Pollen: For Creative Entrepreneurs with Diana Davis

We all have this ideal picture of what being an entrepreneur looks like. To many, this is quitting your job, becoming your own boss, and immediately finding success through grit. But the reality is not always smooth-sailing. Having an "all or nothing" mindset can put an end to the dreams you're pursuing. Sometimes, taking on work you don't want can get you closer to where you want to be. In this e...

We're capping off our three-part Summit Retreat series with reflections from our last few Summit Retreat attendees at Steamboat Springs, Colorado! In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, we discuss final reflections, experiences, and takeaways from the retreat. Alyssa, Katie, Tiffany, Tori, and Haley reflect on their favorite parts of the summit, the power of community, and the beautiful experience...

Getting clients is hard work. But what do you do when no one seems to be coming through?  Perhaps the problem lies in your foundation — there could be cracks that are preventing potential clients from aligning with you and your offers. It all goes back to you realigning with your why . Why are you doing what you're doing? Why does it all matter? Once you do, everything will fall into place. It wil...

People often depict being a creative entrepreneur and running your own business as all rainbows and butterflies. We know the reality is far from a walk in the park — and just how easy it is to get caught up in unrealistic expectations. This hustle mentality pulls you away from the reason you started doing what you do. So what is your why? It's time to take back your power by grounding into the rea...

The hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship can be overwhelming (and for many reasons). No one has everything figured out, and that's okay! You just need the right tools to help you along the way. Making the best investments for you — particularly ones that aren't financial — are key to battling the overwhelm. Create space for yourself, and invest in preventing burnout. In this episode of The Pollen...

You probably heard several stories about creatives leaving their day job to pursue their side hustles. But some creatives manage to wonderfully balance their full-time work and find time to fuel a creative outlet. In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, Diana talks to Rolanda Evelyn, the senior product development manager at Rent The Runway and editor-in-chief of her blog, leave a little sparkle ....

We're giving you another look into what happened at the Summit Retreat held at Steamboat Springs, Colorado!  In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, we discuss experiences and lessons from the retreat. Erica, Maria, Nicholette, and Alexandra share their favorite parts of the event, the beauty and power of a supportive community, and the importance of injecting more of you into your business! Maria...

Maybe you worked too hard on your last project. Or, you exerted too much energy on a work task that ended up not working out. Whatever the case may be, burnout is a real thing that all of us experience. As its name goes, burnout drains you of your energy and motivation. It doesn't only affect how you show up in your business, but also in other aspects of life. How then do you rekindle the spark if...

Some entrepreneurs avoid pain point marketing, thinking that it takes advantage of clients. It can certainly be toxic, but that's not always true. When used conscientiously and with genuine consideration for your customers, it can be a wonderful tool to empower your clients. But how do you make sure you do that? In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, Diana shares her insightful take on pain point...

How often do you plan your life? If you're a high achiever, you may already be listing out things you want to do and milestones you want to achieve in life by a certain time. But, life never happens the way we want or plan. We'll have to face failures, missed opportunities, and even a lot of disappointment.  If you start comparing yourself to others and wondering where you're going, take the time...

In celebration of the culmination of the first of many Diana Davis Creative retreats, we share snippets from the Summit Retreat in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, we discuss experiences, lessons, and personal and business reflections from the summit. Cait, Shelagh, Meera, Ani, and Caitie talk about their favorite parts of the retreat, overcoming dream achieveme...

Five years ago, freelancing was already a growing demographic. The pandemic only boosted freelancer numbers; now, there are more freelancers than ever! We won't sugarcoat it: freelancing can be tough. But we can learn so much from the people who've been where you are now — and succeeded.  Here's where our guest Tia Meyer Grado, and the Freelancing Females can help. In this episode of The Pollen Po...

A healthy relationship with yourself comes from accepting and loving our bodies. It takes looking at yourself in the mirror or taking photos and wholly loving every part you see. The experience of boudoir photography has helped women embrace body confidence, sexuality, and inner beauty. It allows women to see themselves in a raw, transformative way.  In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, Devin of...

Our core values shift as our lives change. What are your values now? If you've been feeling misaligned recently, maybe it's time to revisit what you truly want to prioritize! Be honest with yourself. Give yourself permission to rest. Acknowledge what you really want and need to prioritize. In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, we catch up with Diana's adventures in her nomadic lifestyle! She shar...

Pursuing a new passion after building a career in something else bring up A LOT. Most people are hesitant to leave something because they think they've spent too much time on it. Here's the truth: if it's no longer for you, you're free to move on!  In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, Nicole Wild shares her winding life from pursuing writing, to music, to photography, and finally, being a yoga t...

When was the last time you posted a photo of your face on your personal brand? Gone are the days when a logo and offers were the identity of your business. As a personal brand, showing your face to your audience is a game-changing move. After all, people are hiring YOU. And before they do that, they must first know who you are. It's not vanity; it's letting people into your life and building a lif...

What kind of people are in your circle? Who influences you? Do they inspire you, or are they triggers? People's mindsets, values, and habits are contagious — even more so than the books and media we consume. It's therefore best to find people who show you that you CAN achieve your dreams: expanders!  In this short episode of The Pollen Podcast, Diana shares reflections from her recent retreat expe...

Starting your own business can be intimidating - especially as a woman. You need someone on your team whose zone of genius is business finance so you can stay in your lane and focus on your craft. Instead of burning your time, money, and energy doing it yourself, find someone with the expertise to do it for you! In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, Candace joins us to share her entrepreneurial e...

Take a look at your set of offers. Do you get excited by them? Do you feel passionate and motivated when you see them? Or are they draining you more than not? As entrepreneurs, the thought of saying "no" can be scary. But sometimes, these nos can be just as—or even more—important than the yeses. After all, more than the money, being an entrepreneur is about freedom and being in alignment with your...

Do you ever daydream about living abroad? Once the reality of paying the bills hits, most of us let that dream die. But that dream can happen — it's possible if you want it badly enough and you work for it. If you're committed to this dream, work towards it — and eventually, you'll find yourself in a new adventure!  In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, Diana joins two of her closest friends, Emi...

Imagine you're on a date. Which characteristics of your date will make you want to pursue a relationship with them? Which would raise a red flag? Doing business with your dream client is really just like dating (minus the romance). You shouldn't see the other person through rose-colored glasses. Once you've clarified and defined your dream client, manifestation can begin: you can begin attracting,...

Do you compare yourself to other entrepreneurs? The grass always looks greener on the other side — if you've compared your business to a 100k or 200k business on social media, you are not alone! What does it mean to have a 100k or 200k business? In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, we'll talk about how money, business, and revenue are often portrayed online. Sometimes, how people frame their fin...

Starting your creative entrepreneurship journey will require a lot of you and your leadership. The work, time and money (that you may not have in the bank just yet!!). Money is a big topic, even for those who have it in excess! However, the right money mindset will pull you out of debt to the career and life you dream of and deserve. In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, Lissette Calveiro shares...

Entering a new chapter and leaving behind the things we thought were for us is always a daunting experience. But sometimes, the universe itself calls for us to start over and find a new life while carrying the lessons we've learned from our journey so far. To grow, we have to be willing to let go of the things that do nothing but hold us back.  So answer the call, trust yourself, and have the cour...

I love this story about Marissa and creating her cheese plate company so much.  Following your passion, especially when it leads you off the beaten path, can be terrifying. But if where you are now doesn't spark your creativity, it may be time to listen to that.. Life is way too short to stay in a job that does not fulfill your soul.  In this episode of The Pollen Podcast, I bring on Marissa Mulle...