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. 

 Continue reading “Transitioning from employee to creative business owner”

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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How to take your creativity seriously

Wondering how to take your creativity seriously? Well first, you need to take yourself seriously. And judging by the overwhelming response to my post “9 signs you’re not taking yourself seriously,” it’s clear that many of us aren’t! 

As I reminded a member of my Afri-love Women community, who shared that the post had made her cry: sometimes we have to breakdown in order to breakthrough. 

Once the realisation has sunk in, we often just need the right tools and the support and accountability that comes from being in a like-minded community. I’ve got you on both fronts! 

Let’s begin with the tools

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9 content creation strategies for creatives

Why content creation is important for your creative business

Content creation is an integral part of growing your brand and your business. 

Content helps you to establish and nurture relationships with your audience, building community. It involves sharing your unique genius with them, in the interests of service and making their lives better.

So you see, content creation is not an extra or a nice-to-have. That’s where many of us go wrong and miss out on so many opportunities to get to where we want to be. 

It’s so easy to neglect your content creation when things are going well and you’re busy. However, doing this is to the detriment of ensuring that the abundance you’re enjoying isn’t just temporary.

Content needs to be a priority if we want to grow and thrive.

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9 signs you’re not taking yourself seriously

My has this been a season of growth?! 

Personally, I’ve been making more and more small positive changes, in every aspect of my life, and it’s bringing me better and better results.

I feel more mentally well and resilient than ever; physically, I feel stronger and fitter than I’ve been in decades; my son-shine is thriving; my close relationships are nourishing; my creative business is growing; and my current levels of creativity, joy and confidence are unmatched! 

A lot of it has been inspired by deeply checking in with my purpose; working on feeling truly worthy (not just intellectually appreciating I should feel this way); and adjusting my thoughts and behaviour to match.

It’s a cold pill to swallow but, I realise I’ve spent most of my adult life, not taking myself seriously.

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5 conditions for a more creative life: start your revolution today

I never want to hear you say you’re not creative! 

I believe creativity is about curiosity and openness, rather than being about possessing particular skills, talents, certifications or accolades.

A creative life is available for all of us, regardless of what that parent/teacher/random stranger told us, when we were young and still freely exploring life!

It surprises me how many of us developed hang-ups from experiences like this, that we’re still carrying, decades later. This negative early programming brings no service to our lives and I’m determined to help reverse it! Continue reading “5 conditions for a more creative life: start your revolution today”

3 creative paths to a richer life

3 creative paths to a richer life

I remember a conversation I had, way over a decade ago, with a couple of friends who were a few years older than me. They spoke about how 26 was the point at which both of them decided to get free! They left jobs, careers and lives, that fit the expectations of others, to pursue what was in their hearts.

Last week, a member of my team asked me about the biggest risk I’d ever taken. Leaving my job without a solid plan, while living in a foreign country, was definitely one of them. I did that at 26. 

What’s in a number? I got curious and found this:

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Time management for the person you want to be

Time management is an essential life skill that many of us struggle with, at some point in our lives. 

We may possess all the genius and creativity in the world but, without strong time management skills, the freedom, impact and prosperity we desire, will always remain out of reach. Continue reading “Time management for the person you want to be”