5 minute read
From Canvas to Conference Room
HOW ARTISTIC PURSUITS ARE ENERGIZING DELAWARE’S BUSINESS LEADERS
BY REGINA DONATO
Creativity doesn’t clock out. It shows up after hours: in home workshops, on local brewery stages, and in the margins of busy schedules. For some professionals, creative pursuits are just as essential as any business goal. Eight Delaware professionals offered a glimpse into their specific creative talents, reflecting on how the arts have helped sharpen their skills and enrich their careers.
For Jake Ruddy, PCS’ Delaware and Maryland President, content creation started as a hobby during the pandemic. But his BBQ and cooking channel on YouTube, Rum and Cook — which now boasts nearly 48,000 subscribers — quickly became more than just a pastime. “I’ve learned various marketing strategies to help my videos do better and sell digital products. … Now I host a bi-monthly dinner for business owners,” he says. “It allows me to combine my passion for networking and entrepreneurship.”
Maria Hurd is a shareholder and director at Belfint, Lyons & Shuman (BLS), recently earning a spot on Forbes’ Best-in-State CPA list and nationally recognized for her expertise in Benefit Plan Audits. After taking a 30-year break, she’s back competing in Latin ballroom dancing, hitting the floor with cha cha, rumba, salsa, and more. “Dancing competitively takes persistence, focus, a good memory, and attention to detail,” she says. All traits that translate back to her work at BLS.
James Spadola, executive director of Read Aloud Delaware, has been playing guitar in local acoustic duos for over a decade. He is no stranger to performance mishaps, which he says makes music a great teacher. “When you make a mistake playing a song live, there’s no opportunity to redo it — you just need to keep going,” he says. “It’s no different with mistakes in any endeavor. You acknowledge them and you keep moving.”
Dan Stabb, director of admissions and professional development at Zip Code Wilmington, brings not one but two creative passions into his professional world: improv and voiceover work, which help him communicate with authenticity and clarity. “Improv has taught me the value of collaboration over control, of being present and listening deeply,” he explains. “Voiceover, on the other hand, has helped me become more precise and intentional.”
Felicia Harrington, assistant director of youth programs at University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship, discovered quilting in her mid-20s as a mindful, meditative practice. Today, she creates thoughtful pieces, each stitched with care and often with deep meaning. “It helps me better empathize with the young entrepreneurs I support at work,” she says. “Designing a quilt isn’t that different from building a business. You have to be intentional, resilient, and willing to start over.”
For Damon R. Howard, the digital and print advertising manager at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, music and production have been constant creative outlets. From getting a record deal and touring with his college band, The Verge, to producing large studio projects in Los Angeles with stars like Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber, Muse, and Ludacris, his creative path has left a lasting mark. “Iron sharpens iron,” he reflects. “It absolutely became a big part of what I do as a career. I use it every day for creative and performance marketing strategies, audience engagement, and bringing others together for a common goal.”
John Gooden, chief operating officer of M. Davis & Sons, a fifth-generation industrial construction company, has long embraced woodworking as a mental reset. From custom salvaged wood furniture to full-scale renovations, he finds that the process of building brings clarity to his business leadership. “Clearing my head is a great way to wind down for me. It helps with critical thinking,” he shares.
Even in government, creative energy has its place. Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore David Sokola has kept bees for six years, turning his backyard hive into beeswax candles. “In the hive, every bee has a job that they complete to its entirety to ensure the hive thrives — which is a lesson I carry with me every day,” he reflects. “Spending time with the bees has allowed me to learn that when you listen, observe, and support the work of others, the whole team can succeed. I like to think this has made me a more collaborative leader in the Senate.”
These Delaware business leaders prove that creative expression isn’t separate from success; it’s often at the heart of it. Creative outlets do more than fill free time — they teach patience, build confidence, and keep the mind sharp. After all, when creative energy flows, good leadership often follows.
