We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vanessa Gordon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Vanessa, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I have been developing and writing stories and diving into creative projects for as long as I can remember. In order for me to continue to do this, I continuously stimulate my mind with new experiences and new perspectives. I love meeting new people and listening to their stories (I have always been told I am a very active and engaged listener). I also help keep my creativity alive by traveling and exposing myself to new cultures and ways of life. For instance, when I was in Egypt, I had such a budding sense of curiosity, and I asked so many questions.
Most importantly, I let the people I spoke with speak openly and share their stories. In order to keep my creativity alive, I continue to listen and engage with my surroundings, while also dedicating time to myself to process, reflect, and write.
I am grateful that I own my business and am able to create my own schedule to a certain degree. This allows me to constantly be challenged while also being open to new possibilities.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am the CEO and Publisher of East End Taste, a digital sustainable travel and food publication based in the Hamptons on Long Island. We cover news, people, and events primarily in the New York tri-state area as well as in Florida and California, and internationally including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, and beyond.
Our international coverage, for example, is expanding quite rapidly in countries, provinces, and regions including Australia, Croatia, Greece, Scandinavia, Yucatán, and British Columbia. East End Taste has allowed me to meet and connect with so many individuals around the world from all walks of life. I learn so much every day from meeting new people and exploring new creative avenues within the media industry.
I am also the Founder of the annual summer event series, the Hamptons Interactive Brunch. This year specially for the Fourth Annual event in August, we are launching a mini lifestyle and apparel brand for the brunch series including baseball caps, off-shoulder shirts, tote bags, and travel mugs.
Lastly, I am also excited to be actively supporting several NYC and Hamptons based nonprofits with their annual summer galas this season, including the Hetrick-Martin Institute and Veterinarian’s International.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe the three main qualities that were most impactful in my journey thus far are: a willingness to listen, empathy, and curiosity. Maintaining an open mind and desire to learn allows me to be constantly challenged while allocating myself the opportunity to seek different perspectives and approaches to my business model.
Empathy also ties into this. Having the ability to share and feel emotions between colleagues and friends in the industry helps to form a stronger personal and professional network. The ability to empathize with others reminds us that we are all human and have that desire to be comforted, appreciated, and loved.
Lastly, curiosity has allowed me the opportunity to continue to learn and challenge myself. I never let a day go by without reading, say an entry from the encyclopedia (yes, I still have my hardcover books in my bookshelves), or a book or article that teaches me a new skill. I particularly find peace of mind when reading a book I can hold as opposed to reading on my computer to help me step away from technology.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I immediately stop what I am doing and go for a long walk in my town to help clear my mind and reset my thought process. Walking alone provides me with an opportunity for introspection while allowing me to step away from external distractions like the consistent flow of emails and messages. Walking for at least two miles helps me process my emotions, gain a deeper understanding and perspective of challenges that have been on my mind, and finally allows me to find clarity amidst situations that may feel overwhelming.
This change of environment and listening to nature helps manage stress and regain a sense of balance while simultaneously improving my mental wellbeing. I feel boosted and refreshed when I return home after a long walk and find that I am able to concentrate and complete tasks much more efficiently.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.
eastendtastemagazine.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/vanessapgordon - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/eastendtaste - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/ vanessagordon9/ - Twitter: https://www.twitter.
com/eastendtaste - Other: https://www.instagram.
com/hamptonsinteractivebrunch/
