I am not creative.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: ‘Everyone is creative.’ Which is true. So sure, I’m creative in the way everyone is: I balance my checkbook (if people still do that), fit 30 hours in one day, juggle work with play. I suppose my own brand of creativity is the amount of flannel I own, and my ability to bring up the Zombie Apocalypse in most conversations. [OR my ability to infuse Halloween into everything I do.] For example, I just got a promotion at Silverlake and new Halloween themed business cards to match my new persona: Chief Execution Officer.

BUT... my job, my talents, and my skills are not inherently creative.

In my mind, there is a place for everything and everything is in its place. I like schedules, filing systems, and color coding. But, I love all things creative. Put me in an art store with an unlimited budget and I’ll buy everything even though I have no idea how to use it. I’ll buy 5 canvases and paints in every color, line them up nicely, set out the brushes, lay down the tarp and then… nothing. Absolutely nothing. I could stand there all day without making a single stroke.

Long story short (too late, I know) I’ve put my non-creative skills to work for creative people. At Silverlake, I make sure designers have all they need, contractors have project info and clients are updated on how the project is progressing.

I love it.

You don’t have to have a creative job to want to work around creative people or be a part of a creative community. You have something to offer, even if you don’t know it. Here at Silverlake, I feel valued because of the needs I meet.

So, I am not creative. But, who cares?

- KATE CARNAHAN

Flannel advocate, Cubs fan, and now our Chief Execution Officer