Meet The Inspirational Teenage Creative Entrepreneur – Emily E. Finke

I’m thrilled to bring you the next interview with a creative from my FREE Facebook Group, The Independent Freedom Creative.

As you know I passionately promote age as just a number, and this young woman is someone who truly challenges those negative stereotypes in the media. Not all teenagers are the same.

Entrepreneur from 10 years old, I know she’ll go far, so no more delays, let’s get into the conversation!

Hi, great to chat Emily! Please give my readers a quick introduction to you. Who are you, where you live and what you do

I am so honored to have met up with you and am thankful for your efforts to help the creative community!

My name is Emily E. Finke, I am nineteen years old, I live in Florida, USA, and I would categorize myself as a Creative Entrepreneur. I do a little bit of everything that has to do with creativity, performing, the arts, music, etc. I work a lot as a Brand Ambassador and a music teacher to pay the bills, but my real passions are singing, acting, music, and writing. I try anything and do anything that my fancy takes me to and wherever I feel the Lord calling me to.

Something you love about your home town, and why people should come visit

It is hard for me to pinpoint one specific thing that I love about my hometown. It’s more of a feeling than a sustainable item. I live in a very small town called Lake Placid. It’s rather picturesque and makes a great topic of discussion. I guess I would have to say that the uniqueness is one of the things I truly love about it. Lake Placid is the Caladium Capitol of the World, and during blooming season, the caladium fields look like giant patchwork quilts that stretch out for miles as far as the eye can see.

What do you wish you knew when you were a teenager

Considering I am still a teenager, I will answer this as something I wish I knew as a “young” teenager! This is a very difficult question for me, and one that I have been trying to answer for several minutes now.

The truth of it, I suppose, is this: I don’t think I would have wished to have known anything other than what I knew at that time. If I had known ahead of time the outcomes of the situations, the struggles, I would not have learned a valuable lesson from them. If I had all the wisdom then that, I hope, I have now, I don’t think I would have fully understood it. If I had known then where I would be today, I would have missed out on so many memories, lessons, opportunities, and adventures that brought me to this place.

Tell us about something or someone in your life, that motivates you each day

First and foremost, my faith is my motivation and drive for all that I do. Its inspiration never grows old. Outside of that, my mom truly is my foundation, my safety net, my worst (and best) critic, my number one fan, and my inspiration.

An ambition you haven’t achieved yet

Learning another language, specifically German.

How do you like to stay fit and healthy, mentally and physically

Exercise is hard for me. I can’t seem to find the time, motivation, desire, or right workout that helps. I prefer to just stay active and productive. I am grateful for one of my jobs to allow me to stay on my feet and moving as my creative jobs normally take the form of sitting behind a computer. But what I eat plays a huge part in how healthy I am physically, mentally, and emotionally. About 2 years ago I switched to a fully raw, semi-vegan diet. I have not looked back since, and, even though I have made a few baubles along the way, eating raw fruits and vegetables has played a major part in the sustenance of my health, including the healing of some major physical issues. This biggest part of sustaining my mental health is by the reading of my Bible and prayer aided by time spent with my family and in music.

Favourite book

My all-time favorite book since I have been a child is the Chronicles of Narnia series, but I have recently fallen in love with To Kill a Mockingbird.

Favourite writer

Old-time author: C.S. Lewis

Modern author: Ted Dekker

Favourite quote

“Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Abraham Lincoln

Favourite city and/or country (other than your hometown)

I absolutely loved New York City when I visited there this past year!

Favourite film

I have just realized how much I dislike naming something a favorite. There are so many amazing choices that come into my head! Right now, I will have to say my favorite film is the Anne of Green Gables Trilogy.

Favourite piece of music / song

Any of the music from The Phantom of the Opera is absolutely, hands-down, the winner, but as a single song, The Impossible Dream, sung by Jim Nabors, has a very special place in my heart.

Your guilty pleasure

Watching old movies is definitely my guilty pleasure. I probably watch way more than I should take the time to, but I use the excuse that I am studying them from a creative perspective!

You’re having a dinner party and invite 3 people, living or dead. Who do you invite and why

I would invite Abraham Lincoln, Audrey Hepburn, and Walt Disney. If you really think about it, the three of them aren’t really that different. They all knew what they wanted, worked hard, and didn’t let those who would discourage them have control over them. They kept fighting, knowing that they could accomplish amazing things. But back to the dinner party, while I would just absolutely love to meet these three, I do feel that this combination would make an interesting dinner party. Audrey Hepburn would lend such an elegance and be the one to compliment all the decor, Walt Disney would have such wonderful stories and keep everyone entertained, and Abraham Lincoln would just make the whole party happy and laughing with his jokes. I think the three of them would get along so well together!

Share a link to amuse, inspire or motivate the community

www.emilyefinke.com/blog/imagination

Something people don’t know about you

When I was ten years old, I started my first business. I designed greetings cards on my computer, printed them, and sold them. Over the next three years, I grew my little business, perfecting my graphic design skills, buying a professional printer, better cardstock, and I took my cards to craft fairs, created a website, and was selling a couple of hundred cards a year. It never really grew from there, and I eventually moved on, but I still, to this day, make cards for myself, and I still have fun making new designs!

(Tip from Christie: You should open your own online store (Zazzle maybe?) and re-energize your passion, it’s a great way to bring a passive income whilst enjoying your art)

Where can people find you and your work online?

Website: www.emilyefinke.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/emilyefinke

Instagram: www.instagram.com/emily_e_finke

How can other creatives support you and your work?

Since I am new to having an online presence, constructive criticism is really appreciated by those who have been at this for some time. I am truly grateful for any feedback, tips, and critiquing people can give. Besides that, a simple follow is also really appreciated.

Massive thank you for your time Emily, have we missed anything you’d like to mention

I just want to encourage all other people, especially young but really all, who are on this creative journey. It is a very hard road and one that most people do not understand. For those that are young trying to make a way through this industry, it can be very discouraging. Older people who mean well, will try to steer you away towards an “actual career”. But if you follow your calling, your passion, and have the desire and drive, you can do anything.

Even if you feel you have no experience, no knowledge, and no idea where to start, just jump in.

Your creativity will tell you what do and inspire you take the next step. If you use your imagination and aren’t afraid of paving your own road, the possibilities really are wide open for you!

Now, knowing where you started out, I challenge all creatives to form a community, take other creatives under your wings, encourage your creative friends.

This industry can be cut-throat and hurtful, so we creatives need to stick together and uplift each other. If we focused on encouraging others to be the best they can be instead of tearing them down in an effort to make ourselves shine, everyone would benefit from the amazing work and inspiration that the other creatives can bring to this industry.

(Note from Christie – Told you she was inspiring!)

Christie Adams

Books and Midlife Adventures

Meet The Inspirational Creative Entrepreneur – Emily E. Finke