Onyx Creative: Tell. Your. Story.

a situation that CAN AND must change…

Much of our everyday lives revolve around getting things done and becoming something or someone. Whether in a corner office, a sea of cubicles, ushering kids, or in the kitchen, we tend to focus largely on doing. That seemingly endless quest leaves many of us, possibly the vast majority of us, tired, stressed and relentlessly burned out.

The truth is, too many of us have resigned ourselves to an existence in toxic workplaces and toxic relationships with overpacked schedules and unrealistic daily expectations.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized burn-out as a diagnosable condition. According to a recent article on the WHO website, “Burn-out is defined in ICD – 11 (International Classifications of Diseases) as follows: “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

•        Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;

•        Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job: and

•        Reduced professional efficacy.”

Though much of our stress and burn-out happens in the workplace, people can burn out from a myriad of situations and relationships. One of our most important relationships is that which we have with ourselves.

A POWERFUL SOLUTION

In comes Onyx Creative declaring all-out war on the disconnect that comes from our emotionally toxic environments and bringing the fun. Not simply fun, but a new, multi-faceted approach to overall wellness – through creative expression.

Managers, CEO’s and leaders of all kinds… Tired parents, workers, individuals… we are calling you out! Don’t think your workplace could ever be toxic? Great! However, we defy you to honestly assess and create a safe environment for genuine, unrestrained feedback. You might be surprised what you find.

But, don’t worry. It happens. Onyx Creative is super excited to offer you what you need to really make a real and lasting difference and by so doing, establish the balanced, healthy, cooperative, productive – and yes profitable workplace that you truly desire. Members of the workforce, exhausted parents, exasperated spouses, we’ve got you too. Sometimes the battle that rages is in our own perception of ourselves. Sometimes we need to give ourselves unrestrained permission to be. Tapping into that in-born creativity (yes, you do have it) can be the key that opens the flood gates of you.

At Onyx Creative, we asked the question, what if there was a space – a safe space where people can step out of their stress and burn-out and rediscover the value and motivation that has been inside them all along? What if there was a place where business leaders, professionals of all levels, as well as stay-at-home moms and even kids can share their stories, release stress and burn-out, commune with kindred spirits and tap into their best selves all while getting the support they need to master their self-care?

Many members of our community have enjoyed and benefitted from our Color.Blind Paint Experience, a hands-on, blindfolded, emotionally-freeing blast of fun. We want to give that experience to as many people as can benefit from it. That means everyone who has ever shouted for joy, bitten a lip, grimaced, shed a tear, etc. We imagine what life will be like when people have embraced their personal stories and more synergy is released into the environment. Can you imagine that?

Ever want to attend a conference to sharpen your skills and enhance your life but thought it far too expensive? Wonder if the expertise of the speakers will outweigh the cost and effort? Onyx Creative hosts summits that showcase the expertise of learned professionals in all of the 8 dimensions of wellness. We believe that the experts we source bring the perspective that will help place your value and purpose into marvelously clear focus. Even though that is worth more than we can measure, you don’t have to break the bank to attend these life-changing events. It’s included in your Color.Blind membership. Now how’s that for value!

Onyx Creative’s plus, premium and mastermind Color.Blind memberships come with some great perks including Color.Blind paint experiences, inclusion in influential masterminds, and complimentary attendance at Color.Blind Summits, and in some cases even individual exchanges with these wellness experts that cover all of the various dimensions.

OUR NEXT STEPS

After having taken to the road to offer our wellness experiences and corporate training, we are ready to put down roots in our own location. We are seeking community participation to make our building at 1031 S. Main Street a reality so that self-care will have a fitting home in the Las Vegas Valley.

Onyx Creative is…

Onyx Creative is a consultancy whose purpose is to create and administer programs that focus on individual and corporate self-care and community support while helping individuals to self-certify as their own self-care authority. Onyx Creative’s core values are creativity, self-care, self-expression, emotional health and interconnectivity. We focus on the 8-dimensions of wellness (Emotional, Environmental, Financial, Intellectual, Physical, Social, Spiritual, Vocational). 

Onyx Creative’s larger vision includes to incrementally reach various geographical areas and corporate industries to perpetuate self-care as a regular and familiar practice. Onyx Creative is where you get to acquaint with the best of you. No matter what you do in your life, you have emotions, you have a heart, you have a story. We are here to make sure that they are both respected and nurtured beyond your expectations.

Onyx Creative uses art – hands on canvas art with its unique tactile sensation -  that becomes the vehicle to emotional release.  It is art that anyone can do and has nothing to do with your skills in creating exact replications of anything.

