The Creative Capital Show

When you think about it most entrepreneurs and creatives have a DIY spirit, but few would exemplify this spirit more than this episode's guest Christian "Coog" Lopez. Christian wanted to simply promote his friend's music and since this was during the blog era this naturally led to creating a tumblr. What was out of the ordinary was how quickly the tumblr grew in popularity, which led to a website, which then led to merch, and from there live event promotion, that developed a one of a kind poetry night series, and all of this has led to a platform for many creatives within Rhode Island called The Daily Note. Oh and Christian does all of this while balancing living between two cities (ATL and PVD) and being a father. In this episode Christian talks about the importance of learning as you go, the impact of having others believe in your vision, the importance of connecting with other creatives, and why the creative energy is shifting in Rhode Island now, more than ever before. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

Not caring can usually be associated with online trolls looking to annoy others, but what happens wh0en you care too much? What happens when you care so much it prevents you from not trying in the first place? It's a strange and interesting balance, and few know that balance better than street and concert photographer Rafael Medina. One would assume Rafael picked up a camera at an early age however the opposite was true, as Rafael did not pick up a camera until years later. It was only when Rafael stopped caring about how others would perceive his work that he actually took his first step. A first step on a journey that would lead to taking photos of artists like Pusha T, and releasing his book Dear PVD. In this episode I speak with Rafael about the challenges of street photography, how concert photography teaches you to make quick decisions, the importance of getting your "at bats", why no one has to like your work, how to get your work into galleries, the anxiety of selling your work at street fairs, why you should join a trade organization, photography as utility vs art, your resume vs your portfolio, and his love for the city of Providence. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

You have heard of art schools and after school art programs. But what about a non-profit that teaches students how to make commercially viable art for clients, while at the same time paying those students for their work while they learn. Because that is the vision behind Riverzedge arts and Riverzedge Executive Director this episode's guest Kristen Williams. Kristen has a long standing history in theatre as well as academia so it makes perfect sense that she leads Riverzedge Arts, a non-profit program that uses innovative work-based learning strategies to teach art, design, and critical thinking skills to the youth of RI. In this episode Kristen talks about the current state of art education, why certain types of artistic mediums are taught in schools over others, where non-profit programs get their money from, and art being a force for social and economic change. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

You have heard of art schools and after school art programs. But what about a non-profit that teaches students how to make commercially viable art for clients, while at the same time paying those students for their work while they learn. Because that is the vision behind Riverzedge arts and Riverzedge Executive Director this episode's guest Kristen Williams. Kristen has a long standing history in theatre as well as academia so it makes perfect sense that she leads Riverzedge Arts, a non-profit program that uses innovative work-based learning strategies to teach art, design, and critical thinking skills to the youth of RI. In this episode Kristen talks about the current state of art education, why certain types of artistic mediums are taught in schools over others, where non-profit programs get their money from, and art being a force for social and economic change. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

There are people out there who think being yourself is old fashioned out of touch advice, however for others like this episode’s guest Victor Baez being his true authentic self was the catalyst for an entire multi media company. Victor created music reaction videos not in a studio but rather sitting in his car, the authenticity and rawness of his reactions led to overnight virality which Victor then transformed into a podcast, which was then transformed into his multi media company Club Ambition. Through his company and it’s content Victor covers not only music but a wide variety of topics such as sports, film, pop-culture, and news, all done through a Providence focused lens. This has led Victor to being quite possibly the top content producer in the state of RI (and with +300k subscribers it would be hard to argue otherwise) and perhaps more importantly a voice for the community. In this episode I sit down with Victor to talk about what makes a good reaction video, how to react to seemingly overnight success, how to leverage attention, what types of content go viral and why, the financial realities of the business of content creation, why there are benefits to being a big fish in a small pond, memorable moments in podcasting, why he still does everything himself, are finally are content creators artists? It all starts with a care package from the Dominican Republic. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

