Meet Christopher D. Graddick

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christopher D. Graddick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Christopher D. , we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
Generosity takes on many forms and is not restricted to monetary exchanges. We give our time and talents too. “We make our living by what we get; we make our life by what we give” is a philosophy that best describes my thoughts on generosity. As a man of faith, I also believe in the principle of sowing: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As a creative who works in various mediums, Christopher Marcs shows up in many different arenas. Some projects require music–my first love; others require the agency’s principal capacities including, graphic, event production, and floral design; and sometimes I’m just called upon to consult using a breadth and depth of knowledge from my experience as a creative, educator, and entrepreneur.

What I love most about CHRISTOPHER MARCS DESIGN (CMD) is the infinite number of individuals that my designs can impact unbeknownst to me. I am often met by online supporters in the community who are familiar with my designs.

Honestly, I have been creating all my life. I began playing piano at age three and in this new season of creating–in addition to the existing capabilities of CMD–I am looking to insert myself into larger, existing operations, corporations as a creative administrator/consultant who uses my diverse skillset to assist with planning, designing, and executing special projects.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey have been: Authenticity, Faith, and Integrity.  Showing up as yourself is not always welcomed but it is the most honest way to navigate life.  We are not responsible for how others perceive or receive us, but we can take full of advantage of how we present ourselves. There is no reward without risk. You must be ready to do the unfamiliar, the uncomfortable, and–often–the uncommon.  Fear is a liar and often prevents us from becoming and receiving our best. Lastly, integrity is key.  Delivering on your word is becoming a lost art; however, the principle of sowing still rings true: you will reap what you sow. Treating others how you want to be treated–with no guarantees of reciprocation–is essential.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client: trusts my abilities and creativity; is ambitious; and is flexible. Trust is key when engaging in the creative process which is organic.  An “idea” is often the seed of which something great and magnificent is birthed.  Sometimes being married to the original concept is crippling and restricting. Creativity also requires ambition. During the design process, a concept is confronted with several “no’s”, but the artist cannot be deterred by the need to sometimes pivot and innovate. Therefore, it is important for clients to be equally ambitious, understanding “no” is a need for an alternative “yes.” Lastly, flexibility is a must. In our ever-changing world, it is important for clients to understand that success is a series of small achievements and is not often met on a direct flight with no delays, detours, or layovers. TRUST THE PROCESS.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Dsto Moore, Inije Photography, LaJoy Photography, Mann Photography and Reem Photography

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