lulu kitololo

31 income streams for creatives

With all the changes our world is going through, many more people are now appreciating the value of having multiple income streams. 

I know I am. COVID-19 rendered 3 of my income streams non-viable because they all relied on people coming together physically – Afri-love Fest, Afri-love Connection Club and my graphic recording services. 

Luckily for my business, I had a few others that weren’t dependent on human interactions in real life and recently launched another. It has meant I can continue to support myself and my team.

If you’ve been thinking of pivoting or diversifying your income, there’s no time like the present to take action!

In case you’re feeling stuck, here are plenty of ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Continue reading “31 income streams for creatives”

10 biggest takeaways from 10 years of Afri-love

Today, Afri-love is 10 years old. 

What originally began as a blog has come to be so much more. 

I started Afri-love to celebrate African creativity and remind us how much we have to be proud of. I knew I wanted it to one day be more than just a blog but, at the time, I didn’t realise how much it would be a platform for my own self-discovery as an individual, as a creative and as a business owner.

2 weeks ago, I announced Free to Create – my new online membership to help creatives thrive. When I think about it, it’s the perfect culmination of this 10 year journey so far.

I’m reminded of the 10,000 hours theory, popularised by Malcolm Gladwell, contested as it is. I started my creative business, not long after I started this blog. It appears it’s taken me 10,000 hours – 10 years – to experiment, establish and refine my creative voice and align with my purpose.

Part of that purpose is to share everything I learn! In that spirit, I invite you to look back at the journey with me, as I share

The biggest takeaways from the past 10 years.

Continue reading “10 biggest takeaways from 10 years of Afri-love”

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

Continue reading “Wellness benefits of a regular creative practice”

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”