Meet Barbara Dash | Founder of The Corporate Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Barbara Dash and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Barbara, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
In this stage of my life and business, self-awareness is key. Many of life’s questions are answered, and negative experiences avoided when we commit to proactive self-awareness rather than reactive. The journey towards self-awareness can also unveil your passion and/or purpose, as it did for me.

Entrepreneurs are often regular people solving problems they wish someone had solved them. I’m in that category. With each intentional step towards developing myself and exploring my strengths, weaknesses, desires, and life values, my business correlatively grows. Since I’m serving an audience like me, with an interest in balancing a professional and creative career, my journey for deeper self-awareness ultimately sets the business and the community up for success.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Corporate Creative® (TCC) is a business born out of personal frustrations. Professionally, I’m a certified Data Analyst, Project Manager, and Forensic Accountant. However, creatively I’m a singer and accent-wall artist who also paints, dances, and enjoys graphic design. I reached a crossroads some years ago where putting my creative self and passions completely aside to advance professionally was negatively impacting my mental health and life outlook. That’s when TCC was born.

TCC is the first bridge of its kind, bridging the gap between full-time corporate and full-time creative cultures. That most individuals identify exclusively with either side of those dichotomous spaces is becoming less true for the younger Gen Z workforce and more difficult for the largest workforce segment of millennials to maintain. Somewhere on the spectrum exist corporate creatives, who are secretly balancing their professional careers with a creative passion or career outside of work. A secret, because there’s no space for their authentic creative identify in the workplace. Their biggest desire is fulfillment, which requires the flexibility to prioritize their professional and creative pursuits as life and health requires.

We serve organizations via an Employee Retention Program and fringe benefits optimization; the organizations benefit from higher employee productivity, engagement, company loyalty, and a competitive edge in the hiring market.

We serve Corporate Creatives via customized career road mapping (professional and creative), training resources (professional and creative), contract opportunities (you guessed it, professional and creative) and community.

We’re most excited about piloting the TCC Retention Program with 10 organizations of various industries in Philadelphia for a 3-4 month trial in 2024! We’re also eager to develop a Data Analytics app for Corporate Creatives within the next 3 years and are actively looking to engage with more Corporate Creatives who will share their stories of living a balanced lifestyle, to inform and serve the growing community.

TCC is a young organization, but our vision of the world as its supposed to be, where “bring your authentic self to work” is more than a motto, keeps us going.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Philadelphia has a lot to offer!

For the best views, check out- JG Sky High Hotel and the Assembly Rooftop lounge.
For the best cheesesteaks, head to a local corner store or pizza shop! My favorite is Vito’s on Broad St. But if I have to suggest a Tourist spot, Ishkabibbles or Max’s
For the best romantic night with music, visit TIME.
For the best morning run, walk or bike ride, head to Kelly drive nearby the Phila Art Museum.
For a creative outlet, tour REC Philly! They could be launching in your city soon. If you’re interested in creating a project, connect with me and I can help you start or complete it while you’re here. I have the network and resources to support you!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate this to my Mom Dr. Dash and brother Howard. Without them, I’d never have gotten through the days when quitting seemed like a better option.

Website: thecorporatecreative.us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecorporatecreative.us/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecorporatecreative/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecorporatecreative.us/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecorporatecreative

Other: https://linktr.ee/thecorporatecreative