We believe in…

We believe that everyone has immense value. We believe that everyone has a unique and powerful story to tell. We believe that everyone is creative. We believe that untold stories are the basis for many of our difficulties at home, in our communities and in our workforce. We access the phenomenal value through the story by tapping into the intrinsic creativity of each individual.

The telling of our stories accesses our value and strengthens our connection. The telling of our stories reduces the “need” for senseless aggression or fear of missing out. It reduces our need for unhealthy rivalry and increases our ability to work together.

Creativity is the vehicle. When we are being creative, we can be our true selves. We don’t have to stifle who we are and who we can be. We can reduce judgement. We can reduce oppression and unleash potential. We can create environments where the perceived necessity of these ills will fail to create angst. We can do this all by being our basic true selves – one authentic individual at a time.

We believe in empowering people. We believe in empowering businesses. We believe in empowering communities.

A NOTE ABOUT SELF-CARE

Some people worry about too much focus on self, we understand. However, self-care is not selfishness, it is not self-aggrandizement, it is not self-centeredness. It is a recognition and honoring of the intrinsic value within yourself and an intention dedication to be responsible for and responsive to your own needs with the knowledge that you cannot serve others (loved-ones, co-workers, bosses, etc.) from an empty cup.

WHAT WE OFFER
Onyx Creative is a beautifully-designed, modern space for work and play in the Las Vegas Arts District offering services to executives, the workforce, families, and more.  We provide an atmosphere and support for each to be his or her best self. We think of our services in four areas:

• Corporate Leadership Training
• Physical and Digital Safe Zone for Self-Care  - A Place to Get Messy
• Graphic Design and Branding Consulting with Wellness Focus
• A Place to Become Your Own Self-Care Expert

THE SPACE
We're creating a physical space where wellness through self-expression will heal. All images presented on this page include real estate that we have identified as a potential location along with inspirational photos. 

• Office Space
• Color.Blind Classes
• Team Building
• Wellness Classes
• Meeting Space
• Gallery Space
• Café
• Rooftop Patio

Amenities include:

• Location in the heart of the Las Vegas Arts District
• First floor open space with lots of natural light and ample space to get messy.
• Cozy, luxe furnishings conducive to both work and play.
• A café to gather and experience a selection of healthy food and signature non-alcoholic beverages. 
• An outdoor patio space where wellness activities can take place in the fresh air and sunshine in the day, or under the Las Vegas starscape at night.
• Space to host other wellness-focused artists to display their works.
• Conference space available to other wellness professionals and partner organizations
• Free Wi-Fi
• A great sound system and mounted flat screens with music that includes independent local artists and facilitates class instruction.

the place

1031 S. Main Street is a beautiful two-story brick building with tall windows that let in lots of natural light and plenty of open space for wellness activities. It is located in the heart of the Las Vegas Arts District.

The building has a great rooftop area that includes an open patio and kitchen. This space will be used for a café as well as a location for open air classes. Classes will include the Color.Blind Paint Experience as well as yoga, meditation etc. 

The second floor will provide an area that will be used as a conference space that will hold classes and be rented out for partner wellness professionals and wellness-focused events.

The area of the district has plenty of foot traffic and arts activities that go on daily, but a big draw to the area happens on First Fridays, a well-attended monthly block party in the Las Vegas Arts District, where art enthusiasts gather to view art, patronize local vendors and have a great time.

The Las Vegas Arts District is a neighborhood made up of independent businesses and creatives. Antique shops, art galleries, bars, theaters, food and much more make up the area that is growing to be a major attraction for both visitors and locals.

THE NETWORK
The SelfCare Addict Network is a wellness social network. It is an online safe space focused on self-care and the 8 dimensions of wellness and dedicated to your self-care, with public and private tribes where you will know that you belong and are comfortable to be. It offers incredibly informative classes, affirmations, fun scavenger hunts and more. Most importantly, it provides a connection to our self-care community reducing the noise, competitiveness and judgement that have become a part of traditional social media.

The network includes:

• An online gathering space
• Public, private and secret tribes (free and paid)
• Workshops (free and paid)
• Messaging (video and chat)
• Mastermind Communities: mentor matching, executive coaching, and member relationship building events.

RETREATS

Sometimes our connection to our better selves needs a connection to our surroundings. To that end, we take our self-care to go! Getting out in nature helps us get a better perspective on who we are and our purpose. Nature hikes, earthing at the park, painting by the ocean or breathing fresh mountain air. Self-care must not always be contained.

MEMBERSHIP
FOUNDING MEMBERSHIP – ($1,450)

We are offering a limited number of  founding memberships at a significant discount from the normal annual rate. There are 100 Founding Memberships available only through IFW. Once Founding Memberships are gone, standard memberships go to $2,500.

