Scott Biersack // Where Are They Now series

Episode 436 is LIVE on May 3, 2023 at 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET / 6:30pm GMT / 8:30am in Hawaii

We are continuing with the Where are They Now series. I expect I might get a little teary but I am going to do my best this week. I am getting to interview one of my favorite guests from the years. I have interviewed Scott Biersack, quite a few times over the 10 years of the podcast.

Here are a few things I love about Scott:

1. He is willing to try new things
2. He loves learning
3. He is empathetic and hasn’t had it easy, and isn’t afraid to tell those hard stories
4. He is inspiring, he is willing to get dirty, and commit to practicing his craft on a weekly basis.

There are many other things and he has had lots of learning and changes since we last spoke in 2018. I hope you will join me for this episode.

As I write this I know that we will be missing one of our community members, my mom. I know she is there in spirit, but this is going to be hard. Thanks for being patient with me and there for me. See y’all on Wed. May 3, 2023 at 11:30am PT / 2:30pm ET / 6:30pm GMT / 8:30am in Hawaii

Listen here

What I have been learning

The past few months I have been trying to find a new normal. I have been taking two surface pattern design courses. Amarilys Henderson’s Artist Pro Method and Bonnie Christine’s Immersion course. One is focused on Photoshop and one is focused on illustrator. I have been a designer for over 25 years but I have learned an enormous amount of stuff.

Here are some of the patterns I am still working on. The thing I have been most excited about is using stuff from old sketchbooks. I finally have a place for these pieces to live.

You might remember this sketchbook from 2015 & 2016. I have taken some of these illustrations and made many robot patterns. I am making a collection to try and license. These patterns are still very much in the works but I am very excited.

I have a lot of questions. You can read those below.

Questions

1. Scott, can you tell everybody a little background about you, who you are, where you are, and what you do?
   
2. You’ve been on the show three times, first on the show back in 2015, then 2016, and 2018. How has life and business changed since last time we talked?
   
3. What has been the biggest hurdle you’ve faced in regards to your business?
   
4. What is the biggest creative challenge you have overcome?
   
5. Do you struggle at all with the marketing arm of running a business?
   
6. How do you get your name out there? Agent? Groups? Conferences?
   
7. You love to learn and grow, do you struggle with time management? How do you go about learning new skills? When is it important to sharpen skills you have already and what have you done to do that?
   
8. Do you have any systems or processes that has helped you develop new skills? What types of business skills and creative skills have you had to learn?
   
9. Looking back, have you found or realized a new superpower you weren’t aware of before?
   
10. Do you ever deal with being overwhelmed? If so how have you dealt with that?
    
11. How do you come up with new ideas?
    
12. Do you have any creative outlets or non creative outlets that you do regularly to keep you balanced?
    
13. Have you avoided burning out?
    
14. Do you collaborate with others? What elements make up a perfect collaborative project for you?
    
15. What is one thing you’ve learned about yourself in the last year, that has been most impactful to your life or freelance business?
    
16. What’s one piece of advice you would tell your past self 8 years ago?
    
17. What is next?

Connect with Scott

instagram.com/youbringfire
twitter.com/youbringfire
youbringfire.com

Transcript

[00:00:00] diane: We’ll start over. Uh, hey everybody. Welcome through another episode of Creatives Ignite. Used to be called Design Recharge for all the other three times that Scott Biersack has been on. It has been called Design Recharge, but we changed it in, I don’t know, I guess this year was the first official year of it.

[00:00:23] And um, I’m just excited. Scott, you are, have always been one of my favorite people to interview. [00:00:30] You’re long lifetime learner. So we were doing some, uh, talking about when he was on before. So in 2015, I believe you might have still been in school as an undergrad.

[00:00:45] Scott Biersack: Yes. I graduated in 2015, so, okay. Yeah.

[00:00:49] diane: So you had, inside of school, you had worked for Disney.

[00:00:56] Yeah. Okay. I mean he super

[00:00:58] Scott Biersack: impressive. Well, I was an intern. I [00:01:00] was doing work, doesn’t matter at an internship, but yes, I touched Disney stuff.

[00:01:05] diane: Yeah. Not just, you know, on the shelf or something. So, but there were things that you were doing. Right. So you’ve also done work for Stranger Strangers. So Brian Alexis says he’s showing this to his, um, packaging class.

[00:01:20] Right. You did some work for Stranger? Stranger. Stranger,

[00:01:23] Scott Biersack: yeah. I worked his, Rob worked, I worked there for a short time as

[00:01:25] diane: well, but they do a lot of packaging and type [00:01:30] typography for a long time. Has been one of your loves when you were in school for years? This is sit in Arizona people, so it’s hot, it’s in Phoenix.

[00:01:38] A little bit cooler, but. For real, not, not as cool as it could be in other places. Right. But one of the things that was impressive to me is Scott, they had this big, what was the feet size of that chalkboard that you would go and draw on every

[00:01:53] Scott Biersack: week? Gosh, I don’t even remember anymore. It’s gotta be at least like 23 feet, I [00:02:00] think.

[00:02:00] 25 feet long. And it was like maybe six feet tall or seven feet tall. So it was pretty big.

[00:02:07] diane: Pretty. So you would go and you would, uh, do a lettering, you would have a message and draw with chalk every Saturday, or, I don’t know what day it was.

[00:02:18] Scott Biersack: Yeah. Uh, it was usually the weekends, cuz that’s when I had time to kind of take a break from the, the schoolwork and nobody was around cuz all the kids were, you know, sleeping from the night before partying and everything.

[00:02:29] [00:02:30] So it was my time to just like have some solitude at that wall. And so

[00:02:34] if

[00:02:34] diane: you wanna search for any of those old episodes, if you just go to creative ignite.com and scroll down to the bottom and it says Search, you can search for Scott. Be second. You can watch those. And we have talked about that. You have a very inspiring story.

[00:02:47] There’s some, I think Vimeos or YouTubes that if you search, um, you tell your story and it is so inspiring. So now we’ve known each other a long time. Um, so [00:03:00] 2015 is when you were on. Now. Now it’s 2023. And so Scott just said, can I tell him how old you are now? Yeah. Go glove. He said, I just turned 30 and I did this so long ago.

[00:03:12] So to me it’s like, wow. And I mean, um, Scott’s super taller than me, but who isn’t really? Um, but he’s always somebody who’s just so easy to talk to and very, um, Just puts his [00:03:30] pants on like everybody else. But he’s had some amazing things he’s done. So as a lifelong learner, just give him a little bit about, I’ve given a little bit of the stuff you’ve done.

[00:03:41] You’ve done packaging, you’ve done murals, you’ve done a lot of really heavy focused type stuff. But tell ’em a little bit, if somebody didn’t know who Scott Biersack was, what would you, how would you describe

[00:03:54] Scott Biersack: yourself? Yeah, that’s, and it’s, that’s a great question cuz more so recently [00:04:00] it’s been, you know, me exploring a lot of different creative avenues.

[00:04:05] So I don’t know how to tell people like what it is that I do other than like my typical day-to-day is I’m a lettering artist, illustrator, designer. I have that as my background. But I’ve been, I guess more so in the art realm recently, or just like a creative realm in general where I just like, I tackle.

[00:04:23] All kinds of things that just entice me. So I’ve been like calling myself an artist recently, which is more of like a broad [00:04:30] blanket term just because I’ve been dabbling in so many other things. Um, so yeah, that’s kind of the, the gist of it. When

[00:04:39] diane: I was describing you in my thing, I actually didn’t have typographer first or letterer first.

[00:04:45] That was like, yeah, that’s okay. That’s okay. Well, because I do think you have, um, You’ve expanded, you know? Yeah, it’s, and I think that that is really, it’s a reminder that we don’t have to just get [00:05:00] stuck on one thing. It’s a reminder that we can change our minds and we can, and luckily our industry is big enough that there’s a lot of things for us to explore.

[00:05:09] Right. And I think that you have a great, I think it’s a great story for, for that, being able to, so the last time we talked was in 2018 and you were about to leave for type, uh, type at Cooper, Paris,

[00:05:23] Scott Biersack: maybe, uh, type Paris. It’s just type Paris. Yeah.

[00:05:26] diane: Type. You’re like, uh, no, Diane. Anyway. But you had already done a [00:05:30] Cooper Yeah.

