We were lucky to catch up with Nia Alexander recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nia, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I like to think of life as an experience. I ask myself, what do I want to experience? What is a must-try/see/do in this life for me? To be able to do the things I have planned or am passionate about, I need an elevated sense of confidence and peace in my decisions. I reflect on how someone has either already done what I want to do (or someone will eventually do it after me), and that it matters more of who then the when, how, or where. I believe that when people believe they are special and deserve what they want, they are more likely to achieve greatness. I overcome imposter syndrome by believing in my own greatness, and embracing the fact I (like everyone else) are only humans that can and will make mistakes. Mistakes don’t mean we are not qualified, they only certify our humanity.
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?
Hello All! I am a human first, creator second. I am from Charlotte, NC and currently live in the Metro Atlanta, GA area. I first developed a passion for creative direction and social media content creation in Charlotte. I felt inspired to make alternative art. I would gather other artists and create photoshoots with otherworldly, grunge, or fantastical themes. I enjoy telling stories and invoking feelings within a visual art form. I started my Creative Product management career last year (2023). As I transitioned from managing multiple social media accounts for different companies, to being a Creative Director for a magazine, I realized that I connected with producing, directing, and organizing creative enterprises. As a UX Designer, I shape how a company’s brand and visual interface interact with their clientele’s needs and desires. I also manage photoshoots, community events, and social media campaigns for marketing and outreach purposes. Anytime you want to grow or intrigue your audience, you can call on me!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My most impactful skills are being able to communicate effectively, spot trends, and collaborate. Being able to break big ideas down into smaller concepts that can be understood and planned out is incredibly helpful for any artist. I am fond of predicting cultural trends and staying in tune with alternative waves of thought. Lastly, I believe that collaboration is key to success in a community driven career. Every artist should spend some time thinking, planning, and playing around with their art in the presence of another person. Someone else may have a perspective or idea that will cause your entire plan to fall into place. I like to think of any brainstormed ideas as a rock, and the finished product as a sculpture. If I can clearly communicate the steps needed to form the sculpture, and understand how the product will affect the audience, and then allow other people to chip away at my base idea, I can create a masterpiece.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents ingrained the idea that I can truly do anything that I put my mind to. And no matter how often I changed my mind on what it was that I wanted to do, that thought drove me to believe in myself even when I wasn’t sure how the journey would turn out.
Contact Info:
- Website: nialexander.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nia-nicole/
Image Credits
Kaya Youngquist, Carly Collins, Nia Alexander, Kaya Youngquist
