our conversation below.
Leah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I started LM Studio (22 years ago) originally as an escape from being under the thumb of abusive bosses in an agency in which I was working. I had been working in the marketing and advertising design field long enough to feel ready to handle clients on my own and didn’t want to endure being emotionally mistreated any longer.
Over the years, as I steadily grew my business and developed a working personality, I was simultaneously becoming more spiritually-motivated and conscious in my life overall. Eventually I realized that there is only ONE ME that was doing it all. All of my values and principles, as well as my gift for artistic creation are the core of everything I do to try to make the world a better place.
I decided to formalize this concept into my “conscious marketing practice” and focus on helping people build heart-centered, purpose-driven businesses and organizations.
Everything we do has to come from the heart in order for it to be sustainable. I believe if we do that, everything else falls in line, including profits.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I graduated from college with a major in Fashion Illustration, pre-computer. Drawing and painting were integral to my chosen career path, but I knew I needed to turn them toward a more practical application.
When the computer wormed its way into my field, I was one of the lucky ones who embraced the “rise of the machine.” I have been on a continuous learning journey with this ultimate creative tool every day for the last 40 years. I love the creative freedom it offers, even if the tech is making it more challenging to keep up.
Illustration jobs were not plentiful when I started out in the work world, so I detoured onto a side path into graphic design. My illustrative bent has always informed my design work which I believe sets it apart from many designers who lack that skill.
As I and my studio matured, I realized that I don’t want to try to be everything to every-and anybody. If you are trying to make the world a better place, you are my people. If you are simply trying to make money, I am not a good resource for you.
The business paradigm in which we have been immersed since the Industrial Revolution holds profit as the end-all-be-all bottom line. A new measure of success has arisen globally, one which I practice and preach: the Triple Bottom Line.
PEOPLE | PLANET | PROFIT
If what your organization or business is doing is not positively impacting all three of these, your success will not be regenerative or sustainable.
My guiding principles lead the process of my relationships with clients: Connection, Discovery, Prosperity and Growth. It is through inquiry and “asking WHY before HOW” that we infuse every project with the potential for positive impact.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Referrals is an oldie-but-goodie and has always been the one of the main sources of clients.
The other major source, in sharp contrast to our pervasive online culture, has been developing personal relationships through membership in professional organizations. Becoming an active contributing member in an organization has given others a chance to know who I am, how responsible and reliable I am when I commit to tasks, and how well I deliver on promises. Building that kind of trust earns me projects, and many times, long-term clients.
I’ve been working with some clients for well over 20 years.
Ask me about ELEPHANTS, DEER and SQUIRRELS.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
It’s very simple…I do what I love, I get to be creative every day, and I get paid for it. For me, it doesn’t get any better than that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lmstudioart.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-mccloskey-a72833a/