[00:05:30] Uh, union. You’d done gone to New York, right? You’d studied there. Um, and you’ve made, uh, lots of, I mean, lots of things with type. Um, but I, when you showed me the images that you, you, I asked you to give me some images and you told me, um, or you gave me some, a lot of illustration and not that you hadn’t illustrated before, but the, it was mostly typographic illustration.

[00:05:59] You were, [00:06:00] um, pushing the typography of it. And so now to see your work, now you’ve, was that a big switch when you went from. And started illustrating more.

[00:06:12] Scott Biersack: Um, thankfully not so much just because of my sort of upbringing in, in elementary school. Like I always took art class, um, from like kindergarten up until I graduated high school, art was like the foundation of my design career.

[00:06:26] So it was kind of nice to just fall back on [00:06:30] what I knew in terms of like, art and painting and, you know, all the different, uh, avenues of creativity there. So it just feels good to like take a step back from, you know, quote unquote design and, and come back to the art side of things and it all just connects at some point, you know, one way or another.

[00:06:48] Um, so even though like, like you’re saying like the, a majority of my work might be type or illustration focused, um, I try to take those things and expand upon them in [00:07:00] other avenues of creativity. So even though this thing over here might not be like directly related to typography, um, The nuance of like, maybe something as simple as spacing that I learned in the type of C Cooper program or type Paris program.

[00:07:16] I still have that, uh, sort of, um, muscle memory almost, and then I can apply that to this other thing that I’m doing over here. And so it all, you know, like I said, it all just connects one way or another. And so it’s [00:07:30] been nice to explore all these other avenues of creativity and, um, even though they’re not, you know, correlated whatsoever, um, they all connect in in some fashion.

[00:07:41] diane: Absolutely. So was it a really, uh, relief I guess when you started? I know that I’ve talked to other typography focused designers or illustrators, and they have, there’s been a. When someone asked them to illustrate something [00:08:00] in with it in the beginning, there was like, oh, I don’t, you know, I do lettering.

[00:08:04] You know, or I’m, if there’s a, there was an uncomfortable period for them because yes, they may have drawn as a kid, but they weren’t drawing, nobody was paying them to do that. Yeah. And so, right. So there was a little bit of a imposter syndrome or like, oh, I’ve gotta work at this. Was that just you were, that wasn’t something you dealt with, or was that ever part of the, because you were [00:08:30] illustrating enough, like you were practicing enough on your own maybe.

[00:08:33] Scott Biersack: Right. I was, I was doing it on my own here and there. Um, yeah, it’s definitely validating when a client wants you to, to pay you for the work that you’re doing, but, um, I don’t know. I always was illustrating. And so, you know, my mindset of drawing letter forms, uh, you know, even something as simple as the definition of lettering is drawn letter forms, essentially.

[00:08:59] Mm-hmm. So [00:09:00] in my opinion, it is very beneficial to own your illustration skills and lettering skills simultaneously because, um, the work just kind, again, it kind of goes hand in hand. Um, illustration and lettering, I consider lettering illustration sometimes too. Because the, a majority of the time, if a client reaches out to me, they actually need an illustration first and the typography second.

[00:09:26] Um, so it’s not like they’re coming to me specifically for [00:09:30] a logo type and they need some additional sort of ancillary assets. It’s more so they need, like, I mean, at least more recently, the work that I’ve been doing has been like, we need a big poster. And then if you can draw the type two to make a custom for this poster, then that’s great.

[00:09:46] So like I said, I think the illustration is actually first and foremost, and lettering is second. So if they can of course, jive with one another, then the piece is going to be, you know, that much better because [00:10:00] you have the understanding of what makes a good illustration and then the type is just, you’re just adding some type to it, like ma making the type match the vibe of the illustration that you’re drawing.

[00:10:10] So I don’t know if that answers your question or, yeah, no,

[00:10:12] diane: that totally. So, so I think that that’s a really good point. So people, um, You weren’t, and all your, you have multiple styles, or you’ve gone through multiple styles as, as I’ve seen you. Um, but I think that it’s, you, you [00:10:30] don’t just fit into one bucket super easy, which, but it is really helpful for clients because then they can be like, Hey, we know you show up.

[00:10:37] We know you do great work. Can you do this? And you’re like, yeah, I can try. Or Yeah, I’ve been playing with this. Or do some people just mm-hmm. Kind of give you cart lunch and say, Hey, we just really love this. Can you, do they ask you to stylistically match things or do they just like what you’re currently doing or just trust you to be like, create

[00:10:59] Scott Biersack: whatever [00:11:00] you want?

[00:11:01] Yeah, it’s, it’s definitely a mixture. Some clients definitely come with some sort of an idea. A lot of the clients that I’m working with have a, either an in-house design team or some sort of design. Team, uh, in the vicinity. So it’s not like I’m just working directly with like somebody that has no idea, you know, what design is.

[00:11:20] Um, so that definitely makes my job so much easier because I can like, you know, give them an AI file and they can pick it apart and do whatever they need to do. Um, [00:11:30] sorry, what was the question again?

[00:11:32] diane: Remind me. It’s me. I have a d h, adhd. I don’t

[00:11:34] Scott Biersack: know, you have to, I totally just lost my train of thought.

[00:11:37] diane: Um, uh, I don’t know.

[00:11:40] I don’t remember. I think it was just, oh, do clients, do you

[00:11:43] Scott Biersack: Oh, clients.

[00:11:44] diane: Does the clients give any free reign and stuff? Yeah. Do you get free reign or did they say, Hey, you did this one thing, or did they see something that you’ve done on the side? Like a, just a, um, a Scott project?

[00:11:56] Scott Biersack: Yeah. So sometimes it is that way.

[00:11:58] Sometimes they see something that [00:12:00] I’ve already done and they like the overall style for that thing, and they’ll say, Hey, we want. You know, some stickers or something in that same style. But honestly, a majority of the time a client comes to me and they say like, Hey, we have this project where, you know, let’s say they, they have a general idea of like, okay, I’m gonna, we’re gonna brand an event and it’s up to you to, you know, art direct or creative direct or whatever, um, this event.

[00:12:23] And so that’s kind of where I get to become in and, you know, fill that sort of like overall look from the ground [00:12:30] up. And that’s why I really love doing stuff like that because they do put a lot of trust in me to, you know, create that overall style that is being proposed. Um, and so that’s why I get the opportunity to work and draw these wild things that I wouldn’t normally get to is because I’m the one, thankfully being able to propose these ideas and say like, Hey, I think this is cool.

[00:12:51] Do you think it’s cool? And the client thankfully sometimes is like, yeah, this is cool. Let’s do it. And so, um, I’m very lucky to be able to, you [00:13:00] know, have clients trust me in that, in that sense.

[00:13:03] diane: So from, and this wasn’t on the sheet. I mean, Lord knows we haven’t even started on the sheet, but, um, so from, so one of the things that you sent me was this mural that you had done and in.

[00:13:16] All the, the chalkboard work you had done from years ago, had you been wanting to, or have you been doing murals the whole time? And I just didn’t know about it. You weren’t like posting about it and, but no. No. [00:13:30] So what did you wanna get back into? Doing something larger. And did you physically do it? Did, did you just design Oh, you went and painted it.

[00:13:38] So was there something like going back to when you were in undergrad or something, I don’t know, was there this nostalgia for you in Yeah,

[00:13:49] Scott Biersack: yeah, absolutely. Um, with that project in particular, Um, you know, I was hit up out of the blue from DoorDash and they needed some, some artwork for the, the [00:14:00] walls of their new headquarters.

[00:14:01] And so thankfully I was even considered in the first place because if you look at my portfolio, I have no mural work in there whatsoever. And so it is crazy that I was even offered the job. But I do have mural mural work. I have painted a number of murals, and then of course, the chalkboard stuff, like I’ve worked large scale a number of times.

[00:14:20] Um, I just don’t get that work too often because people don’t see the, that type of work in my portfolio. So, um, yeah, it [00:14:30] was really, really nice to be able to, you know, take a step back from the screen and work physically on this massive wall and paint it. And me and my friend Nicole, she’s an actual legit muralist, so I had her come in and help me.

