Creating Your Own Path

Creating Your Own Path is a weekly interview series featuring inspiring individuals and change-makers from various creative industries.In asking others about their journeys, I've found that we creatives often veer off course, forge our own paths and don't always fit a particular mold. We tend to be a multifaceted bunch and this interview series seeks to find common ground among us all. Prepare to be challenged, inspired and motivated.

Rank #1: CYOP #46 - The Benefits of Practice + Creating a Diverse Body of Work with Fine Artist + Illustrator Lisa Congdon.
Today's show brings me to the Portland home of Lisa Congdon and Clay Walsh to chat with Lisa about everything—from her late start as a fine artist and illustrator to how she and Clay are managing all of the opportunities coming their way these days. In this incredibly honest interview, we chat about the strange concept of legitimacy when it comes to a creative career, why Lisa has purposefully chosen not to heed the “pick one thing and get really good at it” advice she’s heard over the years and the benefits of maintaining a daily creative practice. You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.

Rank #2: CYOP #3 - Quieting Your Inner Critic + Lifting Others Up with Melissa Camilleri of Compliment.
Melissa Camilleri of  Compliment // Photo courtesy of  Meredith Carty. In this episode I chat with Melissa Camilleri, the founder and creative director of the incredibly popular Sacramento-based jewelry and stationery business,  Compliment. Listen in as Melissa discusses her journey from educator to jewelry designer, why she thinks everyone deserves to receive a compliment, her passion for giving back to the community and what she's learning as she continues to grow her business. You can also read the full story and listen to the episode on _ The Journal._ _ Creating Your Own Path  episodes are also available for download on  iTunes _and  The Stitcher App. Permalink

Explore Your Enthusiasm, with Tara Swiger | Craft | Art | Business

Let's explore what it takes to craft a sustainable, profitable, FUN business, while staying enthusiastic and motivated. Whether you just opened your first Etsy shop, or you've been selling your art, design or writing full-time for years - you struggle with doubt, loneliness, motivation and getting it all done. In this podcast we'll explore what you REALLY want from your small business so that you can follow your enthusiasm, make your art and make money. Each episode is a mini-lesson in exploring what you want out of your OWN business, so that you can craft a life and business that fills your life with enthusiasm. Find more lessons at http://taraswiger.com

