Shows
Startist Society129: From Zero to Engaged - Creating an Email List that WorksArtists often ask, why do I need an email list when I already post on Instagram? Laura and Nikki share the answers: social media platforms can change their rules overnight, limit your reach, or even disappear entirely. Your email list belongs to you – nobody can take it away or stand between you and your audience. Listen in as we talk about how to get started and what to share with your email subscribers! You can also access a FREE pdf download with our email marketing tips + a template for your first email! READ SHOW NOTES + DOWNLOAD YOUR FR...2025-05-2818 min
Startist Society128: Selfies, Sales, and Sanity - Surviving Social Media as an ArtistThe days when artists had to rely solely on galleries or craft fairs to get their work seen are long gone. Now we're all constantly wondering if we should be posting reels carousels or just give up and become hermits! Social media can feel like a full time job that none of us signed up for. In this episode, Laura and Nikki break down social media strategies that actually work for artists without eating up all of your creative time. READ SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/socialmedia/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: 2025-05-1420 min
Startist Society127: Choosing the Best Website Platform for ArtistsIn this episode, Nikki and Laura break down the most popular website platforms for artists and creatives. We’ll help you evaluate features, integrations, and costs to choose the best option for your needs, whether you want to sell your work online, create a stunning portfolio or manage your art business. Plus, we’ll share a handy comparison chart to simplify your decision-making process. READ SHOW NOTES & DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE ARTIST WEBSITE ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST: startistsociety.com/platforms/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STAR...2025-04-3033 min
Startist Society126: What Every Artist Website NeedsIn this episode, Nikki and Laura dive into the must-have elements for any artist's website. Whether you’re just starting out or revamping your online presence, we break down exactly what you need to showcase your work, connect with your audience and make sales! READ SHOW NOTES & DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE ARTIST WEBSITE ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST: startistsociety.com/websiteneeds/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? BUY US A COFFEE BOURBON:...2025-04-1641 min
Startist Society125: Beyond the Logo - Branding Essentials for ArtistsIn this episode, Laura and Nikki talk about the importance of branding for artists - beyond just a logo. They provide some great practical tips for building a brand identity and take you through three different levels of branding investment: DIY, mid-tier, and professional - based on wherever you are at on your business journey. READ SHOW NOTES & ACCESS YOUR FREE BRANDING PDF DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/branding/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ 2025-04-0215 min
Startist Society124: 10 Creative Tips to Maximize your Art SuppliesIn this episode Nikki and Laura tackle the ever-present temptation artists face—buying new supplies—and discuss why embracing the materials you already own can be a game-changer for your creativity and budget. We break down five compelling reasons why using your existing stash benefits both your art and your wallet, followed by ten practical tips to help you extend the life of you supplies, explore new creative possibilities, and stay focused. From mastering your tools to organizing your stash and even hosting a supply swap, this episode is packed with actionable ideas to help you maximize what you alre...2025-03-1916 min
Startist Society123: From Tech-Timid to Tech-Savvy: Facing Your Technology FearsTechnology can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to hold you back from growing your creative business. In this episode, Nikki and Laura share practical strategies and mindset shifts to help artists and creatives overcome their tech fears. From starting small and embracing imperfection to utilizing online resources and celebrating small wins, we break down simple ways to build confidence with technology. Whether you’re tackling a new tool, setting up an online shop, or automating tasks, this conversation will help you take that first step with less fear and more curiosity. Tune in for an encouraging, lighthearted disc...2025-03-0513 min
Startist Society120: Money Matters for Artists: Spending, Saving, and Growing Your IncomeMoney doesn’t have to be scary—or boring! In this episode, Nikki and Laura share practical, relatable tips to help creative entrepreneurs take control of their finances. From tracking expenses to maximizing income and tackling debt, we’re covering all the essentials to make managing your money feel less daunting and more empowering. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & **FREE TIPS PDF DOWNLOAD**: https://startistsociety.com/money/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE W...2025-01-2238 min
Startist Society119: From Busy to Balanced: Our Plan to Make 2025 the Best Year YetIn this episode, Nikki and Laura kick off the new year with a deep dive into their planning process for 2025. We reflect on our personal and creative wins and struggles from 2024, share the lessons we’ve learned, and discuss our goals for the year ahead. From building habits to embracing the chaos of creative business, we outline actionable steps for balancing our personal lives, creative work, and podcast goals. We also discuss our Words of the Year—and explain how these intentions will shape our year. Packed with humor, relatable challenges, and practical advice, this episode is a motivational guid...2025-01-0843 min
Startist Society115: 5 Tips to Improve your Artwork and DesignsIn this week’s episode, Laura and Nikki share 5 quick tips to help improve your artwork and take it to the next level. We discuss strategies that can help elevate your artwork and set you apart from the crowd and share some really fun tools, websites and products that can help with implementing these techniques! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE PDF TIPS DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/arttips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LI...2024-02-2811 min
Startist Society113: Art, Money, Success with Maria BrophyIn this week’s episode, Laura and Nikki interview Maria Brophy, the author of Art Money Success. Maria discusses her journey from corporate cubicle life to becoming a successful art business owner and coach. She is a proven expert at marketing, licensing, and selling artwork, having played a key role in growing husband Drew Brophy's successful art career. We chat about tangible and proven strategies you can use to network in-person, getting your artwork in front of potential buyers and how to battle money mindset issues. We know you're going to learn so much from Maria who has literally writt...2024-02-071h 18
Startist Society112: Presenting your Art Business ProfessionallyIn this week’s episode, Laura and Nikki explore the basics of professionally presenting your art business - both online and in person. We cover everything from communication etiquette to curating your portfolio, creating artist statements and a consistent brand identity, prepping physical artwork for galleries and more. We know you'll walk away with some great tips to put into action as you grow your art business. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/presenting/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INS...2024-01-2419 min
