5 Creative Women on the Best — And Worst — Advice They've Ever Received
Everyone has an opinion — but who’s worth listening to? In this installment of Field Notes, we asked five creatives for the real.
Welcome to Hypebae’s new advice column, Field Notes. This series will provide you with everything you need to know about tapping into your dream industry. Whether you’re an emerging designer, stylist, photographer or simply creatively inclined and seeking to make your side hustle your main gig, Field Notes is for you. Stay tuned monthly as journalist Gigi Fong provides exclusive access to the creatives leading your field, their essential advice and words of encouragement for your next era.
Whether you work in fashion, music or beyond – gatekeeping has become the norm, making the hunt for a mentor all the more… mysterious.
Truthfully, asking for help is hard for anyone, so it’s important to make your ask count. Although no one can give you a foolproof plan for your career (let’s be real, sh-t happens), reaching out to those with more experience than you is always a plus.
However, as artist Uzumaki Cepeda shared with us, mentorship can quickly grow complicated. For example, sometimes you’re more resilient than the people you’re asking for help. So, it’s important to always reference your power. For Cepeda, she was literally told to keep a “Plan B.” Thankfully, she didn’t because her art is now so iconic that everyone is trying to replicate her essence.
Similarly, Brittany Byrd was told to “tone it down,” but her essence is exactly what drives current interest. Byrd told us: “As a woman and an artist, I have learned that the world often tries to soften, reshape, or quiet you—to make you more digestible, more agreeable, more convenient. But the truth is, your existence, your vision, your voice—none of it requires validation. Your presence is not something to be negotiated; it is something to be owned.”
Musician Rhea Raj was also told to “tone it down.” Thankfully, she didn’t listen and as a result staying true to her Indian heritage pushed her into the mainstream eye alongside peers like Aaliyah’s Interlude.
We also spoke to trans model and multi-hyphenate creative Sophia Hernandez who has faced countless struggles – with an added layer of transmisogyny. In conversation with us, she tells us who she does – and doesn’t – trust, along with a special piece of advice that she’ll always carry with her. Lastly, Elephant Room‘s One Month Mentors, powered by Wingstop, is back for the fifth time. Shannie Mears, the Elephant Room’s co-founder, opens up about prioritizing inclusivity in creative spaces, sourcing premier talent – and the ones who have helped her along the way.
Keep reading for the full tea on finding mentorship, navigating advice and remaining authentic.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you could share with all women?
Brittany Byrd: Be the heroine of your own story.
Rhea Raj: Nobody is going to care about your art like YOU do. You have to chase it wholeheartedly.
Shannie Mears: You are enough to do anything you put your mind to.
Sophia Hernandez: Know your self-worth. It will help you avoid so many sticky situations.
Uzumaki Cepeda: Stay persistent, trust your unique voice, and don’t let anyone or anything deter you from your dreams.
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?
Byrd: Don’t risk it, play it safe.
Raj: Tone it down.
Mears: Just listen to what “they” say, and if you have to adjust how you dress, just do it.
Hernandez: When I ask for advice, I just want an audience, but I’ve already made up my mind because I just believe I’m right all the time, so I don’t really take anyone’s advice.
Cepeda: To have a “Plan B” in case my art didn’t work out.
Who are your mentors and how do you build support systems in the creative industry?
Byrd: Mentorship and support in the creative industry are deeply rooted in faith, trust, and divine alignment. I believe that the right people enter our lives at the right time—whether they are mentors, collaborators or those who simply speak wisdom into our journey. I seek guidance from those who not only excel in their craft but also lead with integrity, purpose and a spirit of generosity.
Building a strong support system starts with faith—faith that you are walking in your calling, faith that you will attract the right community, and faith that your gifts will make room for you. I surround myself with people who uplift, challenge, and inspire me, those who reflect the values I hold dear. True support is reciprocal; it’s about pouring into others as much as receiving. In a world driven by competition, choosing to walk in alignment, rather than in fear, makes all the difference.
Ultimately, I trust that my steps are ordered and that every connection is part of a greater plan. Creativity is a gift, and it flourishes best in a space of faith, purpose, and community.
Raj: I look to my peers in music as mentors. We’re all going through similar experiences as artists while navigating our careers in unique ways. We’re genuinely supportive and want to see each other thrive.
Hernandez: My mentors are my colleagues and everyone within my community. I’ve learned something from each and every one of them. They teach me how to be not only a better model but also a better person.
Mears: I’ve had both men and women as my mentors, and honestly, at different stages of my life, I’ve needed different things. Dan Saxby, the co-founder of The Elephant Room, is a great mentor to me. Women like Vanessa Sanuyake really supported me when I first moved to London. I was paired with Andy Nairn through Bloom Exchange when I needed some outside advice and conversation for the wider industry. I’m also inspired by my peers.
Cepeda: Building a support system in the creative industry is essential, and it starts with connecting with like-minded individuals. The creative world can sometimes feel isolating, so it’s important to surround yourself with people who understand your vision and challenges. By actively engaging with other creatives, collaborating on projects and supporting each other’s journeys, you begin to form a strong community. This network of like-minded people can offer invaluable advice, inspiration, and opportunities.
My mentors are a combination of friends, family and elders who have provided me with wisdom, guidance and unwavering support. They’ve been there to offer both practical advice and emotional encouragement. Each mentor brings something unique to the table, whether it’s their experience, their perspective or their belief in my potential.
What is one piece of advice you’ll never forget?
Byrd: You do not need permission to take up space.
Raj: To be unapologetically myself and proud of my Indian heritage.
Hernandez: I remember my uncle telling me that it’s okay to be who I am, and it’s okay to be sad because you’re not understood, but don’t be a victim. Get up.
Mears: Ask for forgiveness, not permission.
Cepeda: Does God control some things or all? Even though we have free will to make moves, God’s got the final say on the big picture. So, while we’re playing, God controls all – the moves, the players, the game itself. It’s like being in a movie where we’re the actors, but God’s the director making sure everything unfolds perfectly.
This interview has been condensed for clarity.
While you’re here, explore six ways to celebrate Women’s History Month.
