We were lucky to catch up with Raye’vn Harper recently and have shared our conversation below.
Raye’vn, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My ability to lean into resilience comes from growing up living a hard-knock life. I learned to push through and bounce back by believing that there had to be another side, more to life beyond what I was experiencing at the time. I had actually never heard the word “resilience” until high school when I joined a school organization called ‘SAVESNET’, which stood for “Standing Against Violence Everywhere Student Network”. The chapter at my school was headed by a counselor & community leader, Mr. Mario Martin, that provided students a way to connect to their community through several programs that assisted them in finding their strengths & encouraging growth. He taught me how to connect my ability to adapt, to face fears and resilience, turning it into one of my greatest strengths. He helped me develop into the person I am today and I am forever grateful for SAVESNET and Mr. Martin.
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?
My name is Raye’vn, I’m from Columbus, Oh; born and raised now living in Austin, TX since 2020. My business ‘Raye’vns Nest’ was started the same year. I’ve been a Creative for as long as I can remember and I pull inspiration from everywhere whether it be music, dance, or the visual arts which within itself is exciting and special. I create one-of-a-kind handmade accessories, featuring all kinds of jewelry and hair accessories like loc jewelry for example. They are made from natural, reused or reclaimed materials by reimagining and giving a new life to antique, unconventional and vintage finds.
I also create multi-medium visual artwork where I mix materials like wood, canvas, fabric, graphite, ink, paint, and spray paint. I love seeing what happens when I mix unexpected materials and let my imagination run free. I enjoy sharing my creations with people and seeing how they connect with them.
I’m proud that I’ve been able to have my artwork exhibited and published over the years. I have also had the pleasure to curate and execute multiple art shows and markets. For the last 3 years, I have worked on building my own original characters with their own stories to tell and featuring my creations at several shows and markets around Austin, TX. I’m currently working on rebranding, and integrating my original characters and designs into tattoos, coloring books and on clothing this coming year. Keep an eye out for what’s coming next!
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?
As a person who is also early in my journey as a working creative & business owner but a lifelong artist in all ways; the three qualities that have been the most impactful in my life are patience, gratitude, and being open-minded.
My advice is to be patient with yourself along your journey. Allowing yourself the room to have mess-ups and imperfections. Life is a learning curve; giving yourself time to breathe and learn from the highs and the lows. To live in gratitude. Being grateful for your mind and your ability to do what you’re called to do in this world. Lastly, to be open-minded & receptive. Allow yourself to be open-minded to experiences, inspiration can come from anywhere. Also in that, being receptive to the positives that come your way from things around you and your peers in whatever aspirations you pursue. As I’ve learned, it’s a beautiful reminder when you connect with others that see your gifts when you’re going through the struggles.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I believe it’s more advantageous to be more well-rounded; to experience & try things as diversely as life is. I’m an admirer of the Robert Greene quote that most are familiar with but usually not fully. “A jack of all trades is a master of none but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
In my case, it would be a “Jack-ie of all trades”. I identify myself as a multi- discipline creative because by allowing myself to stretch out of my comfort zone & in my expression rather than honing in on one specific thing has had amazing unexpected results & experiences. I believe investing in putting effort into improving areas you aren’t as strong in or something that is new to you allows for a more broad & open mindset.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: rayevnsnest
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eryn-raye-vn-harper-bab270114/
