We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amina Brooks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amina , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I’ve been lucky enough to grow up surrounded by some amazing role models – my mother, aunts, grandmothers, and cousins – all of whom radiated confidence, beauty, authority, and kindness. They helped shape me into a strong, confident woman. From a young age, I was constantly encouraged and reminded that I could do and be anything, which really set the foundation for my self-esteem.
Traveling the world and learning about my culture, as well as others, played a huge part in building my confidence too. But let’s be real – it’s not always smooth sailing. Some days, I feel like I can conquer the world, and other days, I’m just trying to conquer my to-do list.
One thing I’ve learned is to avoid the comparison trap. My journey is my journey, and I try to stay focused on that. Plus, now that I’m a mom of 5, I realize the importance of being a role model for my children. It’s a big responsibility, but it’s also a great reminder to keep working on my own confidence and self-esteem.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I co-created trapxart with my husband, Jesse, as a place where artists can grow and thrive through events, workshops, and a collaborative community. We started Trapxart in 2013, and it’s been such a beautiful journey. Along the way, we’ve met so many talented, beautiful souls. The most exciting part for me is experiencing an artist making their first sale ever – there’s nothing quite like seeing that joy and sense of accomplishment.
I also love mentoring up-and-coming project managers and helping them navigate the creative industry. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them grow and succeed. I would like to shout out Viola, who has been doing a great job as our executive director. It’s been so lovely watching her grow!
Looking ahead, we’re planning some new events and workshops that we can’t wait to share with everyone. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from trapxart.
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?
Looking back, I think the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are embracing change, being authentic, and not overthinking things.
First, change is constant – never get complacent. Embrace change, even when it’s uncomfortable, and trust the process. It’s amazing how much growth can come from stepping out of your comfort zone.
Second, be true to yourself. Authenticity goes a long way. When you’re genuine, people can sense it and are more likely to connect with you and your work.
Lastly, try not to overthink things too much. It’s easy to get caught up in analysis paralysis, but sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and trust your instincts.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to cultivate these qualities. Embrace change, stay true to who you are, and don’t let overthinking hold you back. Trust yourself and the journey.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I have to give a huge shout-out to my husband and business partner, Jesse. He has been wonderful in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills I needed to be successful. People often ask how we manage to work together as spouses, and my answer is that he’s the yin to my yang. If you’re into zodiac signs, he’s a Capricorn and I’m a Gemini, so he grounds me and keeps me focused.
Jesse is incredibly supportive, like a really supportive coach who keeps me going even when I feel like I’m all out of gas. We’ve defined our roles really well, so while we do occasionally bump heads, we know our places in our business and complement each other more than anything. His support and our dynamic have been crucial to our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://trapxart.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/aminabrooks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helloiamaminabrooks
Image Credits
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