We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristin Marquet a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kristin, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
Thank you so much for the interview opportunity! I am excited to be here!
Absolutely. I’ve had plenty of times where I’ve been challenged with creativity blocks, especially as a PR specialist and writer. Sometimes it’s like running into a wall, but here are some strategies that I often use to overcome them:
Stepping away from the task and engaging in a different activity can help refresh my mind and provide a new perspective when I return to it. I also go for walks, listen to music, meditate, or engage in a hobby I enjoy.
I seek out sources of inspiration that have the power to ignite fresh ideas and aid me in overcoming mental blocks. Whether immersing myself in art, exploring nature, or delving into books and articles, I am constantly on the lookout for things that can stimulate my creativity. By exposing myself to different experiences, I broaden my horizons and uncover unique connections that fuel new ways of thinking.
Being a business owner who works from home, I have designated a dedicated space and allocated specific time for my creative work. In this well-defined routine, I have established signals that prompt my brain to switch into a creative mindset. This setup allows me to create an environment that nurtures my creativity and helps me focus on the task at hand. By having a designated space solely for my creative work, I can minimize distractions and immerse myself fully in the creative process. Additionally, following a consistent routine reinforces a sense of discipline and primes my mind to enter a state of heightened imagination and innovation. With this structure in place, I can maximize my productivity and unleash my creative potential, leading to more inspired and impactful work.
I generate a list of ideas or concepts related to my creative tasks. I like to use mind maps to explore connections and associations between different ideas, allowing new insights to emerge.
Sometimes, the scope or complexity of a creative task can be overwhelming; therefore, I break it down into smaller, manageable tasks or milestones. This makes tackling one piece at a time and building momentum easier.
I engage with others on my team who can provide fresh perspectives and constructive feedback on work. Collaborative brainstorming sessions or discussions help generate new ideas and overcome creative blocks.
Practice free writing or freestyling: I like to set a timer and write freely without worrying about structure, grammar, or perfection. This helps me jumpstart the creative process.
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?
Certainly! I have a strong entrepreneurial background, specializing in public relations, marketing, and brand development. As the founder and Creative Director of Marquet Media, a comprehensive PR and marketing agency, I am dedicated to assisting businesses and individuals in cultivating their brands, enhancing visibility, and effectively conveying their message to their desired audience.
Additionally, I started FemFounder.co in 2017, an online platform and community dedicated to supporting and empowering female entrepreneurs. The platform offers a wide range of content, including articles, interviews, and resources that cover various aspects of entrepreneurship, such as business strategies, marketing, leadership, funding, and personal development. It aims to foster a supportive network where female founders can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. Through the content and community, FemFounder.co seeks to promote gender equality in the business world and encourage the success and growth of women-owned businesses.
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?
Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I have encountered several traits that have had an impact. Among them, three stand out as particularly influential:
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Curiosity: Nurturing a sense of curiosity has been instrumental in my growth as an entrepreneur. By maintaining a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to explore new ideas and perspectives, I have been able to learn and adapt continuously. Curiosity has propelled me to seek out innovative solutions, embrace change, and remain open to possibilities that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
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Resilience: Building resilience has been a fundamental aspect of my entrepreneurial journey. It has enabled me to navigate the challenges, setbacks, and failures that arise along the way. By developing the ability to bounce back from adversity, stay motivated, and persevere through difficult times, I have been able to maintain focus on my goals and keep moving forward, even in the face of obstacles.
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Communication: Effective communication skills have proven to be indispensable in my entrepreneurial endeavors. Clear and persuasive communication has allowed me to convey my ideas, vision, and value proposition to various stakeholders, including clients, partners, and team members. Strong communication has fostered understanding, built trust, and facilitated successful collaborations, ultimately driving the growth and success of my ventures.
These three traits—curiosity, resilience, and communication—have played a pivotal role in shaping my entrepreneurial journey, empowering me to embrace learning, overcome challenges, and effectively connect with others in pursuit of my goals.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
This is an interesting question, but I would have to say that it heavily relies on individual circumstances, goals, and the specific context where strengths or weaknesses come into play. Nevertheless, here are some key points to consider:
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Adaptability: In today’s rapidly changing world, being well-rounded offers greater adaptability. It equips individuals with a broader skill set and knowledge base, enabling them to confidently navigate diverse situations and embrace new challenges. Well-rounded individuals are versatile and resilient, quickly learning and adapting to new roles, industries, or circumstances.
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Holistic Problem-Solving: Well-rounded individuals possess various skills and perspectives, leading to more holistic problem-solving. They can draw upon different areas of expertise, approach problems from multiple angles, and connect seemingly unrelated concepts or ideas. This multidimensional thinking fosters creativity and innovation, resulting in comprehensive and practical solutions.
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Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaboration thrives when team members bring complementary skills and perspectives. Well-rounded individuals contribute diverse insights, bridge gaps, and foster synergy within a team. Understanding different disciplines and working effectively across domains enhances collaboration and collective success.
While it’s important to develop strengths, neglecting areas of weakness can limit growth and potential. However, I want to note that being well-rounded doesn’t necessarily mean striving for perfection in every skill. It’s about cultivating a foundation of essential skills and knowledge outside of one’s core strengths.
Contact Info:
- Website: femfounder.co
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kristin_k_marquet
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kristinmarquet
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/kristinmarquet
