Do It All Expectations with Meryn Hayes

Meryn Hayes is the Executive Producer at Dash, where she oversees client relations, project management, and event production. With a career spanning advertising, animation, and creative leadership, she has played a key role in shaping Dash's workflow, culture, and community-driven initiatives. Meryn is also the organizer of Dash Bash, a motion design industry event that fosters networking, education, and collaboration. Beyond her career, she is a dedicated working mother and is currently pursuing a 200-hour yoga teacher training, reflecting her commitment to balance and lifelong learning.

 

What You'll Learn:

• The Reality of "Doing It All"
• Client Expectations & Communication
• The Value of Community
• Freelancing vs. Studio Work
• Pricing & Value in Creative Work
• The Role of Constraints in Creativity
• The Mental Toll of Social Media & Creative Burnout
• Navigating Career Growth

 

“No one is doing it all, and if they are, they’re not doing it all well.”

Meryn highlights a powerful truth about modern work culture - the illusion of effortless success fueled by social media creates unrealistic expectations. She encourages creatives to prioritize effectively, recognizing that some responsibilities are "glass balls" that must be protected, while others are "plastic" and can be dropped when necessary. The key is setting realistic expectations, avoiding burnout, and understanding that success doesn’t come from overextending yourself, but from making the right choices about where to focus your energy.

 

Overview:
In this episode, Ross Ciuppa and Meryn Hayes dive deep into the myth of "doing it all" in creative industries, shedding light on the pressures of multitasking, career expectations, and the mental toll of social media comparison. Meryn shares insights from her experience at Dash, where she helps manage client expectations, project timelines, and creative workflows.

The discussion also explores how freelancers and studio creatives can negotiate better rates, why setting clear boundaries with clients is essential, and how constraints (such as deadlines and budgets) can fuel creativity rather than stifle it. They also touch on the importance of networking and industry events like Dash Bash, which provide valuable support and education for motion designers.

Whether you’re a freelancer struggling to manage clients, a studio professional balancing multiple roles, or someone looking for work-life balance, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experiences to help navigate creative careers more effectively.