[00:14:45] Like, I wanted to make sure it was done correctly and the client like, you know, loved it at the end of the day. And so her, uh, guidance definitely helped. Um, cuz it’s been so long since I have painted a mural. Um, but yeah, it was, it was a great time. I wanna do more of that stuff. It’s [00:15:00] just few and far between, just because again, my portfolio doesn’t have, you know, that much mural work in it for people to see.

[00:15:06] So they don’t know that I’m capable of doing it. So,

[00:15:09] diane: yeah, I think that’s great and that it, again, sometimes we have to create some things on our own to be able to start getting that work. But the more you get, but because you did so many of those when you were in your early twenties by doing those every Saturday, you got experience of working in that big scale, [00:15:30] designing for that big scale.

[00:15:31] We do have lots of adjacent karns here. We have lots of other people. I, I really appreciate you guys being here and um, I told Scott that I might get teary because there’s, anyways, but I just really appreciate you guys. That’s okay being here. Okay. So, um, This is the, this is the fourth time you’ve been on the show.

[00:15:52] So how in, since, let’s just take it from 2018, you were about to go to tight Paris. [00:16:00] So you’re continuing to learn. You’re not, if you watched, uh, Scott, I think it’s Vimeo. The, I mean, your, there was a time where your family was, you were living in your car, you know, this was, you’re not just like the super wealthy, rich from a rich family, you know, like, you know, oh, well this summer I’ll spend in Paris.

[00:16:21] You know, like, oh yeah. That wasn’t, wasn’t where you were coming from. So you’re working and you’re learning, you’re, you’re just, um, putting your extra [00:16:30] funds into your brain, I guess, right? Like

[00:16:34] Scott Biersack: your Yeah, very true. Yes.

[00:16:35] diane: Teaching and so, One of the things we talked about last week when me and you met, um, was just this love for this learning and this continual learning, and I think I’m definitely a continual learner as well.

[00:16:49] Um, but so from 2018, you were about to go to type Paris, which you’d already studied at, uh, Cooper Union. So [00:17:00] what was the poll to go and study in, in Paris? And then what have you been learning since and how has your business changed from 2018 to today?

[00:17:12] Scott Biersack: Um, alright, so great question with Paris especially. I mean, those are two huge, huge questions cuz they both are gonna be some massive answers.

[00:17:22] Um, but anyway, I’ll start with Paris. Uh, the big push for me was, you know, I had, I had this understanding of type and, and [00:17:30] lettering and stuff, but I wanted more and I know, um, that I’m very successful in a school environment. Um, if I have somebody relying on me, if they say, Scott, you have homework due on this day, I’m gonna get it done no matter what.

[00:17:47] Because I work really well under those sort of, um, guidelines, I guess. Um, and of course just the camaraderie, like I really loved the camaraderie involved at the type of [00:18:00] Cooper program and everyone’s there just like hyped on type all the time. Uh, and like just being around people that,

[00:18:07] diane: was that their tagline?

[00:18:08] Hyped on type? No,

[00:18:10] Scott Biersack: no, that just came my mouth just now. That’s a good one. But I’m, I was equally high on type and so it was, it was so nice to be around people that just truly loved, you know, what they were doing and they were there because they loved it so much, you know? And so like that kind of feeling or sensation was sort of [00:18:30] infectious because how often are you in an environment where people are just like super stoked to be there?

[00:18:35] Um, and of course they’re like doing it in their, in their part-time essentially. Cuz the way the super program and Paris program is set up is like, you essentially still have your job elsewhere and you are kind of making this happen. And so that’s, that’s kind of, uh, one of the main reasons, of course. So the, the baseline level was like, okay, I really love school.

[00:18:56] Um, that’s a no-brainer. And then I wanted to learn [00:19:00] more like I thought. You can learn so many things like regarding type and lettering. But if somebody else has a different methodology as to how to draw a G for example, well then I’ll go to Paris and learn how to draw a G differently. You know, because the way they’re teaching it is gonna be completely different than the way the type of Cooper program’s gonna be teaching it.

[00:19:21] Um, and so I learned a club there, even though, yes, I did do a year atty of Cooper, like I still learned so much at the Ty Harris program [00:19:30] and so I’m so glad I did that. Um, but yeah, I just have this urge to, like you said, like continue to learn. Um, it’s hard for me to, uh, just kind of do the same thing day in and day out.

[00:19:41] Like I just get so bored so easily. And learning is one of those things to easily just like change up my routine and, you know, be stoked and reignite the fires of creativity and enjoy the process along the way. So, I don’t know. To me it’s a no-brainer. I know it’s a difficult thing for [00:20:00] most people to do, especially here in America where schooling is very expensive.

[00:20:04] Um, but like you said, like I just tend to save up my money and put that towards school, um, instead of, you know, I don’t take massive vacations or anything. I think the last time I took a vacation was like, I couldn’t even tell you when. Um, uh, so I’m spending that money on, on myself to sort of better myself, but also just like, enjoy life along the way because creativity and being a creative overall is like [00:20:30] what kind of sustains me as an individual.

[00:20:33] And so I tried to feed into that. And so, um, the second part of your question I think was about like, all the things that I’m doing now

[00:20:41] diane: or like, so how has your business changed since, so from 2018, right before you were leaving, so I know you were, you were working, you the, even the maybe the kind of clients that you’re getting.

[00:20:52] Now, or the types of projects that you are going after now might be different than what you were [00:21:00] going after then? I mean, I know it is for me, I’m doing different things.

[00:21:03] Scott Biersack: Yeah, that is very true. I think honestly, just by happenstance, I’ve, you know, worked with clients that I didn’t, I, I didn’t think it would happen.

[00:21:13] You know, I’m not like, uh, just to be blatantly honest, like I’m not searching for the work too often and it’s just, thankfully, you know, people I don’t know, talk, you know, share my work in their agencies and my work, my name gets thrown around or something cuz I’m not [00:21:30] actively emailing people that often.

[00:21:32] Sometimes I am some, but most of the time I’m not. Just because I’m already so busy with, you know, what’s currently on my plate. And so, um, I think a big impetus as to, you know, what’s led me to these bigger jobs or, or the work that I, you know, have been doing recently. Has been less about, you know, putting myself out there and more about understanding who I [00:22:00] am as an individual and what makes me tick and, um, you know, the things I love, the things I hate.

[00:22:06] Um, all the, like, understanding myself has been actually the most beneficial thing for my business because, um, and I’ll just be blatantly honest, I’ve been going to therapy for four years now. Um, so right around 2018 I think is like, or 2019, right? That area, right when we were talking the last time, like that’s when I realized I needed therapy and [00:22:30] going through that and has been a, a great experience again to help me realize like who I am, what are my values, all these things that.

[00:22:38] Make me, me, and then I take that, bottle it up, and then it becomes an outward sort of projection onto my business by, you know, just by association. Like I’m not really doing anything different other than, um, making different decisions based on my, the understanding of who I am. Mm-hmm. If that makes sense.

[00:22:58] So, yeah, totally. Something [00:23:00] as simple as like knowing what my values are and then using that to guide, you know, the clients that I take on or the client relationships that I have. And, um, and then intertwined in all of that. Uh, I realize that like, I was treating my work, like, work, like I felt like I was clocking in and clocking out and I realized like, what the fuck am I Scott, sorry.

[00:23:22] I was like, what? What am I doing right now? My mom’s not here so

[00:23:24] diane: it’s okay.

[00:23:26] Scott Biersack: We’ll we’ll let’s

[00:23:27] diane: get back to a g rating next week [00:23:30] people. Exactly. This is one in great way to um, I’m just make sure for i’s over here. I know, I know. I just always had it so that she, um, I was like, let’s not cuss cuz my mom’s here.

[00:23:42] So, and my mom would always be like, I’ve heard those words before Diane. And I like, oh my. I know. But it allows it to be anyway. It’s totally fine. Yeah. Feel free. I didn’t remind you, you know, she was as

[00:23:53] Scott Biersack: candid as possible. I’m glad.

[00:23:55] diane: Please be

[00:23:55] Scott Biersack: candid. Just fit, keep going. Um, totally lost my train of thought there, but I [00:24:00] think what I was trying to say is like along the lines of, I was treating work, like work, it wasn’t fun as much.

[00:24:06] And I’m try, I like had this like epiphany of like, why am I trying to sort of portray this persona of like, me being like in a suit and tie like, yes, I will get you that logo right now when I’m in reality. Like I, I don’t know what I’m can do in half a time. I’m, I don’t know, I just feel like I’ve just meandered around and I’ve happened to fall into this state that I’m in currently [00:24:30] and I’m very thankful and I’m very blessed because of it.

