Host Katie Richardson is absolutely delighted to bring you a guest that is “so unique and different from all other entrepreneurs.” Today, join her perspective whimsical walk through Paris with guest Eva Jorgensen, world traveler, creative director, member of power couple duo, loving mother, and unquenchable question-asker. Eva sits down with Katie today to talk about why–and how–she and her husband decided to choose an unconventional life-route in order to preserve their thirst for creativity and design, from backpacking through Europe and working on farms to publishing her incredibly collaborative book today: Paris by Design. 

3 Key Takeaways

• How you can bridge the gap between an idea and giving it a physical presence
• The power of vision boards in a creative (and entrepreneurial) world
• Why you need to be more open to possibilities

Listen to the Full Episode

Show Notes

[1:10] A moment that has shaped Eva today

• Deciding she wanted to travel instead of getting a diamond engagement ring
  • Backpacking around Europe
• Working on a farm in Denmark
  • Watching a creative, hardworking family dynamic
  • Liking the idea of working together creatively and non-conventionally

[5:12] When Eva discovered her need to travel the world

• Traveling with family as a kid
• Visiting her grandparents in Paris as a high schooler

[7:35] Does Eva describe herself as an entrepreneur?

• No! 
• Thinking of entrepreneurship as a means to the end goal to live creatively and freely

[9:20] What is it about creativity that drives Eva?

• “It just makes me feel alive to create.” -Eva Jorgensen
• What her creativity looks like
  • Her book
    • Working with a great photographer to do research for five weeks
    • Art directing

[16:40] The creative vision for Eva’s book

• Her love for collecting books about Paris
• There wasn’t one that she wanted to read
  • Her city guide for creative people

[18:35] Eva’s process being a creative director

• How Eva organizes the ideas/components
  • Brainstorm your ideas and its tangents on Post-Its
• To share the aesthetic, start with information gathering
  • Give out questionnaires
  • Create a vision board
    • Use the physical board to make a photoshop board
      • Create sub vision boards

[26:15] Katie’s invitation to ALL entrepreneurs to follow this design process

• “Any entrepreneur has a vision that they want to make happen. These boards are a powerful tool.” -Eva Jorgensen
  • Vision board parties

[30:15] Parameters that allow Eva and her husband to work together in harmony

• For the first 10 years, they were delineated in their roles
• Transitioning out of that and into video
  • Collaborating with friends to make a short film
  • Acting as co-producers
• Her husband learned the trade of camera operation
  • Missing the collaborative feeling
• Finalizing as a creative studio
  • Have conversations about each other’s clear role in the project

[37:50] The power of following your inspiration

• “I do think that there’s a lot to be said for following that inspiration as life unfolds.” -Eva Jorgensen
• The power of having insatiable curiosity
• “Be open to possibilities, or something amazing might pass you by.” -Eva Jorgensen

[40:30] A book Eva keeps on her side table

• Her scriptures
• The Most Beautiful Walk in the World by John Baxter
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

[41:50] Something Eva does every day

• Goes on a morning walk 
• Listen to her scriptures
• Meditate and practice gratitude
• Read and listen to podcasts
  • Write your ideas down!

[43:10] Good advice Eva has been given in her life

• Her mentor and professor: set parameters for yourself, and be as creative as you can within those parameters

Resources

Instagram: sycamore_co, parisbydesignco

The Most Beautiful Walk in the World by John Baxter

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Eva’s book, Paris by Design