Tell Me All About It: Q & A with Meg Biram

Image courtesy of Meg Biram

Happy Monday, bloggies! Today I am SUPER excited to introduce all of you to a new column here at Starr Struck, Tell Me All About It, a Q & A series with individuals who *inspire* me. I think it's only fitting that I kick off this series with an interview with the amazing Meg Briam of MIMI+MEG, one of the most inspiring gals on the interwebs (plus, she's local!). 

Meg is an entrepreneur, artist, blogger, brand strategist, digital media consultant, and self described "Internet junkie," whose blog I visit on a daily basis (and especially when I'm looking to be soothed by some serious eye candy). I adore her aesthetic, her down-to-earth, honest writing style, and her sense of humor--and crazy enough, I'm probably also drawn to her work because of all that we have in common--which I didn't learn until after I started following her. Not only is Meg a painter, a blogger, a CrossFitter, AND a yogi (I know!??!!!), but she also quit her full-time job over a year ago to pursue her creative passions and her entrepreneurial urges. As you'll learn below, it was totally worth it for her (as it was for me!), so I think she's a great inspiration for all who have similar dreams. I so enjoyed learning more about Meg, and know you will, too! 

Read below for the inside scoop on all things Meg Biram...

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Why did you start blogging? Why have you continued to do so? 
I started blogging in 2007 while I was bored at my corporate job. I knew I wanted to start a blog as a place to collect my visual inspiration (Pinterest wasn't around yet!). I went to journalism school and having my own blog allowed me to be my own editor. Since I was among the earlier bloggers, my blog caught on and has just been around. I continued to see growth and continued to enjoy it, so I've kept going. I love the work and all the people I've met through blogging.

If you had to give one piece advice to women (or men!) who want to take the plunge and pursue their dreams of working for themselves or starting their own business, what would it be? 
Know what you are trying to do and have as much planned out, and do as much research about it as you possibly can before you quit. Get it as up and running as you can while you still have a job, and save money before you leave it so you won't be super stressed about the financial part and you can concentrate on the business without as much stress and anxiety. If your plan and idea isn't solid, don't leave your job yet. Talk to as many people (business mentors, other entrepreneurs) as you can about your business and the lifestyle. 

How do you make time for creativity in your busy life? 
Since I left my job over a year ago, being a blogger, consultant and artist is creative. However it's a little more emailing than I realized. To not have creative burnout I try to always be doing different things: going on bike rides, spending a few hours at the pool, walking around DC, getting lost in a good book, go to yoga. I try to do things that take my mind off of blogging so I can remain inspired.

Where do you find inspiration for your paintings? 
Everywhere! Museums, books, magazines. I see inspiration through fashion, fabric, words, travel. I'm pretty easily inspired.

Meg's Painting "Black & White 10"

What's your creative process like? 
Yikes, it's crazy. I keep a sketchbook and paper everywhere so that when something comes to me I can jot it down or sketch it out. I look at different color palettes, and sometimes plan my paintings out, sometimes I let it just come to me. I should probably get a little more organized in my process. I'm looking forward to when I can get an actual studio so I can leave all of my paints out instead of having to put them all up every time I paint so they aren't scattered around my condo. 

How do you stay balanced? How do you unwind? 
I mentioned this before, but I try to make time for exercise, whether it's biking, yoga or walking anywhere. In the summer I go down to our pool all the time. That's where I read all of my magazines and clear my head to do creative concepting — so I'm really just working... in the sun... in a bathing suit. 

What's your favorite yoga pose?
I have very specific poses that I look forward to in yoga: standing head to knee, camel, standing bow, toe stand, bow, downward facing dog, supported shoulderstand, downward facing pigeon, and plough. I really need to start doing yoga a lot more regularly so I can do more advanced poses.

What's your favorite CrossFit movement/exercise or WOD?
I love WODs that are mostly bodyweight movements: situps, box jumps, pullups. I LOVE pullups, weird I know, but I love them. I think kipping is fun. I also love jumping rope. I'm not a huge fan of the weights... except I do like kettle bell swings.

What's your favorite book and why?
Oooh so hard to pick just one! Right now I'm on the third of  The Hunger Games trilogy. I loved The Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell, Pefection by Julie Metz, and  The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I mostly read non-fiction, biographies and memoirs. I also love business books like The 4-hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss and Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky.

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Meg's painting "White Graffiti 2"

What's your favorite blog post you've ever written, and why?
I love to write stories from my own life and experiences. Those posts are a little few and far between, but those tend to be my favorites. Especially if it's a funny story. I thought my thin mint story was hilarious so that is one of my favorites. I also write columns like Coffee Talk, Week in Review, and State of the Meg. Those are fun to write and they just come right from my life.
 
What's your favorite feature (on your blog) and why? 
I recently started doing a feature called My City where I meet up with people and they take me to their favorite places in their city or neighborhood. It's been so fun and my readers seem to be enjoying it too. I also love to do roundups with art, fashion and interior decor, I think it's the editor in me. Especially Art to Fashion, Interior Inspired, Weekly Faves and Art Inspired. Love doing those features.

What's your biggest dream for the rest of 2012?
I'm redesigning my site, rebranding, and will be doing some new things in 2012, so I'm really excited about that. My biggest dream is that it all goes really well, and that I can focus more time on developing original content and painting. I hope to do some collaborations in the second half of 2012, and break into the next level. 
 
If you were exiled to a desert island and could only bring 3 things, what would they be (have to ask it because I love this question!)?
It's actually a good question because people are so funny. I'm going to assume the essentials: water, food, and wifi are available on the island, and I'd be wearing my bathing suit with a sweater tied around my waist (for cold nights) a hat and sunglasses... sooooo I'd bring:
1. My computer 
2. Furniture (I mean, sand is only comfortable for so long)
3. My husband

She's amazing, right? I love it that when she's exiled to a desert island she obviously has wifi ;) So no worries everyone, no matter where she goes, Meg will still be blogging and connected via social media!

If you don't already read MIMI+MEG, you must start, immediately--I promise that it won't disappoint. 

To close, and because Meg's photographs are always totally gorgeous and inspiring, I thought I'd share just a sampling of creative images from her Instagram page. Seriously, anything this woman touches turns into colorful, eye-catching gold: 

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All images courtesy of Meg Biram

Want to learn more about Meg? Here are a few quick links:

Blog: mimiandmegblog.com
Art Shop: megbiram.storenvy.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Mimi-Meg
Pinterest: pinterest.com/meganbiram/
Twitter: @megbiram
Instagram: megbiram

Thanks for taking the time to tell me all about it, Meg!

Have any requests for other inspiring people that you'd like me to feature in this new series? If so, let me know!

Namaste,
Mary Catherine