How To Create from Splendidly Curious

I’m having a bit of a fangirl moment today because one of my podcast heroes is this week’s guest. Anne Bogel is the Modern Mrs. Darcy and host of the “What Should I Read Next?” Podcast. Anne’s podcast encourages everyone to explore books of all kinds, and that reflects the creative and personable spirit she brings to the conversation. Anne isn’t just a reader. She’s also the author of Reading People, a book all about how to use popular personality frameworks to tackle real-life problems.  More Creativity in This Episode:   Why words are a creative medium.  Anne can read without analysis!  Get some ideas to try everything.  Anne’s best advice for reading to enhance their creativity.  Why listening to audiobooks definitely counts.  How Anne made the switch from reader to writer.  And more! Get your free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

This has been one of our most requested topics! In this live interview, sales expert Leah Neaderthal shares: when to talk about pricing with potential clients (and if you should have your pricing on your website) the importance of communicating value and educating (rather than pushing sales) how your energy around sales conversations can make a huge difference why a sales pipeline should be an essential part of your creative business and more! To watch the video version of this interview, head to http://splendidlycurious.com/salesforcreatives/ For your free month trial of convertkit, head to http://splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

I am sure many creative entrepreneurs and business owners have struggled with this thought. Can art actually be strategic? Do you even want to make your art into a business? I am so excited to dive into this subject and so many different explorations of creativity with my guest, Emylee Williams.  Emylee is going to tackle so many topics today that you will not want to miss: how being a mom impacts the creative process, battling imposter syndrome, and why she stepped back from photography and into painting. There is encouragement, advice, and so many wonderful stories in store for you in this episode!  More Creativity in This Episode:  So many artists stop themselves from growing their art into a business because of the pressure of “The Test.”  You can have “mediocre” art and make so much money if you know how to run a business.  Emylee is always wondering “Is this art?”  You aren’t stuck with the business you have now.  The moment Emylee knew she was onto something.  Emylee is on a mission to make you feel comfortable enough to do something.  How painting became a release and a comfort for Emylee that is different than her business.  Why painting? Emylee explains. And more! Get your free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

To reserve you spot in our free "3 Smart Ways to Grow Your Creative Brand" training on Monday May 14th, click here:   splendidlycurious.com/smartgrowth/ The reason that productivity systems don’t work for creatives is that we have this a special "X factor" that can’t be necessarily planned out...let’s revise that a little and say it can’t be planned out without taking this Essential Step first.

There is a little bit of creative genius in all of us, but sometimes we need a little help expressing it. Angelica Suarez loves to sit in the space between the creative and the strategic. Angela is an illustrator, entrepreneur, small business strategist, and a mom to four children. She is on a mission to help anyone (not just creative business owners) tap into their inner creative genius.   Also in this episode: How Angelica works with people who are not typically “creative.”  Creative projects take time!  Discover Angela’s process with her clients.  How to teach your clients how to work with you.  Hand-drawn illustrations are standing out from all of the digital graphics.  Angela gets creativity from her children.  Finding a space to do creative projects is essential.  The motivation behind starting up a Stamping company again.   And more! Get your free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

You work hard enough already....you're ready to make your creative business smarter. Here's how and why "How To Create" is ready to help! Get your free guide at splendidlycurious.com

What is holding you back creatively? For many of us, we have fears and doubts that inhibit our ability to create. Where do you often feel “stuck,” and are you ready to break the fear cycle? I have great news for you then! My guest on the show today is Kate Swoboda, author of The Courage Habit. Kate uses her deep understanding of human cognition to help us break through some of our deepest fears and cultivate a habit of courageousness. Kate’s book helps you identify the places where fear habitually holds you back, and then gives you strategies you can use to break those habits. The result? A creative life or business that is free from fear and anxiety! Also in this episode: How Kate got into the coaching work she does today. Can the fear of something that hasn’t happened be overcome? Discover the most common fear reactions. Learn how to access your body when you experience fear sensations. Is there such a thing as healthy fear? And more! Get your free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

