Dubbed the 'Rebel Heiress' by Prestige Magazine, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin is an internationally recognized Billboard recording artist. A seventh generation descendant of railroad tycoon, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Costin is also a formidable entrepreneur in her own right. Aside from performing around the world and founding her own record label, C&R Production, she is launching SohoMuse, a professional networking website for the global creative community, as well as a new jewelry line called Homage, in collaboration with HSN. In addition to her professional careers, Costin's charitable endeavors include working with various Ovarian Cancer related organizations in an effort to raise funds and awareness.
How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
I was taught discipline at a very early age. I began gymnastics at the age of two, and by seven I was in a squad in England. I was the heaviest girl in my squad... a tubby, pint-sized Arian Mike Tyson. It was extremely regimented... 24 hours a week of training, ballet, diet, everything. All of that on top of my school work. In high school, I went way off course. I discovered boys and the joys of rebellion. That path led me to a very severe car accident at the age of 19, which changed everything. I was told I had died in that accident. After three weeks in the hospital, and after the bruises and scars disappeared, I was left with a dimple on the right side of my face. A friend called it an "Angel's Kiss". That angel's kiss altered the course of my life. The discipline I'd learned as a gymnast kicked in, and I was determined to make a full recovery and get the train back on the track. I persevered, working day and night, and within a year of that near-fatal accident, I landed my first record deal. After that, I knew I could overcome any obstacle if I just applied myself, and I never looked back.
How have your previous endeavours aided in the creation of SoHo Muse Inc?
As a singer songwriter, I was working between Europe and the States and traveling a lot. Between recording sessions, rehearsals, video and photo shoots, I found myself struggling to make the time to simply create. I would come home at all hours of the night and wanted to write, but there was nobody around to collaborate with, and it was sometimes difficult to find inspiration. My friend, Umi McGuckin, is a tech and marketing genius, as well as a dedicated single mom who was searching for a way to work effectively that would offer her flexibility and time to raise her son the way she wanted to.
With social media exploding, we thought how amazing it would be for artists all over the world to have a platform and the tools to be able to connect, collaborate and create together at anytime and from anywhere. The more we explored and developed the idea, the more obvious it became that this global market of creative professionals was grossly underserviced. By filling the voids in our own careers, Umi and realized we could fill the void in that enormous marketplace, and SohoMuse was born.
What have the highlights and challenges been as Founder of SoHo Muse Inc?
Traveling around the world, meeting talented individuals and building key relationships in all the vertical markets for this creative network has truly been a highlight. It is so satisfying to learn what other artists are looking for, to have an appreciation for what they are going through, and to help them find a solution. Technology is the biggest difficulty we've had to face. It moves and changes so fast, so being up to date with the latest next generation technology, putting together the right team and seeking out partners and investors who truly understand the space is an ongoing challenge.
What advice can you offer women who are looking to get into business?
Stay true to yourself and your vision at all costs. It is important to listen, to always be open to advice from others, but I believe when you have an idea it is your job to know intimately what that vision is, and find the strength and courage to fulfill it. It is also crucial to accept that we can't do everything alone. The greatest gift is to learn how to work with others and to delegate, and the greatest leaders are the people who know their own strengths and weaknesses.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
Work is definitely seven days a week for me, and so I am eternally grateful to be able to work and create with my husband. It's a wonderful partnership and he provides the understanding and support to help me achieve my goals and fulfill my dreams.
What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?
I think women are in a very interesting dichotomy between staying feminine and being powerful in business. Men dominate so many industries, and as a woman you have to fight that much harder to be taken seriously and build credibility in your field. We must rise to that challenge. It's the naysayers that drive me. I love being told 'No'... That word is not in my vocabulary. Even though admittedly I do still get insecure and vulnerable, I fight through my own demons to stand for what I believe.
How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal life?
I wish I could say I've had many great mentors in my life. My father and stepfather have been huge influences. They both built successful business through hard work and sheer determination and their voices resonate in my head with nearly every decision I make. The key is to see and absorb mentorship when it comes. I find I have gained tremendous wisdom from people that I've met randomly. Some of the greatest lessons I've learned, both in life and in business, came from people I sat next to on airplanes.
Which other female leaders do you admire and why?
Oprah Winfrey is a huge inspiration to me. It's practically cliché to say that, but she is a great warrior who has overcome insurmountable obstacles to get where she is today. She has an innate ability to be vulnerable and brave all in the same breath, and her value as a role model is undeniable. Madonna is another leader I have always admired, both as an artist and as a powerful woman. I can't say enough how much her music has influenced my career, but it's her ability to constantly reinvent herself and her fearlessness in taking chances that I respect the most.
What do you want to accomplish in the next year with SoHo Muse Inc?
I would love to see our membership continue to grow and get to the stage that artists are using SohoMuse on a daily basis as a means to network, create fantastic projects, promote their work and ultimately improve their lives and careers. Art is often magical, and my dream is to see amazing magic being made on SohoMuse.