Creatives Like Us Podcast - Ep:16 Vanessa Belleau
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Coaching, Art & Owning It: Vanessa Belleau on curating her creative path
In this inspiring penultimate episode of the season - the final guest interview of Creatives Like Us, Angela sits down in-studio with the radiant Vanessa Belleau — multidisciplinary creative, executive coach, TEDx Speaker and founder of Beautiful Water Studio and High Fifteen.
Vanessa opens up about what it really means to own your creative identity — even when you don’t fit into traditional boxes. From her early days in corporate data and trend forecasting to painting emotional pieces now exhibited in London galleries, she shares a raw, joyful story of pivoting, purpose and self-belief.
🔑 In this episode:
• Turning art from an emotional outlet into a business
• Being “too much” — and making that your superpower
• The link between creativity and leadership
• Why dreaming big shouldn’t feel off-limits
• The beauty of starting where you are
Whether you’re creative-curious or deep in the game, this episode will leave you feeling seen, empowered and ready to make your next move — unapologetically.
🎨 “There’s art I sell, and art I keep. That’s my secret garden.” – Vanessa Belleau
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Links for Vanessa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessabelleau/
High Fifteen Website: https://www.beautifulwaterstudio.com/
Instagram High Fifteen: https://www.instagram.com/highfifteen_/
Beautiful Water Studio: https://www.beautifulwaterstudio.com/
Instagram ART: https://www.instagram.com/beautifulwaterstudio/
This episode was recorded at the Tooting Film Studios in March 2025. Big thanks to the team especially Mira.
Links for Angela
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Links for Heather
Produced by award-winning media and marketing specialist Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub
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Creatives Like Us - The Event
Join us for the Creatives Like Us EVENT
A collaborative knowledge sharing and networking event for Black and Brown Creatives who run their own businesses.
Thursday 16th October 2025
16.30 - 8.30 pm London
Tickets and more information are available here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creatives-like-us-workshop-october-16-2025-tickets-1423751030659?aff=erelexpmlt
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Chapters/Timestamp
Meet Vanessa: A Multifaceted Creative
The Journey of an Artist
Navigating Corporate Spaces as a Creative
Catalysts for Change: Influences in Art and Career
Building a Consultancy: High 15
The Importance of Sharing Your Story
Closing Thoughts and Future Connections
Transcript
Angela (00:09.358)
Hello and welcome to Creatives Like Us, where I speak with creatives of colour who share journeys and stories and ideas and how they can inspire and open up avenues in creative industries. I'm your host, graphic designer Angela Lyons, and with the help of my guests, I will bring you insightful interviews and compelling stories that can inspire you to think about things differently or shape your next move. Being a creative of colour can bring us challenges, highs and lows and in-betweens.
But this podcast is about amplifying our voices and celebrating together. So are you ready? Let's get started with creatives like us.
Hiya, and I'm at the Tootin Film Studios recording Creatives Like Us, and I'm really excited because it's the end of season one. And I'm here in person with my guest, and I'm so excited to be talking with Vanessa. Vanessa, hello, hello. I'm so excited. Honestly, I know all my guests I think are amazing, and I always give thanks. I know at the beginning of the episode and also at the end, I always say thank you to people, but I really appreciate you being here. And you're in person and you're live.
Hello, hello.
Vanessa (01:13.518)
I mean, I love a podcast and I love when it's, you do it also, you know, just online. But I do think that it's something special actually to be in studio and it's such a beautiful...
It's such a people's space, isn't it? And like, it's just like, also when you think of it, looking on the outside, you come inside the two film studios, you're like, I took a TARDIS in here. It's like, wasn't expecting this. So it's beautiful. So let's start with creatives like us. Again, thank you for coming on the podcast and can you introduce yourself, tell people who you are and what type of creative you are?
You're beautiful.
Vanessa (01:43.298)
You know, when you asked me this question, prior to the podcast, I just said, what type of creative am I? That's a very good question. So my name is Vanessa Belleau and what type of creative creative I am. Am I sorry? asked Chad GPT, you know, yes, me and Chad GPT, have a fantastic relationship. so, Chad GPT told me that I am a multidisciplinary creative actually, and that's,
I am all about creative freedom, intuition, strategy. And I was like, ooh, I like that. So I guess what type of creative I am is that I use creativity in my everyday work in the sense that I am a consultant. have a consultancy boutique business where I'm an executive coach. I intervene, and I say sometimes intervene, but I create actually interventions where I help leaders to transform their...
workplaces to make them more human and focusing on inclusive high performance. So that's what I do in my main business. I also have another, actually it's not a bot, it's a beautiful end. I have an other business, which is an art business. I'm an artist, I'm a painter. And then I channel basically my creativity here in a way that is more in this, I guess, traditional sense of...
being a creative. But yes, so to answer your question, I'm a multidisciplinary creative.
and especially according to ChatGBT. But is, what ChatGBT does, it reads everything from outside. So it's come together and it's accumulated all these things. And do know what else is really interesting when you said art as a business? I find that really interesting because most people, when you talk to artists, they're like, I'm struggling. Or, you know, they won't see it as like a, as a business. But it's just, could you elaborate on that a little bit more? Because I think that a lot of creatives...
Angela (03:42.86)
just go for it and be creative, especially as artists or illustrators or designers, but you've got to work in the business angle into it.
Yes, I think this is actually quite an interesting piece because I didn't start art or painting rather as a business at all. Painting was an emotional, I call it, it was an emotional and creative outlet. In dealing with people every day in my consultancy business, needed, I felt that I needed something to channel my own emotions.
