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

Hi Autumn, why did you pursue a creative career?
As a child, I was always creating and turning small ideas into businesses. It was subconscious and natural for me. Drawing, sewing, making bracelets and purses, designing beaded bobby-pins, and making a snow cone stand (with the name “Hawaiian Ice”), were a part of my every day life. I was always playing “coffee shop” in my room or forming a girls club amongst my young best friends. As I grew older, I realized the risk of being an artsy entrepreneur. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to handle the financial risks, so I went to college and considered studying for a career in the medical field instead of pursuing my love for dance and music. Each class I took in anatomy and physiology was amazing, but left me feeling empty and unfulfilled inside. School also left me feeling like I was not being true to myself or what I was passionate about. After 4 years of struggling with which path to choose, I decided it was best for me to do what I enjoy and take the risks of being a creative entrepreneur. Currently, I have small businesses teaching private voice lessons, artist development, dance, gymnastics, and a coffee pop up brand. I’m so thankful to me true to myself. It’s best to honor what’s truly in your heart. It may help others do the same and unlock their creative potential too.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I do a little bit of everything!

Coffee – Currently, I have started a pop up business selling iced lattes this summer. I wanted to bring something different to the coffee scene in Dallas: colorful iced lattes. I’m still in the beginning stages of letting my brand, Studio 310 Coffee, launch. But I’m excited to cater and offer free deliveries to Oak Cliff. I am so thankful for local shops like Luna Metaphysical Autumn Moon for allowing me to be vendors. I’m looking forward to partnering with more brands soon like Pressed by Perla and beyond.

Artist Development – I’ve been a singer my entire life. Now I help others by teaching private voice lessons and artist development. I have found that people want to explore music and don’t really know how to begin often times. That’s why I do private lessons in voice and help people discover their path and achieve their goals as new artists. This fall, I will be teaching a class for teens about how to sing, find their path in music, write songs, record, and release their own music. I will help them launch into the right lane whether it’s performing or choosing genres or producers that are right for them. A lot of people are stepping into music without a clue of what to do or where how to collaborate. I don’t think that needs to be the case. You don’t have to do it alone. And you don’t have master it all either. I want singers to know that it’s okay if you’re not gifted in being your own band manager, producer, photographer, or videographer. We don’t have to do it all. And a lot of us feel that pressure. What I believe is, we often have the right people around us who are gifted in the things we are not, and that’s a good thing. We can let others be good at their craft and partner with them. We don’t have to bend over backwards or invent the wheel.

Dance & Gymnastics  – I teach a couple of private lessons in gymnastics, cheer, and ballet. I’m thankful to keep moving with my students and have this small outlet to work out and help them advance. I enjoy working with students with special needs of all ages. They are such a joy to me. I just started a “Spider-Man” class for ages 5 – 8 and it’s been so fun!

I want the world to know that if you have multiple interests or a creative side, it doesn’t mean you’re scattered. It means you’re multi-faceted with much purpose. It’s okay if it takes time to understand your lane or career. You may have to plow into the unknown and make it up as you go. I believe no time will be wasted when you are trying your best. But honoring God and those around you with your talent is such a beautiful thing in business. My good friend Brian always says, “No one gets mad at a baby for learning how to walk.” We don’t have to put so much pressure on ourselves as creatives to figure it all out. We can take small steps. I also want to say, don’t be discouraged with failures. I use to be extremely discouraged if things didn’t go well. But if we see the big picture, there are going to be ups and downs with business and the arts. Timing is important. Persistence is key. Each step is a learning experience. We need to let go of perfectionism and choose thankfulness and honor the art within us. We must celebrate our small victories along the way and allow people to celebrate and lift us too.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So my sister-in-laws are coming to visit soon, and we have a little idea of what we want to do:

– Swim at the pool before summer ends
– Grab Tex-Mex off of Jefferson in Oak Cliff at El Rincon Tapatio and maybe a churro afterwards
– I’m going to dye Hannah’s hair
– We are going to make a lot of iced lattes and probably have a movie night

I also enjoy taking friends to these spots in Bishop Arts:
– Taco y Vino
– Azucar Ice Cream Company
– Sons of Herman Hall for Swing Dancing

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow, there are so many I would like to honor with my journey. First of all, I would like to thank my mom for encouraging me to pursue my passions in college when other voices were strongly describing why it was a bad idea. I appreciate her support of my true colors and creative career. I would also like to thank Jeremy Jarvis for his 5+ years of mentorship in my life. Jeremy held my hand for a long time, and was the first voice to ever validate me. He was like a father to me, speaking wisdom when I needed it, and always supported my ideas in the arts and small business. It was during some very early years in my twenties when I needed that grounding and support desperately. He was a real sounding board for me in life.
I also want to give a big shout out to Hola Cafe. The owners have been so kind to me, great bosses, and told me since day one that when the time comes for me to open my own coffee shop, they would be there to support it. My bosses let me use Hola Cafe after hours for private voice lessons. They let me take off for traveling to record my rock singles that I’m working on. I really appreciate you, Daniel and Jen!

Instagram: Studio_310_Coffee

Other: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ySQ2nNdnSQ0J4a564EpvW?si=k3LOm-TeQP-0pr7PN-SrBA Autumn_eve_music (personal Instagram)

Image Credits
Brian Prewitt (concert and guitar photos) Amanda Crain Photography (one photo of me putting whip on the latte)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.