Opening a brick-and-mortar shop: a tested guide for creatives

Unexpected beginnings

6 months ago I took a risk and signed a lease for a studio/shop space for my business. 

It was one of my goals for 2021, but one that I anticipated to achieve in the Q4, not Q1!

We were deep in the pandemic – unknowingly a few weeks ahead of another wave. We’d had a great Christmas season with product sales but I was wary of being overconfident, only to be left with a significant business expense that I couldn’t sustain. 

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How to clear your mind and create more

Over the years, I’ve been learning and experimenting with various productivity systems, in the quest to live a life of ease and abundance. In that time, I’ve discovered and implemented several habits and rituals with decent success. 

However, I still found myself getting overwhelmed, and every so often, it was paralysing. You know that vicious cycle where you have so much to do that you feel you can’t do anything? Which means the list – and your anxiety – just keeps growing! 

So many ideas and so many action points – not enough boundaries and not enough focus. 

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Planning: make it a pleasure and nail those goals

In the past few months, I’ve been truly embracing my love for planning and organisation and creating tools to help others find more pleasure in it too. 

Naturally, I want to write more about it too!

Being a single mum, business owner and a passionate, ambitious person, means that time always seems to be in such short supply. I have to be very intentional about my schedule and that means lots of planning.
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Permission to steal my mentors and jumpstart your life!

We all know it’s a great idea to have mentors. People who’ve achieved success in the areas we’re aspiring to make our own. People who can guide us and offer tough love when necessary. Mentors who can help us get where we want faster and with less heartache. 

It’s amazing to have a mentor who you have direct access to. Somebody who can give you individualised attention and bespoke advice. However, that’s not the only way to enjoy mentorship!

We’re so lucky to live in an age where we can be mentored by people who live thousands of miles away from us. People we may never get to meet in person and who may never even know our names!

Here are some of my “virtual” mentors. People who, not just inspire me but, who I actively study and learn from. Continue reading “Permission to steal my mentors and jumpstart your life!”

This is how personal growth unlocked my business growth

One of the books I love reading to my son, includes a line that hits me every time: 

“If you want things to change, you first have to change YOU.”
[The Lion Inside]

Truer words were never written and I’ve come to appreciate how much this is also the case, when it comes to business. Personal growth is a prerequisite for business growth

This has certainly been my experience. I wanted to share some of the ways in which my personal growth and growth in business have been connected.

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9 ways to leverage creativity in business

Creativity has the power to change the world in all kinds of positive ways and helping us establish thriving businesses is one of them. 

Businesses that are sustainable in all aspects of the word – positively impacting our wellbeing; our communities and our environment. 

Unfortunately, creativity is still largely undervalued in our society. How many times has somebody asked me to “just give” them some ideas, without appreciating that my ideas are the most valuable thing I have to offer. My products and services are merely vehicles for the delivery of my ideas. Continue reading “9 ways to leverage creativity in business”

9 key elements of a personal brand

More than ever, it’s important to consider and intentionally craft your personal brand. 

What is a personal brand? 

A simple definition is: what you want to be known for. However, this isn’t just about what you offer but, the complete package that includes why and how.

People buy into people. Whether you’re selling a product, a service or even “selling” an idea. 

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Income stream lessons: 9 questions to ask yourself when considering a new venture

I’ve created a ton of income streams, in the first 10 years of running my creative business! 

Here’s a summary:

  • I started off offering graphic design services, including branding design and website creation
  • I soon added illustration to the mix
  • I then started a line of stationery and gift items
  • I launched an online course
  • I co-founded a business club for women
  • I founded a festival
  • I started offering graphic recording services
  • I most recently founded an online membership for creatives

While I strongly don’t recommend doing this much (and I speak a little bit about why here and here), I’ve learned quite a bit about what’s important to consider, when developing a new income stream.

Things to consider that can save you a lot of time, money, energy and heartache!

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Transitioning from employee to creative business owner

Transitioning from employee to creative business owner can be scary!

Will anyone even want what you’re making or providing?

Will you make enough money?

How will you even figure out where to begin?

It’s so easy to be so overwhelmed by these types of questions, that you never take any action and continue sleepwalking through your life with frustrated dreams. 

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6 tips for creating consistent content and loving the process

Last week was the last week I can remember NOT sending out my weekly email. Why? Because I didn’t follow all of the advice I’m sharing with you in this post! 

Don’t be me (but do give yourself grace because, we can’t be perfect all of the time ;)).

Adventures with consistency

I made this commitment to create consistent email content, over 3 years ago, just before my son was born. 

Naturally, I wanted to take time off when he arrived. Being that I run my own creative studio, where I deliver a lot of the work, I knew business would be slow as a result. However, I wanted to keep the pipeline of work healthy, for when I was ready to return. I decided sending out a weekly email to my list was one way I could do that. 

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