Laura Kashner is a graphic designer and editor, specializing in publication design. Since launching her freelance business after college, Laura’s sent thousands of pages and over 150 magazines to the press. In 2017, she launched Whitespace Magazine, her own print publication for artists and designers. Laura has two daughters and a husband, and lives in an adorable farm town in Illinois. Also in this episode: Why it’s important to build community with other creative entrepreneurs What experience solidified Laura’s passion for publication design Laura describes how her interest in simplistic design translates to her home How and when to say ‘no’ to client work What led Laura to start her print publication, Whitespace Magazine And more! Get your free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

Susan is a photographer and digital artist. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona and has an immense love of animals, travel, and art. She’s combined all of these passions together to create a large gallery of photos, digital art, and video clips available as stock photography and prints designed for animal and travel businesses and enthusiasts. Also in this episode: ow Susan built her unique creative business How Susan made the big change from a corporate job to full time photography Why Susan prefers to photograph animals over people Susan explains how she’s built her passive and residual income streams Why and where Susan loves to learn, plus her favorite resources And more! Get your free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

Shawna Clingerman is an artist, and after years as a creative she’s not afraid to say it. In fact, Shawna has spent nearly a decade in the graphic design industry and loves hand hand lettering, illustrations, and playfully watercoloring in her journal any chance she gets. Shanwna’s work can be seen often in the scrapbooking and crafting industry through Illustrated Faith, Becky Higgins, Paperhouse Productions, and more. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her four sons and husband. Also in this episode: Shawna explains why she feels more successful working on a lot of different projects What experiences helped Shwana get started in graphic design Shawna explains what digital scrapbooking is How much money Shawna made per month when she first started selling her art Shawna’s tips on how to fight imposter syndrome And more! Get your free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

When it comes to growing your creative brand, there are two basic ways to approach expanding your sales. You can cast a wider net and get MORE clients or customers -get your work on more store shelves, in front of more customers, and grow your potentials audience of buyers. OR you can focus on getting the people who already buy from you to buy MORE and to work with you for more of their customer life cycle. In today’s mini episode, we’ll focus on an easy and effective way to make this 2nd option a reality so you capitalize on creating longer relationships working with the people who already know and love you. Join the Private Facebook Group Here: http://splendidlycurious.com/community Get Your Free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

Shenee Howard epitomizes what it’s like to put all of your authentic self into your creative endeavors. She’s known for her work in the marketing and branding space-- having launched over 30 successful products for her client base of female entrepreneurs-- but she’s also an aspiring screenwriter. Currently she’s living in Los Angeles, pursuing her dreams by working on selling her first pilot. Also in this episode: Shenee’s very first screenplay writing inspirations Why Shenee grew up thinking she could never be a writer Shenee’s educational experience and the way she crafted her own college degree The catalyst that led Shenee to take the leap into entrepreneurship What pop culture teaches Shenee about being a successful creative Shenee shares why she loves Keanu Reeves, personally and professionally And more! Get your free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

Most Creatives I know have one: a project they’ve been thinking about and talking about doing for months. Sometimes years. They’ve thought through the concept. They’re excited about the prospect. They say they’re gonna pull the trigger...and yet….time goes by and they never act on this project! Maybe its starting a podcast or writing a book. Maybe its teaching a workshop, launching a product line, or entering an art show. Or even just pressing send on a weekly email. Whatever it is, this project is taking up mental space and still isn’t out in the world- so are we actually going to do these things or not? In this episode, I’ve got 5 Questions To Ask Yourself Right Now to help you figure it out.   For your FREE trial of ConvertKit, click here!

Jessica Swift is a full-time surface pattern design artist on a quest to inspire and teach others to pursue their wild and creative dreams and never give up. Her magically uplifting, colorful artwork appears on fabric, stationary, gifts, and more. Jessica views her artwork as tokens of happiness-- reminders you need and deserve to feel good in your life. In addition to her artwork, Jessica published a book, The Crafter’s Guide to Patterns, in April 2015. Jessica lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, toddler, and two cats. Get your free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

As a professional creative, nothing feels quite as awesome as doing work you love with a dream client. Someone who you totally click with, who respects you and your skill, who is open to exploring ideas and new directions, who partners with you to achieve something great and who loves the work in the end. However, working with the WRONG client can end up being one of the hardest experiences to deal with, and can be messy and painful for everyone involved. Today I’m going to share some of my best advice for avoiding those nightmare clients by looking for red flags- and I really wish someone had shared these with me when I first started out!    This episode is supported by ConvertKit. Get your first month trial for free at splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

