Ciara at the GeekWire Summit in Seattle on Tuesday. (Photo GeekWire / Dan DeLong)
Speaking of the decision to ‘take it to the next level’, both stepping out of her comfort zone and looking to release a single by that name, Ciara has sometimes said, âYou have to take a risk, you have to do it. things that are uncomfortable.
The Grammy Award-winning singer / songwriter, artist and entrepreneur looked anything but uncomfortable this week during an appearance at the GeekWire Summit where she shared some of her experiences and ideas on making music , companies and more – some on their own and others by their side. husband, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
Sometimes, in front of an audience focused on technology and innovation, she looked like a startup founder torn from their ranks.
âYou have to appreciate failures in life because they strengthen your integrity, they give you wisdom,â Ciara said. “I wouldn’t have known how to run a business if I hadn’t failed.”
As someone who has clearly harnessed the âwhy not youâ attitude – a mantra and charitable foundation in her and her husband’s life – Ciara has sold over 23 million records and 22 million singles worldwide. She is the Founder and CEO of Beauty Marks Entertainment, a company at the forefront of the rapidly evolving music industry that is well positioned to tap into her passions for film, fashion, philanthropy and technology. She also sits on the board of directors of Seattle-based startup Amperity, leading corporate social responsibility efforts and serving as an advocate and advisor on Amperity’s community initiatives.
âAll it takes is one person to believe in your dream and that person is you,â Ciara said. “The moment you believe is when the opportunity begins.”
Read on for more cited moments from Ciara’s appearance:
Ciara in a conversation with GeekWire Editor-in-Chief Taylor Soper at the GeekWire Summit in Seattle. (Photo GeekWire / Dan DeLong)
When launching his own label: âI was so exhausted, waiting for someone’s advice to say if I can do something or if I can’t, or if it’s going to be hot or if it isn’t. I firmly believe that when you have a vision of what you believe in and what you do, you will seek it. ⦠We did not agree. And at that time, I started my own business, Beauty Marks Entertainment. There is no better feeling than being able to steer the ship, to be able to make my decisions. ⦠‘Level Up’ marks a very special moment in my career and in my life⦠being fearless is how you level up, taking the risk is how you level up. It’s all I did in my life.
On his career in music and business: âYour instincts are the same, whether creatively or commercially. The artist in my mind is just thinking creative, and then there’s this business part of my mind that comes in and thinks about the budget. Creativity and budget sometimes don’t mix well for us artists, because we just want to express the vision we want⦠there’s that fine line and that balance. My mind isn’t just wired into a space, it’s not just about thinking creatively, I have to consider the backend side of it all. And then I really have to be disciplined.
On construction companies that have an impact: âThere is no greater joy when you are able to make an impact on someone’s life by what you do. This is the legacy. It’s a real hallmark to me when you do something so important as it helps change the environment you find yourself in, or even help change the world.
On his partnership with Russell Wilson: âWhen I started Beauty Marks Entertainment, Russ was there by my side. He was the one who was looking for other artists who ran their own labels, he was up until 3 a.m. and had to turn around three hours later to go to football practice, but he was with me . These are the times you need in life. Who can we lean on at times like these, when making these big decisions? And who will give us the best advice?
Advice to his children: “I really want them to have a ‘why not you’ attitude. I hope more than anything they can just see my example. When you put in the work, the results are good on the other side. And also that life is not always going to be pretty, it will throw balls of curves at you. And I just hope we can do a great job getting them ready for those curved balls. ⦠And then you also want to make sure you give them the rod against the fish. You want to keep this humble starting process to them. For me, that’s what really made me who I am.