Is the kind you make for yourself.
This was my fortune after a business lunch at P.F. Chang’s Friday:
The word ‘apropos’ came to mind. So true.
//A.J.
DCM Photography
Pursuing your passion and turning it into a career is the American dream. In this interview, Zach Nellian, tattoo artist and businessman, shares his life and what drives him.
Could you fill readers in on your background?
My name is Zach Nelligan. I’m 26 years old and a life-long resident of Austin, TX. I’m a tattooer and I work at Triple Crown Tattoo Parlour. I have a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin. Note of interest for people that might care: AJ and I have been friends since the 3rd grade, and he’s always been a top notch dude. Thank you so much for taking me into consideration for this.
When did you realize you wanted to be an artist as a profession?
Dolphins?
Bring ‘em on! I’m also here to get paid, haha.
Weirdest?
I do a lot of weird tattoos. It’s a niche I’ve broken into. See the answer above, and I also did a skull eating a @#$%&# in this dude’s armpit. That was an interesting challenge.
This man (Lloyd, assistant with a Stanford MBA) can quote from the entire stack [of movie scripts], that is what he is willing to put in for his own success. He’s paying his dues. When have you paid yours?- Ari Gold, Entourage
I don’t think often we are aware of when we are “paying our dues.” When people make the claim that they’ve paid their dues, it smacks of self-entitlement.
As if something is owed to them because they did something they felt warranted whatever reward/promotion they sought.
No one owes you anything.
True, one should be aware of the value and contributions you bring to an organization, and not be afraid, tactfully to bring those to the attention of the powers that be, but generally, if your good, if you’ve got “it”, you will be recognized and elevated.
But not before someone believes you are.
Get that. You present through actions, someone else decides that you have paid your dues (though you could decide to quit, I guess).
I like analogies, so here’s one. You want to make varsity on your ______ team/squad, so you train, hard. You miss out on dates, you miss out on family time, you have only one thing on your mind. And when the time comes, you don’t make varsity. You may think “But I did everything I was supposed to, I paid my dues!”
It doesn’t matter. The coach, for whatever reason, didn’t believe you were ready. You don’t decide when enough is enough (if you are choosing to work in an organization or firm). You do evaluate your past moves, adjust where necessary, and persist towards your goal (this is fundamental in life, and in your career).
At 26 years old, I’m still in that “verge zone.” And I enjoy it. Along the way I’ve accumulated some great (at least learning) experiences. Have I paid my dues? I don’t know. I do know I have made hard decisions concerning my career goals. Where they the right ones? Only time will tell.
Remember this: It’s not a matter of dues being paid, but of you becoming someone who is worthy of that next step.
//A.J.
This the opening theme song for the new HBO series “How to Make It In America“. I found out earlier this week that it was in fact not a 70′s era soul song (think David Ruffin or Billy Paul).
The singer Aleo Blacc has made a great song. One that speaks to you, and that anyone trying to come up, whatever your situation, understands.
//A.J.
“There are no second acts in American lives.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
Sunday Monique Imes-Jackson, aka Mo’Nique, won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the film, Precious. Her acceptance speech was the only part of the Academy Awards I watched, and only because my mom was clapping loudly from downstairs when she won.
I knew Mo’Nique had been nominated, that Precious by-and-large had been lauded, and that she was the front-runner; still, seeing Mo’Nique receiving her Oscar was inspiring. More than a decade ago, when I first saw her on Moesha, and then the spin-off, The Parkers, Oscar winner was the last thing that would’ve come to mind. Yet there she was Sunday.
The lesson for us all (her win being one example) is this: Through drive, talent, or luck (usually a combination of the three), second acts, third, fourth, and so on, ARE possible. As long as you breathe and possess the will a new act CAN be written, and the world can be amazed.
Congratulations Mo’Nique!
//A.J.
