We recently connected with Clody Cates and have shared our conversation below.
Clody, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
Growing up in a wild hippy family that was living outside of society norms help me formed a strong non-conformist mindset. Even after a change of father at 8 years old, our family still never fit society mold and always remained an outcast. Both my parents were self-employed and risk takers and we unfortunately had to move quite often due to their lack of financial and business skills. My whole childhood was quite unstable in many aspect so I never learned what security & stability felt like. It was a wild ride right from the start! Changing schools most every years and sometimes more often. Having to constantly rebuild my life & friend groups thought me to be independent and resilient. It was rough growing up but I am grateful for it all today. This out of the box life gave me great skills to have as a self-employed artist and entrepreneur. It also teached me to love and be comfortable spending time by myself.
Growing up in a low income has a been a blessing in many ways, but if you had asked me then, don’t get me wrong I would have said that it sucked.
Throughout the years, I constantly got bullied as the new student and the misfit. Not having money on the other hand turned out to be a great asset in helping me develop a widely creative mindset and strong problem-solving skills.
When you want or need something and you have money, you just go buy it. When you don’t have money, you gotta get creative and/or learn how to make it.
It also helped to have had a talented artist as a mother 🙂
No money, nothing to lose, nothing to attach yourself to gives you more freedom to take risks.
Mix with a creative mind and a wild imagination, the sky is the limit, let’s jump!! And jumping I did many times and in a bunch of directions.
I have been self-employed all my life, tried many things and, never let myself be trapped in a “job” no matter how hard things would get. I always found a way to stay free.
It’s been quite an interesting ride so far and I am looking forward to seeing what the future will bring next!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Born & raised in Quebec, Canada I am the oldest of five girls. Being 7 years the eldest, I had to grow real fast, real young, to help raise my siblings. With these skills in hand, by the age of 12, I had already started my self-employed journey. Babysitting toddlers and later on making clothing for friends. Throughout the years my curiosity for life and my sense of adventure pushed me into learning more skills and trying many hats.
From event productions to traveling the world as a professional model and designing clothes.
Moving to California in 2002 to build an acting career as well as being a hair & makeup artist, set & prop designs, all the way up to directing, editing & producing a few indie films. From leading art crews for Burning Man to joining a San Francisco clown troupe and becoming a photographer. Name it and I had to do it!
After many years of explorations and many skills to play with, I decided to focus on working as a commission-based self-employed artist as well as helping & inspiring others to thrive.
In May 2021, my risk-taking self brought me to Portland to create the most unique and whimsical cat-theme shop in the world.
This project was initially to help someone improve their personal life and re-structure their old business into something completely new and more joyful. The plan was to build it, set up everything, and go back to my life in California. But the universe had another plan and during the building stage, I was offered to become co-owner. My response was of course; Why not, Let’s do it!
You never know what life will bring you whenever you say YES!
The shop is now 2 years old and is called GiftyKitty, located in a perfect spot on N Mississippi Ave in Portland OR. Since its opening GifttyKitty keeps on bringing infinite amounts of joy and laughter to everyone that comes in.
Creating GiftyKitty completely transformed Larry’s (co-owner) life as well as mine. It’s been a total “meowgical” adventure from the beginning, filled with many deep life lessons, lots of personal growth, and daily doses of giggles!
After spending 2.6 years focusing on building the business, I am now ready to start making art again. 2024 will also be dedicated to sharing my knowledge and guiding more people in their life’s journey. I will do so through one-on-one coaching and a YouTube channel.
www.clodycates.com
For life, business & art, guidance & creation
Clody Cates on all social
www.giftykitty.com
3719 N Mississippi ave Portland OF 97227
GiftyKitty is an eco-minded art & gift shop whimsical experience. We currently host over 100 local & international artists and small companies. GiftyKitty is dedicated in helping artists thrive, supporting no-kill local cat shelters and carrying very little plastic & mass-produced items. We also host kittens & cats adoption days.
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?
Self-awareness, Resilience, and a growth mindset
Self-awareness will give you self-responsibility and self-responsibility gives you the ultimate power and mindset to change your life for the better in any situation.
Always look within, as you are the only thing you have the power to change.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Learning to completely change my perception in challenging situations. Looking at challenging events and awkward interactions with different eyes, in a different light, and with a different mind. It has helped me remove frustrations, resentment & stress. There is always a 50/50 chance of a positive or negative outcome in every situation, what I focus on is my choice. You experience what you focus on.
Asking myself: How can I…
I ask the question, let it go – then shut my thinking brain, observe & listen to my surroundings, and soon after a solution or a new opportunity reveals itself. It’s my new life magic trick!
You only have one life in this body, live it to the max. Tomorrow might never come so say Yes more now!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.clodycates.com & www.giftykitty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giftykitty_gifts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clodycates
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/giftykitty-portland