And yes, you can do therapy, can do supervision, can do different type of therapies, even somatic, emotional freedom technique, et cetera. But I knew that I wanted to do something with my hands. And I used to be a dancer. But as I got older, my niece started to speak to me. And I didn't like what they were telling me. So I thought, you know what, there is something else that I'm sure I can channel.
Hello, M.O.D.'
Vanessa (04:47.094)
And so I started painting like this. Yet at some point people started to tell me, ooh, Vanessa, you've got a beautiful eye for art. Where do you buy it? And it took me ages to say, actually make it.
So people have seen it and you didn't think Yeah.
Because I used to do... Because I didn't think that my art was great, to be fair. And I was also saying, I didn't go to... I didn't study fine art. didn't... I'm a business consultant. you see what I mean? So I am not...
You're not a train. You go to uni or art school.
designer, I'm not, you know, and so I thought, who am I to say I'm an artist now? And who am I to? So if people tell me that I've got a good eye, I take that compliment. But then I, I don't know, it took me a minute to actually really admit that it was mine or that I was the creator of it. And so to answer your question, I think it's only then that I started to be, and people will be like, when I would admit that it was mine, they'll be like,
Vanessa (05:53.4)
Do you sell it? And I'll be like, no, it's just for me and for you now, but I don't sell it. And I would start to give actually to make, to commission things, but just to give it to...
Yeah, for free. Because you enjoyed it and you just thought was fun. they were enjoying your paintings. I'll give it away.
Can I still need to... My emotional out
I just gave it away. And then people were just like, you know that you could actually make this a business. And I started to think, actually, maybe you're right. Started to look into the business of arts. And I was like, oh my gosh, yes, I could do that. And that's how it all started basically. And now I look at them as businesses, like my two businesses, yet my type of art, there's art that I make for myself and art that I sell. So I still get to have a differentiation in the arts.
Interesting. You you said about art to sell and art to keep to yourself? What's the difference? Is it something that you think quite personally about that piece of art that you'll keep to yourself? Or is it more so that you think that you don't want to give that away? What is it? it just the type of art? Yes. Because I've seen your paintings and they are beautiful and they're so colourful.
Vanessa (06:54.446)
think it's also maybe the type of
Vanessa (07:00.046)
I think there is some pieces that I think I will always keep and I won't sell. they're not that many, but I will, because for me it's about the journey. I'm transformative consultant, right? I love a transformation. And I think just to see my first piece of art versus my... Yes, it's the emotional connection to the piece. Every time I try something new, I keep also that piece, if that makes sense.
And so, and I'm always painting, I'm always trying something new when it comes to art. So I like the fact that I can, I think it's important also to have a little secret garden, something that's just for you. And then something then that after that, you're like, the rest you share with the world, you know? Cause I have so much art to be. So my partner is really like, yes, please sell it. That was another motivation to sell it down actually.
Well, clear the cupboards.
Yes, yeah, he was like, come on now, Vanessa, come on. But it took me a minute actually, because at first they were all my babies. And they were like, I'm doing it for myself. This is not for...
I suppose selling it is going be quite emotional. like, my gosh, somebody else is going to have that now. And it was mine.
Vanessa (08:10.082)
But at the same time, I like that.
Also, and again, I was just about to to say the words out of my mouth because I think that's also to say that's an accolade to you to say that you're brilliant and you're actually people that are wanting to buy it.
You know what, it's actually quite interesting for me, if somebody, whether they want to buy it or not, but they want to have it, it's a testimony of my, my intention that I have when I make my art, and which is I want to spread joy. And so if somebody is saying, I really want this, that means that the joy or my emotions or whatever they're feeling is positive enough, worthy enough for them to say,
I want to cherish that and I want to have this in my private space. And so for me, it's a beautiful gift that they're giving me, if that makes sense. So for me, that's that. Yeah, it's quite interesting. It's very emotional again, you know? And it's not necessarily a testimony of the brilliance of my art, it's a testimony that the emotional connection that I wanted to create and deliver has been realized, if that makes
It does make sense. It does make sense. Just going back to your other business on the other side of things, because that's more of a... I want to say the word corporate. You work with a lot of So how is that for Vanessa walking into these corporate spaces? Because I, again, I've met you before, obviously, and we've met online, but we actually met at the Creatives Like Us events in person.
Angela (09:42.67)
Vanessa just entered the room and she's got presents. And I just think it's beautiful to see, especially a black woman coming in with presents. I just think sometimes in the corporate world, do they know how to handle that? Or do you just think, I'm here and they're gonna have to deal with it?
Yes, I'm here. You know, like, you know what? This is very interesting because that's a question that I used to get a long time ago. By the way, I'm 42 years of age. So I just turned 42. Lovely. And when I was younger, because this energy of that presence, as we say, I've had it for a while, you know, different iteration of it with maybe nowadays, maybe more confidence or more self-acceptance and more assertiveness. But I think
When people used to tell me, you're just you, like, you know, just arrived. And I'm like, I really respect my parents. And so for me, when I'm just arriving, I'm arriving because I believe that my mom didn't push my big head out of this world for me to be a shrinking violet. Do see what I mean?
I get that. Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh like that. But I just think that that is just like, yeah.
And out of respect, like, you know what? And no disrespect to anybody who feels that there must be a shrinking violet, but that's not the agenda. I also have parents who are very... My mom is a force of nature. She's a very generous soul. When she's somewhere, just her love, you know she's here, she's present. And for me, and I've always found that very endearing. And she will connect with anybody. And I think for me, being a consultant,
Vanessa (11:21.582)
you know, in my other business, I find that it's again, it's a gift. It's this idea of, and of course not everybody likes my energy. And I used to say that I was a bit like Marmite. You either love it or you're just, ooh, Tim too much. You know, like that's not for me. And that's okay. And I think I even now write it as a, I have a slide that I use. I introduce myself and there is a book that says official member of Tim too much.
