She Speaks | A Let Her Speak Podcast
She Speaks | A Let Her Speak Podcast
Leading from Purpose with Jaleria Rivera & Victoria Frankel
In this episode, you'll be hearing from Jaleria Rivera and Victoria Frankel. Jaleria was a graduate of our aspiring leader cohort in the Let Her Speak program while Victoria was her mentor. These two women are the definition of leading with purpose and passion in the work that they do.
Throughout their conversation, they discuss that calling to entrepreneurship. They're both entrepreneurs in their own right. Jaleria is in the arts and the leader of a movement that celebrates and emphasizes the importance that the arts and creatives play in the culture and identity of a community. Victoria's work is in the science and STEM space where she helps scientists, engineers, and founders take their complicated technologies and inventions and translate them into a language anyone can understand.
If you have been struggling with leaping into your passion and purpose or taking a risk and pursuing entrepreneurship - you're going to want to listen to this episode!
Tune into this amazing conversation between Jaleria and Victoria.
About Season 2 of the She Speaks Podcast:
Throughout Season 2 we will be featuring the graduates and mentors/coaches in our first cohort of the Let Her Lead program. Each woman you will hear from throughout this season embarked on a 12-week journey in late 2023 to gain new skills and insights to become the leader SHE wants to be.
__________
Connect with Jaleria:
Follow Jaleria on Instagram
Connect with SpaceCraft on Instagram
Learn More About SpaceCraft
Connect with Victoria:
Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn
Learn More about Victoria
How to Connect with Let Her Speak:
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Thank You to:
Our sponsor partners: Schaad Companies & Knoxville Entrepreneur Center
Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio
Our brand designer: Maranda Vandergriff of Vagabondary
Our photographers: Javon Renee Portraits, Smoke Signal Photography, Ashley Gurley Photography, and Kara Hudgens Photography
Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org
You're listening to She Speaks, a Let Her Speak podcast that celebrates women's fearlessness, resiliency, and readiness to change the world. Welcome back to the She Speaks series.
This is Catherine Porth, the founder of Let Her Speak. And if you are just joining us for this episode, for one thing, definitely listen back on some of our previous episodes this season,
where we are celebrating the journey of leadership that each woman that graduated from our Let Her Lead program has been on and conversations that they're having with their mentors and coaches that they were matched with.
And in this episode, you'll be hearing from Jaleria Rivera. and Victoria Frankel. And Jaleria was a graduate of our aspiring leader cohort. These two women are the definition of passion and leading with purpose in the work that they do.
And you're going to hear a lot of that come out in their conversation. They're going to be talking about having that calling to entrepreneurship. They're both entrepreneurs in their own right. Jaleria is is in the arts and is trying to get a movement started in the arts of celebration of the importance that art plays in the culture and the identity and the celebration of any city that it exists in.
And the passion that both of these women have for the work that they do, Torie works mostly in the science and STEM space. and helping just anybody understand a lot of the amazing and incredible innovations that come out of science.
And it's so passionate about that herself. So they're going to talk a lot about stepping into their passion and their purpose, recognizing that entrepreneurship was their calling and going with it,
the scarcity mindset and the evolution and innovation that exists in knowledge. Tennessee, which is where we all live in a city that we all deeply love,
but that we all are trying to make a difference and a change in. So without further ado, let's step into this conversation between Jaleria and Victoria. Thank you.
It's hard to go back and hear your own voice. I honestly, in my head, I sound like Maya Angelou. And then like when I hear it, I'm like, this is way higher. Like a lot higher than I expected. - And there's such a level of confidence that I would love.
- Right, it's like when I speak - I'm definitely Maya Angelou. - I'm like very specific and slow and rhythmic. And then I'm like, no, that's not it. It's just excited chatter. - I know,
I always want to come off very strong and purposefully. and deliberate. And then the reality is I'm laughing half the time and it doesn't come out quite how I anticipate.
Oh my gosh. That's another thing during this podcast. When I laugh, should I laugh in the mic or be like, because I will be chuckling if. Well,
I'll let you guys answer that. Okay. I was gonna say one thing that I've learned is if you are laughing and you don't laugh into the mic Then they can't hear it. Oh, then it sounds like just this weird silence When there should be a laugh Okay,
and people are like that was weird. So they're like I feel like a laugh track needs to be Okay,
that's good to know because like when you were talking I was like I heard myself just being like (laughing) - Can get ready to do it.
- Oh, oh, I thought we were gonna be, okay, there's no questions, we just talk about it? - I mean, oh, start from the beginning, from the beginning. - Okay, I guess,
wow, where do I start? Her legacy journey. Well, I feel like I've been on this path of being like, you know what? Let's just see what everything there is to offer.
