Creative Business Spark

Show Notes. In this episode, I share my 8-year journey of learning how to effectively review and plan for business growth. I’ll reveal why skipping your year-end review is the biggest mistake you can make, even when your tracking wasn't perfect, and I’ll share my game-changing Post-it note system that makes both reviewing and planning visual, flexible, and actually doable. 🔑 In This Episode You’l...

Show Notes: In this Thanksgiving week episode, I share the story of how my mother and I used to alternate hosting family holidays, and what I learned from her warm and inviting approach to hospitality. My mother was a fabulous hostess who had an incredible gift for making people feel completely at ease, using formal elegance that somehow felt completely welcoming. She was always my biggest ch...

Show Notes In this episode, I share my personal journey from corporate employee to creative entrepreneur, and the overwhelming feeling of facing a dream that seemed impossibly large compared to my starting point. After 30 years of following someone else's strategic vision, I found myself wantin to create something completely from scratch, and I had no idea where to begin. I explore the crucia...

Show Notes: In this episode, I share my journey from corporate job loss and creative isolation to discovering the transformative power of a creative community through a local co-working space. I explore why the myth of the solitary artist is actually harmful to working creatives and how an authentic community provides perspective, solutions, and accountability that you simply cannot achieve alone....

Show Notes: In this episode, I explore how planning your Thanksgiving tablescape is actually a comprehensive creative exercise that showcases every artistic talent you possess. I share why November's natural rhythm of harvest and gathering creates the perfect environment for artistic reflection, and how this season invites us to pause, give thanks for our creative gifts, and gently prepare for wha...

Show Notes: In this episode, I share the story of how getting laid off from my corporate job led me to discover my first online art class and ultimately changed my entire perspective on creative businesses. I explore the biggest fear that stops most creative people from monetizing their work – the belief that turning creativity into business will kill the joy – and explain why this fear is often b...

Show Notes In this practical episode, I share my own struggles with creative confidence, including my confession about collecting beautiful sketchbooks I'm afraid to use. I explore why real creative confidence isn't the absence of doubt but the willingness to create despite it, especially as we move into the introspective months of late fall and early winter. Through vulnerable storytelling and ac...

Show Notes In this inspiring episode, Anne shares the remarkable transformation story of Maria Ahl-Zanier, a Swedish watercolor artist who built a thriving multi-stream business from her grandparents converted general store. Through Maria's journey from struggling artist to successful entrepreneur running MAZart, Anne demystifies the concept of masterminds and reveals how strategic educa...

Show Notes In this inspiring episode, we celebrate the graduation of Pattern Design Academy students who transformed from complete beginners into confident pattern designers in just nine weeks. Listen to powerful insights about the mindset shifts that separate struggling creatives from thriving ones. And what comes next for creatives ready to turn their passion into profit. Whether...

Show Notes: Ready to turn your creativity into revenue this holiday season? In this episode, I walk you through a simple checklist to prepare your creative business for Black Friday—without overwhelm. From picking the right promo to prepping your products, you’ll walk away with clarity, inspiration, and a plan you can start today. What You’ll Learn: 5 steps to prep for Black Friday as an artist or...

Show Notes: Craft fairs can be a fantastic way to get your art out into the world—especially during the busy holiday season. In this episode, I share the story of my first craft fair (spoiler alert: it was a big success!) and walk through some key things to keep in mind as you prepare for your own. From product planning to pricing to collecting emails, this is your roadmap to making craft fairs wo...

Show Notes: Have you ever lost track of your surface pattern designs or spent way too much time searching for that one Illustrator file? I’ve been there. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the exact 5-part system I use to organize my design files so everything stays clear, consistent, and easy to find. Whether you’re just starting out or feeling buried in a sea of files, this episode will help you br...

