Yesterday was my first day as the head of my new company, Chasing Down the Muse, where I develop new products, services, and programs for companies on the leading edge of their industries and where I teach classes to creative professionals to help them learn how to tap their imagination at will. By all accounts it was the best first day I’ve ever had at a new job.
With respects to time, my day played out like this: I woke up early, had a staff meeting with myself (Phineas was there too), planned my work for the week, gave an in-class private session to my friend, Sara, at ISHTA Yoga, saw Brian (my coach), and then came back home to get going on my weekly goals. I did all of my work on my Mac, had music on in the background, and enjoyed the sunshine as it steamed through my open windows and filled my entire apartment. I made all of my own food right before I ate it and ate it, only when I was hungry, on real plates with real silverware. I took a few walks with Phineas to clear my mind and give him his exercise. It was blissful to have control over my time.
Here’s what I didn’t do yesterday: waste a single moment in a meeting or on a phone call with no meaning, feel frustrated at executing against business decisions I didn’t agree with, nor ask permission to do what I know to be the right thing to do. I felt passionate about my work and empowered to act in every moment.
I felt free, and that is something I’m happy to get used to feeling.
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
2 thoughts on “Leap: My First Day Working Solely for Myself”
Christa Avampato 
Sounds absolutely terrific!!
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Much luck to you on this journey. It sounds like you’re off to a wonderful start.
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