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

Liz, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Two years ago I received a phone call. A call requesting my support in launching an accessible retail space for local businesses in Cleveland, Ohio. I had recently been promoted to a Marketing Director role at a well-known non-profit and public space and working at home with my about 10-month-old child (yep, pandemic baby). From the outside, it was the perfect scenario. I was able to work from home with my little one for a stable income at a mission-based organization, but when I got that call I immediately knew it was time to do what I like to call “Wise Risk-Taking”. I define Wise Risk-Taking as the act of moving outside your comfort zone to align closer with your values. I had done this many times before, moving to Bolivia, jumping on a plane to Japan (with a week’s notice), and working in a field I had zero experience in, but this time was different. I had a little human I was responsible for. Not only for their physical needs but for influencing how they view the world. I would consider myself a realist with an anything is possible attitude. I knew logistically it was a big risk (it could fail and I wouldn’t have an income), but what I knew was I wanted my child to experience a parent that pursued their ‘why’, and wasn’t afraid to try (and maybe try again). So for the next six months, we put our heads down and ran to launch City Goods (now a vibrant space with 7 buildings, 30+ retail brands, a locally sourced cocktail bar, and lots of events that promote creativity and inspire the community). Was I working wild hours wearing my child (sometimes while sick) in a carrier? Yes. Did it and does it still feel impossible on a day-to-day basis to be a mom who is creating meaningful work in the world? Yes. But can share this journey alongside my little one, hopefully sparking excitement when opportunities come their way, and instilling the gumption to take the risk to bring you closer to your why? YES.

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?

My name is Liz Painter, and I have a passion for people.

I want my life to mean more than my professional title, even though I have held many. I have experience in marketing, advocacy, team management, entrepreneurship, operations, event planning, advocacy, education, and more. I am a multi-passionate human with a knack for self-learning. Having worked in other countries and explored numerous sectors, I continue to seek out new experiences. My unique journey has equipped me to see things through multiple lenses, allowing me to identify unconventional connections and excel in problem-solving, vision casting, and adapting strategies. I thrive in a space where I can empower and equip others, cultivating human-centric businesses. Not only am I passionate about sharing people’s stories, but I also support people in integrating social impact into their operations, helping them launch their life’s work.

Supporting the launch of City Goods, I currently work with 30+ brands, 20+ team members, and curate immersive experiences for the community as a whole. I build out systems that streamline operations so human connection can remain at the forefront. I work closely with the small business community, many times run by solo-entrepreneurs, which provides opportunities to explore our fears, traumas, and lean into risk-taking together. A friend and mentor, Joanna Waterfall (Yellow Co.) speaks often about how the “Process Is The Point”. I remind myself (because we are all human), my team, and the brands we collaborate with to lean into the joy of the journey, as it is crucial to finding fulfillment in life and work.

I am also the founder of Meantwork, a business that helps small and medium size brands/organizations integrate meaning into their strategy and prioritize the human experience in their approach. I currently do this through consulting & storytelling (merging their why with their goals).

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I am going to answer this question with a proposed solution. As a mother with an entrepreneurial spirit facing the challenge of best caring for my child and pursuing my creative passions, the systems in our country are not built to encourage multifaceted lives. They say you can’t have it all, or at least all at once, but I don’t believe that is true. I am in the exploratory phase of a concept to create a co-working space with childcare on-site for entrepreneurs, creatives, work-from-home parents, and homeschool parents. A space where costs are shared (to lessen the financial burden), creates a community (a village), inspires creative children, and provides the opportunity to engage with your own creativity and grow your career. I think it should be located in an already existing under-utilized resource, such as the public library system. A space that is already built out with resources, programs, and provides ease of scalability and accessibility. So many creatives have paused their journeys until their children go to school, or are missing their children’s lives because they are working full-time just to pay for childcare (in order not to fall behind in their career and earning potential). This is not okay. We need to disrupt the systems that keep us boxed in and desperate to get our heads above water.

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

I want to leave you with a quote that has greatly impacted my perspective on life and business. I am unsure of the source, but one quote or concept that has grounded me many times is ‘multiple things can be true at the same time’. Life is nuanced. Something can be hard and rewarding at the same time. Something can be toxic and beautiful at the same time. Someone can be brilliant and unhealthy at the same time. You can grieve and find joy at the same time. No matter what facet of life is in focus, know that there are layers and you can experience those layers at the same time.

With that said, I am currently chipping away at reading/listening to: ‘Regenerative Business’ (by Samantha Garcia), The Creative Act (by Rick Rubin), The Unfolding (by Arielle Estoria). I recently finished ‘The Untethered Soul’ (by: Michael Singer), and have listened to ‘Atomic Habits’ (by James Clear) multiple times in the past year. Bonus: James Clear’s weekly email newsletter delivers the best (& concise) inspiration in your inbox.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.citygoodscle.com
• Instagram: @Meantwork @CityGoodsCLE @TheHangarCLE
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityGoodsCLE
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/liz-painter1
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/city-goods-cleveland

Image Credits
Portrait: Jared Howell Photography Other Images: Auden & Co.