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

Hi Daniel, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Calling all Risk Takers. Without a leap, a jump, or some discomfort it’s impossible to find the next great adventure. That doesn’t mean you can’t be afraid or feel fear; in fact, id suggest following your fear. It takes fear anxiety and the willingness to confront it, to make you capable of progress and trust your ability to persevere. When you’re in unfamiliar territory, life experience and the things you have faced become the weapons you can use to forge through. Without risk-taking I would never have started my first successful 501c3 serving thousands of cancer patients, I would have never had my first gallery showing, presenting my art to the world. And if I had never faced my fears I would never have had the opportunity to be a Senior Art Director for VMLY&R or worked with the US Navy.

Taking risks are the key to progress and moving your life forward. So I call on you to become a risk taker. Even when you fail taking a risk rewards you with learning how to fail better next time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a creative. But what that means is different for everyone who holds the title. For me being a creative is a way of life. It feeds into my work as a Sr. Art Director, bleeds into my personal life with my painting and photography, and even into my passions and joys in what I choose to read and watch when I’m not actively being a “creative”. I would say that being a creative is never easy, as all good art is filled with intention and meaning even in moments of pure expressionism when your body takes over for your mind it is the job of the artist or creative to be intentional with what they are choosing to create. Thinking through how it impacts the voice tone and message of the work. But to become great at anything and I’m not saying that I am “great” quite yet it takes the strength and dignity of failure and risk of self to move forward. I personally learn how to best communicate change and present the messages that I wish to convey by experiencing life and making my way through the seasons of it. My story is a cacophony, from being a Forbes Magazine “prodigy” in the world of community service to a self-starting entrepreneur who would later enter the world of art and advertising. I have slowly learned how to harness my skills to a sharp and fine point which I intend to use in creating a better more creative and thoughtful world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My Best Friend Currently lives in Bali. So when we do have the opportunity to reconnect its a momentous occasion. We spend that time of togetherness eating wonderfully home-cooked meals. Hiking and exploring nature while making sure to visit every new museum and art exhibit that is most recently put on display.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am who I am today because of many incredibly talented kind and inspiring mentors. The first and maybe most important mentors I have ever had in my life are my Mom and Dad. Thank you both for teaching me what it means to be brave in the midst of adversity and to be kind, intelligent, and honest in everything I do. The second person I need to thank is Bob Isherwood former World Wide Creative Officer of Saachi and Saachi. If it had not been for you and everything you taught me at Vanderbilt I would never have embraced the creative spirit. I would not have been able to take the risks that would ultimately push me to make Social SuperBowl ads for Ford or Bring the US Navy into the social stratosphere with projects like Sailor VS. The Final person whom I must thank for transforming the way I hold myself as a person is Ryan Blum ECD at VMLY&R. Had you not given me a chance to prove myself I would never have had the opportunities I’ve been so blessed to have in this life. You opened doors for me that I didn’t even know existed and for that I will be forever grateful, thank you for your friendship, mentorship and kindness.

Website: danielfeuer.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danmfeuer/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-feuer-89a4535b/

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