Startist Society111: Photographing Your WorkThis week, Laura and Nikki do a deep dive into getting professional high resolution images of your artwork. Do you need a fancy camera or will a phone camera do? How do you prep your space and art for the best images? What are key things you should know before hitting the shutter button to ensure you get clear, well-lit photos? When are scans useful and how do you properly scan artwork? We'll cover all of this and more in today's episode. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/photographingyourwork/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB...2024-01-1029 min
Startist Society110: A New Year: Looking Back and Looking ForwardGrab a cup of coffee (or bourbon) and join Laura & Nikki as they review what went well last year, what could have gone better, and what their plans are for the upcoming year (both for their personal/professional lives and for the Startist Society podcast). STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/anewyear/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? BUY US A COFFEE BOURBON: buymeacoffee.com/startistsociety/2024-01-0337 min
Startist Society109: Unconventional Ways to Sell Your ArtIn this episode, Laura and Nikki dive into the deep sea of art sales, but not in the way that you might think. They take you off the beaten path, exploring 12 unconventional, out-of-the-box methods to help you sell your art and turn your passion into profit. If you've ever felt stuck or unsure of how to get your art into the world, this episode is crafted just for you! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/unconventional/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST...2023-12-2025 min
Startist Society108: Closing the Creative Loop: Finishing What You StartedWe talk a lot about just getting started. But what about finishing? Do you have trouble finishing projects? Do you have a million half done or barely started projects lying around the studio? Today, Nikki and Laura dive deep into the world of unfinished projects, sharing their personal stories and advice to help you muster the inspiration and motivation to bring unfinished projects to a close (or release the ones that no longer serve you)! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/finishing/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: 2023-12-0626 min
Startist Society104: Beating Perfectionism with Elli MilanToday's guest is Elli Milan, an artist, author, educator, and founding owner of Milan Art Institute and Art Social – an online art education program, social learning, and art patronage platform. She has been a successful artist since 1996, selling over 10,000 pieces of original art. She is passionate about empowering artists and has transformed the lives of thousands of artists worldwide, helping them find their voice and turn their passion for art into a profession. Aside from hearing all about Elli's Startist story and Art Institute, Nikki and Laura chat with her about perfectionism and how it can hold you...2023-10-111h 12
Startist Society102: How to Avoid Art ScamsAs artists who are putting ourselves and our work online hoping to make connections and sales, we can be really vulnerable to all kinds of scams, because we are being very optimistic in thinking that people are really interested in our art. It's important to be aware of the types of scams that exist and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim to one of them. From NFT and payment scams to art contests and vanity galleries... listen in as Laura and Nikki discuss the types of art scams you might encounter, what to look...2023-08-0220 min
Startist Society101: Craft Your Elevator PitchSo why is it so hard for us to answer the question, "Oh, you're an artist. What do you do?" When that happens, do you freeze? Do you shrink and mumble under your breath something about how you're both an artist and you do other things and you're working on several projects right now but it's too hard to explain? Do you go on and on for about five minutes without actually answering the question? If you identify at all with this, it's time to learn how to talk about your art. If you can't describe succinctly...2023-06-1416 min
Startist Society100: Celebrating 100 episodes!Join Nikki and Laura and help us celebrate the huge milestone of our 100th episode! Listen in as we have a very chatty episode about our lives in the last few months, our art practices, our jobs, and the future of the podcast. You'll hear lots of talk about bourbon (naturally) and hear a funny story about a recent episode upload faux pas! You won't want to miss our 100th episode! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/100episodes/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ ...2023-05-1739 min
Startist Society97: Creating CollectionsWhether you're a fine artist or a surface pattern designer, you may have heard about the importance of creating in collections. If you're at the start of your art journey, you may be creating a lot of one off pieces of art. So how do you go about starting to work in collections? And how many pieces do you need to have to be able to call it a collection? How do you create in a cohesive way? Do you need collections to have your work shown in a gallery? Are collections necessary to have your shown...2023-04-0522 min
Startist Society96: 5 Tips for Selling on Digital Marketplaces with Isabelle WoodIn our last episode, we introduced you to Isabelle Wood, a perfect example of a Startist and one of the women in Laura and Nikki's accountability group. One of Isabelle's big goals was to create digital products and sell them on Design Cuts. She made that goal happen and today she's going to share with us her five tips for getting started selling on digital marketplaces. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/digitalproducts/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY...2023-03-2205 min
Startist SocietySelling on Digital Marketplaces with Isabelle Gagnon WoodWe've spoken many times about how we met in an accountability group for Bonnie Christine's Surface Design Immersion course. Today, and in a few upcoming episodes, we want to introduce you to the other women in our group and tell their inspiring Startist stories. In our peer group, each of us had one or two main goals that we hope to accomplish with our creative careers, and we want to share what we've all been doing to reach those goals. We've interviewed quite a few experienced artists who have tons of products, licensing deals and courses, and...2023-03-0851 min
Startist Society92: Nikki's 5 Tips for Going Big with Public ArtLast week, Laura interviewed Nikki all about how she has gone big with her art in public spaces like the front of a downtown building (now covered in Nikki's gorgeous butterflies) and a recent commission she won inside her local airport. This week, Nikki shares her 5 best tips with you so you can go BIG with your art too! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/nikkistipsforgoingbig/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/2023-02-0804 min
Startist Society91: Going Big with your Art in Public Spaces with Nikki MayWe hinted this was coming in a previous episode, but this week Laura is super excited to interview Startist Society's very own Nikki May on how she has literally gone big – as in three stories tall – with her artwork over the last year. She's now working on another special BIG commission for her local airport. She is the perfect example of a Startist! We know many of you are curious about how to even get started with getting your artwork in public spaces, and today's episode will be all about that! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: 2023-02-0142 min