Rank #1: 221: Foundations of a healthy business: What you truly need to succeed.
Where should you spend in your business? What actually matters for a profitable, thriving business? And how in the world do you get there? Today we’re going to discuss the foundations of a healthy business. Today we’re going to talk about what really matters in your business. Now, these are the foundations, but this isn’t just for new business owners. In fact, if you’ve got your business together and you’re wondering how you can scale it, or make it more profitable, or make more sales, the answer is almost always in these foundations. But before we go into foundations, I want to remind you that Starship is open right now. The Starship was just overhauled and GOOD NEWS, when you join, you are walked through these foundations, in a series of classes that serve as deep dives into your business. Over the course of three months, you’ll be guided with weekly lessons in these foundations, plus you’ll get access to our community, where you can ask your questions 24/7, our weekly check-in to hold you accountable, and monthly group coaching calls with me - where I will go deep on whatever your question is. In the past, I’ve just given you access to the classes and told you “take what you need”, but I’ve learned over the last 6 years that the biggest transformation happens when work on your foundations in a specific order, and when you have access to ask your questions, when you’re held accountable and when you get coaching help as you go. And now, when you’re done with the 3 month program, you can choose to stay inside the community at an affordable price. As I mentioned, we go through the foundations, but the Starship is for a business that’s set up - that knows what it sells and know how it will sell it. Maybe you don’t have sales yet, but you’re committed to this business and to doing the work to make it thrive. Now, let’s talk about what those foundations actually ARE! There's so much you *could* focus on, but there are a few areas where, if you focus, you can dramatically improve your results. They are: Clarity of your own biz dreams (as opposed to what other people have or want) Honesty about where you ARE Breaking down the gap into goals, and the goals down into actions Profitability (you gotta know your products will make money) Marketing (someone's gotta buy your work - marketing is how you communicate with those buyers) These can be split up into 4 main areas: Mission and Mapping (everything from big-picture to this-month goals) Profitability Marketing Effectiveness (not just doing things quickly, but doing the right things, and feeling good about your workday) Here’s the good news: Just knowing that these are the areas that matter can help you defeat the “OMG WHAT DO I FOCUS ON” overwhelm. You can just come back to this list: Which area needs work? And then work on it! (Not sure HOW to work on it? Or where to start with each area? This is what I teach in the Starship.) What’s super cool is that these areas actually all build on each other - you can’t get a clear picture of your marketing if you don’t what your mission is and you don’t want to do marketing until you KNOW your item is profitable. And you can’t reach your number goals (which we talk about with profitability) unless you actually, ya know, share your work with the right people, using the right language. In other words, working on ONE area is working on ALL areas. It’s like a fractal. Everything you do is reflected around your business. When you work on how you want to communicate with your people, you’ll see the same words and feelings show up in your Mission. Or… exponential:   working on one area improves that area (and often improves sales), then improves the other areas, which improves sales. When I got really clear about my Mission - what I wanted to do in the lives and businesses of makers and artists, my marketing became so much more clear. From the words I use, to the topics I talk about, to the images I use. I suddenly know what to say, because I know what the end goal is; I know what I want my work to do in the person’s life. And that has improved my sales - it doubled within a year of getting ultra-clear! So how about you? Which foundation of your business needs work right now? As you think about that, you may feel really frustrated that you’ve wasted your time on other things, that you didn’t focus on the main foundations and instead got swept up in figuring out the perfect hashtag for your photo - that is ok! We all do it. We all read a blog post or listen to a podcast that is about a specific tactic and without asking “is this what matters to my biz right now?”, we dive into learning about it and trying to implement it. A while ago a few friends started talking about  Facebook ads. So they’ve been talking about it in our group and I have to admit, even though I KNOW advertising isn’t where I want to spend my energy right now, it was tempting! It’s so tempting to work on something that’s outside of my strategy. On the other hand, a lot of makers tell me that they’ve avoided thinking about ANY of this. They just make their thing, put it in their shop… and hope it turns into a business. And you know what? If that’s you, you’re not alone either. That is absolutely where to start. You haven’t done anything wrong if you haven’t started working on profitability or marketing yet. There is a tiny tiny percentage of artists who just make their work available and it all sells out. They don’t have to do any marketing and the numbers magically work out. But those are the unicorns. And you may be a unicorn, but if you have big dreams for your business, I don’t want you to waste your precious life waiting around to find out. Instead, I want you to do the work that makes your biz successful, so that you KNOW it will be. So that you don’t have to rely on outside circumstances, or being “discovered” or wait for someone else’s approval before you build the business you want. And how do you do that? You build each of your foundations. Here’s a few things that each foundation needs. For the foundation of Mission and Mapping, you may need to: Define your dream biz Get clear on your Mission Identify your assets and support Choose a goal Create a plan to reach that goal. For Profitability, you may need to: Know your numbers and how to get them.                    Identify the profit margin for each item and your Break Even Point Variables to experiment with For Marketing, you may need to: Improve how you talk about your work Make it easier for strangers to find you Look at how you build a relationship with potential customers Identify how customers buy + make it easier for them Work to keep customers happy and coming back For Effectiveness, you may need to be: Doing what matters each day Keeping track of all your tasks Streamlining all of your recurring tasks Getting the level of accountability you need in order to get it all done So which one of these, in your business, needs your focus? Which one of these matters MOST for you right now? If you want to work through each one of these and discover everything I listed for each one, join us in the Starship, it’s open now and it closes in a week. Learn more at taraswiger.com/starshipbiz In the new Starship, we cover every one of these foundations, and we explore your answers to these questions: What are your goals? Who are your people? What is your ideal workday like? And instead of feeling overwhelmed about figuring it all out at once, you work on each area, one at a time, over the course of three months. And all along the way you have support, encouragement, group coaching with me, and accountability. Listen in at TaraSwiger.com/podcast221