[00:24:32] But, um, I started to treat my, uh, sort of outward projection of myself as like me, this silly sort of like outward, outgoing, you know, colorful, playful sort of vibe that I’ve got. And I’m trying to imbue that into, you know, my website and my work. And even just like the simple conversations I have with clients, like I’ve, I’ve actually.

[00:24:59] Spent more [00:25:00] time creating and fostering relationships. Whereas before I, I was just like, again, I was very like Hoy toy about it and like I realized like, what am I doing this? Like this isn’t me. Like, so yeah, I think

[00:25:11] diane: part of that’s kinda the gist. I think that part of coming into yourself and not having to edit yourself for professional world, I mean, man, people have told me for all my life, I mean my mom was one of them, but uh, even my colleagues that sometimes will be like, oh, I can tell them, I can tell that they’re looking at [00:25:30] me like, I don’t believe you should have said that out loud, Diane.

[00:25:32] You know? Yeah. And I’m not cussing or anything. I’m just using weird analogies. Um Right. Usually have something to do with a bra usually. Um, my students are okay with it cuz they’re like not fazed by anything anymore. But, but I think it is really, that’s something, and you started so young and early, earlier than normal, you know, like most people might be 23 when they’re starting or 22.

[00:25:59] But [00:26:00] you were designing and, and working at a, a really good internship agency, right. It was an agency and you were an intern and they had big clients. And I just think that they’re, maybe that was that pressure of you’ve gotta up your game, you’ve gotta act, you can’t act like you’re 19 buddy. You know? Yes.

[00:26:21] And so you were Hoy Toy Scott trying to just make people trust you. But I think that, yeah. What made people trust you was [00:26:30] all those Saturdays of doing these, you know, as, as a, and, and even you did a 365 project. I remember us talking about that probably in 2015. You’re like, I missed some deadlines for school because I did wanna not do my lettering project that I said I was gonna do on Instagram.

[00:26:48] You know? And I just think, yeah, I think that that is, Is, it’s really helpful to not feel like you’re having to edit because it’s so much pressure [00:27:00] to have to be like, who do I have to be here? I have, and it’s just like, maybe everybody won’t like me, right? But this is how I am gonna be because it’s more work to have to pressure, you know, like be that certain way with this client.

[00:27:17] Do you know what I

[00:27:17] Scott Biersack: mean? Yeah, exactly. I mean like, cuz I was, I was definitely putting on that sort of persona when I had like clock into work, so to speak, where I’d be like, you know, I’ll send in an email and I’d say like, [00:27:30] Hello, so-and-so, hope this email finds you well, blah, blah, blah. You know? And like in reality now I’m like, what’s up dude?

[00:27:38] How the hell are you? Here’s your logo. Hope you, you know, I, I am very unprofessional now, I guess, but in the best way possible. Like, I, I think it’s more of like, we’re all human at the end of the day and we’re all just creating and having a good time together. So like, why the hell should we be? So, I don’t know, stuck up about it or, [00:28:00] I don’t know what the

[00:28:00] diane: phrase is.

[00:28:01] So I guess I don’t think of that as professional or not professional. I understand what you’re saying. It was that mode, but I think it is, um, cuz I feel like you’re professional. E even if you’re wearing a t-shirt or you’re, but here’s what makes you professional or a professional, is that you’re detail oriented.

[00:28:19] That you care about what the client, um, you’re listening to the client that you show up, when you’re gonna show up that is professional, that you’re trying to serve them. [00:28:30] Maybe that’s not even something that even people who are super professional, they show up, but they’re serving themselves more so to me.

[00:28:37] Yeah. It’s like, can you, can you do the job, can you work hard to figure it out and, and tell me, be honest with the client, uh, about where you are and where you’re struggling with or what, you know, it’s like, I don’t, I feel like they’re humans too, you know? Yeah. We just need to, I mean, I’ve had clients for 20 years and [00:29:00] so you can’t fake it for 20 years, you know?

[00:29:04] Scott Biersack: For sure. And that’s, that’s very true. You make a good point. I am very professional in that sense. So I shouldn’t, you’re, I should, like, I totally think of you as being myself on the back for

[00:29:11] diane: that. Yes. I think of you as being professional. I’ve never had it where you didn’t show up when we were supposed to meet, or, I mean, like, you are dependable.

[00:29:20] That’s professional. I, it’s the button wearing, um, Uh, nerdy guy that, uh, Jason Carter was saying, you know, that [00:29:30] that’s, um, I guess the, anyway, I don’t wanna get off on that. So, so from last time to now, you put your money, extra money. I’m like you, I don’t really take vacations either, but I think like going to Creative South is like vacation to me, even though I’m working my butt off.

[00:29:47] Yes. Like, that’s, uh, really fun. My husband’s like, this is, this would not be fun to me. And I was like, oh, it’s really fun to me. You can stay home. Um, so I Right, I, I get this, um, so. Has there [00:30:00] been? Maybe this is just going into therapy. The last time I talked he also was on this weird, um, and it was a weird celery diet.

[00:30:09] And I was like, when I met with him last week or whatever, I was like, are you still drinking celery? Because he was like, oh my gosh, this thing has changed my life. Diane, I drink celery every day. Sure. And he was like juicing, like, I mean he needed a celery garden. It was so much. Yeah. But it really changed your body.

[00:30:27] You were like, I’m so much healthier. And, [00:30:30] and so yeah, you did answer that question about the celery that you are still, I, uh,

[00:30:37] Scott Biersack: I am still drinking, so I literally had some this morning, um, celery juice. We don’t have to get off on a tangent here. Uh, we can keep it, you know, solely design oriented still, but I will say like celery cel juice is like really good for your digestion.

[00:30:54] That’s all I’m gonna say. So like, it’s been good for you. Yes. When we were talking [00:31:00] back in 2018 or something, I was going through some health stuff, um, and it was like scary shit, right? And I thought I was gonna die. Like that’s kind of what it felt like and that’s what ultimately led me to go to therapy.

[00:31:12] And celery juice was like this, like thing that at least helped in the process. Like I don’t think it was the end all be all and cured me by any means. Um, but celery juice is one of the things that I was just doing that Diane thought was just like insane. I just don’t like celery. It’s chicken and everything.

[00:31:28] Yeah. It’s not [00:31:30] good. I’m not saying I love drinking celery cause it

[00:31:32] diane: sucks, but it was like a big glass. You’re like, Diane, I’m drinking this and this is totally cha and I think it just gave you energy. It gave you something that you were, um, it gave me

[00:31:43] Scott Biersack: something I was lacking at the time and it ma made me feel like I was like doing something for my body.

[00:31:48] And you know, it was that, that was just one of the many things, of course. Right, right. You

[00:31:53] diane: were trying lots of things.

[00:31:55] Scott Biersack: I was doing so many other things, but yeah, celery juice is like the w thing that stuck with beya. [00:32:00] Right. I, I,

[00:32:00] diane: I guess cuz I don’t really like cel, but I, I think I tried it one day and I was like, buddy, I, I mean it would be like drinking like olive oil or something.

[00:32:09] Like, I’m like, I’m not sure I could do this. You know?

[00:32:12] Scott Biersack: Um, it sucked. It’s an acquired taste, but after all these years I still hate it.

[00:32:16] diane: But you now, you don’t drink it every day? You drink it like every other day or,

[00:32:20] Scott Biersack: yes. Every other day. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:32:23] diane: Okay. I just wanna, um, we do get off track, but hey, let’s just b us and I’d rather Exactly.

[00:32:29] [00:32:30] Because I think that was like, he’s like, I was like, well, what else is going on? And he’s like, oh my gosh, I started treating celery juice and I, everything. What did we tell you about celery? Yes. Anyway. Yeah. I, I tried it. I was like, I don’t know how he’s able to do this, but, um, I did and I remembered and I love you for that, that you are, oh, um, okay.

[00:32:48] So biggest hurdle in this amount of time, um, And it doesn’t have to just be business related, but what was the biggest hurt hurdle you faced from [00:33:00] 2018 to

[00:33:01] Scott Biersack: 2023? You know, I mean, just cuz of Covid. Uh, that was definitely, probably the, the hardest time, uh, right when Covid started. Why, why was that hard? Like any creative out there, any freelancer especially, and even those working at studios and agencies getting let go and stuff because nobody knew what the hell was going on.

