Creating Your Own Path: Recent Episodes
Jennifer Newman
Creating Your Own Path is a weekly interview series featuring inspiring individuals and change-makers from various creative industries.
In asking others about their journeys, I've found that we creatives often veer off course, forge our own paths and don't always fit a particular mold. We tend to be a multifaceted bunch and this interview series seeks to find common ground among us all. Prepare to be challenged, inspired and motivated.
Today, I’m chatting with our CYOP artist resident Malia Tong as we wrap up Season 6 of CYOP. Listen in as we talk about what we’ve both learned over the course of the season, what’s changed in our lives and careers and some of the surprising things we see on the horizon for our respective work.
SHOW NOTES:
- Episode 134 with Malia
- Episode 139 with Malia
- Malia on Instagram
- Malia on Etsy
- Technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- CYOP on Instagram
- Get the Creative Digest
On today’s show, we catch up with past CYOP guests Maritza and Roshaun Davis of the Sacramento Kings and Unseen Heroes, respectively, to talk about Maritza’s recent decision to take on a full-time role outside of Unseen Heroes and what it’s meant for their business, their family and their personal career goals. We also talk about what it’s been like for Roshaun as he’s taken the reins at Unseen Heroes, why he’s assessing how they want to scale the business next and what he does to stay grounded when both he and Maritza are moving a million miles a minute.
- Unseen Heroes website
- Unseen Heroes on Instagram
- Roshaun on Instagram
- The Sacramento Kings website
- The Sacramento Kings on Instagram
- Maritza on Instagram
- Capitol Floats
- Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
- Art by Malia Tong
- Technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
On today’s show, I chat with illustrator and writer Ludi Leiva about how she’s transitioned from working in media full-time to working for herself. We also dive into what it means to be a creative in a place like New York (and why she’s decided to move out of the city), why she believes we all need to stop worrying about the perceptions of others, and why her family history has her dreaming of some really beautiful projects.
SHOW NOTES:
- Ludi's website
- Ludi on Instagram + Twitter
- Ludi's work for Refinery29
- Art by Malia Tong
- Technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- CYOP on Instagram
- Get the Creative Digest
Today’s show is an interview with multidisciplinary artist Tia Keo. Her story is one I think many of us can relate to — especially if we’ve been working creatively for a while.
In the episode, we discuss how she’s been playing with different mediums over the years to stay creatively inspired and to combat the burnout that comes with working in one medium for so long. We also chat about the dangers of the creative hustle — pushing and pushing to find success — and how she’s discovered a certain amount of flow that is opening up opportunities she may have never considered.
I loved hearing how intentional Tia is about creating habits while also making space for the unexpected. I hope you’ll get just as much as I did from this interview.
SHOW NOTES:
- Tia's website
- Tia on Instagram
- Tia's laser cut jewelry designs at Silvercocoon
- Art by Malia Tong
- Technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
Today’s episode will get you a front row seat at my recent talk at Sacramento’s Creative Mornings event last month. In it, I discuss the challenges I’ve faced, both personally and professionally, as I’ve navigated significant losses over the last several years. The theme for this talk was END and I cover how I’ve worked to claim my narrative while I was going through the grief process surrounding my divorce and the death of a loved one. As always, my goal in sharing these kinds of topics is to help others who might be going through something similar.
SHOW NOTES:
- My Creative Mornings talk (video)
- Sacramento Creative Mornings on Instagram
- Creative Mornings
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
On today’s show, I sit down with Meagan Lewis of Brown Pigeon and Alejandra Magana of Echeri Ceramics to talk about their respective businesses and a joint venture — the Spottery — they submitted to the Calling All Dreamers contest. In the short time between our conversation being recorded and this interview going live, they made some major decisions about their business. Listen in to hear all of the lessons they’ve learned since initially jumping into the contest.
- Vote for The Spottery in the Calling All Dreamers Contest!
- The Spottery on Instagram
- Brown Pigeon on Instagram
- Shop Echeri Ceramics
- Echeri Ceramics on Instargam
- Art by Malia Tong
- Technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
Several months ago, I was lucky enough to be on my friend Non’s podcast called “You, Me, Empathy,” which is a show about mental health and wellness. He kindly shared the audio and today’s show is his interview with me as a guest. In the episode, I chat about my recent experiences with loss, both through death and divorce. We also discuss the importance of sitting with the uncertainty that is the grieving process and allowing ourselves to slowly make our way through it.
SHOW NOTES:
- Original interview on You, Me, Empathy
- You, Me, Empathy on Instagram
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
Today’s episode is an interview with blogger, interior designer and content creator Shavonda Gardner. In the episode, we chat about how her military background actually helped her as she’s built her business, why she shares so openly about many different topics on social media, and the importance of choosing who and what we surround ourselves with every day.
SHOW NOTES:
- Shavonda's interior design and lifestyle blog
- Shavonda on Instagram
- My favorite highlights from Shavonda's Instagram stories:
- White Women Do Work
- Race Resources
- Education System
- Technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
Today’s show is a chat between me and our CYOP Artist Resident Malia Tong. The artist residency includes several co-hosted conversations on topics that are either timely, top of mind or both, and this is one of those chats. On the show, we catch up on what we’re working through in our careers right now, what previous jobs have taught us about life, work and everything in between, and what skills we feel like we’re collecting and perfecting on the job right now.
SHOW NOTES:
- Malia’s initial CYOP interview
- Malia on Instagram
- Malia on Etsy
- Technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
In this episode, you’ll meet Zahra Ammar, whose work can only be described as mesmerizing. She works primarily with paper and uses styles like quilling and origami to bring stunning imagery to life. Listen in as she talks about the big leaps she’s taken in her life and career, how important it is for her to watch people experience her art and why she believes that both taking breaks for outdoor adventures and sitting down to do the work have helped her succeed.
- Zahra's Website
- Zahra on Instagram
- More about paper quilling
- Technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
n this episode, you’ll hear from fiber artist Dani Ives who has managed to blend her early career of working at a zoo with her love of creating art out of wool. Dani not only dives into the changes she and her husband had to make in order for that career transition to work, but she also shares how she’s created multiple income streams for her business and why building community is becoming so important to her.
- Dani's Website
- Dani on Instagram
- Dani's book
- Technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
- For the full episode and show notes, visit creatingyourownpath.com.
In this episode, you’ll meet the incredibly talented and hilarious educator and comedian Amy Estes. Listen in as she talks about how she navigated a devastating experience at a former job, the steps she’s taken to be open and honest about who she is across all parts of life and why she is fiercely committed to prioritizing a creative outlet.
- Amy's Website
- Amy on Instagram
- Amy's newsletter
- More about the harassment Amy endured on the job
- Technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
For the full episode and show notes, visit creatingyourownpath.com.
In this episode, you’ll meet professional podcast producer Ray Ortega, who is currently helping out with technical production on CYOP. Listen in as we chat about what it’s like to produce audio and video for a large nonprofit, how Ray landed a creatively fulfilling day job and what it takes to start a podcast (or any creative endeavor) these days.
SHOW NOTES:
Ray’s Website
Podcasters’ Studio
Podcasters’ Roundtable
Ray on Instagram
Ray on YouTube
Ray on Twitter
Crooked Media
More Information:
Me on Instagram
The official CYOP Instagram account
Get the Creative Digest
For the full list of show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
In this episode, you’ll (finally!) meet 2019 CYOP Artist Resident Malia Tong — an artist and maker who currently calls Arizona home. I cannot wait for you all to get to know her and hear more of her story throughout the season. Like many of us, she has a lot of different facets to her career and we discuss everything from how she manages her energy while juggling multiple projects to why she rarely feels represented in the art world.
SHOW NOTES:
- Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy
- Northern Arizona University
- Malia on Instagram
- Malia on Etsy
- Podcast technical production by Ray Ortega
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
In today’s episode, I’m excited to kick off the start of CYOP Season 6! First, we’re taking a trip down CYOP memory lane with 10 past episodes listeners have resonated with the most over the years. We’re also diving into some exciting updates about the show this season, some behind-the-scenes improvements, announcements about the company and more.
10 Shows Listeners Have Loved:
- CYOP #1: Janna Marlies Maron + Jeremy Maron
- CYOP #46: Lisa Congdon
- CYOP #57: Grace Bonney + Julia Turshen
- CYOP #68: Simone Anne
- CYOP 76: Jen Hewett
- CYOP #78: Trisha Hughes
- CYOP #91: Tina Essmaker
- CYOP #95: Rosa Ng
- CYOP #121: Keah Brown
- CYOP #124: Sami Abdou
More Information:
- Me on Instagram
- The official CYOP Instagram account
- Get the Creative Digest
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com
In this final episode of our mini Season 5, I’m sharing some future plans. I chat about what I’ve learned from having a day job, dreams for my business that I’ve haven’t told many people and why you can expect changes from CYOP in the coming months.
Have a great holiday season, my friends and happy listening!
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
In today’s episode, we’re talking about shame. It’s a topic that has shown up in so many of moments over the last year. It’s also something that’s come up in conversation with others pretty regularly, so I felt the need to address it here as it relates to both creative endeavors and life choices.
If you’re open to hearing how I’ve navigated the topic in recent months, please have a listen.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show is all about getting through a tough life event. In it, I share some of the issues I faced as I went through my divorce this past year and the tools and mindset shifts I used to handle my career transition through it all.
If you've ever had to try and keep your world together while it was also falling apart, this one's for you. I hope you'll find my story helpful as you navigate your own.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
After a year off the air, CYOP is back! Tune in to find out more about what to expect in the coming weeks, what's been happening around here and why I'm calling this last twelve months a rebuilding year.
For full episodes from the Creating Your Own Path archives, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
I'm back with a quick update episode about what you can expect from me in the coming year, as both my life and my business evolve.
In the episode, I chat through my own impending career changes, an exciting (though daunting) rebrand, updates about the podcast, the shop, the artist residency, and much more.
For full episodes from the Creating Your Own Path archives, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today is the final episode of Season 4! I'm wrapping things up with a co-hosted chat with this year’s CYOP Artist Resident Melanie Biehle and we're talking all about the artist residency. When I launched the CYOP Artist Residency, I had a pretty good idea of how I wanted it to roll out, but I learned a lot throughout the season and Melanie did too.
In the episode, Melanie and I chat about what we loved about the residency, what we learned, and what we might do differently next time. Melanie also shares some really great advice for those who might want to participate in any type of residency in the near future and some updates about her work as she prepares to close out the year.
