What if creativity isn't something you either have or you don't?
What if it's a tool we can use to solve problems, connect with people, build resilience, and find a way forward when the obvious path isn't working?
October brings together two celebrations that might seem very different at first glance: Women's Entrepreneurship Month and National Arts and Humanities Month. But today's guest has built a career at the intersection of both - showing us just how powerful creativity can be when we bring it into our businesses, our leadership, and our lives.
In this episode of the Empowering Women Podcast, Shannon sits down with entrepreneur, executive producer, author, TEDx speaker, and creative workforce leader Diane Strand to explore the connection between creativity, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
This conversation isn't only for those who consider themselves creative.
Shannon and Diane explore how creativity shows up in problem-solving, communication, storytelling, innovation, and even our ability to understand other people. They talk about what the arts can teach us about resilience and empathy, why our stories matter as leaders, and how women can use collaboration, community, and consistency to help one another grow.
They also dig into something many of us struggle with: putting ourselves out there before we feel completely ready.
Because sometimes moving forward isn't about knowing exactly what comes next. It's about trusting what you already know, getting a little creative, and being willing to begin.
Create Your Way Forward.
Watch the interview on YouTube.
💬Gems from Diane:
“Your storytelling is your strategy, because that is how we connect.”
“It's not about the art, it's about the creativity.”
“Everybody can develop that ‘it’ factor. They just have to find their purpose and their passion. When they really step into that purpose and that passion, the pathway opens up. ”
“Start before you're ready. Don't wait, just start.”
“Better done than perfect. Women can be perfectionists. We hold onto it. Remember, it’s the fear in our brain that is keeping us safe.”
“If you trust yourself, you packed your own parachute, so jump! It will open.”
👋Meet Diane Strand:
Diane Strand is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, executive producer, best-selling author, nonprofit founder, TEDx speaker, and Lead Columnist for Authority Magazine. She is a nationally recognized leader in visibility, storytelling, and creative workforce development, helping individuals and organizations turn creativity into credibility and opportunity.
Diane is the majority owner of JDS Video & Media Productions and JDS Actors Studio and founder of the nonprofit JDS Creative Academy. She is also the creator, executive producer, and co-host of Spirit of Innovation: Arts Across America and creator of DigiFest® Temecula. Her work has helped launch more than 100 creative careers while advancing inclusive pathways across the visual, performing, and digital arts.
🌐Connect with Diane
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianestrand/
· Spirit of Innovation: Arts Across America: http://www.spiritofinnovation.org/
· JDS Video & Media Production: http://www.jds-productions.com/
· JDS Creative Academy: http://www.jdscreativeacademy.org/
· JDS Actors Studio: http://www.jdsstudio.live/
· YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/JDSVideoProductions
🎬 More from Diane
· TEDxTemecula: Creative Success: How the Arts Saved My Entrepreneurial Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeS5T5p3PMY
· Website: https://dianestrand.com/
· New Book! CreativePreneur: Use the Tools of the Arts to Grow Your Business https://dianestrand.com/creativepreneur https://dianestrand.com/creativepreneur
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