Ruby P.
About me
| Ruby P. | |
| Music | |
| Music | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Langwith | |
| 1999 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Musician, Entrepreneur and Researcher | |
| Self Employed | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Small business (0-49 employees) | |
| 2000 |
Like this profile?
Add this profile to your favourites so you can return to it later from your account.
A day in the life of a Musician, Entrepreneur and Researcher in the United Kingdom
Portfolio careers.
My career goals when I graduated
I wasn't very focussed when I graduated. I did a range of part time jobs and liked some better than others
My career history
Eventually I got more music related work. I did some teaching, music therapy, and then built up a business around the "folk music "scene. This was often enjoyable and exciting, and creative, I worked for clubs, festivals and local authorities. I also worked a lot in therapeutic music, mainly for the elderly.
It is hard to make a living in these areas unless you have truly honed your act and know where it fits in the marketplace- in which case you will progress and increase your fees and be able to earn a living.
What has helped my career to progress
Perseverance, flexibility, personal focus and help from others.
Courses taken since graduation
I did a Law A- Level. I loved it and toyed with training as a solicitor, but I'm very glad I didn't. I got a place and my dad offered to pay some of the money. I went into a cafe with a notepad and wrote down all my contradictory feelings and I ended up in tears. I just didn't want to do it. I wanted to be true to myself and live my art. When I was younger, it was hard. When things worked out in my career, it was more by chance than design, but as I've got older, I've learned to pay attention to the little things and be in control of my destiny.
How my studies have helped my career
I constantly study all sorts of things independently, the internet has helped enormously with that. I just love U of Y Library- which is where I am now! I love anywhere and anything associated with learning and books.
What surprised me about my career so far
Looking back I'm surprised how incredibly varied it has been and how I've always pulled through, when one door closed, another one opened.
Where I hope to be in 5 years
I have lots of dreams, plans and schemes, but I try not to be attached to any ONE idea. What works out is not just about what YOU want in this game. It's about responding to the need and to the "zeitgeist" around you. In the bigger picture in 5 years time I wish to be CREATING in the most exciting, dynamic, meaningful way possible and reaching out to as many people as possible, to act as an inspiration to them to live the creative life.
My advice to students considering work
Follow your highest excitement! This seems like dangerous advice, but providing you do so with due care, it will make for the most wonderful life. Read the 4 part formula of highest excitement at Bashar.org
My advice about working in my industry
Talk to others in creative professions. Be humble, but believe in yourself and remember it is your personal skills, level of development and discipline that ensure your success. It is not usuallly just about your level of skill, or about getting a big break.
Contacting me
Contact me however it suits you, by email or phone. Tell me what makes you tick. Say as much as you can about why you wanted to reach out to me and what you hope to learn from it. I am also happy to meet people or skype if it feels right to do so.
What I do
I'm a Professional Harpist for Weddings and Corporate Events, but like a lot of creative people I'm diverse and entrepreneurial in spirit. In the last two years I've been involved in alternative journalism and public relations for a start up ethical business. I'm a vlogger, and second only to music is my love of personal development, spirituality, philosophy and ethics. I am a lifelong learner with boundless enthusiasm and a brand new Start Up Business: "Ethics in Action." Using blockchain technology, peer to peer global networks will research and develop a detailed, complex and computerised ethical blueprint for businesses. At all layers and dimensions of the organisation, shared principles, values, structures and habits will unify and harmonise. Small independent businesses worldwide can therefore co-operate as one family and gain the strength and support they need to become a unified counterforce to profit focused global corporations.
How I started my business
My Harpist for Events business is well established, and my knowledge of gigging, playing, songwriting and promoting myself helped in starting this up and making it successful. I have found that being a successful "creative " is a balancing act. The activity of a creative life does not lend itself naturally to personal stability, or to money, so all these things must be factored in. If one wants a truly creative life it is possible, but it comes at a price. The key is to know and respect the pirce, and to be in a position to pay that price. That takes self-belief , determination, discipline, dedication and time. Therefore a creative entrepreneur must study and apply all of these facets in addition to mastering and showcasing their craft.
What inspired me
It's hard to say what inspires me because I am constantly inspired by the littlest things in life. I had a school music teacher who believed in me and that encouragement helped me on my way to a creative profession.
Skills I use and how I developed them
I think one of the hardest things about this kind of life is that you have to have such a wide range of skills to make anything happen. I've always been an intensely curious person and that helps. The other thing that helps a lot are the personal qualities needed to master your craft, and finally personal charm and sociability to find some other people who will do the things you're not good at on your behalf- because to begin with, you can't afford to pay them!
What I like most
My main business is flexible, varied and it brings joy to people. All those things I like. It also means I can flexibly do other creative projects and that's part of the spiritual path I'm on, of exploration and growth.
What I like least
When I'm working/travelling it is exceptionally exhausting, so I have to factor that in.
What surprised me most
My job is not great for making friends or collaborating. I guess that's different if you are in a group, but then it's often hard to pay your way. The ethical entrepreneurship I do supplies this need, although my lovely colleagues are spread across the world, which is sometimes a little sad.
Next steps...
If you like the look of Ruby’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Ruby a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Ruby to be your mentor.