Please find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
We’re back with another episode featuring documentary director Sami Abdou. If you're just finding the show, I highly recommend you go back and listen to last week’s episode — episode 124 — before diving into this one. Everything will just make a lot more sense if you do.
On today’s show, I’m talking with Sami about his side projects, what they mean to him, and how he fits them in while he’s working some seriously long hours as a director for the show Intervention. We also talk a lot about the magic of Los Angeles and why being a solid human being is crucial when you’re looking to be gainfully employed in the entertainment industry.
For the full episode + show notes, visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today we’re starting our final three-part series of the season and I’m really excited to be sharing this next guest with you. If you’ve been listening to the show for a bit, you may know that it actually started with a Q&A interview series on my blog before it became a podcast. I really wanted to bring back some of the people I interviewed in 2013 and today we’re getting some updates from my friend Sami Abdou.
Sami is a documentary director and he works on both small projects and some pretty notable ones. For example, right now he's a director for the TV show, Intervention. In today’s episode, we learn more about Sami’s background and the real story behind why he decided to get into filmmaking, what it’s like to direct documentary films and shows, how his career has evolved over the years and how he stays happy and healthy with his intense work schedule.
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today we’ve got the final episode in my three-part series with writer Keah Brown. If you haven’t listened to the other two episodes — 121 and 122 — please go back and listen to those first. Everything will make a little more sense if you do.
Today, I’m chatting with Keah about all of the people in our lives who keep us moving forward. We talk about why it’s so important to have a support system, different places to find and build community these days, and why having the right people in your world will make it a little easier to do the things that scare you.
SHOW NOTES:
- Keah's work
- Keah on Instagram + Twitter
-
DisabledAndCute
- Roxane Gay
- Ashley C. Ford
- Tweet thread about writing/editing credits
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
I’m back today with writer Keah Brown and today we’re talking about something I haven’t spent much time on around here and that’s advocacy and the power of social media.
Earlier this year, Keah started a hashtag on Twitter — #disabledandcute — and it took off just a few days later, creating an entire community around the concept. She shares the story behind it all in the episode and we also get into the power of positivity, how Keah is using her platform to advocate for herself and others, and why representation matters within the disability community and beyond.
SHOW NOTES:
- Keah's work + press
- Keah on Instagram + Twitter
- Cerebral Palsy
-
DisabledAndCute
- Million Dollar Baby
- Alex Slater, Trident Media Group
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's episode is the first in a three-part series featuring writer Keah Brown. She is a journalist who also writes poetry, fiction pieces, and non-fiction essays. She is also the mastermind behind an incredible movement called #disabledandcute, which something we get into a little more on next week’s show. What you need to know this week is that the hashtag went viral on Twitter back in February and has been gaining momentum ever since.
In the interview, we’re starting at the beginning and learning more about Keah’s career and how she fell in love with the craft of writing. She also shares how she gets into the right frame of mind to write across different genres and outlets and why it’s important for everyone to let their voices be heard.
SHOW NOTES:
- Keah's work
- Keah on Instagram + Twitter
- Sarah Dessen
- Tia Mowry-Hardrict
- Robert Jordan, Pianist
- Fredonia State University of New York
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today, we’ve got the last episode in a three-part series with designer, writer, and educator Anne Ditmeyer. If you haven’t listened to the last two week’s worth of episodes, please do so before wrapping up the series with this episode.
In the interview, Anne and I talk about the magic of using online tools to make offline connections and how that’s been showing up in her work lately. She share’s the truth behind what we all see online these days, why she thinks work should be much more playful than it is now, and some of the best ways she’s been able to build relationships that cross the online/offline barrier.
SHOW NOTES:
- Anne's portfolio
- Prêt à Voyager (Anne's blog)
- Navigate Paris (Anne's tours)
- Anne on Instagram, Twitter + Facebook
- Anne's classes on Skillshare
- My first interview with Anne
- Vayable
- Christine Herrin on CYOP #111, #112, #113
- Adobe Max
- Creative Mornings Munich
- Herb Lester Map Project
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community)
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today, I’m back with the second in a three-part series with designer, writer, and educator Anne Ditmeyer. If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode, please do that first!
In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Anne all about the ebbs and flows that come with working for yourself. She goes into how she handles the emotional roller coaster that can come from having too little or, in her case, too much work coming her way. She also offers advice on how to present your work if you tend to do many different types of things and why she doesn’t think she’d be very good at (or happy with) having a full-time job.
SHOW NOTES:
- Anne's portfolio
- Prêt à Voyager (Anne's blog)
- Navigate Paris (Anne's tours)
- Anne on Instagram, Twitter + Facebook
- Anne's classes on Skillshare
- My first interview with Anne
- Design Sponge
- Meighan O'Toole
- Open Classrooms
- Sree Sreenivasa
- Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community)
Find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show is the first in a new three-part series with designer, writer, and educator Anne Ditmeyer. In 2013 I interviewed Anne for Creating Your Own Path before it was a podcast.
In the episode, I’m talking with Anne about how she has been able to successfully build a creatively fulfilling business across many different mediums and platforms. She chats about how living in France, and the constraints it put on her work situation, ultimately made her more creative, how she decides what platforms to use to showcase and provide access to her work, and why she’s never wanted to blog for a living — even though her blog is well-known and established.
SHOW NOTES:
- Anne's portfolio
- Prêt à Voyager (Anne's blog)
- Navigate Paris (Anne's tours)
- Anne on Instagram, Twitter + Facebook
- Anne's classes on Skillshare
- My first interview with Anne
- Samantha Clarke (happiness consultant)
- Samantha in Forbes (portfolio careers)
- How to Be Everything by Emilie Wapnick
- Parsons Paris
- Wordpress
- Squarespace
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community)
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
I’m back with Melanie Biehle today for another co-hosted chat! As many of you know, Melanie is the 2017 CYOP Artist Resident and today we’re talking all about taking a step back from your business in an effort to gain clarity, do some strategic planning, and figure out what’s working.
In this episode, we cover a little bit about what taking a step back means to each of us in our respective businesses, what taking a break might look like from day to day, and what happens — both the good and the bad — when we get out of production and promotion mode and give ourselves the opportunity to see the forest for the trees.
SHOW NOTES:
- Check out Melanie's art
- Melanie on Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter
- Melanie's pop-up event in Seattle
- Me on Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter
- Episode 101
- Episode 106
- Episode 110
- Saatchi Art
- Society 6
- Minted
- Digital Kitchen
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community!)
Find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s episode is the last in my series with Moorea Seal and it’s a powerful one. If you’re just tuning in, be sure to go back and listen to episodes 114 and 115 before diving into this one. If you’ve already listened to past episodes, you know that Moorea is an author, designer and shop owner and she has been very open about the experiences that have set her on her path.
This episode is no exception. We’re diving pretty deep into some serious topics. On the show, we chat about why mental health advocacy is so important to Moorea, what therapy has helped her realize over the years, a how discussions about mental health, wellness, and advocacy are approached within her business.
SHOW NOTES:
- Moorea Seal
- Moorea's blog
- Moorea's 52 Lists books
- Pre-order Moorea's new book
- Moorea on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook + Twitter
- Suicide Prevention Hotline
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
I’m back today with another segment with author, designer and shop owner Moorea Seal. If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode yet, I highly recommend you go back and download that one first. It’s Episode 114 in the archives.
In today’s interview, we talk a lot about growth and what it’s looked like for Moorea both personally and in business. She goes into detail about how her multi-book book deal came to fruition, why Moorea Seal (the shop) wouldn’t be where it is today without a team of people, and how she's known when to take the next big steps with her business.
SHOW NOTES:
- Moorea Seal
- Moorea's blog
- Moorea's 52 Lists books
- Pre-order Moorea's new book!
- Moorea on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook + Twitter
- Sasquatch Books
- Justina Blakeney
- Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess
- Julia Manchik
- Learn more about upcoming workshops here.
- See the new art prints in the shop here!
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack Community!)
Find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today, I'm talking with Moorea Seal, who is an author, designer and shop owner based out of Seattle! In today’s interview, she walks us through the early days of her career and how blogging, art, and Pinterest all played a roll. We also chat about what it’s like to name your business after yourself, how early trauma in her life set her on her path, and why our identities don’t need to be tied to our outputs.
Moorea’s story is one that is full of both dark and light moments and you’ll hear a little bit of both over the next three episodes. I really hope you’ll take the time to listen to the underlying drivers that are at play in everything she does. While we may not all be able to relate to exactly what she’s gone through, her tenacity to just keep going and to trust her gut is one that I think we can all learn from.
SHOW NOTES:
- Moorea Seal
- Moorea's blog
- Moorea's books
- Moorea on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook + Twitter
- Moorea's music on Myspace (!!)
- Artist John Grade
- Myers-Briggs Test
- Learn more about upcoming workshops here.
- See what art prints are coming to the shop here.
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community!)
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today is our last segment with Christine Herrin, who is a designer and hand letterer who has launched her own line of memory-keeping products. She just recently wrapped up her time as an Adobe Creative Resident and today’s episode is all about her experience.
In the interview, we talk about her specific project and why she proposed it to the Adobe team. We also get into some behind-the-scenes stuff regarding how the residency works, why the public speaking aspect of the residency turned out to be huge for her, what it was like to share her process along the way, and how her experience taught her to be both a creative and a business person.
SHOW NOTES:
- Christine Herrin
- Everyday Explorers
- Christine on Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter
- Adobe Creative Residency
- Kelly Purkey
- Ali Edwards
- Sara Dietschy
- SXSW Festival
- Behance
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community!)
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today we’re hearing once again from designer and letterer Christine Herrin. If you listened to last week’s show, episode 111, you know that Christine’s passion is memory keeping and she’s built a business around designing modern products for those who love to capture and save memories. She also has a full freelance schedule as a designer and hand letterer and just recently wrapped up her stint as an Adobe Creative Resident.
In today’s interview, we talk about how travel is essential for jolting her creative brain into action. We also discuss the surprising places she’s found product design ideas in her travels, why she’s okay with both digital and physical types of memory keeping, and how she blends work and travel as a way to see the world and get stuff done at the same time.
SHOW NOTES:
- Christine Herrin
- Everyday Explorers
- Christine on Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter
- Adobe Creative Residency
- Total Girl magazine
- Anne Ditmeyer's CYOP Interview
- Anne Ditmeyer's work
- Blurb Books
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community!)
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
I'm back today with another three-part series and this time I’m talking with graphic designer, hand letterer, and product designer Christine Herrin. You may also know her from her recent stint as an Adobe Creative Resident where she launched her shop, Everyday Explorers Co.
