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

Hi Megan, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I think we are always going to wonder if the grass is greener on the other side, but I love being an artist because it gives me the freedom to do what I want and need without reporting to someone else. I’ve worked “regular jobs” and I definitely prefer this! I get to decide if I need to work extra time to catch up or if I need a day off and that’s what’s working best for me and my family right now. I have depression and anxiety, so working creatively doesn’t always have structure. This can be good and bad. I have a few group chats with fellow creators to hold us accountable when we need to complete projects or motivate us when we need a lift, and the support from those people brings me so much joy. Overall, I am extremely happy making a living as an artist. It’s easy to get lost in the “business” side of things, but in the end I get to sell my art and make people’s day better and pay my bills with the income I self-generated. It’s very rewarding! Plus, I just can’t imagine spending my days doing something I don’t enjoy. I’ve always worked creatively in some sense, starting in theatre and moving into handcrafted goods.

Megan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello, I am Megan Coy, owner and creator behind Coy Creative. Coy Creative was a long time coming, a combination of all the things that make up who I am. My former career was in theatre, I was a stage manager and lighting designer and I sometimes worked in marketing. Theatre can be super demanding, and I was finding that after moving home to Tucson from San Antonio, the work was just too much with my then 3-year-old. I was looking for what was next for me, then the pandemic started and everything changed overnight. I was lucky to have some paid time off while the theatre I worked for figured out what was next and I decided that if I wasn’t going to do what I wanted now, I would never make that leap.

I started out playing with clay, but I’ve always been an earring and fashion enthusiast. Early on, I was inspired by women who questioned the system and dressed themselves and others for comfort and their definition of style, not someone else’s. Vivienne Westwood, Coco Chanel, and Katherine Hepburn were all early influences of mine. Now, I look to Miley Cyrus, Betsey Johnson, and others as well. Following trends has never interested me. I do keep tabs on them, but I take what I like and feel inspired by and make it my own. I think what sets Coy Creative apart is that everything is made because I want to make it and I feel inspired to make it. I create from the heart and strive for comfort to be key in the designs. I use high quality metals and everything is lightweight. You can’t be confident if you’re worrying about your ears itching or your earrings are distracting you.

What I want people to take away from Coy Creative is that if you feel good in what you’re wearing, you can do anything. Confidence comes from feeling good in your body and the way you dress yourself is an extension of that. I’m a person that lives with multiple mental illnesses, and I think life is too short to not do what you love. I’ve let myself be defined by others at different times in my life, trying to blend to hide my differences, and it is so exhausting and never ends the way you hope. I hope every person who wears my earrings feels brighter, more confident, and bolder after putting them on.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I am constantly absorbing information. I love to know about people and why they are the way they are. I think everyone can find a way to connect with each other if we’re given the room to be vulnerable and expressive. My favorite podcast is Armchair Expert. They talk to people from all different industries and dig into their childhoods, addictions, and hardships. It is so interesting to hear a lot of common themes come through. We’re all just trying to get through life the best way we know how and it takes a lot of vulnerability and bravery to admit that. I’ve listened to so many audiobooks because of this podcast, some of my recent favorites are Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke, The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, and This is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan. I love to read but with two small kids, that’s almost impossible these days.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Artists are the most resilient people I know. Especially those that make the decision to become a business and sell their products. It is not easy. I wouldn’t say it’s one story, but you just have to keep going when you get knocked down. Remember that set backs will happen and in those moments you have to look at the overall picture and how far you’ve come before you decide to throw in the towel. Sometimes we need to throw a little fit and say we’re quitting for half the day before realizing there’s nothing else we’d rather be doing. People are supporting you, you are creating something that brings joy to people, and the longer you’re in business, the more setbacks there will be. Having a good support system is so important. I have friends that don’t do this work who can give me outside perspective, friends that are right there in the thick of it with me, and my family as supporters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://coycreativeaz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coycreativeaz/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coycreativeaz