Startist Society5 Tips for Showing Your Face on VideoLast week, Nikki and Laura talked about the fear of putting yourself out there on video and gave some helpful suggestions on how to get past these fears. Today we are sharing five helpful tips that can help you put these suggestions into action! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/videotips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? BUY US A COFFEE BOURBON: buymeacoffee.com/s...2023-01-2514 min
Startist Society88: Will AI Art Replace Artists?There's currently a lot of buzz around AI Art. Many think Artificial intelligence may become the new normal. It's been used for everything from chat bots to creation of artwork, and it has the ability to composite hundreds of thousands of images into elaborate new pieces of art in less than 60 seconds. So what does this mean for the art world? Should we be scared? Is our intellectual property being stolen? Will art directors no longer want to pay artists for their commercial work? Will galleries be filled with AI art? And will human artists become obsolete...2023-01-1121 min
Startist Society87: Getting Back in the GrooveStartist Society is back from our extended fall break and ready to get back in the groove! In this episode, Laura and Nikki talk about what they’ve been doing during their break, catch you up on what’s new in their lives, and talk about how difficult it can be to get back to being creative and productive after a long break. Listen in as they share tips about getting into the right mindset and habits to get your creative groove back! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/backinthegroove/ JOIN THE...2023-01-0426 min
Startist Society86: The Importance of Taking BreaksWe live in a society that seems to praise busyness and burning the candle at both ends, but it's time for us to shift this paradigm and begin to recognize the importance of rest, of pacing yourself and preserving your energy. And when it comes to social media, podcasting, marketing and more, folks are so worried that they'll be forgotten if they take a break. In this week's episode, we talk about how this shows up in our own lives, the future of the Startist Society podcast and the importance of giving yourself a well-deserved break to...2022-08-2409 min
Startist Society85: Developing a Signature StyleEveryone talks about the importance of discovering or developing your signature style in art or design. When you’re just starting out, or if you have many different interests or media, this kind of feels impossible to figure out. In this episode, we talk about the reasons for having your own style, whether or not it’s important, and provide you with some tips and exercises that might help you develop your signature style. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE PDF TIPS DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/style/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: face...2022-08-1717 min
Startist Society84: Peggy Dean's Tips for Building a Multi-Passionate Creative CareerLast week, we introduced you to Peggy Dean of The Pigeon Letters, an artist, author and educator extraordinaire. So if you haven't had a chance to listen to that episode yet, definitely check it out. Peggy gave us such great advice on growing a successful business while breaking all the rules that this week, we've invited her back to share with us five tips on being a successful multi-passionate creative over the usual advice of niching down. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE PDF TIPS DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/peggystips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB...2022-08-1011 min
Startist Society83: Building a Multi-Passionate Creative Career with Peggy Dean of The Pigeon LettersThis week's guest is Peggy Dean of The Pigeon Letters. Peggy is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, an artist, author and educator. And she is a great example of a Startist! Peggy is the author of eight books, a top teacher on Skillshare with over 50 classes on drawing, painting, lettering, digital art and more. She has her own creative membership called The Flock Cooperative. She created her own line of synthetic cruelty-free watercolor brushes and monoline pens, and has created Lightroom presets and Procreate brushes. As a self-taught artist born into creativity through a struggle with mental...2022-08-031h 28
Startist Society82: How to Start a Sketchbook PracticeIn episode 9, we talked about our love of art supplies and our addiction to purchasing sketchbooks. Every once in a while we actually fill some up. Have you ever wanted to start a sketchbook of your own? In this episode, we are going talk about our own sketchbook practices, why we have them, suggestions on how to choose the right sketchbook and more to get you started on your own sketchbook journey. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/sketchbookpractice/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ 2022-07-2721 min
Startist Society81: 5 Tips on Getting Your Artwork Published with Janine VangoolLast week, we introduced you to Janine Vangool, designer and publisher of Uppercase Magazine. She shared her Startist story with us and all about launching and publishing her gorgeous magazine. Today she's back to share her five best tips for getting your artwork published in magazines, maybe even in hers! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE PDF TIPS DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/publicationtips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? BUY...2022-07-2011 min
Startist Society80: Publishing with Janine Vangool of Uppercase MagazineUppercase Magazine is curated, designed, edited and published by the extremely talented Janine Vangool, a one woman publishing magnate who in addition to putting out her beautiful magazine, has created – and continues to create – an amazing series of books called Encyclopedia of Inspiration. She’s also been a shop owner, a bookseller, a gallery curator, a stationery designer, a fabric designer, and an educator. We are kind of exhausted just thinking about all of that! Listen to our interview with Janine and hear her winding Startist story and everything that goes into putting together one of the most b...2022-07-1355 min
Startist Society79: Mural Painting Tips with AlliKDesignLast week, we introduced you to Alli Koch of AlliKDesign. She shared information about her amazing mix of painting murals, designing all kinds of products, publishing books, teaching, mentoring, and more. If you haven't had a chance to listen to that episode yet, be sure to check it out. Today she's back to share more of her juicy knowledge with us and give us her five best tips for getting started with murals. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE PDF TIPS DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/muraltips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: 2022-07-0613 min
Startist Society78: Painting Murals with AlliKDesignHave you ever wanted to paint murals? If so - you will love our interview with today's guest! Alli Koch of AlliKDesign is an artist based in Dallas, Texas who has turned her passion for art and design into a full time career. She is the author of eight published books (and counting!) and is on a mission to inspire others to create as well. You can find Alli's artwork on dozens of murals all around the Dallas/Fort Worth area, on merchandise, and in stores all around the country. When she isn't creating her...2022-06-291h 10
Startist SocietyGetting Started with NFTs with Dave ConreyIn Episode 64, we introduced you to Dave Conrey, an artist and designer who's always exploring creative new ways to make his own art and share what he's learned with other artists and designers. In that episode, we talked about using print on demand on your own website. So if you haven't heard that yet, it's definitely worth the listen. Today we have Dave back because he has done a deep dive into the crazy new world of NFTs over the last year. There's a lot of confusion about what exactly NFTs are, how they work, how you...2022-06-221h 03