In the interview, we talk at length about memory-keeping and why she feels that capturing bits of life is so important. She also opens up about her decision to move from Manila to San Francisco to go to grad school, why she decided not to finish her advanced degree, and she offers some really great advice about putting yourself in the way of cool people and projects.
SHOW NOTES:
- Christine Herrin
- Everyday Explorers
- Christine on Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter
- Adobe Creative Residency
- Academy of Art University, San Francisco
- Kelly Purkey
- Albertson Design
- TED Talks
- Makeshift Society + Rena Tom
- Creative Live
- 100 Days of Discussion digtal sale!
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community!)
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
I’m back with Melanie Biehle today for another co-hosted chat! As most of you know, Melanie is the 2017 CYOP Artist Resident and is an incredibly talented artist and designer. If this is your first time listening to the show, I want to welcome you, but I also want to advise you to go back to episode 101 and 106 to learn more about Melanie, her work, and some topics we've covered in the past.
In today's episode, we cover a few topics that we both find a little bit challenging from time to time—motivation, focus, and organization. I think oftentimes all of those things go hand in hand whether you have a 9-5 or you run your own business. We talk about the challenges we both face, what’s worked for us in the past, and things we want to be better at moving forward.
SHOW NOTES:
- Check out Melanie's art
- Melanie on Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter
- Melanie's pop-up event in Seattle
- Me on Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter
- Episode 101
- Episode 106
- Pomodoro Technique
- Google Calendar
- TeuxDeux
- Swiss Miss
- Bullet Journal
- Get to Work Book
- Elise Blaha Cripe on CYOP
The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack Community!)
You can find more by visiting creatingyourownpath.com.
I’m back one final time with Rebecca Plumb and Meghan Phillips of Honey Agency, a creative agency here Sacramento that focuses specifically on food and beverage brands. Today, however, I’m talking with them about starting Sacramento’s Creative Mornings chapter.
In the interview, we cover a lot of information that might be helpful for those of you who want to start a Creative Mornings chapter in your city. And honestly, it’s helpful even if you want to create an even that isn’t affiliated with Creative Mornings. Rebecca shares the reasons she wanted to start the event series, Meghan talks about what it’s been like trying to get sponsors on board, and they both discuss what the speakers have taught them over the last several months.
SHOW NOTES:
- Creative Mornings Sacramento
- CM Sacramento on Instagram, Facebook, + Twitter
- Honey Agency
- Honey Agency on Instagram, Pinterest + Facebook
- Rebecca on Instagram
- Meghan on Instagram
- Amanda Sebastiani
- Tina Roth Eisenberg of SwissMiss + Tattly
- Amal Iqba
- Adam Federico
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community!)
You can find the full episode + show notes, along with all of the CYOP archives at creatingyourownpath.com.
I’m back this week with more from my interview with Rebecca Plumb and Meghan Phillips of Honey Agency, which is a creative agency here Sacramento that focuses specifically on food and beverage brands. Several months ago, they also led the charge to start Sacramento’s Creative Mornings chapter.
On today’s show, we get into a pretty real conversation about how they see their business partnership as a marriage and why they’ve had to seek help from third parties like therapists and coaches as they’ve grown the business. They also talk about why they’ve implemented what they call “collaboration hour” at their office, how they believe in the fishbowl theory—which Rebecca explains quite well—and why they’ve had to shift their mindset so they can grow a business that will live on without them.
SHOW NOTES:
- Honey Agency
- Honey Agency on Instagram, Pinterest + Facebook
- Rebecca on Instagram
- Meghan on Instagram
- MARRS Building
- Creative Mornings HQ
- Creative Mornings Sacramento
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community!)
You can find the full episode + show notes for this episode, along with all of the CYOP archives at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show is the first in a three-part series featuring Rebecca Plumb and Meghan Phillips. Together, they run Honey Agency, which is a creative agency based out of Sacramento that focuses specifically on food and beverage brands. They are also the masterminds behind Sacramento’s Creative Mornings chapter.
In the interview today, we talk about their past corporate careers and why working for a larger company helped them both develop professionally. We also chat about how a branding agency brands itself, why being too “on the nose” with your branding can be a turn-off, and why hiring incredibly talented people has driven much of their company’s success.
SHOW NOTES:
- Honey Agency
- Honey Agency on Instagram, Pinterest + Facebook
- Rebecca on Instagram
- Meghan on Instagram
- Sonoma State
- Chico State
- Java City
- Cupcake Vineyards
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community!)
You can also find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s show is the first ever co-hosted episode of CYOP! I’m excited to bring the Melanie Biehle back on the show every so often as a cohost. She is an incredibly talented artist and designer and she’s also the 2017 CYOP Artist Resident.
In the episode, we step away from the interview format and just have an open discussion about what’s going on in our respective businesses right now, some of the big changes we’ve both made over the last few months, and how it’s all shaking out.
SHOW NOTES:
- Check out Melanie's art
- Melanie on Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter
- Melanie's pop-up event in Seattle
- Me on Instagram, Pinterest + Twitter
- My office hours
- Google Hangouts
- Slack
- Melissa Camilleri Anicich
- Steph Jagger
- Thanks to Sandra + Adina for asking awesome questions!
- The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack Community!)
You can also find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s show is our first Tuesday Tips + Tricks episode of the season and it’s sponsored by Twenty20, which is a stock photography site where creatives like us can go to find inspiring, authentic stock photos taken by real-world photographers.
I was pretty excited when the team at Twenty20 reached out about sponsoring the show. I’ve been having trouble finding the time to stage all of the photos I need to go along with my written or audio content, but I was also really interested in finding out more about the company. So, I wrangled an interview with Co-founder and CEO Matt Munson to see if he could share, not only the company’s backstory, but also some best practices for using stock photography in our businesses.
SHOW NOTES:
- Twenty20.com/cyop
- Twenty20 on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest + Twitter
- Tarte Yogurt
- More about the transition from Instacanvas
Today’s episode is brought to you by Twenty20, where creatives go to find inspiring, authentic stock photos taken by real-world photographers. Head to Twenty20.com/cyop for a seven-day trial with five free photos!
On today’s show, we’re back one final time with Micaela and Dawn Marie Hoo, the mother-daughter team behind the skincare line Drifter Organics.
Last week, Micaela and Dawn Marie shared how they funded the launch of their brand and were incredibly generous in sharing the resources and tactics they found useful as they navigated their crowdfunding campaign. And after all of that, I was super curious to know what might be next for these two.
Today, we talk about their plans for Drifter Organics moving forward, why wholesale has become a pretty attractive option for them, how Micaela plans to juggle all of her passions and career goals, and some really solid advice for anyone out there who wants to start something from scratch.
For more, head to creatingyourownpath.com.
SHOW NOTES:
- Oh My Drifter
- Micaela on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter + Facebook
- Drifter Organics
- Drifter Organics on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter + Facebook
- Brit + Co. Remake Festival
- West Coast Craft
- Dandelion Post
- Be Clean
- Legion
- Good Earth Natural Foods
- Of a Kind
- The Creative Digest *(Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack
Community!)*
Today’s episode is brought to you by Twenty20, where creatives go to find inspiring, authentic stock photos taken by real-world photographers. Head to Twenty20.com/cyop for a seven-day trial with five free photos!
Today we’re back with Micaela and Dawn Marie Hoo, the mother-daughter team behind the skincare line Drifter Organics.
In last week’s show, we heard how Micaela’s career began and what led the two to launch the new brand. If you haven’t had a chance to hear to that episode, I’d recommend going back and listening to it before you listen to today’s show.
Today we’re getting into the funding model for Drifter Organics. Micaela and Dawn Marie opted to use crowdfunding to launch the company and they are going to be sharing a lot of the benefits and challenges involved with funding a business that way. We also chat about why crowdfunding isn’t always about money, why running a campaign can be such an emotional rollercoaster, and how the two prepared themselves to make their campaign successful.
SHOW NOTES:
- Oh My Drifter
- Micaela on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter + Facebook
- Drifter Organics
- Drifter Organics on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter +
Facebook * Drifter Organics Kickstarter campaign * Creative Live crowdfunding course * Christopher Hawker's crowdfunding course * Indiegogo * Skillshare * The Creative Digest (Extra interview snippets + the CYOP Slack Community!)
Today’s episode is brought to you by Twenty20, where creatives go to find inspiring, authentic stock photos taken by real-world photographers. Head to Twenty20.com/cyop for a seven-day trial with five free photos!
Today’s show is the first in a series with mother-daughter team Dawn Marie and Micaela Hoo of Drifter Organics. Drifter Organics is an all-natural skin care line that launched after a very successful Kickstarter campaign. You may also know Micaela from her popular fashion and lifestyle blog, Oh My Drifter.
In the interview, we talk about how Micaela got started with her creative career at the young age of 14 and how her mom, who was at stay-at-home mom at the time, was able to be there for Micaela as she explored her creativity. We also get into how they work together as a team on Drifter Organics—especially since they have very different work styles and personalities—why they launched a skincare line when it was clear that Micaela’s first loves were photography and design, and why Micaela’s whole career is about asking—for help, for opportunities, for support, and more.
SHOW NOTES:
- Oh My Drifter
- Micaela on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter + Facebook
- Drifter Organics
- Drifter Organics on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter + Facebook
- Tim Walker's photography
- Gretchen Ruben's Happier podcast
- 100 Days of Discussion (Use code: MOM17 for 25% off print books!)
- Subscribe to The Creative Digest
Please find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Twenty20, where creatives go to find inspiring, authentic stock photos taken by real-world photographers. Head to Twenty20.com/cyop for a seven-day trial with 5 free photos.
We're officially getting into the swing of things this season and today’s show is our first full-length episode featuring the first ever CYOP Artist Resident, Melanie Biehle. Melanie is an artist and designer based in the Seattle area whose work is full of bright colors and bold patterns.
In the episode, we talk about Melanie’s long and winding path to becoming an artist, the process behind the work she creates, and why she isn’t emotionally tied to the term fine artist. One of the things I find most intriguing about Melanie is how open she is to trying new things—from new mediums to interesting sales channels. We also talk about how that mindset was expressed in her application for the CYOP Artist Residency and why she was ultimately the best fit for the show’s fourth season.
She’s incredibly talented, kind, and funny and I’m really looking forward to working with her this year.
SHOW NOTES:
- Check out Melanie's art
- Melanie on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter
- Alt Summit
- Minted
- Society6
- RedBubble
- Saatchi Art
- The Creative Digest (w/ access to the new Slack Community!)
