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

Maureen, appreciate you joining us 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?

I was working in Atlanta and a local magazine called Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles gave me my first feature editorial story assignment. I remember Lisa Gaddy Frederick who was such a great mentor and cheerleader encouraged me to pitch to the editor Oma Blaise Ford. I don’t recall what the story was but I remember she gave me my first real story and once it was published the check was for $500.00 I was so excited my husband and I made reservations at the famed Ritz Carlton with the renowned chef Gunther Seeger. They offered a glass of Champagne and we said sure, then any upsell they offered we said of course. We had a grand old time. I remember I ordered pheasant. Which I had never had in my life but hey why not?! We spent the entire paycheck on that dinner and we had the best time doing it. My name was in print in a pretty glossy lifestyle magazine.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

After attending Villanova University I went on to the Culinary Institute of America. I loved the creativity of food, but even more so, the allure of food on TV and in magazines. I always thought I’d work for Martha Stewart but I interviewed with her magazine and the Food Network on the same day, and I just fell in love with the fast pace of television. I worked behind the scenes as a stylist, scriptwriter, recipe developer, and culinary producer for the next 5 years. Over that time I worked in restaurants, started writing, teaching, and appearing on TV myself. I was teaching when a producer from CNN approached me to be on air. I then worked on writing and hosting my own segments for the next few years. I left Atlanta and went back to NY where I took a job as a Contributing Editor for Bon Appetit Magazine. This put me on the TODAY show for the first time. Since then I have been doing regular appearances as a Chef, Author, and Lifestyle Expert for TODAY and many other outlets. I have hosted thousands of television segments and series and been on the TODAY over 100 times. I’ve written and published four books, ghostwritten many others, and now consult and collaborate with writers and host a women’s retreat (EMBODYRetreat.com) for creative entrepreneurs to explore and develop their passions into thriving businesses.

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

My entire career has been about connection. For me self care is connection. So many creatives are out working in their own little bubble and we don’t have the support and community that businesses with a brick-and-mortar or a tangible product can find. My first book The Wine Club was intended for people to get together once a month to connect, create and inspire each other. Every single project I touch is about connecting in real life. Last year I created Punchbowl Media for local creatives to connect and support each other. This year I launched the EMBODY retreat for like-minded creative entrepreneurs to stop thinking about their great ideas and help them start making them a reality with the knowledge and support I have learned over the last 25 years of creating my own opportunities and projects.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Working as a creative means constantly pivoting. I have always had more than one stream of income. If you work full time as a creative you need to always be looking to create opportunity and not settle. That’s an exciting part of this style of career but it can also be exhausting. For instance, I am currently producing the EMBODY retreat, collaborating on two book projects, and working on my own new venture painting. If one or all of these outlets goes away… which inevitably they will… I’m o.k. because it’s just the nature of creative work. People will hire you because you have new ideas, and then it may be a month later or five years later that they hire someone else. I’ve learned this is ok. It is not a reflection on my work but our creative process together may have run its course and it’s time for me to help the next client.
The other part of this is you need to be responsible with your money. I’ve had years when I make 10x what I made the year before. It is your responsibility to balance your finances and live comfortably because as I mentioned those big projects aren’t always there. Sometimes it’s the smaller more steady income streams that have kept me afloat. The big hits are fun but don’t spend it all at once.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://maureenpetrosky.com
• Instagram: @maureenpetrosky
• Facebook: @maureenpetrosky
• Linkedin: @maureenpetrosky
• Twitter: @maureenpetrosky
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/maureenpetrosky
• Other: https://EMBODYRETREAT.com

Image Credits

Photo credits @messinamartinez