We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Richard Greene. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Richard below.

Richard, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I was naturally rebellious as a child as I think a lot of creative types are. So I ran the other direction when confronted with the reality of having a full time job where I went to the same place during the same hours during the same days every week, month, and year. I was highly motivated to achieve a career that provided travel and the opportunity to be creative at work. So I settled in on becoming a lighting designer before I was even ten years old. The fact I have basically stuck with this line of work is probably the main reason why I have found some level of success. Looking back it seems like it was even a bit harder than it needed to be. This is because I took a rather unconventional path. Knowing this I would have told my young self to focus more on the work than the job. People are waiting for the chance to do something great but you need to create these chances for yourself sometimes. If you don’t give up and stay committed to the one singular goal you have in mind then it will come to life. Maybe not in exactly the way you had envisioned but it will be there and so will you. It’s about not giving up even when you know that you should. Not focusing on things not being exactly has planned but seeing how everything is just a step. I still wonder if I made the right choices for myself. They led me to where I am now. I do know that. I enjoy a career where sometimes I get to be creative and be part of making decisions. Sometimes I just go to work and do a job. Both are rewarding.

Richard, 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?

I started my path in stage design and lighting from a very young age. My mom was involved in the arts and this is where I was exposed to the stage and stage lights for the first time. I saw a guy working the lighting console while backstage at a dance recital and was amazed that this was something you could get paid to do. From there I was hooked. I started my first production company before I was 16 years old. We mostly provided lighting and sound design services to my mom’s dance school and local church christmas shows. My crew consisted of my friends and little brother. I worked in all kinds of entertainment lighting during this time. This included theater lighting, TV, film, dance lighting but I really fell in love with music and concert lighting. This led to putting my company on hold while I worked for bands and some other lighting companies. I wanted to learn more and see how other people operated on the larger scale. I was focusing on live music. When the opportunity presented itself to provide more services for some larger shows I jumped at the chance.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative individual for work is the feeling of value and belonging to society when I am performing my work. I get paid to make or interpret a feeling or a song with light and the physical elements that make up a concert stage. It feels so amazing when you’re accepted for who and what you are. A lot of people would do it for free. Which brings up a challenging aspect of a creative career.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

I think it is important to know when to pivot. A side hustle can become a career if the opportunity presents itself. You can speed this up by moving to a position where the opportunities are greater. Doing what you love can be a great hobby. But trying to make a business from something you love can lead to disaster. There has to be a need. That is how it starts. Finding where you fit in with what you are doing. Being ready to take the opportunity when it is there. If your not there or ready it goes to the next in line.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.richardtylergreene.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rtgshow
• Youtube: https://www.instagram.com/rtgshow
• Other: https://www.rtgshow.com/