Minding My Creative Business Podcast

Your revenue didn’t drop because you need more clients. It dropped because your offer is broken. In Episode 48 of Season 6, ShySpeaks and Ron break down one of the most dangerous beliefs in the creative space: “I just need more clients.” But the truth is: More clients + unclear offer = more chaos. This episode dismantles the “volume trap” and replaces it with a system that actually scales — the CR...

You don’t need PR — you need to get your foundation together first. In Episode 47 of Season 6, ShySpeaks and Ron sit down with Rae Christine, a 20-year PR veteran and brand architect, to break down one of the biggest misconceptions in the creative space: people think they need PR… when they’re not even ready for it. This episode goes beyond branding theory. It exposes: what actually drives revenue...

You want bigger clients… but you’re not operating like someone who can handle them. In Episode 46 of Season 6, ShySpeaks and Ron sit down with Briana Gallen, founder of Swank PR, to break down what it actually takes to run a high-level PR business after 18 years in the game. This episode is not theory. It’s not “motivation.” It’s real execution — from onboarding systems, to pricing structure, to p...

You’re getting inquiries… but the money still isn’t consistent. Why? In Episode 45 of Season 6, ShySpeaks and Ron break down one of the most overlooked reasons creative entrepreneurs struggle to scale: a broken client journey. You’re getting messages. You’re booking clients. You’re delivering work. But something still feels off. That “off” feeling? It’s profit leakage happening across your entire...

Episode Summary: Cindy Beasley didn't take the Hollywood route — she watched what happened to people who did, decided it wasn't for her, and built her own table instead. Now she's the founder of Morally Simple Productions and the newly appointed President of Creative Cipher, a Chicago-rooted creative ecosystem that hosts the XL Film Festival, attracts AMC executives, and is being built into the ne...

Episode Summary: Isabel Bora didn't wait until she was ready — she started in her bathroom, pregnant, modeling wigs at night while her baby slept, and reaching out to 40 companies before she got her first yes. In 14 months, she built Sugar Bridals into a premium bridal hair brand serving brides of color, closed 62 brides in year one, assembled a 5-person team, and used her creative business income...

Episode Summary: Most creatives are still playing small because they think collaboration is competition in disguise — this episode dismantles that lie in real time. Recorded live at CreativeCon Chicago, Ron and Shy sit down with bestselling author and Motivation Champs founder Dominick "Dom" Domasky and small business powerhouse Ramon Ray to unpack what it actually takes to build events, publishin...

Episode Description Two years in. Five seasons deep. And we are just getting started. In this Season 5 Wrap-Up episode of Mind My Creative Business, hosts Ron Lee Jr. and Shai Speaks take you on a full-circle journey through one of the most powerful seasons yet — recapping the game-changing conversations, frameworks, and strategies shared by this season's guest experts. Whether you are a creative...

The central theme of our discussion revolves around the imperative of automating mundane tasks to liberate oneself for pursuits of greater significance. We delve into the concept of a workflow audit, a critical exercise designed to identify areas of inefficiency within one's business processes. By implementing strategies to automate, delegate, and eliminate repetitive tasks, we can subsequently el...

AI isn’t replacing creatives, those who embrace AI are. In this eye‑opening episode of Minding My Creative Business, hosts Ron “iRonic” Lee Jr. and ShySpeaks chat with Kierra Dotson, an AI engineer, data conversationalist and entrepreneur. They explore how creative business owners can leverage data and AI to work smarter, not harder. A 2025 survey found that AI adoption among small businesses jump...

Talent alone won’t build a thriving business—you must value yourself and your craft. In this episode of Minding My Creative Business, hosts Ron “iRonic” Lee Jr. and ShySpeaks sit down with acclaimed photographer Tolulope Berry (T Berry Pictures) to explore how he turned a gift from his mother into a flourishing photography empire. The conversation covers valuing your work, building sustainable sys...

In this podcast episode, we delve into the transformative journey of Shadira Nesmith, co-founder of Stacked Up Academy, who passionately advocates for early exposure of youth to technology and essential skills such as financial literacy and coding. With a wealth of experience in the educational technology sector, Shadira articulates her commitment to bridging the gap for students, ensuring they ac...

Our latest podcast episode dives into the creative journey, offering insights for every creative professional looking to build an online business. We discuss effective business strategy and the power of collaboration within the industry. It's all about navigating the path to becoming a successful entrepreneur. 🕒 Episode Chapters: 0:00 – Team sync for social media 5:50 – Establishing rhythm &...