And then I feel like with KEC, I was like, you know, let's just go through every department. Let's just see what's going on between KEC, Maker City, Let Her Speak. And then when I saw the, uh, Let Her Lead program come up,
it felt like a no -brainer honestly. I was like, oh, this is exactly what I've needed. Cause I felt like for a long time the business development stuff was great, but I really needed something that was more personal, got to know me as a person.
and it was more one -to -one. That's why I'm so glad that we have like our mentor -mentee relationship, because that's what I've really, really wanted. - How did you know? How'd you know about thinking to go and connect with the KEC?
- So this was after the pandemic. Like I said, I'm gonna say this in my legacy speech, but I really did dive headfirst into the community. I did anything and everything under the sun, attend every event,
and from, art to entrepreneurship. And I really just stumbled onto it. And then I just was like hooked. I was like, oh, this is resources I never even knew existed. And a lot of it was free.
So I'm like, it'd be crazy not to go. And I think I just started chirping about my dreams and desires. And it just snowballed. So entrepreneurship was just like this natural transition for you.
Yeah. That's really weird. It's crazy. Yeah. that's not, I don't wanna say it's not natural, but it is, that actually says a lot about you for you to be like,
oh no, this is my calling and I'm gonna jump head first into it, especially during a time that is incredibly tumultuous, that is like the heart of the pandemic. So I can imagine,
that's a special kind of person. - Yeah, it was really, 'cause like I had a, like me and my partner were together. so it wasn't like I was alone, but I was artistically lonely. Like I did not have any friends because I was new to Knoxville.
I had no one to talk about my art with. I had no one to even talk about like the weird show I just watched because we have different tastes in things. So I felt very, like I said, isolated in what I was doing. So the mission wasn't to start a business,
the mission was to find other artists I can talk to. And you know how hard it was to find artists? It really was like, it felt like a saga, trying to find artists who were interested in just talking about their work.
'Cause I feel like a lot of time with artists were so caught up in the hustle and bustle of actually earning some coin that we forget like, "Oh crap, we can actually just share the enthusiasm of what did I learn today as a dancer?" Or like,
"Oh man, I saw this cool article about this acting technique. We should totally... totally talk about how this relates to musicians." You know, like there's all these different overlaps that I was so itching to talk about.
Even earlier, us talking about movement, you know how long I'm known about fighting monkey? I just wanted to tell people about fighting monkey because I think it's so cool. I just wanted people to nerd out with. And I think it just happened that way.
That's so weird because in general, this isn't a normal problem. I mean, in historically speaking. True. You read an article about it. this level of loneliness or the era of loneliness that we do until really the last 10 years.
Social media being like a huge predominant indication of changing the tide of how people connect and engage. And so when you're talking about 30, 20, 20, 30, 40 years ago,
how people would connect that level of community was kind of already established. Artists kind of naturally would integrate themselves into the community. community. You have friends, you also have communities where people weren't moving away or really entering a new community.
It was just kind of well established. And so you're speaking about a problem that is becoming even more and more prevalent, which is kind of,
I think, entrepreneurship and artistry have a lot of synergy in this sense of loneliness and trying to find community, because one of my least favorite misconceptions about entrepreneurship is that it's lonely.
I have had so many people who have either they've dabbled in entrepreneurship, solo -preneurship, freelancing, whatever you want to call it, and I've told me, you know, it just doesn't fit what I want.
I really want to work with a team. I want to be with people. I want to collaborate with people. and that has always driven me crazy Because there are plenty as an entrepreneur or solopreneur There's plenty of opportunity to collaborate and have a team and have a community It's not really have to be that much of a solo venture Although sometimes it can be but I mean,
I don't know. No, I agree completely. That's I didn't realize if I am very much a solo creative. I can't, I don't enjoy making art by myself. Like it's just not fun.
- Who does? - Yeah, like it really, it really sucks. - It's true, you need that audience, you need something to bring creativity and energy to you. And if you don't have people around you,
whether it's to brainstorm and collaborate or just to enjoy it with you, art is not meant to be enjoyed alone. - Yeah. - Yeah, it just is. - Yeah, and it's so funny,
'cause like artistry and entrepreneurship, you're right, has like so much synergy and overlap. I feel like a lot of people forget that. Even with your business,
you are an artist in the sense of whatever operating system you're using, or whatever knowledge you have, like that is a sense of artistry. You are building and innovating and putting yourself into this.
this in order to actually have like a message. That is art. And for me, I think a big push for even why I stumbled into entrepreneurship is like, I believe that my art can be my life.
I believe my art can be my career. And I don't see those as like different things anymore, where I feel as though I've met some people where it feels very sad.
Also, really quick, do you hear my stomach grumbling on this? Okay. Maybe that's the opener because I literally just opened your mouth more.
