We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dakota Meeks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dakota, 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?
While I am a woman in a male-dominated industry, I haven’t perceived this challenge as the “typical” male-versus-female-dynamic. The intimidation factor has come in establishing myself as a self-taught artisan among teams of master craftsmen that have years of training and experience.
After a 20+ professional career in operations and human resources, I was ready for a change in lifestyle – so, I traded in my laptop for a welding helmet. Over the last 7 years, I have immersed myself in the manufacturing industry of metal fabrication and woodworking as well as the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Facing steep learning curves in each area, I realized I had to the change the rules of the game to be successful. Thus, I have leaned heavily on my years of experience in the areas of creativity, psychology, and problem-solving.
As Max McKeown, English writer and consultant said, “Before innovation – or practical creativity – there is insight. You must see the world differently.” In both my personal and professional journey, the ability to look at things from a unique perspective has been imperative. In my creative endeavors, I first start with the idea then figure out the technique or skills I need to learn to ultimately design and build the custom piece.
The creative process then exponentially expands when adding in the human connection. It is such a beautiful experience when I can weave the unique story of a client into the final product, so the custom piece emerges as both a literal and figurative representation of the individual.
To maintain momentum – especially in the face of daunting odds – I often remind myself of the quote by Vincent Van Gogh, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together”. Many life lessons have taught me to see an obstacle as simply that – something standing in between me and my goal. All I need to do is problem-solve my way under, around, and/or through that challenge as I move along my path to the next hurdle, with eyes focused on the longer horizon.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
As the sole artisan at Core Elements Studio, I combine metal fabrication, woodworking, and epoxy resin to handcraft custom furniture and statement pieces for the home.
My mission is to build functional art for our personal spaces inspired by nature’s core elements – earth, fire, water, wood, metal & air – and re-imagined with a creative twist, blending functional purpose and aesthetic beauty.
My vision is to find unique, yet functional solutions for the difficult areas in our homes – innovative pieces that offer artistic flow, functional purpose, and modern simplicity.
I often describe myself as a metal fabricator and woodworker that gives people a creative voice in their personal spaces by solving spatial challenges through functional art.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Our journeys often reflect the creative process — the courage to explore the unknown, the willingness to try, and the belief that something beautiful will emerge … ideally even greater than our initial expectations.
No matter what endeavor we are pursuing, I believe ultimate success comes from a multi-faceted approach of individual qualities:
1. Grit: We must be willing to roll up our sleeves and dig in to figure it out creative solutions, and then scramble to make it happen. No one is going to do if for you.
2. Self-Awareness: As we lean into our growth curves, it’s important to acknowledge our internal strengths while also facing our fears and noticing the intricate nuances along the way.
3. Innovation: It is critical to challenge ourselves to think bigger than what exists today. Consistently asking ourselves “What if…??” can be incredibly powerful.
If I am allowed to expand a bit further — because we as humans are social creatures, I also believe the following guideposts help us balance the impact of our individual pursuits within the larger community:
1. Celebration of Others: While I’m an introverted person, I strongly believe that we are not exploring life’s journey on our own. It is important to recognize others’ strengths and acknowledge that we are standing on the shoulders of those that came before us.
2. Change Forward: I believe we all have the responsibility to lean into our unique skills & talents, and then do our part to make a positive difference in the world.
How would you describe your ideal client?
Our homes are our safe space; a harbor of reprieve in which we say to the world – This is me! We all have things in our personal spaces that become touch points; areas of our physical surroundings that bring forth a moment – even just a millisecond – of calm, inspiration or strength.
The people I work with have a yearning – they care about their space, they want something different, and they’re not willing to settle. They are wishing for a collaborative partner that can give life to a creative idea and build functional art that becomes a touch point in their home. Additionally, those who gravitate toward my designs typically value Montana’s culture and priorities of rugged individualism, connection to story and place, respect for the natural environment, and a desire for sustainable living.
I have found this magical place in which I get to really listen to someone’s story, then give structure and meaning to their personal space by weaving the symbolism of their individual journey into a custom piece that also solves a functional problem. I truly am so grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coreelementsstudio.com/
- Instagram: @coreelementsstudio.mt
- Facebook: @coreelementsstudio.mt
Image Credits
All photos were taken by me, Dakota Meeks. No photo credit needed.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