So then I tell people, know, I announced to them, said, with me, you get passion, know, expertise, 100%, but my voice will go up and down. I will look at you in your eyes. will lean in. will just, I mean, I used to be a dancer, so I use my body. Yes, I use my voice. Yeah. To really connect and engage with people. And that's like, again, it's, it's, it's creative. know,
You're using your whole body.
Angela (12:16.686)
That's another skill.
Exactly, it's a creative skill that I use in connecting with people because what is really creativity, right? I do believe that this is something to enable people to feel actually included really and it enables you to create this beautiful, yeah, connection relationship. So that's what I do and I think it now has become, I think, a little bit of a new USP.
You know, like people know that with me you get a human journey. You know?
Yeah, getting everything. Like, yeah, not shrinking violet at all.
No, and again, as I said, have nothing against drinking violence, but when I think about my parents, I think about my mom especially pushing my behead, I'm like, this woman didn't put me on this earth for me to be silent, or for me to be just like, agreeable, you know? That's not my style.
Angela (13:08.44)
Did your mom always tell you that? is it something that she always tell you that?
Yes, for me, I was born with 12 fingers. So from day dot, I was already different, you know? And my mom actually nurtured that difference. She was like, you could erase it? Because she actually refused the surgeon. Actually, let me tell you the story. my parents, my mom's give birth, the surgeon says, you've got a beautiful daughter.
She's got a few extra bits. And so my mom was like, what do you mean? And I well, she's got 12 fingers. And my mom says, well, better 12 than eight, abundance, you know, for her. And this is the thing, my parents are almost positive psychologists, you know, like without knowing it. And so for them, it's really like, oh, wow, this is amazing. Like more is more. And when, and so my mom for a long time didn't want actually for me to lose the two extra fingers.
because she was just like, this is how she was born. She's special, people will just accept her and why wouldn't they? This was for my mom, was the why wouldn't they? When after a while she realized, gosh, this girl is going to be bullied. So then, know, reluctantly she, I had to have an operation to remove the fingers, but she was really proud of my different. And so she nuts.
That's she's born and she's special.
Angela (14:29.966)
it's sad that you have to be different. Isn't that like going back to your mum thinking that she was thinking about other people, external people like say that you might have been bullied, that's why she did it. it's just sad to hear the world, isn't it?
No but I got bullied by my older sister.
Because my older sister was two years, when I say bullied, she was two years older and she looked at her hands, looked at my hands and she was like, I don't have this. So she used to pull on the extra fingers to be like, what is this? And so when my mom saw that, she was like, wow, if her own sister, when we are nurturing this and we're talking about it, doesn't understand it, strangers won't. And there is a difference between being present and not being a shrinking violet, but an or.
Yeah.
Vanessa (15:15.06)
exposing yourself to danger, if that makes sense. And she was like, I don't want that for my child. So this is why then she was actually, maybe the world is not ready to accept difference. And so therefore she'll have to conform a little bit by removing the two fingers. And she did that painfully, which for me is a testimony of them accepting just difference and being open-minded. That's how I read it now.
But we've always spoken about my 12 fingers, know, even though at some point they were not there anymore. And so it's still part of my identity. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And for a long time I didn't talk about it to be honest, but I realized that it's...
Yeah, of course. See, you're talking about it now.
Angela (15:57.646)
It's part of your It's beautiful. beautiful and it's part of your story. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So going back to how you got into art and starting your own career, was there somebody in particular that was like your catalyst connection that made you think, oh, maybe I should do this and this is my right career path? Because we're all made up of like different stories and different, again, sliding door moments, but there's always that... In my life, there's always been, for my career, there's been about three or...
three or four different people that have just been like, should do this or try this or think about this. And I just wondered if there was anyone in particular at different stages that you want to talk about and share with us.
So I will focus on the art piece. So I've only started painting about six years ago. And because I've always wanted to paint, but I was always telling myself, how dare you think that you can just go to a shop, a canvas, buy brushes and paint. And that is a very, it's very interesting because that's a very French way of thinking. didn't, as I said, I didn't study fine art and things like this. was like, and it was the, how dare you? And then I met,
So my current boyfriend, soon to be fiance, no. You know, like as a woman, you've got just to give them a.
you just like sing the linter for the podcast. Like when you listen to the podcast, like, yeah. Hello.
Vanessa (17:16.846)
And so we, when I met him, he painted and he was not a painter. Like that was not his job. He didn't have a business or anything, you know, about painting. And I was just like, you just paint. Like, wow. And he's at the time he used to say, and why not? Like, why wouldn't I? If I want to do that, why wouldn't I? And I was like, wow, is that just your philosophy of like, why not?
Why not?
And actually we have a painting that we did together and we have written why not on it. Because it became a, yeah, just do it. Yeah, exactly. And so I was like, okay, and one of our dates actually early on, it took me to an art workshop and he was like, okay, brushes, canvases, paints, bye, let's go.
that's beautiful!
Angela (17:54.414)
Your mantra.
Vanessa (18:09.974)
And I just took that, I went home and I painted for five hours and I lost track of time. And I was like, my God, and I found peace. And I thought, wow. So he was the first person really who got me to just do it. GFDI as we say in English. And then people again, I said, would, COVID, I was tired of looking at an empty white wall. Because I spent a lot of time.
I we're indoors, aren't we?
