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

Hi Kelsie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been a free spirit and before I started my business, I never felt like I truly had the flexibility and freedom to be authentically creative. I started Vivant Ideas because I knew I had the creativity and work ethic within me to provide services and products to clients that they not only wanted, but needed. I love that my day-to-day is so diverse. One day I might be designing a new logo, the next I might be shooting a video or writing copy. I’m always doing something new and that’s the kind of career I’ve always wanted to have – one that never gets boring!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My early twenties were spent finishing up college and the second half of that decade were spent at jobs that I didn’t truly love. I’ve always had a creative streak, but it took me a while to figure out that I could use it to work for myself instead of someone else. When I started my business, I knew that my top priority would always be to stay true to myself and to treat others with respect and kindness. My clients always get the real me when we are working on projects and my hope is that I get that in return. There’s no sugarcoating things around here! We get down to the nitty gritty to develop branding that authentically represents the client.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I really hope Khrysanthe, my best friend from high school, reads this because we are LONG overdue for a girls trip! She’d get here on a Sunday and we would head to the pool at The Joule. On Sundays last summer, you could get pool passes that included a cocktail, lunch, and an afternoon at the pool for around $50. It was such a plush girls day for a steal and a great way to cool off in the sweltering Texas heat. On Monday, we would head over to the Cultural District in Fort Worth. The Kimbell, The Modern, and The Amon Carter are all on my list for visitors to check out. Grab lunch at Cafe Modern or the Kimbell Cafe. They’re classics. On Tuesday, we would head out to Possum Kingdom lake for a couple of days of R&R. Stay at the Wildcatter Ranch in Graham to experience some true Texan hospitality and a dang good steak. On Friday night after a couple of days in the country, we would hit up Joe T. Garcia’s for margs and then The Stockyards in Fort Worth. Everybody’s got to line dance at Billy Bob’s at least once in their life! On our last day, we would hit up V-Spa at Verandah Fitness Club at the Hilton Anatole. I had one of the best massages ever there once and their huge locker rooms, saunas, and pools can’t be beat. They also have tons of fun fitness classes to check out!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of the most inspiring, encouraging people in my life was an Art History professor I had at UTA, Dr. Melia Belli. Throughout my life, there have always been people who told me that I couldn’t, wouldn’t, or shouldn’t accomplish my goals, and Dr. Belli always made sure I knew that I was capable. She invested her time in me, helped me develop solid research and writing skills, and always encouraged me to express my creativity. Dr. Belli is, hands down, the best professor and mentor anyone could ever ask for. I’m very thankful to have had her in my life.

Website: www.vivantideas.com
Instagram: @vivantideas
Linkedin: @kelsiemcgilvray
Facebook: Facebook.com/vivantideas

Image Credits
Cara Burk, B. Family Films

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