A couple of years ago, I started to get that professional itch. You know the one: you love what you do, but feel ready to up the ante a bit (or a lot). My immediate thought was “I need to re-brand.” I started a Pinterest board of websites and brands I loved, started to think about who would do my branding (one of the perks of my job is I know the best creative talent). I thought about hiring a…
Have you ever had a service experience that left you feeling misunderstood, uncared for, or downright mad? I know I have! From the physician who’s always running late to the waiter with an attitude, we’ve all experienced that disconnect between what we expected and what we got. Now think about a time you were surprised and delighted. I still remember picking up my car from an autobody shop right before vacation, only to find they’d washed and detailed it inside…
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…
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…
On a scale of one to ten, how motivated and driven do you feel today? Maybe you’re firing on all cylinders, laser-focused on what will move you closer to your goals. If that’s you…hurray! Keep going. Perhaps you’re tooling along just fine. You’re not setting the world on fire, but it’s good enough for right now. Great! Good enough is a perfectly acceptable standard to aim for sometimes. Or maybe you’re struggling to focus on the goals you’ve committed to….
One of the biggest challenges creatives share with me is knowing how much to charge for their services. Can you relate? If you can, you’re not alone. Pricing something as subjective as creativity can feel like a confounding riddle at best and an impossible task at worst. Throw in limiting beliefs, scarcity thinking, and discomfort talking about money, and you’ve got a holy mess on your hands. Is it any wonder pricing remains an issue for so many? So, you…
If you’ve been hanging out with me for a while, you’ll know I can pretty much tie any life experience to entrepreneurship. And this post is no different. 😂 This one was fun to write because it has ALL the elements of a messy human experience: ego, growth mindset, grit, and resilience. The (literal) vehicle for this experience? Roller skates! It all started a couple of months ago when I COVID-purchased (aka impulse bought in an attempt to reduce stress…
Have you ever had a project or client relationship careen off the tracks through no discernible fault of your own, leaving you feeling hurt, confused, and doubting yourself? I know I have. What I’ve learned from it all is relationships or projects only go sideways when an expectation goes unmet. That’s it! And guess what – boundaries are a great way to communicate and establish expectations – ensuring everyone knows where they stand, what’s expected of them, and how to…
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.