They'll pick it up. I was like, I heard it grumble. I was like, oh my gosh. That's great. Well, I think that there is also that level of,
you know, know, you think that as an artist, "Oh gosh, I lost my train of thought. Hold on." I know. I'm sorry. It's okay. You just said, oh,
that's right, you were talking about how creating art, that you believe that you could have, you could create a living out of that.
I think it's more to it than that, too, because... you aren't just an entrepreneur who is selling their art. You're doing something a little bit different,
and it's not exclusively art, 'cause you're building a community because there's a huge gap here, and that's what entrepreneurship's about. It's identifying what you're passionate about,
and then noticing that there's a gap, and then feeling that obligation to fill that gap. And so that's what you're doing. - Yeah, it's my... icky guy. (both laughing) Like it truly is,
I don't, I remember we were in old C job and you were talking to me about like, oh yeah, you're just a reluctant leader. I was like, holy crap, I am. I sometimes hate having to be the one to build something.
- Oh yeah. - But God, do I love building it with people? Like, are you really, like yesterday I had a, 2024 meeting with my friends at Open Arts Knoxville and we were all the first 20 minutes is us just like gossin talking about how we're feeling,
what we're doing. And all of us are just tired artists, each of us are building our own communities. But by the end of it, we were all just so happy just like, oh man, you saw we just did it felt like we it's crazy how how much energy it gives me when I am with other people figuring out how we can better serve our community.
I can't think of doing anything else, and it's so funny because my medium as an artist is dance, but I definitely feel like my icky guy is like community building. I love that restorative nature of like,
"Oh, there's something missing. How can we figure it out? Ooh, what service can we offer? How can we grow this? How can we connect with more people? How can we design a gathering of... Oh, I can talk about gathering events all day.
I think you tapped into something there too, because there's also this idea that if you build a community and other people are building a different community that it doesn't interact or doesn't connect in some way,
that there is some level of competition between community building. But what you're really doing too is showing that there is room for... for communities to interact,
to collaborate, that you can have distinct communities, distinct niches of artistry, if you will, but there's still room for a greater community.
It doesn't have to be so siloed and isolated. Say that again. Goodness gracious. I was actually really disappointed by how hard it was to find artists like I mentioned. and I am very grateful for the grassroots community because we all have that same passion and ethos that we all have to build together because at the end of the day we're driving at the end days about supporting artists and the only way you can support
artists if you know what's actually happening in your community and by knowing what's happening in your community you can better better serve each other as organizations, as well as those individuals. And it's really cool to think that I have connections with Open Arts Knoxville,
my own business with spacecraft, my group meeting of the matriarchs, and all of them are so different in their missions, but they all intersect. And it's just super cool to see all the different nodes and the different pathways that exist.
I think people have a very strong connection with each other. misinterpretation of what competition is. I feel like a lot of entrepreneurs, a lot of companies that I've worked with all say the same thing when you ask them about who their competitors are.
They either say, "We don't have a competitor," which is a lie. I'm like, "Do some market research." Or they say something like they identify competitors in the market.
that they think are doing something similar, but the reality is they're not really appropriate competitors. It's not a bad thing to have competition because it's going to drive innovation.
But oftentimes what we perceive to be our competition is actually colleagues as opportunities for partnership and collaboration. I wish I had a video so you could see me just like throwing my hands in the air.
Yeah. Yeah, because you're a thousand - right and that's honestly been the most frustrating part because I've had connections with people in this community where I thought oh man this is the perfect partnership this is like the perfect conversation like we have the same frame of thought and you're absolutely right that they see you as a threat yes but I just feel that is just a scarcity mindset and I don't have that I
don't don't at the end of the day, the only way Knoxville can be morphed into a thriving cultural hub is if all of us have this belief that abundance can thrive here.
If we have scarcity mindset, then we're already saying like, sorry, there's a limited amount of resources. And that's all we're going to actually attract here. Yeah. If we say like, oh no, we can be bigger than Atlanta, then let's build it.
I'm where I am ready for people to be like, man, let's go to Knoxville. screw Austin. Like I can't wait for that day. - Oh man, I would really want that for you. - I want that for everyone.
- I mean, I really, like when I think about Knoxville like five, 10 years from now, I would like it to be that. I want Knoxville to be something that's hot, something that's fun, something that's cool, something that's edgy.
I want a Meow Wolf in Knoxville. We will, I don't see Meow Wolves here. We're all the cool, edgy, experimental artists. You know what I mean? Like, that's what I want. - I guess that is kind of funny about Knoxville because you don't,
it's such an arts -focused community, but it's not really an, one would not necessarily think it is an edgy art community. But again, you have that idea that it has to be one thing or another.
All of it can thrive, all of it. There's enough people. There's enough of an audience. for you to have a little bit of everything and it'd be a larger, greater community that is more supportive.
One of my favorite things about Knoxville and showing like how you don't have to take your competitors and perceive them as competitors is there are a lot of coffee shops in Knoxville.
