I have a few significant anniversaries coming up next year: I will have been living in the US for 30 years I will have been happily married for 15 years I will have been a business owner for 20 years I will be in my mid-50’s My first thought is, I should throw a big party to celebrate this avalanche of anniversaries. My second is that I instinctively listed them in order of significance with the least important one being…
You know what they say (OK, what I say, LOL): If you’re in business long enough, you’re going to hit some bumpy times. It’s part of the entrepreneurial/human experience. In the last few months, several creative freelancers and business owners have told me their industry has been decimated by factors outside their control – from political policies and AI to simply aging as a creative. There are no shortage of things to keep us up at night. Yet, I’m convinced…
I was speaking to a new client yesterday and she shared that her overwhelming wish for her business in 2025 was to approach it with more intention. Can you relate? I know I can! I think it’s such a relatable goal because being a creative freelancer or business owner often feels like reacting to things in the moment and doing the best you can. It reminds me of a “fun” game my kids played for a while. It involved them…
I recently hosted a brand new webinar called “How To Break The Hourly Rate Trap” for the Freelancer’s Union. I had a feeling this topic might be right up the freelancer folks’ alley, but I wasn’t prepared for the incredible level of engagement and energy from the folks who showed up. It turns out that just about everyone wonders if their pricing is on the money (sorry, I couldn’t resist!). So, why is pricing such a challenge for creative freelancers?…
I’ve always loved to read. Whether I’m looking for inspiration, guidance, support, or to walk in the shoes of a character, far from my lived experience, I often find exactly what I need (even when I didn’t know it!) in the pages of a book. Different times call for different books and right now, I’m re-reading Pema Chödrön’s When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times. Despite its rather ominous title, Chödrön’s comforting voice encourages us to see fear…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from working with creative freelancers and small business owners for a couple of decades – most of you don’t love marketing – am I right? (There’s a reason why my most popular webinar is called Marketing For Creatives Who Hate Marketing LOL). The most common refrains I hear include: I don’t know what to share (and does anyone even care?) There’s so much noise, I’ll get lost in the mix I’m not good at…
Do you ever feel bored in your business? A desire to shake things up, pivot, or overhaul the whole kit and caboodle? I know I do. After all, entrepreneurial traits include a desire to engage in multiple disciplines and a higher tolerance for risk. How could we not get bored sometimes? While we may not like it, boredom can be a good thing because it can be a precursor to change. A feeling of not being challenged enough (booooring!) can…
I’ve seen so many incredibly talented creative professionals struggling to generate the consistent work and income they need to live the life they want. If you have the talent, desire and grit to make things happen (and I know you do!), the only thing standing between you and a profitable creative business or career are the exact steps to: communicating what you do, and why it’s of value defining who you work with, and what’s in it for them creating…
“How do I price my services?” As a business coach for creative freelancers and business owners, this is one of the most common questions I receive from folks who have hit a wall with their current pricing strategy and know that if they’re going to be more profitable and grow, something’s gotta change! Why Is It So Hard To Price Creativity Anyway? I understand this is such a ubiquitous problem. Pricing something as subjective as creativity is challenging for multiple…
What creative ideas, projects, or initiatives are you hatching right now? Why do I ask? Oh, because if you’re a creative freelancer or business owner, I know you’ve got a thing or two (or twelve!) rolling around in your head. Tell me I’m wrong! So, how’s it going? If your answer is a mixed bag of excitement, excuses, and self-doubt you’re in good company (ask me how I know! ). One of the big ideas I’ve been kicking around/down the…
Three Things is a monthly newsletter designed to help creative professionals, founders, and freelancers get clear, stay focused, and build momentum in a landscape that’s always shifting.
Each edition includes a personal insight, a mindset-shifting reframe, and three practical, doable steps to help you build a fulfilling, efficient, and profitable creative business.