Meet Meghan Kennedy

We were lucky to catch up with Meghan Kennedy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Meghan, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
My Mom-Mop – Florence “Flo-Baby” Deeley lived her life as an artist – raising five babies in the 50s, going to art school in the evening to honor her creative dreams. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a household that honored and encouraged art and creative play. From a young age, I was fascinated by music and dance – pursuing a degree in Musical Theatre at Rider University, moving to NYC, and spending my 20s traveling the world – blogging about my adventures touring with Broadway musicals and productions.

My creative childhood and formal arts training taught me to find inspiration in each moment and experience of life. Every situation that life presents us is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Allowing time and space to explore all different types of “play” keeps my soul happy. Trying different art forms and being “new” at something keeps things fresh.

Spending time in nature – especially in my garden – allows my creative spirit to flourish. 

I seek inspiration from people, places, books, food, music, videos, photography, and poetry. Traveling and exploring new places is a favorite pastime. 

I’ve learned when it is time to step away from the work and when it is time to power through – one must learn to honor the ebb and flow of creativity to keep it alive.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the NYC and Philadelphia arts and creative events space. I spark conscious conversations with clients and brands through creative consulting, eco-friendly styling, intentional direction and lifestyle photography.

Founded in September 2020, lucid ladybug curates organically beautiful moments exclusively using vintage and upcycled treasures. Rather than supporting big box stores, warehouses, and overflowing landfills for your events – we rescue the treasures and source exclusively from markets, estate sales, fleas, and thrift stores.

lucid ladybug blossomed from journal entries, doodles, and dreams explored while completing The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron in 2020. After a halt in my Broadway career, I was seeking a way to channel my creative energy, inspire human connection, and promote positive change within my community.​

I traveled the world, singing and dancing in Broadway shows such as Chicago, The Bodyguard, Aida, Rock of Ages, Grease, Rent, and A Chorus Line. A Rider University alumni with a Bachelor of Music, I worked for Disney Cruise Line, singing as Elsa, Belle, and Cruella DeVil, and toured Asia in 2017-2018 with the Broadway Musical, Sister Act (Singapore, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China & South Korea).

It took a forced transition to the NYC corporate world for me to realize my life’s potential as a creative artist. Using my eye for style and savvy shopping skills I’ve been able to build a sustainable styling business from the ground up with the support and love of my family and friends. Following in the footsteps of my Mom-Mop, Florence “Flo Baby” Deeley, I bounce from creative project to project – allowing God to align the right connections and opportunities to use my gifts.

I reside in Florence, NJ with my husband, Ryan, and our golden retriever, Asher (@thegolden.asher). We enjoy cooking, baking, hiking, biking, yoga, and supporting local farms, wineries, breweries and flea markets. I work part-time as a Musical Theatre Dance Teacher in Robbinsville, NJ – inspiring over 80 students each week with movement, creative play and exploration.

Treasure hunters can shop Meghan’s elevated curation of vintage tablescape and barware pieces at lucidladybug.com. Brands or brides looking to work with Meghan directly can email lucidladybugvintage@gmail.com to spark the conversation.

If you’re local to the tri-state area please visit lucid ladybug’s pop-up shop with @clovermarket on 5/28/24 in Collingswood, NJ, or with @artscouncilofprinceton on 5/4/24 in Princeton, NJ. Visit lucidladybug.com to sign up for our newsletter and follow @lucid.ladybug on Instagram and Facebook to follow along with our adventures.

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?
Practicing patience. I view and treat my business as a lifelong creative endeavor. A never-ending project that I am constantly chiseling away at – allowing it to expand and contract – grow and flow. Learning to practice patience and honor each season of life has opened my palms from the grasp and grip of tension that strains creativity. The right creative projects, people, and opportunities will present themselves if you are patient. You may not understand it now, but one day the timing will make total sense. Something big is just around the corner – keep going!

Practicing presence.
When we are constantly striving – reaching for more -we are not grounded in the present moment. Practicing mindfulness and learning to be where my feet are planted has blessed my connection to creativity immensely. The foundation of lucid ladybug was to spark conscious conversations with others – to allow a present moment in time together and to bring pieces into your space that spark that moment for others too. You can practice this by simply breathing, going for a walk, holding space for a friend, journaling, or meditating. Don’t be afraid to take a pause – your work will thank you!

“Don’t compete. Don’t compare. Don’t complain.”
A famous quote of my Mother’s! And it’s true! Learning to tune inward and drown out whatever everyone else is doing allows your authentic self and purpose to unfold. Everyone has a different timeline, different goals, different situations, etc. Comparison is a sneaky trap that sucks the joy and presence from whatever it is you may be pursuing. Keep focused and believe in yourself! Believe in what you are crafting and build a tribe around you that supports and encourages your goals and dreams too!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We are always looking for creative artists, brands, or brides who care about our beautiful planet to collaborate and create alongside! We dream up the shoot, wedding, or event and assist in the execution and styling of your eco-conscious celebration!

As a sustainable stylist, we collaborate with other small businesses, shops, caters, venues, photographers, videographers, calligraphers, hair and make-up artists, bakers, and florists. We host styled shoots throughout the year in the tri-state area and would love to collaborate or include your brand. Please email lucidladybugvintage@gmail.com to spark the conversation or visit lucidladybug.com/workwithus to learn more.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
@shilohgracephotography (botanical) @kayellephotos (nyc shoot) @laurabriggsphoto (wedding cheers photo, microwedding tablescape) @lucid.ladybug (garden shoot, sunigive tablescape)

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