About the Podcast
Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a Creative Collective podcast that goes beyond the brand and into the authentic journeys of women entrepreneurs who are members of the Creative Collective. Each episode, host Mikki Wilson sits down with a woman business owner from the Creative Collective community to explore her unique path, what drives her, and where she’s headed next. This series illuminates the moments, motivations, and messy middles that shape women’s experiences as creators and business leaders in the creative economy. This podcast series is supported by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry.
Elena Rodgers: From Event Freelancer to Creative Community Leader
What started as an internship at a music festival in Bangor, Maine, transformed into a career path connecting Elena Rodgers with her genuine calling. As our new events director, Elena brings a refreshing perspective on how unexpected educational journeys can lead to meaningful community work. Her conversation with Mikki Wilson reveals layers of wisdom about navigating creative entrepreneurship, building inclusive spaces, and finding professional alignment.
Discovering the “Throwaway Degree” Advantage
Elena’s journey began with what many dismiss as irrelevant education. “Communications is sometimes referred to as a ‘throwaway degree,’ but it’s highly relevant today due to the multiple ways we communicate,” she reflects. With her minor in justice and law administration—chosen for its “black and white” nature—Elena discovered how these seemingly different interests would serve her future work.
The law background particularly resonates with her belief in self-advocacy: “Being informed creates awareness, allowing people to speak on issues or protect themselves and their work.” This perspective offers valuable insight for our creative community, where understanding rights and contracts becomes essential for sustainable business practices.
Elena’s communications education aligned perfectly with social media’s evolution, giving her front-row insight into these platforms’ development and ethical considerations. “I question the current reliance on creating content and communicating it out,” she shares, highlighting the tension many of us feel about constant digital presence.
Finding Her Forte Through Struggle
Elena’s path shifted dramatically during that music festival internship: “I discovered my forte in events,” she tells Mikki. But her journey through freelance event work—which she describes as involving “trauma bonding with strangers”—taught her crucial lessons about resilience.
She identifies two key inspirations that sustained her: struggles that motivated her to overcome challenges and the random kindness of people. “Overcoming struggles can lead to fascinating conversations, and kindness is very soothing,” Elena observes. This perspective reframes difficulties as catalysts for connection rather than obstacles to avoid.
Over five years managing the Haunted Happenings marketplace, Elena developed a deep understanding of event creation’s complexities. “Not everyone has the skills to create large-scale events,” she notes. “It takes a particular kind of brain, unlike the type that served well in traditional schooling.” Her recognition of diverse cognitive strengths validates those of us whose talents don’t fit conventional academic molds.
Creating Spaces as Service to Community
When Mikki asks what draws Elena to event creation, her answer reveals the heart of community-building: “Everyone needs a break to ‘get out and shake it off.’ My ability to plan and create events is a way to serve others, minimizing chaos so people can relax and face their regular lives.”
This service orientation transforms typical networking events into genuine experiences of restoration. Elena understands that her “feel-good takeaway” at day’s end reflects successful community support, not just successful logistics.
Her work with small event-based businesses reinforced a critical lesson: “Don’t let yourself get in your way for too long.” While internal voices may momentarily stop us, Elena emphasizes that addressing them and moving forward becomes a skill. Mikki adds that sometimes we realize “these voices aren’t even our own.”
Finding Professional Alignment
Elena’s transition from freelance independence to joining our team represents more than career progression—it’s about finding professional belonging. “I feel I’m in a familiar space where my teammates understand, value, and need me,” she shares. This consistency lets her focus on her passion rather than constant business development.
Working within Salem adds personal significance: with family roots and her marriage in the city, Elena calls it “a dream come true” and a way to “give back to a city she knows well.” This connection illustrates how geographical belonging can enhance professional fulfillment.
Presence Over Digital Distraction
Elena observes something we’re all grappling with: “Being in the moment is something we are starting to lose due to distractions like social media.” Despite acknowledging digital benefits, she feels “safer when people are present.”
As Mikki affirms, “presence is powerful. ” While online communities provide value, deepening relationships happen at live, in-person events. This insight guides how we design gatherings that create authentic connection opportunities beyond screen-based interaction.
Community Wisdom for Moving Forward
Elena’s closing advice captures the essence of a sustainable creative community: “Stick together and treat each other with kindness.” Her reminder that “a smile can go a long way” offers practical wisdom for daily interactions that strengthen our ecosystem.
Her differentiation between personal and external voices provides a framework for authentic decision-making: learning “whose voice is whose” helps us maintain the authenticity necessary for reaching our goals. Combined with the “progress, not perfection” philosophy, this perspective encourages action despite uncertainty.
Continuing Our Exploration Together
Elena’s story invites us to examine our educational paths, professional transitions, and community contributions. Her experience demonstrates how “throwaway degrees” often contain hidden value, how freelance challenges can prepare us for collaborative success, and how creating spaces for others becomes its own form of entrepreneurship.
How might we continue building on Elena’s insights about service-oriented event creation? What unexpected skills from our backgrounds could more intentionally serve our creative community? Let’s explore these questions together as we strengthen the connections that make meaningful work possible.
Creative Collective provides modern resources, strategy, and connections for small businesses and creators, because building something meaningful doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Learn more at creativecollectivema.com
About the Speakers
Mikki Wilson is your host, a team member of our community, and the founder of Dot Connector Consulting. There, she works with women to amplify their value, voice, and visibility with intention.
Elena Rodgers serves as our events director, creating inclusive spaces for artists to thrive. After five years managing the Haunted Happenings marketplace, Elena joined our team full-time, bringing expertise in community building and inclusive event design.
Connect & Support
Elena Rodgers can be found on LinkedIn and other social media platforms, or at upcoming community events throughout Salem and the North Shore. Check creativecollectivema.com for the latest gathering schedule.
Credits
Randyll Collum produces this podcast for Peabody TV, your community media center serving the residents and businesses of Peabody and the North Shore area. Learn more at https://peabodytv.org/
Creativity Connects with Mikki Wilson is a podcast series. Learn more at creativecollectivema.com
Sponsored by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry.
Dot Connector Consulting | Networking Strategy
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My name is Mikki Wilson, and I am The Dot Connector. Purpose-driven women entrepreneurs providing services partner with me when they struggle to pay themselves consistently! I connect the dots in your business with a distinct and disruptive marketing strategy allowing you to scale and identify pathways that increase profitability and produce passive income streams you might be overlooking! I
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