The Inspirationals: IAMU Collective

 

All Images belong to and used with permission from IAMU 

We first came across the IAMU collective on Instagram, with stunning photos, and beautiful backdrops and models they really are eye catching. However unlike many other temporary tattoo brands and companies, there is a much deeper creativity and influence to their brand. We also adore their mantra 'We hope you enjoy our creations and take pleasure in spreading IAMU’s message of happiness, creativity & joy.' What a beautiful message that is.

We asked IAMU's Chris Soll  to answer some questions for us to learn more, and here they are. We hope you enjoy!

Gorgeous IAMU Rochelle

Tell us about what you do.

We are a merchandising platform for social influencers.
IAMU Collective is the brainchild of Rochelle Fox & myself Chris Soll. We wanted to create a business that is all about collaborating with lots of people, whilst utilizing our natural given abilities.

What does an average day at work look like for you?

In short form. Wake up, stretch, meditate, breakfast, drawing, emails, social media, work out, meditate, read a book, sleep.

Do you primarily work alone or with other people?

Life is all about collaboration, so we work with lots of people.

Gorgeous IAMU Tigerlily

Is this what you wanted to do as a child? Did you end up in this job by “accident” or was it a planned career choice?

It's been a long progression. Personally I spent 6 years in corporate doing in-house graphic design. Eventually I switched to working freelance from home and now 3 years later IAMU is now my main focus.

How long ago did you start on this path?

I've been drawing things on my arms for a good 25 years now.

How long were you doing it before you made it into your career or primary form of income?

Graphic Design was my chosen career for 10 Years before this business took off.

Did anything significant happen to get you to that point, or was it a series of small steps?

Step by step you get ahead.

You can purchase these here

What kind of education do you have?

Bachelor of Graphic Communications from a Sydney Design college.

Do you think official qualifications are important for someone entering your industry?

I think Educational Institutions provide an environment within which one can grow & develop. In the Art community I think the primary factor in success is the work you complete after your qualifications.

If you went to school, did you enjoy studying? Could you see where it might lead you at the time? What advice would you give to someone else who might be studying to get into your industry?


I've never been very academic. My strengths lie more in having a vivid imagination.

My advice would be to treat the time you have as a finite resource. Make the most of your years studying to really push yourself creatively. Stretch yourself as far as you can, because this will lay the groundwork for your propulsion into the industry. Picasso said all children are born artists, the hard part is staying that way as we grow up.

 

Instagram super star Mimi is one of the collective.

What do you think is the best thing about what you do?


Well, as I mentioned I literally spent my entire childhood drawing all over my arms with pens & markers. So the best thing for me personally is that I now get to do for work what i've always done for fun.

What’s the worst thing?

Having the superhero complex. Meaning, you do every possible job in your own business. There is no 'off time' yet, as we grow this will change once we hire someone though, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But for now weekends are meaningless.

Would you call yourself a workaholic, & if so, are you alright with that? Do you think that’s normal for your industry?

Somewhat, but I think we keep it within a healthy boundary. Bill Gates didn’t take a single day off from age 20-30. I’m not going that extreme, but I do have respect that every action has an opposite reaction and what is often perceived to be an 'overnight success' usually takes about 14 years.

What would your number one suggestion be for someone who wants to do what you do?

Follow your bliss.

...How about number two?

Think for yourself. Everyone is making it up as they go along, no-one has it all figured out. Start now and fix as you go.

What do you wish you had known when you first started out?

Vedic Meditation.

Do you ever have any ethical dilemmas with the work you do?

Hmmm not really, it's a pretty mutually beneficial set-up. Customers seem happy, collaborators are happy, suppliers are happy, we're happy. :)

How cool?

What is the best thing that’s happened to you as a consequence of the work you do?

Free time to explore my mind.

What motivates you to keep doing what you’re doing?

The fact that the sky is the limit and that people are decorating their bodies with our drawings, which is pretty humbling.

Rate how happy you are with what you do out of 100 (100 being the best, 0 being devastatingly awful) on an average day.

100. I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else at this point in my life.

Is there much career progression available to you? What would you like to do next?

Expand our range, expand my mind, push it to the limit.

Do you think you’ll continue doing this for the rest of your life?

I hope so :)

We would like to thank Chris SO much for taking the time out to answer our questions, we know what we shall be wearing at Glastonbury and the Summer festivals! To find out more about IAMU you can find them at the following places: 

Website / Shop / Instagram / Facebook 

Or to find out more about the collective you can find all them here: 

Chris / Rochelle / Mimi / Tigerlily