Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sophie Gamand. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sophie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
When I started going down the “dog photography” path, I knew I couldn’t be a part of the dog world and not help the most vulnerable of them. And I think this should apply to any industry you work in. Whether you work in the food industry, or in IT, or fashion. Think about how that industry impacts or ignores the most vulnerable of us, and find ways to give back.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As an artist, my work focuses on the areas of friction in the dog-human relationship. I am fascinated by this 20,000-year old friendship and what it reveals about our own humanity. This is what prompted me to become an advocate, and use my work and social media platform to educate people and help the most vulnerable dogs (shelter dogs, street dogs, etc.). I believe we are all able to serve our community and we should. There is nothing more exciting, rewarding and beautiful, than to create work that is purpose-driven.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Lead with curiosity, lean into your fear, always be ready to pivot. I think if something scares you, that’s where you need to poke. Fear is here to nudge you and signal to you that you are ready for the next growth spur, if you are willing to take a chance. I would also remind people that it’s ok to change path, or formula, to adapt and pivot. Nobody said you – or your business – had to stay the same forever. Change is good. Change is life.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
This year, I decided to do one big thing every month, to challenge my career and my personal growth. It could be a trip to advance a project, or taking a class, or reading a book. From going to Moldova to document stray dogs, to taking a class on Blender (3D modeling software), or a course of Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion so I could gain better reflexes as an ally, and now heading to a course to become an animal Chaplain… This commitment has not only accelerate my personal growth, it has also opened a lot of potential new doors for my career. I might not have been as “productive” in terms of putting new products in the world, but I know I am setting the foundation for the next phase of my career, and it’s incredibly exciting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sophiegamand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiegamand
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiegamand
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-gamand-01765316b/
- Other: https://www.Patreon.com/sophiegamand
Image Credits
Sophie Gamand