[00:33:22] And, um, work essentially kind of just, you know, froze up for at least like five to six months. If [00:33:30] I had a job it was like, you know, a single job here and there. It was like barely enough to essentially get by. And so I was like, I’m gonna have to like, go get another job. Like I, I’m gonna have to like work for somebody else after I’ve been freelancing fer, who knows how long at this point.

[00:33:45] And so that was a little daunting to me because, um, you know, I have a really difficult time having people tell me what to do, to be honest. Um, or at least somebody higher up, just kind of like, you know, are directing me and all that stuff. It’s, it’s just a [00:34:00] little, it’s different than freelancing, of course.

[00:34:03] Um, but anyway, so I, uh, ended up getting two p p p loans that thankfully kept me afloat and, um, You know, I got a couple jobs here and there, but that was, that was definitely the, the hardest time cuz that cod caused me to sort of reevaluate like it did for probably everybody reevaluate my life and what it is that I’m doing and what it is that I enjoy doing and you know, what, why I’m here on this earth, what, [00:34:30] you know, what’s my purpose?

[00:34:31] All this, you know, just a lot of therapy there too. Trying to comprehend everything that was happening. I

[00:34:36] diane: do think I remember you telling me you were going to therapy then, because I think you, Ted you were doing the, like you dialed in the therapy, was that right? Yeah,

[00:34:45] Scott Biersack: yeah. I was using a service called Better Help and it was a good like, intro into therapy, but I personally would not recommend it, um, to folks.

[00:34:53] But, but now Oh, that’s for another, that’s for another day. Yeah. Another, another

[00:34:57] diane: talk. But, but I think that what I [00:35:00] like is that you were researching and you were trying different things and Exactly. For, for somebody who needs something, uh, maybe online is all they can do right now. Right. And I think within.

[00:35:13] In Covid, that was what everybody was having to do. Um, sure. I know that I have never met my psychiatrist. The guy who gives me my A D H D medicine, um, in person, he, he’s in mobile. Wow. But we just meet on Zoom and it costs a little bit more, but then I don’t have to [00:35:30] drive all that while you down there and just the time that I’m saving anyway.

[00:35:33] Yeah. And it’s worth it. Yeah. I have, I appreciate because anyway, I appreciate. Okay, so what about the biggest creative challenge that you’ve had was maybe a job, or maybe it was in this kind of questioning when you were not having a lot of work. How were you being creative? Did you have kind of a epiphany in some of those

[00:35:57] Scott Biersack: areas or?

[00:35:59] Yeah, I mean, [00:36:00] thankfully it, you know, gave me a lot of time to work on that. I wanted to work on stuff that I’ve been putting off myself. Um, just something as simple as like redoing my website. So right around that time was kind of when I had this epiphany moment of like, you know, putting forward my best self, who I am as an individual, like my truist self.

[00:36:19] And so, um, that’s probably right around the time that I started at least the process of, you know, something as simple as journaling all that stuff out so I can try to [00:36:30] understand, you know, who I am and how to present that to clients. And so the biggest creative hurdle was probably that trying to, um, do a lot of like inner work to, you know, figure, figure out what that is, and then sort of like launch this quote unquote rebrand of myself.

[00:36:51] And I’d be like, I don’t wanna call it that whatsoever. It was more just me turning off this like, mm. Bake, [00:37:00] um, persona of like being very quote unquote professional and turning on this new, this is me, you know? So, uh, just like figuring that out was probably the, the hardest part. But it, it also came very naturally once I, you know, came to this conclusion of like, oh, I need to do this.

[00:37:19] It was like, yeah, of course I do. You know? Right. Like it was a no-brainer. Right. That’s good. It took me some time to get there, so, but I’m glad I, I arrived at the destination, so

[00:37:28] diane: yes. And you’ll [00:37:30] always reevaluate. I think there will always become, come times when we don’t have as good of a work life. One of the things that we talked about last week when we met was what you’re learning now, and I know it’s not on the sheet, but that is something.

[00:37:44] So you’ve gone lots of type in the past, but tell ’em what you’re learning now.

[00:37:50] Scott Biersack: Yeah. Uh, so two years ago, this is also during, uh, the middle of Covid, I believe. Um, [00:38:00] I like had this other sort of epiphany moment where I like woke up one day and I was like, I really wanna make music. Um, and up until this point I’ve had zero education in music, so I know no music theory.

[00:38:13] I didn’t play any instruments or anything. And, uh, yeah, that, so of course the way my brain works, so I was like, okay, I gotta go back to school. And so a week or two went by, I was like, mulling it over, but two weeks went by and I signed up for the Berkeley College of Music. I send up for, [00:38:30] I send up for a, a certificate program.

[00:38:32] So I just like, instantly I was just like, yeah, I need to do this. Um, but you know, it’s like any creative, I feel like, you know, when you have that urge and if you don’t make the thing, you’re gonna go insane. That’s what it felt like. I just woke up with this urge to make music and I just thought, okay, I need to figure out how to make music first.

[00:38:50] Like I wanna make my own, you know, songs or an album at some point. Um, I’m well on my way. I still have a lot of learning to do, but I’ve at least started the process, [00:39:00] uh, two years ago. And so I’ve finished, I just finished the certificate I think about a month ago. So two years later I finished eight classes.

[00:39:08] So I’ve got, um, under my belt, like songwriting, harmony. I took of course like two or three music theory classes. Um, I got my guitars back here. Um, I got, got a piano in front of me. I’ve got the mic, so I’ve got everything. I’m like, I’m in the, in the process of, you know, still learning and, and going through all that stuff.

[00:39:29] But, [00:39:30] um, so I finished that and then in between all that, I wanted to do a stained glass. Glass. So I signed up for stained glass. Um, before all that, I took a ceramics class and I was getting into ceramics. Um, and then I like also Refurbish Game Boys. Um, I like buy old game boys and then I’ll, you know, essentially strip down all the parts and put in a new speaker and a new screen and all this stuff.

[00:39:54] Like again, I’m just kind of leaning into the things that I love and the things that bring me joy and Game Boys [00:40:00] and c r t TVs, like old nineties technology. Like I have a C R T TV down here. I don’t even

[00:40:06] diane: know what c r t means.

[00:40:08] Scott Biersack: Uh, cathode Ray Tube. Oh,

[00:40:10] diane: so an old tv, like a TV I had when I was So it’s big.

[00:40:14] Yes.

[00:40:15] Scott Biersack: When I was growing up. It’s one of those beefy boys. Yeah. It’s like, we got some buddy

[00:40:19] diane: wants to come over. We got some.

[00:40:22] Scott Biersack: Yeah. It’s like the thing, honestly, even

[00:40:25] diane: Goodwill doesn’t, Goodwill doesn’t even take Right. You’re like

[00:40:28] Scott Biersack: Exactly. Exactly. [00:40:30] So like taking all this, all that stuff and you know, again, like stained glass, game boys, ceramics, c r t, TVs, all this shit is kind of all over the place, but it all connects in some way if I’m willing to connect it.

[00:40:45] I think. Um, and like one of those things being like, I’ll display my work on the C R T TV and then I’ll take a photo of it so I get like the vintage, authentic sort of like the texture and the noise and all [00:41:00] the green that that produces. Yeah. So, you know, it’s, it’s just trying to figure out how these things intertwine.

[00:41:08] And like with stain glass, I use my type in illustration skills to create the stained glass. And with ceramics you can, same thing, you can use that to create patterns and glazes and stuff on ceramics. So like, It’s all connected and it’s all feeding my soul, and I just keep signing up for classes. And I’m, I’m, right now, I’m in the, in a break.

[00:41:28] I, I just finished my ceramics [00:41:30] class, or not ceramics, stain glass. I finished stain glass, I finished music. So I’m taking a little bit of a break so I can j kind of recharge the batteries and then I’m gonna sign up for more. All right.

[00:41:39] diane: So then how, so, so it sounds very kind of regimented. You do work well with structure and Yes.

[00:41:47] Having some deadlines and having somebody kind of pushing you. So the Berkeley thing is, that’s not in Phoenix though, right?

