Currently Loading Vol. 6
April 2022
Note to self with/Jennifer Pauline
Image: Studio Visit with LCD (read the story here)
I only have one word for the month of March: full. Full calendar, full client list, full mind, full spirit, just FULL. What started out as me at home with COVID, ended with me in Charlotte, North Carolina for the International Leadership Summit presented by T.D. Jakes.
If this season had a title, it would be “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
I’m sure you’re wondering what happened after COVID and before the summit. I’ll try to keep it brief, but in short, ithe most profitable and profound 16 days I’ve had since starting my business.
We partnered back up with Hillman Grad Productions, the brainchild of Lena Waithe, to design and produce their mentorship lab week. We worked with them in their inaugural year and are stoked to welcome in their sophomore class.
We’re so blessed to work with incredible brands and on exciting projects, but this program holds a place very close to my heart. They are quite literally creating pathways into the entertainment industry for underrepresented groups. If you don’t know much about this space, it’s homogenous in front of and behind the camera, and organizations like Hillman Grad are helping break down the barrier of entry. I love a good fact, so if you can spare the time look at this Hollywood Diversity Report by Dr. Darnell Hunt (and be shook).
Our work with HGML is to design the experiences around welcoming the mentees to the program through an immersive weekend twice a year, ending with a talent showcase in front of the top managers, agents, studios and more. Watching the students evolve from day one to graduation last year was a business highlight for sure.
In the midst of planning that, we were also in full production mode for our biggest experience ever, with BYREDO. For part two of this newly formed relationship (s/o to my friend Samira for referring us) we were tasked with bringing to life their latest launch, De Los Santos. It took a village. Hundreds of emails, daily calls, an absurd amount of text messages, multiple renderings, lots of pivots and one big vision. Honestly, I’m still sitting in this feeling of awe that we accomplished such a feat.
A global launch for a global luxury brand and I was still able to maintain my core intention of creating opportunities for underrepresented creators. Our principals on production, design, food and floral installation were Black and Brown women. The venue was owned by an Asian woman and our teams reflected that. A vision realized.
And, in between all of this we curated and produced a women’s empowerment dinner for The Gathering Spot LA and Jordan. The way my tribe showed up, were vulnerable, and made time for this space was so refreshing. Time is the most precious gift and being given there’s means more than they’ll ever know.
So much for this being short but like I said, March was full.
A seed was planted in 2020 to start this business and I’ve been watering it everyday. I’m not only proud of how we’ve grown client and project-wise, but internally as well. From a one person team in 2020 to a 6 person team today, it takes a team to keep this machine going.
Today, you’ll meet the women helping fuel With/Creators.
I am grateful.
With love and intention,
Jennifer
Morning routine with/Brittany Chung
Brittany Chung is a quirky lover of the brain and human communication. When she is not serving as the Community Operations Manager at With Creators she can be found running Elevation Society, a nonprofit focused on improving mental wellness, and breaking stigmas.
Wake up around 6 AM naturally haven’t figured out how but currently it just happens.
Take a moment to check in with myself some of the questions I ask myself are:
What am I feeling?
What’s consuming my thoughts? (unpack it)
How in charge do I feel over my life?
Journal - write down one thing I am grateful for, one thing I love about myself, one intention for the day, lately it has been to get out of my own head, learn how to value myself, and remind myself this life is not my own. In other words, this life is so much bigger than me, and I can not afford to take my success nor failures personal.
Drink a cup of water. Here is why.
Visualize my goals - visualize the details, visualize accomplishing the actual goals, visualize my feelings once they are accomplished, etc.
Create a to-do list and prioritize accordingly - I have a tendency to try to do a million things in one day so I am disciplining myself to choose one big task that I must complete and then 3-4 smaller ones to potentially work on if I have time.
Within this past year I have lost both of my grandpas so I try to do something that makes me feel closer to them. Currently I spend about 15-20 mins playing the guitar and then every day learn a new phrase in Japanese. 愛を広める
Workout - I am really into Lagree at the moment but also a cute running moment.
Create a collagen, sea moss, spinach and fruit smoothie that also features chia seeds, hemp seeds, spirulina occasionally some ashwagandha roots and whatever else I am craving.
Then start working with the best team ever at With/Creators :)
The Embodiment of Source With/Amber Melvisha + Saybin Roberson
Amber Melvisha, Project Manager and Saybin Roberson (R), Special Projects Manager hail from Inglewood and Detroit, respectively. Passionate about creativity and service they are emerging leaders in the community space.
What is joy to you?
AM - Joy to me is being present and enjoying the moment. Finding happiness in the little things.
SR - Joy is love. I can find joy in nearly everything that I love. My favorite meal, my favorite movie or TV show, my friends and my family. Taking care of, being around, spending time with, giving to these things or people is joy to me. I think the sun is joy, music is joy, the ocean, even a good shower is joyful. Joy is movement, it’s laughter, it’s dancing. Anything that makes me feel free is joy. Anything and everything that makes me feel God is joy.
In what ways do you aim to seek joy and pleasure each day?
AM - Starting off my day with prayer and gratitude help me set the tone for the day and find joy in all things around me. Taking walks with my dog help me seek pleasure in the world around me .
What value do you place on seeking new experiences, why?
SR - New experiences have made me who I am today. Certain trips stand out, like my time in Atlanta, Iowa or Florida as a kid, and Cape Town right after graduating college, and even my time at college in D.C. It’s very easy, especially where I’m from ( a small town outside of Detroit) to get caught up in what we know and find comfort in. I love it, but I’m always looking for a way to renew. I get laughed at for saying “I’m new in town” after leaving Los Angeles and moving back home a few months ago. I have to experience this place in a new way to continue growing my perspective.
Women's History Month just passed, describe what it means to you to be a woman, working with other women?
SR - EVERYTHING. I believe there is nothing better than to see yourself in other people, working with other women allows that for me. As a woman, which I feel is an honor in itself, I am able to learn how to powerfully and gracefully move into any space and room, while keeping my femininity. I’m able to nurture and grow parts of myself because I am learning from the lived experiences of other women. It literally means everything to me.
ON THE PATH
Nourishment for your daily, weekly, and monthly journey. Here’s what we’re eating, reading, and listening to.
READING
Why Emotionally Intelligent People Embrace the Rule of “Clocking Out”
On “Succession,” Jeremy Strong Doesn’t Get The Joke
Gen Z Has Arrived At The Office—And It’s Freaking Everyone Out
FOOD + DRINK
Spicy Garlic Noodles, Lindsey Eats
Simple Caesar Salad, Kit Keenan
LISTENING TO
Tracy McMillan: The Spiritual Aspects of Love, Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations (wherever you listen to podcasts)
Jeff Weiner: Leading With Compassion, Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations (wherever you listen to podcasts)
Startup EP10: Self Mastery and Leadership ft Elle Roseby, Startup Pivotal Conversations (wherever you listen to podcasts)
With/Sound 002 curated by Trinity (link below)
With/sound 002
This month, our playlist is curated by our Project Assistant, Trinity. The Miami native loves the arts, including film. music and fashion. One of the best pieces of advice she’s ever received? Enjoy this walk! Life is a walk and enjoy the view. Take in the journey.