Join hosts ShySpeak and Ron Lee Jr. as they dive into a compelling conversation with Terry Williams, a Harvard-trained neuroscience and mindset coach. This episode explores the transition from running a successful fitness business to becoming an executive mindset coach. Terry shares invaluable insights into building a growth mindset, understanding life purpose, and the importance of rest for high...

From Media Icon to Creative CEO: Jaleah's Entrepreneurial Journey In this episode of Minding My Creative Business podcast, hosts Ron and ShySpeaks sit down with Jaleah Davis, a self-proclaimed media icon, to discuss her inspiring journey from eighth grade media enthusiast to a successful entrepreneur. Jaleah opens up about her ventures including her television network - Eyeconic Television, her pr...

Welcome to a special episode of the Minding My Creative Business podcast, where we’re celebrating the end of an incredible Season 4 with a live recap! Join your hosts, ShySpeaks and Ron "iRonic" Lee Jr., as they reflect on four seasons and over 33 episodes of inspiring conversations, candid challenges, and major wins in the world of creative entrepreneurship. In this episode, we revisit some of ou...

EPISODE SUMMARY: Welcome back to Minding My Creative Business , the go-to podcast for creative entrepreneurs ready to level up their strategy, structure, and self-development. In this episode, hosts Ron “iRonic” Lee Jr. and ShySpeaks shine a spotlight on a side of creative business that doesn’t get nearly enough love: event curation—with a twist of culinary arts. We’re joined by Eric Grayson, Dall...

The episode presents a profound exploration of the intricacies of public relations, underscoring the necessity for a nuanced understanding of various psychological and sociological principles to effectively connect with target audiences. The speaker elucidates their personal journey, initially marked by apprehension regarding pricing strategies, stemming from a fear of deterring potential clients....

Welcome to another episode of Minding My Creative Business, the go-to podcast for creative entrepreneurs who want to master strategy, structure, and self-development. In this episode, hosts ShySpeaks and Ron "iRonic" Lee Jr. sit down with Jonathan Speaks Jones—an accomplished author, coach, and podcast host—to unpack the real business of creativity. Jonathan shares his journey from paying his own...

Welcome back to Minding My Creative Business, the go-to podcast for creative entrepreneurs ready to master strategy, structure, and self-development! In this episode, hosts Ron "iRonic" Lee Jr. and ShySpeaks are diving deep into the world of social media agencies and creative entrepreneurship with special guest Faith Williams—a dynamic serial entrepreneur, content agency founder, and thriving comm...

Episode Summary Welcome back to the Minding My Creative Business podcast—the go-to show for creatives looking to master strategy, structure, and self-development! In today’s episode, hosts ShySpeaks and Ron “iRonic” Lee Jr. sit down with KG, the visionary founder behind Cosign Enterprises. KG takes us on an inspiring journey through the evolution of Cosign—from its beginnings as a magazine spotlig...

Welcome to another episode of Minding My Creative Business, the go-to podcast for creative entrepreneurs looking to level up with real strategies, structure, and self-development! In today’s episode, hosts ShySpeaks and Ron "iRonic" Lee Jr. sit down with the multi-talented Ms. Zabretta—choreographer extraordinaire, studio owner, non-profit director, talent developer, actor, and model. Get ready to...

Episode Summary: Welcome back to another episode of "Minding My Creative Business," the top podcast where creative entrepreneurs come to get real-world strategies, structure, and self-development tips for building businesses that last. In today’s episode, hosts ShySpeaks and Ron "iRonic" Lee Jr. are joined by the multi-talented Sir J—a creative at heart, entrepreneur, and owner of not one, not two...

Welcome to a brand new season of Minding My Creative Business ! In this episode, hosts ShySpeaks and Ron "iRonic" Lee Jr. dive into a side of creativity we haven’t explored before: hair styling as a creative business! They sit down with Billy J. Ross—aka the Salon Success Coach—a trailblazing stylist and entrepreneur who has grown her business from the ground up for over 16 years. Billy shares her...

This podcast episode serves as a comprehensive recap of Season Three, wherein we elucidate the most salient discussions and insights that have transpired throughout the season. Our primary focus today is to distill the essential takeaways for both avid listeners and newcomers alike, thereby providing a synthesis of our enlightening conversations with various creative entrepreneurs. We delve into t...