[00:41:56] Scott Biersack: Is that online? No, that’s all. Yeah, that’s all online. The Berkeley College of Music is, [00:42:00] uh, located in Boston. I did not wanna move to Boston, so I decided to do it online.

[00:42:05] diane: So then, um, But they didn’t say you have to take three classes a semester

[00:42:10] Scott Biersack: or something.

[00:42:11] No. Thankfully, the way that their program’s structured, I just was able to kind of come and go as I please in a way, as long as I’m talking to, um, you know, a counselor, academic person there that kind of understands, you know, what it is I’m doing. So I essentially took one class per order or [00:42:30] a term or what, whatever the division is there.

[00:42:33] Um, and sometimes I took two classes, but when I took two is when I realized like I was getting really tired. Cuz I, it’s hard to do all that Of course. And then, then do life and freelance and everything else. So, um, that’s why it’s taken me two years to finish this certificate because I’m having to juggle.

[00:42:50] That’s, yeah, that’s okay. I know. I wish I could have finished it so much sooner. I wish I could have finished it in like a single year, but, um,

[00:42:56] diane: but maybe there’s something beautiful in the stretching it [00:43:00] out and allows your brain to. Take in things in a different way, I think, to be honest.

[00:43:05] Scott Biersack: But yeah, that is true.

[00:43:07] diane: Maybe when you get to be 50, you’ll understand that part. We’ll just talk back then when we, we’ll just wrap it back and I’ll be 70 and you’ll be 30 and they’ll be great. Okay. So, um, so when you are taking this, uh, break because it is, you are doing life, you’re, um, yeah. Uh, you’re working, running your business and [00:43:30] you’re doing this, uh, learning on the side.

[00:43:32] How do you balance, um, like is there, do you do the learning on a certain night or during, on the weekend, or do you take some time during the week to do that?

[00:43:45] Scott Biersack: Yeah, the way, uh, the, again, kinda the way my brain works or the way I know, I’m like operating best. Is I also get up at four 30 in the morning, which is, I know insane for most people, [00:44:00] but my body just wakes up.

[00:44:01] Like I don’t set an alarm. What time do you go to bed? I explain it. Oh, I go to bed at nine. I’m an old man. I go sometimes it’s eight 30. Honestly. I know. Me too sometimes eight 30, I’m like, good to go to

[00:44:11] diane: bed at. So tired, I gotta go to bed. Like it’s eight 30. I’m like, I know. Yeah,

[00:44:15] Scott Biersack: I am. Who cares? Why down, like, yeah.

[00:44:18] I’m like, it’s eight 30, I’m exhausted, I’m going to bed. Like I, I kind of listened to my body, right? Like, so if I’m tired at eight 30, I go to bed. I’m not trying to sort of like force myself to stay up. Um, and so getting [00:44:30] up at four 30, um, I don’t know if it’s like with dudes testosterones, like peak at, at right when you wake up right In the morning.

[00:44:37] And so, I dunno if it’s a testosterone flowing or whatever it is, but I’m very like, energetic and the, you know, things are flowing in the morning. So that’s when I do my work. I am very, um, just like alert and active and so I do. You know, my work, client work from, yeah. It’s a, that’s a mixture of like doing my homework when I was in school and doing [00:45:00] client work.

[00:45:00] Okay. But then I’ll do like a normal day. So

[00:45:03] you’re

[00:45:03] diane: create creative work, you’re not doing emails, you’re not doing ads. No, no. You’re doing that stuff later.

[00:45:09] Scott Biersack: Okay. Creative work is like from four 30 to at least one 30 or two. And then I’ll do my, like, admin stuff. Um, probably two to three. And I usually end my day around like three 30 or four because I’m starting my day so early at four.

[00:45:25] Um, that’s kind of the schedule. And like I just, [00:45:30] I just chip away at things, uh, like a little by little every day rather than like sitting down and working on a big chunk for a while. I’ll like, Do a little bit of this project and I’ll jump to this project and then I’ll jump to my homework and then I’ll jump to this.

[00:45:44] And so doing a little bit each day allows me to feel like I’m chipping away at everything simultaneously. And it doesn’t feel as daunting when the deadlines, you know, come and I’m like, oh shit, I gotta, you know, I’ve got this thing due. Like, cuz I don’t operate very [00:46:00] well under the pressure of like, okay, the deadline’s tomorrow I’m stressing, you know, so if I, you can sort of like take the time to understand, okay, if the deadline’s here, then I need to, you know, work backwards from that and chip away at it each day.

[00:46:15] And so when the deadline arrives, like I already have had it done for like three or four days, I’m just sitting on it so the client thinks that I’m working on it the whole time.

[00:46:23] diane: Right. Wait. Well, and it also gives you time to. If you’re working on something until the moment, there’s gonna be a [00:46:30] mistake. But if you give yourself like 24 hours to not look at it, or 48, 8 hours, then you can find, oh, I misspelled that word, or that, that Kearns needs to be a little tighter or something.

[00:46:40] So I think that’s, but again, that’s how you’re professional. You don’t have to wear a button up shirt to be a professional. But that, that, but that is also really hard. It’s really hard for a lot of people who are running their own business, um, to be able to forecast, uh, how far something’s gonna take. We tend to, when [00:47:00] we’re, if we work for someone else, they kind of have, they’re doing the forecasting for us.

[00:47:04] We need this, we need this. These are those deadlines that come in from the creative director. Yeah. Yeah. But when you’re doing that on your own, you, you have just been able to do that. How, how were you able to learn that so early?

[00:47:21] Scott Biersack: I, I’d like to say I learned it the hard way, you know, cuz of course, like it didn’t really, I didn’t really like [00:47:30] have this process figured out.

[00:47:32] I think over time it naturally dawned on me of like, oh, I work really well at this time. Oh, I don’t do well after this time. And so I kind of, again, it’s a lot of soul urchin. You have to work with what works well for you. And so like my process is not gonna make sense for almost literally everybody else out there.

[00:47:52] diane: Right. Jason Carn said he could not get up at four 30 if his life depended on us.

[00:47:57] Scott Biersack: And that’s okay. You know, like some people, [00:48:00] like my girlfriend stays up significantly later than I do. But I just can’t operate that way. And so you just kind of have to, you know, there’s a give and take there and you have to work with what works for you.

[00:48:11] And that’s kind of what I’ve been doing is just leaning into that. And again, to the circle back to therapy and everything. You know, I wouldn’t know this stuff or like have the tools per se to like go digging for it to understand it. Um, you know, had it not been for therapy, so the mar stars go to therapy and [00:48:30] find like, Figure out, you know, what works for you and like figure out who you are as an individual because it ultimately has impacted every facet of my life.

[00:48:39] Of course. And so it’s been incredibly beneficial. So when you’re

[00:48:42] diane: doing honest this learning, this is fun, but it’s still learning, there’s still, uh, struggles and frustrations when you’re learning something new. Yeah, so one of the things when I, I last summer I really dealt with, um, like I’m a professional, I should be able to draw this better.

[00:48:58] Or I, you [00:49:00] know, I, I was feeling a little like, I can’t even say I’m a this cuz then people will be like, well I’m never sending my kid to that school. Cuz that’s what those people are, you know, like you’re in ceramics and people are like, oh, you make art for a living. And you’re like, but not ceramics. I don’t make ceramics for a living.

[00:49:18] Right. Um, right. So is did you have to deal with any of that or do you have to deal with any of that when you’re in the art visual

[00:49:26] Scott Biersack: arts? You mean like kind of [00:49:30] it’s a mindset worrying thing, I think. Yeah. Is it like more so worrying about what other people think? Mm-hmm. Is that kind of what you’re asking?

[00:49:36] Um, yeah. I mean, I get that all the time. Like, people are like, you’re going back to school again? And I’m like, yeah, o of course I am. Like, what do you expect? That’s just who I am. Um, so yeah, it’s like part of the game. Um, I’m not surprised that people can, you know, act or think that way or say things like that, but I, I don’t know.

[00:49:58] It, obviously it’s easier [00:50:00] said than done, but I don’t give it any time or attention. Mm. Because I know that it makes me happy and I know that, um, I’m super stoked doing these things, and if somebody over here is like, oh my God, you’re going back to school and you’re learning this and you’re sharing about this on Instagram, I’m like, well, who gives a shit?

