We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Taé Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Taé, thanks for taking the time to share your lessons with our community today. So, let’s jump right in – one of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. Where does your self-discipline come from?
Let’s start by laying this out on the table- growing up, I moved approximately 26-30 times. I was always the new kid in class and moved so often throughout the Chicagoland, I never prioritized my studies. The most important thing to me was adapting to my environment so that I could at least feel like I had a community. Self discipline isn’t an attribute that existed until I broke into my mid-20’s.
My first look at what self discipline looked like, but I didn’t see it this way until the last few years, was my mom’s ability to show up to work regardless of how she felt. There are some things in this that I can recognize as unhealthy, but my mom’s work ethic has always been admirable. Rain or shine, she showed up.
Being so involved socially growing up, I adapted habits that weren’t the best for me. I was around people that didn’t know how to be better for themselves, let alone their community. It was fun then, you know- just completely fucking off all the time and not thinking about the consequences. I feel like I was living in my own universe most of life, simply surviving the unstable lifestyle I had to adapt to, while being faced with many challenges involving my family. It was rough growing up, and living in my own universe kept me sane. This was until time moved on and I had to wake up. I was forced to question myself as to how I truly wanted to live my life. Who did I want to become?
Self discipline is a very vulnerable, sensitive, and deep layer with parts of you that you can no longer avoid. It requires you to dig deep below the surface. You have to want it for not just your present self, but especially your future self. Once you take time to recognize these things, the things you know you need to do and the things you desire, it’s up to you to keep that promise.
Overtime, I had to learn how to love myself and that’s still a process, after 10+ years of digging and digging. There’s layers of myself that come up that I never knew existed. More reasons show itself as to why I need to do these things for me. I look around me and realize how many people don’t choose themselves or love themselves enough. I look at my mom, my family, past friends, and see how rare it is to withhold a strong sense of self discipline. The more that I show up for myself, I notice how influential this is to those around me. And that? That’s even more of a reason to keep going.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
There’s so much to say here. Before it all, I’m extremely grateful for what has transpired since 2020. From what started as a curious desire to connect with likeminded individuals in the creative space through a blog and short-lived podcast, now has grown into something much bigger than me.
Beetlejuus is the rawest, boldest, and purest form of a human being. This interpretation of ‘beetlejuice’ gradually came into its own overtime as I sought out self discovery. Through this self discovery, I fell in love with true authenticity- a human that’s stripped down to their core being- before we think of race, gender, status, etc. Beetlejuus represents those who aren’t ashamed of being who they are, to be bold by standing ten toes down for what we believe without shame.
As of today, Beetlejuus has evolved into a start up creative production agency based in Chicago, IL. Beetlejuus Studios is for entrepreneurs and artists who value the process of intentionality. We offer photography, videography, and project management services that drive impactful collaborations to elevate brands and to push their narratives forward. This year, we are expanding our creative boutique department to offer branding and set design that will allow us to story tell in a way that will communicate to mass audiences.
The most exciting part about Beetlejuus Studios is our team. There are so many different walks of life with such deep passion for storytelling and connecting with others. What’s so special about us is, we all truly value people and making a positive influence on the world. Partnership and intentionality will forever be our north star; leading to meaningful relationships with our clients and success to their brands/businesses.
As part of our commitment to fostering growth and connection, Beetlejuus Studios also leads ‘In Process’, a cowork club designed for like minded individuals to build, challenge, and create with one another; to be in process together. Through monthly studio gatherings, we cultivate a supportive, safe community that encourages our members to keep going. Our long-term vision is to grow In Process into a dynamic space akin to Soho House, where community, creativity, and connection thrive.
Recently, we launched a YouTube channel to showcase Beetlejuus Studios’ production capabilities and to expand conversations around being “in process.” This year will bring more opportunities for our members to participate in programming, workshops, and events that support their processes and provide low-cost educational resources. We are looking to partner with various educators and artists in Chicago for our programming/events. For now, you can follow us on Substack for all updates, words of motivation, and more!
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?
What has carried me through and has been the most valuable would be: confidence, accountability, and to never take ‘no’ for an answer. The truth is, no matter how strong your skillset is or how educated you are, if you’re not confident in yourself, you will fall short on so many opportunities to position yourself for your future. When you do position yourself for success, there should be a strong sense of accountability of self. I can’t express enough how important this is for everyone, no matter what their goals are. To achieve anything in this life, you have to show up and be able to hold yourself accountable to that. You will always have an answer for the now, even if it may turn out to be the wrong answer. It’s up to you take steps forward! Lastly, never allow someone’s no be the final answer. Be curious, seek more than one answer, and you will find your way.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
In my previous and current 9-5 role aside from my businesses, I’ve worked in the fashion retail space for 10+ years. Working alongside various kinds of people and leadership, I’ve been able to acquire many skills, while also being open to different perspectives on fashion, business, client relations, etc. I’m fortunate to have always been an openminded person and have found my own unique way of taking what I need and leaving the rest. There’s no one person that has been the *most* influential to my journey. But, those who have left an impact on me showed me a new way of being. A new way of being, by acting out of kindness and authenticity. Many of who left this impact on me showed me that you can choose greatness, you can choose kindness, you can choose what’s instinctively right. You can choose these things and overcome challenges while developing a stronger character overtime. Someone outside of my network that has influenced me for many years is James Clear. I highly recommend subscribing to his newsletter. You’ll receive words of hope, encouragement, and a fresh perspective- something we all need.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beetlejuus.com
- Instagram: @beetlejuus / @beetlejuus__studios / @inprocess__cc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taedavis
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@beetlejuus_studios
- Other: Substack: https://beetlejuus.substack.com
Image Credits
All photos and branding (In Process flyer) were photographed, produced, edited, and directed by Beetlejuus Studios. The event shown in the first two pictures was also managed, shot, and produced by Beetlejuus Studios. We’re a powerhouse!
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
