For our REBEL talk (tickets here!), we’ve invited Cal McAllister, Co-Founder, CEO and Creative Director at Wexley School for Girls. Here’s a bit more about him, as told and typed by his 6-year-old niece, Louisa:

Uncle Cow is a man, and he is nice!
He is a joyfle man. He has 2 neeses, and 1 nefuwe. He has soft scruffy hair. He has a nice wife named Amanda who takes showers 100 times a day. He has baby named Paige and a baby named Annie. He has a verey good tast. He is a strong man. He is a writer at Wexley School for girls. His favorite house anamle is a dog.
And he is a verey good prson. He is a nice, and cinde friend. He is a funny man, and is 43 years old. He is a asom prson, he is hansome, and a verey good dresser. He has 2 tatoos. He likes playing soccer. He takes shorter time in the bathroom than his wife. He has a verey smart brain. He is a little strange sometimes! He is a verey good worker. He stays up really late. His favorite song is: Happy Birthday! His favorite person is Amanda. The best thing he has ever done in his whole life was his weding day. His favorite memory of being a kid is playing stik ball in the summer with his brother.

CMSEA: How do you define creativity and apply it in your career?
CM: Creativity comes out when thoughtful people are tired of hearing no. I was a stubborn little prick growing up, but also a rule follower. When I heard no from my poor parents or a teacher or a crossing guard, I’d hunker down and try to figure out a way to do what I wanted that didn’t break the rules. I actually think rules are fantastic. They just define where there is no reward in going. But creativity kicks in, at least for most people I respect as great creative thinkers, when they need to get to a final destination but the path isn’t obviously possible.
I won’t pretend we’re always successful, especially in our careers. At some point, when someone says no and they’re paying, they get to end the game. But if you apply creativity and persistence to almost anything, the world might be impressed with the results.
 
CMSESA: Where do you find your best creative inspiration?
CM: I’m inspired by anyone who is incredibly successful in what they do. I don’t think success can happen without creativity. So sometimes it’s at a live show, sometimes it is looking at a monument. It’s not always human made. Mother Nature may be the definitive example of someone who is persistent and figures things out creatively. I love watching nature work. Except for yellow jackets. I hate those bastards.
 
CMSEA: What’s the one creative advice or tip you wish you’d known as a young person? What was the best advice you were ever given?
CM: It’s OK to be terrible at something you love. Just keep doing it. Ira Glass has a famous quote I love to share with young people,

Malcolm Gladwell talks about needing to invest 10,000 hours to even know if you’ll be great. When I was a student in ad school, I moped into my advisor’s office and told him I had writer’s block. He advised me, “Cal, I’m going to tell you what you need to hear. You’re not good enough for writer’s block. Not yet. Get back to work.” It taught me to be tireless. And humble.
 
 
CMSEA: Who would you like to hear speak at CreativeMornings?
CM: Shawn Wolfe
 
CMSEA: How would you describe what you do in a single sentence to a stranger?
CM: I try to be the best part of someone’s day, whether it’s an action I do (or don’t) or an experience we give with something we made.

—-

Thanks, Cal! Looking forward to your talk!