Build A Creative Business In A Noisy World

This episode is one that I felt really empowered by as a practising  artist and Dan will remind you, without even meaning to, to feel content  with where you are whilst knowing you can continue forward in your  creative venture, honing your craft.  Dan is a Belfast painter who was  born in London where he started out as a teacher. Moving to Belfast with  his family a few years ago to complete a Masters in fine art in the  same University where I completed my Masters in 2005.

Danielle is another of my mentoring student with a story to tell. The science behind her craft is fascinating and Danielle applies her knowledge as a pharmacist and people person so seamlessly into her business. Enjoy listening to her story and her take on stepping out and staying out to grow creatively and online. 

Ibe is someone who has a very familiar voice for me. From when I was at the 70s themed nights in a local nightclub where Ibe was the resident DJ to driving in our car dancing as a family to the tunes that Ibe plays on the radio. Ibe is a family man and his honesty is refreshing for fellow creatives to hear.

Leigh is someone I have worked with in a professional capacity, for my own practice and well-being. We discuss this in the podcast and how Leigh can bring you on a spiritual like journey to improve how you view yourself and your life. Which in itself will help you in your creative journey. This interview is an eye opener to all things Universe related!

Wow, lockdown is starting to wear us down. I know you feel this too so this is my own admission of fatigue and advice for what to do when you feel momentum is running low. It's ok to keep showing up amidst hard times and it's also totally fine to stop for a minute. 

Amy was a mentoring student of mine and her creative business is thriving. This was a great catch up and an insight into how Amy uses graphic recordings to reach her audience but also her take on taking on fear- don't let it stop you!

Grace Atwood joins me from her apartment in New York city to share with us how she majored in finance, worked in a start up company and then stepped out on her own to become a full time  blogger. From 90 hour weeks juggling both her demanding job and successful blog, to creating her own path with confidence and fervour, Grace worked hard and now enjoyed the fruits of her labour with  links to large brands, her highly engaged audience and her impactful podcast 'Bad on paper'. 

Another moment in time when one of my guests opens up about their creative path. From selling soda streams on QVC to taking a step back after loss, Cate's story is a compelling one.

Claire discusses her journey through wellbeing as a pilates instructor and therapist- as with all of my guests in a self employed role, the path to get to where they are now is rarely straight forward or planned. Claire's story is open about the hardships of running an mainly in person business through lockdown and how she as adapted so much so that she is thriving and serving her community .

This series is called 'The hindsight series' the sixth series of my podcast 'How to build a creative business in a noisy world'.  I interview business folk, family members, friends about their feelings on 2020, the year of lockdown and coronavirus but more importantly how they deal with fear, what makes them tick and any nuggets they can share having used the power of hindsight. Sharon delves into her past from School and her relationship with education as well as the workforce. How fear may be crippling but the world doesn't stop because we feel fear of something or someone. A great chat about life and Sharon's perspective on the business since she joined me team last September!

Organisation in your home, organisation in your business- often they come hand in hand. Aly explains why this is so and how this affects her business

This week before my virtual exhibition I had to work on my own mindset. From my dad died when I was 7 my mental attitude can change from positive and happy to sad and  low very quickly. It's not something I am proud of but I know that we all struggle with mental strength so in this episode I share strategies to help you work on yours so that your creativity and business will thrive.

This week we discuss why being creative is not just paint and paper. Thinking outside the box helps us to get to know ourselves better and in return helps us to work more effectively at our craft.  

More importantly I am back with a fire in my belly to share business advice and how I have grown my business significantly since March of this year. We discuss the importance of depth over breadth in business and how you can achieve that .

Today I share marketing tips that I have learned over the years. Enjoy and feel free to use as of today! 

Sometimes we think we are best to give up on a task but I think there is purpose in the old saying "a change is a good as a rest". Shift your workflow, shift your mindset, shift your gear to see and feel the benefits in your business.

After an interview and mini workshop with a group of adults with learning disabilities I am so happy and motivated that I have to share. The adaption of my business to cope during lockdown has benefitted me and I want you to do the same and to benefit. To thrive off what really matters to you. For me, working with learning disabilities is in my heart and soul and this line of contact and creativity founds it way back to me. 

The most awkward conversation I have had with you. Unlike other episodes where I, a professional artist,  discuss how you can build your creative business in this noisy world, I want to break my embarrassing white privileged silence about racism. With eyes more open and a willingness to learn and to educate myself on how to become an ally for the black community . My words are not perfect but I am learning that this is better than silence.

Today we  discuss the practicality of running a workshop, the ways it will push your career and expertise forward and why they are a good idea. I discuss what I learned from running workshops for young people who abused solvents, your people with learning disabilities, mainstream education and more.

You cannot serve your audience and grow your business to its highest potential if you do not know, love and be your true self. This week we unravel what that looks like and I share how I am thankful that it has taken me so long to work through how I can be my best unapologetic self for me, my family and my business.