We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sanovia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sanovia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment we have is time and it happens also to be the worst investment. I wanted to take the time not to highlight a specific project that took me a consumable amount of time, energy, or money, but about time itself.

Since about 2014, the boom of social media (specifically Instagram, YouTube, and later Tiktok) has given people direct access to information. Before that time I mostly learned what I knew by way of experience, storytelling, television, friendships, and school. I grew up in a small town in Muncie, Indiana before moving to Philadelphia after college in 2014. I went to one of my first open mics in the city run by Simone Dennis (now Roberts) who was then younger than myself and ran an entire open mic, had a business, and merchandise. I was amazed. She was the first of many young black women I saw in the city really doing what they loved and I began to ponder and actualize what I wanted to bring and share with the world as well.

As time continued I began sharing more poetry, sang in front of crowds, and was pleased with the feedback I was receiving. I heard so many voices that had opinions on what I should be doing. Where I should start? How to start. YouTube was full of tutorials for hair, and side hustles, and Tori Kelly was killing her covers! Everything I needed was right at my fingertips.

Like many, I engaged with my ideas and I can say for the last 10ish years I have tried so many of my ideas, usually without proper preparation, but with the earnest heart to share with others. Some of the ideas include The HeARTist Things to Say, Pack Light, Start Community, Bubbles and Balloons Adult Day Party, Joy Journals, The Mourning After chapbook, music releases, and Come Move With Me! I look back at everything I’ve done and enjoy the impact I’ve had on bringing more authenticity, joy, and sound to their lives.

I’m truly grateful for the time spent.

But I wonder what could have happened if I just stuck to one or two of those ideas? Where would it have grown to now? Instead of having all of these small sort of fleshed-out things that in each season seemed to serve me, but now seem to be trophies and certificates of ideas of a past time. I wonder if I used the time I had during the pandemic to build and use social media to solidify myself as a legitimate presence, would I be more known? Would my art be my main source of income?

There are so many questions I have, yet I have no regrets.

It’s like, that journey led me into becoming the highly spirited ideas person I am now. Some will see a waste of time, but all I see is a journey. Sometimes windy, sometimes ridiculously nonlinear, but (I believe) necessary. Social media influencers will call me lazy and possibly undisciplined. They will say that I lacked vision… and to be honest they might be right about it.

I say this phrase to keep me going when my mind wants to remind me that I’ve been pursuing creativity for the last 10 years or so — “Time is not my enemy, it is my collaborator.” Honestly, I can’t recall if I said this to myself or heard it somewhere, but I’ve been using it since 2020. Time works with me. Time works for me. Time is not fighting against me, it is not the current I am walking against, but a flow.

So, I just said a lot to say it’s okay that I haven’t used time in the most traditional sense. No rollercoaster is fun because it goes straight the entire time anyway.

I would encourage anyone to take their journey, mistakes, “wasted time”, and wins as lessons learned on the journey to get you to the most optimal version of themselves. Imagine if we were able to discover a little longer before picking a college immediately? Imagine the shift we would have in career choices. Be a child. Explore. Try. Touch the stove. Touch it again. Be expressive. Be free. Be courageous. Do all the things. The Bible shares that those who approach life like children are the most important in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Sanovia, 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?

Sanovia
Sanovia is a talented and passionate Music and Movement Artist hailing from the vibrant city of Philadelphia. With boundless energy and a captivating storytelling prowess, she utilizes her vocal and poetic abilities to ignite a sense of genuineness and joy in her audiences. Drawing from a rich tapestry of musical genres including hip-hop, R&B, and neo-soul, Sanovia’s signature sound is a harmonious fusion that resonates with listeners. Embracing the spirit of collaboration, she actively seeks to unite and create a communal musical experience.

I was born in Muncie, IN and received my BA in Communication Studies from Ball State University and my MA from Eastern University in St. Davids, PA. View my work at www.iamsanovia.com or on social @movewithsanovia or @iamsanovia.

I started singing at an early age in the church, played clarinet for 7 years, and purchased my first guitar in 2010 when I got my first college refund check. Before music, however, there was poetry and song lyrics. I turned to writing as a form of expression for the childhood trauma I was experiencing. I was very quiet as a child and didn’t open up much until college when I felt I began to lean more into my authentic expression. Since then I’ve probably seen every one of my big ideas come to life and I’ve invited people into those spaces.

Pack Light, LLC

Pack Light, LLC, founded and led by Sanovia Garrett, is dedicated to spreading joy and inspiring childlike wonder through creative wellness solutions for corporate, and nonprofit professionals, social service providers, and government organizations. Our mission is to uplift and rejuvenate professionals in various sectors through innovative offerings such as movement workshops, creative consulting, and joy-based events.

Through Pack Light I have offered everything from social media services, joy coaching, joy journals, movement sessions, and. much more.

I am most proud of my evolution as a creative. There are so many things I’ve learned simply because I tried something new. With me, everything is centered on Joy, Authenticity, Creativity, and Community. I am big on just chatting it up with my supporters and I strive to be as real as I can be.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is having the opportunity to share space with other people whom I have the opportunity to inspire. There are so many people from my many years of performing poetry or music, leading a movement workshop or class, and those who have solely engaged with me on social media who have expressed that what I create and how I show up has positively impacted their lives.

I remember being in front of an audience of over 500 people in college for the homecoming talent show. One person came up to me and let me know that they saw themselves in me on stage. I am a black woman, she was a white woman. No matter our differences, she saw a human with a story on stage and that’s all I want to do — impact one person every time I share something creatively.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I’m huge on trying things out! I was an early adopter of Canva and am often one of those people who buy into many things earlier on, especially if they can optimize my business or creative process. A few weeks ago I realized that you could use Google in a similar way that you could use Calendly. The interface isn’t as cute and customizable as Calendly’s, but it’s cost-friendly and gets the job done by allowing folks to see your open availability and schedule a meeting. While this may seem simple, I honestly believe many of us are not using the tools we have to their greatest capacity (crack open your iPhone manual and you’ll agree with me).

The greatest resources we can have are the ones right in front of us that we often skip because we go for the new shiny thing. I believe it is important to use what you have to get the job done! I believe it’s possible. I hope people won’t be discouraged when they can’t afford something and will be innovative enough to find a way to use what they have.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iamsanovia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsanovia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAmSanovia/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanoviagarrett/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Iamsanovia
• Other: www.catchmeinthelight.com

Image Credits
Syreeta Williams (learning to let go cover, photos with yellow/organgish backgrounds).