We recently connected with Kadin Nutt and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kadin, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
I believe I began to communicate effectively as soon as I began to embrace my humanity. I remember when I first began working on my vision at the age of 21, I would often walk into rooms with much older and more successful (on paper) individuals. Today as a 23-year-old founder, this still isn’t hard to come by. Being a CEO, nearly half of my job has been networking. I used to dread this and it was often a challenge to break out of my shell, and at times it still is. But I’ve come to the realization, that it truly isn’t that serious!
I think we often try to uphold this unbreakable image when communicating with one another, and I am certainly not above this. We all have something so unique and precious to offer to this world but how can this happen If we don’t show up as ourselves? Some people appreciate authenticity and others don’t, and I certainly know who I want to be in a room with. “Over professionalism” is often used as a mask shielding others from our flaws and true humanity. Sometimes, I think we all need to just relax a bit and be ourselves! We are human beings! Nothing beautiful is perfect, including humans.
I think this is especially challenging when we attach our identities to our work. I am not my work, however, my work is oftentimes a reflection of me. This is an important lesson I’ve learned as a startup founder. The reality is that if certain milestones aren’t reached in a short period, you will likely go out of business. This is the nature of startups, almost always fighting for your life. I would be foolish and drive myself insane by connecting my self-worth to my work. The journey LOOKS great thankfully to the power of marketing and social media, and much of this credit is owed to my Co-founder and CMO, Dexyra Nolasco. But she and I both know the state we are truly in, which is often being a just few months from going out of business if certain things aren’t accomplished. A harsh reality, but the truth. Of course, we will do everything in our power to succeed but we often find ourselves joking about our struggles. If you can’t laugh about it then you’re likely taking life a bit too seriously!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an artist, entrepreneur, arts advocate, and student at Cal State East Bay in Hayward. I am the Co-Founder of DreamArt, a community built by artists for artists, acknowledging the challenges faced by creatives in corporate-dominated spaces and social media platforms. We recently soft-launched to a limited audience and have gotten a great response. We are using this time to gather feedback, raise funds, and prepare for the big launch.
Only 10% of art graduates become working artists after graduating. This is not because there aren’t opportunities. It’s because of the lack of attention and accessibility. Emerging artists live in the shadows of the corporate world on LinkedIn, and are overlooked by the “stars” on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. These are the platforms artists often rely on especially upon college graduation. There’s a common misconception that all artists are broke and starving but I’ve seen it myself, that this simply isn’t true! Doctors are advised to go to medical school, lawyers to law school, and artists are told to “go get a real job”. Artwork is REAL work that DOES contribute to society!
In our community, we allow artists to showcase their work, find collaborators, build their portfolios, and get helpful feedback and advice all without needing to fight to be seen or worry about those who don’t see our value. Our mission is to connect emerging artists to those who value, appreciate, and understand what they can bring to projects, stages, canvases, workplaces, and the world.
I also serve on the board of the Arts Education Alliance of the Bay Area, an arts non-profit that connects and catalyzes arts education communities for a more just and creative San Francisco Bay Area. I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many arts leaders in the Bay Area who continue to inspire me on my journey and have given me hope in a world that oftentimes couldn’t care less about creatives.
As an artist, my focus is on literary arts, and I spend a large chunk of my free time working on narratives, novels, and screenplays. I see art as a gift and am humbled at the opportunity to serve and pay it forward through advocacy, creativity, and innovation.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that have stirred me in the right direction in my life are grit, perseverance, and vision. I believe I have a way of seeing things from a unique and positive perspective when times are hard. “The light at the end of the tunnel” if you will. One of the many unique qualities that artists possess is the ability to find the beauty in anything. This is something that has served me well.
There’s a quote that states, “90% of startups fail and only 10% don’t give up”. These characteristics are a must for any entrepreneur, which is why I believe it makes a ton of sense that I’m taking this route. You truly do have to be somewhat delusional. Many people will think you’re crazy and out of your mind, projecting their own insecurities on you.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents have always encouraged me to be myself, even when that might look scary and we don’t see eye to eye. Family conflict I think this is something many entrepreneurs and creatives deal with when they begin. It is important to have empathy for our parents because often, this comes from a place of fear, but it’s ultimately love. More times than not I believe it’s necessary to humble ourselves to wise counsel, but there may come a time when you believe in something so strongly in your heart that no one can sway you. If that’s you, then my best advice is to get to work! If you truly believe in your vision then you’ll do what’s necessary.
What I’d also suggest to aspiring entrepreneurs is that when we first begin, we haven’t necessarily earned the right for them to fully support our endeavors just yet. I believe that as my parents saw my commitment, the early mornings, late nights, and frequent meetings throughout the day, it became easier to get on board. Every kid wants to make their parents proud and this drives me to work as hard as I possibly can every day!
My mother has always been someone who “sees me” and I can recall my father this year strongly encouraging me to embrace my difference from the students on campus, as this was something I really struggled with in my first semester at Cal State East Bay. Entrepreneurs often face a lot of loneliness, and being a student entrepreneur was sort of like this x2. A challenge but also an opportunity to add new value from an untraditional journey and unique perspective on campus.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dreamartindustries.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamartindustries/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kadin-nutt/
Image Credits
Dexyra Nolasco (Co-Founder & CMO @ DreamArt) Rio Mabbayad (Graphic Designer & UX/UI Designer)