Rank #2: 226: Why you self-sabotage.
I did not want to talk about this. I have been avoiding this topic for years, even though it's something my listeners and clients as ask all the time: WHY do I keep sabotaging myself? If you feel like you sabotage your own success, today’s episode is for you. So last week I put up 5 different podcast ideas for the Starship to vote on what they most wanted me to talk about...and you know what got the most votes? Self Sabotage! Even though I've been asked this a lot, I've avoided talking about it because...I think it's possible you are NOT sabotaging yourself. Sometimes the things that look like self-sabotage are actually just you taking care of yourself! For example, if you wake up with a headache, like I did last Friday, and you decide NOT to work on your To Do list, even though it's very big and you have a deadline...is that self-sabotage? Or self-care? Now, since we're talking about ME, I bet you'd say: Tara! You have a headache, take the day off, your business will be OK! But if we are talking about YOU, you'd say: Oh, I really should have worked, I have things I know I am supposed to do! I totally sabotaged my list by not working! And girl, that's just wrong. So before we talk about REAL self-sabotage, we gotta get clear that every time you don't work, every time you take a break, every time you decide NOT to show up for something, it's not necessarily ruining everything - sometimes it is you taking care of yourself, or giving yourself what you need. When I asked you (on instagram) for your examples of self-sabotage you told me: When I get an opportunity, but believe I can’t do it, so I don’t follow through. Setting a big goal and then getting sidetracked or not planning, and deciding: “well, all hope is lost!” When I’m scared. I plan a big thing, and then don’t follow through (like a big launch, where then I only send a couple emails instead of doing everything I had planned). Why you self-sabotage You are experiencing more success than your set point is comfortable with (Upper Limit Problem. This is the book about it.) You don't think you deserve it. (Imposter Syndrome) You actually don't want what you're working towards. You'll notice that each of these reasons is actually...self-care! You're protecting yourself from what you think you can't handle or don't want. What you can do about it: 1. Get really specific about what the self-sabotaging activity is and why you did it. Ask yourself: What am I trying to protect? What am I afraid of? This is important because a lot of women TELL me they are sabotaging themselves and when I ask for specifics, they hem and haw, "Well, all the time. I'm just never following through, I never do." Girl, that is a belief you have about yourself. It's a belief, not because it's true, but because you keep saying it to yourself. As long as you keep repeating this and believing it, you're never going to be able to move forward. Until you can believe the opposite ("I show up for what matters. I can do what it takes"), replace it with the truth, "I'm not sure what's up, but I'm doing my best. I'm protecting myself." Move towards trusting yourself to show up by getting clear on exactly what you do and when you do it. Get clear on why you're doing it (what you're protecting yourself from). 2. Let go of the fear. The next step, after you know what you're afraid of, is to look at that fear head on. I like to do fear-setting (from Tim Ferris): What's the worst that can happen? Do you think you can handle that? If not, how likely is that to happen? (Usually, not very likely, or at least not for very long.) What is the much more likely (smaller) thing that may happen? Can you handle THAT? This is the time to use all the tools you have to release fears - therapy, journaling, essential oils, tapping - whatever works for you! 3. Notice all the ways you DO show up for yourself. Do you buy groceries and cook meals? Do you read sometimes? Do you spend some time crafting? Or doing anything you love? THAT is showing up for yourself. YOU ARE DOING IT. And it's transferrable! If you show up in this way you can show up in others. 4. Show up for yourself, even more. And make note of it when you do. Self-sabotage isn’t something to beat yourself up about. It’s something to take care of yourself in the face of. Listen in at TaraSwiger.com/podcast226

She Percolates with Jen Hatzung & Danielle Spurge

Serving up a fresh perspective on success. Our mission is to introduce you to interesting and inspiring women who live all different versions of success. We believe success is an ever evolving concept - it is different for everyone. We believe life is about finding happiness despite detours and imperfections. Embracing the reality that you aren’t always going to have it together and quieting the voice in your head that says you haven’t “made it yet.” Appearing to have it all is not as important as feeling fulfilled for the day, week, month or year. Accepting and celebrating that what will make you feel fulfilled can and will change over time - and it's not the same for everyone.We believe that authenticity is more important than perfection. Our most meaningful relationships and connections are created based on authenticity.

Rank #1: 087: Melyssa Griffin of The Nectar Collective.
As a former web designer and blog coach, Melyssa also has experience working one-on-one with over 150 creatives. And if we're being honest, she’s also obsessed with almond milk lattes and her crazy corgi, Monja.Find Melyssa of The Nectar Collective here:Website & Courses // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest // Google+ We had a great time chatting with Melyssa! We jump right in and chat with Melyssa about what success means to her."My definition of success, I would say is - something that brings me joy, I want to do something that I love doing and also something that helps other people in the biggest way possible. I really want to involve as many people and build a strong community for other people. kind of on top of that, i feel like also, it's a taboo thing to say but I worry sometimes about money so having enough money to feel financially stable is something that makes me feel more successful. ... It's easy for me to feel insecure when money is tight so I would say that overall, my definition of success are things that bring me joy, that help people and that also make me feel like money is not an insecurity in my life."We talk with Melyssa about her career teaching English in Japan, and how teaching has always been a corner stone to what she does. Melyssa truly has a heart for teaching and building community. She shares with us how The Nectar Collective shifted over the years, and why she wants to help others feel safe, heard, and empowered."here i was able to create this business pretty much on accident where it wasn't just about the paycheck anymore, now it was about doing something that i really love and involving other people in this dream of mine too."