Show Notes: In this episode, I share why your old sketchbooks might be the best source of new inspiration. And how revisiting them helped shape the branding for Anne’s Atelier. Learn how to rediscover your early ideas, bring them to life with fresh eyes, and save time in your creative process. What You’ll Learn: Why old art is full of untapped potential My personal story of reusing old sketches fo...

Show Notes: In this episode, I’m walking you through how to get your artwork licensing-ready this fall. And why the timing matters more than you think. We’ll talk about how the art licensing timeline works, what to include in your portfolio, and five steps you can take this week to start pitching your work with confidence. You’ll learn: Why fall is a prime time to prep your licensing portfolio Wha...

Show Notes: This episode shines a light on something truly special: the SAGE Designers—a collective of women from my advanced programs who’ve come together to support each other, create themed collections, and grow their surface design businesses. We’ll explore how they work, the power of collaboration, and why this model might just inspire your next creative leap. What You’ll Learn: How the SAGE...

Show Notes: In this episode, I’m sharing the top 3 business tools I rely on every week. These platforms keep my business running smoothly behind the scenes. And help me balance my time between running the business and creating new designs. Whether you're just starting or scaling your creative business, these tools can make your life easier and less stressful.  Here’s what we cover: How I...

Show Notes: After a slower summer, it’s completely normal to feel a little out of sync with your creative goals. But here’s the good news: fall is one of the best times to reset and reignite your momentum. In this episode, I’ll walk you through why now is such a powerful window for creatives, and how you can get back into the flow without the overwhelm. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the final...

Show Notes: Starting something new can be scary—especially when you’ve been thinking about it for years. In this episode, I’m sharing what finally nudged me to launch The Creative Business Spark , how I used my existing tools to keep things simple, and why short-form episodes have been a surprising hit. I also talk about the power of repurposing content and why “just starting” is often the hardest...

✨ Show Notes: In this episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at The Creative Business Blueprint LIVE,  my recent 3-day virtual event designed for creative women ready to build a business, even if they are starting from scratch.  You’ll hear what worked, what I'll do differently next time, and practical lessons you can apply to your own business journey. We’ll cover: ✅ Th...

✨ Show Notes: In this episode, I’m sharing a framework I love. One that helps me, and I think will  help you, show up fully for both our art and our business. It’s inspired by Brendon Burchard’s research on high performance, but I’m putting a creative spin on it to help you apply it directly to your journey as a maker, artist, or creative business owner. We’ll explore: ✅ The 5 drivers that...

💡  Show Notes In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest challenges creative entrepreneurs face: how to balance your own creative practice with the demands of running a business. If you’ve ever felt like your art is getting crowded out by admin tasks, launches, or endless to-dos, this conversation is for you. I share my personal journey, the lessons I’ve learned (and am still learning!...

💡  Show Notes In this episode, I invite you to pause, reflect, and reimagine what’s possible for the rest of 2025. If you’ve been feeling behind or discouraged about your progress so far this year, this is your chance to reset. I’ll share practical strategies to help you refocus, set meaningful goals, and create a plan that supports your creative business journey for the next six months. 📝...

Show Notes: In this special Independence Day-inspired episode, I explore what creative freedom really means, and how you can claim more of it in your business and life. Whether you’re building a full-time business, a side hustle, or simply nurturing your creative practice, this conversation will help you reflect on how you’re using your time, energy, and focus to build the life you want. 📝 In Thi...

Show Notes: Growth as a creative entrepreneur doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from doing things differently. In today’s episode, I’m talking about the messy, in-between space that so many of us find ourselves in as we evolve. You're not a beginner anymore, but you're also not quite where you want to be—and that can be frustrating. I’ll share what real evolution looks like in your creative bu...

Show Notes: What Is a Mastermind—And Why It Might Be the Support You’ve Been Missing If you’ve been building your creative business on your own—juggling all the roles and second-guessing every decision—this episode is for you. I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most powerful support systems I’ve ever experienced: the mastermind. We’ll talk about: What a mastermind actually is (and isn’t) W...