We recently connected with Natalie Henriquez and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Hi! Thanks for having me and countless other creatives! As I was sitting on this question, my shallow quick response would be the very first event on behalf of The Prolific Cocoon was the most meaningful project ever! Though, the more time I spent in my memory bank I realized the greatest most dearest project to me was taking place in the midst of COVID. COVID shut down so many businesses, creative ventures, and there were countless regulations on the amount of people that can gather in one room. Just as I was preparing for my next event, I remember my mom texting me and telling me it would not be wise nor beneficial to continue throwing events because she had underlying issues and she wanted me to consider her. At first my pride got in the way, I rolled my eyes, and thought “I could do what I want”. Yet, I believe many of us did not process the severity of COVID was or how long it was here to stay. I respected her wishes and ultimately bummed out because I was on a roll. I had to slow down and quite frankly did not have much patience at the time. I now understand there is beauty in the process. I have grown in my patience thanks to the big man above.
Fast forward some months, I was hesitant to shift The Prolific Cocoon (TPC) online. I was fearful that if we went online it would take away the value TPC had to offer in person. If you have ever attended an event you know there is this spirit that embraces you as you walk in, it’s warm, and safe. I was afraid that same spirit would be lost online. As the days went on, the regulations got stricter, I realized COVID was here for a long time. I had artists hitting me up asking if I was going to adjust with the times and I finally decided to give it a shot. I ran every event online as if we were running in person. I had friends tapping in from their living rooms, friends from out of state, and my parents checking in on what I was doing. What surprised me and made me realize the value of TPC was that all my fears were indeed the opposite of the outcome. The same presence was felt through the screen. I am so grateful the community pushed me to shift my mindset and I will say this was the most meaningful project I worked on. Why? because I realized how necessary TPC was when we were all losing hope. TPC was the sun creaking through the cracks.
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.
Bonjour, My name is Natalie Henriquez. Some people call me groovs, others call me sunshine, and very few call me groovysunshine. I am 25 years old and have the gift of hospitality and simply serving others. I truly believe I have the gift of uniting people of all walks of life and bridging the gap. The Prolific Cocoon (TPC) is a body of people, a community, that goes beyond the four walls we meet and flows in creativity. Our slogan is “where unity meets community”. In essence I have the gift of providing a platform for creators and artists, nurturing the spiritual health and mental well-being within arts & entertainment. Prolific means an abundance of fruit or people and the cocoon is the process of metamorphosis. We all are going through our own metamorphosis and here at TPC, we carry out healthy dynamics and we grow in our creativity with one days blossoming like a butterfly and performing at larger events etc.
What sets us apart from others is we are a platform for those who have been labeled or felt like a misfit their whole life. We are a sober environment. I believe when we operate in our sobriety not only are we 100% authentically ourselves but the conversation and connections we have go outside The Prolific Cocoon and that is the ultimate goal. 2. Being creative in LA can be mentally and spiritually draining, It feels like a competition to who can make it to the top quicker while stepping on top of your own teammate. Ultimately, we all need one another. We can not do this life alone. Thus, at TPC I am most proud of the safe, warm, and intentional environment created that allows every member to be themselves, celebrated, and the audience genuinely cares for the person who is performing. The community will go the extra mile to connect and stay connected with the artists performing. Lastly, TPC is not only for adults, we operate in a sober environment therefore kids are welcomed. The vision is allowing children to come witness their parents, cousins, etc flow in their creativity. We’re planting seeds over here.
I want whoever is reading this to find a place where they can authentically be themselves in such a troubling world. If you ever felt like a misfit, TPC is a place for you. If you have been in search of a platform that cares for you as a human being before your creativity this is the place for you. If you are in the middle of discovering your own mission, focus, or inspirations; TPC is the place for you. TPC has inspired hundreds of people to step outside of the cocoon and perform at larger events, larger venues, and even working closely with producers, or fellow artists one has met within the cocoon.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The mission driving my creativity is granting timid, emotionally wounded, or jaded creatives a space to flourish. It is an honor to witness those who did not believe in their own self and blossom with confidence. Many of us simply just need one person to believe in us whole heartedly. In the process of providing a platform for developing artists, I take pride in facilitating, life-long dynamics that go outside of TPC. It is already happening. When I hear those stories I rejoice because the mission is being lived out. The stories, the faces, the kids, and the safe environment we bestow fuels me to keep growing and providing frequent events. Serving others is what drives me. I love and am grateful I can provide a space for people to reset and recharge in such a chaotic world. I know what it feels to be a misfit, mistreated, and in the process of healing my own wounds, hurting others. I have been on both ends of the stick. I say all the time TPC would be nothing without the people who show up, sown their funds, perform, and support the cause with their presence. I am just a passenger on this voyage I call life. When I converse with others and they share, they’re making music with someone they met at TPC or they collaborated on a photo shoot etc. My heart rejoices knowing the mission is being driven out. This idea was developed in 2018. I was in community college pursuing music and in school for the sake of my parents. I sat on TPC for 3 years and in 2021 our first event was put into action. I just felt like LA at the time did not have an organization that genuinely cared for their artists, provided images from their performance without any gimmicks, paid out their artists, and most importantly nurtured the mental and spiritual aspect of arts and entertainment. We all have a powerful story and it matters. I have time to hear it and sit down with you. We all have been in the trenches and some of us made it out alive through the mercy of God. Those stories are what keep me going. They fuel me. The faces, the people, the smiles, and the connections. That is the fuel that keeps the train moving.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I’ll begin with addressing every creative reading. Many of us grew up in religious households. Get back to your roots, find a new relationship with God outside of what your parents influenced you to believe or the priest, pastor, etc. If you never grew up in a religious household. Build a relationship with Christ. He will open doors for you that no man can open. If a person on earth does open a door for you, you will have to worship them for the rest of your life. Sounds exhausting. With a willing heart God can do things through your life in one year that you thought would be done in ten years. 2. Society must stop seeing creatives and artists as disposable individuals. We are humans just like business owners, CEO’S, etc. We bleed the same blood. We want to be paid a fair share for our work, especially if the budget is there without so much back and forth. Excuses, frustrations, and animosity. Let’s be more honest and intentional with one another. Let’s stop leading each other on for personal gain. For some of us the mission is the same thing we all want to be seen, loved, make an impact, be famous, rich, etc. We must release our pride and monetary agendas in order for creative spaces to flourish. There is room for all of us to succeed. Way too many times I have been in rooms with the most talented creatives. They witness someone else come into the room, take up space, shine bright, perform phenomenal tracks, and all of a sudden the spotlight is taken away from the person who thought there was no one else better than he/she. Pride and arrogance will kill you and the people surrounding you. This very piece of character is lethal to not only our personal lives but to the world in itself. We can harm others with our pride. It is so important we remember there is only one of us and it is ok to pass the baton to another human being. Above all, don’t be afraid of investing in other people. I have invested so much time, money, and resources into people. Many times, I never got a thank you or never saw my immediate blessings. That never discourages me. I keep on sowing. The reward is seeing other people blessed with connections or having a space like TPC. Sometimes we have to take a risk on other people and that requires not making any money sometimes. Thanks for having me <3 Stay connected with us! TPC is on pause right now but we’re an organization to keep on your radar. If you need any connections, are on a low budget, and want to put out music I know someone who knows someone.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theprolificcocoon.org
- Instagram: theprolificcocoon
Image Credits
@aironhart for 3 images // @ferncastillo (image with man pointing to his ear).