THE TIME I MET JEREMY COWART
I have Big (capital B) dreams and when I want to do something I tend to move, fast. Back in 2014 I had this idea. At the time I didn’t have money saved, so working on a project for free just was not in the cards at that time. That it didn’t stop me from trying when I could. I had made little notes/reminders for myself (that I had probably jotted down from a book I was reading at the time) about how to best approach business. Keep in mind I didn’t have a social media presence/following of any kind and clients were just barely starting to come in. Here were my reminders:
BE PROLIFIC!
Relationship marketing.
Create something that sustains you long term…first, grow an audience.
People buy from who they trust.
People trust who they know.
People get to know those who have value to offer.
They only know that you have value to offer if you are consistent.
Doing it consistently means being prolific.
You need to put out highly valuable content consistently.
People need to know you for THIS THING.
Looking back on this project 6 years later I can see that even back then I was trying so desperately to connect with those who inspired me. I am so happy that I got to connect with a few of them, one of whom is the amazingly talented JEREMY COWART!!! I got to sit down in his studio with him in Franklin, TN, ask him some questions and take his portrait. Next up: find that interview so I can share it with you!
Here was my rough project plan that I found in my notes 6 years ago:
STEPH’S EBOOK 2015
LAUNCH DATE:
Small Business Saturday 11/2015
OVERVIEW:
Photographer/artist short stories w/ portrait & for photographers their favorite image.
PREMISE FOR BOOK:
Everyone sees the high points... traveling, seeing the world. Dream job. No one knows the backstory. Where you came from. How you hit rock bottom & almost gave up on your dream. I want this collection of short stories to inspire other creatives to stick with it. I want it to challenge people who feel like they are comfortable but always talk about wanting more out of life and their carriers to get out and DO IT no matter what age.
POTENTIAL ARTISTS:
Jeremy Cowart - PHOTOGRAPHER - Nashville (X- Contacted X- Confirmed)
Lesli Marshall - ARTIST
Dylan Hollingsworth - PHOTOGRAPHER - Dallas (X- Contacted X- Confirmed)
Matt Addington - PHOTOGRAPHER - Virginia
Process C - CINEMATOGRAPHY - CA
Andria lindquist - PHOTOGRAPHER (X- Contacted) - WA
Jedediah Jenkins - PHOTOGRAPHER/ADVENTURER
Kyle steed - GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Sean Wes - TYPOGRAPHER - San Antonio
Ink & Hammer - ARTISTS - Dayton, OH (X- Contacted X- Confirmed)
Rebecca Dolber: JEWELRY MAKER (X- Contacted X- Confirmed)
QUESTIONS FOR ARTISTS:
What do you do with most of your time and when do you first remember taking an interest in what it is you do?
How did you actually go about taking that leap to quit your 9-5 and start your own business?
What has been the highest point in your career?
What has been you lowest point in your career? Paint us a picture of things you were going through physically and emotionally.
Why’d you choose to press on and stick with it?
Who has been your biggest mentor & what is the best piece of business advice or life advice you have gotten?
What is your favorite quote?
If you weren't in your line of work what else would you want to be doing?
What would you say to someone who still hasn’t found their passion?
Where do most of your clients come from right now and where did they come from when you first started?
How do you balance work life and personal life?
Tell me a story about a person you met on an airplane or on a trip.
Was your family supportive when you first decided to follow your dreams?
What is your biggest weakness/what do you struggle with most with running a business?
What are your top 3 favorite songs?
THE EMAIL WENT A LITTLE SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
Jeremy!
Hi! Met you at Weld launch party in Dallas. I’m gathering a collection of short stories of photographers/creatives sharing their backstories. Would love to fly to you, buy you coffee and interview you even if for 30 minutes. Everyone sees the high points...traveling, seeing the world. Dream job. I want to share the stories of 10- 15 artists. I want people to know where we came from. What passions are close to our hearts. How we hit rock bottom, slept in cars & almost gave up on our dreams. I’d love for this collection of short stories to inspire young creatives & remind them of the importance of doing something bigger than themselves and to stick with it. I want it to challenge people who feel like they are comfortable at their jobs but always talk about wanting more out of life and their careers to get out and DO IT it's never too late. I know it’s a long shot & you’re extremely busy but would love to sit down with you for a little whenever you have a sec! THANKS!
- Steph Grant