Rank #2: 038: Tips for Using Instagram, Coffee Talk with Danielle & Jen.
Our Friday Coffee Talk episodes are a time for Danielle and I chat about anything and everything. We are so happy this community enjoys hearing us talk about things that often get discussed at a coffee shop, the things you tell your girlfriends. Today we are sipping coffee and sharing some tips for using Instagram. If you didn't know Danielle and I met via Instagram and a hashtag, and then the Navy god's were in our favor because her husband got stationed in Norfolk, VA and now we are IRL friends and business partners! We share 9 apps we love to use for our instagram photos. {links below} I share my love of using dropbox to back up my phone photos and finally Danielle shares s wealth of knowledge about using hashtags if you are using instagram for business. Danielle's posts about hashtags can be found here and sign up here for even more! We discussed this hilarious bit from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.Apps we love:1. Afterlight 2. Camera+ 3. Picfx 4. Party party app 5. Phonto 6. Instasize 7. A Beautiful Mess 8. Rhonna Designs 9. Aviary For scheduling instagram posts {helpful for businesses} we love schedugr.am. p.s If you would be so kind as to leave us a review on iTunes, we would be forever appreciative. If you are unsure about how leave us a review you can watch this quick tutorial that Danielle put together!

Dear Handmade Life

Dear Handmade Life is all about intimate stories and practical advice for living a creative life filled with purpose. The show’s host, Nicole Stevenson, is the co-founder of Patchwork Show: A Modern Makers Festival and Craftcation: A Business and Makers Conference. Along with expert guests, she uses decades of experience in the handmade community, owning businesses, and the highs-and-lows of living creatively to tackle bi-weekly topics that any artist can relate to.

Rank #1: Episode 10: Wheels to Bricks.
Taco Maria is a food truck turned brick-and-mortar in Costa Mesa, Calif., and in less than two years they've become home to one of LA Time's Pultizer Prize winning food critic's, Jonathan Gold's, top 10 dishes. Then, chef Carlos Salgado was named one of Food & Wine's Best Chefs of 2015. Delilah and Nicole chat with Carlos about what it took to turn his food truck into one of the best restaurants in Southern California.

Rank #2: Episode 67: Making Etsy Work for You in 2018.
Delilah and Nicole talk to Danielle Spurge of The Merriweather Council about how to make Etsy work for your business. They discuss the relevance of Etsy in 2018, the role of trends on the platform, tips for standing out in a sea of competition and more!  Visit www.dearhandmadelife.com for the show notes...

Raise Your Hand Say Yes with Tiffany Han

Raise Your Hand Say Yes with Tiffany Han focuses on telling the truth about a life of chasing your dreams - tangles and all. Tiffany is a certified life coach who’s on a mission to help smart, capable women raise their hands and say yes to all those things they want to do, be, and say without compromising their standards...or their sanity!With a penchant for keeping it real, Tiffany's work focuses on how we all can stop overperforming for the sake of the life that somebody else dictates for us and instead start saying yes to ourselves.For more information and show notes, visit http://tiffanyhan.com/podcast.

Rank #1: Ep. 70: Resolutions Series: Lacy Young on Health and Wellness.
Welcome to 2016! This year, I'm starting off with a new series on Raise Your Hand Say Yes all about New Year's Resolutions. Do you start every year thinking you're going to deal with your health and money and (finally!) clean out your closet? If so, you're in for a treat this month! And if not, you're still in for a treat because these upcoming episodes are gooooood!  This week, I got to sit down with one of my favorite people on the planet, Lacy Young  and talk all about health and wellness and what to do if you want to be healthier. Lacy's advice is spot on while also being super reasonable and I know you'll be able to walk away from this conversation with at least a couple of things you can start doing today to get healthier and feel better in your body. We also talk about how you can tell the difference between what you really want for your body versus what the magazines say you should want, the value of putting yourself in the way of empowerment, and a beginner's guide to meditating. Lacy also shares what she experienced in the beginning of her own journey to get healthy, and I'm sure we can all relate. Be warned: by listening to this episode, all of your excuses about why you can't eat better or meditate will go out the window! 100 Rejection Letters - Registration open through 10/31/16 Show Notes: Connect with Lacy: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest Lacy's Meditation Retreats Join the RYHSY Fb group  Subscribe in itunes

Rank #2: Ep. 208: On Turning Points - Past, Present, and Future.
What do moving to San Francisco (without my boyfriend at the time), coming off of maternity leave, and quitting drinking have in common? They were all major turning points in my life. In this week's episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of these three huge transitions in my life and sharing everything I've learned in the process of making my way through them, including how I now face those "things have to change!" whispers now. If you're in the midst of a transition, this episode is for you. If you're about to be in the midst of a transition, this episode is for you. And if you too have survived challenging transitions in your life, I've got you covered as well. Big BIG love. Show Notes: Connect with Tiffany on InstaGet Tiffany's newsletter and stay in the knowGet on the list to get your RYHSY Starter Kit Sign up for the Raise Your Hand Say Yes Inner Circle waitlist RYHSY on Giving Up Drinking

Your Handmade Business

Your Handmade Business is a podcast for makers about the big picture of your business brought to you by the Academy of Handmade—helping you to do what you love and love what you do. Each episode we tackle an important (and sometimes uncomfortable) topic about running a handmade business and feature perspectives and experiences from Academy of Handmade members, as well as the greater maker community.

