Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jules Downum. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jules, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I’ve loved to joke that I’m very optimistic because I’m very naive! It’s a joke, but not totally untrue. I am easily excited by big ideas and I believe in them so much I usually think, “how can it NOT work?”
I also am very comfortable with process and adaptation. So I know that things will probably end up looking a bit differently than I first imagined, but that as long as I keep going it will work out one way or another.
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?
After many years as a founder and the director a non-profit dance organization I have recently launched a new company called Understory Experiential. We are all about creating meaning and connection through transformative experiences that are rooted in awe and wonder. We create art and nature based immersive experiences and activations, and consult others’ on how to bring these element’s to their work. We believe that awe, wonder, and curiosity are the best tools available to build authentic moments, drive connection, bring people closer to what they love, and build community.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’ve had a very unique career path: I have a master’s degree in applied cultural anthropology have abeen a professional dancer and, as mentioned, spent the last 10 years founding a running a dance organization. I was fortunate to have the option to follow several diverse interests – even though it made sense to no one, including myself, at the time! Hindsight is always 20/20 and now I can see how I use each of these skills in my current work. We like to ground all of our events in human meaning, hence the name Understory, which provides a richness and nuance to the art created and in turn, depends the experience. I use anthropological research methods for in this research. My experience as a dancer and choreographer informs how I want the crowd to interact with and move within the event space, and of course, influences the art that is part of our events. And finally years of working as a non-profit executive have given me the organizational skills needed to succeed in the for profit world.
So my advice to folks is that, if you’re able, allow yourself to follow your curiosity. At first, you may not know how it will be useful for the future, but that’s ok! All of our experiences add up to who we are and you don’t have to have all the answers at the beginning of a journey.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
About 5 months ago I resigned from a non-profit organization that I co-founded and ran for 7 years. Building that from the ground up took a lot of blood, sweat and tears! We started with two dancers and we’d go perform on the street with a blue tooth and ended with a professional company whose shows drew thousands in attendance, a robust youth program serving 500 children a week with free dance classes, and an adult dance studio. I am so proud of all of the work and success achieved during my time. However, as the organization grew and grew I found my role being pulled more and more into the Executive functions of the organization and I was spending less time on what I love and think I’m best at!
Once I felt the organization was in a stable place and could withstand my departure, I made the bittersweet decision to leave so that I could create a next chapter for myself, more aligned with my interests. It was a big jump to leave ‘my baby’ but I’m very excited about the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.understory-exp.com/
Image Credits
Kelly Lacy Tim Cofield Rachel Porter