Yeah. You know, prior to I think maybe about 2018, there were not that many coffee shops from someone who has lived in Knoxville off non for a long time.
It once used to be that we had 20 years. And if it wasn't a Starbucks, there was one other coffee shop in Knoxville, but now we have, I don't know, 15 plus 20, plus a nine,
partly sure. But recently I saw one of the newer businesses that started in the last year. year when they were gathering and preparing for their initial launch.
I was looking at their social media. I was really excited. I love coffee. I'm ready to check them out. And they were doing a collaborative like pre -opening event working with different founders of different coffee shops in Knoxville.
I was like a network talking about techniques, talking about coffee, talking about - audience and the people in the community, in the village that is Knoxville. And that meant so much to me to see them not view each other as a competitor,
to say we're a partnership, because the truth is, people who drink coffee don't just go to one coffee shop. - No, I have like four go -tos. - I know, I was like, I, based on the coffee drink that I want, I go here or there or there or if it's a Tuesday or if I'm gonna be in this part of town.
- It does. you have to go like a coffee shop for the vibe or the intention. - Yeah, yeah. And so to see that there's this level of understanding in entrepreneurs, in a startup industry, in Knoxville,
there's room for more. There's room for other types of work and entrepreneurs to gather and commune. - That's a wonderful example. - Yeah. - I love it. Okay, let me get some more.
(laughing) I'm curious. curious, what were your thoughts when we first got paired together? - Oh, no. (all laughing) Well, part of me,
I will say, it was two sides because I do trust Catherine. So I thought, okay, if she's paired me with this person, this alien, it was probably with a purpose.
And so I had some level of trust in the process, but I was also just very... I really wanted to be able to help you, but I was concerned because I work with STEM.
I work with scientists and a lot of people who have difficulty translating what they're trying to accomplish into like, you know, general speak. And so I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to offer you what you needed.
Um, but then the more I got to know you, the more I realized I started to see you, the more I got to know you, the more I got to know you. see the connection why Catherine did kind of pair us together. And that was that level of creative communication.
And although I was nervous to work with someone who was a dancer, someone who was an artist, I started to realize and see that it was just a different type of language and that you're doing very much the same thing.
You're trying to build a community and trying to translate. translate feelings, emotions, knowledge, experience into different forms, but you're also trying to kind of connect those people and give them that level of support.
And so I started to see kind of what you were doing and what I like to do. And I felt like, okay, maybe I do have something to offer. It's so fun. I felt the exact same way.
I was like, oh my gosh, you know, scientific terms. Yeah. I really do. know my maths, you know, like I was worried. And then I agree, I was like, when we met at zero wine bar,
or is it zero, yeah, zero wine bar, zero, zero, something with zero. I felt like our personalities made sense. I was like, oh yeah, this is a no brainer. Because actually you remind me a lot of,
like a lot of my friends from college too. So I felt like, oh, this was like talking to a long, like a long time friend. [BLANK _AUDIO] And I feel as though your knowledge, and I think because you have a STEM background,
you were able to see like those technical details that I missed, because I'm the dreamer, you know? I'm the visionary type. So it was really wonderful for you to help me like synthesize it down into like practical steps that we could take tomorrow.
Yeah. That was one of the best things I gained. gained. - I really appreciate that about you because you don't get critical because when you're trying to open yourself up to understanding how do I convert this passion or this interest into a business,
which is ultimately what it comes down to. And that's what sets you apart from becoming an artist to becoming an entrepreneur. - Mm -hmm. And that is very difficult.
It is not most personalities, most people can't, I don't want to say compartmentalized, but kind of build off that. And that's something that I see with a lot of scientists that I work with too because that they have difficulty not being creative.
It's more that they just don't, they've been trained a very specific way of communicating for so long. long that it feels like it goes against their personality and against their training and education to interact in a different way.
So it's kind of reworking with them and broadening their appreciation of their knowledge and their skill set and also helping them learn a new skill. And that is not easy for most people.
So you were incredibly easy to work with. with because of that. - Oh yeah, stop it. (both laughing) - I did go on. Because you were very open minded when it came to,
okay, these are clearly what I'm strong at. I have gaps in what I do know and what I need to know. And I'm open to having to, I don't know,
expand and shift and evolve. And that's what it takes to be an entrepreneur. - Yeah. - Yeah, a lot of pivoting. Oh my goodness, from when I first had this idea to now the amount of turns I have made,
the 45 degree angles is crazy. But that's honestly the most exciting part. It goes back to like, I enjoy the restorative, I enjoy the mess, I enjoy all the grittiness of it because it's never gonna be the version I want.
Like this version in my head, head is really this dream that I will always strive for in terms of the standard of excellence. But I know it's gonna take a lot of work, a lot of brilliant minds and a lot of patience.
