We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Whitney Bentley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Whitney below.
Hi Whitney , so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
My favorite go to’s for self care have changed over time, but currently I enjoy reading, hiking, sharing a meal with a friend (especially at a Mexican restaurant), funny podcasts, and painting. I try not to push myself too hard when it comes to productivity. An important lesson I’ve learned is that: rest is also productive. When I take breaks and listen to my body, I actually curate a more sustainable energy to accomplish my goals.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
In 2019 I quit my job of 9 years to launch a full time career as a creative professional. My brand, Pamoja Keepsakes, was inspired from some time spent living in Kenya as a child. Some services I specialize in include: commissioned paintings, illustrated branding, and graphic design for nonprofits and small businesses. Creating representative art is an important part of my mission.
Starting self employment just prior to a global pandemic has been a big challenge, but I’ve learned so much. Last year I expanded my skillset with User Experience (UX) Design. UX is the perfect blend of my love for research and visual design skills. Crafting tools like apps and responsive websites with the experience as the focal point, rather than the end product alone, is exciting for me as I push myself to the next level of my career path.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three important areas that most impacted my journey thus far have been: establishing a business plan early on, remaining flexible, and staying wildly curious about all of the above. For those early in their journey its good to identify what problem you are solving, what all the components of your business are, and what is making what you offer uniquely valuable. Ultimately the best plans can be interrupted by unforeseen circumstances so being open to pivot your strategy is essential. The best way I’ve found to do all of these things is to be a forever student. Don’t be too shy to ask for help, seek out workshops and resources that address a particular need or interest. I learn from others through community resources like Skillshare and Creative Mornings on a weekly basis and I’m a much better creator because of that investment in continuing education.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I live for mutually beneficial connections through collaboration. For a while now, I have been a curious consumer in the world of podcasting and have always thought it would be fun to create some visuals for a show with interesting content. One of my goals is also to illustrate for a wine brand or book cover. I’ve worked with many nonprofits over the years and that work is also fun and rewarding for me because I’m a small piece of telling some important stories.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @pamojakeepsakes
- Linkedin: Whitney Bentley
