My Chat with NBC Shark Tank's Barbara Corcoran

I swam with a shark - and the toughest one of them all!

It was a complete honor to be invited on to Barbara Corcoran’s podcast, “Business Unusual”. As one of my main role models, it was surreal to talk business and receive life changing advice from such a powerful woman. Listen to the podcast to hear the backstory of Coastal Design Studio and my trials and tribulations as a young, female business owner. This chat with Barbara lit the fire underneath me that saved me from giving up. Her advice is currently in action as I seek to hire my first employees!

This goes out to the girl who gets C’s in school, isn’t really sure what she’s doing with her life, but still has that feeling deep down that she’s destined for something much bigger than herself. Chase you passions, work hard and doors will open for you. Barbara did it, I am doing it and you can do it too.

Creative Workshops for a More Social Community

In a world that is dominated by smart phones and social media, it has become increasingly difficult to stimulate in-person engagement within our communities. 

Whether it's apartment complexes, condo communities, senior living residences or the like, research shows that people are becoming less social and more isolated within the communities they call home.

Let’s look at the facts. According to data collected from the General Social Survey, economist Joe Cortright observed in a recent City Observatory report that one third of Americans have never interacted with their neighbors and only about 20% of Americans spend time regularly with their neighbors. 

Why does this matter? Social engagement among communities is important for a number of reasons. Most importantly, research has proven that people who know their neighbors on a personal level feel more safe within their community, are healthier and overall, happier!

So... how can we promote social engagement among communities?

The answer... creative workshops!

What are creative workshops and how can they promote engagement in my community? 

Creative workshops can include events such as step-by-step painting classes, cooking classes, ceramics, jewelry making or other crafty, hands-on events taught by experienced instructors.

Creative and fun social events make it easier to meet our neighbors, make new friends, and establish relationships that make us happier and more comfortable within our community - all while having fun.

Most communities come equipped with clubhouses, lounges or specific spaces dedicated for residents to come together.

The power of creativity is simple - it’s just plain fun! And people that are having fun are naturally driven to communicate with those around them, therefore forming bonds that can not be made through social media. 

Creative workshop service providers such as Coastal Design Studio are making waves within communities by bringing their events to the places that need them! Their talented instructors teach events ranging from paint nights to ceramic classes to terrarium workshops.

It's time to bring social interaction back to our communities! Check out creative workshop service provider, Coastal Design Studio, and see how they are promoting "community through creativity" with their unique and creative workshops.

5 Ways to Promote Creativity, Everyday!

Creativity is an umbrella term, which makes it a little intimidating for some. Creativity can be interpreted in many different ways for different people. 

Did you know, people who exercise their creativity are said to live longer lives? While that may be difficult to prove, it is a fact that creative people have better reactions to stress, more daily confidence and a more positive outlook on life... which are all things that can promote overall health and wellness!

This post is going to list a few different ways YOU can incorporate creativity into your daily routine.

Lets get right to it!

1. E S S E N T I A L O I L S 

   • I personally love to start my day off with an essential oil practice. I started to research a little more into what types of essential oils promote creativity. I found that any citrus-type oil is great for waking up. They activate your playfulness and can awaken your senses almost immediately. I have been using a tangerine essential oil lately and I can tell you that this is definitely true! You can utilize essential oils by issuing them or by rubbing a drop or two on your heat pinpoints (wrist or neck).

2. J O U R N A L 

   • I find I am at my most creative right after I wake up. Journaling can be a little tedious when you first start and I will say it takes a little time to master. I suggest going out and finding a cute journal that you will love to look at and write in every morning. Jot down ideas about all areas of your life- work, social, health, spirituality, anything you think! Your future self will thank you, and your mind will be creatively stimulated throughout the day as you think about the things you wrote down in the morning!

3. W A R D R O B E

   • Can not express enough the magic of adding creativity and color to your outfits. When I wear my yellow blazer, I feel like a creative genius (alright, chill lol). But seriously! Yellow is such a powerful, happy color.Aim for bold pieces like a blazer, or a statement necklace or some giant wooden hoop earrings! Stretch your limits and you will be surprised how that small choice in the morning will resonate in your activities throughout your day!

4. D I E T

   • I am a firm believer that the healthier, fresher and more colorful food we eat, the better we feel and the more creative potential we have. When I wake up I love to start with a big glass of water with a half lemon squeezed in there. (This connects back to those essential oils) I love the scent of the lemon and the refreshing taste of it! I feel like it is very important to start with water in the morning, even more so than coffee. While coffee provides a short burst of energy and productivity, it actually has hindering effects on our creativity. (I will explain this in a future blog post). But water is a necessity for our bodies to function they way they were meant to! It's a no brainer when it comes to promoting creativity, and I recommend this practice more than anything!

5. M U S I C

   • This one also seems a bit obvious, but I want to make it a little interesting by challenging you all to listen to a new type of genre than what you usually listen to. When I am creating in my art studio, I am always swiping up the music I listen to to see how it effects my work. Different music gives off different vibes, which can consciously and subconsciously effect how to act and create. Test out different genres and experiment! 

Thank you guys for reading! If you enjoyed this blog post, check out the links below to follow me on my creative journey and for inspiration and special offers from Coastal Design Studio!