Izzy Poirier
Captured by Pano Media
Momentum Is a Decision
In this talk, Izzy Poirier explores momentum as a decision rather than a lucky break. From studying fine arts to building a career inside government communications, she shares how creative energy can quietly erode when you stay in rooms that don’t value it.
After years of office politics, burnout, and waiting for someone else to notice her work, Izzy realized she was the one choosing to stay. That shift in mindset changed everything. She gave herself a year to build an exit plan, freelanced relentlessly, and began posting the projects that others dismissed. That act of defiance led to unexpected recognition, including international publication and an invitation to speak on Adobe Live.
She shares how founding the Ottawa Design Club and launching its zines became more than side projects. They were proof that if the opportunities you want don’t exist, you can build them yourself. By creating the environment she wished she had, she attracted the exact collaborations and visibility she once felt excluded from.
Her message is simple: momentum does not come from waiting to be chosen. It comes from choosing yourself, over and over again, even when it’s uncomfortable.
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