Reasons to hire me #1: You don’t recognize your own talent(s)!
“It’s funny…when I talk to you, you tell me exactly what I need to hear. Don’t know how you do it, but that’s what you do…lol.”-T.
You know who I am? I’m the person who helps you believe in yourself in order to help you recreate yourself. A few days ago, talking with a very talented friend/client, whose mother is also a wonderful artist–she designs and sews her own clothing–my friend asked me how much I would consider paying for a shirt her mother was making for me. The price she quoted me was obscenely low. Let’s be frank, I’m not rich. On the other hand, being a Yenta, I couldn’t simply sit by and allow another artist to shortchange herself and her craft (same difference), because by doing so, my friend’s mother was revealing how unsure she was about her gifts, and in this world, if you want to get ahead, you have to passionately believe in yourself.
I personally think this is harder for women. It’s also very difficult to understand and appraise your own talent, when the gifts in question are things like sewing, or cooking, since traditionally those have been “skills” that most people derided or took for granted. Even, unfortunately, the very people who have those skills. True story: years ago, as a bartender, I worked with a waitress who made herself two wedding gowns. (She was getting married in her native New Orleans, and she made one gown for the ceremony and one gown for the after party.) She made, on the weekends and in the evenings, two stunning bridal gowns. I’m a person who if I can manage to sew a button back on a jacket I start humming the Chariots of Fire theme and this b*tch sewed two gorgeous wedding gowns. She also make beautiful birthday cakes. I’m talking about cakes shaped like jewelry boxes, or cars. Stunning cakes. When I picked my jaw off the ground, and asked her why the hell was she waiting–miserably, I might add–tables when she had all this raw ability, she rolled her eyes and said, “Right, like anyone would buy a dress or cake I made!” Hmmm. I wanted to ask her if she was new to New York, where indeed most people would, and do, pay large sums of American currency for unique, custom-made clothing and cakes. But nope, this chick was too committed to masturbating her misery. No time to take responsibility and create a life she loved, when she had so much delicious despair and regret to sample. #priorities
Anyway, back to my friend and her lovely mom. I reminded her that her mother has the (unique) ability to sew striking clothing from scratch! Therefore, when she’s thinking about how much to charge, her mother must factor in the time spent, her skills, the cost of fabrics and thread, and overall the impression she wants to make. We present as we perceive ourselves, so it’s important to perceive ourselves as professionals. (Again, this is especially true for women and minorities.) I told my friend that her mom can undercharge for a blouse she made, and give the buyer the impression that it’s nothing much, that the buyer is doing her a favor…or she can present her art in a manner that makes the buyer think, “Wow, how lucky am I to have the chance to buy this unique, one-of-a-kind item, made specifically for me!” I mean, what’s the difference between my friend’s mom and Vera Wang? Vera Wang had to start somewhere. (So do you. #hinthint)
So if you’re wondering what I do, I’m the person who gets you to think differently about yourself and your talents, and your abilities. I’m the person who gently nags um encourages (same difference) you to be all you can and should be. I’m the person who believes in you when you might be afraid to believe in yourself. (My friend’s mom is sewing the shirt as I type, and I should be able to pick it up next weekend, at which time I’ll post a photo!)
I’m also usually the person who makes you snort with laughter at my inappropriate sense of humor but that’s later. Want to see what I can do for you, Sunshine? Of course you do! Become a fan of my business Facebook page, “Carlotaworldwide Creativity Yenta,” and email me at carlotazee@gmail.com, and let’s set up your free consultation!