Is StoryTelling The Last Luxury Item?

I am Trish Lindo and I am a multi-hyphenate creative.

As a creative allowing the world to see my joy, my pain, my sadness isn’t easy.

I think the more I share my story the more human I become.

Though we don’t have to give in, I believe our society forces us to hide our wonder.

The pursuit of money, power, and fame can dull our creativity for competition. It may even feel like survival of who can care less the most.

If a CEO lays off 10-thousand people, shareholders reward their “brilliance” with millions in cash and stocks.

Then they celebrate the filling of their coffers with lost livelihoods, hopes, dreams, innovation, mental health, and our stories with heavily crafted “AI assisted” press release.

I think the last time a corporation created something that was truly creative that made all of us say Wow, was probably the Apple computer or iPhone. (happy to debate this)

You could tell it wasn’t about the money yet, it was about who could create something truly innovative that could change the world.

Money Matters More Than Creativity

I was recruited by BuzzFeed circa 2018 not only to manage a failing team but to launch a wellness brand leveraging my creativity and expertise.

At the time, BuzzFeed was the center of the creator universe. I didn’t want to be part of it, not in that way at least.

I left my previous company of my own free will because I worked with Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde co-worker who stole my creative ideas and passed them off has his.

Though it was a small business, the CEO didn’t know and not sure she wouldn’t cared either.

She was focused on revenue which I understood, but it blinded her to the what was going on. A story for another day.

My creativity was a premium. So I left. No plan, other than become a creator.

A few days after leaving, BuzzFeed called. I think they found me on LinkedIn not sure though.

I said yes because I was scared to try going off on my own. The salary wasn’t tech money but it paid every two weeks and I had health insurance. BuzzFeed took “you should be grateful to be here approach” to salary and compensation.

The first day felt like being on a flight to Manhattan in economy class in the last seat next to the lavatory. It sucked.

I knew saying yes a mistake. I should’ve left after the first week.

I didn’t have a desk or a computer.

And I was replacing the current manager who wasn’t told she was being replaced. She was still working at her desk my desk but no one communicated that to her.

It went on like this for two weeks. Finally the Executive Editor of Editorial ( nice lady but not a leader ) had the hard conversation with the manager.

It didn’t go well. They moved her to another team and told her to sit behind me. If I had any questions ask her.

The first six months I thought I was being punk’d.

I shared my creative direction for where this new wellness brand should go but…

They shared why money wasn’t going to allow my YouTube vision to flourish. No one cared that I was certified in audience growth at YouTube and managed a successful team that created content for Oprah.

Meh

I did it again on the budget they specified. Minimal creativity. But I created a repetitive machine that ensured content was created faster, cheaper, and if I was able to sneak in some cool creative. That was win.

All this without AI. Who would’ve thought, right.

I spent three long years at BuzzFeed.

Never promoted, cost of living raises, aged in banana years, and became a shell of my former creative self.

Don’t get me wrong I had a thriving IG about style and all things Los Angeles.

It was my outlet. But it was exhausting to manage a demanding job, pay bills with a low salary, be a successful creator in LA, stay sane, and help take care of my family. I did it though.