Today we’d like to introduce you to Addison Ferullo.
Hi Addison, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a creative, curious spirit. It must be the West Texan in me.
As a child, I loved learning instruments and performing, filming homemade commercials, reading, writing, and most importantly, daydreaming. My passion for photography flared in my tweens, and I followed that spark all through college, experimenting whenever I could. Authentically counterculture, my camera and I broke into abandoned buildings, shamelessly begged local shops to assist in my creative vision, and drove for hours around town to photograph something new. Despite the freedom I felt when I got behind the camera, growing up in a small town with wide-horizon dreams still terrified me. I clammed up and took the safe route, staying home for college and pushing my visions aside because of the familiar wind chimes of doubt I’d always been reminded of at home. Their well-rehearsed notes constantly playing: “this won’t be enough to make it into the real world.”
I got lucky amidst the chaos of COVID-19. I landed a full-time position at a marketing agency in Dallas, Texas, where I began to love digital design and video editing. After sponging up as much as I could in that environment, I leaped and left it to pursue my own freelance creative work. At the time, I didn’t know of anyone doing the same thing or even what it could look like for me. On the business side, no one in my family had started a company from scratch. It was a completely wide-open space to explore and make my own.
There are many times on this path when willpower has had to triumph over flow. I’ve learned that if you truly want it to work, you’ll do the work. My screens have seen countless late nights, fists of victory after connecting with a new client, tears of frustration over limited disk space, and the minutiae of making my creativity the source of my self-sufficiency. I’ve sacrificed time that could’ve been spent in typical mid-20-year-old shenanigans, been disparaged by old peers, coworkers, and family, and walked a very lonely path to get to this point. But through the adversity, I’ve also grown so confident in the breadth of my capabilities. For anyone who has an inkling to take the plunge, remember: you define your limitations. No one else. Not any external thing. You. If it’s what you want, keep going. Be as though you’ve already achieved it.
It’s so important as a creator to stay true to your own soul. And I’m so grateful to have the freedom to redefine my business as I evolve. Candidly, I’m in the middle of an evolution, and I’m craving more soul-aligning work, more travel opportunities, and eventually a team to help carry it out with me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No. And thank God it hasn’t.
Struggle is an innate reality on the road to self-sufficiency. It has all come down to the effort that I’ve put in and remaining sangfroid. There’s always the uncertainty around client retainers, not having enough hours in the day to work (and play), setting boundaries, and striving to stay ahead of the curve in all output. I continue to find myself in cycles of perfectionism and burnout. Naming the discomfort as it is allows me to put a magnifying glass on the areas where I still need to grow.
On a fervent journey towards conscious self-betterment, I use what I’ve learned to navigate the live construction zones of both my work and personal life. Like many humans in our society, I continue to make detours that lead to a sustainable work-life balance. Achieving an equanimous state of mind is the driving force behind my current evolution!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a multifaceted digital creator. My mediums include photography, creative direction, branding, graphic design, video editing, and the strategic content side of the online world.
I’m known for being innovative. A bit scrappy, if you will. If there’s a creative problem, I’ll find the best solution.
I’m most proud of my adaptability. I’ve worked with a wide array of brands, and on each project, I produce high-quality work with a devotion to the craft. This is what sets me apart. I’m willing to go a step beyond the extra mile to provide my best work for my clients.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
It’s been to get lost more often. To challenge my brain to think of new solutions off the cuff. This not only has forced me to expand my horizons, but it also brings me back to who I am at my core: my virtues and my convictions. I proceed with caution, but I also don’t fear the untravelled road. And I give myself credit! I’m extremely good at what I do, and I’ve made it this far because of it. I am constantly putting myself in uncomfortable positions to reach new heights. It’s thrilling and yields expansion, but I’ve really had to lean into being as grounded as possible in all other areas of my life.
Detachment is integral. New work, money, willpower, and time. Without the safety net of a promised paycheck, it’s easy to watch these things flow and cling to the fear of them not returning… and I still frequently do this dance.
Above all, it’s been trusting myself and my vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.addisonferullo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/addison.ferullo/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/addisonnf?si=97b518c961d74cbd