Exactly. And so I had this white wall behind me and I was looking at white walls and I was like, my God, this is so boring. I need to be inspired and color inspired me. And so I thought, you know what, I will just paint it because yes, I could buy it, but actually let me paint it. So I painted, painted, painted and then I covered all my walls. And then this is when people started to say, wow, you've got, wow, this is like, where are you? Is this, and actually a lot of people didn't believe that it was a real wall. They were like,
Amazing.
Vanessa (19:11.276)
Is this a
Is it a picture? And I was like, no, this is real. And then after that, when people started to say, this is really nice, why do you buy your art and stuff, that motivated me to be like, oh, maybe I've got something. And then about three, two years ago now, I went on to, part of a writing club in the morning.
Another creative outlet. Yeah, true.
between seven and eight in the morning. And the first time I joined this writing club, they stopped almost and they were like, what is what? And they were like, you are, like move a bit. You know, like, move please. And they were just like, listen, we are art people. Like we love art. We don't make it, but we love it. This is something. You need to do something. And I was like, oh my gosh.
And this group with my partner really gave me the confidence to answer my first open call, you know, with a painting, which got selected actually. And so an open call is, so either gallery or it's a bit like a competition almost. So you enter it and so you submit few pieces or one or few pieces. And then there's a selection process. And the first one that I entered,
Angela (20:15.497)
Open call, can you explain?
Vanessa (20:33.614)
3000 paintings got entered, 144 got selected and I got selected. Yeah, was one of my painting got exhibited at the Bankside Gallery in London for two and a half weeks. That was last March. And I did it again this year. And again, I got selected out of 108. I actually did the preview yesterday, the private view yesterday. And it was just, it's really amazing because again, this got me that.
You're one of them.
Vanessa (21:02.594)
I'm an artist. so, exactly, exactly. And then you start also to discover that being an artist means so much and also nothing at the same time, because we always have this idea that, wow, well, depending, you have either an idea of a struggling artist or you have the idea of somebody making like a dot, you know, like, she's doing me. I'm not going to...
And you're with your peers.
Angela (21:21.646)
Yeah.
Angela (21:26.016)
money out it.
Vanessa (21:32.174)
you know, it's anybody. you know, and so when my art is very layered, as I said, there's a lot of emotion in it. And so, but it's beautiful just to share it. And but that's how really I started, you know, that's what we did not just.
Yeah. And also getting recognized and actually picking your art and saying, so you believe now. You believed before, but it took a while to get there. But you really believe them.
I mean, when I got selected by the open call to feature, because for the first time a painting would be exhibited in a gallery where rendons would see it. It was not just people speaking to me on the Zoom. It would be rendons.
Vanessa (22:13.774)
And I was like, okay, now I'm an artist. Like now I can say this before, I would say I paint. Now I say I'm
Yeah. Do you advertise your art? Just out of interest? Do you advertise your art? Do you like promote it? Yeah.
I need to do this more. But I have a website. have a... So my name is Vanessa Belleau. Belleau means beautiful water in French. And so I called it Beautiful Water Studio. Because why not?
What's your website and what's Instagram?
Angela (22:44.334)
Is that why? Because I was looking at your... That's amazing. I love that.
And again, this is, you know, my parents and that's very interesting because culturally my parents at first when they started painting, they're like, oh yeah, you little hobby. And now if I go to, especially my dad's, parents are divorced. If I go to my dad's house, it's a gallery. And every time he comes to see me or I go to see him, he's like, okay, what are you bringing me? I said, oh, do you need any shopping from London? Cause you know, lives in Paris and he's like, no, no, your art. Like I want new art. And I was like, oh my God.
Although you're our work, you still...
Vanessa (23:16.366)
I thought it was a little hobby and he's like, no, it's not. It's not. I'm very proud. I'm very proud. And when his friends come to the house, he's like, oh, look, she's me.
It's got a new one, a new piece. It's very proud of you. Yeah, exactly. It's beautiful. That's so nice.
I miss my parents, can you tell?
Awwww. Well, you have to go visit them.
Well, I just went there, I was there two weeks ago. So really it's not that long, but it was a beautiful. Yes, I think it's interesting, isn't it? Because as things shift and you transition into different things, I think you remember who has been with you from day one.
Angela (23:40.651)
them already.
Angela (23:51.79)
Exactly. And what they've done and the sacrifices that I know if you hate personally, my mom and yeah, especially more so my mom. Yeah, it's quite amazing because you but you only realize that when you start getting older as an adult, because before when you're like young and what they got on about now, exactly. Now it's just like you really appreciate them.
Very much so. I feel very grounded actually. So which is beautiful. So yeah, I feel seen.
And loved. And You are loved, Vanessa. The other business, how did you get into that? Because I'd love to know about that because... Is it High 15? Yes, High 15. 15. Where did that name come from? And tell us a little bit more about the catalyst connection in there, how you actually started. Because one of the aims of this podcast is to actually inspire, especially the younger generation, because sometimes there's not enough, I suppose, role models or people that look like us that they can say...
Oh, I can go and do that job or I can be an artist or I can be a graphic designer or I can be a poet and make a living from it. So it'd be interesting to see how you actually set up your own business, the High 15 business. And who was your catalyst connection in that?
That's an interesting story also, actually. I love stories and I have many.
Angela (25:04.226)
But that's the whole point of podcasts too, because people love to listen to a story.
So, high 15, so yeah, beautiful water studio, business. High 15, consultancy business. So, when I was looking, so I've never thought I would be an entrepreneur. First of all, let me just set that out clearly because I thought that my life would be, so I have two master's degrees, right? I have a master in business management, so marketing, corporate finance, et cetera.