Startist Society76: What to Do When Life Gets in the WayWhat do you do when you want to create new art and move forward with your creative business, but life gets in the way? How do you get past the roadblocks? In this episode, we share a glimpse of the crazy things going on in our own lives right now that could easily derail us from our creative journeys and the tools we are using to get past the challenges. If you've ever thought, "There's too much going on in my life right now to ever make any progress"... this episode is for you. STARTIST...2022-06-1514 min
Startist Society75: Gallery Representation Tips with Jhina AlvaradoLast week, we introduce you to Jhina Alvarado, a painter who juggles a full time art practice, is represented by multiple galleries across the US, teaches calculus part time, and is raising the most adorable twins. So if you haven't had a chance to listen to that episode yet, be sure to check it out. Today, she's back to share with us her five best tips for getting your work in art galleries. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE TIPS PDF DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/gallerytips JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.c...2022-06-0808 min
Startist Society74: Getting Gallery Representation with Jhina AlvaradoAre you a fine artist interested in having your artwork in galleries? Are you confused about where to even start with getting gallery representation? Today's guest shares her journey from developing her painting style over the years to getting her work in multiple galleries across the US. Jhina Alvarado is a prolific self taught artist with gallery representation across the US. Her work has been featured in international and national magazines, blogs, and art technique books. Her primary mediums are oil and encaustic. She works part time as a calculus teacher and paints full time in her...2022-06-011h 10
Startist Society73: 6 Books That Will Change Your MindsetBack in episode 23, we shared with you seven books that have helped us in our creative businesses. If you haven't listened to that one yet, go back and check it out. This week, we have another six books on mindset that we think will make a difference for you like they did for us. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/mindsetbooks JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? BUY...2022-05-2522 min
Startist Society72: Urban Sketching Tips with James RichardsLast week, we introduced you to urban sketcher extraordinaire, James Richards. So if you haven't had a chance to listen to that episode, be sure to check it out. Today he's back to share with us his five best tips for getting started with urban sketching. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE PDF TIPS DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/urbansketchingtips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? BUY US A COFFEE BOURBON:2022-05-1807 min
Startist Society71: Urban Sketching with James RichardsIf you've ever had an interest in hitting the road with your artwork and sketching the world, you're going to love this episode. James Richards is one of the best urban sketchers on the planet. He has a background as an urban designer, artist and professor, and spent decades designing urban places and experiences to make cities more walkable, livable and beautiful – the perfect career background for becoming an urban sketcher. A big part of learning his craft involved traveling the world and sketching the world's most interesting places; 45 countries so far. Jim is now a...2022-05-111h 05
Startist Society70: E-Commerce Tips with Elizabeth SchowachertLast week we introduced you to artist, educator and toolmaker, Elizabeth Schowachert, and learned all about her e-commerce shop where she sells her art, her handmade brushes and other art supplies. Today, she is back to share with us her best tips for starting and growing your e-commerce shop. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE PDF TIPS DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/ecommercetips JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? BUY US...2022-05-0427 min
Startist Society69: E-Commerce Success with Elizabeth SchowachertToday we’re speaking with Elizabeth Schowachert, a self-taught artist who has built a beautiful creative life combining a successful handmade art supply e-commerce shop, with her own art practice, and teaching both in person workshops and online. Elizabeth has a passion for travel, ink and encaustic painting and creates insanely cool brushes and tools for artists. If you have ever had an interest in creating your own e-commerce business, we know you’ll learn some great tips from Elizabeth on resources and steps you can take to just get started. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES:...2022-04-271h 04
Startist Society68: 5 Tips on Getting Started with Children's Book Illustration with Mel ArmstrongLast week, we introduced you to Mel Armstrong, a surface pattern designer, children's book illustrator and top Skillshare teacher, among many other things. So if you haven't had a chance to listen to that episode yet, be sure to check it out. Today, she's back to share with us her five best tips for getting started with children's book illustrations. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE PDF TIPS DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/childrensbooktips/ Sign up for Mel's new Joy of Surface Pattern Design Course and get 25% off with coupon code "STARTIST2022"! The Art...2022-04-2004 min
Startist Society67: Children's Book Illustration with Mel ArmstrongToday's guest calls one of Laura’s favorite countries on the planet home, New Zealand. Mel Armstrong has had an amazing life journey. She's gone from being a professional ballet dancer to a web designer, award winning illustrator and surface pattern designer. She's illustrated 15 children's books so far, she's a top Skillshare teacher, works with an agent to license her work globally and she's a mom of two amazing kids. In this interview, we discuss her varied career, her new course, her Spoonflower shop and a lot more, but we are especially excited to share with you al...2022-04-1342 min
Startist Society66: 5 Tips for Society6 Sales with Brittney LewisLast week, we introduced you to artist and designer Brittney Lewis. So if you haven't had a chance to listen to that episode, be sure to check it out. Today she's back to share with us her five best tips for making sales on Society6. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES AND YOUR FREE TIPS PDF DOWNLOAD: startistsociety.com/society6tips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? BUY US A COFFEE BOURBON:2022-04-0605 min
Startist SocietySociety6 Success with Brittney LewisAs part of our ongoing print on demand series, we've been introducing you to different companies and marketplaces and are supplementing our own experience by interviewing artists with expertise in different areas. In this episode, we're excited to introduce you to Brittney Lewis, an artist, photographer and outdoor enthusiast obsessed with travel, journaling and being in nature. Her colorful, bold work includes surface design, typography, photography, ink and more. We specifically invited her to talk to us today about her experience with Society6, how she developed her style, and how she created a successful Society6 shop during...2022-03-301h 05
Startist SocietyPrint on Demand with Dave ConreyDave Conrey is an artist and designer from Southern California, currently working towards building a client free creative business model. When he isn't working on his own creative projects, he spends his time exploring new resources for creating and selling art and then shares what he learns with his fellow designers and artists. He also makes cool things so others can go make their things and put more cash in their pockets. The number of things Dave does makes our heads spin. He paints, he designs posters, t-shirts, typefaces, magazines, he blogs, makes YouTube videos, now he's...2022-03-231h 11
