I really, really love reading in-depth interviews with successful people – after all, who better to learn from than those who have achieved the very things you dream of doing?

One of the bloggers I admire is Tara Gentile – the woman behind Scoutie Girl. So, I asked her if she would share her story with us, and happily, she said yes!

For any of my readers who don’t know you already – who are you, and what do you do?

I’m a DIY culture & lifestyle design expert with an emphasis in indie biz. See that? I’ve made my byline feel more like a college major and already I’m digging the results!

Anyhow, I love the handmade movement, the drive to DIY, and the notion that we’re not slaves to the marketing that’s hoisted upon us from big business. All of my work is an effort to support, sustain, and spread those ideas.

How did you get into blogging to begin with?

I started blogging in college in 2004. I was cranking out essays & papers but I still needed another outlet for my writing. I wanted a place to get personal, share my thoughts, and get feedback from more people that just my professors (love those guys!).

Sadly, I quit blogging in November 2004 when my life started making a slow decent into the land of conventional. I picked it back up after my daughter was born. Again, I desperately needed a creative outlet and, this time, I also needed a place to show that I had more skills than were on my resume.

I know you aren’t a crafter yourself (at least not of items for sale) so what drew you into the handmade community?

I’m fairly crafty but not in any professional sense. My mom is a maker – as was her mother. My mom supported my brother & I with her own sewing business for over 10 years. The love of making, doing, and crafting is in my blood!

My academic background is in contemporary theology. And I find that it has many more similarities to the way people approach making than it has differences. Both faith and the desire to make are fundamental urges that have driven artists for thousands of years – creation is close to divinity. That’s fascinating!

What’s the main message that you are trying to get out to the world?

That we’re all artists. That we all have something to create. That we all have a purpose that serves the great community and a vision that represents a greater knowledge of ourselves.

Once we begin to find our own art, we can appreciate the art (and artists) around us all the more. We’re less likely to settle for impulse instead of investment. We’re more likely to embrace quality over quantity.

Art is beautiful, provocative, transformative, and downright fundamental. It deserves to be supported and encouraged. Without it, we’re not fully human.

Tara's daughter - Lola

What drives you?

What doesn’t drive me? Seriously, I have a big problem with finding motivation in the smallest things. An idea, a sentence, a feeling…

Not to mention I’m pretty damn competitive. I don’t like to settle for second best and I don’t let myself off the hook easily – in a mostly positve way…

I love what I do. I’m good at it. I help people. And I’m making a difference. That pushes me forward daily.

How do you keep balance in your life?

I don’t try to pretend that balance is something that can be calculated with a numbers or figured on a clock. It’s not something that can be added up at the end of a day.

Balance for me is making sure that my own needs, my family’s needs, and the needs of my business are being met. Sometimes, that means a lot more time at one than another. I’m okay with that.

I try to approach the time & energy that I have with gentleness, never berating myself for spending time on what is top priority in that moment.

Trying to find an artificial sense of balance will only cause you more stress than being unbalanced in the first place!

What have you been working on recently?

Right now, I’m finishing up an intensive program on making big stuff happen. It’s called “The Art of Action” and it’s both coaching on the things that hold us back and insight from me on how to move forward. There are also numerous interviews with some of my heroes, colleagues, and mentors to offer a fresh perspective.

I’m really excited about the community aspect of it and the ability for not only learn from me but from peers as well.

What would your most critical advice be to those who are trying to craft a creative life and business for themselves – one that both enriches and financially supports them?

Figure out who you want to help & what they need from you.

Whether you’re crafting jewelry or becoming a virtual assistant, you have an audience that needs your help – it’s all a matter of perspective. You need to figure out who those people are and what they really are looking to receive from you. Until you get really crystal clear on that, you’ll be stabbing in the dark with your business & your lifestyle.

You’ll feel unsatisfied & unfocused.

Spend the time & the mental energy to narrow your focus and hone your offerings. You’ll be rewarded financially more quickly than you think!

Could you please share…

A few of your favourite bloggers:

Kelly Diels, Cleavage (NSFW)
Jonathan Fields
Chris Guillebeau, The Art of Non-Conformity

A few of your favourite makers:

Betsy Carr, Foundling
Megan Auman
Rebecca from Replicca

{Please note that I am an affiliate of The Art of Action – and I’m lucky enough to have been given a place in the course, which I am seriously looking forward to! Oh – and one other thing that Tara didn’t mention – for every person who signs up for The Art of Action, she’s giving a free spot to someone who lost their job in the recession. Now that is awesome.}

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If you enjoyed this interview, make sure to keep an eye on Scoutie Girl – I am joining the SG team as a fortnightly columnist, interviewing successful creative entrepreneurs!