Professional History -------------------------- I started my creative career in the art department on film sets but quickly fell in love with the slower, more artful pace of still photography. I spent several years working as a food and prop stylist, then art director, and eventually an editorial photographer. Just as my photography career was taking off, I co-founded ban.do, a small accessory company that grew over the years into a global lifestyle brand. During my twelve years with the company, I served as Creative Director and later Chief Creative Officer and Ambassador, building a brand centered on joy, color, and emotional well-being. In 2020, I began what would become a five-year sabbatical, recalibrating after a 25-year career and rediscovering my own creativity through art and imagination. I got some rest, learned a lot, and found the freedom I had been looking for. Also during this time, my friend Bri Emery and I co-founded Spider Spider, a creative think tank focused on developing frameworks that support neuroarts, imagination, and creative healing. I now use what I’ve learned about creativity and business along with the lived experience of the last several years to consult with individuals and companies in a range of capacities, offering ideas, insights, and tools to strengthen projects, teams, and brands. Other Projects of Note -------------------------- Hosted Jen Gotch is OK… Sometimes : a candid podcast that explored mental health through honesty and humor. Authored The Upside of Being Down, Simon & Schuster : New York Times bestselling memoir. Collaborated with Bring Change to Mind to raise mental health awareness for teens and adults through speaking engagements and a fundraising collaboration with ban.do.
Professional History -------------------- I started my creative career in the art department on film sets but quickly fell in love with the slower, more artful pace of still photography. I spent several years working as a food and prop stylist, then art director, and eventually an editorial photographer. Just as my photography career was taking off, I co-founded ban.do, a small accessory company that grew over the years into a global lifestyle brand. During my twelve years with the company, I served as Creative Director and later Chief Creative Officer, building a brand centered on joy, color, and emotional well-being. In 2020, I began what would become a five-year sabbatical, recalibrating after a 25-year career and rediscovering my own creativity through art and imagination. I got some rest, learned a lot, and found the freedom I had been looking for. During this time, my friend Bri Emery and I co-founded Spider Spider, a creative think tank focused on developing frameworks that support neuroarts, imagination, and creative healing. I now use what I’ve learned about creativity and business to consult with individuals and companies in a range of capacities, offering ideas, insights, and tools to strengthen projects, teams, and brands. Other Projects of Note ---------------------- Jen Gotch is OK… Sometimes : a candid podcast about mental health The Upside of Being Down, Simon & Schuster : New York Times bestselling memoir Collaborated with Bring Change to Mind on mental-health awareness through speaking engagements and a fundraising partnership with ban.do
WORK ===== Jen Gotch Fractional Chief Creative Officer Based in Joshua Tree, California Professional History -------------------- I started my creative career in the art department on film sets but quickly fell in love with the slower, more artful pace of still photography. I spent several years working as a food and prop stylist, then art director, and eventually an editorial photographer. Just as my photography career was taking off, I co-founded ban.do, a small accessory company that grew over the years into a global lifestyle brand. During my twelve years with the company, I served as Creative Director and later Chief Creative Officer, building a brand centered on joy, color, and emotional well-being. In 2020, I began what would become a five-year sabbatical, recalibrating after a 25-year career and rediscovering my own creativity through art and imagination. I got some rest, learned a lot, and found the freedom I had been looking for. During this time, my friend Bri Emery and I co-founded Spider Spider, a creative think tank focused on developing frameworks that support neuroarts, imagination, and creative healing. I now use what I’ve learned about creativity and business to consult with individuals and companies in a range of capacities, offering ideas, insights, and tools to strengthen projects, teams, and brands. Other Projects of Note ---------------------- Jen Gotch is OK… Sometimes : a candid podcast about mental health The Upside of Being Down, Simon & Schuster : New York Times bestselling memoir Collaborated with Bring Change to Mind on mental-health awareness through speaking engagements and a fundraising partnership with ban.do [Download Resume]