We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelli Carlson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelli below.
Kelli, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I am very mindful about who I surround myself with and the content I consume. It goes one of two ways, it’s either charging my creative battery or depleting it. If it’s the latter, I stay away from that! I remain creatively charged and inspired by meeting artists taking action in their careers. I try go to one or two art shows or events weekly, and learn and network as much as possible. It keeps me inspired, curious, and always having fun. I prioritize making time to play and daydream, it feeds a whimsical spirit.
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?
2024 is an exciting & dynamic year for me in film, fashion, and art. I’m producing a documentary film about making history in human flight with a very talented team, and we get to shoot all over the world including Morocco, Sweden, Spain, and the US. I’m also coming out with the fashion line I created to be featured in the films and television projects I produce which is called, “Mermaid Manor.” It’s a fun and chic resort wear line which I have worn in the first part of filming in Morocco, and you can see sneak peeks of that on my Instagram page. I’m also launching a YouTube channel featuring a behind the scenes look at the making of this extreme sports documentary, developing my fashion line, how I incorporate my art and paintings into my clothes, and life as a Hollywood producer.
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?
1) Get a Mentor
In any success I’ve ever had I always had someone I respect and admire to look up to, learn from, bounce ideas off of, and get advise from in the field I want to be in. The more you can immerse yourself in real-life learning and surround yourself with people you want to be like, the better off you’ll be. Take the internship, shadow a top performer in your field, and listen and learn.
2) Have a white belt mentality
– I got that statement from one of my favorite authors, Robin Sharma. Basically regardless of how far you’ve come or how much you know, stay humble and realize there’s always more to learn. Never think or come across like you know it all, it’s a trap to be become stagnant and turn people off .
3) Don’t be afraid to ask for help
– This was one of the hardest things for me to learn, but the key to all doors I want to get through. You can’t do it alone. Whether you’re an artist, an athlete, or an entrepreneur, you’ve to have the courage and self realization to admit where you need help and ask for it. Just do it, and go get yours!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was support my curiosity in many arenas and encourage higher education. Whether it was art, sports, music, travel or fashion, they gave me the space to find my passion. As a free spirit I became an artist and I think they saw that coming, but still guided me to go to college and get a well rounded education. I went to Wheaton College in MA, a unique liberal arts school in the woods far away from home. Learning about so many different subjects I otherwise wouldn’t have delved into made me a far more open minded and well rounded person. I appreciate it more and more the older I get, and encourage young people I work with to cast a wide net education-wise regardless of their main interests. My father always said to me, “Education is the one thing no-one can ever take from you.” Stay curious, keep learning, and enjoy it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mermaidmischief.art/
- Instagram: @carlson_kelli
- Facebook: Kelli Carlson
- Linkedin: Kelli Carlson Partner/Executive Producer Desert Falcon Films, LLC
