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

Jacob Sokol was climbing the corporate ladder at his job as a computer technician when he he realized there was a deep void in his life. His life was filled with the highest of highs, but also the lowest of lows. He didn’t trust his own happiness. He knew something had to change. So he took a 5 week trip to Europe. That is when he decided to embark on a quest to create his ideal life. In this epis...

Miranda Aisling  found her passion at a very young age. She went to college at the age of 14, and by her junior year of college, two things gave her a clear direction in life. The first was deciding to open up an art center. The second was a trip to El Salvador that changed her life. In this episode, learn about her work as an artist, community builder, and creator of Miranda’s Hearth, the first C...

This week is going to be a little different. Instead of interviewing another creative, I wanted to celebrate the fiftieth episode of Cracking Creativity by having someone else interview me. I had my friend and former podcast guest, Jacques Ho, interview me. He has been a huge part of my work on this site and this podcast. Each week we meet to discuss what we are working on while also keeping each...

Thom Fox is a strategy consultant who helps companies with complex problems. He has created economic empowerment programs that have reached over 3 million people and has conducted 1,200 seminars, workshops and keynotes. But his story wasn’t always one filled with success. Thom started off in a life of crime and with an addiction to angel dust. He broke into people’s homes and got arrested at the a...

Angela Lussier is a coach, public speaker, and author of three books. In this episode Angela talks about her journey towards creating her own business, how to overcome the imposter syndrome, why you need to live by your own rules, and the importance of play. Here are three things you can learn from Angela: Everyone feels like an imposter If you think you are the only one who feels like an imposter...

Dr. Matt Westheimer is a chiropractor and the founder of Elite Blueprint .  In this episode Matt talks about his journey of selling everything he had to build a chiropractic practice in Singapore, the role mentors have played in his life, why you need support from the people around you, and the reason the process is more important than the result. Here are three things you can learn from Matt: The...

Cynthia Morris is an author, illustrator, and the creator  Original Impulse . She has turned many of her ideas to reality from completing a  novel to running creativity workshops in Paris . In this episode, Cynthia talks about the struggles of a creative life, listening to your inner artist, and the need to create our own stories. Here are three things you can learn from Cynthia: The Creative Life...

Sarah Jackson is the founder of Casa de Paz , a hospitality home for families affected by immigrant detention. She is also the founder of Volleyball Latino , a year-round indoor volleyball league that raises money for Casa de Paz. In this episode, Sarah talks about why she started Casa de Paz and Volleyball Latino, the importance of taking small steps, and why you need to take action if you want t...

Dustin Main  is one of the photographers behind Lightmoves Creative and the creator of Date an Adventurer . He is also an entrepreneur, adventure photographer, and documentary film maker. In this episode, Dustin talks about being present, using storytelling in his photography, and the power of vulnerability and being open. Here are three things you can learn from Dustin: Be Present Every decision...

Max Makewell is a New York City based artist and muralist, but it wasn’t always this way. He grew up in a family of artists and started his career as an artist, but then transitioned into the startup world. It was only after spending a few years there that he came back to being an artist full-time. In this episode, Max talks about owning your identity, making your way through obstacles, and buildi...

Charlie Gilkey  is is the creator of Productive Flourishing and the host of the  Creative Giants podcast. He describes himself as the result of mashing up an entrepreneur, Army officer, and philosopher. In this episode, Charlie talks about mindsets, business, and the power of art. Here are three things you can learn from Charlie: Drop the Artist Label Many artists have painted themselves into a co...

Josh Rivedal  is the founder and director of the I'mPossible Project . He is also the author of two books and the star of his own one-man show. In this episode, Josh talks about overcoming his near suicide, the importance of marketing for artists, and the lessons we can learn from failure. Here are three things you can learn from Josh: The Power of Storytelling One thing Josh has learned from all...

Juan Sepulveda is a painter and the creator of The Winding Stairs Podcast and The Gentleman’s Brotherhood . His art focuses around the lessons and symbols of free masonry. In this episode, Juan talks about marketing and creating art, why you must have the right mindset, and why you need to diversify your income streams. Here are three things you can learn from Juan: Marketing and Creating Art Requ...

