#59 How to Bend But Not Break - Use Creativity to Solve Any Problem with Paul Pape

Paul Pape is a designer and fabricator of custom collectibles who can make things that no one can find. He has a background in theater design and has worked in various mediums such as sculpture, woodworking, leatherworking, 3D design, fabrication, jewelry, and metal craft. Paul's journey started in theater, where he learned to do a lot of different things. He then transitioned into creating custom collectibles and has worked with well-known clients such as Disney, Universal, and The Tonight Show. Paul's approach is to solve creative problems and navigate through challenges, and he values relationships and the ability to make memories tangible. In this conversation, Paul Pape discusses the importance of letting go of ego, working with others, and staying positive. He emphasizes the value of consistency and the fact that people are always watching, even if they don't actively engage. Paul also talks about the balance between knowledge and imagination, encouraging creativity, and the need for a creative outlet. He shares his future goals of continuing his consultancy work and speaking engagements. Paul advises business owners to focus on helping others and making a positive impact. A few key topics we covered  - Paul's journey from scenic design in theater to custom collectible design - Lessons learned from working with clients like Disney and Nickelodeon - The importance of imagination and creativity in problem-solving - Balancing artistry and business in a freelance career - The realities of working with big brands and managing relationships  If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions. Reach out! Send your feedback and comments with this survey.  Unpacking this episode min by min:  05:00 From Theater Design to Custom Collectibles 13:17 Solving Creative Problems and Making Memories Tangible 23:11 Working with Well-Known Clients 30:51 Navigating Relationships and Checking Ego 33:45 Letting Go of Ego and Staying Positive 42:15 The Balance Between Knowledge and Imagination 44:08 The Value of Consistency and Working with Others 56:26 Helping Others and Making a Positive Impact Vivian Kvam:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/Email Vivian - vkvam@thetandemworks.com  Paul Pape:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paulpapedesigns/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpapeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/paulpapedesigns/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/paulpapedesignsX - https://twitter.com/paulpapedesigns Tandem Works Team:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeamInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/Email the team: RidingTandem@thetandemworks.com  FREE RESOURCES  Shop Our Favorite Tools and Things here https://thetandemworks.com/our-favorite-things How to figure out how much to charge video  Receive the latest news, encouragement and inspiration from Vivian to your inbox by signing up here https://thetandemworks.com/newsletter-sign-up Riding Tandem with Vivian Kvam A podcast from Tandem Works Email the team: RidingTandem@thetandemworks.com