the story behind outside minds creative co

personal storybehind the scenesstudio updates

Jul 19

Written By Stacey

For years, I found myself navigating the vast, often uninspiring corridors of large corporate companies and ad agencies. In design school, I was made to believe that creating work for a well-known brand was the dream. Well, I did that and, truth be told, it was exciting for about two minutes. Despite the allure of stability and the prestige these roles often carried, there was a gnawing sense of discontent that I couldn't shake. The daily grind, the power struggle, toxic leadership, pressure to drink heavily, the rigid structures, and the relentless pursuit of profit over purpose left me feeling hollow and uninspired.

In those moments of discontent, I would often daydream about working with organizations that truly resonated with my values. I longed to contribute to sustainable companies, nature conservation organizations, and impact-driven businesses. The idea of using my creative skills to support those striving to make a positive difference in the world felt like a distant, almost unattainable dream.

My breaking point came while working at a particularly toxic workplace. I had a taste of total freedom during the pandemic and found out that no definition of “hybrid schedule” was going to satisfy my desire for control over my schedule. The leaders of the marketing team treated us like children needing to be monitored Monday through Friday. There was an obvious lack of trust for no apparent reason and every attempt to find compromise was struck down with nonsensical excuses for why the hybrid schedule was becoming more and more strict for us while the rest of the company had true flexibility. Additionally, we were undervalued, punished for speaking up, and chasing unreasonable timelines by our “leaders”. I had enough.

After over 10 years as a designer, I knew the power it had to solve problems and make businesses grow and I couldn’t stand helping a company that didn’t share my values (both in business and in company culture) generate more revenue any longer. I understood that what we do as designers can make meaningful change and my own personal eco-friendly efforts didn’t feel sufficient. It was then that I made a bold decision: to step away from the conventional path and carve out my own. I decided to start my own studio—a place where I could live my dream and align my work with my values while having full control over my schedule and earning potential.

The inspiration for Outside Minds Creative Co stems from a personal philosophy that many of the world's challenges arise from a disconnection with nature. I believe that by reconnecting with the natural world, understanding where our food comes from, and embracing creative, outside-the-box thinking, we can solve some of the most pressing environmental problems we face today.

The name "Outside Minds" encapsulates this vision. It signifies not only thinking beyond traditional boundaries but also fostering a deeper connection with the outdoors. It's about bringing people back to nature, promoting sustainability and regeneration, and harnessing creativity to drive impactful change.

As I embark on this new journey with Outside Minds Creative Co, I invite you to join me. Sign up for the email list to stay updated on studio news, receive exclusive freebies that can help your business grow, and valuable resources about regenerative agriculture and climate change.

Together, let's create a world where business, humans, and nature thrive in harmony!