Creative to Commercial: Student Enterprise Workshop with Emma Wainer
Central alumni Emma Wainer came back to the Swiss Cottage in May to run a workshop for students on commercialising creativity. We spoke to her about her time at Central and what it has meant to her career.
What impact did studying at Central have on your career?
Studying at Central was literally transformational. It’s hard to believe the Emma that started at central evolved into the Emma I am today. The transformation was not easy though - the MA was certainly the hardest thing I have done. When I started studying I had a young family, discovered I was dyslexic in the first few weeks of the programme and wanted to give up many times but I didn’t, because I was lucky to have incredible support from learning services and from my colleagues in my cohort. I found my voice at Central and I found a skill and passion for helping other women find theirs. The work is incredibly rewarding and continues to transform both me and my clients during every coaching session I run. I get to work with women all over the world and help them step into their vocal and professional power!
How do you remain committed to creativity in a commercial environment?
Every single coaching requires creativity, each client requires something different of you and from you. Using theatre practice and techniques can be really daunting for many of my clients and creating the trusting environment where they will attempt something daunting requires creativity too. But the space I use my creativity most is writing about my work for social media - love it or hate it people need to know about your work and it’s impact. So for me, learning to write in a non-academic style was a real challenge and now I feel I have found my authentic writing voice too - enjoy finding creative ways to start conversations!
You asked the students to imagine their ideal day at work – what does yours look like?
My ideal day requires very little interaction with tech! The perfect day always starts with a walk and some high level mindset work - getting into the right energy for the day. Then some writing or product creation always brings me joy. The afternoon would be spent coaching clients either in my leadership or TEDx programme - if we could throw in some face to face coaching once or twice a week that would be amazing too! The day is rounded off with a little more mindset work to capture how I embodied my expertise that day and any thoughts about tomorrow. Followed by dinner with the family and a board game that doesn’t descend into family chaos!
Could you share any top tips with emerging creatives who are starting their own business?
- The biggest driver in your business will be your energy - find practices to keep your energy positive and high vibe!
- There is always a way, always you just might not have found it yet!
- Curiosity is a key skill, not just at the beginning but throughout your business. Be equally curious as to why something worked or why it didn’t.
- Become your own cheerleader - find all the positives you can about you and your business.
- Have ONE area for self development or improvement at a time.
- When you have a win, big or small, take a moment to think about the mindset, or belief system that helped you achieve it, rather than what you did - this you can replicate and pivot into new areas of your business, multiplying your success.
Find out more about Emma Wainer at www.speakingatworkcourses.co.uk