Startist SocietyOrganizing Your Art SuppliesBack in episode 9, we talked about how we just might be art supply addicts and have WAY too many of them. When you live in small spaces or have limited real estate to park your art supplies, organization becomes really important. Laura’s condo is an organized chaos of supplies, while Nikki’s has historically just been chaos! In this episode, we share our best ideas for keeping our supplies organized and accessible in small spaces – and Nikki tries to figure out what she’ll do in her new bus studio! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/organizi...2022-03-1635 min
Startist Society5 Marketing Tips with Danielle HarrisLast week, we introduced you to Danielle Harris, who helps creative entrepreneur focus on marketing strategies and tactics that will give them ethical and sustainable growth in their business. Today, she's back to share with you her five best tips for marketing your business without feeling overwhelmed. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE TIPS DOWNLOAD PDF: startistsociety.com/marketingtips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? BUY US A COFFEE BOURBON: buymeacoffee.com/startistsociety/2022-03-0908 min
Startist SocietySupport for UkraineThe focus of this podcast is helping artists who are getting started with their art businesses. We tend to keep things lighthearted, but with the events that have happened in the last week in Ukraine, we felt drawn to use this platform we have grown to help support those in need. We have decided to donate 100% of the profits on our Startist Society shop, as well as both of our individual POD shops on our own websites through the end of March 2022 to TogetherRising who are supporting organizations on the ground in Ukraine right now that are...2022-03-0401 min
Startist SocietyBack to Marketing Basics with Danielle HarrisDanielle Harris helps creatives prioritize marketing so they can share their gifts with the world. Helping creative entrepreneurs focus on the marketing strategies and tactics that will give them ethical and sustainable growth in their business is her goal. In addition to her 10 years of experience, Danielle has a BA in Marketing, a Master of Science in Marketing and an MBA. If she's not qualified to talk to us about marketing, we don't know who is! STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/danielleharris/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/2022-03-021h 04
Startist Society5 Tips for Profitable Print on Demand SalesLast week, we introduced you to selling print on demand products on your own website. So if you haven't had a chance to listen to that episode yet, be sure to check it out. Today, we're back to share with you five tips for profitable print on demand sales on your own site. STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE TIPS DOWNLOAD PDF: startistsociety.com/podtips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? B...2022-02-2306 min
Startist SocietySetting Up Print on Demand on Your Own WebsiteNow that we've explored print on demand marketplaces like Society6 and Spoonflower in more detail, we want to dive into how you can add Print on Demand products to your own website through providers like Printful, Printify, Gooten, and more. In episode number 50, introducing you to print on demand, we talked about all of the pros and cons of the different options and having print on demand products through your own website gives you the most control over your pricing, your profitability, and your overall customer experience. Nikki has a ton of experience in this area and...2022-02-1637 min
Startist SocietySpoonflower Tips with Ashley Beasley of Presutti DesignLast week, we introduced you to Ashley Beasley of Presutti Design. Ashley is a surface pattern designer who's kicking ass on Spoonflower and Minted, among other things. So if you haven't had a chance to listen to that episode yet, be sure to go back and check it out. Ashley offers a beautiful and meaty guide on her website to everything Spoonflower, but today she's going to share a little taste of her best tips for getting started and making sales on Spoonflower, which we're also providing to you as a downloadable PDF. Read the show notes & download your...2022-02-0913 min
Startist SocietySpoonflower Success with Ashley of Presutti DesignA few episodes ago, we introduced you to print on demand marketplaces, specifically Society6 and Spoonflower. Today, we're excited to introduce you to Ashley Beasley of Presutti Design. Ashley is a surface design artist based in Houston, Texas with a focus on repeat patterns, stationery and print on demand. She believes in keeping things fun and authentic and sharing how she juggles working full time, being a new mom and keeping up with her passion for design. Since she started participating in weekly Spoonflower design challenges in 2020, Ashley has already had 19 designs land in the top 50 and made over 600...2022-02-021h 00
Startist SocietyKickstarter Tips with Jenni KowalLast week, we interviewed Jenni Kowal of Anytime Creative and we talked to her specifically about her Kickstarter campaign for her Self Care Adventure Cards. We wanted to add some extra tips on getting started with your own Kickstarter campaign, so we asked Jenni to come back and share her best tips and tricks, which we're also providing to you as a downloadable PDF. Read the transcript in the STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/kickstartertips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.co...2022-01-2612 min
Startist SocietyKickstarter Basics with Jenni KowalWe have a lot more to share with you about print on demand, but we are taking a short break from this series to talk about another way to get your art and products made without investing a whole lot of your money up front. As artists and designers, many of us are interested in finding ways to get our artwork on products in the world. Rather than waiting for the perfect collaboration with a company, you can create those opportunities yourself with crowdfunding. It can be very confusing where to even start with something like a...2022-01-191h 03
Startist Society10 Print on Demand Sales TipsLast week, we shared all about getting started with print on demand marketplaces and how you can create either a Society6 or Spoonflower Shop. This week we share 10 of our best tips for increasing your POD marketplace sales. Read the transcript in the STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES: startistsociety.com/podsalestips/ JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP: facebook.com/groups/startistsociety/ FOLLOW STARTIST SOCIETY ON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/startistsociety/ LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? BUY US A COFFEE BOURBON: buymeacoffee.com/startistsociety/2022-01-1205 min
Startist SocietyGetting Started with Print on Demand MarketplacesFor the first episode of our second year, we're taking you back to where we left off with print on demand. In Episode 50, we introduced you to the different types of print on demand services and talked about the pros and cons of each. This week, we're going to go into more detail about print on demand marketplaces... specifically Society6 and Spoonflower. Marketplaces are great when you don't know where to start and you just want to get your art out in the world without having to manage the tech side on your own website. These platforms...2022-01-0533 min