Creative careers can look very different for everyone, and they will absolutely change over time. We celebrate the growth and innovation that happens when creativity is allowed to flourish! This is why I am so glad to have Mallika Malhotra on the show today. She has let creativity take the lead and found that her photography business was so much more than shooting pretty pictures.   Mallika Malhotra is a former ad executive who turned her talent of storytelling into a creative career at Miki Foto and Co. She is a photographer, storyteller, educator, author, and strategizer. Over the past 10 years doing photography, Mallika has developed strategies and approaches that capture the essence of a brand through pictures and words. What is so great about Mallika is that she wants to capture so much more than a moment with her photographs.   In this episode: - Mallika's in depth process to create stories through photography and branding - How she "does it all"- and deals with "mom guilt" - Why she didn't think she could be a creative because it was for "other people" - All about the process of creating her new book  - and more! Get your free ConvertKit Trial Here: splendidlycurious.com/convertkit

Do you ever sit down to work and freeze because feel like you have WAY too much to do? Or feel overwhelmed by all of the creative ideas swirling in your head? I’ve been there! In today’s episode, I’m going to share my favorite (and simple) productivity kick start that I use all the time so you can get back to work and have those days where you are crossing things off left and right! This is episode is brought to your by FB Everything™- to join and get your exclusive bonus for creators, head to fbforcreatives.com

This episode is sponsored by FB Everything™. To join and get our special creative business bonus, visit fbforcreatives.com. Trust the process. It’s a beautiful motto to live by, but what does it look like when our creativity is actually process-driven? What happens when different creative arenas combine to open up a whole new world of possibilities? This is exactly what my guest, Chef Silvia Bianco, and I are going to talk about today. Chef Silvia is, of course, a celebrated Italian chef, but she is so much more than that! Silvia infuses creativity in everything she does, from teaching cooking classes to Facebook Live videos about the role of food in spirituality and activism. In this episode:   How Silvia has become a “modern-day mystic” as well as a celebrated chef.   Silvia’s theater background has influenced her cooking classes and career.   Discover the story behind Silvia’s restaurant.   Learn all about the process of writing a cookbook.   How Silvia deals with cooking disasters.   Cooking taught Silvia to think on her feet.   Silvia fights burnout in her kitchen.   Why creativity is important for the world at large.   Creativity is a light inside a dark world.  

This episode is sponsored by FB Everything™. To join and get our special creative business bonus, visit fbforcreatives.com. In today’s episode, I’m going to challenge you on some lies that you may be telling yourself as a creative business owner.  These are stories I’ve heard over and over from past students and clients...and if I’m being honest, I’ve caught myself saying them TO myself on occasion. The problem is, these lies keep us stuck, overworked, and underpaid, and make it impossible (if not a heck of a lot harder) to grow our businesses. Let’s confront some of these unthruths and kick them to the curb, shall we?

This episode is brought to you by the Free 4 Day Facebook Makeover Workshop. http://splendidlycurious.com/facebookmakeover Small details can add up to tell a wonderful story, and sometimes that story tells just as much about the past as it does the future. When creatives draw inspiration from history and traditional methods, the result is often stunning. What other craft is so drenched in tradition and storytelling than wedding invitations? I am so thrilled to be sharing stories and reveling in the details with my good friend and guest, Hope Johnson. Hope is the inky hands behind The Little Blue Chair. Hope specializes in custom letterpress wedding invitations that capture a couple's story. For Hope, no detail is too small for her clients.   In this episode: • Hope describes her dual role as the designer and printer for her business.   • There is a sense of history in everything Hope does—from her 100-year-old letterpress to the paper she uses for printing.   • Creating something unique to each client is like a mini celebration of their new marriage.    • Hope’s path toward printmaking was anything but direct, and yet she hasn't turned back!  • Learn all about the letterpress process.  •  Get a glimpse of how Hope works with clients and the genuine love she has for them.   • How to get out of a rut when the due dates hit all at once.     • The impact of family and motherhood on Hope’s creative business.   •  Hope’s newest project on the horizon for Brides needing a little extra help in the plan.  

