Lavannia Kumar, Freelance Digital Marketer and Artist
When did your journey as a creative begin?
I've always been a creative person and I have always loved fine arts and hand making crafts and jewellery growing up. After graduating from a marketing degree and 3 years working in the corporate marketing field, I decided to leave the corporate world focus on being a freelance / full time creative whether its fine arts, designing or digital marketing.
What is your life ethos and how does it relate to your creative journey?
I truly believe that we attract our tribe and we get what we give out. This "motto" per say, allows me to be in my best mental and physical state on a daily basis. For example, if I am an honest person, I will attract honest clients. This has cultivated a healthy creative journey for me, as I have "thankfully) only met the most amazing, supportive and easy-to-work-with, people, clients and fellow creatives throughout these four years.
How would you describe your form of leadership?
I think I fall into the Strategists group. I love expressing my creativity by translating visions into plans that can then be implemented. I think it's important to be able to take a “big creative idea” and translate it into a strategy – with goals, objectives and timelines, and with creative ways to identify and mobilise teams and resources.
I think the first step is to acknowledge your strengths, passion, career growth and every little achievement you've made. Take pride in your work.
What was the most significant/impactful project for you thus far — why?
ANURA Naturals has to be my most favourite project thus far. They are a local natural and vegan skincare brand created by two moms who have been best friends for over 30 years. I started off by being their customer and the more I use their products, the more I got to know the owners and their "why".
They are so incredibly passionate of their brand as well as educating everyone on the benefits of natural skincare and contributing back to nature. I saw immense potential for this brand to be successful, and be a national brand hence I started helping them in terms of re-branding, and now overall digital marketing ! Their success is my success.
If there's something you noticed women creatives doing, how would you advise them?
I too used to be shy and mostly scared of "what people will say" but I also knew I had a lot of potential within me to enhance my career and also help other people. So I started putting myself out there on social media.
I think the first step is to acknowledge your strengths, passion, career growth and every little achievement you've made. Take pride in your work. Fearlessly put yourself out there by creating online portfolios, social media platforms, joining platforms such as Cult Creative and begin networking. You will get used to being fearless and confident, you will grow. Sooner or later, you'll wonder, why you didn't do this a long time ago ;)
What are the challenges of your current role?
I tend to overwork myself. I respond to my clients and continue to work on projects way past office hours. Since the pandemic, however, I have started to take this into account and create a more life-work balance by adhering to office hours, taking breaks, and regularly having a non-work related creative outlets such as painting.
Who is someone you would love to collaborate with and why?
In terms of local brands, I would love to collaborate with dUck. It is astounding as to how a modest local brand has proven to be open and creative in terms of collaborating with Disney, Barbie and Marvel. Besides that, their marketing strategies are admirable. It would be a good balance for me coming from the designer + strategist side.
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