Cash, Conciousness and Capitalism: Kelly Cutrone at TEDxOxford

Summary

The speaker shares her journey from a small-town girl to a successful entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of intuition and self-discovery. She discusses her struggles with societal expectations, her transition from nursing to PR, and her eventual spiritual awakening. The talk concludes with a call to action for entrepreneurs to integrate compassion and social responsibility into their business models, advocating for a world built on love and community.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker grew up in a small town and pursued higher education in nursing, which was influenced by her mother's wishes rather than her own interests.
• 🏥 She had a profound experience in nursing school where her first patient passed away, which led her to realize nursing was not her calling.
• 💡 The speaker changed her career path to psychiatric nursing and later found her way into public relations in the music industry, which was more aligned with her interests.
• 🗝️ She emphasizes the importance of intuition and following one's own path rather than living up to others' expectations or societal norms.
• 🚀 The speaker highlights the value of entrepreneurship and creating a personal brand, which she believes is essential for success and fulfillment.
• 🧘‍♀️ After a period of personal dissatisfaction, she moved to LA, studied Eastern philosophy, and became a tarot card reader, which helped her find a deeper connection with herself.
• 🌟 She believes in the uniqueness of each individual, likening the human fingerprint and retinal scan to a divine blueprint for individual expression.
• 🤝 The speaker encourages compassion and community involvement, suggesting that businesses should have a charitable component to contribute positively to society.
• 🌱 She stresses the importance of love and compassion for the continuation and betterment of the world, suggesting that these values are currently at risk of becoming extinct.
• 🌍 The speaker criticizes the current state of politics and clergy for not adequately fostering a healthy and happy world, and instead calls for businesses and individuals to take on this responsibility.
• 💼 She concludes by urging the audience, particularly those in a position of privilege and education, to consider how they can use their resources to create a positive impact on their communities and the world.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial career aspiration?

The speaker initially wanted to become a poetry major and go surfing at the University of Oahu.

Why did the speaker end up as a nursing major instead of pursuing poetry?

The speaker's mother wanted her to be a nursing major because she believed it offered job security, which was the highest aspiration from her perspective.

How did the speaker's experience in nursing school influence her career path?

The speaker's experience with her first patient dying on the first day of nursing school confirmed her belief that nursing was not the right career for her.

What was the turning point that led the speaker to change her career direction to public relations?

The speaker was advised by Anthony Haden-Guest, a famous British journalist, to become a publicist after she was rescued by him when she got evicted.

What significant event in the speaker's life led her to study Eastern philosophy?

The speaker had a breakdown due to unhappiness in her life and marriage, which led her to move to LA, shave her head, and start studying Eastern philosophy.

How did the speaker's interest in tarot card reading develop?

After moving to LA and immersing herself in Eastern philosophy, the speaker became a tarot card reader on Venice Beach, which eventually led to her becoming well-known in that field.

What was the speaker's perspective on the importance of self-discovery and self-connection?

The speaker believes that developing a deep relationship with oneself is the most important thing she has ever done, more significant than any professional success.

What role does the speaker believe businesses should play in society?

The speaker believes businesses should incorporate charity and give back to the community, whether through time, money, or creating business models that contribute positively to society.

What advice does the speaker have for the audience regarding their future endeavors?

The speaker urges the audience to consider creating businesses that give back to the community, retrain local workers, and contribute to a healthy, happy, and abundant society.

How did the speaker's early life in a small town influence her sense of belonging?

Growing up in a small town, the speaker felt unrepresented and without peers until she discovered MTV, which made her feel part of a tribe and motivated her to move to New York City.

What was the speaker's experience with her first patient in nursing school?

The speaker's first patient, Donald, was severely ill with multiple conditions. She pretended to take his vital signs and made up the results. Shortly after, she noticed him 'picking at air,' a sign she learned in class that can precede death, and he passed away.