What are they in?
Vanessa (25:35.534)
And then I also have a Master of Science in European Business Administration. So very business basically. I was not, so I was set out to, I thought that my path would be, I started a career in data. So I used to be a data analyst in fashion. And I would eat literally a lot of data and find and create stories and narratives to enable clients to be.
to understand the competitive landscape and be more successful and grow just basically and understand the customers, et cetera. And I thought that this was really my path. Like I joined the biggest market research company in the world and there was a really clear, beautiful journey and path. Every year you can get promoted at the beginning of your career. Then after that, it's every three years, whatever.
And you were on it when you go in?
Vanessa (26:30.058)
there was a path and they were really much more around growth and to say the mean like we are trainings, et cetera. So it was beautiful really. But funny enough, it was not creative enough. So data and you can be really creative with data, don't get me wrong, but at the time, Mac and research was really around a lot of graphs and a lot of lines. And when I wanted to have one number on the page and say, guess what this is, you know, and then start that story.
And nobody will be able
They're not doing that. See, think they get that now though,
100%, but as I said, I'm 42 years of age. started, I was 22, so that's 20 years ago we're talking about. And at the time it was really much around all the numbers need to be on the slide, you know? And so anyway, so I thought that this would be my path. And, you know, I changed career actually a little bit, pivoted within still data, but I did different things that made me feel that there would be a little bit more creative. So from syndicated research, became...
an ad-hoc researcher. Ad-hoc was much more short. It was about product also, then I started to work in beauty. One of my key clients was L'Oreal at the time and they would come out with like a new mascara. First I would get the mascara. So that was always a great pair. I would also, you know, it was much more dynamic. And for me at the time, creativity meant dynamism almost. And
Angela (27:35.8)
term more fluid and flu.
Angela (27:47.227)
Get the product.
Vanessa (28:00.62)
But High 15, then I became actually, I got headhunted to be part of a trend forecasting business. And they wanted to create a consultancy division and they wanted, and most of the people in this organization were designers actually. They studied design and they were very creative. When for me, they didn't want somebody creative necessarily. They wanted somebody who came with the hardcore. And the business side, commercial understanding, the commerciality of things.
Well, that's the data on the business side.
Angela (28:28.45)
ahead enough creatives.
They had lot of creatives, so that was me. But for me, it was the best of both worlds because, again, it was in fashion and I loved fashion. Fashion, beauty, design, creative industries, basically. And it was very much around the best of both worlds in the sense of, I could really come in with my more, I guess, rational hat on and I would work with creatives, you know? Like I remember, in that business, we used to do forecast of... We used to work with Pentone.
and you call it and do color forecasts and. Yeah, yeah. Wow. Yeah, yeah, used to. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. So we used to work with them. And at the time, I remember I was like, sorry.
As in Pantone the colour? Yeah, yeah.
Angela (29:12.206)
Did you ever get to choose colour of
So Color of the Year is actually our forecast would enable Pantone as to really because we used to gather a lot of data and we used to study emerging trends and and I remember I think it was my first week or something I went to the head of color and I said why do we need so many blues in the forecast I don't understand like you know there is just light blue you know maybe denim blue and dark blue and or navy and she's looking at me she's like
you do not know anything. And I was like, no. And she's like, okay. And then I said, treat me like an intern. So then she taught me color, but it was, you know, that was beautiful in that way. But anyway, what happened is that I remember because I used to be the, became then at some point the regional director for EMEA in that business for the consultancy business. And my job used to go and work with clients. So there will be a forecast, color forecast.
shape forecast, behavior forecast. And I would work with client to really, I used to say massage the trends into their business and also help them develop new trends based on their customer base. So again, it was the best of both worlds. And I remember when sometimes I would be on the floor creating the color palettes with them because I got trained and I knew that you needed more than one blue. Yes, I do. did.
You knew by then.
Vanessa (30:40.878)
Sometimes when we hit it, you know, when you saw, saw it as, ooh, this is a high 15 moment, everyone. And I'll like, what is this? I'll say, high five is not enough. So three is a big number in my life. And so high five is only one. But what we then used to do is like, do it with me. High five, high five, ten, high 15. And the 15, I felt it in my heart. They felt it in their heart.
I'm so I'm so high,
It was going up, you it was just beautiful moment. And so when I started to then add an opportunity to, I was asked actually to create my business, which is an interesting thing because, so from this job, I burnt out a little bit because I loved it so much that I didn't count the hours. Being also a regional director, very passionate, working very, much, twice as hard, even more.
Who asked you?
Angela (31:29.56)
Pajama.
Vanessa (31:35.848)
and managing my team, managing the P &L, profit and loss, et cetera. And I used to also travel seven months out of 12, right, for four years, for three and a It was a lot. And I burnt out, right? I think physically more than emotionally, actually, first, I was tired. I also had fibroids.
Yes.
Vanessa (31:59.086)
So my body was telling me, you need to sit down. And I only had one client in the UK, which was the Walt Disney Company. they actually, when working with them, we then started to, when I told them, okay, I'm thinking of leaving, they were like, okay, would you be interested maybe in working for us if we were to find a different job for you?
And I was just thinking on a fixed-term contract. was actually, never been on the fixed-term contract. I've always been agency side. Why not? Let's try. And this was actually to really use my creativity. And I used to create campaigns actually, thinking about the different franchises. So Mickey, Star Wars, Marvel, et cetera. And I used to, and they would tell me, oh, we want to do a fantastic, I don't know, a campaign with a product campaign.
fashion product campaign with ex-client, either luxury or let's say, don't know, give me a break.
at children's brands.