Our first LIVE episode in our limited Business Break series, specifically tackling questions for creative business owners features Courtney Foster-Donahue, Queen of all things Facebook. In this ep Courtney tells us: - why creative biz owners NEED to be FB (even if Instagram is your main squeeze) - how to revive a dead page- or grow one without bugging your friends and family for "likes" - if you think your business page is all there is to a Facebook strategy, you are missing out on LOTS the platform offers - And more! Join her free 4 Day Facebook Makeover Workshop Starting March 5th: splendidlycurious.com/facebookmakeover

This episode is brought to you by the Free 4 Day Facebook Makeover: splendidlycurious.com/facebookmakeover Today’s episode may seem off topic- what does reading have to do with creativity? I promise I’ll explain how they are interwoven for me...BUT also, you can substitute reading with other creative tasks you’ve been trying to get into your busy day. Think sketching, journaling, exploring your faith, writing your book, learning a new skill...being a continual learner and filling yourself with inspiration are both huge parts of the creative process, but I know as a mom and business owner (and podcaster and all those things) that finding the time isn’t as easy as we’d like.

What does social activism and creativity have in common? It turns out, that there is quite a lot! Creators have the power to inspire change and shape lives, and when the world around your tries to dim the light we have within, we can turn to other creatives for support and encouragement. While many creatives find themselves isolated or alone in their struggle, my guest, Emelda DeCoteau is drawing near to her tribe for strength. Emelda is a poet, writer, blogger, and activist who is using her beautiful words to draw women together in a powerful way. To her, activism and creativity are one in the same. In today’s show, she is going to show us how her writing process depends so much upon the creative community she has built and spiritual strength she draws from her words.

As a creative, you've been told a lie. You've been told you're "flighty" or "hard to reign in". That you CAN'T make plans or strategies because you're too right-brained. That you can dream up pretty things and make pretty things, but you have to leave the figuring-it-out part to other people. That you can't run a business well. Here's what I know: THAT'S NOT TRUE.

There is nothing like watching a creative business owner work in their element. I love hearing stories of growth and transformation, especially when it comes to honing in on a business that they truly love. No two paths are alike, just as no two artists are alike. My guest today, Kristin Wilson, understands that better than anyone I know! Kristin has let creativity lead the way as she has built and changed her business throughout the years. From her roots in Early Education and creative classroom projects to stunning events she has planned, Kristin brings detail and attention to every aspect of her craft. Now, Kristin is in her element more than ever before as the owner of the Society for Creative Founders, as well as the founder of Grace and Serendipity.  

It’s difficult to be in front of the camera, but the person behind it can make all the difference. Boudoir photography is having a moment as a beautiful expression of femininity. Whether it is to celebrate a wedding, reclaim your body after becoming a mother, or to stand tall and beautiful in the face of recovery, a boudoir photo shoot allows women to see themselves as they really are, uniquely beautiful. One of the frontrunners in the boudoir photography business is Jen Rozenbaum, whose fine art background and compassionate heart have produced a style of boudoir photography that is one part art and one part social movement.

Today we are going to tackle a pain point that I hear from SO MANY creatives that I work with: Finding Your Creative Brand Focus. If you feel like you are spinning your wheels, feeling completely overwhelmed, exhausted from trying to do ALL. THE. THINGS., trying to please everyone….or feeling completely invisible in a sea of other people who do similar work to yours...this is for you. If you can’t describe what you do and your style of work to someone in a quick sentence, this is for you. And if your audience wouldn’t be able to recognize your work if they saw it on a store shelf, this is for you.

No one in the world can create what you can. No one shares your voice, your passion, and your gifts. If you just so happen to want to turn your creative ideas into a business, then it’s likely you’ll start to fight fears and doubts. Putting yourself out there as a creative business owner is scary and sometimes overwhelming, but it is all worth it to see the lives of many touched by the work you create. Nobody knows that feeling better than Kathleen Shannon, one of the most influential thought leaders for creative business owners and bosses. I am delighted to have Kathleen on the show today because she speaks into our inner desire to create beautiful things while also finding the right clients and customers to serve. Kathleen is a creative brand master, and she has a beautiful story to tell you today.

Have you ever seen an incredible design or work of art and wondered...how did the designer even come up with that idea? Have you ever been struggling with a creative project and wondered if you were the only one...or if this particular task was tough for everyone? Have you ever wanted to peek over the shoulder of another maker and see exactly what their work flow is...or tap into their inspiration...or even just been curious to know what its like to be in another creative’s brain? This show was created for YOU.