Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Freestone.
Hi Ken, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and mostly raised in Holland, MI. I feel that my “real life” education came from a one-year stint in Connecticut when I was a sophomore in High School and my decade spent living in New England, in Northern NJ, Southern NY, Vermont and Massachusetts. My time away from Holland taught me about the bigger picture of the world, different races, religions, cultures and values. My view of the “world” growing up was small, surrounded by racial biases and stereotypes of “others”. Living in New England and subsequently traveling to South Africa, Europe and Queretero, MX helped form a broader and more inclusive view of our world.
My parents taught me to try new and different things, and subsequently I have used those lessons to guide my professional and personal life and to pass those values and lessons on to my children, grand children and to people I have met throughout the world.
My careers have been mostly based on Networking, Communication, Sales and outreach and making connections in many communities. This is in my personal mission statement and I try and live it each day:
Personal Mission Statement:
“I encourage and empower people to use their creative talents and to be stewards of our natural resources. I make an active contribution every day towards improving our world. I do this by collecting resources and sharing them graciously.”
My Sales careers have included Audio and Video Equipment and software, Videos and Movies, personal computers, Promotional Products and now building instruments (ukuleles, basses, Cigar Box Guitars and some percussive), and products for musicians. The Music related products are part of my Ukulele journey since 2018. I started playing at the age of 61 and now perform, build, teach and sing. A journey I didn’t know I was going to be on at my age.
I have also spent over 30 years protecting the environment through land preservation, building trails and greenways, fundraising, connecting people and resources for water conservation and demonstrating composting as a Master Composter.
Over the past 50 years I have had over 65 jobs and/or projects I have worked on. Although I have had many “business” type jobs, my favorite jobs and projects have been my environmental stewardship work and now my music “career”. Those two broad categories have and continue to bring me joy, fullfillment and gratitude for the benefits they bring to people from all walks of life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have always worked for and on things that bring me joy. Although some of the jobs didn’t last long, in the start of my new jobs I thought they would be fun. Having always worked with “joy” as part of my goal, it hasn’t meant that I was always going to make a lot of money. Having said that, we have had to rely on the kindness of family and friends occasionally to help us get through rough patches.
For the most part, I have been very fortunate to not have many significant burdens that we couldn’t overcome. We have had to close a business and take on significant personal debt, in order to maintain good relationships with vendors and clients, but that just took time, some long-range planning and some “belt-tightening” to weather the storm. Difficult but not tragic.
Using my experience of having mostly a tragedy free life has motivated me to give as much of my time, energy and resources I can to helping those less fortunate. I have volunteered and/or mentored with persons of color who may have suffered unjustly, with finding resources for persons who have had tragedies of their own and connecting people with other people that might have resources that could help.
I like be a connector. As I stated before, “I collect resources and I share them graciously”.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I didn’t know that I was an artist or a very creative person until I started helping people solve problems and see some things through a new lens. I have taught creativity workshops, lead Idea Generation workshops, Assisted with Disney Way workshops and guided numerous groups through brainstorming sessions.
I claim to be the “Most Creative Person in the World”. No pressure there. I embrace my ability to come up with new ideas, new concepts, new products, solve unique problems and to encourage everyone to use the creative talents that we all have. It has been rewarding to experience Non-profits, businesses, schools, faith centers and individuals generate great ideas and to see many of them come to fruition.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People see me out in the community as a leader, public speaker, coordinator of events and projects and being outspoken about Social Justice, Environmental Stewardship and now music and performances.
What they may not know is that although I am good at being the “front” person I really prefer to be behind the scenes helping out and assisting others.
It is because I have practiced and intentionally trained in Public Speaking that I am able to get up in front crowds and be a spokesperson and/or an MC. I still have to face my fear of failure about “public” facing leadership every time I am asked to be the person who is face-forward. I also still face some fears about going into a room of people that I don’t know, or if I am expected to “work-a-crowd”.
Many times it just feels better to tuck away into my music room or workshop!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @freestoneken
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ken.freestone.9
- Youtube: @kenfreestone7329
