Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Jude Ricciardi.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Peter. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Once I’d completed my “residency” in Allston-Brighton as a bass player in a variety of bands, a waiter, barback and bartender, the big question I faced in life was, what’s next?
With an interest in radio and zero college experience, I managed to land a job at Metro Networks as an on-air Traffic Reporter (I literally agreed when asked if I was someones 2 o’clock – which turned into a job interview that I landed).
After 5 years there, I walked into a small building in Lower Allston, the sign on the door said “Disney”, someone asked if I could hang sheetrock, I blurted out “sure”, (the real answer was no not really) and somehow. 15 years later, I left the most iconic media company on the planet as a seasoned, successful writer, producer, voice-actor, pitchman, emcee, content developer and brand & marketing strategist.
Then I got married, had babies and started my own company. Your Creative Solutionist. Makes perfect sense right?
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When I tell people my story, some have responded by saying “oh so you faked it til you made it?” To which I swiftly answer “fuck you, not at all!”
I’ve worked my ass off, I’ve put in my 10,000 hours, and I still put them in. Truth be told, I’ve done almost everything wrong (for a period of time), but when it is something I am passionate about – I figure it out.
I learned to play guitar and bass upside down because I’m left-handed and couldn’t afford to buy my own instrument (so I borrowed a right-handed) flipped it over, just to learn how to play it. So I tell people, I never faked anything. I took bold steps to accept opportunities that came my way. I spent countless hours experimenting, practicing, learning, fucking things up and trying again. Until I became very good at whatever it was – I wanted to do.
At the beginning of my journey, just getting an opportunity was the big struggle. Later in life, I found “fitting into the corporate structure” to be an agonizing experience. Today, my challenge is two-fold. On one hand, the thing I hate doing most is managing projects, I like to make stuff. But in order to operate my small agency on a large scale, I need to be a good project manager!
The other big challenge is time. I have a family, and I need to learn how to turn my brain off. Which is difficult, as a creative my brain is constantly churning out ideas, concepts and working on solutions to problems (some of which I didn’t realize existed)!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Your Creative Solutionist story. Tell us more about the business.
Your Creative Solutionist (“YCS”) is an integrated agency. I assemble or integrate, a “best in class” team of specialists for each project or client.
Typically agencies are known for a strength in one area and that strength is only ever provided by a handful of core people, while the rest are just overhead. Less overhead means Your Creative Solutionist can offer clients more focused attention, a deeper bank of options, and solutions at a lower cost. A streamlined workflow makes our process swifter, and more effective. Plus, I’m an awful lot of fun to work with!
What makes us different is simple:
When I meet with clients or potential clients, I am direct, transparent and honest. If I think your advertising or marketing collateral is crap, I’ll tell you. If you want an agency that agrees with everything you say, I can easily refer you to a few. Most agencies don’t have the stones, but I do.
I LOVE this business, I see no reason why small companies, startups, and medium-sized businesses cannot have GIGANTIC creative. It’s all perception, how you look at things and whether or not you’re willing to take some risks.
I’ll shut up. I could go on.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Lots of luck goes into life and business. I think it is important to be mindful that luck, both good and bad are always lurking. Your choices (conscious or not) determine which door you open next and how you handle whatever “luck’ you are served can change your direction or path endlessly.
You just have to keep choosing, deciding and opening doors.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yourcreativesolutionist.com
- Phone: 617.283.5585
- Email: Peter@yourcreativesolutionist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourcreativesolutionist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourCreativeSolutionist/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CreativePJR
Image Credit:
Raya
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