Rank #1: Episode 50: 5 Tips for Avoiding Craft Show Missed Connections.
Sharon and Isaac dive into five ways that you might be letting great opportunities sneak by under your nose while you’re vending in person at craft shows. This is a great refresher as you prep for your December shows!

Rank #2: Episode 36: Honing in on Productivity.
Sharon and Isaac dispel a few myths and offer a few guidelines on how to hone in—”honing” being the operative word—on your own productivity and accepting what works best for you.

After the Jump

Wednesdays at 1:00PM EST The theme song for After the Jump is "Bell" by Screaming Females Design blogger Grace Bonney of Design\*Sponge takes her love art and design from the web to radio. Through a series of interviews with designers, store owners and up-and-coming members of the creative community, Grace will delve deeper into the world of independent artists. From exploring the day-to-day lives of contemporary makers to discussing the challenges they face, After the Jump will take the conversation off the screen and into real life. Design\*Sponge founder Grace Bonney has a unique angle on the industry, having worked as a contributing editor at Domino, House & Garden and Craft magazines, and as a freelancer with top publications like New York Home, Food and Wine, In Style, Better Homes and Gardens, New York Magazine, CITY Magazine, Time Out New York Kids, Archinect, The New York Post, Everyday with Rachael Ray and others. In addition, she wrote a weekly design column for the Philadelphia Inquirer for two years and has worked as Style Editor of HGTV’s Ideas Magazine. She is also the author of "Design Sponge at Home." Heritage Radio Network. All Rights Reserved.

Rank #1: Episode 50: Organize & Simplify.
Learn how to simplify your life on this week’s installment of After the Jump! Grace Bonney is joined by Design*Sponge’s Amy Azzarito and Max Tielman to discuss daily routines, stress reducers, and more! Find out how daily rituals help keep these Design*Sponge staffers sane, and how repeated actions can help curb decision fatigue. Learn how to delegate tasks in your small business in order to maintain quality control and relieve individual pressures. Tune in to find out what recommendations Grace, Amy, and Max suggest in order to stay organized and efficient! This program has been brought to you by BluePrint Cleanse. “Once it’s on my calendar, my brain doesn’t have to keep track of it.” [16:00] “Being a visual person, I always try to reduce visual clutter.” [25:10] — Max Tielman on After the Jump

Rank #2: Episode 20: Becoming Your Brand.
On today’s episode of After the Jump, Grace Bonney is once again joined by Design*Sponge’s managing editor Amy Azzarito to discuss becoming your own brand. Tune in to hear Grace and Amy list some of the the “dos & don’ts” of branding yourself. Learn about the different steps to take in order to personalize and get visibility for your business. Create a mission statement and work on your elevator pitch! Hear about the importance of focus and expertise to make your creative work stand out! Learn to navigate the tricky world of self-promotion; how can you get the word out about your business without seeming self-absorbed? Grace and Amy help you stay organized and work on the logistics of your own personal business image! This episode has been brought to you by Clarkson Potter Publishers. One of the most important things about being an expert is that you never want to stop learning. Even if this is your field of expertise, you’re always going to want to work to better yourself.” [8:25] — Amy Azzarito on After the Jump “Be who you are, own who you are. There’s a real value in being relate-able.” [25:51] — Grace Bonney on After the Jump

The Create & Thrive Podcast

Learn how to turn your creative hobby into a thriving business with Jess Van Den

Rank #1: [83] How to Grow Your Instagram Account with Steph Wallace.
Do you struggle when it comes to growing your Instagram following? Do you wonder how people gain a ton of [...]

Rank #2: SS18 – Being Boss with Emily Thompson.
Welcome to the Create & Thrive Podcast Summer Series, where I replay the highlights from the show in 2018. If [...]

Make It Happen

Make It Happen is a podcast for big-hearted creatives who are ready to build an impactful, fulfilling, and sustainable creative life. Brought to you by Jen Carrington, a creative coach, this podcast is for you if you're ready to make things happen in your creative work and life on your own terms, in your own way, and by your own rules every step of the way.

Rank #1: Show up as if you're already where you want to be.
In this episode I share with you my mantra of “showing up as if you’re already where you want to be in your creative work and life” and explore the ways you can honour this along the way in your journey.

