We recently connected with Erica “Ricki” Nelson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Erica “Ricki”, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I had an experience like this recently while in South Korea at the NextRise Seoul startup conference this past June. I was invited on stage with a select group of other honored guests and realized afterwards that I was the only femme /queer /autistic business that was honored on stage. Because the business I am building is a social enterprise that was formed through my experiences as a person who doesn’t feel represented within business and within the music industry, I am used to being underrepresented and highlighting the issues and experiences of other underrepresented community. I have learned that my lived experiences and my empathy for other underrepresented or marginalized communities are pivotal to my success and my leadership abilities. The best way that I can bring awareness to these experiences and communities is to honor my authenticity and build space for others to be able to do the same, and being mindful of this helps me persevere any imposter syndrome or anxiety I feel.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
The experience in Seoul at the NextRise conference was so formative for our business. Beyond being on stage with the Korean Prime Minister, we were able to meet with countless other entrepreneurs, creatives, and businesses from across the globe to discuss how to better support independent artists. We were also invited to three separate pitch opportunities where we were able to present our business model to investors. I am so proud of how the event went and we cannot wait to take the new ideas and connections built to find innovative ways to grow and expand to better serve our clients and support marginalized communities.
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 empathy, resilience, and curiosity. By being willing to ask questions and better understand the people I want to uplift and their needs, I have been able to find my calling and create deep a emotional connection with my company’s mission. In regards to resilience, I have had to overcome a significant amount of trials in both life and in the development of this business that have absolutely affected my ability to show up for myself fully at times. As I have been quoted before, I believe that imperfect efforts are the best way to move forward and that being willing to put in effort is pivotal for finding long term success.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely! We are always looking for musicians and creatives to work with, in addition to small businesses looking for digital marketing or branding support.
In addition, we are currently looking for a CTO to help develop a platform that would allow independent artists to manage their own campaigns effectively. If you are interested in working with us or want to learn more about the artists we support, you can send us an email to [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thesharppitch.com
- Instagram: @thesharppitch
- Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/enelso28
Image Credits
(all photos were taken by my team)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
