About
How a cup of coffee and a conversation about ageism turned into a community.
FLASHBACK
Several years ago, I was having coffee with a colleague in the advertising business who was considered an “industry veteran.” In other words, he was old. We were talking about changes in the business and the topic of ageism came up. He said he was lucky he had good genes and never looked his age. He was pretty sure it helped him stay in the game longer than some of his peers. Layoffs made him more nervous because he wasn’t sure he’d find a new job. That blew my mind. Here was a top, award-winning creative openly worrying about his ability to find employment. “Openly” probably isn’t the best way to put it because during this point of our conversation he began to speak in more of a whisper, like he didn’t want anyone in the coffee shop to overhear his secret-he was over 40. I’ve heard those hushed confessions even more over that last few years from other colleagues, in person and online. Admittedly, I have found myself whispering on occasion.
HOW I BECAME CREAGELESS
That meeting led me to start the Creageless project. I have worked on it off-and-on for the past few years but never pulled the trigger. A few months ago my mother passed and that put a lot of things in perspective for me. Life’s too short to wait around, so I figure there’s no better time than now. You probably wouldn’t know this but I founded Brainco, The Minneapolis School of Advertising and Design when I was still in my 20’s, which in itself is kind of crazy. I’ve been working with young people for over two decades to help them find new careers. Now, it’s time to do the same for folks in my own peer group and older (I figure I’ll get there eventually). So I built a website (a dangerous thing for a writer to do), created a video (also dangerous) and like the rest of the world, will be launching a podcast in the new year.
WHAT THE HECK IS CREAGELESS?
Well, other than hard to spell and pronounce, Creageless is a hub for senior level people in creative industries or those who want to break into a creative industry. Not just advertising and design but marketing, public relations, theater and fine arts as well. These can be for full-time or part-time ventures. It’s a place for people who just want to find a new path or try new things. The three main areas of focus are career transition, entreprenuership, and service.
WHO AND WHY?
In the short time I’ve been talking to folks about this project, I’ve met a retired military officer who started a Shakespearean theatre company, a copywriter who wants to try standup, another professional who’s going to open opening a bed and breakfast when they retire in a couple of years, and a creative that wants to move into the non-profit world. These are just a few of the people out there who are looking towards exciting new things in the future. The community is open to anyone but is especially for those who have a passion for creating things. From design to dance. From theatre to marketing. Our members are diverse but have much in common.
SO NOW WHAT?
Creageless is a work in progress. I don’t know where it will go but it will need support. I’ve set up a free Facebook group that anyone can join to share ideas and network. For the more ambitious out there, I’m facilitating a few peer networking groups that offer more structure. If you have an article to share, a job to post, an ageism story to tell, a class to teach or any other suggestions to help let me know, if your cause is similar and I can help promote it, please reach out. Let’s see where it leads us.
Sincerely,
Eddie Prentiss
Founder-Creageless