Rank #2: Evolving With Your Personal Brand & Work vs Rest with Estée Lalonde.
In this episode of Make It Happen I’m joined by YouTuber, blogger, & soon-to-be author Estée Lalonde. We talk about the evolution of her personal brand, her rebrand last year, and her approach to work/life balance and creativity. 

#createlounge: Tap Into Your Creativity, Tell Your Story, and Find Your Community

Every Thursday, we invite creatives from our own #createlounge community to open up about their creative journey and share their best advice for embracing everyday creativity. Topics include writing, design, photography, art, blogging, social media, business growth, and personal growth. Be a part of our community at createlounge.com!

Rank #1: Leaning Into Yes with Sarah Von Bargen | Ep29.
What would happen if you started embracing “yes” in your everyday life? In this episode, we talk with Sarah Von Bargen about being successful online without choosing a niche, creating a Yes list, and making your own rules. Become a part of our community at createlounge.com!

Rank #2: Journaling for Clarity with Kara Benz | Ep28.
How can a regular journaling practice help you find ultimate clarity in your daily life? In this episode, we talk with Kara Benz about the bullet journaling system, setting more soulful goals, and reaching a Level 10 Life. Become a part of our community at createlounge.com!

Creative Biz Rebellion

Kelly from Hello World Paper Co. & Stamps and Caroline from Caroline Creates are two product based biz owners who want to connect with and help other product based business owners. The product based business world is shrouded in mystery... why? Why is it so easy to get information about starting a service based business, but when you ask people questions about their product based business they run and hide. That's dumb. When we lift each other up we not only help someone else's business, we learn things along the way, and we help the industry grow! There is plenty of room for everyone! So come and join us as we help you filter through the crap to help you totally rock your product based business! After all, creativity is the ultimate rebellion!

Rank #1: Episode 4 - Online Tools for a Seriously Creative Business.
Are you overwhelmed by all the online tools there are to choose from to help you be more productive and run your shop smoothly?  From productivity tools to shipping tools and everything in between Kelly and Caroline break down what they love and why so that you can save a ton of time trying out #allthethings. Here are our favorite online tools. Trello We had a Trello love fest.Kelly and Caroline talk all things Trello and why it works so well for them.  Keeping everything in one place keeps us on track while organizing our businesses and working on the Creative Biz Rebellion Podcasts. It was love at first sight - Caroline Resources for Learning Trello: Get Trello - Think Creative Collective - Trello for Business CourseDana Malstaf - Boss Mom - Free Trello Course ShipstationShipstation works will many platforms including Shopify, Etsy, and Squarespace.  You can print labels directly from their website and they will even alert you when you can combine orders. Etsy RankAnalyzes your Etsy shop and helps you to optimize your Etsy listings including your photos, tags, titles, and a calendar of upcoming holidays and events that could affect your online biz. I love free-Caroline Email File Management: Drop Box: Oh My God your life will change-Kelly Worried about having to delete files on your computer? With dropbox you can keep all your files on your computer in one spot and never worry again about not having enough space.  No matter what program you are using, your computer will automatically save your files in dropbox.  Caroline and Kelly talk about how important dropbox is for your business and how easily you can share folders and files with others. Google: There are so many different ways you can use google for your business.  Within google you have email, google docs, google sheets and calendar. Google for Work is also a great option. Kelly talks about how she loves using google sheets and docs to keep her business organized. Another bonus with using google is you do not have to worry about space on your computer. Design: Creative Cloud Caroline and Kelly talk all things adobe and the different aspects of the software you can purchase based on your business needs for a small monthly fee. Investing in technology is important and can change and grow your business. Listen for the special way you could get a discount for this software! We love illustrator - Caroline Illustrator: That’s my work wife - Kelly Your computers and tools make a difference - Caroline MailchimpNeed a game changer for your business??? Learn how to reach out to your customers by using mailchimp.  Caroline talks about how the automation setup will email your customers for you and keep them update to date on your latest products.  Learn what automations in mailchimp can do for and your business and all about email marketing for your biz. The automations have been game changing-Caroline Accounting: It’s kinda like that beast that you just have to deal with-Kelly The one component of our biz we all are faced with but dread…..Crunching numbers and staying on top of your money.  We all want this process to be as easy as possible. Learn about the different programs/resources that Caroline and Kelly use to keep their businesses on track and make their lives less stressful! Go DaddyWave Accounting Don’t fear the IRS, they are super helpful-Kelly If you have a second please jump over to iTunes and leave us a review!  You can find Kelly online at: www.helloworldpaperco.comwww.kellyparkersmith.com www.helloworldstamps.etsy.comwww.helloworldpaperco.etsy.com You can find Caroline online at: www.carolinecreates.comwww.carolinecreates.etsy.com www.creatingbizness.com