There are people out there who think being yourself is old fashioned out of touch advice, however for others like this episode's guest Victor Baez being his true authentic self was the catalyst for an entire multi media company. Victor created music reaction videos not in a studio but rather sitting in his car, the authenticity and rawness of his reactions led to overnight virality which Victor then transformed into a podcast, which was then transformed into his multi media company Club Ambition. Through his company and it's content Victor covers not only music but a wide variety of topics such as sports, film, pop-culture, and news, all done through a Providence focused lens. This has led Victor to being quite possibly the top content producer in the state of RI (and with +300k subscribers it would be hard to argue otherwise) and perhaps more importantly a voice for the community. In this episode I sit down with Victor to talk about what makes a good reaction video, how to react to seemingly overnight success, how to leverage attention, what types of content go viral and why, the financial realities of the business of content creation, why there are benefits to being a big fish in a small pond, memorable moments in podcasting, why he still does everything himself, are finally are content creators artists? It all starts with a care package from the Dominican Republic. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

Artists switch to different mediums all the time that act of switching has occurred ever since art has existed. But for this episode's guest abstract artist Paige Huggon, discovering a new medium she had not utilized before didn't just give her a new creative outlet, it resulted in her presence within the art world rise tremendously, and that medium was scarves. In this episode I talk with Paige about how she developed her abstract art style. What made her take a step away from creating art? How discovering scarves as an artistic medium pushed her to create art again, why she still works a day job in IT, how presentation affects perceived value, the importance of asking why, and how documenting her artistic process led her on a journey of creative self-discovery. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

Storytelling and branding, two words you seem to hear a lot these days when it comes to entrepreneurial success. And it makes sense, storytelling is a powerful tool when you want to create a brand that will last. A good brand story will help you and your customers connect through your work, and this connection will give you an advantage over your competition. But what if you wanted your brand story to be something that was relatable, such as the concern about technology moving too fast, while at the same time fantastical like humanity at war with robots? Now what if you wanted to connect that relatable fantastical story to seemingly disparate areas like releasing an album, or running a pop-up market with other creatives? If you have ever wondered if that was even possible let alone something you could master, then you will want to hear from this episode's guest Spocka Summa. While developing his talents for creating both art and music, Spocka decided to create a persona and backstory that would promote both of his creative endeavors. Little did he realize that story would be a consistent through line to music releases, comic books, action figures, beer, home & skincare products, and finally an artist's market. In this episode Spocka talks about the reasons why creatives work in multiple areas, how to apply your talents to areas outside your expertise, why lack of a platform can provide a business opportunity, and finally why we should focus on staying human amongst all this technology. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

Pro wrestler by day state representative for the working class by night, that's the story of this episode's guest David Morales. David is Rhode Island's youngest state legislator and one of the youngest legislators in the country, he's also simultaneously the villainous Hype Champion of the Renegade Wrestling Alliance. Now if you're wondering what does wrestling have to do with local politics or vice versa, it turns out quite a bit! In this episode I speak to David about what sparked his interest in local government, how he graduated both high school and college early, how he got involved in pro-wrestling, how cutting wrestling promos helps him in debates with fellow state legislators, and is Rhode Island a good state to start a business? But this is not a story about a person managing dual identities, it's much more than that. It's a story about drive, about transferring skills between seemingly disparate occupations, and then using those skills to create positive change for both yourself and the people around you. And this all started from a high-school debate. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

What happens when a New Yorker goes to Brown to study film and they have trouble finding relevant film work? They end up creating a platform to help themselves and other freelancers find that work, at least that's the case with this episode's guest, Adam Alpert. Adam is the co-founder and CEO of Pangea, a platform that wants to connect freelancers looking for work, with start-ups looking for talent. All the while taking care of things like payments, contracts, creating a portfolio, basically all the other stuff in between. Adam discusses a variety of topics in this episode, including the need for better job application procedures, how long it takes to establish a business with a marketable product, where to find resources to support entrepreneurs, his thoughts on start-ups and Providence's business climate, and much more. And it all started with a visit to the café. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