- I think it's a dream for a reason because dreams aren't necessarily rooted in reality. And sometimes the reality can be far more than you imagine just simply because your dream is just,
your brain's mass interpretation of it. the stimuli and the knowledge that you have now. It can evolve dramatically over time. You hang on in the dream as long as you need to,
but at the same time, your reality can be far better than you ever imagined. - Oh, heck yeah. - Yeah. - It already is, it's so funny 'cause when I was thinking about, man, I can't wait to get out of lockdown,
go out and do things. I'm like, I just want one friend, just one, one friend will be great. And now I'm like, oh my goodness, there's too many texts. So it's really exciting to, I completely agree with the,
the sentiment that your reality will definitely surpass your expectations, your dreams, and, and I definitely feel like I'm a testament to that. The amount of love and support I've experienced in Knoxville these last couple of years is,
it's palpable. It's amazing. It's the funniest city. I, um, we know the pandemic is what forced me back to Knoxville.
Wow. Both of us. Yeah. I was living in New York. So I was working in New York city and enjoying life there. And when I came down temporarily, I thought to write out the pandemic,
um, I never expected to be back in Knoxville permanently. And when the realization that I would be staying in Knoxville hid, I mean, I won't lie,
I was disappointed. I felt like for me to do what I wanted to do, I was like Knoxville doesn't have what I need, but I will say Knoxville has risen to the occasion.
And the truth is when it came to, at least for me, when it came to entrepreneurship opportunity, work opportunity, I didn't, didn't necessarily need Knoxville for that.
- I hear you. - But what I did need was some level of camaraderie, support, belief, something to kind of help me feel like I wasn't completely isolated and alone.
Something that I did feel when I was in New York. And so, Knoxville has a different frequency. - It's a different frequency. - And I think it's because of what you said that there's a, New York,
like it's so funny because New York is funny with, uh, they have this. I'm, I'm trying not to curse in this part. You know, their roses don't smell.
You know, like, yes, that's the best I can say, you know, like that 100 ,000 line. That like, and it's really funny because I think that's what sets it apart too. They're like, we're in New York. Things happen in New York.
We believe purpose is here in New York. The biggest. things come here, and I think that's-- - Go find it. - Yeah, and I think that's the fun mindset of that place. It feels like there's a treasure trove.
I remember going to Brooklyn with my friends for Afropunk, and it felt, we felt so expansive, it was insane. The amount of adventures we had within a week was marvelous.
And we, and our biggest purpose ever since coming back was how do we bring that Brooklyn energy here? in our everyday lives, in our friendship. And that's from the way you dress to the way you eat to how you decide to talk to people.
'Cause you're right, like I had the same stressor of like does Knoxville have culture? Does Knoxville have the grit, desire to just do something fun,
different, weird? Or even just have the resources I need within dance. And to be honest, right now, it doesn't, but the people I've met, or at least the people in my orbit,
they are building it. They're the ones who are willing to stay to make it happen so that the next generation of movers or new to Knox folks will enjoy it and thrive.
And like I said, I see Knoxville one day being the next Austin, Atlanta, Asheville, but it takes us at this point. point to have to put all that energy into making it happen.
I can't wait to be an old elder and be like, "I was one of the pioneers. I was one of the OGs who helped Knoxville get its culture." - I mean,
that's definitely, that's very much New York too. And they believe that they're at the apex of everything. - Yes. - And maybe they are in some ways, but the truth is,
is when you... you think that you're the apex predator, you don't have any incentive to evolve or improve or grow in any other fashion. You think, oh, this is good enough, I'm on top. - Yeah. - And when you come to a place like Knoxville who has a,
still is finding its personality, you know, that it's really quite open to exploration and it is ready to kind of,
feel things out and see how they grow and find people and commune and interact and explore and that is beautiful because that is what drives innovation.
- I know, we're in the exciting building phase. I love it. This is my jam. - Awesome. - And I do my best too. And every time I talk to my friends who feel let down or feel as though nox would open up.
give back. I was like, remind them at the end of the day, you're building for the sake of building. You're not building, expecting anything in return. - Yeah. - You're like, that's the price you pay to be a creative,
to be an entrepreneur. You put it out in the world and you're not always guaranteed a return. - You get what you give. - Mm -hmm, mm -hmm. And that's why I do it. I just do it 'cause it's end of the day. I'd rather live a creative life than a sedentary one.
- That's way more sedentary. too. I mean, from a practical speaking, it's like you're, one of the biggest struggles of being an entrepreneur is the cycle, the cycle that business will come,
business will go. You will have years of famine and years of whatever, surplus. I don't know what, there it is, there it is, biblical reference.
