Graci Thompson’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

Graci Thompson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Graci, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Intelligence is the measure of your ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. Your energy is represented by the way you present yourself emotionally— your “vibes,” essentially. Integrity is the quality of being honest, and having a strong moral compass.

Of the three, I think integrity is the most important, to me. Intelligence and positive, attracting energy can be very strong assets for any person in many different areas. (Especially in the modeling & fashion industry.)

The best models I’ve known or heard of have held themselves up high. They carry themselves with confidence and inner beauty that amplifies whatever commercially attractive qualities they have. With every job I’ve had (including non-modeling ones), I’ve done my absolute best to keep a positive attitude, friendly demeanor, and an alluring energy. I’ve done it on days where I’ve truly felt that way, and then days where I’ve been down, tired, or grouchy. Energy attracts. However, it’s only surface level. It’s a presentation- sometimes an extremely well done one.

Intelligence is gained over time. It’s something you have to work for, for sure. (Or at least, that’s the case with me and many others.) To gain knowledge, you have to learn, and to apply skills, you have to practice. It’s something anybody can acquire if they put the time and effort into it.

Integrity, however, is entirely personally determined. I’ve known enough people, especially in the last year, with extremely different values and levels of integrity. I’ve discovered how important honesty is to me. People with no integrity lie, steal, and hurt others — and they don’t feel bad for it.
There’s no care for others, no remorse, no intention to repair.

Not only is it impossible to build lasting relationships with people with this kind of attitude and behavior, but it can become self-harm jusy as badly. Yes, I’ve been hurt by people with little integrity, but I bounce back pretty damn fast. What’s truly heartbreaking is how many friends I’ve watched lose themselves to their own destructive behaviors.

I value my own honesty, so very much. I may make mistakes (just as everyone does), but my integrity is what makes me truly, a good person. I’d say the same for everyone. You, yourself, are not defined by your energy, your intelligence, your hobbies, your body, nor your friends. I believe everyone is defined by who they are inside. Integrity influences your actions and choices, your energy, your passion for intelligence, how you treat people, and everything else you do.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Graci, to everyone. Bean, to friends and family. Gracious, to a few people online. “Graciousbean,” to anyone who follows my brand, work, or art. I am an artist, a student, a triple signed professional model, a 19 year old adult, a kid, a partner, a creator, a friend (or an enemy), a writer, and probably a million other things I can’t quite think of off the top of my head.

I love my family, my girlfriend, my friends, my cats, my car, and my art. I consider myself to be very blessed despite the many complexities of my life. I think I’ve become a completely different person in the last year (just as I have in every year before), and I think I’m exactly the same as I was when I was 4.

I work with The Rock Agency in Chicago, Tandem in NYC, and MISFIT LA as a professional model. That’s probably the most well-known thing about me. I sell custom artwork, digital and traditional, to all sorts of people online, and find a lot of joy in doing so. I am a second-year college student, transferred from Purdue West Lafayette to Indiana University Indianapolis. I’m majoring in visual communications and graphic design.

I like to watch old Warrior Cats animations, write poetry, and pluck tomatoes from my garden while my Babycat follows close behind in my free time.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My mom. She’s taught me the most about everything, really. She’s a photographer in the industry, a wonderful manager, a great supporter, and my best friend. I couldn’t do any of this without her.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
Just this year, actually! I was attending Purdue, majoring in Visual Communication and Graphic Design. I struggled with a lot of things all year, despite keeping my grades up. The community there was off, I missed having my own space, I was under constant stress and I felt so, so lonely. I decided to transfer to IUI under the same major, which is only 15-20 minutes away from my own home. Now, I can commute.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, and no. I post all sorts of aspects of my personal life online. I share my hobbies, talents, passions, and my real self in so many ways. But, I also do what’s marketable at times, and sometimes that means going out of my comfort zone or doing something I think is silly because it will make good content. My online presence isn’t a facade, however, and I do my best to always keep things real, authentic, and true to me.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Both! I was born to create. I’m trying to take a path that aligns with that— and will make me money and keep me afloat in life. I will be able to draw, paint, and write, always. I’m using my skills in clever ways, such as taking my creative energy and putting it into design and marketing. I’ll alwayys find a way to do what I want in what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.therockagency.com/divisions/rock-stars/portfolios/graci-thompson-she-they
• Instagram: graciousbean_

Image Credits
Kari Thompson