Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lingyan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

LingYan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

As a creative, I never thought I could translate my skillsets outside of the art arena. My expertise in film and writing actually come very useful to other business owners, big and small, in different industries. My first project as an integral part of GFS was to direct the effort to establish North America presence for a foreign clothing brand. It might seem like a total shot in the dark for me, a writer and a director, to lead a marketing campaign. However, the whole business model of GFS and subsequently the scope of each of its project affords a great range of directions, with emphasis on in-house short-format and livestream production. The philosophy of GFS, in fact, is so different from any conventional MCN, Media, or consulting company, that we handle everything, from consultation to media production to marketing and merchandising for our clients. And with this business model brings in so much growth for our clients and also earned me my first bucket of gold as a creative.

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?

Seeing art as a powerful post-structuralist vessel, leaving a career in tech behind, I am determined to achieve an artistic vision as a writer and a filmmaker. I stand at the intersection of the discourses on queerness, feminism, immigrant experience, pain and family trauma. My words and lens mean to transport the audience into a liminal space where refuge from the uncanny irresolvables of an oversaturated modern age can be found.

Aside from my creative works, I manage Gluton Free Solutions LLC, a marketing-consulting studio for advertisements and live streams. The idea of an independent studio was initially formed with my friends who have the shared passion for media production as well as the fashion industry. As young adults in the exploratory stages of our careers, we came together and asked the question: “why can’t we turn our passion into a business?” And Voila, here comes Gluten Free Solutions.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I used to study software engineering at UCLA, before I pivoted into art. I often joke with my friends – every time I achieve something in engineering, I’d feel an immense sense of love toward myself. Every time I achieve something in film or writing, I’d feel an immense sense of love toward art-making. Earlier this year when my friend and I set to start a business, I added of course – every time I achieve something business-wise, I’d feel an immense sense of love toward others, toward my mentors, friends, and family.
Aside from the clever talks, the journey of being an artist has always been rewarding for me. I get positive feedbacks. I go into film festivals. I publish stories. I work hard and the hard work pays off. When I am lucky I manage all these things. When I am not, I don’t mind waiting, to practice and to do more. Art has taught me to appreciate life in a way I never thought I could, to think outward and inward and to tell stories. It is such a power I am still learning, and I am forever grateful for the journey itself.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I used to read a lot of field research&essays for fun when I was back in college. I still read when I get time, because I have already formed a habit and a heart for conducting research. I wouldn’t say things I read impacted my thinking or philosophy significantly (not as much as things I experienced myself in management and business, if I have to make a comparison) but they certainly helped me look at things outside my knowledge and dailies. I believe, for creators and entrepreneurs, it is not healthy for one to make decisions focusing too much on things they read, neither on things they experienced. I prefer a blend of the two, to know what I truly want, and to make decisions with less or an acceptable amount of bias, personally. Though there is one line from a sociology essay that I remember till today – don’t stay ignorant, do stay nice and genuine.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llllingyan/

Image Credits

Tom Zhou-Sarver
EJ Yeh