It was children, but also adults. Because actually when they used to be my clients as part of the agency, I really helped them with their, how to tackle millennials and how to really unlock that market. And so when I came in, then they had more strategies as well to do that, which means that I could create campaigns for children's yet, but also for millennials. So that was actually quite interesting. So there were, and so at the end of my FTC,
Angela (33:27.983)
So they were your first client?
fixed them contract, they were like, you have a choice. We love what you do, so you could actually join our ranks, or you could also, but you don't do politics. I didn't do matrix. I didn't do the office politics. I was coming in to do the job, and I was doing it well. So they were like, what about, you've been a consultant for us before under an agency, but how about you create your own business, and you will be your first client? And believe it or not, I said no.
space.
Angela (33:59.468)
Wow.
Thank you very much. That is not my path. No, thank you. And then people around me the same.
same reaction as my baby. What? You just said what? They offered you the first class.
And actually people asked me just a simple question. said, do you know how hard it is to find the first class? I said, no, I do not because I never actually sat down to think about it because that's not my path. I'm not doing it. And then in the end they said, you could just do it for six months and then, and I was just like, actually, yeah, let's try it. Why not? I have a learner mindset. I love to try new things. And I said, why not?
Yeah. Why not start again? Yeah.
Vanessa (34:39.86)
And six years later, still there. So I-15 in January this year celebrated six years.
Vanessa (34:54.306)
But this is it. that's how it all started. And to your point, sometimes you need the catalyst. need somebody to believe in you more than you believe in your... To see what you could do. Because as I said, for me, was a no, no, no, no, no, we're not doing this. And actually, it really opened a whole different world, actually, where I was like, wow, I can actually do this, you know?
Perfect.
Vanessa (35:24.226)
I'm not scared of it. There's some moments where you're like, ooh, what am I doing? But the thrill.
And also they believed in you. saw you. You were actually doing the roles anyway. work before. Believe in you and they wanted you and your passion. Yeah. I can't believe you said no at the beginning though. you a U-turn though. You did a U-turn.
I did the U-turn. And also, you know what is beautiful is that when you actually start to believe in yourself, I think there is something beautiful which is other people that, know, of course you need sometimes reassurance, but other people believe in you. So when I started to say, and thank goodness for LinkedIn and you know, for social media, there's very, a lot of negative things about social media, but there's also some beautiful things about social media, which is when you are announcing something, ooh, and I have my...
my company. Funny enough, I had, so I registered the company, but I didn't have a website for maybe a year and a half, you know, it happens because for me, I was still dabbing in.
happens.
Angela (36:19.278)
And it's that confidence to say, I've actually got a website as part of my business, but you had some presence on social media. So people seeing you from there and you were telling your story from there.
it and not often but then people are like wow you're doing this amazing could you do this for us and do this and this is how the business
That's the thing, if you don't tell people, how are going to know?
how they're gonna know. So this is why from a art perspective, when you told me before, I really realize now, I really need to talk about.
You to talk about your art. I knew you're an artist and I knew you had high 15, but I didn't know the whole, the dynamics of it. maybe this podcast could be your, just push this out. I could tell people exactly what you're doing. It's funny, interesting the other day I was listening to a podcast and I actually texted the lady afterwards and said, I didn't know you did that. And now I know it's just like, you've got to tell people.
Vanessa (37:12.366)
You've got to tell people. And I think it's, but you know, it's the business of art again, when we go back to that. Now I've organized my calendar so that I spend time on the business of Because painting, that's, believe it or not, it's quite easy for me now. Also, I feel I have found my... Yeah, so I know I have a method. I love that process. I get a lot from that process. And I create something that I'm like, hmm, yes, I'm proud of that.
your groove and your style.
Vanessa (37:42.41)
when the business of art is, we have to spend time on it. Because you know, I was even thinking the other day about how do you talk about your art? Saying you're an artist painter is not enough. Showcasing, you see a lot of people on Instagram, you see them paint, but that is not what sells the product. Because at the of the day, it's a product. And so this is where I can then now use all of my, because before doing...
being an executive coach doing organizational culture work. I used to be a business coach. used to work in marketing and all of those things. So now I'm starting to actually be like, the red thread, it's coming.
All those things you've learned over the years in your different roles are all coming together now and it's coming into the business.
And that's exciting and scary, but it's also very exciting.
Do know what's really interesting too about when we back to the panto thing about the blues and I'm sure they must be transitioned into your artwork. You're like, there's more than one red.
Vanessa (38:44.014)
I mean, and now, it's, you see, and again, that story isn't it, it's through the blues. And actually, funny enough, one of my favorite color now when I paint is blue. It's particular blue, actually, it's a blue-purple. But it's just really interesting as though, it's almost as though there is no, and I think maybe for the listeners, I don't know what they think about it, but for me,
The more I'm living and I'm really connecting to my experiences and sitting down to reflect on them, I'm like, there's no almost chance, you see what mean? Like, something has happened and then there is always a connection that then can be done later. You know, the blues actually have influenced me a lot, you know, of me asking these questions.
You need that start, and then the next thing is the connection of something else. Literally joining the dots, it's of circle to what you're doing now. thinking about that, and actually the future, what's your future plans? And you said you've got an upcoming exhibition, so don't know if roughly the time of this podcast, but I would love people to connect with you on Instagram, and you're gonna tell people about your exhibitions, aren't you? like, you're tell them when they're gonna be coming up. Is there anything in the future that's coming up for you, or is there like a dream project?
Extreme exhibition space maybe, or a dream client. This is the time to manifest.
