Meet Janet Stormes

We recently connected with Janet Stormes and have shared our conversation below.

Janet, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My purpose evolved from my life experiences and interests. I am dedicated to integrating creativity into all areas of business and life, even those that are not normally viewed as creative fields. From the time I was young, I loved dance and was driven to be a dancer. During my years as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, I learned skills such as collaboration, curiosity, persistence, resilience, and, of course, creative thinking. My second career was in federal government, specifically budget and finance and as I worked in this field, I found myself using the skills I had learned from dance. I also found that these skills were not always integrated into the profession that I was working in. After I retired from the federal government, I decided to seek ways to integrate creativity into areas that are not traditionally considered creative, specifically budget and strategic planning. And that is my passion and purpose now.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I have had my own small business, Learning on the Verge, LLC, since 2017. I offer training and consulting services to government agencies and non-profit organizations as well as individuals. All of my workshops and consulting services are founded on integrating creative thinking principles and creative problem solving tools into business processes or an individual’s life. For organizations, I focus on improving budget and strategic planning processes through creative thinking principles and tools. For individuals, I focus on exploring and developing creative thinking skills through movement and improvisation.

I am launching a blog, “The Creativity Bridge” where I will offer monthly insights on creative approaches to problem-solving, strategic planning, and budgeting, as well as for the individual. The blog articles will feature practical tips, case studies, and inspiration designed to help both organizations and individuals unlock their full creative potential.

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?

I think that curiosity, resilience, and dedication have served me well as a dancer and a government employee, and now as a small business owner. I try to stay open to new ideas and look for better ways of approaching my work. Through the ups and downs of trying to build a small business, I try to not get discouraged and instead look at the challenges as opportunities to reflect and adjust. I know that sounds cliche but it works for me. I also think it is important to build a community of others who are also establishing small businesses, especially in the creative fields. This has been essential to me.

My advice would be to find the right balance between being open to trying new things and ideas, and being willing to speak up with suggestions and asking “why”. The right balance will probably differ as you go through your career but I think the question is always relevant and an important one to periodically think about.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

“Hiking the Horizontal” by Liz Lerman has played an important role in the my development. Liz Lerman is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher who has used dance and the choreographic process to understand the world beyond the traditional dance world, She has worked with many different communities, from scientists to ship builders, to build community and understanding. The book describes her projects and what these projects have taught her about community, dance and creativity.

One of the valuable “nuggets” that I learned from this book is dance is so much more than what many believe and that it can be understandable and accessible to non-dancers. There is value to dance because it is movement and everyone moves and responds to movement. Before I read this book, I was frustrated because I felt that the dance world creates an artificial separation from its audience and the public. I felt that this separation was part of the reason that dance companies struggle to build broad support and audiences. “Hiking the Horizontal” showed me that it is not only possible to break down this separation, it is essential for dancers and audiences.

The book includes an essay called, “Seven Paths to Creativity”, and I have kept this list close by, even having it in my federal government office. The seven paths are relevant in all aspects of life, work, and art and I use it often to remind me how to stay open, curious, and creative.

This book helped me to clarify my understanding of the impact of dance and led me to extend this understanding to creativity and its role in organizations, individuals, and communities. And that interest has led me to what I do now. I re-read parts of “Hiking the Horizontal” when I feel that I need some clarity about, and inspiration for, what I am doing today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.learningontheverge.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-stormes
• Other: Documentary film, “Be Moved” about the dance company that I co-founded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=gF2RqSbK4UY

Image Credits

Kevin D. Dohmen (dance photos)