Standout Creatives: Business, marketing, and creativity tips for solopreneurs launching their ideas

What if the key to unlocking your creativity as a writer wasn't about perfection, but about embracing the messy process, taking risks, and finding support along the way? Cynthia Morris is a writer, artist, and certified coach who has spent over two decades helping creatives finally get their ideas out of their heads and onto the page. As the founder of Original Impulse, she's guided countless writ...

What if success as a creative wasn’t about being the best—but just showing up, experimenting, and giving yourself permission to start messy? Bob Baker didn’t start out with a perfect plan or a polished resume. He was a former musician and “non-traditional” marketer who slowly found his groove by helping creatives find confidence, consistency, and clarity—without needing to go viral or wait for per...

What if the key to reigniting your creativity wasn't just talent, but embracing fear, experimentation, and community? Steven Light, known as SLART , walked away from art for two decades. A single blog post reignited his passion, sparking a journey of artistic self-discovery, personal branding, and creative business growth. Now, he's sharing the lessons he's learned about self-publishing, collabora...

What if the secret to success in book design isn’t just talent, but community, intention, and breaking through industry barriers? Dominique Jones is a senior designer at Dutton Penguin Random House and president of Blk + Brwn Book Designers . She turned her passion for graphic design into a powerful movement of representation in the publishing industry. In this episode, Dominique shares her creati...

What if your biggest creative block isn't talent, opportunity, or resources, but the fear of being fully seen? Brian Perry 's journey is a testament to transformation, moving from struggling with depression and feeling like an outsider to becoming a communication coach, singer, and songwriter. Through his music and coaching, he's found a way to bridge creativity and personal growth, while helping...

What if the secret to building a successful multimedia company wasn’t just talent, but persistence and collaborative storytelling? Armani Salado and Eric Martinez started Forbidden Origins as a childhood passion project. Through sci-fi storytelling, collaboration, and strategic brand-building, they transformed it into a growing multimedia company spanning books, comics, and potential animated adap...

What if the secret to unlocking your best creative work wasn’t more discipline but more play? Melissa Dinwiddie started her creative journey as a calligrapher and ketubah artist. But she didn’t stop there. By following her curiosity and embracing play, she unlocked new creative paths that she never saw coming. Now, as a corporate creativity consultant, she helps others break free from perfectionis...

What does it take to stand out as a creative in a rapidly evolving digital world? For filmmaker and creative entrepreneur Kenny Tjay , success has come from constant experimentation, embracing technology, and treating creativity like a business. From his early days in wedding photography to building a digital media brand, Kenny has navigated industry shifts with adaptability and strategic thinking...

Feeling unseen? Struggling to stand out without burning out? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing The Standout Creatives Manifesto —a call to artists, writers, and indie creators who refuse to follow the crowd. This isn’t just a poem. It’s a rallying cry. Listen in and if it sparks a fire in you, let's connect. Explore Creativity Parties , tune into The Standout Creatives Podcast , and a...

What transforms a creative passion into a sustainable career? For surface pattern designer Lizzie Clark , the journey started with a love for collage and evolved into a thriving business in licensing and textile design. With years of experience navigating the creative industry, Lizzie has built a business that blends artistry with strategy—proving that with the right approach, creativity can be bo...

I'm really excited to take you on a journey into the world of storytelling with someone who understands that great writing isn't just about plot, it's about connection. Meet Douglas Weissman , a travel writer and novelist who's turning personal experiences into compelling stories. But his story? It's not just about writing books. It’s about crafting experiences that stay with readers long after th...

Meet Russell Nohelty , the self-publishing maverick who's cracked the code to turning creative passion into a sustainable writing career. With nearly a million dollars raised through crowdfunding and a proven track record of breaking through the noise, Russell offers a step-by-step roadmap to help authors transform their writing from a side hustle into a thriving business. Conquer Perfectionism Wh...

The following is a narrative essay I wrote after my conversation with Bridget Baker . Fitting in was my survival strategy—until I realized it was suffocating my creative potential. In high school, I could morph myself into any group. In college, I went to parties even though I hated big groups of people. As an adult, I put on a "professional" face even when all I want to do is have fun. I thought,...

I’m thrilled to introduce you to someone who’s redefining the way we think about storytelling, marketing, and connection. Meet Vince Warnock —a neuromarketing expert, 11-time bestselling author, and creative business coach. His story? It’s a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of authentic relationships. From Adversity to Innovation Let’s start with something Vince knows deeply: How...

I’m really excited to take you on a journey into the world of authentic branding with someone who’s done it in the most unexpected way. Meet Bridget Baker a former professional ballet dancer who’s now flipping the script on branding and storytelling. Her story? It’s not just inspiring. It’s a game changer for anyone looking to share their unique perspective while staying true to themselves. From C...

Ghostwriting might sound mysterious, but after talking with Kent on The Standout Creatives , it’s clear: ghostwriting is one of the most human ways to inspire and connect. Here are the 3 biggest insights from our conversation that can help your creative business thrive: 1. Your Story is Your Superpower Your story isn’t just nice-to-have—it’s the reason people will trust and choose YOU. When you sh...

Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. In this episode of The Standout Creatives , I’ll show you how launching with a small, engaged audience can be your secret weapon for creative business success. Whether you’re working on your first course, digital product, or any big idea, this approach will set you up for growth without the stress of trying to “go big” too soon. Here’s what you’ll learn:...

Ghostwriting might seem like a secretive craft, but it’s anything but. Kent Sanders breaks it down: this isn’t about hiding in the shadows—it’s about creating stories that genuinely connect. As the founder of Inkwell Ghostwriting, Kent has helped entrepreneurs and leaders bring their journeys to life in ways that inspire and resonate. If your story isn’t reaching people, what’s getting lost in tra...

Big news: the podcast is back, and it’s got a whole new look, name, and purpose. After taking a much-needed break, I’m beyond excited to relaunch as The Standout Creatives ! This isn’t just a new name—it’s a new mission to help you build a business that stands out while staying true to your creative passion. In this episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes: The Cracking Creativity journey: Lessons...

A recap of episode 91 of the Cracking Creativity podcast. If you liked it, check out the full episode with Erik Young where he talks about creativity vs. natural inspiration, stealing in art, taking chances, and learning from your mistakes.

Nick Gray  is the founder of Museum Hack, a twist on the traditional museum experience. The funny thing about Nick is, he used to hate museums. That is until he went on a date that forever changed his life. During a snowy day in NYC, a girl brought him to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and showed him artifacts, furniture, and other interesting things in the museum. This changed Nick’s perception o...

Erik Young is one of my friends from high school. In this episode we broke from the normal format of the show and talked about our thoughts on creativity, inspiration, the education system, and learning from your mistakes. We also talked about some of the projects he's worked on including his children's book and work as owner of 7Mangos. Read more shownotes from episode 91 with Erik Young

A recap of episode 90 of the Cracking Creativity podcast. If you liked it, check out the full episode with Chalky White  where he talks about asking yourself what if, being persistent, and why continuing to try leads to success, among many other things.

Chalky White   grew up in an abusive household, so much so that he gave up trying in school as an act of rebellion. When he 17 he joined the police cadets where he worked with alcoholics and drug addicts. It was at this point that Chalky realized he wanted to be in service of others. One day his friend asked Chalky if he wanted to go skiing. By saying yes to his friend’s request, Chalky unknowingl...

A recap of episode 89 of the Cracking Creativity podcast. If you liked it, check out the full episode with Victor Yocco  where he talks about why your message should change based on your platform, the importance of a support system, and the power of creating an effective website, among many other things.