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

Hi Brett, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
The idea of work-life balance has always been a priority for me. Growing up, my mother was the best example for this. She turned down multiple career opportunities, so she could stay present in me and my sister’s lives. She raised us as a single mother, and she made it clear that we were her priority. As a young professional, I had to find my own version of that balance. Similar to parenting, we all have things in our lives that are more important to us than work. This has even shifted my career coaching philosophy. Instead of focusing solely on helping people find careers they love, I help people choose careers that fit the lifestyle they want to live. Then, we create tangible plans for getting there. I don’t believe that work-life balance is ever something you master. It’s an ongoing lesson. I believe the key is consistent self-reflection, knowing yourself, and being able to adapt to your own well-being. I’m a “work hard, play harder” type of guy. I love what I do, but there are more important things in my life than work. My ultimate career goal is to retire as soon as possible, so I guess work-life balance is something you can apply from day-to-day, week-to-week, or an entire lifetime.

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.
I’ve always seen myself as a creative person, even though my biggest strengths show up in education. I believe it’s important to recognize that artistic and creative talents don’t just show up in drawing, dancing, etc. You can be a creative coach or an artistic teacher. I think this sets me apart from other educators and professionals in the coaching industry. I love art, so I’m always looking for unique ways to blend it into my work through my graphics, the presentations I create, and innovative marketing efforts. The biggest contributor to my success so far has been failure & persistence. I tell my clients all the time that most of the things I teach come from more failures than successes. I’ve been where they are. It hasn’t been easy. I know that this helps my students and client feel more comfortable working with me. There will always be more that I can learn, so I’m constantly growing with them. The more you face fears and fail, the easier and less scary risks become. The thing I want most is for people who can relate to my story to stay encouraged and motivated. I’m just a small-town kid from Illinois. I haven’t had many advantages in life, but I have been able to work hard and create them on my own.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this question! As I mentioned before, I play harder than I work. Monday night, we are going to Controllerise to hear great music, watch people dance (like real dancers), play a few games, and enjoy some anime. Tuesday, we have to get tacos somewhere. One of my favorite spots is Zama Mexican Cuisine & Margarita Bar. I’ve never had a bad experience there. Wednesdays are surprisingly turned up at MJQ, so if we have the energy, we’re going there. The rest of the week/weekend is up in the air. I don’t usually have go-to spots because I like to keep it fresh and go to more pop-up events. I’m definitely finding some time to take them to The Gathering Spot for drinks. I’m a huge music fan, so I am at concerts all the time. Atlanta is an amazing place to be for music fans. I will miss a meal to see an up-and-coming R&B artist. So, my first thought would be to see who is playing that week. I’d check my apps Songkick & Dice. I’m not a big clubber, so I’d find some low-key spots with great music. Werc Crew puts on some amazing events, and there are plenty of other DJs and event curators in the city. I could go on and on about events in Atlanta!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to women. All of the women in my family have been nothing short of an amazing support system. Also, most of the mentors throughout my career have been women. Even within the community, organizations like the Urban League of Greater Atlanta – Young Professionals & The Gathering Spot has been extremely beneficial. Many of the women in those organizations have recognized my potential and encouraged me to share it with others.

Website: www.brettelliscms.com
Instagram: youmetbrettyet / brettelliscms
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettellis1/

Image Credits
Tim Caver Darryl “G” Humphrey II