We were lucky to catch up with Alicia Navarrette recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alicia, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
When I walk into a room it lights up. All heads turn and there is a rush of energy that hits me. Whether I’m going to a concert for fun or a business convention my experience is the same; they want to know who I am or they hate me in an instant. I have always been a lone wolf, due to a transient childhood, and an exceptional student of culture, style, and economics. I am also intersectional AF, my folks are Japanese and Russian Jewish, and I am queer and fem presenting non-binary. This only creates another layer of hoops for people wanting everything or nothing to do with me. I am always the “other” person in the room, wildly interesting and at the same time too complex to bother with.
My trade in life has always been in the arts or creative production. I started with modeling/acting and then found life in the kitchen creating with various cuisines from around the world. When I was young, every moment prior to 33 years old, I spent a lot of my time trying to hide. I was embarrassed of the power I possessed, the inherent uniqueness that most people would kill for. I thought I could live in the bowels of a museum as an archivist or tucked in the back of a restaurant kitchen besides a great chef, living anonymously. Either way, I despised my light. I tried to mask or conceal any flourishes of creative talent.
I had made attempts to break free of this, maybe try to shine a little. However, most people already had a narrative of me. I was dismissed for having innovative ideas or laughed at for trying to build a career in a creative field. Even my husband treated my passions as if they were pipe dreams. When I made a decision to change this, my world flipped around completely.
The narrative is everything! So I went back to school, challenged myself to talk to people who looked like the most skeptical. I knew I had to keep telling my story and more importantly, tell the right people my story. I eventually built an independent creative practice and media platform where I create and tell the stories of our collective experiences. Now when I am in a room full of folks who don’t look like me I know I can be strong and confident because they are part of the narrative that I have created. This confidence is not only effective, it welcomes the right people to collaborate and build this narrative together for a successful future.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
SESH Creative is an independent creative studio where we work with individuals and organizations to build community and bring creative visions to life. We support organizational development, strategy, creative production, and marketing in areas of digital product development, sustainable agriculture and manufacturing, the outdoor and athletic industry, and publishing.
A SESH is about bringing people together for a purpose, and we are excited about working on projects that support this mission since 2013. In 2022 we brought our community channel, Cheechable, into the spotlight with a digital and print publication that grew into a public access television and YouTube show in 2024.
Independent media is more important now that ever. We encourage people to share their perspectives and passions to create a diverse and well informed future. Cheechable is a place where you will find articles, workshops, events, and products that foster an alternative approach to a sustainable future. Cheechable is cool, fun, and a bit heady. Cheechable demonstrates that change is possible.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Know your worth. The most important lesson I have achieved and will continue to develop is knowing how much value I am holding. As someone who had severely undervalued myself, I can see what a disservice this was to myself and community. This isn’t something to take lightly and should be developed alongside of growth. To know your worth, you must be honest. Do you have skills? Do you have talent? Do you have experience? Take the time to track these as they align with your goals and trajectory.
Fake it until you make it is a slogan for con-artists and wanna-bes. If you really want to make it, put in the hours; learn the skills, develop the talents, and rack your experience. Going fast will burn you out, but staying the course will create wisdom, longevity, and value beyond your legacy.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
We are looking for partners in publishing and creative production. If you are looking for a creative concept that will make an impact we are here to work with you! We are calling in film producers and publishers in all media forms to help us grow our Cheechable community and extend the ideals for a sustainable future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cheechable.com
- Instagram: cheechable_world
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicianavarrette/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheechableLIVE
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
