Portraits by Charlotte

“I wish you would just figure out what you want to do.”

Has anyone said this to you? It can feel like a judgement; like you’ve failed to find where you fit.

I’ve heard it. It’s a common fear. And perhaps you do feel a little stuck, restless, like something is missing. I believe these feelings are your intuition reminding you that you can do work you love, and you’re not doing enough of it yet.

I’ve been there. My intuition whispered to me at first. From the outside, it looked like I had a good job and I lived in a fun city. Great on paper, stable. Desirable even; the kind of life other people wanted. So I felt embarrassed to admit the truth: I actually felt lost and like I wasn’t doing anything that mattered. When this intuitive whisper got louder, I realized I had to do something about it.

I can help you. The first step to doing more work you love, is seeing and sharing what makes you great. Because your intuition is correct. You possess greatness. It is innate. It’s your art, your light. But it can be really hard to express what makes you exceptional. For so many reasons, there is tremendous pressure to fit in and not stand out. But in this age of AI, it’s even more essential to be You, to do the work that only you can do, and to get paid for it.

A Portrait is a reflection of who you are and what you do. And it will open doors for you to do more of what you love. ❤️

My Portraits have helped people launch projects, land jobs, sell their art, and win awards and recognition. I especially love helping people connect their greatness to unexpected opportunities.

A Portrait is for you if

• You feel stuck or restless, and want to do more work that you love
• You’re allergic to self-promotion
• You don’t have a bio or your current one is generic (it could describe anyone, it’s not really You)
• You’re tired of being recognized for work you don’t care about

A Portrait is not for you if

• You are happy right where you are
• You’re already recognized for work you’re proud of

Why I am uniquely suited to help you

• I look for the best in people, and I am a very quick study. 
• I’m not AI, I’m not your mom, and I’m not your best friend. I’m a neutral observer, someone who doesn’t know you yet, so I don’t bring any history or expectations. I can really see you, and listen closely to who you are, what interests you, and how you would like to be seen and known. Maybe you’ve tried writing your own bio, or you’ve asked Claude to write it, or you’ve leaned on friends and family for help, but nothing is quite right.
• I draw on my visual analysis and observational skills to surface and reflect strengths and interests that you might intuitively know to be true, but have a hard time putting into words.
• I have worked in many types of roles and I have a broad view of the abundant and unexpected opportunities available to you. 

The Portrait process is simple:

• We meet via video 2-3 times
• You provide background information
• I write your Portrait

When the process is complete, you have a Portrait that captures what makes you exceptional. You can use it wherever you want to share and open more doors for yourself (LinkedIn, Substack, your website, notes to hiring managers or people who can connect you with opportunities, etc.)

Praise for my work

“Your superpower is listening.” Executive at Fortune 500 company

“You helped me see a new opportunity and it opened so many doors.” Writer

“You’re the best hype woman.” Sales leader, tech company

How my Portrait of Sarah helped her

When I met Sarah she had recently moved to the area and was looking for a job. She had already applied to dozens of customer care job openings, but hadn’t heard back from any companies. Her job search experience was not unique, but no less frustrating. When we met for a video call, I found her very receptive and also incredibly persuasive. In our second meeting, we met for coffee and she surprised me by successfully convincing me to try a new drink that I had never had before. I was impressed with her straightforward, warm, happy but very firm insistence that her recommendation was the best way forward. I knew at that moment I knew she was someone that people naturally followed. In these customer care roles, the most successful leaders empathize with customers and truly understand their needs, while also serving the highest priorities of the company. It is a balance that not everyone can uphold; but she could. I visualized her leading teams of people who would happily follow her way forward. But before that could happen, she just needed to land an interview so that a hiring manager could see what I saw. I wrote a Portrait for her, she secured the interview, and was quickly offered the job. She successfully negotiated her desired starting salary. Within two months of her arrival, her manager asked her to manage a high-priority project for his team, and she took a leadership role on a cross-company team.

About me

As a quiet kid from a small town, I developed my observational skills early and discovered I could visually read and intuitively know things about people that adults didn’t see or pick up on. I loved making art, listening, reading, and people called me shy and sensitive. Being from a tiny place, and then working in much bigger places (cities, companies), I operate like I’m in a small town wherever I go. And I gravitate to jobs where I build something new.

I’ve worked everywhere from small businesses to art galleries to government to corporations and many other places. Twenty plus jobs in more than five industries. And I used to see my experimental, learn-by-doing approach to work as a liability, something I should downplay or even hide. Criticism came in the form of “job hopper” and “you should really stay even if you hate that job, because you’ll look disloyal.” But praise sounded like “I knew there was a chance you’d move on quickly, but I decided it would be the best six months of anyone I had ever hired.” (And as it turned out, I stayed there for years).

Outside of careers that have very specific tracks (doctors, lawyers, etc.), there are many ways to find your way to work you love. This can be exhilirating and also anxiety-producing. You are free to do what you would like but you are also free to do what you would like!

Those of us with portfolio careers have heard the criticism. For example, my senior year in college a professor asked what our parents thought of us majoring in Art History. Many classmates said their parents were relieved they had double-majored in Economics, so that they would land a “real” job.

In my twenties and thirties (I’m 46 now), I took new roles and started fresh in six cities: Washington, London, Philadelphia, New York, Houston, and Austin. I’ve been able to closely study many different people in many places in so many roles – analysts, executives, assistants, artists, etc. And I have found that if you listen and observe carefully, people will tell you — in words, and also how they express themselves visually — what they love, what they hate, what they’re great at, and what they want to do more of. But, when it comes time for them to write their bio or pitch themselves for a new role, they often can’t; it feels too much like bragging.

Throughout my career, I’ve held talent scout roles, where I can see what’s incredible about someone and their work, and then I sell it or help them sell it, to find the right place or buyer for it. I’ve done this selling art, managing an art collection, making analyst reports and executive pitch decks look beautiful and reach the right people, and pairing experts with forums in which to shine.

Here is what I have learned: people who LOVE what they do are CLEAR about what they’re great at and they get to PRACTICE it often.

So I’m offering my talent scout skills to help individuals who feel stuck and are ready for a change. I want to help more people see and share their greatness. 

If you’re curious about a Portrait, let’s see if we’re a good fit to work together.

Please send me a message to get started. You can email me at charlotte@charlotteverry.com, or DM me on Instagram.