What goes on behind the scenes when it comes to content creation? How do I utilize content to create my own personal brand? Is there a formula to going viral? Should I post content constantly? And also where should I go to get dinner? If you have ever asked yourself any of these questions than this episode's guest Laura Afonso may have some answers. Laura is the owner and founder of Buns and Bites a food blog that features food, and buts. However buns and bites is much more than that, in Laura's words its a concept based on self love, eating food we enjoy and embracing our bodies just the way they are. That concept turned a humble food blog into an ward winning food focused content creation powerhouse, as well as a social media marketing company that caters to small businesses. In this episode Laura talks about the work behind the scenes that goes into content creation, why social media value doesn't always translate into monetary value, the myths behind social media marketing, why your content should always be in your voice, her thoughts on Rhode Island's culinary prowess, and why she hates the word influencer. And to think all of this started by going out dinner, and taking some cheeky pictures. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

Starting a business is tough, starting a successful business is even tougher, now imagine starting a successful business and you can't read, or talk? Sounds impossible, and yet that was the catalyst for Lexus Fernandez's entrepreneurial journey. At age 20 Lexus suffered a brain aneurysm which left her unable to attend school, work a job, and the ability to read and speak. During her recovery she found that her skin became so sensitive that using everyday bath products would leave her entire body scarred. Lexus sought out natural herbal alternatives to create a soap that she could use, and found that others wanted to use her soaps as well. shortly after Lexus would meet her co-founder Evan Delpeche and thus Soulita was born. Soulita's name comes from the idea of holistic healing, and that to heal one has to take care of themselves; no one else can do it for you. This idea becomes especially evident when you experience Soulita's products, that act as a meditation and emphasizes the connections between mind and body. Lexus' prowess in what can best be described as herbal alchemy, along with Evan's eye for artistic direction & branding, plus a penchant for intricate storytelling within their products, has made Soulita a skincare brand that is out to positively change the lives of its customers. And in this humble host's opinion can stand toe to toe with luxury skincare titans such as Le Labo and Aesop. The story of Soulita is one of not just skin care or even self care, but rather a journey of how one needs to look inward in order to heal. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

When it comes to content creation especially content for social media, to say that video is having a moment right now, would be an understatement. With the rise of Instagram stories, Youtube shorts, and the platform that put short form video under the spotlight Tik-Tok, good video content is more important than ever. But what goes into making objectively good video content?  Is style more important than technical ability? Have the rules of video content creation changed in a post Tik-Tok world? To answer these questions, and talk about a whole lot more is this episode's guests Henry Kerstgens and Austin Delin of HAUS PVD. HAUS describes themselves as a creative studio specializing in video production, photography, social media and digital marketing. This combined with a passion for visual storytelling means HAUS don't just make content they create cinematic experiences. In this episode I sit down with Henry and Austin and talk about their inspiration for picking up a camera, creative ways to use credit to finance gear, leveraging relationships to gain your first clients, video content creation in the corporate world vs being a freelancer, how to balance your artistic drive while acknowledge a client's wants and needs, which metrics if any determine a successful video, why sometimes people mistake creative agencies for marketing agencies, and a whole lot more. Oh and one final thing, there was so much value in this conversation that I wanted nothing on the cutting room floor, so this is episode is a two parter. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

When it comes to content creation especially content for social media, to say that video is having a moment right now, would be an understatement. With the rise of Instagram stories, Youtube shorts, and the platform that put short form video under the spotlight Tik-Tok, good video content is more important than ever. But what goes into making objectively good video content?  Is style more important than technical ability? Have the rules of video content creation changed in a post Tik-Tok world? To answer these questions, and talk about a whole lot more is this episode's guests Henry Kerstgens and Austin Delin of HAUS PVD. HAUS describes themselves as a creative studio specializing in video production, photography, social media and digital marketing. This combined with a passion for visual storytelling means HAUS don't just make content they create cinematic experiences. In this episode I sit down with Henry and Austin and talk about their inspiration for picking up a camera, creative ways to use credit to finance gear, leveraging relationships to gain your first clients, video content creation in the corporate world vs being a freelancer, how to balance your artistic drive while acknowledge a client's wants and needs, which metrics if any determine a successful video, why sometimes people mistake creative agencies for marketing agencies, and a whole lot more. Oh and one final thing, there was so much value in this conversation that I wanted nothing on the cutting room floor, so this is episode is a two parter. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