[00:50:16] I don’t know. Like I’m, I’m super stoked about it and I’m. Happy it, you know, doing the, doing the process. Uh, and that’s all that matters at the end of the day. Cuz I have to like, again, creatively sort of fulfill myself. And if [00:50:30] I can’t do that, like why should I be worrying about John Smith every year when I, that’s my husband, I don’t worry about myself.

[00:50:36] So my husband’s bothering his name Smith,

[00:50:38] diane: his, his name’s Johns know. I know. It’s really sad. I, yeah. Um, but it, that is, he’s like, I’m the original and I’m like, oh, bloody God. I was like, I could be Pocahontas and you can be yourself. Uh, but anyway, so, okay, so in this break time, that is really his last name, um, in this break time’s insane.

[00:50:58] I know. Um, [00:51:00] what, what do you do? So if you are, you’ve learned a lot how, as a creative person, how do you refill that cup? What do you do to refill? Because you said, oh, I’m gonna take this break and this time, and how long is this amount of time that you take?

[00:51:19] Scott Biersack: That’s, I mean, there, there’s no like defined time, right?

[00:51:23] Like, uh, you just know when you know, and for you, me,

[00:51:27] diane: how long it is

[00:51:28] Scott Biersack: usually for me, it might [00:51:30] be, it might be a couple months. Um, just because I’ve been going, going, going for all this time, and I know that I just like get this weird sensation of just, you know, of course it’s like the sensation of feeling tired, feeling overwhelmed, feeling anxious, all those things that are associated with burnout.

[00:51:47] Um, and so I, I don’t feel the like inherent burnout of like, yeah, I’m burned out, but I can feel it sort of creeping up, if that makes sense. Mm-hmm. Um, and so when I can feel that sensation, that’s when I say, okay, I’m taking a break for a little [00:52:00] bit. Um, and I’ll set everything down for a sec. Um, and so I, I kind of felt that coming, especially when I was juggling, um, Berkeley and my stained glass class at the same time, and freelance of life and everything else.

[00:52:13] So it was, honestly, it was too much, um, to do simultaneously. But what I do is, of course, take a break from all the work, and that’s easier said than done too, because sometimes the work doesn’t stop, especially when it comes to freelance. But, um, I try to lighten my load at least a little bit. [00:52:30] Like if I know I can get by with X amount of money, I’ll just like say no to a little, like one or two more projects just so that I can have some sanity.

[00:52:39] Yeah. Um, I just, again, I’ve, I’ve hit burnout stage so many times that I know what works for me and I know this feeling and I can’t describe it other than I, I know what it fe feels like myself. Um, and so I just try to avoid it at all costs. And

[00:52:56] diane: so, but I think that, that to me is really inspiring that you [00:53:00] are able to notice it, because I think sometimes we just keep going.

[00:53:04] And for people who have been in the industry for 25 or 30 years, it’s like, we don’t know any other way, right? So I really, I am inspired to be like, okay, I gotta listen to this. And then maybe I just take less, I don’t take on as many things. I’m gonna make sure that I, but sometimes it is because it’s been so long.

[00:53:24] So I love that you do this on a regular basis and you’re really listening to yourself. So in that [00:53:30] time, what does life look like?

[00:53:33] Scott Biersack: Like what? Like when I’m taking this break mm-hmm.

[00:53:35] diane: I’m obviously you’re not taking classes, but are you still being creative or do you what,

[00:53:40] Scott Biersack: although, yeah, absolutely. Like I’m, I’m thankfully taking the time to make things for me.

[00:53:45] So even when I am doing classes and stuff, obviously I am making stuff sort of for me, but most of the time it’s like homework, right? So it’s kind of for somebody else. Um, and so I also have that obligation of like, oh, I need to turn this thing in. And so when I’m making [00:54:00] things, for me, it’s a very different feeling of like, I’m going to, you know, explore this idea that I’ve had for a while.

[00:54:06] Uh, or I’m gonna draw this phrase that I’ve been wanting to draw, or I’m just gonna go outside and take a walk at 7:00 AM when I don’t normally take a walk at 7:00 AM. So it’s, for me, it’s like changing up my routine. Um, of course, I. I am a creature of habit and I love routine, but I also thrive when I change up my routine.

[00:54:25] Um, and so it’s kind of like throwing a wrench in things purposefully, because I know [00:54:30] that, um, if you’re doing things that you wouldn’t normally do, you are in an sort of, uh, unexpected environment or situation that you wouldn’t normally be in. And that remotes growth, um, yeah, at least, at least for me. Um, and I would assume that would be the case for most everybody because you’re getting outside your comfort zone essentially at the end of the day.

[00:54:52] And so Absolutely. That’s kind of, that’s kind of what I do. But, you know, some people it’s like, oh, I’m gonna go work out or go for a bike ride or go to the museum, or [00:55:00] whatever. Like, whatever that thing is, it’s gonna be different for everybody. But for me, it’s just, Slowing down, enjoying mother nature.

[00:55:07] That’s, that’s always been the thing for me. Like I love being outside. Especially now, I mean, right. I, we were talking about how hot it is in Phoenix right now. It’s not too bad. It’s like the high is 89, so it’s not terrible yet. What’s 83

[00:55:20] diane: here? So Yeah, it’s, yeah. The month

[00:55:22] Scott Biersack: it’ll be a 15. Yeah. Yeah. So when, when it’s like, when it’s 89, you have to like, you know, get [00:55:30] outside as much as you can before.

[00:55:31] Cuz when it’s 115 you don’t, nobody wants to be outside. So we have like a short window of like what our spring is. And our spring is technically summer. Um, so I just try to get out as much as possible.

[00:55:43] diane: Okay. Still can. So what’s one piece of advice? Say you’re talking to yourself eight years ago, so you, uh, 2000, whenever that was.

[00:55:53] I don’t know why I used the word eight or why eight instead of 10, but whatever. Let’s just say. Eight years [00:56:00] ago when we first started talking, I guess. Cuz 2015. Yeah. Yeah. So this is you, 20 year old you, or in your twenties I think. I’m pretty sure you were in your twenties. Yeah. Um, yes. So what would you tell yourself?

[00:56:15] What’s one piece of advice?

[00:56:18] Scott Biersack: Um, I’d probably just tell myself to be patient. Um, because I, I vividly remember being, you know, that aged and looking up [00:56:30] to, you know, large designers in, in lettering artists and creatives. And I thought like, oh, I want to be at that level. And I would try to do everything imaginable to reach that point in a shorter amount of time.

[00:56:45] Right. So I’m trying to put in essentially 10 years worth of work in a year or two years. Right. And it’s just like physically impossible. Even though you might be, you know, [00:57:00] trying to the best of your ability, it’s physically impossible. So my advice is just to be patient with yourself, enjoy the, of course, the journey along the way, because that’s what life is all about really.

[00:57:12] And you know, here I am 30 and I feel like life just flashing by and it’s, it is sad and scary. So I’m trying to just be more present about it all too. I

[00:57:24] diane: love that. And drink celery people. That’s how you get it. Yes. Um, yeah, if you can stomach

[00:57:29] Scott Biersack: the smell, it’ll [00:57:30] keep you

[00:57:30] diane: youthful. Yeah. Okay. So I wanna make sure that everybody knows how to, um, get in touch with you, which I’m gonna put the links in the chat.

[00:57:38] And also they are at the bottom. So Instagram, you are, you bring fire all one word. And Twitter you bring fire and your website is, you bring fire and I still have your follow. My bliss. Your bliss, your

[00:57:53] Scott Biersack: bliss. Really? Yeah. I have that on my wall. Is

[00:57:55] diane: it like a yellow print or something? Yellow. Yellow. Yellow.

[00:57:57] Yeah. No, it’s a print. I bought a print. [00:58:00] I um, no. What? Yeah, I have it. It’s on my wall. Every other design when I’m at school, I have that and it’s right by my light. So I see it every day. Oh. And so I think about you all the time, so I have you. I love that piece. And it, I just have always enjoyed having y on and my mom is just laughing cuz you were cussing so much, I’m sure right now from heaven.

[00:58:23] You know, I just think it’s hilarious. So what a great, um, way to start. But we’ll be back to being G-rated next [00:58:30] week. Yes. But hey, I’m glad that, um, it was, that was a really, I’m, I’m, we didn’t talk about it. I should have warned you, but it was good, you know, it was like, Because I usually would say, Hey, remember my mom’s gonna be there.