Startist SocietyCelebrating One Year of PodcastingThis week marks one full year of Startist Society podcasting for Laura and Nikki! They share how they plan to celebrate - Nikki with bourbon, naturally. In this episode they look back over their first year of podcasting and talk about what they’ve learned and what challenges they’ve experienced. They reminisce about some of their favorite episodes and share some plans for the upcoming year. TOPICS DISCUSSED: What Laura and Nikki have learned from one year of podcasting Clips from some of their favorite podcast interviews Their biggest challenges What they appreciate in each othe...2021-12-0116 min
Startist SocietyStudio and Life Updates from Laura & NikkiThis week Laura and Nikki take a break from the usual interviews and educational topics and get more personal with a studio and life update. They share the latest projects they are working on, things they’ve accomplished both individually and as a team, some of the challenges they've faced over the last year, and they give some hints about what’s coming up in the next year and beyond. TOPICS DISCUSSED: Things we committed to on the podcast and how we did with them The new Instagram feature we are super excited about (and you shou...2021-11-2443 min
Startist SocietyIntro to Print on Demand for ArtistsWe've been teasing everybody about this topic for months and months, but today we're finally going to begin our print on demand series! There's so much to cover that we're going to break it up into several episodes. There are two options for printing: traditional analog-type printers and digital printing. With traditional printers you typically have to do large quantities of each item and there's usually a hefty setup fee. In this digital age, it's become a lot easier to simply print direct to garments or make giclée or inkjet art prints. So companies have started o...2021-11-1727 min
Startist SocietySurface Pattern Design with Elizabeth SilverThis episode is perfect for any of our listeners who are interested in surface pattern design. Today we're speaking with Elizabeth Silver, a professional surface pattern designer and a licensed artist for the stationery, gift and textile markets. With 18 years in the industry and hundreds of designs in her portfolio, she also teaches beginner surface pattern designers how to move past overwhelm and obstacles to create a profitable creative business. She's passionate about keep it real business advice, and moving forward even in a messy way. She's also passionate about ice cream. TOPICS DISCUSSED:...2021-11-101h 05
Startist SocietyShipping Your Art and ProductsIn the last few episodes, Nikki and Laura have been talking about selling for the holidays and one thing that can really make or break your customers’ experience of your products is how you ship them. And when we say shipping, we mean a lot more than just the service and logistics you use to ship. We’re talking about the way your products are presented in the package, as well as the protection and container you use for the package to ensure that your products arrive safely. You want them to be presented beautifully, but you also need to d...2021-11-0334 min
Startist SocietyFacebook and Instagram Ads with Luan JardineThis week Laura and Nikki interview Luan Jardine, a feminist mental health advocate and ambitiously creative Facebook and Instagram marketing consultant that Nikki met in Quinn Tempest’s Create Your Purpose Collective. When we decided to dive deeper into Facebook and Instagram advertising we immediately thought of Luan. We often think the goal of advertising is to sell all the things, but it’s also really important to make sure you’re reaching the right audience in a way that aligns with your values and brand. Luan has a holistic approach that not only looks at your bottom...2021-10-2744 min
Startist SocietyMarketing for the HolidaysDoes it seem like the holidays come sooner and sooner every year and with it the pressure to get your holiday marketing plan in order? In this episode, Laura and Nikki chat about social media marketing, email campaigns and sales, breaking it down so it's not so intimidating and feels more doable. TOPICS DISCUSSED: Social Media The two main categories of social media and which ones you should choose Types of posts to consider How often to post Tools that can help you create video and plan / schedule your posts Ways to expand your...2021-10-2022 min
Startist SocietyMaking & Selling Greeting CardsThis week Nikki interviews Laura about her experience with designing, making and selling greeting cards. Laura has been making handmade greeting cards for over 15 years and has professionally designed over 100 greeting cards for manufacturers and publishers in the craft industry. She believes there’s something really special about receiving something handmade or custom printed in the mail, especially in the digital age that we’re in. She shares some great tips and resources to help you get started if you want to make and sell greeting cards yourself this holiday season. TOPICS DISCUSSED: Laura shares how she g...2021-10-1337 min
Startist SocietyDesigning & Selling CalendarsThis week, we’re continuing our series about selling art for the holidays. Nikki shared last week that calendars have been her best-selling item ever. This week we're taking a deep dive into creating and selling calendars, with Laura interviewing Nikki about her experience. TOPICS DISCUSSED: How Nikki got started with calendars The timeline and process for designing calendars Different types of calendars you can create Designing your own vs using templates / online tools Nikki's fav print on demand company for calendars Pricing - Nikki shares real numbers! How many to order and if you should off...2021-10-0628 min
Startist SocietyWhat Sells for the HolidaysThis week, Laura and Nikki begin the first of a series about selling for the holidays. We have episodes coming up about calendars, greeting cards, holiday marketing, packing and shipping your products and even a deep dive into print on demand! Today we're starting off with a discussion on products that are proven sellers for artists and designers during the holidays. If you don't know where to start... these ideas will help lay the foundation. Take a listen and let us know in the Facebook group which ideas resonated with you the most and if you'll be c...2021-09-2918 min
Startist SocietySelling Digital Products with Lisa GlanzThis week Laura and Nikki chat with one of Laura’s favorite artists, Lisa Glanz. Lisa is a full-time illustrator with a passion for helping others achieve their creative goals. She loves producing professional resources for creatives, her textures and Procreate brushes are by far some of Laura’s absolute faves. Mostly self-taught, Lisa has created a thriving art business and is a rock star on sites like Design Cuts and Creative Market. She thrives on sharing knowledge she’s gained, both as a business owner and an artist, with others through online courses and tutorials. And we’re...2021-09-221h 02
Startist SocietyCelebrating Your WinsThis week Laura and Nikki talk about how important it is to take the time to celebrate your wins – big or small. With all the comparison traps we find ourselves caught in, we tend to rush past our successes and jump right to the next hurdle we want to conquer and don’t congratulate ourselves for what we’ve accomplished. In this episode, we talk about the importance of celebrating, the mindset you need to create in order to do so and share some of our recent wins and what we did to celebrate. Read...2021-09-1511 min
Startist SocietyCrystal Marie of Canary RisingThis week we interview Crystal Marie, an artist and author with a passion for teaching others how to find and discover their own unique voice. Crystal has an established career as a professional artist with gallery representation, a published book on the art of collage, and she's currently writing a book about the intuitive voice. She teaches online workshops and runs a community for creatives called Canary Rising. You'll want to listen closely as Crystal share so many great insights about listening to your intuitive voice and pushing through fear to find the gold. I know you're...2021-09-081h 04