Um, but that's the reality. And if you can. can continue your love and your passion, and that is your driving spark, is the creation process,
the journey rather than, you know, the destination, that's what's going to drive the longevity of your entrepreneurship journey. And a lot of entrepreneurs, I know,
the successful ones, at least, they understand that because it's... people who are entrepreneurs do not set out to be an entrepreneur,
that is just something that kind of happens and the people who, not to say that there isn't a place or a time, especially from like a collegiate perspective, to take entrepreneurship courses and whatnot and to strive to be that.
But I think a lot of people who go out with the career aspiration of being an entrepreneur don't really understand. understand that, that you're looking at the destination.
You're not really thinking about what you're providing other people, what value you're providing yourself, how you're enriching your soul and feeding into it through the work that you do.
And that's, yeah, that's just not sustainable. I mean, you're right. Cause it is exhausting. Yeah. I'm like, when I first heard of entrepreneurs, I'm like, oh my gosh, this is great. I'm gonna do the four hour work week. I'm just gonna.
wake up." I'm like, "This is gonna be easy, peasy." And then when I got into the weeds, I was pleasantly surprised by how much work.
But then again, it goes back to the icky guy. I like that. I love this building. I love the sometimes two a .m. nights. I love the pinging back and forth. It's energizing to me.
It keeps me on my toes. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I mean, I think we've even talked about this too, that, I mean, even Tim Ferris has walked back and been like, okay, when I wrote the four hour work week, I was, you know,
oblivious. He was like, yeah, I mean, I was totally into the hustle culture because I was young and vibrant and I had all this energy and, and now I'm reflecting back and I think that is not gonna be,
it's not. And so it's funny because now I think maybe I know too much about Tim Ferriss but you know he the work that he does now is more focused on impact and also he takes a lot of time off yes I mean given he can afford it but he does he takes a lot of time off and for him now it's about the exploration of the soul because that is far more meaningful work and if your career doesn't contain that then that
spark it's like you're gonna hate what you do. Yep especially because modern isn't it crazy that the modern worker today works more than the like medieval worker that blows my mind they were they only were like 32 percent of the year we work closer to like 52 to 60 percent and I all I could think about is,
why? Why am I doing this much work for marketing? You know, even though like I'm very fortunate with my job and I enjoy it, but goodness gracious, it'd be nice to do something that's on my terms.
You know, that like you said, sparks your passion. That's an alive and mighty guy. - Hi. - What do you feel like? like is the biggest challenge to getting a bunch of artistic minds together to actually create something,
like a, not just to create art, but like to create a plan or a channel, like, yeah. To create a plan. The biggest challenge.
challenge. I think the biggest challenge for artists, and we touched on this earlier, is synthesizing dreams into action.
And my favorite way of doing that is through games. And I've noticed that that's been hands down the most, the most rewarding tactic I've used in order to get all of us on the same page.
So a good example is Open Arts Knoxville. We had a call to action conversation series where we had the question, what do spaces like exhibitions, galleries,
et cetera, care about? And for artists who want to exhibit or perform, what do they need? And it was really hard to figure out, wait, how do we even make this question concept into something that gives us answers?
Yeah. So we decided to play the fish bowl game. this question into something that gives us answers? this question into something that gives us answers? And the second question was, what do we need to do to make And the second question was, what do we need to do to make And the second question was, what do we need to do to make And the second question was, what do we need to do to make how this works is you have
these Artists in the center circle you have a facilitator and you ask them questions They are candid and open and everyone on the outside are the people who own spaces and all they can do is listen and take notes Then you switch so then you have the space makers on the inside Artists on the outside and then by that third round.
We're just having a big round table discussion on like what did you hear? What were the gaps? Oh, how can we solve it? And that was by far one of the most rewarding games that we played where all of us as artists were just talking about The frustrations of space how galleries don't understand us and then it was actually nice to hear from galleries That are saying it's actually really hard to find y 'all and some y
'all don't show up prepared And it was nice to have that candid conversation that only would have happened if we had a game in and I think that's a barrier Wow. Yeah. And that was one of the best examples I have and I think at the end of the day,
it's for at least for a creative, neurodivergent, artistic mind, it has to be fun for us. If it's not fun, if it doesn't connect back to our individualistic dreams,
it's really difficult for us to even care about the work because a lot of us aren't motivated by-- by income solely. Of course we are trying to get paid and a lot of us are doing that work to ensure we get paid.
But it's like you mentioned earlier, like how do we connect back to the impact and how does it answer our own questions that we're trying to affirm within ourselves as well. - So how does that tie back into your legacy and the goals that you're trying to,
your goals with Stratocraft? - Yeah. - The dream for Spacecraft is to be a national artist on cooperative. And the only way that happens is if artists understand the impact of them showing up has.
A lot of artists feel as though they have to create a loan in order to succeed. A lot of artists feel as though there isn't space for them physically to actually work with others.