As always, you can find all recent and past episodes of Creating Your Own Path at creatingyourownpath.com.
In today's episode—the first of Season 4—I'm sharing a few details about what you can expect from CYOP in the months to come, why I'm not throwing a huge party to celebrate hitting 100 episodes, a recap of everything that's gone down in the last several months, and a peek at next week's interview with CYOP Artist Resident Melanie Biehle.
From signing an office lease and writing a book to launching an artist residency and creating a new community for CYOP listeners, I'm sharing a lot of fun new projects. However, I'm really excited for you all to hear what's in store for the fourth season of the show.
SHOW NOTES:
- Season 3 Finale
- 100 Days of Discussion
- CYOP Artist Residency
- Melanie Biehle
- The Creative Digest (w/ access to the new Slack Community!)
As always, you can find all recent and past episodes of Creating Your Own Path at creatingyourownpath.com.
On today's show—the 99th episode of CYOP and final episode of Season 3—I'm sharing three of the big lessons I've learned over the last three seasons of producing a podcast.
In the episode, I tell you my download numbers and why they matter, the original purpose of the show, the humbling side of podcasting and why getting to know those of you who listen each week has offered up the biggest lesson of all.
Thank you for another great season, everyone! For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today I’m chatting with Ginger Elizabeth Hahn of Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates here in midtown Sacramento. In the interview, we talk about Ginger’s past and how it shaped her love for food. We also discuss the realities of going to culinary school and the many (many) jobs Ginger took on before starting her own brick and mortar business.
What struck me most during this interview is the way Ginger made things happen—even when she was stuck in the business catch-22 of needing start-up capital to launch something, but needing to launch something successful in order to be approved for start-up capital. I also really appreciated her honesty about the challenges she’s worked through as her business has grown, her dedication to quality in both her products and her team, and her ability to see both the big picture and the finer details of her work.
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today I’m chatting with Chandra Greer, owner of Greer Chicago, which is a stationery store in the windy city. She was recommended to me by Jessica Murnane of the One Part Podcast and I’m so happy Chandra and I had a chance to connect. She is full of thoughtful advice and has a really simple, yet lovely goal that drives her brand.
In the interview, we chat about Chandra’s choice to leave a lucrative job in advertising to open her store and what she’s learned in the last 15 years. She also talks openly about the mistakes she made early on, how she keeps her creativity flowing while managing the business side of her business, why it’s critical to have a support system and how she’s built such an awesome team of employees.
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s guest is jewelry designer Jen Moulton! She's been on the show before (Episode 65, if you want to catch up) and I was excited to snag just a little bit of her time to talk through a big announcement she made recently—she's just opened a physical storefront! I knew I wanted to chat about both the how and the why behind her decision to open this shop.
In the interview we talk about the type of retail shop she’s opening and how the opportunity came about. We also dive deep into the fear involved in taking big leaps, why it’s often important to start before we’re ready and how Jen anticipates her shop opening to change the way she works.
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s guest is Rosa Ng of Young & Able. She's the first in a new segment focused on those who create physical retail experiences. Young & Able is both an ecommerce and pop-up retail experience full of carefully curated items.
In the interview, Rosa talks about the many facets of her brand and why she chose to build a platform for the creative community instead of diving into her planned career in fashion design after graduating. She also talks about the importance of testing our ideas, how she manages her pop-up shops—which are really one part event and one part retail shop—and why she believes in setting realistic goals in everything she does.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s guest is Brooke Barker of the Instagram-account-turned-book, Sad Animal Facts. I’ve been following Brooke’s Instagram feed, which as you’ll hear in the episode, I came across while we were both participating in The 100 Day Project last year.
Sad Animal Facts is a project that is exactly what it sounds like; facts about animals that are a little bit sad or melancholy, but with Brooke’s quirky humor driving the treatment of each fact. Her illustrations are adorable and the facts are things that are funny-slash-sad because they’re true.
In the interview, Brooke and I discuss how her one-a-day Instagram project turned into a book in just over a year, how she’s navigated the new-to-her realm of book publishing, and why she believes in exercising your creative muscles by trying to incorporate new mediums and projects the mix. We also talk about Brooke’s other work and how, even though she gets to work primarily on fun and funny projects, she still has to walk the line between humor and professionalism in her everyday life.
For the full episode + show notes, visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s guest is illustrator Becky Simpson, whose work is a little cheeky and a little quirky, and completely relatable—especially for the ladies tuning in today. If you spend any time on the internet you may have seen Becky’s hilarious “Should I Wash My Hair Today?” flow chart. She’s also created other flow charts that have become favorites, like “Should I Check Email Right Now?” and “Should I wear Pants Today?” I’ve been wanting to get her on the show since last year and I’m so excited to share her story with you!
In the interview, we talk about process and giving yourself the time to explore creative ideas when they make an appearance in our lives. Becky also goes into detail about her first book deal and how she was able to bring that book to life even though she didn’t have a large number of blog readers or social media followers. One thing I really appreciated hearing from Becky is how she’s been able to incorporate her brand of humor into all of her work without feeling as though she’s sacrificing professionalism. We talk quite a bit about the invisible line between letting our personalities show through our work and keeping things professional and I love Becky’s approach.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s show is one of the few episodes I’ve had so far with a repeat guest! If you’ve been listening to Creating Your Own Path from the beginning, you know that Janna Marlies Maron and her husband Jeremy Maron were the very first guests to be featured on the show in Episode 1. When Janna reminded me that she would be celebrating five years of publishing her literary non-fiction magazine, Under The Gum Tree, this month I knew I wanted to chat with her for this particular segment.
In the interview, we talk about how Janna’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis not only played a role in her professional career, but also helped her realign her priorities in both life and business. We also chat about her publication and what it means to write and read true stories, the business side of producing an independent literary arts magazine, and the importance of being patient when it comes to realizing your goals.
Please find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today I’m chatting with Tina Essmaker of The Great Discontent. Tina and her husband created the online and print publication because they wanted to talk to others about the highs and lows of creative work.
In the interview, Tina talks about the big changes she had to make in her own life before she could pursue the work that was right for her. She also talks about the importance of getting out of your own way, the realities of using crowdfunding to finance creative work, and why she believes in the power of picking one thing and doing it really well before adding elements to the mix.
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
I’ve got Chris Brown of Refueled Magazine on today's show to talk about his beautiful quarterly publication, which is all about community, heritage, and discovery. In the interview, we chat about the importance print publications as they fit into the context of truly experiencing the stories and art we consume.
Chris also talks about the balance between doing what fulfills us creatively and focusing solely on what the audience wants or needs, how successfully selling a neighborhood newspaper at a very young age cemented his love for storytelling, and why he has taken Refueled in a slightly different direction this year.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Lizzy Okoro of Bunch Magazine is joining me on the show today to kick off a series dedicated to those who create print publications. With Bunch Magazine, Lizzy has built entire company based on the idea that creative endeavors and business acumen are not mutually exclusive.
In the interview, Lizzy chats about how she came to the realization that her creative passions didn’t have to be relegated to hobbies—that she could actually build a sustainable business around them. She also goes into the details behind the growth of Bunch over the years, how she and her team share stories across multiple mediums and why she’s found it so crucial to be mindful about how she approaches the business.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's guest is actor-turned-author Lisa Jakub. If you’ve ever seen Mrs. Doubtfire or the original Independence Day, you’re likely familiar with her early work. I came across Lisa a few years ago on Twitter and she has since completely changed careers. She’s now a writer living thousands of miles away from Hollywood.
When I read Lisa’s book, You Look Like That Girl…, in which she details her major life and career shift, I knew I wanted to have her on this segment of the show. You might think the story of an actor-turned-writer would be completely un-relatable, but that couldn’t be further from the truth in this case.
In the interview, we chat about how Lisa got into acting at the age of four and how she handled the period of time between leaving Hollywood and where she is today. We also talk about the tools Lisa used to understand how she could view success outside of the world of acting and filmmaking, why she feels it’s important to talk about the difficult times she’s faced over the years and what she’s working on next.
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
On today’s show I’m talking with Mishell Leong, a children’s artist located in Singapore. She started her professional career as an accountant, spent some time in the restaurant industry, traveled a bit, overcame physical ailments and started a family before coming to the realization that she could actually paint!
In the interview we talk a lot about how Mishell worked through internal and external resistance as she embarked on her journey to becoming an artist. She also talks through the research she did as she was refining her style as an artist, why her years as an accountant have made her a better business person and why she remains open to career shifts as she continues on her current path.
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s interview begins a new segment dedicated to those who have gone through a major career shift at some point in their lives. I’m kicking it off with Stephanie Washburn who is a tattoo artist in Roseville, California. However, what makes Steph's story so interesting is that she didn’t start pursuing art until she was almost 40 and found her way into the tattoo industry after that.
In the interview we talk about why she left her corporate nonprofit job of nearly 20 years and how she and her husband set themselves up financially to make it possible. We also talk through the importance of finding great mentors, the challenges involved in being a woman over 40 in the tattoo business, and why she believes the act of thoughtlessly quitting your day job is not necessarily the answer. Steph’s story is an inspiring one and I think you guys are going to get a lot out of it!
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s show is the first in a segment dedicated to those who create with uncommon or interesting materials and as soon as I landed on this theme, I knew I needed to reach out to today’s guest. Katie J. Evans of Hart Variations is a jewelry designer who uses things like butterfly wings, snake skin sheds, bones, entire insects, and feathers to create really stunning and unique pieces.
In the interview, we talk about how her materials are ethically and legally sourced, which is a process I wasn't familiar with. I envisioned her walking along and finding the materials, but it turns out there are actually rules and regulations and official suppliers for these types of materials.
We also talk a lot about her creative process, why she decided to hire help, how she’s navigated the jewelry world to find the right audience for her work and why feedback from her customers has made a world of difference in her business.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
On today's mini episode, I'm announcing some big career changes that have been taking shape behind the scenes. I'm also talking about how those changes will affect certain aspects of my business like this podcast, my e-courses and consulting offerings, and the freelance work I'll be doing.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s interview brings me to Common Space here in Sacramento, California to interview photographer William Thompson. Until recently, I actually had no idea that William had a day job. Because his photos are so stunning, I pretty much assumed he made a living taking them.
However, he doesn’t—at least not yet. He’s got a full-time job working in the banking industry and hopes to one day turn his side hustle into his main hustle. It was great talking to William because I think he’s currently in a place most of us can relate to. He’s working on a lot of different types of projects, trying to figure out what type of photography he likes best and continually practicing to get better at his craft. And he does it knowing that right now the bills are paid by his day job.