Startist SocietyIs Fear Stopping You In Your Tracks?Nikki and Laura share some fears they both have in relation to their creative careers… and not just Nikki’s fear of running out of bourbon! Listen to 6 fears that can stop you in your tracks and some tips for getting past them. Do you relate to any of these? Share your experience with us in the Startist Society Facebook group! TOPICS DISCUSSED What if I'm not good enough? What if I have nothing original to say? I’m afraid someone will steal my work. I’m afraid to put myself out there and really be...2021-09-0114 min
Startist SocietyFollowing Your Curiosity with Tyler ThrasherIn this week’s episode, Laura and Nikki interview artist, illustrator, musician, self-proclaimed mad scientist and D&D geek, Tyler Thrasher. Tyler has an undying love for nature and its respective curiosities, and there are few things Tyler's brain isn't obsessing over. Between his pursuits to crystallize the world, opalize everything and hunt down some of the most unique plants, his passion to combine art and science every step of the way is his fire and fuel. He applies his brand of hopeful, angry optimism to everything he does. As you'll hear during this interview, Ty...2021-08-251h 07
Startist SocietyDebunking Our ExcusesLaura and Nikki talk about the limiting beliefs that can have a significant impact on the way we live our lives and can determine what's actually possible for us in our lives and art careers. If you spend all of your time worrying about all the things you don't have yet, what you can't do yet, or how you compare to other artists (and similar thoughts of a fixed mindset), it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. But if you approach things from a growth mindset, the world begins opening up and delivering some pretty incredible things. In today’s...2021-08-1813 min
Startist SocietyMary Beth Shaw of StencilGirlLaura and Nikki chat with Mary Beth Shaw, a fabulous artist, product creator, educator and author who Nikki met over a decade ago. Mary Beth has been a full time artist for 20 years; she's participated in indoor and outdoor art fairs, juried competitions and gallery shows. She's the founder of StencilGirl where she produces and sells stencils of her own designs and those of many other artists. She's also the author of Flavor for Mixed Media and StencilGirl, two books that she wrote, and is a columnist for Somerset Studios Magazine. She teaches workshops and many mixed...2021-08-1159 min
Startist SocietyDo You Think It's Too Late to Get Started?In this episode, Laura and Nikki talk about a question a lot of us are thinking about these days: Is it too late for me to start taking my art career seriously? Am I too old? After you hit the big 4-0 mark (or perhaps the 5 or 6-0!) you might question your relevancy in a world that is constantly changing and seems to reward youth, energy, vibrancy, new technologies, etc. You begin to wonder if you’re too old to learn all the tech needed to run a successful business or too old to grow a following on...2021-08-0408 min
Startist SocietyThe Art of Aliveness with Flora BowleyLaura and Nikki speak with the amazing Flora Bowley (who Laura met during her Bloom True painting retreat in Bali eight years ago). Flora is an artist, a gentle guide and author of four books, Brave Intuitive Painting, Creative Revolution, Fresh Paint, and The Art of Aliveness. Blending over 27 years of professional painting experience with her background as a yoga instructor, healer and lifelong truth seeker, Flora’s popular in-person retreats and online courses have empowered a global network of brave painters while creating a new holistic movement in the intuitive art world. In her la...2021-07-2858 min
Startist SocietyCourse Creation with Liz Kohler BrownLaura and Nikki introduce you to Liz Kohler Brown, an artist, designer, author and top Skillshare teacher who not only has 50 plus courses on Skillshare, but teaches others how to become a course creator. She's been painting, collaging and drawing since she was old enough to hold scissors and pencils without adult supervision. Liz earned an MFA in art in 2013 and since then, she's been teaching around the world online and in person. In this episode, Liz shares great advice about getting started teaching online and diversifying your income streams through courses, print on demand, licensing, and...2021-07-211h 01
Startist SocietyShould Artists Work for Free?Laura and Nikki talk about whether or not artists should work for free. As artists, we tend to be generous and want to see our work out in the world, but others don’t always see our art as work – and we often don’t value our own work as much as we should. How can we reframe this view? In this episode, we talk about the impact of working for free and give examples of times we think artists might benefit from working for free versus when we won't. TOPICS DISCUSSED Should artists do spe...2021-07-1415 min
Startist SocietyDo You Consider Yourself an Artist?In this week's episode, Laura and Nikki discuss the loaded topic of whether or not you consider yourself an artist. When someone asks you what you do, how do you respond? Do you feel imposter syndrome if you tell them you're an artist? Or do you describe yourself as something else? Nikki and Laura share their own stories on how they answer this question. TOPICS DISCUSSED How Nikki responds to the question, "What do you do?" (0:55) Titles that give Nikki imposter syndrome (2:14) Whether or not Laura calls herself an artist (3:43) The line between art & cra...2021-07-0714 min
Startist SocietyCreate Your Purpose with Quinn TempestNikki and Laura speak with Nikki's business mentor, Quinn Tempest. Quinn is the founder of Create Your Purpose®, a community of global entrepreneurs dedicated to building impactful businesses (and lives) with intention. She helps female founders create more purpose + profit in their business withoutburning out. Her professional expertise is in branding and holistic digital marketing strategy and she is a frequent speaker at events and organizations around the country. During this interview, we'll take you through Quinn's non-linear Startist journey from marketing in the entertainment industry to the powerhouse business coach that she is today. As...2021-06-301h 05
Startist SocietyShould I Use My Own Name or a Business Name?Nikki and Laura tackle a question that comes up for many artists and other creative entrepreneurs when they start their business – whether you should use your own name or a business name for your brand. In this episode, they discuss pros and cons of each option and share their own answers to the question. TOPICS DISCUSSED What did Laura choose? (1:00) Which way did Nikki go? (1:12) Examples of people who use their own names (1:52) Examples of business brand names (2:23) Pros of using your personal name (3:13) Cons of using your own name (4:45) Pros of using a business name (7:35) Co...2021-06-2313 min
Startist Society13 Lessons Learned from 6 Months of PodcastingNikki and Laura share with you 13 important lessons they have learned after their first 6 months of podcasting! From a casual brunch last fall to 28 episodes and counting, they have learned a lot about the mindset, the planning, producing, editing and launching of a weekly podcast and are excited to share it all with you. TOPICS DISCUSSED Having a cohost and accountability partner (1:11) The importance of humor (2:02) Getting started (2:37) Podcasts are a lot of work (3:20) Nikki loves bourbon (5:03) Not everything you say is brilliant (5:29) The importance of audio quality (6:03) Complementary skills (7:23) Being organized (8:23) Working ahead (9:04) Interviewing people...2021-06-1613 min