A lot of artists find it very difficult to find people of the same and different mediums to even have a conversation with. So at spacecraft, what I want to incentivize is when you show up to this space to practice your work,
to engage with the community, you are rewarded financially, you know. So like now you have stake and you have claim, not only into your artwork, but into the place that you're residing.
Because I think the problem with a lot of artists is is we can just move. Art is everywhere. Like, what is keeping me in Knoxville? Now, if I had a spacecraft ride and you're like,
oh snap, if I put in a $50 every month and I can get dividends at the end of the year based on how many times I practice, it's an incentive to want to stay, to want to actually practice and manouche.
Is that even a word? I'll make it one. one. - Yeah, like in Manouche, you're artistry. And that's what I want to build. I want artists to feel as though there is a place for them and that wants them to be here.
- Do you feel like competition falls into the artist's mindset when they're looking at other artists working in the same space or even other artists not working in the same space that building spacecraft can overcome this idea that these aren't true?
competitors, these are your colleagues, there's partnership, there's collaboration, there's room for everyone, and we're stronger together. - I think artists are more insecure than anything.
I find it very rare to find another artist who's like, oh my gosh, she dances, she can't be on my dance floor. - I see more of the time like, oh, what's going to bring it on?
- Yes, yes, exactly. - Exactly, I find it very rare to find another artist That's a great example. I definitely see more, like, not a lot of Gabrielle unions, but more of people saying, wow,
you dance, I could never. Or like, oh, you dance, like, my dance is not like that. Like, and I think that to me is what I want to break away. It's like, at the end of the day, you showing up to practice, you're already an artist.
- Yeah. - 'Cause at the end, you have to first validate yourself. You don't have to have this external reward. of like, oh, I was paid to perform or oh, I was on this stage. It's like, no, I am a dancer because I wake up at five in the morning and dance.
I am a dancer because I am having conversations about dance. And that's what I want to encourage with artists 'cause there's a lot of insecurity. And even with the emerging artists here, there are so many opportunities that people don't even apply for 'cause they don't think they're ready,
they don't think they have a full body of work. They don't even know what they're doing. they don't even know how to talk about their work. And I think that's the biggest barrier, keeping artists from just being, keeping hobbyists from being artists.
Ooh, that's interesting. Huh. Well, bringing that back into the work and the program with Let Her Lead, how do you feel like your business goal?
or even the idea of the business has evolved during the program? Yeah, because it has it definitely has So how has the how is the idea of my business evolved since being in Let Her Lead?
That's really hard Because I think it was going to evolve regardless because it had to But singer -swim, you know,
I definitely do believe that as A leader in this community. I did see the importance of showing up that I didn't Understand before because I am I'm already a firecracker.
I'm already someone who's very much a mama bear type and I was getting I know at the beginning of the program, I was very frustrated with having to always defend and always having to negotiate,
especially on terms of people who have historically exploited other artists. And I think for the program, what it's helped me do is realize, like we said, the reluctant leader, I'm like, I have to do it because I can't sit back and let it happen anymore.
I can't not speak about it. I can't sugarcoat it, you know? And I know for me too, it's even putting action behind that of,
okay, I know some certain things about organizations or people in this community. I can choose not to work with them and that's on me. And no, and I don't, at the end of the day, I can inform artists of these are my experiences,
you do what you will. And I will say that open dialogue has definitely helped some artists make sure they were taken care of without any of the qualms that other artists have had. But I think that's the biggest strength that I've gained is,
I don't have to play anyone's rules. - Build your own. - Yeah, I'm like, why do I feel like I have to do this in order to get that, and say this in order to,
it's like, no, at the end of the day, Jaleria La Sonia Rivera is Jaleria La Sonia Rivera. And if you don't like it, that's okay. Because there's a, for all of us. (both laughing) - I feel like that says a lot about your natural gut intuition about who you are and your understanding in general of who you are as a human,
as a person, as an artist, but also as this concept that maybe you are reluctant leader, but you have always known you have that capacity in you - Yeah.
- For example. being a reluctant leader, you joined a program called Let Her Leave. So maybe you understood that there was that reluctance to kind of take on that challenge,
but at least you had some level of self -reflection and awareness to be like, well, I need to skill up. I need to enhance my expertise.
I need to interact with people who aren't necessarily in the dance community and understand the business acumen, understand the greater community because in order for the artists to thrive, in order for art establishments to thrive,
they have to have an audience, and that is the general public. So you are continuing to kind of build on the self -awareness and and grow. as a business strategist.
That's what you're evolving into as well. And I feel like I've definitely, coming from someone with our first initial meeting, trying to understand what you're trying to build,
who you are as a human, as a person. And then watching you kind of take on this shift into I'm not just an artist, I am a business owner,
I'm a founder. and embracing that, I've seen a dramatic shift in you. - Yeah. - But honestly, maybe it was just me getting to know you,
maybe that was there all along. - Oh, I've enjoyed getting to know you, this has been wonderful. And I think too, oh, I just lost my train of thought, but I think this program was wonderful because I needed a matriarch so bad.
