Category Archives: Creativity

Is AI freaking you out?

Can we all agree that the last few years have been a little extra? From pandemics, recessions, and social unrest, to the explosion of AI, we’re operating in a time of extreme and fast-moving change. Change, especially the unexpected and fast-moving kind, can tap into our feelings of vulnerability and insecurity (of which there are already plenty in entrepreneurship, thank you very much!).  Even if you’ve gotten pretty good at rolling with the punches over the past few years, it’s…

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The life-changing practice of Morning Pages (and why you should do them too!)

A few years ago, my (then) six-year-old son, Teddy asked what I’d like for Christmas.  It seemed that the world and his wife had been recommending The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, so that’s what I asked for. Well, the book turned out to be very different from the quick little self-help, creativity-boosting read I’d imagined it would be. This was a deep dive into creativity, purpose, and smashing any blocks in the way! And being the personal-development fanatic I…

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What to do when business is slow in summer (hint: the answer’s not panic!)

Ahhh, it’s summer! The beach, the lake, or just sitting outside with a cold one. Is there anything better? Not in my book! But there’s a dark side to summer too. For independent creative professionals and business owners, things can get pretty quiet. And I mean, crickets quiet. We all know it happens, yet we still get freaked out by it. I know I’ve been there and I bet you have too. Wouldn’t it be great if there were something…

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My top 5 takeaways from HOW Design Live

We all like to think our problems are unique, don’t we? If you’re honest, I bet you’ll admit to having responded to a well-intentioned suggestion with “Oh yes, but that wouldn’t work in my business.” Am I right? Here’s what 15+ years of working with creative entrepreneurs (12 of those as an entrepreneur myself) have taught me; we all share the same handful of problems, we simply experience them differently. Here are a few oldies but goodies: The industry is…

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[A year in review] My top resources for success, happiness, and making progress

It’s hard to talk about this time of year without resorting to platitudes or clichés, but this time of year lends itself SO well to reflection, setting intentions, and declaring new goals that I couldn’t not share a few thoughts with you at this time. Not unlike every other year I’ve been on this planet, 2017 delivered some hard-won lessons on life, love, parenting, and generally being a decent human being looking to add, rather than take value from this…

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[Holiday Gift Guide] Gorgeous giftable products from your fellow creators

It’s the holidays! A time for showing love by giving and receiving gifts. Ahhhh, but how easily that lovely idea turns into a frantic dash around big box stores, buying more than you should, and not feeling so great about the whole shebang. Which is why this year I decided to do things differently and purchase the majority of my gifts from small business owners.  From my local toy store, and favorite boutiques, to the treasure trove of coaching clients…

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How to use the power of intention to get the results you want

When I was an agent for independent creatives, my job was to find great projects, write and negotiate proposals, and facilitate the project from beginning to end ensuring the creative and client felt heard, supported and delighted with the outcome. Simple right? I won’t claim every project was a raging success, but I will say my 15+ year career was characterized by WAY more, happy, repeat clients, than unsatisfied one-offs. While there were lots of factors at play – from…

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5 ways exercise boosts your creative + 1 bonus benefit I know you’ll love!

Ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, exercise, in one form or another, has always been part of my life. From ballet, yoga and swimming, to running, kickboxing (where I happened to meet my husband – bonus!), I’ve seen exercise as integral to my happiness and success.  Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that exercise (and it really doesn’t matter what kind), is as essential to the health of my business is as it is…

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The Holidays: a time for looking back, looking ahead and living in the NOW

I love the holidays, but I’ve noticed that over the last few years, my reasons have changed.  While I love a good old knees-up as much as the next girl, it’s become less about whooping it up and more about connecting with my family and friends and, yes, myself. As freelancers and entrepreneurs, we’re busy, busy, busy.  Between marketing our businesses, creating new services and products, learning new skills and building our networks, there’s not a lot of time left…

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Do you embrace change? How to overcome self-doubt and thrive

Change. It’s as exciting as it is terrifying. It’s human nature to resist it, but usually change is never as bad as we think it will be. I’d even go so far as to say that once we embrace it, change feels life-giving and exhilarating. Stay with me—the story I’m about to share backs me up. When I look back on the two biggest changes in my life, I realize that HUGE personal and professional growth came on the heels…

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