Founding Membership includes:

• Color.Blind Premium annual membership*
• 30% Discount on Creatives Without Borders Mastermind Membership**
• Onyx Creative t-shirt and mug
• Inclusion in our preferred vendors list and personal introductions to the partners and services that keep Onyx Creative running
• First access and invitations to our community events and groups prior to opening

*COLOR.BLIND MEMBERSHIP

Onyx Creative offers four annual membership levels including: Basic (Level 1), Plus (Level 2), Premium (Level 3) and Mastermind (Level 4). Learn more

Help us reach our goal of 1000 Color.Blind Plus members in the first sixty days of our campaign. The Color.Blind Plus membership is $150 per month and includes the following:

• The SelfCare Addict network
• Monthly summits (get access to the speakers) plus breakout sessions with speaker
• 10% Discount ticket to color blind summit or membership to mastermind group
• Onyx Creative T-shirt

**CREATIVES WITHOUT BORDERS MASTERMIND MEMBERSHIP

Onyx Creative is proud and excited to introduce Creatives Without Borders, a self-care and wellness focused mastermind collective.  Creatives Without Borders seeks to help you find those people you have been wanting and needing to meet and a space to connect so you never have to feel like you’re alone as you navigate this work-life balance thing that everyone talks about but few seem to really achieve. You don’t have to go it alone.

A mastermind group is a collection of like-minded professionals who value personal and professional growth and bring together varying perspectives and experience. Creatives Without Borders Masterminds are in place to be that extra push that gets you from here to there. This collective can be your secret weapon to avoid getting stuck.

Great things you can expect to Gain from your Creatives Without Borders mastermind:

• A group of carefully selected professionals to whom you can look for support
• New ways to express your self-care message throughout your business
• Confidence to retire old ideas about your self-care at work
• The clarity to initiate new self-care activities in your professional and private life
• A whole new way to package self-care + business + leadership ideas
• A bigger, bolder vision!

Great things you can expect to Do as a result of your Creatives Without Borders mastermind: 

• Positively and significantly impact your productivity by focusing on a clear self-care regimen
• Prepare your business for its first employee(s) or yourself to manage a team
• Develop and execute new marketing and visibility campaigns
• Better navigate work/life sustainability issues.

COMMUNITY
As a member of Onyx Creative, you are welcomed into a rich community of creatives at our in-person classes and the community that is created as a result of our common respect and value for self-care and wellness. Onyx Creative is a respite for those newly discovering that they are burned out and in need of intentional self-care and those transitioning job responsibilities and/or career levels.

WHY CROWD FUNDING?
We believe in the community and we believe that the community believes in us. Nearly everyone who has experienced our classes has come away with a positive impression of the value of self-care. (It’s actually everyone, but we didn’t want to sound to pompous.) The response has been overwhelmingly awesome! We have a shared value with those we serve to access our powerful creativity and use it to improve the way that we see ourselves and our capabilities. We believe that the value of what we have to offer speaks to the hearts and minds of countless individuals experiencing stress and burn-out and their results.

We left the workaday world where we were not accessing the best of ourselves in order to pursue our true passion of changing lives in the face of increasing and debilitating stress and burn-out.

Onyx Creative is built by women, not only to serve women but to serve everyone. We're building Onyx Creative because it's part of our life's work - we're not building it to scale it and sell it. We believe the true power of creativity is both individual and collective.

We decided to turn to IFW, a female only crowdfunding platform, to get the job done. Funds secured through our crowdfunding campaign will be used to build out our physical space, the most critical component of Onyx Creative’s growth.

FOUNDERS

Onyx Creative was founded by two women who answered the same calling at the same time.

ANN-MARIE TALLEY

Ann-Marie Talley, MS, a former addiction counselor, a veteran, and artist and a mom discovered that she needed more and could provide such for others. She used her experience and her compassion to turn her passion for art into a shareable self-care and wellness practice. “Self-care is the best care because you own the best care for you.”

SONYA RUFFIN

Sonya Ruffin, APR, a public relations and marketing executive, graphic artist, life coach and mother also found herself on the path of a deep desire to help the “silently hurting.” She loves to make leaps and bounds through writing, graphic design and fine art. “It is my privilege to stand witness as others discover themselves.”

THE DUO

We met after having experienced some of the disheartening disconnection that can too often be a part of life in the corporate world.

Together, we developed Onyx Creative and began to bring creative self-care and wellness to corporate groups, non-profits and individuals throughout the Las Vegas Valley. The response was nothing short of amazing!

We are driven by the acceptance of our individual and collective purpose, to help people connect to their in-born creativity and come in contact with their inner heroes and in so doing, make a lasting impact on our interconnectivity and peaceful yet productive synergy.

We have gladly accepted our purpose and are beyond thrilled that it coincides with the needs of so many. Let’s go!