Rank #2: Episode 129 - PR For Makers: Intro to PR & Why You Should Be Using it As A Creative Entrepreneur.
We are so excited to be starting a new series on the podcast! We will be featuring tips on PR for Makers from our good friend Brittney Lynn. In this first episode, she breaks down what exactly PR is and why you should be using it. Be sure to tune in to the next episodes as we continue this series! About Brittney Brittney Lynn is a PR & Online Marketing Strategist for online entrepreneurs worldwide. She has nearly 10 years of experience working in the online marketing industry and has a passion for helping others grow their reach, revenue, and impact through strategic PR. She's also the host of the Day in the Life podcast, which gives a glimpse into the daily lives of people from across the world who work in a variety of industries. Stepping into the lives of these fascinating guests will encourage, inspire and challenge listeners as they share in each guest's trials and triumphs, learning that we are all connected and are more alike than we realize. She's based in Dallas, Texas with her husband and pup. Connect with Brittney Website: http://brittneyllynn.com Free pitch templates: http://brittneyllynn.com/creativebizrebellion Instagram: http://instagram.com/brittneyllynn Become a supporter of the podcast today! Head to www.patreon.com/creativebizrebellion for more information! Introducing the Creative Rebel Base: THE place for Creative Rebels to collaborate, learn, and support each other! THE place to go online if you want to connect with, learn from, and support other product-based business owners, artists, and makers. We created this community to help you along your journey, but also to give you a safe place to learn and interact with other like-minded business owners whether you are just starting your biz or have been doing this a while, let's all move forward TOGETHER! For more info and to join today, head to www.creativerebelbase.com WANT TO CONNECT WITH CREATIVE BIZ REBELLION? SUPPORT the podcast. Become a Patron today! JOIN our Facebook Group! FOLLOW us on Instagram and use #creativebizrebellion. Tag us in a photo of you listening! LEAVE us a review on Itunes or on your favorite podcast app. We will give you all the virtual fistbumps! SIGN UP for our email list and be the first to learn about workshops, rebel sessions and more CONNECT WITH KELLY on her websites here, here, and her Etsy shop. CONNECT WITH CAROLINE on her website

How She Creates Podcast

Learn to live a creative lifestyle, tell your story and explore your world through conversations with artists, adventurers, and people creating good in the world.

Rank #1: Ep 006 - Watercolour with Nina Christensen and Yao Cheng.
This episode is the most requested one we had, and we're so excited to bring it to you. Today we are talking about watercolours. We're with two of our absolute favourite watercolour artists, and the ones who made us fall in love with the medium - Nina Christensen and Yao Cheng. We're pretty excited about getting to talk to them. In the episode we discuss their creative stories, where they find inspiration, their best tips for practising, material recommendations, and how awesome they are.Show notes http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates-ep-006-watercolour-with-nina-christensen-and-yao-cheng/

Rank #2: How Interior Design Can Create Good with Kim Lewis Ep 323.
What heals and resurrects you from the mundane? For Kim Lewis it’s the powerful tool of creativity. In this interview, Kim explains her work with ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and her many other community projects where she has used her gifts of interior design for good. Kim gives tips for you to use your creativity to do good, encouraging you not to be overwhelmed, but rather to focus on connecting and giving through your service and time. She claims our hands are meant to serve people and that we need to break out of our comfort zones to do so. She explains her own trials of getting out of her comfort zones, including her tiny home living. She tells you to let go of your fear of failure, and just have fun with your creative instincts. For full shownotes, links and to connect with our guest visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates-good:-ep-323-how-interior-design-can-create-good/

The How They Blog Podcast

Learn from Great Bloggers. Get Inspired. Make an Impact.

Rank #1: HTB #30 – The Fundamentals of Becoming a Better Writer – with Denise Hughes.
Did you know there are writing techniques that can help you connect more deeply with your blog readers? Did you know blog writing is different than the writing you learned in school? Yep, it's true. Listen and learn from today's show with Denise Hughes.

Rank #2: HTB #006 – The Most Important Blogging Question You Can Answer.
Today on the How They Blog Podcast, I share about the one question that has transformed my blogging. This question is the foundation of any good blog plan and was a core element in the success of my second blog (vs. my first blog). Grab some headphones and join me for a chat! How to […]

Positively Creative

The Positively Creative Podcast was created by Dorothy Collier, artist of Dorothy Art, for creative entrepreneurs. When Dorothy started having a positive outlook on every aspect of her life, including her art career, the creativity and opportunities started overflowing! Join her as she chats with other small business owners, discussing the ins and outs of how to run a creative business and how her creative friends are making it in their respective fields.

