We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Meghan Kennedy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Meghan below.
Meghan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
We always ate dinner together as a family growing up. No matter what was going on that evening – we all helped prepare the meal, set the table, fill the glasses, and light the candles. We had china sets for every occasion. Holly plates at Christmas, Bunny plates at Easter, and Blue and White ceramic plates when we ordered Chinese takeout. These subtle traditions inspired my business, lucid ladybug, which is all about sparking conscious conversations around your table.
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a household that honored and encouraged art and creative play. From a young age, I was introduced to fine arts, music, dance, sewing, and crafts. My parents put me in ballet at age 6 and encouraged me to pursue a degree in Musical Theatre at Rider University at 18. They helped move me into my first NYC apartment – and then moved me in and out again about 8 more times for tour gigs and dream theatre contracts.
My parents continue to offer encouragement, support, and honesty in my and my siblings’ lives. Wherever my art takes me – NYC, Toronto, Alaska, Vancouver, Beijing, and beyond – they are always there cheering me on.
My parents’ strong faith and foundation in God’s love helped mold my character and define my resilience as an artist. The first time I ever sang a solo was at church. Their constant display of service, love, and kindness offered to all people inspires me to offer the same virtues through my art and storytelling.
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.
I am an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the NYC and Philadelphia arts and creative events space. I spark conscious conversations with clients and brands through creative consulting, eco-friendly styling, intentional direction and lifestyle photography.
Founded in September 2020, lucid ladybug curates organically beautiful moments exclusively using vintage and upcycled treasures. Rather than supporting big box stores, warehouses, and overflowing landfills for your events – we rescue the treasures and source exclusively from markets, estate sales, fleas, and thrift stores.
lucid ladybug blossomed from journal entries, doodles, and dreams explored while completing The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron in 2020. After a halt in my Broadway career, I was seeking a way to channel my creative energy, inspire human connection, and promote positive change within my community.
I traveled the world, singing and dancing in Broadway shows such as Chicago, The Bodyguard, Aida, Rock of Ages, Grease, Rent, and A Chorus Line. A Rider University alumni with a Bachelor of Music, I worked for Disney Cruise Line, singing as Elsa, Belle, and Cruella DeVil, and toured Asia in 2017-2018 with the Broadway Musical, Sister Act (living in Singapore, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China & South Korea).
It took a forced transition to the NYC corporate world for me to realize my life’s potential as a creative artist. Using my eye for style and savvy shopping skills I’ve been able to build a sustainable styling business from the ground up with the support and love of my husband, family and friends. Following in the footsteps of my Mom-Mop, Florence “Flo Baby” Deeley, I bounce from creative project to project – allowing God to align the right connections and opportunities to use my gifts.
I reside in Central NJ with my husband, Ryan, and our golden retriever, Asher (@thegolden.asher). We enjoy cooking, baking, hiking, biking, yoga, and supporting local farms, wineries, breweries and flea markets. I teach Musical Theatre Dance in NJ – inspiring over 80 students each week with movement, creative play, and exploration.
Treasure hunters can shop our elevated curation of vintage tablescape and barware pieces at lucidladybug.com.
We love to collaborate with other small businesses, shops, caters, venues, photographers, videographers, calligraphers, hair and make-up artists, bakers, and florists. We host styled shoots throughout the year in the tri-state area and would love to collaborate or include your brand! Please email lucidladybugvintage@gmail.com to spark the conversation or visit lucidladybug.com/workwithus to learn more.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My husband and I were supposed to go to Tokyo Japan in 2020. I was set to headline a Broadway Disney concert in the city accompanied by a brass band — a genuine dream come true. I knew the exact sushi spot we’d go to first — the onsen I’d be dreaming about, the train stops and cafes I fell in love with when touring Asia back in 2017 as a Broadway performer.
Squash. I watched so many of my accomplishments stripped away by the global shutdown that altered all of our lives in so many different ways.
“But I had worked so hard. But I finally felt like my career was taking off. But I wasn’t ready to move out of the city. But I didn’t want to try a new career path. But but but but but but.”
I learned to sit in grief. To rebuild from the ground up. To find my center and reground. I focused inward and watched my garden blossom.
I pivoted to so many unique opportunities – working NYC corporate for 2-years, followed by starting my own business, teaching dance, volunteering on a farm, and working as a brand ambassador, model, stylist, and photographer. All of this was while I was recovering from a concussion nonetheless.
Every single day of my life is an opportunity for adventure. A forced transition offered me the opportunity to find freedom within my work and to fall in love with the endless possibilities of the unknown.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
To inspire conscious conversations around your table. Vintage barware and sustainable styling offer an opportunity to spark conversation about art, history, and culture. Curating events with vintage and upcycled pieces is our way of upcycling. Our hope is to inspire younger generations to use and cherish their family’s heirlooms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lucidladybug.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucid.ladybug/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucidladybug
Image Credits
@_edenphoto
@lucid.ladybug