As many of you know, I really enjoy talking with people who are at different stages of their career and, even though I’m in a different industry, I’ve been right where William is right now in his photography career.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
I came across Shannon Washington’s work thanks to an article on Refinery29, in which they named her a "Next Gen CEO." She’s a self-proclaimed multi-hyphenate creative who currently works at live media company, INVNT, and runs the travel and lifestyle publication, Parlour Magazine.
In the interview, we talk about how Shannon has become someone who both loves stretching herself to learn new skills and someone who knows when to delegate. She also chats about the mindset shift that allowed her to view work in a more fluid way, why her career pivots have been the key to her success and the realities behind all of those “quit your day job to follow you dreams” mantras we always seem to hear.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s guest is a good one you guys! I’ve been following the career of Christine Amorose since I stumbled upon her blog C’est Christine about five years ago. She has not only filled the last six years with amazing travel experiences, but she’s also landed jobs with incredible companies (she currently works for Vimeo) and worked on really cool projects on the side.
In the interview we talk about how she carves out time for her creative side hustles and why schedules and lists are key. We also dive into what values she looks for in a company that indicate a culture that welcomes creative thinking both on and off the job, the logistics behind working full time, traveling regularly and taking on side gigs, why her full-time work and side hustles complement each other so well and much more.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s guest is author Karan Bajaj. He’s written three books while being employed by various large companies and is currently the CMO of a startup. When he reached out to me, I immediately knew he needed to come on the show because he’s been able to pursue both corporate work and his worked as a published author by taking sabbaticals. I was incredibly curious to see how he's made it all work.
In the episode we chat about his 4-1-4 rule (4 years working, 1 year off, 4 years working, etc.), which he uses to plan out his sabbaticals. We also dive in to the reason he feels compelled to pursue his parallel careers, his best advice to those considering a sabbatical, how his latest break inspired and allowed him to write his latest novel, why he thinks career pressure stifles creativity and much more.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today, I’m chatting with the very talented Trisha Hughes of the food blog Eat Your Beets.
Not only is Trisha food blogger, but she’s also become an incredible resource for those who want to learn more about the art of food photography. In the interview, we talk about how she got started as a blogger and why food photography did not come as naturally to her in the beginning as she had hoped.
She also goes into the reason she decided to teach others how to photograph food (rather than follow the trajectory of her peers by jumping into cookbooks), what she's learned about marketing her photography workshops and ebooks, and why she believes in starting before you’re ready.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s episode brings me to Common Space here in Sacramento, which is a rentable space for events, photoshoots and other fun things, to chat with writer and photographer Ashlee Gadd. Ashlee is the founder of Coffee + Crumbs—a collaborative blog about motherhood—and she was kind enough to help me continue my segment on those who teach their craft to others. Recently, she and the team at Coffee + Crumbs launched a writing workshop that looked incredible! So, I knew I wanted to catch up with her to chat about the blog, the workshop and everything else she’s working on these days.
In the interview, we talk about the amazing community surrounding Coffee + Crumbs and how Ashlee believes that the workshop has strengthened that community. She also chats about how Coffee + Crumbs came about, what the team is working on right now (she may have given us a little inside scoop on that front, by the way) and her best advice for those looking to share their knowledge with others through workshops and classes.
The full episode + show notes can be found at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s episode is the first in a new series focused on those who teach their craft to others and it brought me to the studio of Jen Hewett in San Francisco a few weeks ago.
Jen is an illustrator, printmaker and surface designer who has been teaching block printing to others over the last several years and she has just recently transitioned to working on her art full time. I was, of course, curious to see how adding the element of teaching to her business model made that transition possible.
In the interview we talk about some of the issues that come up around teaching others to do what you do and why Jen actually wants to see her students open their own block printing shops and studios. She also chats very candidly about how she sets boundaries regarding her time and skills, how she's committing to breaking out of her routines this year and much more.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s Tuesday Tips + Tricks episode is sponsored by Melissa Camilleri of Compliment and the 21-Day Insta-Course. If you listened to episode 72, which was the first episode in this sponsored series, you may remember Melissa as my guest interviewer.
As I mentioned on that show, she was actually one of my very first guests on the show in Season 1 and since that first interview she’s been growing her brand in other ways by teaching business owners how to share their story on Instagram through The 21-Day Insta-Course.
She was kind enough to come on the show today and talk about things like how we’re all going to be okay—even as Instagram rolls out the new algorithm, why she believes that building relationships should be at the core of any strategies we implement and so much more.
Not only that, Melissa is offering a really great deal on course registration. Those interested in taking the course can find all of the details at bit.ly/21DayInstaCourse and enter IMREADY, in all caps, at check out to get $25 off registration. The offer is only good through April 8, 2016, which is this Friday, so don’t wait too long if you want to get in on the next session of her course!
I reached out to Amy Stringer-Mowat of AHeirloom back in 2014 after winning one of their Instagram contests and told her I had big plans to take my show on the road and interview her in Brooklyn in 2015. As most of you probably know, Brooklyn did not make the cut during last year’s travels. Luckily, she was kind enough to hop on Skype to chat with me remotely after all this time!
A Heirloom creates beautiful home goods like cutting boards, cake stands and more—and they design, manufacture and ship from right here in the U.S. In the interview, Amy and I chat about the ways in which she and her husband Bill scaled their business very quickly, why she believes in using the tools she has at her disposal to create and how much fun she has collaborating with others.
For the full episode and show notes, visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s episode is the third installment of the segment dedicated to those making physical products for a living and it brought me to Benjamins Shoes here in Sacramento to chat with Benjamin, himself! I’ve followed his work for a while now and have been really inspired by both his work and his story.
In the interview he talks about how NOT winning a start-up business contest actually lead him to a preferable outcome, which I thought was a great lesson for all of us out there who are worried about rejection or failure or simply having things not work out the way you thought they might.
We also go into the fun story behind the Benjamins brand, how he started with one really, well-thought out and well-designed shoe and expanded from there, why he’s looking to increase efficiencies in an effort to scale his business and why he believes the success of his business comes largely from in surrounding himself with people whose knowledge base differs from his own.
The full episode + show notes can be found at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's Tuesday Tips & Tricks episode is sponsored by me and my e-course Perfecting Your Pitch!
Perfecting Your Pitch, which starts on April 4, 2016, is designed to help fellow business owners understand the basics of reaching out to media. The three-week course covers topics like which media outlets to pitch, how to find and properly reach out to media contacts, press release basics, maintaining relationships with the media and much more.
My friend Melissa Camilleri of Compliment (a recent course participant) was kind enough to be a guest interviewer for today's show and in the episode we talk about why I decided to create the course, tips for those who are just starting to think about reaching out to the media, why traditional tools like press releases still matter and much more.
For the full episode + show notes, visit creatingyourownpath.com. Don't forget: CYOP listeners can get a $10 off the regular price of Perfecting Your Pitch by heading over to jenniferesnyder.com/perfectingyourpitch and using the offer code CYOP at checkout.
Today's episode brings me to the Oakland studio of woodworker and designer, Melanie Abrantes. Melanie has built a career around making and designing beautiful home goods out of different types of wood and cork.
In the interview she talks about her transition from studying product design in school to landing graphic design jobs after graduation and, eventually, finding her way back to product design with her current work. We also go into her connection to her materials, why focus is such a crucial part of her work and how she comes up with her various products.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Welcome to CYOP Season 3! I'm very excited to kick off this new season with a four-interview series focused on those who are making physical products for a living. Sarah Perez of Electric Sun Creatives is my first guest and I had an opportunity to chat with her in her beautiful studio at the Warehouse Artist Lofts here in Sacramento, California.
If you're not familiar with Sarah's work, she makes really striking wall hangings and mobiles using found driftwood (along with other wood products) and brass. In the interview, we talk through Sarah's recent press coverage through social media and how it's changed the way she manages the logistical side of running her business. We also go into her material choices, how she ended up making the products she does today and how she plays with limits to spark her own creativity.
For the full episode + show notes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.
Today I'm sharing details about what you can expect from Season 3 of the Creating Your Own Path podcast. In the episode, I chat about the future of my CYOP Road Trip shenanigans, some small (but important) changes to the content that will be coming your way and the new sponsorship opportunities I'll be introducing this year.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today I’m chatting with Simone Anne, a professional photographer and avid traveler based out of Berkeley, California. She’s very talented and offers up insight beyond her years. Truly—some of the things she says in this episode had me thinking deep thoughts about the meaning behind my work.
In the interview Simone and I talk about how she got started with photography at a fairly young age, why traveling makes her better at her job and what made her decide to pursue hobbies that have absolutely nothing to do with photography.
She’s an incredible person and her work speaks for itself. I can't think of a better way to wrap up Season 2!
The full episode + show notes can be found at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s show brings me to Berkeley, California to chat with Lisa Jackson of Good on Paper. As a stationery and print goods designer, Lisa creates both ready-made collections for companies like Tiny Prints and Wedding Paper Divas and does a ton of custom work for freelance clients.
What you might not know about Lisa, however, is that she has a full-time job with an environmental consulting firm and she’s a self-taught designer. In the interview we chat about why Lisa has kept her full-time gig even though she has nearly a full-time workload with Good on Paper, how sharing bits of her personal story on her site and social media accounts has resulted in some interesting collaborations and what it’s been like to grow a family and career in Berkeley.
Find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s show brings to the home of Natalie Davis of the leather goods brand, Canoe, to chat about her career path, the growth she’s seen with her leatherworking business over the years and the magical land in which she creates—Austin, Texas.
If you happen upon Natalie’s website, you may not realize that she also helps her husband with his business venture—a butcher shop and restaurant in Austin—and that up until recently, she was also a design professor. In the interview, we dive into all of her different roles and how each one feeds into her creativity in different ways.
I’ve admired Natalie’s work for a long time and I know you guys are going to love hearing more about her work and her fantastic advice for those looking to go out on their own.
The full episode + show notes can be found at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode is brought to you by STRIDE HEALTH.
Did you know that December 15th, 2015 is the last day to sign up for or make changes to your health care plan if you want coverage by January 1st, 2016?
Time to get yourself covered! Simply head over to stridehealth.com/cyop to find the perfect health plan for you and yours.
Today's show brings me to Austin, Texas to visit with artist, designer and maker Jen Moulton who creates everything from jewelry to leather goods to ceramics out of her home studio. Of course, I’ve been following her journey for some time and when I started to notice a shift in her work and the way she was approaching her art, I knew I needed to sit down and talk with her.