When most people think of recycling they tend to think of those blue bins that take glass, paper, or plastic. Rarely do they think of recycling as a creative business opportunity.  However this episode's guest Steve Duque viewed recycling in a different way, which led him on an entrepreneurial journey that is 10 years strong and counting.  Steve is the owner of Duque Skate Art, where broken skateboards are upcycled into products such as pens, keychains, bowls, earrings, and standalone art pieces, with each piece being a one of a kind work of art that is as beautiful as it is functional.  In this episode I sit down with Steve and talk about his artistic influences, the perception of the skateboarding community, how he created his first piece of skateboard art, how he made his first sale, and why he doesn't pursue his art as his sole profession. And it all starts with a broken napkin holder. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

We often think about clothes as something to wear to protect us from the elements, or a uniform that's used to fit in. But have you ever wondered about using clothes as a form of self expression, or a way to provide access to a different lifestyle? If you have then you will want to hear the story of this episode's guest, Albert Kyei-Poakwa the owner and founder of ready to wear luxury lifestyle brand Pour La Ville.  Pour La Ville translates to "for the city", which is appropriate given Albert's inspiration comes from the city he calls home, that city being Providence, RI. In this episode I sit down and talk with Albert about the transition from being someone who appreciates fashion to someone who creates fashion, the importance of choosing the right partners to work with, the struggles of learning the business of fashion, why we tie memories to certain pieces of clothing, the dream to have Anna Wintour come to Providence and a whole lot more. And it all started with a movie like moment in a nightclub. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

Food and service industry workers suffered massive setbacks during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. No pandemic however, could stop the creative and entrepreneurial spirits of this episode's guests, Gretchen Lizarda and Monica Martin. Gretchen and Monica are the founders of Juicy Market PVD, a brand that supports small businesses and vendors throughout RI. Gretchen and Monica's combined experience as both small business owners and nightlife industry veterans, have given them a unique perspective on what a shopping experience can and should be. This along with their network of local vendors, unique venues, and entertainers, allows for Juicy Market to provide a shopping experience unlike any other. In this episode I speak with Gretchen and Monica about the logistics of running a weekly market, how to utilize social media for physical retail events, how Juicy Market adapts to various venues, why shopping is an experience not just a transaction between people, advice for vendors, and a whole lot more. And it all started with a Galentines Day party. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

There's the term a Jack/Jill of all trades. After making this episode the term should be changed to a Lois of all trades in honor of this episode's guest Lois Harada. Artist, printmaker, activist, teacher, board member, city commissioner, chairperson, are just some of the titles Lois has held in her career.  In this episode Lois and I talk about what makes the Providence creative community unique, how one of her first residencies was the length of a cup of coffee, the importance of access to art programs and education, how art in the public space can enrich a community, using unconventional methods such as a penny press and an airplane banner for her creative projects, designing a basketball court, using art as a form of activism, and a whole lot more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

Vintage, grails, sneakers, fashion, streetwear. All these terms are related yet uniquely diverse when it comes to clothing. Maybe they should all fall under the term collectible fashion. Which to my knowledge was coined by this episode's guest, Xury Belliard.  Xury is the owner and founder of Cured Collection. A store which has become a focal point in the Providence clothing scene. Cured provides more than just hard to find pieces, it provides a feeling of nostalgia, and more importantly a sense of community.  In this episode I sit down with Xury and talk about his first pop-up shops, what it was like to have a store in the oldest mall in America, how his older brother's desire to always look good, impacted his perspective on clothing, gauging the needs of and educating your customer, his thoughts on clothing and trends, why he was happy to get fired from his day job, and his desire to design a piece of clothing. And it all started in grade school, when a young Xury noticed his winter jacket was a bit different than everyone else's. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support

Because older episodes can get lost in the shuffle, and because there are true gems of knowledge in those episodes, it's time for The Creative Capital Show Podcast Mixtape vol 2! This vol 2 mixtape features hand picked segments covering topics such as, starting a farm to table distillery, what it takes to make it in the restaurant business, how a hotel can serve a community, how art can improve quality of life, why marketing is not a bad word, how to design your world around you, turning a recording studio into a full service media production house, how to become a successful polymath, and a whole lot more. I hope these segments will help you on your creative entrepreneurial journey, or at the very least provide you with some insight and some entertainment. At the end of the day I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I have enjoyed recording them. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/creativecapitalshow/support