The city of Austin has a very cool motto: “Keep Austin weird.” I love that. They embrace their quirkiness, their mix of business, creativity, music, wholesome living, and Texas pride. It is an odd mix, and I am so glad that I got to witness the weirdness in all its forms at this year’s SXSW festival. The friendly, open nature of Austin dwellers combined with all of the interested and interesting attendees of SXSW made for a week that exceeded every expectation I had by 10 fold. And I am demanding and full of high expectations.
My friend, Amanda, who was also here in Austin presenting with her husband, Jordan, mentioned to me several times that I appeared to be so light here. And I felt that, too. In New York I sometimes feel like I juggle so many hats that never quite fit together neatly – yoga, writing, technology, business. I always feel like I’m wearing 1 or 2 at a time, with the others safely tucked away until needed. At SXSW, I felt like I could wear them all in a very authentic way. There was some kind of shift that happened within me. Maybe that’s a result of being inspired at every turn by all of the incredible learning that I knew was always waiting for me wherever I went. Maybe this shift was available all of the time and in my daily life in New York I just couldn’t realize it.
In the coming weeks as I sort through my notes and collected business cards, I will be posting on this blog all of the insights and inspirations that I found at SXSW. What’s on my mind at this moment is how to keep this same light feeling that Amanda so eloquently described as I get back to normal life in New York. I’m certain that it’s possible. Now I just need to find the path forward.
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.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
The city of Austin has a very cool motto: “Keep Austin weird.” I love that. They embrace their quirkiness, their mix of business, creativity, music, wholesome living, and Texas pride. It is an odd mix, and I am so glad that I got to witness the weirdness in all its forms at this year’s SXSW festival. The friendly, open nature of Austin dwellers combined with all of the interested and interesting attendees of SXSW made for a week that exceeded every expectation I had by 10 fold. And I am demanding and full of high expectations. 
Christa Avampato 
To lightness! 🙂
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