Like, I already have a matriarch. it with my friend group in terms of, so my friend group, we have a meeting in the matriarchs and it's like a black feminist movement. But it was also really wonderful to have my matriarch expand.
And I'm glad that you're a part of it. Like truly. - Wow! I didn't even think of it as, that's really kind. - Yeah. - I'm 'cause at the end of the day that's what we're here for. And that's why we're doing this. I mean, that's why Catherine started this.
- Yeah, right? - She's building a matriarch. (laughing) - She actually has some ulterior motives. She's building a rebellion, you kidding me? - I'm here for it. - Yeah, right? - We need it, we need it.
- Absolutely. - Now that you've had an opportunity to learn about Jaliria's leadership journey,
let's listen in as she shares the legacy she wants to leave behind. behind. It's the spectral journey from oppression to joy,
encapsulating stories lost, stolen, and buried in time. When you ask for the truth, you welcome the pain suffered from it.
I was a bright -eyed college graduate when I moved to Knoxville. And without second thought, I went to work, surviving because every penny depended on it.
When COVID forced us into lockdown, the faster we could get out of lockdown, the more we could get out of lockdown, the faster we could get out of lockdown, the faster we could get out of lockdown. -paced hustler was forced to stand still. I went stir -crazy as if youth and possibility were slipping through my fingers.
To cope, I danced. I woke up at five in the morning just to groove before my morning commute. Dance became a cornerstone of my truth.
And much like puppy love, my affection for dance changed when I was confronted with the isolating truth that art is not meant to be created alone. When restrictions lifted,
I dove head first into the community, hoping to discover an awe -inspiring space that jolts me to the core, where creativity radiates,
where stories are shared, where dreams are actually shared. items, a homing beacon for the artists, neighbors, and activists who are building our community.
I call this collective imagination, and I know it has the power to transform our reality. Collective imagination is the fusion of our stories,
voices, and dreams into a shared dream. truth. It's the anchor of humanity and made limitless by our shared capacity to wonder. Collective imagination is more than a dream.
It's a practice and it is alive in our black community. Imagine this, a one night only immersive experience designed to co - to question,
explore, and decolonize the black imagination. Guests were invited into an alternative world where modern constructs of blackness no longer existed,
and all that mattered was their willingness to express. Through art making, we were transported to a new realm of our own design.
Too many of us are trapped in someone else's dream. We lose our autonomy, data, and imagination when we unconsciously succumb to the desires of those in power.
Our city doesn't have a resource problem. We have an imagination problem. And I invite you to come aboard the spacecraft.
spacecraft. In this and this vessel, MESS is encouraged. You are welcome to expand your imagination and show up for a new legacy. Because when you practice collective imagination,
you will build worlds. You and I are neighbors. We all have a unique a unique story. Yet many of you in this room will be surprised by how many chapters we share.
To create a future that houses all of our dreams, we must decentralize ownership, engage in fellowship, and speak fearlessly. In cities around the country,
people are redefining how we gather to support one another. For example, the Guild. Guild is an Atlanta -based organization who protects black and brown neighbors from gentrification.
They disrupted the status quo of real estate practices to give ownership to its community members. They are proof that dreams are a powerful tool that inspire people,
unite causes, and create generational prospects. prosperity. Knoxville is on the cusp of change,
offering us the chance to shape the city's future in our united image. It's no secret that artists and young people are leaving,
counting the days until they can flee for cities like Austin, Asheville, Atlanta. This is our current truth. On Central Street,
both the beloved Food Truck Park and neighboring mixed -use space were sold to a regional brewery. On Fourth and Gill, neighbors had to fight to save a nearly century -old community center from being sold for market value.
Thank you. On Jennings Ave, two artmaker spaces are being priced out in exchange for another corporate venue. Who will be left if the only ones who can afford to dream are development groups and private companies?
The future is untouched. It is not written. It is not said. It is imagined. I stand in my ancestor's shoes,
the large shoes of powerful dreamers. And when I close my eyes, I feel the momentum and steward our dreams forward.
My invitation to you is this. Speak. speak your truth in the face of judgment, in the face of fear,
in the face of comfort, speak your truth. Whatever your truth, story,
or dream, you own it and you speak it because you're in my orbit now. now and our next stop, collective imagination.
is brought to you by our amazing partners at Schaad Companies. She Speaks is produced, edited, and scored by the very talented Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio.
If you loved the episode you just heard and want to support Let Her Speak's mission of elevating real women's stories, don't forget to follow, subscribe, and share at Let Her Speak USA.
Together, we will make our voices heard.
