Our founder progressed within the music industry in a very uncommon way. They began making a livable wage from performances before they ever released music. Learning quickly that it isn't your skillset or the "product/service" that you offer that provides opportunity. It is all about who you know and how you fit into that circle. By putting themselves in the right places armed with the right tools, our founder was able to build a career faster than imagined.
This led to a realization: most creatives aren’t shown how to forge their own path that works the best for them and their creative medium.
The creative industry as a whole (not just the music industry) tells us that we have to follow others through a cut throat environment. Then, one day a "door" is magically unlocked for us to step into success.
That is not the case!
The road to success is not a straight line or predictable. Everyone must take different steps for their individual goals. Yet, the vital tools/resources that lead to success are nowhere to be seen.
We are not taught how to utilize our skills to maximize our potential. There are no programs in place to assist creatives financially or creatively. There is often a social stigma if you decide to be a creative, making it even more difficult to pursue. Not only that, it is very difficult to find resources that are specifically designed for our unique paths.
With all of this in mind, our founder began working with creatives and businesses in the community to help provide education catered to creatives and to help outline the skills that we all need. As creatives, we knew that properly directed assistance could provide exponential growth. We started working directly with creatives to learn what they needed most to follow their passion in their niche. Then, we began to provide creative education and access to our network to help them grow.
The businesses and creatives involved then put together a fund for creatives. This fund is used to help remove the financial boundaries of being a creative. From purchasing supplies, to booking events, to booking studio time, this fund is able to help creatives stop choosing between dinner and their passion. All without signing any contracts or losing any rights to their creations.
We have all heard the horror stories of label advances or financial support that comes with "fine print". To avoid that, our fund is used to provide creatives with the supplies and resources that they need to continue creating. Not direct financial support or payments.
This worked so well that after a couple of years, the network grew to nearly 100 businesses and creatives! As we grew, we realized this idea is could help so many struggling creatives. We decided to form a non-profit organization and draft Bylaws that align with the vision. That way we can scale up focused on the communities that we operate in. Each branch/city of the movement ran and operated by members of that same community!
As 'The Listen Movement' we provide education and skills that are applicable to creatives. We help creatives build and properly utilize their network, and we help remove the financial boundaries of being a creative.
We want to teach starving creatives to thrive because we believe "a rising tide lifts all boats”!
What if you had what you needed to pursue your passion?
What if access to resources was a given?
Contact us for support, information, or to get involved. We're here to help and welcome you to our community.
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