In the interview we cover her journey from having a "real job" to being a full-time artist, how she’s shifting her business model to maximize her creativity and—this was really interesting to me—how and why she decided to take a break from her business earlier this year.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode is brought to you by STRIDE HEALTH.
Did you know that December 15th, 2015 is the last day to sign up for or make changes to your health care plan if you want coverage by January 1st, 2016?
Time to get yourself covered! Simply head over to stridehealth.com/cyop to find the perfect health plan for you and yours.
Today’s show brings me to East Nashville to chat with Graffiti and Fine Artist Troy Duff. He’s a Nashville native who has created an incredible career around his art, but he’s also worked as a model and actor—he was actually part of that iPod silhouette advertising campaign several years ago—and he created his own clothing line as well.
In the interview, we talk about why Troy made the move back to Nashville after his time in Los Angeles, what it was like getting into the graffiti art scene without all of the tools and resources that are available these days and how he diversifies his work so that he is truly a working artist.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s show brings me to The Goat Farm Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia to chat with Chuck Reece—Editor & Chief of The Bitter Southerner. If you’re not familiar with the storytelling platform, not to worry. Chuck and I talk a lot about the website and how it’s evolving during in the interview.
We also chat about some of the misconceptions about the South that seem to pop up time and time again, how Chuck and his team are working to keep The Bitter Southerner up and running, why he thinks the project had so much early success and his advice for those looking to strike out on their own.
The full episode + show notes can be found at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode was brought to you by Stride Health.
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Today's show brings me to the Atlanta home of Stephanie Duncan, the creator of Her New Tribe. She’s a freelance writer, stylist and art director whose work is focused primarily on the fashion industry. I met Stephanie thanks to the work we’ve done with the online lifestyle publication Clementine Daily and I was immediately drawn to her style and fascinated with how she’s building a career for herself.
There’s a lot of talk in the news lately about social media and whether or not it represents real life. I’ve always seen social media as a sort of curation tool and as way to express certain aspects of your real life. I also think it’s a completely legitimate way to make a living. Stephanie’s approach is one of those I’ve really admired and, in the interview, we talk a bit about why she shares what she share on social media and her blog. We also chat about how she collaborates with brands, why she’s such a vocal supporter of emerging small businesses and designers and the importance of embracing your tribe.
The full episode + show notes can be found at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode was brought to you by Stride Health.
Did you know that Stride Health has an algorithm that compares 38 factors to find the best health care plan for you?
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Today’s show is a good one, you guys. After leaving Philadelphia I headed for Greenville, South, Carolina. The city is not only incredibly charming, but it’s also home to the studio of Fine Artist Emily Jeffords. Like me, many of you may be familiar with her work thanks to her blog and social media presence and it was so exciting to meet her, tour her beautiful space and chat about her career.
In the interview we cover Emily’s tips for easing into a creative career, her thoughts on collaborating with larger brands, the importance of having multiple revenue streams and how she goes about earning her customer’s trust.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode was brought to you by Stride Health.
Did you know that health insurance plans change price every year—some as much as 32%? That's huge!
Open enrollment is now underway, which means you can head to stridehealth.com/cyop, sign up, add your current plan and compare multiple options to make sure you’ve got the most beneficial and cost effective coverage for you and yours.
Today's show brings me to the Philadelphia floral design studio of Sullivan Owen. There’s no doubt that Sullivan is incredibly talented in the realm of floral design, but her business sense is what truly reeled me in as we were chatting.
During the interview, we cover her start in retail design and visual merchandising and how planning her own wedding turned her on to floral design. We also talk at length about the importance of innovation in creative work, the dangerous temptation of creating what already exists and the benefits of looking outside of your industry for inspiration.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode was brought to you by Stride Health.
Did you know that open enrollment for healthcare coverage is right around the corner? In fact, it starts November 1st, 2015.
Stride Health has built an online platform dedicated to making the process simple for U.S.-based independent workers. Sign up for your FREE account today at stridehealth.com/cyop and get access to the online tools and on-call support you'll need to make the best healthcare choices for your and yours.
Today’s episode brings me to Philadelphia to the family home of pastry chef and food writer Klancy Miller to talk about everything from Klancy's professional training as a pastry chef to the lost art of informational interviews. In the interview, we cover her long journey to becoming a food writer and the process behind her forthcoming book titled, Cooking Solo: The Joy of Cooking for Yourself.
I loved that she decided to tackle such a fun and interesting take on cooking, because I’ve just experienced a whole lot of time spent alone! There’s something truly special about treating yourself to a solo date—whether you’re single or not—and cooking a great meal for yourself is something I think I’d like to aspire to!
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the Burlington, Vermont hot shop (or blown glass factory) of AO Glass. Rich Arentzen is the owner and general manager of AO Glass and has been in the glass blowing industry for decades.
During the interview, I learned more about how he got started as a glass blower and just how winding his career path has been. We also talked a lot about the importance of reaching out to others—even if it’s a little scary—and why craft, community, collaboration and financial sustainability have to come together to maintain a successful business.
Toward the end of the interview, he also told a quick story about some advice his Italian grandmother gave him and I have to tell you—it hit pretty close to home. Happy listening!
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
I’m pretty excited to share today’s episode, because it brings me to the lovely home of Grace Bonney and Julia Turshen in upstate New York.
I’ve been following Grace’s work with Design Sponge for a long time and have come to truly appreciate Julia’s work as a food writer along the way. Of course it was wonderful to meet the two of them in person and in the interview we actually talk a lot about the wonders of the internet and how important it is to use it as a tool to connect with others face-to-face.
We also talk about the process behind Julia’s work and how it all boils down to creating something people can trust, the moments in Grace’s career when she’s felt most fulfilled, how moving upstate has changed both their life and work for the better and what they’ve been working on lately.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode was brought to you by Stride Health.
Did you know that open enrollment for healthcare coverage is right around the corner? In fact, it starts November 1st, 2015.
Stride Health has built an online platform dedicated to making the process simple for U.S.-based independent workers. Sign up for your FREE account today at stridehealth.com/cyop and get access to the online tools and on-call support you'll need to make the best healthcare choices for your and yours.
Today's episode brings me to the beautiful studio of Art Director and Designer Christine Wisnieski. Based in Cleveland, Christine runs a multi-disciplinary studio where she and her team create everything from brand identities to special art projects. Christine’s work has always caught my eye, so it was wonderful to chat with her in person.
During the interview we talked a lot about how changes effect a business over time and the benefits of working for someone else before striking out on your own. We also had a pretty honest discussion about being open to new ideas by loosening the reigns on the idea that everything needs to be mapped out ahead of time.
As always, you can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to Chicago to chat with Jessica Murnane of the One Part Podcast. I have to warn you guys: Jessica dropped some big news during our interview—some of which I knew ahead of time and some of which I did not know about. One thing I did know about is that she and her family are moving to Charleston, South Carolina! If I’m not mistaken, they’re in the midst of all their move-related stuff right now so send them all of your good moving vibes.
What I didn’t know before we started recording is that Jessica has landed a pretty fantastic book deal for her very first traditionally-published book! She spilled some beans, but not all the beans because the deal was still pretty new when we recorded. However, she’s since given more details on her blog and podcast, so I’ve linked up to that in the show notes.
So, if you’re not familiar with Jessica’s work, she’s an incredible resource in the wellness community. The reason I couldn’t wait to interview her, though, is because I think she’s doing some really interesting things with the ways in which she shares her story, her knowledge and the stories of others.
For the full episode + show notes, visit creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode was brought to you by Stride Health.
Did you know, over 60 medical services & tests are free because they're preventive?
Sign up for a free Stride Health account today and talk to someone who can help you navigate the benefits of your health plan. You can find out more at stridehealth.com/cyop.
Today's show brings me to the home of Katie Michels just outside of Chicago. I’ve been following Katie’s work for years and was super impressed as I watched her transition Off Switch, which used to be a gorgeous magazine, into an online shop full of cards, totes and other beautifully designed items—all of which she creates.
During the interview we talk through that transition and what it meant for her as a business owner, the meaning behind the brand “Off Switch” and how she’s moving forward with her big goals one step at a time.
It was an absolute pleasure to finally meet Katie in person and hear more about her story. If nothing else, I know you all will get a lot out of Katie’s approach to both life and her work.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the Dennison, Minnesota to the woodworking shop of Matt Eastvold. Matt makes beautiful modern furniture just south of Minneapolis and it was amazing to meet him in person and check out the space in which he works.
In the episode we chat about how his business shifted during the recession and how he’s had to be resilient and somewhat nimble to keep his business growing. We also talked a lot about why he’s diversifying his products as a way to keep his varied customer base happy and how he’s streamlining the business side of things to keep it all sustainable and manageable.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode was brought to you by Stride Health.
Did you know that you don't even have to buy health insurance through Stride Health during open enrollment to get access to their support team? It's true!
Head over to stridehealth.com/cyop to sign up for a FREE account today and take advantage of their health care experts whenever you have a question about your plan.
Today's show brings me to the Missoula, Montana home of professional photographer Jessica Lowry Vizzutti. I've been following her work for years and have loved watching her build a truly impressive body of work that includes everything from huge editorial spreads to stunning wedding photography.
In the episode we chat about what it's like working with (and apart from) her photographer husband, why she decided to take on a full-time position outside of her photography work, her thoughts on being a visual storyteller and much more.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode was brought to you by STRIDE HEALTH!
Did you know that a sprained ankle can cost up to $3000 to treat without health insurance? It's true.
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Today's show brings me to the live/work space of Rosaura Unangst, who is the creative behind Pigment and Parchment—a calligraphy and illustration studio based here in Sacramento, California. She’s an incredibly talented artists and, though her work is tied mostly to the wedding industry, she also teaches workshops and is involved in several really fun collaborations.
In the episode, we talk about why those collaborations are so important to her; how her experiences with art therapy have informed the way she approaches not only her client work, but also her approach to teaching others; and how she has embraced technology to stay organized, build her business and cultivate relationships.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
On the show today, I’ve got another Sacramento creative in the hot seat. I came across the work of Omonivie Okhade and her jewelry brand Tula in Bloom thanks to some mutual friends and I’m so glad I did! Her work is incredible and she’s always learning new skills and incorporating new elements into her jewelry pieces. But what I didn’t know about Omonivie is that she has a lot of different creative talents. She sings, she’s a dancer, she’s a writer, she’s an illustrator—you name it.
