Hey creators 👋🏽 Ciara here, your monthly co-pilot on this wild ride of turning big ideas into real moves.

It’s been a minute, so let’s catch up.

I’ve been creating content for over a decade. And the biggest trap I fell into early on? Comparison.

Early in my journey, I’d look at creators who seemed ten steps ahead and want what they had. The success. The style. The recognition. All before really knowing what “it all” meant.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned along the way. Your journey is your journey. It won’t look or feel like anyone else’s, and that’s exactly how it should be.

If you ask me…I’ve been creating content for well over 10 years.

The first four? College. Learning how to write and understanding the theory behind the craft of communicating and creating for the masses.

The next three? Learning to be of service. To those who’d been executing creative for years. To marketers. To operators and business development teams. You name it, I was learning how to support it.

The three after that? Learning and carrying out the systems and processes that make the creative process run seamlessly.

Then came the next three. Digging into the technical aspects of creativity and putting them into practice. Learning how to work within structured creative teams to execute comprehensive briefs, campaigns, and editorials.

And for the last five years? I’ve been learning how to lead —patiently. Building platforms in service of others, leading creative teams, and implementing strategies that align with both storytelling and business outcomes.

The entire time, I was also developing my voice. Refining my taste. Shaping my point of view. Figuring out what creative expression looked like for me. And that part? It’s still evolving.

Because learning never ends.
I’m constantly building on what I know, sharpening what I’ve already learned, and staying open to what’s next.

I’m writing this for the creative, the creator, or the founder who’s just getting started.

The one who, like me in the beginning, compared their journey to builders who were ten steps ahead and wanted everything before even knowing what “everything” really meant.

Don’t do that.
Your journey is your journey.
It won’t look or feel like anyone else’s.

Just start.
Keep going.
And eventually, you’ll find yourself far beyond the mountain you thought was the finish line.

And before you decide to skip corporate or quit your job just because everyone’s saying “niche this” and “personal brand that,” remember this.

It’s a skill to get paid to learn.
To work in an environment where you can grow, experiment, and build your skillset while contributing to something bigger.

There’s value in using that time to sharpen your tools, figure out what you love, and learn how to execute consistently and professionally.

You’re already inside the framework.
Keep building.

— Ciara

New Releases

From Front Porches to Feeds | In collaboration with PBS Digital Studios

This one is special. Thanks to PBS, I had the chance to return to my roots and shine a light on three Southern creators who are embracing their culture on their own terms. Telling their stories reminded me how much power there is in sharing authentic, community-driven perspectives.

Southern creators and creatives from small towns rarely get the chance to showcase their talents on a big platform, so this was my way of doing just that. And in the words of Andre 3000, putting the creator economy on notice: “the South has something to say.”

Tune in below

🔌 Upcoming Events We’re Attending in January

Catch us at Creator Economy NYC’s first event of 2026!

They’re bringing top creators, marketers, and founders together to start the year in the same room.

 Good drinks, good music, and even better people.

Whether you’re plotting your next move, looking for collaborators, or just want to kick off the year surrounded by ambitious creative energy, this is your night.

📡 Inside the Algorithm —

Here’s what we’ve been double-tapping on this month —creators doing it differently and reminding us why storytelling still matters:

🎨 IG: @yobreezye
Bryan “YoBreezye” Roberson is putting southern and overlooked creatives on the map through his platform and series Conversations with Creatives.

Tap in and discover your next new favorite artist.

🎤 IG: @Lord Vizion – aka the affirmations rapper
If you’re into music that moves your mindset and your mood, tap in with Lord Vizion. His unique blend of flow and daily affirmations is exactly the kind of energy we love to see in the creator space.
→ Learn more about Lord Vizion

💬 Thought of the Month:

"Success is a series of small wins, not someone else’s finish line."

- Emerging Frameworks

Take each step at your own pace. Build your skills, refine your voice, and trust your journey —the rest will follow.

Until next time,
— Ciara & the EFW Team