Want to monetise your creativity? Do this first

Monetising your creativity is a struggle I understand well! You love to create, you suspect – or even already know – you can serve people with your creativity but, you don’t know how to make it make economic sense.

You dream of making a living from your creativity but, you don’t know where to start

Or perhaps, you’ve already taken the leap. You’re doing creative work and serving people but, the numbers aren’t adding up. You’re making money but it’s not enough to sustain the way you want to live. You’re getting discouraged, you’re working all sorts of crazy hours and perhaps, you’re even losing the love you once had for your craft. 

The mistake I made

Continue reading “Want to monetise your creativity? Do this first”

5 things I wish I knew when I started my creative business

This year marks 10 years of running a creative business and it’s been a ride! I have learned SO MUCH, about business and also about myself. 

There have been many amazing moments but, it’s also been tough – especially financially and in terms of not having much time for anything else. This was not the idea – for me, owning a business is an opportunity to build something that can help you achieve time and financial freedom, while serving others.

I’m still on the journey to realising that dream. And I’m still motivated because I’m so much clearer about what I need to do, than I was in the beginning. Back then, I had no clue about the how!

Looking back, there are so many things I could have done differently in these 10 years – that would have brought me better results sooner. I hope that by sharing some of them, I can help you reach your goals faster.  Continue reading “5 things I wish I knew when I started my creative business”

How to establish a creative self-care practice (+ 2 activities)

In this season of COVID-19, I have really embraced intentional creative self-care.

It’s really helped me when I’m feeling down, overwhelmed, or mentally and emotionally exhausted.

What’s great is that, whatever your interests are, you can find a creative outlet that speaks to you. 

I spoke about the wellness benefits of a regular creative practice in a previous post. Today, I’m sharing steps on how to begin your creative self-care practice.

Step-by-step: how to start your creative self-care practice

Continue reading “How to establish a creative self-care practice (+ 2 activities)”

Wellness benefits of a regular creative practice

A regular creative practice can do so much good for you, whether or not you’re a professional creative. 

I’ve experienced so many health and wellness benefits, from having a regular creative practice. And it started out as having nothing to do with my professional creative work.

My journey to a regular creative practice

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Cuban colour palettes

Cuba is a place I’d dreamt of visiting, for decades! I finally went to Havana last year (thanks to one of my dearest friends, Vivian) and the creative inspiration did not disappoint!

I was constantly taking pictures of anything and everything – including ceiling fans, textured walls, floor tiles, signage and more!

Continue reading “Cuban colour palettes”

Soulful branding through crisis: 5 tips

Soulful branding through crisis is something that’s been on my mind. Today I’m sharing from my own experience and leaving you with 5 tips to consider, for your own personal or business brand.

I think it’s clear to us all that, from this time of COVID-19 onwards, business cannot continue as usual. 

There are all kinds of professional AND personal strains that this time has put on many of us. Financial concerns; worries around our employment and keeping our businesses afloat; added responsibilities with our children at home; and the trauma of losing a way of life that’s all we’ve ever known.

I don’t know about you but, I woke up the other day, exhausted!

Continue reading “Soulful branding through crisis: 5 tips”

Creative inspiration: 3 unexpected ways to find it

Creative inspiration is one of the things I’m so thankful for. I never seem to run out of it! It’s got me thinking that, this creative block thing is possibly something that none of us ever has to struggle with.

I decided to try and understand what keeps the inspiration coming for me, so I can share it with those who need to give the creative juices a stir.

Here are my first thoughts.

Continue reading “Creative inspiration: 3 unexpected ways to find it”

Creative business resources during COVID-19

We’re living in the most surreal of times – dealing with such a mix of emotions, adjustments, challenges and also… opportunities. Sometimes, we need a little help recognising those opportunities. That’s why I’ve brought together these creative business resources for you.

Let’s begin by remembering our value

I shared a post on my Instagram the other day, that seemed to resonate with so many. I’ll share the caption again here:

No time has ever been easy for creatives to make a living. Our crafts are often seen as luxuries, nice-to-haves. 

And yet, as something I read the other day reminded us: imagine this time of self-isolation WITHOUT the arts?! No music, no poetry, no movies… the list could go on! Continue reading “Creative business resources during COVID-19”

Afri-love Women is 3! 3 lessons, 3 most popular topics + 3 reasons to join a personal/professional growth community

Tomorrrow marks the third anniversary of the Afri-love Women community. 

I started it on a whim, one sleepless night, a couple of months before my son was born. I’d wanted to start a Facebook group for a while but, I wasn’t clear on a purpose and so I let it be.

Thankfully, pregnancy insomnia was pretty productive for me (I also created the Soulful Branding Challenge course during this period!). On the night in question, after futile attempts at comfort, with all sorts of pillow configurations, Afri-love Women was born. 

In the past 3 years, I have gained SO MUCH from the women in the group. The diversity of our members’ locations, backgrounds, experience, creative disciplines, perspectives and more – makes for such richness.

As I celebrate this little space on the internet, I would like to share three threes. Continue reading “Afri-love Women is 3! 3 lessons, 3 most popular topics + 3 reasons to join a personal/professional growth community”

Notebook ideas to nourish the soul

Calling all stationery lovers! We know how you hoard beautiful notebooks, knowing that one day they’ll be useful. Saving them for that special moment when the time will be just right. Sometimes all you need is some good notebook ideas to bring them out of hiding and out in the open for your daily delight!

Coping during uncertain times

In these uncertain times, some of us have more time on our hands than usual. Some of us are juggling working from home and childcare and so perhaps have less time on our hands. One thing that does seem to be common is a desire for reflection. For mental pause and recalibration. And a craving for routine, now that many of our former ones have been turned upside down.

Nourish your soul with these notebook ideas 

So perhaps, dear friend, this is the perfect time to pull out that notebook you’ve been saving and dedicate it to something nourishing for the soul.

Here are some notebook ideas to inspire you: Continue reading “Notebook ideas to nourish the soul”