CREATIVITY SPARKS^TM
January 2008

Be an Artist CEO
Take Charge of Your Career
by Beth Barany

What does it mean to be an artist CEO and why would you want to be one? I brought this question and several others to a local CEO and entrepreneur, Amie Chilson, of Girl Powered Inc. After realizing her passion to help women empower themselves financially through the purchase of their first home, Amie took the next step and created the concept for Girl Powered Real Estate.

Girl Powered Real Estate, Inc. started off as a program in July 2005 and incorporated in January 2006. With its continuing success, Amie is building Girl Powered, Inc. a multi-divisional enterprise and brand icon in the making. Girl Powered, Inc. is dedicated to creating change by mentoring, educating and enhancing women's skills and capabilities resulting in more effective decision-making and financial independence. Amie is in the process of creating a multi-media organization design to reach others through the internet. Over a cup of virtual cappuccino, Amie answered my questions candidly.

Q: What does it mean to be an artist CEO and why would you want to be one?

A: "a) An artist CEO is someone who simultaneously blends their creativity and leadership into the company. b) Why would you want to be one? It's much like the adage: You can't teach fire (inner flame). Either you have it or you don't. Neither one is right or wrong, it just is."

Q: What is it like to live creatively in your business?

A: "I do not know any other way to operate. I create, build and develop instinctively. It's my passion and I make sure to foster several different outlets to give birth to creativity. I also appreciate other artists, in whatever form they show up, because they're "putting it out there'' to share their unique visions with the rest of the world."

Q: Do you have an art that informs your business and vice versa? Of so, how? If not, reflect on how you enjoy art and how that affects or influences your business.

A: "I see art in everything: writing, theatre, painting, wine, food, music, even graffiti. I am stimulated by art daily and allow it to help me shape visions of future business ventures, ideas, etc., as they come. The key is allowing art to do so. It will if you let it."

Q: How has creative writing helped you in your business?

A: "Creative writing is like breathing to me; it flows effortlessly. (I'd like to thank my mom for encouraging this -- she helped me transcribe my first book of poetry at age 2.) Writing gives me a chance to unblock and release thoughts, sometimes it allows me to simply vent, and other times I develop an intimate relationship with a blank page calling my name to start anew. In all of these outcomes, the end result in business is always a more confident and relatable approach to people, ideas, and growth. Creative writing can also become a direct business outlet as well if you're able to position it that way."

Q: How does the art and craft of writing and being tapped in to your creativity inform, support, or otherwise influence your business endeavors?

A: "Communication, through the written word or otherwise, is still an undervalued and necessary skill. The joy of writing, and also the necessity in multi-media centered businesses has become key in our organization. Tapping in to our creative side has allowed us to translate innovation into uniquely branding our company with the different products that describe it, as well as opened up other doors of creativity, i.e. podcast shows, website copy, press releases, blogs, and future endeavors like e-books and other info products.

"Looking back at journalism school, I never knew how all those writing classes would truly end up benefiting me in my career paths... wherever those would lead. In retrospect I am appreciative to my parents, teachers, and professors who encouraged, (if not forced) me to expand my creative writing outlets. It keeps the juices flowing, allows me to adapt faster, hones my skills, and highlights opportunities on the horizon."

Thank you Amie for your candor. To all you artists out there, take charge of your whole life, and may you be enriched by your creativity in whatever form you exercise it.

Happy Creating!

c. 2007 Beth Barany