You know what? This is very interesting because for a long, time, I didn't allow myself to dream. And before I used to talk about it and I used to cry actually about it. I used to feel this is such a shame, but this was something that I couldn't do just simply because I didn't see. And this is why, you when you said, you come on the podcast? Of course, because I didn't see enough representation, but...
Vanessa (40:32.044)
Beyond that, I didn't see. I just didn't believe that I could. I don't want to cry, but I didn't believe that my makeup is too good. can't.
Vanessa (40:47.82)
Yeah, for me, I really felt that I could not... I was doing, know, doing, doing, doing, and there was nothing that I could... You know, I was telling myself, Vanessa, you must be content. Just be content. What do you want to dream for? About what? Just be content. You are living, you breathing. And I think culturally, there is a lot of that for us, you know, sometimes. And when now... So dreams...
Are you ready? That's the question now. Even to myself, I'm like, girl, are you ready? Because, so the dream is for me, a few dreams. But one, I would love to actually have corporate clients, the arts. Sent to me. So do you see what mean? So in places, basically, have my arts, you in cafes, in corporate spaces, in basically public space, right?
Listen. Look at you, said it, you put it out there.
Angela (41:42.35)
Please.
Because I do think, because why not? And I know that my art is different, every artist says this, you know, it's, I know that my art is striking. So why not? So that's one thing. Two, one day I would love to have a solo exhibition because now I'm featuring in exhibitions, but as I said, I've only started, I'm a baby like toddler in this. But this year I decided that I will do much many more. So I will answer many more open calls to put myself out there.
And also I'm doing some art fairs, which is a different thing. So there's exhibition in galleries and you have fairs where actually you sell your art. You don't have to be there all the time, but the prices and the different art fairs, know, like I joined, so I got selected to be part of an art fair where they told me we only want pieces that are over 1,000 pounds, well over 1,000 pounds. And I was like.
Okay, I was going to price this maybe £50 but okay! No! Excuse me!
This is where I changed my price instructor. Right?
Vanessa (42:47.966)
And again, all of this is about confidence. Confidence. It's confidence. Yeah, it's beautiful. So that's something that I want to do more of, like art fairs, putting my art out there, getting much more feedback. But yeah, definitely I would love to also be in the...
think all of those things are so achievable, I know it's hard work, but you said you're going to put time in your business. All of those things require research and also talking to the right people and meeting the right people. Just like putting yourself out there.
And that and with that we do talking to the right people the other dreamies and which I'm achieving somewhat Thanks to you actually thanks to I'll be is to be in spaces where I am with creatives and with people who like you tell me You know that this is just girl Dream bigger. This is what I mean because we all need that in our life
Yeah, and this is, another reason why I'm doing a podcast. We do need this in our lives. do. And we do need to keep on telling people. That's the thing. Keep on telling people, keep on telling people. I'm telling you. What we're doing.
And it's however daunting it is. And I think this is a piece also where I'm French, right? So this is another thing. French people seem to be arrogant, but I do think that this is not arrogance. know, I think it's self love. You know, when you actually are like, wow, this is what I do. And you know, my sister, she's always like, when somebody tells me, for example, they're like, I love your makeup today. say, I know. She's like, can't you say thank you? And I'm like, okay, thank you. But I did it.
Angela (44:18.338)
But before you do say that, you've got to take the credit yourself.
I'm like, I did it. you know, she's, and she's, and what, you know, she's, she's really upset with me every time when I say, I know, because, I love these jeans or whatever. I know. And then I go, I bought it there, there. Because for me, I'm about the sharing and I'm like, let me tell you, know, and go and get yours as well. And I think this is the piece, like this idea of how do we share actually much more creativity? How do we inspire ourselves and each other to achieve?
really our true potential. This is what I am excited about right now. When I dream, I sit down and I close my eyes and I'm like, I'm 42 now, where would I be at 50? What does this look like for me? Do I still have high 15? I'm thinking even of maybe merging high 15 in art. I created a product that I want to roll out much more this year, which is called Fill and Paint.
because it's coaching and painting, right?
Also that's therapeutic.
Vanessa (45:23.062)
I'm talking about, so I'm an executive coach and I'm specialized in positive psychology and emotional intelligence. And so with painting or art in general, there is that emotional intelligence and almost emotional resilience, you know, that we all develop. And creatives have that sometimes in an innate manner that we don't recognize.
I don't recognize, and I think sometimes people also think I'm not creative, I'm not creative in any way. I hear a lot of people say I haven't got a creative bone in my body. I always think you've got one little bone at least. You've got something to make yourself creative. The word creative is to bring it into being and it could be anything.
J-
Vanessa (46:05.038)
That's what I'm saying, even from the fact that the way that people have assembled an outfit, the way that people assemble or put together words, that's great. You know? So yeah, it's a beautiful journey.
If yeah.
Angela (46:18.766)
I'm so glad that I could speak to you today, Vanessa. So, thank you so much. I always ask people, what would you tell your future self? As a teenager, what would you have told yourself?
I think around the dreaming piece, just if you don't have to think about, okay, yes, I'm going to, it doesn't have to be grand necessarily, but practice. Because I feel sometimes that I'm catching up on this dreaming piece, you know, right now. And sometimes it feels like, ooh, I'm running out of time sometimes. I know I'm, you know, I look young, but still. You know, yesterday I was told, I went to, as I said, to an event and two people.
26 and 25 they're like, oh, we thought you were 30 years old. You know, because there is a difference when you have people who are like 50 something that are you look young when you have young people to hear that you look as you.
Thank you.
Angela (47:11.934)
I know, I know, it's great feeling, isn't it?
