Meet Sylvie Barnett

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sylvie Barnett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sylvie, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I’m still figuring out my confidence and self-esteem. Honestly, I’ve struggled with feeling like I wasn’t enough for most of my life. Working in music festivals and live shows where things are always moving fast, there are a million details, and the pressure is high – it really puts that to the test. There were so many times I questioned if I belonged or if I was doing a good enough job behind the scenes but I keep showing up anyway. Every time I helped pull off a successful show, handle last-minute changes, or support an artist, boss or promoter through chaos, it gives me a little more proof that I can do this. It’s not like I woke up confident one day; it’s been those small wins adding up over time.

I’ve also had to learn to cut myself some slack. I used to be super hard on myself, but now I’m trying to be kinder and actually recognize the progress I’m making. The music and live event worlds can be intense and unpredictable, but it’s shown me how strong and capable I really am. I’m not totally there yet, but day by day, win by win I get a little closer.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Thanks for asking! I’m all about putting together events that bring people together — mostly music festivals and live shows. What really gets me going is the mix of creativity and the real hustle behind the scenes. Every event feels like this crazy puzzle where you’re balancing artists, vendors, sponsors, and the audience, and somehow making it all flow. That energy when everything clicks is honestly addictive.

My company, Acclaimed Entertainment & Arts, is my way of doing just that — making sure every detail is covered so artists and everyone involved feel supported and the event feels special. Right now, I’m deep into producing New Blues Festival, which is a two-day festival taking place at Shoreline Aquatic Park on August 23rd and 24th. It’s been a lot of work, but I’m excited about building something fresh that really highlights local talent and community vibes.

Outside of that, I’m always down to collaborate and find new ways to help artists and creatives get their moment. It’s busy and sometimes messy, but I love the grind and the people I meet along the way.

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?

Looking back, three qualities that really shaped my journey are time and focus management, integrity, and truly knowing my craft. But beyond those, I’d add resilience because things don’t always (often don’t) go your way, and the ability to bounce back keeps you moving forward. Also, building genuine relationships has been huge; the people you meet and how you treat them often open doors you didn’t expect. And lastly, being curious and adaptable, industries change fast, and staying open to learning constantly keeps you ahead.

For anyone just starting out, here’s what I’d say:

Master your time and focus. Learn to prioritize what actually moves the needle instead of getting caught in busywork. It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing what matters.

Hold yourself to your values. Integrity isn’t just a buzzword, it’s how you build trust and respect that lasts.

Dig deep into your craft, whatever that might be. Know it inside and out, and then find ways to make it uniquely yours.

When things get tough, don’t quit. Resilience isn’t just surviving setbacks, it’s using them as fuel to get better.

Build relationships honestly. Connect with people authentically, not just for what they can do for you.

Stay curious and flexible. Keep learning, trying new things, and changing up your approach as the world changes around you.

Those are the things that kept me going, and I think anyone who focuses on these will be in a strong place to grow and thrive.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The Four Agreements has played a massive role in my life and career. The most powerful lesson from The Four Agreements really comes down to how you show up in the world. First, “Be impeccable with your word”, speak with integrity and say what you mean. It’s about being honest but also kind, because your words hold massive power. “Don’t take anything personally” is massive because when you stop internalizing everyone else’s stuff, you save yourself a lot of unnecessary stress and drama. Next, “Don’t make assumptions,” so many conflicts come from jumping to conclusions instead of asking questions or clarifying. Finally, “Always do your best” means giving your all in every moment but being gentle with yourself when things don’t go perfectly. Together the Four Agreements help you live with more peace, clarity, and confidence in your everyday life.

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