ABOUT CHAR
As an Artist & Creative Professional, Charlene knows first-hand how non-traditional careers & businesses unfolds. She has had many career transitions as well.
She also knows how career & business advising doesn’t usually address the unique perspective & needs we creatives have.
Many providers don't know how to work with us. I do. I am you in many ways.
So Charlene created SmART Career Solutions &
put the ART in SmART to fill-in-that-gap.
The super sauce Char brings is a quadfecta of personal & professional perspectives from the Artist to the Career Counsellor & to a Business Advisor. It can be pretty life changing.
Sure you can "DIY" this process - but I believe suffering is optional.
So many Artists & creative professionals are pushed into a box when it comes to career transition - traditional approaches don't always work.
I want to serve in the way I would have appreciated - open, straight-talking, NO BS, less woo woo & way more tangible systems & solutions - all customized!
It's not too much to ask.
Founder & Principal Coach
After 10+ years, working as a Certified Career Counsellor & Job Search Coach Charlene has:
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Worked with 1000’s of professionals in career transition
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Performed 100’s of Mock Interviews
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Wrote 4000+ Resumes & Cover Letters
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Facilitated 1500+ Workshops (5000+ hours)
More importantly, she:
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Held hope for her clients’ when they couldn’t themselves
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Built up confidence & self-esteem.
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Bought people ease in a frustration journey.
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Taught others how not-to hate job search, interviews & career transitions so much.
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Takes no BS & holds people to their highest standards – with great empathy
As a serial Entrepreneur, Charlene has built 4 small businesses leveraging her creativity.
Charlene studied Fine Arts and Interior Design & hold diplomas in each. In one of many career transitions, she trained to be a Certified Peer Counsellor & ICF trained Professional Coach.
As a Facilitator for BC Alliance for Arts & Culture, Charlene guided fellow creative-types tap into their talents to find career solutions.
Now, Charlene is also a Business Advisor for the YMCA Self - Employment Program - where her role as an ARTIST positions her as the right-fit to serve our creative new entrepreneurs.
SOME CHAR FACTS
Everything I do comes from the perspective of a Creative.
One thing I know for sure is that I am a CREATIVE.
I was an only child brought up by my mother, but I had a very creative father who was a Taxidermist.
I never really FIT-IN, had low self-confidence & no identity to speak of.
When I was a teen I struggled with fitting into "the box".
I was frustrated & needed FREEDOM.
I was often distracted & lost in my imagination.
I had TOO MANY ideas.
I didn't think & learn the way others did.
My learning style and brain worked differently than others.
So I gravitated to teachers that "got me" rather than those that tried
to change me or squeeze me into that box.
I am allergic to the box - like many creatives.
I geared ALL of my education to hone my skills as creative professional.
I wanted to be with others that I could relate to.
CONNECTION was always immediate with other Creatives.
As far those IDEAS - I didn't want to pick just one thing.
I wanted VARIETY & was torn between creative & practical pursuits.
I knew that my self-esteem came from making ART.
This is my happy place.
When I am stressed & overwhelmed I want to make ART, DESIGN or CREATE something.
I did it for the MENTAL HEALTH benefits. I realized it was therapeutic to self-sooth this way, before I even knew that was what I was doing.
I have made money from my art & creativity for over 30 years in one way or another. I feel blessed.
MONEY MADE from my creativity has come from many different streams, ventures & iterations. Sometimes as an employee, sometimes when self-employed & other times, a combination of BOTH.
I am more satisfied & productive when I "being" creative on-the-job.
"Being" creative is part of my purpose & contribution in this world.
FUN FACTS. Charlene is:
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Silly - Starlene Silver would be my stage name - I'm ready, just in case! Likes to LAUGH & don't want to take life too seriously.
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Short & Spicy - 5’- 1 and 3/4” but mighty.
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More than 1/2 way to 100 years old. Very seasoned.
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25% Italian, & apparently the family had connections to the Mob.
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Resides in beautiful BC & moved from Ontario over 1/2 a life ago.
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An occasional F-bomb dropper & doesn't have time for BS.
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Is a straight talker with a BIG heart. You will see it on her sleeve.
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Is writing a book called Memories of a Taxidermist Daughter.
Be prepared if you ask – it’s gruesome and awesome! -
Safe for society - thanks to many years of therapy.
