Natalie Mertz
Q What do you do?
“I help creatives turn their most exciting work into a profitable business and have a damn good time while doing it!”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
The first 10+ years of my career I worked as a brand designer in NYC. I worked for a few design firms before I went freelance; working for clients like The NY Times, Living Proof, The City of New York, Allstate, etc. After a few years of working day and night, I looked around and asked myself, ""is this it?"". I was burnt out (hello IBS and panic attacks), frustrated by bad clients, undercharging and overworked.
So in the midst of my dark night of the soul, I began to work on a passion project, something I had been daydreaming about for five years. It was an oracle deck based on iconic musicians called Rock N Roll Oracle and it turned into the absolute most fun project I've ever worked on! And I was able to produce 1000 decks and sell out of them in under two years! And in 2020 during our collective "grounded" time, I made a second deck based on all female musicians called Music In She Oracle.
From my experience as a burnt out creative, turned entrepreneur, I now focus on coaching and creating resources to support creatives to build the career and life they've dreamt about and make it a reality.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I will never call you Girl boss
I will never use baby pink in any of my branding
I will never turn people away on the basis of their gender identity, ethnicity, religious affiliation, or socio-economic standing
I will always be myself and keep it 💯 (I curse alot)
I will always try to be helpful, even if we don't work together
"I will always love you" - Whitney Houston
Q What are you working on right now?
Building an community for creatives that isn't laaaame! Where we can meet online for crits, have co-working sessions, meet-ups IRL, skill-building, etc.
Q What’s your style?
I want building your dream creative business to feel like a great house party, not like a stiff work conference void of fun and life and magic. Does that make sense?? Like Studio 54 meets Ted X, where you learn and grow your business, but it's actually fun and there's good music playing. Ok, rant over.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Talking to creatives, finding out their pain points and helping them build something they feel amazing about!
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
RUN MY ERRANDS! Please! Take my car to get an oil change, drop off this check, make dentist appointments for me, buy birthday cards.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
The Prince Charming of Careers isn't going to rescue you from shitty clients and jobs, you got to make your dream career happen for yourself bb!" Circa 2012 a few years out of college.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I'm available for 1:1 coaching, VIP Days and accepting folks into our community.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I'm looking for ambitious creatives who have a desire to start a business or have one that isn't fulfilling or profitable who are coachable and ready to build a better career and life for themselves!
Q What is your rate?
$850 — $15,000
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Email me natalie@nataliemertz.com
DM me @natnatmertz
Q Who is a creative you admire?
My awesome friends & clients
@letsbeextra_nyc
@yasara_jewelry
@artmagic444
@bloco.from.da.block
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Nature. Live music. Travel. My super creative friends.
This member profile was originally published in October 2023