Startist SocietyArtists' Rituals & RoutinesWhy should we have rituals or routines? How can they benefit us? Are there rituals and routines that can be destructive or hold us back? In this episode, Nikki and Laura how positive rituals and routines can help reduce anxiety and stress, help you sleep better and be more productive. They go into their ideal morning and evening routines and share the less-than-ideal routines they currently do by default. They also talk about their rituals for getting into the creative mindset and share some rituals and routines of famous artists. TOPICS DISCUSSED Three types of rituals...2021-06-0931 min
Startist SocietyHow Do You Make Time to Create?Do you ever feel like you don’t have time to make your creative work? Between other jobs you might have, the business side of an art career, family obligations and just regular daily life… you probably feel like you never have enough time to do the most important thing in your creative business, which is actually making the art. So how do you find that time? In this episode, Laura and Nikki talk about distractions you can eliminate and how can you refocus your priorities to make more time for creating? TOPICS DISCUSSED: Laura and Nikk...2021-06-0220 min
Startist SocietyTeaching Live Art WorkshopsToday, Laura and Nikki talk about teaching live art workshops either in person or online. Teaching is a great way to diversify your income as an artist and between the two of them, Nikki and Laura have experience teaching in a wide variety of situations. In this episode, they share a ton of great tips and considerations to keep in mind when planning your live workshops. TOPICS DISCUSSED: How Laura and Nikki got their start teaching live workshops (2:11) Choosing a venue for in-person workshops (6:32) Teaching online via Zoom (12:04) Demo and setup considerations (14:54) Do you need insurance? (19:00...2021-05-2649 min
Startist SocietyAre You Doing It for the Likes?In this episode, Laura and Nikki talk about whether or not you create, write or make art for the likes. It’s virtually impossible to get away from thinking about how your work is going to appear on Instagram, so when you make your work, are you making it for the Instagram public, for your potential customers or for yourself? TOPICS DISCUSSED: Pressure to produce art that people like and that will get the most engagement on Instagram (1:04) What are you thinking about when you’re actually making the work? (2:22) Your inner critic (3:14) Time to ex...2021-05-1921 min
Startist Society7 Books That Will Change Your Art BusinessIf you’re a regular listener to the podcast, you already know that Laura and Nikki buy books faster than they can read them. In trying to come up with 5-8 books to recommend on this episode, we realized we had way too many and decided to split them up into categories to share over time. In this week’s episode, we're sharing 7 books we’ve read that have helped us in our art businesses and why we love them. We think you'll love them too. TOPICS DISCUSSED: Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo (1:22) Art Inc.: The Ess...2021-05-1227 min
Startist SocietyThe Art of the Pivot with Kristin Williams of Ephemera PaducahHave you ever wanted a peek inside what it's like to own an art retail store or workshop space? In this week's episode, Laura and Nikki speak to someone who has done just that. Kristin Williams has spent a lifetime playing with yarn, glitter, clay, rubber stamps, paper, paints and glue. Collage with ephemera and acrylic paints is Kristin's current fascination and the basis for her artwork. A Knoxville, Tennessee native she moved to Paducah, Kentucky in 1996, where she fell in love and put down roots. Her business, Ephemera Paducah, is a culmination of years of dreaming a...2021-05-051h 06
Startist SocietyThe Process of Submitting Your ArtIn this episode, Laura and Nikki pick up where they left off last week, and are discussing art submissions. If you haven't already, listen to last week's episode first where the focus was on why you should submit your work and where you can submit it. With all of the many different markets you can submit your artwork to – from art directors at companies that could possibly license your work, to publications, magazines, podcasts, competitions, galleries, shops, festivals, and even art agents…. the question is, where the hell do you start? The focus in this episo...2021-04-2825 min
Startist SocietyGetting Started Submitting Your ArtThis is part one of a two-part series (for now!) about art submissions. If you want to make a living from your art, you're going to have to get it out there into the world and get as many of the right eyes on it as possible. You might be lucky enough to have someone find you on Instagram, but most likely, you're going to have to do the work yourself. In this episode, Laura and Nikki bring up five questions that need to be addressed to help you submit your art. Why should you submit your work? Wh...2021-04-2115 min
Startist SocietyLeverage Your Art with Stacie BloomfieldLaura and Nikki interview Stacie Bloomfield, a perfect example of a Startist. Stacie has been creating artwork for brands and products around the world since 2009. Today we learn more about how her illustration business, Gingiber, went from an Etsy start to the thriving company that exists today. Gingiber has had products sold in over 800 stores, along with licensing deals with major product brands. Stacie’s a Moda fabric designer, a published author, and an amazing educator. At a time last year when product based businesses were really suffering, Stacie pivoted and shifted her focus into teaching all th...2021-04-141h 24
Startist SocietyCommissions and Systems with Miranda van den HeuvelLaura and Nikki interview Laura's talented friend Miranda van den Heuvel. Miranda is an intuitive painter and creative life coach living in Luxembourg. The founder of Create and Connect, she loves to inspire change through creativity. As a life coach, she inspires people to go from reacting to creating their lives. As an artist, she likes to draw parallels between art and life which makes the process so much more fun, personal and valuable. Over the last 10 years, Miranda has developed life coaching retreats, taught in-person painting workshops, given a TEDx talk, developed online courses and painted h...2021-04-0742 min
Startist SocietyTaxes for Artists with Hannah Cole of Sunlight TaxLaura and Nikki introduce you to Hannah Cole, an artist, educator, and founder of Sunlight Tax. Hannah educates fellow artists about taxes and money because she believes creative people are the empathy builders of our culture and when they're financially secure and empowered, they can make bigger, bolder work that will fix our broken world. Her flagship program is Money Bootcamp, a membership which builds financial skills and fosters a healthy relationship with money and power so that artists can get back to changing the world with their important work. She teaches practical valuable life changing money s...2021-03-3158 min
Startist SocietyAre Blogs Still Relevant for Artists?Laura and Nikki discuss whether or not blogs are still relevant for artists. They talk about the history of blogging, how both the reading and writing of blogs have changed over the years, and admit to being less than stellar bloggers in the past! Think you should be blogging? Listen to this episode to hear all the reasons they think you should. TOPICS DISCUSSED: What blogging was like 10-15 years ago (1:27) The different blogs Laura and Nikki read (1:56) How social media and email newsletters changed blogging (2:35) Blogging for SEO (3:25) Quality vs quantity (6:05) The importance of keywords...2021-03-2419 min