[00:58:42] So Sure. I appreciate, um, this funny little joke that, um, I think, uh, Jesus said my mom played on me today. So I like that. Tell us what’s next. What could we be looking for? So you’re in break time from music, so we should be maybe hearing or seeing [00:59:00] music stuff from

[00:59:01] Scott Biersack: you. Uh, not quite yet. I feel like I still need some more, uh, classes at Berkeley.

[00:59:08] There’s a couple more that I wanna take, but more so like I of course, some eyeball in all kinds of other classes. The next thing I want to do is I think photography. Um, I want to be able to photograph the work that I’m producing. Like I’m just shooting it on my iPhone and I don’t know what I’m doing with my iPhone either.

[00:59:25] So, sorry. Sorry, I just, it’s okay. It’s okay. Sorry, Bob. [00:59:30]

[00:59:31] diane: It’s totally, it really is. It’s such a good. It makes it, uh, easier for me to laugh about it. You know? I’m, and, and I love you, so I don’t care. It, I mean, I, my husband talks about these things all the time and uses this colorful language. I just don’t, yeah, yeah.

[00:59:47] But yeah, I, it doesn’t bother me, but I, it’s just so funny and it’s good. It’s, it’s just hilarious. If anybody didn’t know my mom died. And so, um, this was like the first episode, [01:00:00] um, since she and she would come every week. So anyway,

[01:00:06] Scott Biersack: we miss her. Yeah. Thank you again for having me on. I appreciate it. You didn’t even have to do it.

[01:00:13] This, you know, we could have waited another month or two, so, but I love hanging out with you and catching up and, and chatting with you. It’s been way too long, so thank you.

[01:00:23] diane: For sure. And I wanted to, I wanted to get back so. I mean, I’m not, I [01:00:30] just hate how I look when I cry, Chris, I can’t see when I, the chat and the participants on top of my face, so I can’t see.

[01:00:38] So, um, Scott can be like, it’s this like, cover up the, um, like when somebody was during Zoom, I mean, during Covid one time I was on a webinar with my sister. My sister was leading this webinar and this guy, I mean, you know, you hear about this, but I was like, this is, people are just making this up. But this guy took us to the bathroom [01:01:00] and he had to poop.

[01:01:02] And I was like, oh gosh, this was not what I wanted to see. You know? Like I didn’t see anything, but I saw more than I needed to see. But I was like, well, Vicky, in a way, he was enjoying your webinar so much that he didn’t wanna miss anything when he went to the bathroom. You know? I was like, you gotta look at it that way.

[01:01:20] Um, but, but it is true. But I, um, I am, um, just really thankful to be back. It doesn’t seem like [01:01:30] it. Scott

[01:01:30] Scott Biersack: didn’t make me cry, I think. No, I’m feeling, but

[01:01:34] diane: I appreciate you guys. Um, just hanging in and just being patient, um, with me during this and she was here for so many years, so I mean, would come to the podcast cuz my dad was like, does your boss watch?

[01:01:55] And I was like, no. You know, he’s a painter, he’s not really into this. [01:02:00] And um, and if my dad goes and helps stroke victims on and volunteers at the hospital on Wednesdays, so he couldn’t watch. And I was like, well dad, have you ever watched? And he’s like, Nope, I’ll get your mom to start watching, uh, next week.

[01:02:16] So then he just roped my mom into watching. So, but I think she appreciated it and, um, she would’ve appreciated you as she always, I mean, I’m sure she watched the other ones that you were there [01:02:30] anyway. Just say crying,

[01:02:31] Scott Biersack: so. Oh, it’s space. It’s okay. Just

[01:02:36] diane: gotten a talk about that before,

[01:02:38] Scott Biersack: but it’s all good. Yeah,

[01:02:40] diane: it’s just, I just miss her and it’s okay.

[01:02:44] Scott Biersack: Yeah, yeah, of course. She, yeah, she was funny. And

[01:02:48] diane: it’s, we had lots of funny little jokes that, uh, we did. And I, my sister spoke at the funeral and I spoke after her. Because I figured [01:03:00] if I needed to be the last one, I wouldn’t have to sit if people were like eyeing me badly, you know? Um, so I didn’t tell this one story, and I’ll tell you this cuz it’s kind of funny, I think, I think it’s funny, but not appropriate for a funeral.

[01:03:14] Anyway, so I’m Diane, my sisters’s Vicky and my sisters’ first and I’m second. And um, so my mom would always, and you have siblings,

[01:03:24] Scott Biersack: right? Scott? I have three. Three brothers? Yeah. So does

[01:03:27] diane: your mom or dad ever get your [01:03:30] names

[01:03:30] Scott Biersack: mixed up all the time? Yes, of course.

[01:03:33] diane: So what is your name? Like what, I know your name’s Scott, but what do

[01:03:36] Scott Biersack: they really call you?

[01:03:39] When they get their names mixed up. Mm-hmm. Uh, well my other brothers are Brett, Chris and Garrett. So they would just intermix our, okay. Our names

[01:03:48] diane: so, so sometimes My name was Vic Diane. Right. So normal. Right. But I would give my mom a really hard time. I was like, mom, I know I’m your [01:04:00] favorite, but you’ve got to stop telling her to die every time you say her name.

[01:04:04] Cuz she would call her die Vicky. And I thought that was hilarious. Like she’s telling her to die before. Anyway, I thought it was funny. Clearly y’all are not thinking this funny. Y’all are like, oh Diane, you shouldn’t have said that out loud. Um, but see, this is where you just have to be you. But I was, my mom would laugh and she would be like, that’s not what I mean.

[01:04:22] And I was like, I know, but I made it. But funny because I was like, you know, yeah. It was funny. [01:04:30] It wasn’t that funny.

[01:04:31] Scott Biersack: No, that’s funny.

[01:04:33] diane: You’re like, I’m laughing on the inside. It’s okay. Um, but I, next week, uh, I will, just to make, I said every, I said all your links, right? You bring fire, Instagram, Twitter, and which one are you the most active

[01:04:48] Scott Biersack: on?

[01:04:50] Uh, honestly, both Instagram, Instagram’s been, um, not ideal lately. So I’ve been posted on Twitter too. Just random stuff on Twitter, but I’m on [01:05:00] both. All right. Well, good.

[01:05:02] diane: Well just thank you for making it a safe place for me. Thank you guys for coming. And um, thank you Joey for, uh, saying that you laughed out loud.

[01:05:11] I appreciate that. Uh, that’s why you’re my brand. Um, the weird sense of humors we have, um, And next week we have Dimi, um, and back on. And we are gonna talk about, uh, he has been on the show before as well, but he, we are gonna really talk about, um, [01:05:30] AI and what its role is. And Dimi really showed me some neat things and he’s using AI in a really neat way to help him populate things.

[01:05:40] And so it for, um, case studies or, uh, when you’re coming up with, uh, pitches for people and you’re coming up with, um, all kinds of things, he has figured out ways to use Chat G P T and Mid Journey. And he’s been doing stuff like this for about two years. So he [01:06:00] has done really well. So I’m excited to have Demi on talking specifically about that.

[01:06:06] He’s got a little presentation for us. So I, um, I am actually gonna use chat g p t in my classes next. Um, In the fall, we did a little bit this time so I don’t have to populate all the text. That’s the articles and these things. And students can kind of do that on their own. So I’m excited about using it as a tool.

[01:06:28] I’m not thinking it’s [01:06:30] replacing anything. It’s just a tool, you know? Yeah. But it’s a cool tool. Let’s use the tools we got anyway. Exactly. Thank you guys. I am very appreciative. And Scott, thank you so much for just being my first one back and for just thank you. Giving us a, um, just who you are and just being honest and being willing to talk about therapy and celery and the, let’s talk

[01:06:56] Scott Biersack: about anything.

[01:06:57] Yes. Good,

[01:06:59] diane: bad. Thank [01:07:00] you. And just know you are professional, I think. You don’t have to wear a stuffy shirt and be Hoy toy to be professional.

[01:07:08] Scott Biersack: Yes, that’s true. All

[01:07:10] diane: right, well thank you so lunch. Thank you. And I will gotta move all this stuff outta my way so I can hit stop and I’ll see you guys next week.[01:07:30]