Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Joni Franks

I left the business world eight years ago to begin a new phase of my life. The themes that were prominent in the news at the time were equality, bullying, and environmental conservation. Issues that are very close to my heart. During my business career, being a woman never stopped me from achieving success. I grew up in an era that offered me the freedom to live out my dreams. Every child has been bullied, including me, and I have empathy for those that are caught in the vicious cycle of being bullied. So, I decided to redirect my time and energy into becoming an author and illustrator of books that focus on the themes of equality, bullying, environmental conservation and finding one’s destiny.  Read more>>

Tj Vong | Hat Maker & Brand Ambassador

There’s many reasons I pursued a creative career. But the easiest way to explain why, is that it just felt right. I was never one to draw within the lines, I almost always established my own path. I did this because enjoyed exploring new approaches or views and any career or job that didn’t allow me to do this I ultimately failed at. There was plenty of trial and error but I eventually found opportunities to express myself in successful creative ways which translated profitable skills. As I did this the more fluid my creativity became which lead to greater fulfillment in my professional career. Read more>>

Alexis Lorence | Denver Creator

By day I work in Corporate America so it’s refreshing to have a creative outlet after work. I can be creative in ways I never thought, before pursuing social media, I didn’t know that I could make interesting content. I continue to pursue this side hustle because it connects me to wonderful people in the Denver community and it fills my cup outside of my day job. Read more>>

Jupiter Nordstrom | Vivid Hair Specialist

I pursued an artistic career because a regular 9-5 job isn’t for me. There’s nothing wrong with a 9-5 job but it just isn’t for me. Being artistic with hair just comes naturally to me so it was like destiny for me to do this. Read more>>

Jen Berlingo | Midlife Coach, Licensed Counselor, Art Therapist, Reiki Master, Author, + Visual Artist

Ever since I was a little kid, I knew I wanted to be an artist and a writer. I’ve always had a strong drive toward self-expression and communicating my inner experience outwardly. Having creative self-expression as a key part of my vocation has always been the only truly sustainable option for me. As a multipassionate creator, I am a midlife coach, a licensed counselor, an art therapist, a Reiki master, a visual artist, and author of the award-winning book, Midlife Emergence: Free Your Inner Fire. I engage in self-expression not only for my own healing, but also to help validate and normalize the feelings of others, as well as to inspire others to tell their own stories. I hope to be a stand for creative expression as a path to healing and personal growth, to deeper self-awareness, to authentic connection, and to spirit. Read more>>

Randi Rheaa | Photographer & Creative Director

I chose a creative career as a photographer because it allows me to express my unique perspective on the world and explore my passion for capturing beauty, especially in relation to societal standards. My journey began early, inspired by a love for nature, family moments, and the desire to preserve those cherished experiences. As I grew, my struggle with identity as a young woman and how society projects beauty deeply influenced my work. Photography became a way for me to navigate and reflect on these complex themes, allowing me to create surreal images that convey my personal journey and the broader societal narratives around beauty. This creative path offers me the freedom to explore and communicate emotions, stories, and ideas visually, making it the perfect medium for me to share my voice and vision with the world. Read more>>

Aaron Roberts | Warehouse worker & Creator Forever

I’m not really sure I chose this career and pursuit as much as it also chose me. Since a young age I have enjoyed drawing and creating doodles. My mother was always good at creating cartoons of the people around our neighborhood and city. She taught me little tricks and simple drawing techniques at an early age. My parents divorced my 8th grade year, and we moved into a little trailer court in Boulder, Colorado. My sister was deathly sick with very advanced childhood lupus taking up most of my mother’s energy. At that same time my mother started a life-long battle with bi-polar one. My sister would cut out these pictures in newspapers of collectable plates with paintings on them and I remember attempting to draw them as perfect as possible staying up late at night after they went to bed. Read more>>

Lizzie Mcintire | Hairstylist & Owner of Root & Shadow

The truth is, I’ve always wanted to be a hairstylist. I remember being in awe every time someone took me along with them to their appointment. When I was about five, I cut all the hair off my “My Size Barbie” and hid the hair from my mom because I knew how expensive that doll was! But as I grew up, societal pressures and my strong academic performance led me down a different path. I ended up majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology, which don’t get me wrong I still find fascinating, but no matter how far I went down that road, something felt off. Read more>>