But at the same time, sometimes I do feel when I speak actually to 20 year olds, that I'm running out of time a little bit because now, you know, all of a sudden I'm 20 years older than them. And so you start to think, oh, so I am thinking if I could give myself and my younger self some advice is this advice, which is allow yourself, you know, to dream a little bit, you know, at least practice the habit. And even if it's just tiny,
You're barely there.
Vanessa (47:44.27)
So then when you're, when you, like now I'm ready. I have the means as well to do things. You know, the dreams becomes much more exponential. Yeah, keep dreaming. And you know, again, I worked for the Walt Disney Company and, and, you know, that world of imagination, you know, the word imagination is actually beautiful. How do you imagine yourself in?
a year, two years, three years, ten years, whatever. And whether it happens or not actually doesn't matter. You're searching the direction of travel.
Yeah. And the seed and that's it.
And when you plant that seed to your point or you set that direction of travel, somehow your feet go in that direction.
And there's people around you sometimes that come, you know, they'll be behind you, next to you, in front of you, and they just start following and moving that path.
Vanessa (48:38.798)
Exactly. So that's what I would say. would say. And maybe I would say, because of the knees talking.
This is these things. It's like funny. used to run quite lot. are the same. Yeah. I would tell my younger self to look after your knees. Stop kneeling down.
You do tail- Every day.
Vanessa (49:00.846)
Because I used to be, you know, the knees and the back, the care of that.
Put your knees on your back.
But that's the one.
That sounds funny. That sounds a bit weird to maybe cut that bit. I always answer a quick fire five questions. I don't know if you've listened to So you've got to answer them one or the other. So Christmas chocolate.
Chocolate, but dark 85%. Not necessarily, but 85%.
Angela (49:29.518)
particular brand?
Okay, beach or forest?
Forests.
Bookhawk Hindu.
book.
Angela (49:40.981)
Regal so.
Reggae.
That's your sandwich.
party. You know what? I wanted to do is to be quick because you know, I heard that other people are just like, I don't know. As I listen, it's a very simple thing. This or that. So come on. So yeah.
I'm to have to change these questions the next season because maybe I'll talk to you about that.
Vanessa (49:59.288)
Yes, should actually because then people... But yeah, I love those. And by the way, it's everything. But in this moment, it's more patsy, it's reggae. You know, I was listening actually to some reggae dance or raga on my way here. that's why... Yeah, exactly.
Ms. Moorman.
Angela (50:16.034)
You were in the mood for the ragga. Yes. Brilliant. Is there anything else you'd like to add or before we end up?
No, I think it's... I've really enjoyed... You know, I've really enjoyed and I really... When you asked me it was a no-brainer because I want to speak much more about me being a creative, actually. Me as a creative. And when we did the event, that's... You know, when I was the keynote speaker, that's what the keynote was about. And I think it's owning that space. And the more I tell myself that, the more... I don't know, the more aligned it feels as well.
And so I just want to thank you actually for this opportunity because often I get asked to speak at, you know, on podcast about High 15 and Beautiful Water Studio. And maybe it is because I don't talk enough about Beautiful Water Studio, but I was able to talk about both today and I'm very grateful.
How can people find you and connect with you if you'd like them to connect with you?
Yes, please connect with me. So I'm on LinkedIn, actually. I do. And on my LinkedIn, because it's me, so it's Vanessa below, I do talk about creativity and also high 15, if that makes sense. So beautiful water studio and high 15. Sometimes I find ways actually to use art, but talk about leadership, you know, because why not? I'm also on Instagram. I've got two Instagram accounts. So a high 15 underscore.
Angela (51:30.104)
Why not?
Vanessa (51:35.95)
and I have beautiful water studio as well for the arts. So please connect with me and I need your encouragement. This is the thing that I'm going to say. need your encouragement and remember my dream, you know, to have my pieces in corporate spaces. If that's you, please let me know.
Exactly. Connect with Vanessa and get your artwork, get her artwork in your spaces.
I have a website also where you can see that. So www.beautifulwatersstudio.com and for the other sides, High 15, it's simple again, www.high15 and 15 by the way is never the number in number form. It's the letters.
Letters, spell-calls. Lovely. Thank you, Vanessa. And thank you for coming on Creatives Like Us. And it's been such a pleasure and such a... Do know what? It's such an honor meeting you two and, like, for you agreeing to be with me. It's just like, I know... I just get this, like, oh, my God, what a fuzzy, like, it's just so cool. You are ridiculous. It's not ridiculous at all. You should have seen the feedback we got from the event. I need to share it with you from the event. Yes, please. And your testimonials on that was just like... out of this world. Thank you. So thank you so much.
I'll feature them on my website. Thank you. Merci beaucoup.
Angela (52:45.548)
Merci, merci!
Angela (52:51.298)
Thank you for listening to Creatives Like Us. And again, thank you so much to Vanessa, but more so thank you to Tooting Film Studios, where they let me have the studio space. I actually won it in a competition, can you believe it? So, like Vanessa said, you've got to have a little dreams. And I was like, can I? Why not? Shall I enter? And I actually entered it and I won. And so they were brilliant and they said that I could have this space and Vanessa, I could have a guest join me. And we just recorded and it was brilliant. So thank you so much Tooting Film Studios. Let me start by giving thanks.
Thank you for tuning in to Creatives Like Us. I hope you enjoyed this episode and found it thought-provoking, inspiring and entertaining. If you did, it would absolutely make my day if you could share, subscribe, rate, review, wherever you get your podcasts from. Also, if you have a question or a comment, I'd love to hear from you. All the ways to connect are in the notes.
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