This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Stephanie Pruitt demonstrates her unique approach to the spirit of TEDxNashville Salon's "Creo" and offers insights for fruitful practice.

In the spirit of TEDxNashville CREO, Stephanie Pruitt never learned that fine art and business can't play well together. The native Nashvillian is a poet, and creative strategist who earned an undergraduate degree in Marketing from MTSU and her MFA in creative writing from Vanderbilt. She is the recipient of an Academy of American Poets Prize, Sedberry Prize and Essence Magazine named her one of their “Favorite 40 Poets.” Stephanie has taught arts education and creative writing at Vanderbilt University, Sewanee Young Writers' Conference, and as a visiting artist in over one hundred k-12 and community settings. The ARTrepreneur is founder of Poems & Pancakes and partners with businesses and special events, providing poetry vending machines as a marketing and communication tool. The Cave Canem Fellow has been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies. Stephanie has advanced the local creative community through work with the Nashville Arts Coalition, Nashville Next Arts & Culture Team, Poetry In Motion, and numerous arts commission grant review panels. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville. The 2014 Nashville Emerging Leader Award Finalist operates Mind Your Creative Business Consulting where she equips businesses with arts-rich strategies & artists with business-rich strategies. Family is her greatest work of art. Stephanie has a teen aged, musician daughter and two furry, tail wagging kiddos. She co-chairs her home life and big bucket list with her husband, Al Gaines. Stephanie's poetry has been described as "high art with a hearty dose of biscuit sopping goodness."

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)