It was so great to hear about her journey—it’s one that I think a lot of us can identify with in that sometimes we have to try a lot of different things before we get to the work we’re meant to be doing. In the interview, we talk about why Omonivie stuck with a career path she didn’t love for so long, how she deals with the inevitable ties between self-worth and creative success and how she’s still working through her fears on a daily basis to get to where she wants to be.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to Sacramento's GoodWork HQ to chat with Caroline Wintata and Josh Daniels about all of their various businesses. Caroline is a photographer who focuses primarily on weddings, portraits and boudoir sessions and together they run Giggle + Riot, a photo booth rental company; GoodWorkHQ, a collaborative work space for event professionals; and they’ve even started a company with their photo booth designer—Brian Schmitt—that will allow them to manufacture their amazing photo booth designs for others.
In the interview we dive into the realities of working with a significant other, how Josh and Caroline navigated the process of starting several businesses together, how they have grown each brand over time and much more.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the Old Sacramento storefront of Ana Apple. As many of you know, I love chatting with people in my hometown of Sacramento, California and Ana Manzano is no exception. She's the mastermind behind the handmade children’s clothing and accessories brand and her company just expanded in a big way thanks to a local small business contest.
In the interview we talk about how the contest has helped Ana become a better business owner, her recent trials and triumphs as she’s moved from an online and wholesale business to a brick and mortar shop and the way she’s incorporating an educational component into the storefront.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Rachel Smith is our guest on today’s show and if you know anything about the world of craft and DIY blogging, you’ve probably come across Rachel’s incredible corner of the internet. She currently runs her blog, The Crafted Life, full time and—though I don’t consider myself to be super crafty—I was completely drawn in by both Rachel’s aesthetic and by the simplicity of the projects she shares.
In the interview we chat about Rachel’s big leap to take her blog full time, how she makes a living as a blogger and some of the opportunities she’s seen come her way over the last few years. Even if you’re not super crafty or don’t really spend much time in the blog world, I think you’ll get a lot our of this interview. I know I did!
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the Portland home of Lisa Congdon and Clay Walsh to chat with Lisa about everything—from her late start as a fine artist and illustrator to how she and Clay are managing all of the opportunities coming their way these days.
In this incredibly honest interview, we chat about the strange concept of legitimacy when it comes to a creative career, why Lisa has purposefully chosen not to heed the “pick one thing and get really good at it” advice she’s heard over the years and the benefits of maintaining a daily creative practice.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s episode brings us to the amazing Portland-based shop and design studio of Betsy & Iya. Betsy Cross is the owner and creative director behind the incredibly successful jewelry and accessory brand and she was kind enough to take a little time to chat while I was in town.
In the interview, we talk about how much Betsy & Iya has grown over the years thanks to many long discussions and leaps of faith. We also get into the details of how and why she and her husband decided to try working together, why Betsy doesn't think "shop local" campaigns really hit the mark and how she works through the urge to keep moving on to the next big goal by celebrating both small and large victories.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s interview brings us to the Portland studio of Anna Joyce of Anna Joyce Design. Not only is her work absolutely beautiful, but her story is pretty amazing as well. She is an artist, textile designer and soon-to-be author who hasn’t had the easiest road to success.
During the interview, we get into some of the life events that really made her stop and think about her work. We also touch on how important it is to be persistent, the benefits of giving yourself the time and space to create your best work and why failure isn’t always a bad thing.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today I’m sharing my very last episode from my #CYOProadtrip to Seattle. Amanda Carter Gomes is the Executive Editor of Clementine Daily and, not only was she kind enough to share her story with us today, but she and her amazing family let me stay with them while I was in town!
In our interview, Amanda and I talk candidly about the future of Clementine Daily, how Amanda’s many different jobs have all played a role in getting her to where she is today and why we all need to start valuing our past experiences more.
You can find the full episode + show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to Essex Bar to chat with author and restaurant owner Molly Wizenberg. She’s been the voice behind the blog, Orangette, since 2004 and has since had her work published in well-known magazines, written two wonderful books, launched a very funny podcast called Spilled Milk and opened a restaurant and bar in Seattle with her husband.
In the interview, we chat about how Molly tackled her first book and why the writing process didn’t quite go as planned, how her dad’s passing had a profound effect on her career trajectory, why opening a restaurant wasn’t on her radar at all and the importance of continuing to show up and do the work. Molly's story is incredible and I think we can all learn a great deal from her!
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today’s show is with another Seattleite, Jeni Nelson of Magniflora. She is a fine artist, professional photographer and floral designer whose work is absolutely stunning!
In the interview we talk about how Jeni has been able to blend her creative pursuits together and how, more often than not, they actually inform one another. We also chat about the importance of keeping your creative tools accessible, how creativity expands when you work with limited supplies and why we should all stop being our own worst critics.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today on Creating Your Own Path, I'm chatting with Michael Ellsworth, co-founder and principle of the Seattle-based design firm Civilization. The firm is built on the idea that good design can help create social change in the world, which is something that drew me in right away. Their client list is impressive, but I walked away from the interview being even more impressed with their team. They’re an incredible bunch and chatting with Michael was super inspiring.
In the episode, we talk about why process matters in just about everything they do at Civilization, how they sort trick their minds when they’re trying to come up with solution to design problems, the issues young designers are facing today, the importance of embracing discomfort and—my favorite part of the interview—why organizations and businesses should stop running crowd-sourced design contests.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's interview brings me to the Seattle office of Cassandra LaValle of Coco+Kelley. The lifestyle and design blogger started sharing her favorite inspirations online in the early days of the industry—in 2007—and has since expanded her brand to include interior design services, specialized event planning services, workshops and much more.
Listen in as we chat about the blogging industry and why it’s important to stop and think about what might be going on behind the scenes when a blogger or platform looks as though they’ve had overnight success. We also touch on the importance of diversifying without feeling as though you have to do ALL THE THINGS and Cassandra gives some really great tips for those looking to dive in to a creative career.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's episode brings me to the beautiful Seattle studio of Fashion Designer Jenny Fort. After having multiple careers in various industries, Jenny has settled into the design world with her niche fashion brand, Lu.
In the interview we chat about the evolution of Jenny's career path and why she still doesn't feel as though she's "made it." We also touch on how her fashion brand was built out of necessity, the avenues she's exploring to grow her business and how building a creative business is rarely a linear exercise.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com
Today's show brings me to the live/work space of Adina and Zeke Pease of RambleGood and Dog on a Boat Studios. The Seattle-based creatives work in various mediums like photography, videography, written content and, most recently, hand-made goods. Their journey to get to this point has been anything but a straight line and I think that's what I find most inspiring!
In the interview, they go into detail about how they came to terms with keeping their day jobs and studies on track while maintaining fulfilling creative side hustles. We also chat about why they finally feel as though all of their creative passions are coming together through their current projects and why changing the world plays a role in just about everything they do.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's episode with Creative Director and Photographer Marissa Harrington is my final show from LA! I've been internet friends with Marissa for several years and I've always admired her work with Bourbon and Goose and Happy Hour Club. I'm so glad we finally had a chance to spend some time together in person!
Listen in as we chat about the benefits of having a day job while pursuing your passion projects, why Marissa believes that all of her creative endeavors have helped her get to where she is today and how she's leveraging a stint on Instagram's Suggested User List to build a community of like-minded creatives.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
On today's show, I'm chatting with talented graphic designer and founder of The Yellow Conference, Joanna Waterfall. While I was in Los Angeles, I had the opportunity to visit her Burbank office space to learn more about her career path, background and everything she's got in the works this year.
Listen in as we chat about the importance of staying grounded when you're surrounded by fun and inspiring things, why The Yellow Conference is filling a void Joanna noticed in the world of women's conferences and the reason she and her team are taking to crowdfunding to help build, grow and support the female creative community.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the Burbank studio of Ric and Jen Serena. While I was in Los Angeles last month, I had the chance to catch up with the two who, together with their collaborators, are still riding the wave of success that came with their beautiful documentary, "Mile... Mile and a Half."
In the episode, we chat about their own winding career paths, how they coped when The Muir Project and "Mile... Mile and a Half" took over their world for a few years, their strategies for working together as a husband and wife team and why Burbank is the perfect creative hub for their work/life blend.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the home of Lifestyle Writer, Creative Director and Social Media Strategist Anne Sage. I've been a longtime admirer of her work, so I was thrilled when I found out we'd be able to meet up while I was in LA.
In the interview we chat about Anne's new interiors book (out this fall) and how she dealt with the grueling (and rewarding) process of writing and publishing her first book. We also talk about the difference between our online selves and our real life selves, how Anne pieces together her income and why starting a creative career will force you to get to know yourself really, really well.
You can find the full show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the studio of Luke Haynes—a fine artist, designer and quilter living and working in LA. When I first heard about Luke's work, I was definitely intrigued. Not only was I very interested to chat with a man who quilts (they're a rare bunch!), but I was also fascinated to learn that his quilts are truly fine art pieces. They're meant to be more about form and conversation than they are about function.
Listen in as we chat about how his work differs from traditional quilting, where he sees himself fitting in with the trendy return of handcrafted goods and the importance of having a deep understanding of the "why" behind any creative venture.
You can find the full show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the offices of Liquid Pixel in West Sacramento to interview Naia Kete. Naia is a singer, songwriter and super talented musician who, along with her band Kalyde, is creating a pretty unique sound. If her name sounds familiar, you might remember her from Season 2 of NBC's The Voice.
Listen in as she chats openly about the show and how it helped her career, how she and her band mates approach their creative process and why music has been in her bones since the day she was born.
You can find the full show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
In today's episode you'll hear from me about why I'm taking this week off from interviews, what to expect from my LA Podcast Road Trip and how you can follow along with the trip in real time.
Find more at creatingyourownpath.com.
On today's show, I'm joined by Annabelle Needles of Evergreen Lane Productions. Unlike many of my recent guests, Annabelle runs Evergreen Lane—her video production company—alongside her full time job. Listen in as we chat about how her day job helped her launch Evergreen Lane, why she builds travel into just about every aspect of her life, what she tries to remember when the comparison trap comes knocking and much more.
You can also find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the Sacramento studio of fine artist Maren Conrad. Her incredible artwork is no stranger to both controversy and praise and Maren is the first to note that taking risks is just part of the job. Listen in as we discuss how she and her business partner Elizabeth Wood are creating opportunities for fine artists to enjoy new revenue streams, how she's dealt with public criticism of her work and the importance of supporting creatives.
You can find the full show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to Block Butcher Bar to interview Michael Hargis of TBD Fest. Not only did Michael and his business partner Clay Nutting found the incredibly successful music and design festival, they also own several restaurants in Sacramento (including Block Butcher Bar). Listen in as we chat about the always-evolving TBD Fest, why Michael and Clay decided to get into the restaurant game and how they put everything on the line to make their various businesses work.
