We were lucky to catch up with Vanessa Whaite recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Vanessa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
I find myself reflecting on my career journey more often than not, and I do wish I had started it sooner. It’s a sentiment that lingers, especially considering that I consciously chose to delay it in favor of building a family and being there for my kids until they went off to college. However, life had a different plan, and that phase never came to pass. I did get married, twice, but the dream of having children never materialized, and I to the day, I can’t predict why it has eluded me.
Yet, as I look back on it now, I find a newfound appreciation for the timing of my career’s onset. Starting when I did definitely has had its advantages. I was more mature, and this maturity allowed me to approach my career with a greater focus and determination. It enabled me to acquire the necessary tools and knowledge quickly, all in pursuit of my ultimate goal. Sometimes, the unexpected path we traverse in life has its own unique rewards, and I have come to recognize the benefits of beginning my career when I did.
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 come from a long line of advertising pros, and let me tell you, I was practically raised in the shadows of industry giants. My family had set the bar high, and I was brought up with this fire to not just meet but exceed those standards.
So, I went on this wild journey, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with a minor in Production, and believe me, the setting was far from ordinary. I was doing this in a third-world country during some pretty rough times. Those experiences shaped me into one tough cookie, and I learned to live each day like it was my last. You see, it very well could have been in the first 20 years of my life. But in the midst of all that uncertainty, I found solace in my passion for content creation. It was my lifeline in the chaos. I attended every protest and manifestation against the regime with a camera as my weapon. I would document everything and broadcast to everyone I knew around the world. I understood that content must have meaning.
From the get-go, I knew I wanted to make a name for myself in the industry, reaching heights where none of my ancestors had dared to venture. So, I packed my bags, moved to the United States, and jumped headfirst into the advertising world. I even had the chance to manage BlackBerry during its glory days, and my performance there propelled me to the role of Marketing Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean. But one of my proudest moments? That had to be the launch of BlackBerry 10. You know, corporate directives were pushing for a global campaign, but I could tell it just wouldn’t cut it in my market. So, I went straight to the VP of Marketing, made my case, and got the green light to cook up a unique campaign tailored to my region. And guess what? It was a massive hit, breaking all kinds of sales records.
But my ambition wasn’t about to stop there. I made the bold decision to uproot and relocate to Los Angeles, immersing myself in content development and production, and, let me tell you, I’ve rubbing shoulders with the absolute best in the business to learn from them, and be able to craft the best stories.
My driving force is a deep commitment to creating content that’s not just flashy but meaningful, stuff that stirs people to action, and that expands their cultural horizons.
But what fills me with the most pride is my journey from a family of ad pros to a visionary content creator. I’ve taken my craft to new heights, and my work serves as a testament to what’s possible with a big dream, rock-solid dedication, and a touch of originality.
In essence, my goal is for the world to become better, more empathetic, and enlightened humans after experiencing any of my works.
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I’m a HUGE fan. I can go days talking about NFTs!
But to keep it short and simple, Blockchain technology is finally allowing a way to cut out middlemen by allowing artists of any type to digitally publish their work, market, and transact directly with their fans.. How amazing is that?! Content creators can finally have the complete control over their work, can protect their intellectual property, and monetize their creations in unprecedented ways. I’m actually developing two projects in the blockchain, one NFT project and one platform for creators. Stay tuned!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Delighting in every moment of my life and trying to be part of every miracle. Being an artist allows us to relish life’s wonders and share them with the world. We become the storytellers who let others see, smell, touch, read, and experience the beauty that lives all around us.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: oneofakinde
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessawhaite/