I will be turning 52 this year and I still get anxious when people ask what I do.

I know that folks want to categorize you and thus make it easier for them to understand who you are.

I too, do this. I ask “What do you do?” at least 4-5 questions in when I meet someone at a cocktail party. I do believe it gives me some insight into who they are — not the entire picture — , but a general direction.

If someone tells me they are an elected official, I know that they have a lot more trust in electoral politics than I do.

If someone tells me they are a chef I know they are a good cook.

If someone tells me, “well, I do several things . . . ” and launches into their artist/entrepreneur/organizer projects . . . well then they are MY people!

I created and formalized FEMININE PRONOUN CONSULTANTS, LLC when I decided to start working for my self and cursory research revealed that an LLC had tax benefits and would protect my personal assets if I was ever sued.

At first, I mostly was hired to read poetry or lead creative writing work shops.

Then I resigned from my job as an assistant professor of English and I launched a business helping families find scholarships for college — HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS , and something about that journey allowed me to see that offering a quality service and charging for it can be replicated across fields!

You may be laughing, but I was — like most of us — raised to get a job, so unlocking this secret was quite a revelation.

I began to lead tours to East St. Louis, lead DEI trainings, Launch podcasts, I opened a writer’s retreat called Fannie Lou Hamer house with a friend, and more.

This “unlocking” also allowed me to see myself and my gifts as income potential. I was writing again.

I recently was offered a spot at a prestigious artist’s retreat called YADDO and I will be using that time to finish a novel I had 60% finished for years.

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So when I’m the person faced with the “So what do you do?” question at a cocktail party, I usually answer (because folks really want to understand how you’re making money) that “I’m part entrepreneur, part artist.”

I know it isn’t that “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick maker” answer folks are used to, but it works for me, and because I was brave enough to try, I have the life I’ve always wanted.

PS.

Because I have a delightful life, an album I am really proud of turned up on spotify! A bit of backstory: When I was in college me and some friends did the revolutionary rap album I always wanted to do. It is self titled — TREASURE — and it reminded me that I am able to create work I am proud of in multiple genres. Give it a listen!