My friend, Amanda, and I were talking about the value of going to SXSW on our own dime. She and her husband, Jordan, are full time freelancers and have been traveling to SXSW on their own for a number of years. While of course it’s wonderful to have a company expense account as well as travel paid for by a company, there is then the responsibility to go to the sessions most relevant to that company. By being here independently, I just follow my heart to the sessions and activities that bring me the most personal value. And the rewards of that freedom on my creativity are immense.
One incredible benefit I didn’t expect is the increase in my visual thinking skills. Mostly, I think in words and learn through hearing ideas more than seeing them depicted visually. Because so many people at SXSW are visual artists and designers, I’m getting a lesson in how their minds work differently from mine. And that is mind expanding for me.
There’s a lot of serendipity here at SX. People told me that prior to my arrival but I didn’t believe them until yesterday. I wasn’t able to get to the sessions I planned on so I spent the day over at the film sessions. I happened upon a set of incredible sessions on transmedia storytelling and got to hear Paul Reubens speak (future posts are brewing!) It was transformative to hear about the power and accessibility of film making on every size screen.
Today I am teaching the 9:30 yoga session, learning about the female funny, and getting some insights into user interface design from speakers I greatly respect and admire. Another exciting day in the SX neighborhood.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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Christa Avampato 