James Wightman and Kristen Cruz are the co-founders of Rebel Advisors and the authors of The Rebel Way . They want to show students that college isn’t the only path towards success. Here are three things you can learn from James and Kristen: Conversations Can Help You Make Better Decisions The problem with most students who go to college and don’t finish is, they never stopped to think about what...

Tim Noxsinz aka Timitude is the creator of CreativeMondays.net   and co-host of the Middle of Nowhere Show . In this episode,  Tim talks about enabling others, seeking what you want, and reaching your potential. Here are three things you can learn from Tim: How to Empower Others Although Tim is a writer and co-host of a podcast show, he believes his greatest strength is enabling others. Through hi...

Brandon Lee is an an entrepreneur and writer. After spending three years an an international speaker for churches and nonprofits, he reinvented himself and became a real estate investor. In this episode, Brandon talks about reinventing himself, making an impact, and mentorship. Here are three things you can learn from Brandon: You Can Make an Impact While working as a speaker for non-profits, Bran...

Alex Hanse is the owner of Foolies Clothing and the host of Dream Without Limits Radio . In this episode, Alex talks about why many people don’t pursue their dreams, why you need to have the right mindset to succeed, and why you shouldn’t give up. Here are three things you can learn from Alex: Don’t Give Up Often times, what separates those who make it from those who don’t is giving up. We focus t...

Jim Hopkinson is an author, speaker, teacher, and, entrepreneur. Jim has worked at startups, big corporations, and for himself at SalaryTutor.com . In this episode, Jim talks about the lessons he learned while working at ESPN and WIRED, why side projects are important, and the best ways to negotiate your salary. Embrace the New Jim has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to emerging techn...

Michael Zaytsev is a life coach and founder of High NY . Before taking on his current roles, he was a financial analyst for J.P. Morgan and a sales rep for Google. In this episode, Michael talks about lessons he learned at J.P. Morgan and Google, why coaching is important, and why he took up the mantle at High NY. Here are three things you can learn from Michael: The Power of Mindsets Michael lear...

Tam Pham is an author, speaker, podcaster, and teacher. He has spoken to high school students on networking and entrepreneurship and wrote a best-selling Amazon book  How To Network: Build Instant Trust & Respect With Anyone You Meet . In this episode, Tam talks about the getting over your doubts,  the importance of mentors, and the key to networking. Here are three things you can learn from Tam:...

Colin McCann is a web developer who is trying to revolutionize the way we view productivity. In this episode Colin talks about his take on productivity and how he approaches his goals, taking on such an ambitious project, and how beliefs can have a huge impact on self-improvement. Here are three things you can learn from Colin: Big Risks Don’t Need to Be Made with Snap Judgments Just because you a...

Natalie Kim is an actress, writer, and artist. She also hosted It’s a Draw With Natalie Kim , where she interviewed comedians and cartoonist while they drew. On this episode, Natalie talks about why you need to work on your own projects, lessons she’s learned from stand-up and improv, and why vulnerability helps with acting and in life. Here are three things you can learn from Natalie: Choose Your...

Kim Nicol teaches meditations and mindfulness and has helped thousands of people find calm in everyday moments. In this episode Kim talks about how she went from marketing, to being a lawyer, to becoming a mindfulness and meditations teacher. She also talks about how to relate to others and the many different ways she helps bring mindfulness into people's everday lives. Here are three things you c...

Mike Roy is the creator of Artist Myth , a site dedicated to helping artists overcome the things that hold them back. In this episode, Mike talks about the common myths artists believe, what people can do to overcome those myths, and how to find work you love. Here are three things you can learn from Mike: Overcoming common artist myths Artists who want to make a career out of their art must first...

Lee Moyer is a polymath and illustrator who has been working for over 35 years. He has worked with book publishers, theaters, and game developers among many other things. In this episode, we talk about a lot of topics including learning from others, how to handle criticism and information overload, and his Kickstarter project The Doom that Came to Atlantic City. Here are three things you can learn...