You can find the full show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the live/work space of Interior Designer Amy Aswell. With her company, Beta Form Industries, she creates beautiful commercial and residential spaces throughout the Sacramento region and beyond. In the episode, we chat about Amy's winding career path, her obsession with vacant buildings, what her dream project might look like and her simple, yet effective approach to creative challenges.
You can find the full show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
On today's show I'm joined by Rita Mehta of The American Edit. If you're not familiar, The American Edit is one part incredible online resource for American-made products and one part retail consulting agency. Rita created the site to help highlight and celebrate American made products and brands and—let me tell you—it's a wonderful resource.
Listen in as we chat about Rita's background working with both large and small retailers, how she navigates the fine line between life and work, her thoughts on "shop local" campaigns and her advice for anyone looking to launch a new business.
Full show notes are available at creatingyourownpath.com.
In today's episode, I'm chatting with Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Inkshares Thad Woodman. For those who might not be familiar, Inkshares is a crowdfunding platform for authors that blends the basic elements of crowdfunding with the many benefits of working with a traditional publishing house.
When I first learned about Inkshares, I was completely fascinated by the concept and decided to reach out to Thad to find out more. Listen in as we chat about everything—from his professional background and creative pursuits outside of work, to the inner workings of the Inkshares platform and what it's really like to launch a start-up.
You can find the full show notes for this episode at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's episode brings me to ThinkHouse Collective to chat with Faith Lopez. As a social media specialist and photographer who loves to travel, Faith has built a career around her impressive ability to build and grow online communities. Not only was she recently named one of Vanity Fair's Top Ten Instagrammers, she has also started curating and managing social media accounts for tourism bureaus and travel-related brands. Listen in as we talk about her career shift from music to social media, why travel matters to her and how Instagram has her moving beyond her comfort zone on a regular basis.
You can find the show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
On today's show, I'm chatting with Allie Lehman of Death to the Stock Photo and The Wonder Jam. Not only is she the co-owner of two successful businesses, she also recently co-authored an e-book geared towards introverted business owners, blogs regularly and still finds the time to take on photography clients. Listen in as we talk about everything—from knowing where we fall on the introvert spectrum (and acting accordingly) and how she manages her time, to the importance of collaboration and knowing when to call it quits on a project.
You can find the full show notes at creatingyourownpath.com
In today's episode, I'm chatting with CJ Alvarado. He's an entrepreneur at heart and currently runs his creative firm, Bamboo Creative, and the popular publishing platform, Snippet, Inc. In the episode he talks about how Snippet came to life as a separate entity from Bamboo Creative and how the platform is adding to the publishing industry (rather than changing it). He also offered up his thoughts on why people should always be at the heart of business, his belief that most of us have won life's lottery and have a responsibility to do something about it and why he has given up email in the mornings.
You can find the full show notes for this episode at creatingyourownpath.com.
In today's episode, I'm taking a look back at a year of great interviews. I've had the opportunity to chat with some incredible people since I launched this show in February and I decided to pull some of my favorite moments from a handful of this year's shows and share them with you all. This show has inspired me, offered up learning moments and reminded me that we're not alone in our creative pursuits. I truly hope you've all enjoyed the season as much as I have. As always, you can find the show notes for this episode over at creatingyourownpath.com. Happy listening and happy holidays to each and every one of you!
On today's show I chat via Skype with Elise Blaha Cripe. She's a maker, blogger and podcaster who has built her business around the appreciation of the attempt.
Listen in as we chat about why Elise stretches herself creatively, what made her realize that she doesn't have to do it all and how she's built a successful business by consistently trying new things.
You can find the show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today I'm joined at ThinkHouse Collective by professional chef and creator of The Roaming Spoon, Sylvanna Mislang. The Roaming Spoon is a vegan pop-up dining experience launched by Chef Syl in 2013 that has been met with rave reviews and sold-out events.
In the interview, we discuss her career path, why she decided to focus on vegan food even though she's not vegan, the dishes her guests can't stop talking about and the importance of connecting around a table with good food. Happy listening!
Find the full show notes at CreatingYourOwnPath.com.
On today's show I'm joined at ThinkHouse Collective by Autumn Sky Hall of the band Autumn Sky.
Listen in as she chats about her career, how she views earning money from creative pursuits, where she finds inspiration, how her sound differs now that she's got a band and why it's so important to operate from a place of kindness.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to ThinkHouse Collective to chat with Preston Tillotson and Tyler Robinson, owners of Sudz by Studz. Together they create artisan skincare products and I am so inspired by their story.
Listen in as we chat about how they went from a contestant on The Voice (Tyler) and a student of philosophy (Preston) to becoming professional soap makers, the new company they've just acquired, their incredibly wise advice to those just starting out. Happy listening!
You can also read the full story and listen to the episode at creatingyourownpath.com.
In today's show, photographer Kat Alves joins me at ThinkHouse Collective to share her creative path. Her stunning architecture and interior design photographs have graced the pages of both local publications and internationally-known websites like Remodelista and Apartment Therapy.
Listen in as she chats about how her background in interior design helps her photography business and why juggling the responsibilities of work with life's challenges is an ongoing, daily practice.
You can also read the full story and listen to the episode at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to ThinkHouse Collective to chat with Rob Stewart, host and producer of PBS shows like Rob on the Road and America's Heartland.
Listen in as we chat about getting out of our own way when putting creative work out into the world, why fear is—in fact—a liar and how Rob's career path took him from TV news to public broadcasting. He's an incredibly talented storyteller and it's safe to say that he's found his true calling in life.
You can also read the full story and listen to the episode at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's episode features writer, photojournalist and founding editor of the Outdoor Women's Alliance, Gina Begin. As an avid outdoor adventurer, Gina details her successes and setbacks throughout her journey. Listen in as she discusses mantras that have kept her going, how she's getting past significant physical injuries and her tips for those looking to head out on their own adventures.
You can also read the full story and listen to the episode at creatingyourownpath.com.
On today's show, I chat with Dean Street Society Founder Hilary Rushford. As a fashion coach, personal stylist and business coach, Hilary has some wonderful tips and advice to share for those looking to make their way in the world of creative entrepreneurship. Listen in as we discuss the importance of asking tough questions about your passions and strengths before you launch an idea and find out how Hilary keeps herself and her business heading in the right direction.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Todays' show brings me to ThinkHouse Collective to chat with graphic designer and illustrator Kristin de Neeve. Her work is incredible and she's been walking a winding path to get to where she is today. Listen in as she shares some sage advice for anyone looking to create for a living, how putting down roots in many different cities over the years has influenced her work and what's next for her design and illustration business.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode brings me to ThinkHouse Collective to chat with artisan furniture maker, craftsman and product designer, Steven Tiller, who is the incredible talent behind Reclamation Art & Furniture here in Sacramento. Listen in as he shares valuable insight on everything from balancing an entrepreneurial life to the importance of failure.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's episode brings me to ThinkHouse Collective in midtown Sacramento to chat with Roshaun and Maritza Davis of Unseen Heroes. Together they founded the Sacramento-based event production company, which hosts and produces dozens of events and gatherings throughout the region and beyond. Listen in as we discuss the importance of collaboration, how they've created a life/work continuum (rather than balance) that suits them and where they find inspiration for their event concepts.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Today's show brings me to the studio of artists Sofia Lacin and Hennessy Christophel. Known in the Sacramento region for their incredible murals and installations, Sofia and Hennessy continue to produce incredible work for all to enjoy. Listen in as we discuss the importance of public art, their tips for starting a creative business and the sometimes torturous creative process involved in their line of work.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
Listen in as I chat via Skype with Anna Watson Carl of The Yellow Table. The writer, chef and soon-to-be-published cookbook author gives us a peek into her creative journey, some of the internal struggles she faced while creating her cookbook (which will be out in the fall) and why she's chosen to crowdfund and self-publish the book.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode brings me to ThinkHouse Collective in Sacramento, California to chat with designer Marvin Maldonado. His career has not only spanned multiple disciplines, but it has also has weathered the brutal economic climate. His journey has been nothing short of amazing.
Listen in as he discusses the various types of design work he creates, his experience with DIY TV shows, how he finds his center in faith and family and why he's moving in a new direction in the coming months.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
This episode brings me to ThinkHouse Collective in Sacramento, California to chat with talented international photographer, Sarah Dawson.
Listen in as she discusses her creative journey, her dreams of living in Paris full-time and why she focuses on taking care of herself by putting her wellbeing ahead of her business goals.
You can find the full episode and show notes at creatingyourownpath.com.
In this episode, I chat with Project Yosemite creators Colin Delehanty and Sheldon Neill. Listen in as the creators of the hugely popular time-lapse project—who kindly called in to the show from the Bay Area and Southern California, respectively—discuss their career paths, how Project Yosemite came about, their love for the national parks, what might be next for their creative journeys and more.
You can also read the full story and listen to the episode at creatingyourownpath.com.
Melissa Camilleri of Compliment // Photo courtesy of Meredith Carty.
In this episode I chat with Melissa Camilleri, the founder and creative director of the incredibly popular Sacramento-based jewelry and stationery business, Compliment.
Listen in as Melissa discusses her journey from educator to jewelry designer, why she thinks everyone deserves to receive a compliment, her passion for giving back to the community and what she's learning as she continues to grow her business.
You can also read the full story and listen to the episode on _ The Journal._
_ Creating Your Own Path episodes are also available for download on iTunes _and The Stitcher App.
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In this episode of Creating Your Own Path, I chat with Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter Shannon Curtis about everything—from her new book detailing the secrets behind her successful house concert tours to a career trajectory that led her from pre-med studies to the dreamiest of dreampop albums.
Listen in as Shannon gives us the scoop on her creativity-filled childhood, tells us why musicians rarely have a true path to follow and how she balances the business and creative sides of being a professional artist.
You can also read the full story and listen to the episode at creatingyourownpath.com.
The inaugural episode of Creating Your Own Path (in podcast form) brings me to ThinkHouse Collective to interview the owners of the Sacramento coworking space, Janna Marlies Maron and Jeremy Maron.
Janna and Jeremy chat about career trajectories, finding time to create, working with your significant other and the art of juggling multiple businesses, side projects and hobbies.
You can read the full story and listen to the episode at creatingyourownpath.com
If you're new to the Creating Your Own Path podcast, start here! In this quick introduction episode, I chat about what you can expect from the show, why I started it and how you — as listeners — can get involved in the CYOP community.
To find all of the full episodes, please visit creatingyourownpath.com.