Rank #1: 044 - Kate Waddell, Painter, on Staying Consistent, Galleries vs. Online Sales, & Staying Encouraged Through Seasons of Frustration.
I'm so excited to chat with Kate Waddell on today's episode! We talk about how she's built her business through commissions, online sales and galleries and how she decides which paintings become prints. We also talk about working through slow time periods and how to stop comparing yourself to others. About Kate:Here are some little tid-bits about me: I was born and raised in Columbus, Ga and then ventured on to the fairytale city of Charleston, SC where I attended the College of Charleston & earned my degree in Studio Art. After my first painting class at the college, I left very discouraged in my seemingly horrible painting style and was determined to never paint again. My professor, Tony Csavas, encouraged me in my different style and is one of the main reasons why I kept painting. Too, I am a follower of Jesus and through painting, I see the beauty of His creation & the Joy that comes from that. I have always loved people, the human figure and color. Inspired mostly by light and color, I try to embody Cezanne in painting subjects in such a way that allows a human eye to detect the image through color and line. With that, my hope is to paint the things I see in a refreshing and distinct way. Website: https://katewaddellart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katewaddellart/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/katewaddellart/ Well & Wonder Gallery: http://wellandwondercollective.com/ To get 50% off your first year with Honeybook, go to positivelycreative.net/honeybook! About The Positively Creative Podcast: The Positively Creative Podcast was created by Dorothy Collier, artist of Dorothy Art, for creative entrepreneurs. When Dorothy started having a positive outlook on every aspect of her life, including her art career, the creativity and opportunities started overflowing! Join her as she chats with other small business owners, discussing the ins and outs of how to run a creative business and how they make it in their respective fields. To learn more about The Positively Creative Podcast, visit our website or head over to our Patreon page! You can also find Dorothy on Instagram at @positivelycreativepodcast and @dorothyart!

Rank #2: 068 - Jess Franks, Fine Artist on Layering Acrylic, Working with Minted, & Colorful Collections.
Today on the podcast I am joined by fine artist Jess Franks. We talked about her creative childhood, the winding journey she took to becoming an artist and why she is drawn to her current artistic style. Jess also shares the power of layers and changing subjects as well as her personal opinion about painting with acrylic vs. oil. About Jess Franks: Jess Franks is known for vibrant acrylic paintings that dance the line between real and abstract. As a magazine graphic designer by trade (including work for Greenville Magazine, South Carolina Magazine, and Mechanical Engineering Magazine), she has spent countless hours on her computer poring over photography. A few years ago she discovered that painting not only allows her to delve back into a more tactile world, but also to create scenes in radical colors that no photo could capture. She uses the familiar structures of the natural world around her to explore new palettes, resulting in paintings that are at once both unexpected yet accessible. In between paintings, Jess has spent much of her time researching how social media and online commerce can create communities and sustain artists through untraditional avenues. She has found an incredibly interactive art-collecting community on Instagram and uses that platform as her primary location for studio updates and shop news. Her prints are sold at Minted, Anthropologie, WestElm, and MaineCottage. Jess has placed in multiple contests on Minted, including first and second place wins in the Minted X West Elm contests, and a third place win in the Minted X Domino contest. She lives with her husband and brood of children in New England. Website: https://www.jessfranksart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessfranksart/ Links: Fredericks Canvas Minted To get 50% off your first year with Honeybook, go to positivelycreative.net/honeybook! About The Positively Creative Podcast: The Positively Creative Podcast was created by Dorothy Collier, artist of Dorothy Art, for creative entrepreneurs. When Dorothy started having a positive outlook on every aspect of her life, including her art career, the creativity and opportunities started overflowing! Join her as she chats with other small business owners, discussing the ins and outs of how to run a creative business and how they make it in their respective fields. To learn more about The Positively Creative Podcast, visit our website or head over to our Patreon page! You can also find Dorothy on Instagram at @positivelycreativepodcast and @dorothyart!

ELISE GETS CRAFTY

small business knowledge & thoughts on goal-setting, motivation and creativity.

Rank #1: on using instagram / ep 98.
elise chats with lifestyle blogger Allie Seidel about using Instagram as a platform to promote your work, but also as a tool for connection and engagement. shownotes for this episode can be found at elisejoy.com/podcast/shownotes98

Rank #2: putting yourself out there / ep 75.
elise chats with creative coach, Tiffany Han, about the power of rejection and what can happen when you put yourself out there. shownotes for this episode can be found at elisejoy.com/podcast/shownotes75