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

Mike, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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?

To be honest this last couple years have been the hardest of my life professionally, and as a fellow kc artist/musician said “I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my shit”, so emotionally it’s been hard too. Finding a partner that understands the creative lifestyle has made it even more of a challenge … Just before the pandemic hit I was working a “9 to 5” and doing cakes for large events too for my own business. I quit my “other job” and have really focused on finding my passion….I’ve struggled to get caught back up but it’s growing for sure. There’s plenty of days that I question my decision. But at my age I’ve learned I’m not happy unless I’m creating, so it’s a worthwhile tradeoff. I could make more money, but it’s at a cost spiritually. Its been hard but also extremely rewarding, if that makes sense?

Mike, 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?

My story often feels pretty unreal to me. I was raised by parents who were both pretty artistic and also small bisiness owners. My dad restored the old original generation corvettes in a shop behind our house and my mother had a bakery in the basement… I was exposed to a lot of the business aspects as well as the creative parts too. I was always artistic, sculpture being my favorite media but I love anything that let’s me create.

Along the way I raised 3 kids, and ran myself ragged in more ways than I can count. I had a lot of trauma as a young boy, and art was one of the ways I tried to make myself feel whole. Obviously it was a bit of a misguided plight, but I’ve grown a lot, mostly from failure, even though most people see me as being very successful… Its an odd world we live in and worth noting… I’ve accomplished so many fantastic feats, I have 3 Guinness World Records, I’ve been on dozens of TV shows, and made cakes around the world for some of the most well known people in the world. But I still felt rather empty… All the while I looked like I was on top of the world! Its not been until recently that I’ve been able to find some balance. Focusing on family, mental health, time management and finally, income. You can make a million bucks but if you’re miserable or avoiding your real problems… you’ve lost. Social media is great, but it’s only a snap shot. It’s not a real representation of someone’s life. So be careful what you believe!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

That’s a hard question. Not hard to answer but because the truth is just hard. Years ago when I was really getting some traction, I had a friend give me the worst advice and I ran with it. A common idea and good in theory, but it can really zap your energy if you get lost in it… ” fake it, til you make it”, I get the idea and I guess the why but it’s flawed. The idea to me meant always trying to build up an image, even if it really wasn’t true… it’s one thing to sell yourself, sell your skills and take on big challenges. But if you’re not careful you’ll burn yourself out, and boy did I! I spent so much time trying to walk the walk that I almost ignored the problems I was having… I couldn’t ask for help because I was afraid of looking like I NEEDED THE HELP. I was successful to a large degree, and honestly accomplished more than I ever expected, but mostly I felt like a fake. And though I had the skills and some notoriety, I was completely alone. Isolated, exhausted, trying so hard, and it nearly killed me. I’ve learned so much from it though. I was at an interview recently and the guy asking questions made the comment ” you don’t do anything on your own. You just work in teams with people” he really meant it as a negative thing too. It was then that it hit me, I’m better at what I do now than I’ve ever been… why? Because I’ve found the best group of humans to work and live with. When I finally stopped trying to be ” it”, I allowed myself to trust others enough that I could ask for help. I have a partner who probably doesn’t realize it, but she’s helped define my life’s work, define me even! That’s very rare! Knowing I have someone who has got my back. Someone with the same goals and remains focused on achieving them, as a team. It’s the best thing I think ever happened to me. Everyone that is in my life now is here because they lift me up, and I hope I do that for them too!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I worry about the future of art and creatives. Social media is the way of things but yet so often the attention goes to those that somehow found a niche or gag that creates large incomes for a small group of ” creators” who may or may not have any talent at all. It’s not that they don’t have talent but a lot of it is just dumb luck. You dont have to learn a craft or earn it. You can even have an A.I. program create it and manage it and the public will praise you for it, and pay for it! I worry that young people see it and think ” easy money” all I gotta do is be viral famous and boom…. victory. There isn’t a passion or drive to create something real, lasting and valuable. The pressure to follow ” trends” without even thinking about doing your own thing, blazing your own path. Maybe I’m just old, but it scares me. We have an world focused on “content” without any real human connection. We’re drifting apart as people, and we need connections to thrive! That’s why I love what I do. I get to experience what ever the celebration be with my clients. I get to create something tangible and meaningful, even if it is just a cake! I’m very fortunate.

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