The Professional Creative

In this episode, we're diving into one of the biggest challenges that growing teams face: role clarity and alignment. When businesses start out, it's natural for everyone to pitch in and wear multiple hats. But as the business grows, this all-hands-on-deck approach can lead to confusion, inefficiencies, and even burnout. That's why today's conversation is all about how to ensure that your team is...

Does running your creative business sometimes feel like a circus? You're juggling tasks, managing projects, and trying to keep everything in motion, while secretly wondering if there's a better way. In this episode, I'm sharing one of the most transformative shifts I've made in my business: implementing an operating system. An operating system isn't just for big corporations. No matter the size of...

Do you ever feel like your business is entirely on your shoulders, like every decision, deadline, and detail depends on you alone? I see you. I've been there too. But what if you could empower your team to not only take on tasks but truly own them—sometimes even doing them better than you? In this episode, we're diving into the power of delegation and trust. I know firsthand how difficult it is to...

Have you ever started an online course with the best intentions: excited, motivated, and ready to learn, only to lose momentum along the way? You're not alone! In today's episode, we're talking about how to not only start an online course but actually finish it strong. Whether it's a creative workshop, a business training, or a deep-dive into a new skill, the key to success is in how you approach...

In today's episode, we're diving into the transformative power of gratitude and how developing a simple gratitude practice can reshape your mindset, spark creativity, and guide you through life's challenges. I share personal stories about how gratitude helped me through some of my most overwhelming times, including the early days of building my creative career. Gratitude doesn't just happen—it's i...

Today, I'm sharing how to create beautiful and cohesive color palettes—an essential skill for any surface pattern designer or creative. My favorite source of inspiration? Nature. Endless combinations await discovery all around us, from the hues in a sunrise to the intricate details of a flower. Creating color palettes can be a joyful and intuitive process. I'll guide you through my four-step metho...

Attending a live workshop can be a powerful and transformative experience, but how you show up makes all the difference. In this episode, I'm sharing six practical strategies to help you get the most out of any online event, whether it's a course, workshop, or webinar. I know how easy it is to sign up with great intentions, only to let life get in the way. That's why I've put together this step-by...

In this episode, we focus on the art of building a portfolio that showcases your creativity, story, and unique style as a surface pattern designer. Starting a portfolio can feel overwhelming, but it's an essential tool for sharing your work and attracting dream clients. Together, we'll explore four practical steps to create a polished, professional portfolio. I'll share the mindset shifts, strateg...

Today, I'm excited to invite you to an event that's truly special—my free workshop, Your Pattern Design Playbook. This eight-day workshop, running from February 10th to February 19th, is designed to guide you step by step into the world of surface pattern design. Whether you're just getting started or looking to refine your skills, this workshop will inspire and equip you to turn your creativity i...

In today's episode, I'm sharing a strategy that has transformed how my team tackles big projects: working in smaller, focused groups. Whether you're running a team of 13 like I am or collaborating with peers on a shared goal, breaking into smaller groups can unlock efficiency, foster deeper collaboration, and help everyone take ownership of their role. I discuss how this approach works within my o...

In this episode of The Professional Creative, I'm thrilled to welcome Katie Hunt, founder of Proof to Product and a true expert in wholesale. Katie has dedicated her career to helping creative entrepreneurs get their products into stores, and today she's sharing her best insights with us. If you've ever wondered whether wholesale is right for your business, or if you've tried it but struggled to g...

In this episode, I dive into the seven most common mistakes I see new surface pattern designers make—and offer practical advice on how to avoid them. These lessons come from my experience mentoring thousands of designers, but they're universal enough to apply to creatives of all kinds. If you've ever felt rushed, stuck, or unsure about your creative path, this episode is here to guide and encourag...

In this episode, I'm sharing a fresh perspective to kickstart your creative journey and tackle those big dreams you've been holding close. Together, we'll explore how to make your goals feel actionable and achievable by asking five pivotal questions. Big dreams often feel overwhelming, but the key to pursuing them lies in breaking them down into meaningful, manageable steps. I share my personal st...

Happy New Year, my friends! In this special episode, I'm inviting you to join me for an exciting free event— Pattern Week —happening January 9th through 15th. Whether you're an experienced designer or just beginning your creative journey, this event is designed to make pattern design approachable and fun. Across five live lessons and Q&A sessions, I'll guide you step-by-step through creating a rep...

As we close out 2024, I'm sharing a deep reflection on the lessons learned this year and how those insights are shaping our strategy for 2025. This process of reviewing "what worked, what didn't, and what's next" has become an essential ritual for me — and it's one I encourage you to try as well. In this episode, I walk you through the highlights of my own year-end review, with ideas you can apply...

In this episode, I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how I prepare for Stu McLaren's annual "Ideas for 2025" event, but even more than that, I'm walking you through the process I use to review my entire year. This reflection practice has become one of the most impactful parts of my year, helping me close out the current season with clarity and step into the next one with intention. If you're r...

In this episode, I share the complete breakdown of my 30-day workflow for designing a fabric collection—from the spark of inspiration to the final product. This topic is particularly special to me as I recently released a new fabric collection, A Year in Petals, a heartfelt project inspired by the flowers I grew in my own garden. Whether you're a seasoned designer or dreaming of starting your fabr...

I am so excited to welcome Laura Ball to The Professional Creative, everyone! Laura is an expert in media advertising who has helped clients achieve impressive results through strategic ad campaigns, and she joins me for this conversation to discuss digital advertising, specifically Meta (Facebook) ads, and how they can be leveraged as a powerful tool for creative entrepreneurs to grow their busin...

If there is one thing that you know about me, it's that I absolutely love my favorite things! Every year, I host a Favorite Things Party where my friends and I exchange our beloved finds from the year. It's a fun way to discover new must-haves and share what we've been loving, and it has really become one of my favorite holiday traditions! This year, I thought, "Why not share my personal list of f...

It's Bonnie Christine here, friends, and in this episode, I am bringing you an episode that just might spark a whole new creative journey for you! Imagine holding something that YOU designed - fabric, gift wrap, or wallpaper - and feeling that thrill of seeing your creativity come to life! I share all about my Start Simple mini-class series, a free, no-experience-required introduction to surface p...

Welcome back, friends! I am so excited to talk about one of the most transformative programs I offer: the Mark Makers Mastermind ! This mastermind is a deeply personal and intentional space that I pour my heart into every year, designed exclusively for creative entrepreneurs ready to make their mark on the world! What even is mastermind, you might ask? In essence, it's a small, intimate group comm...

I hope that you will join me this week as I am discussing the complex art of decision-making, especially when it comes to the tough choices we all face in business and life. Listen in as I share some personal insights into how I approach decisions, from small day-to-day choices to major moves that can change the course of my business. Hear about the challenges that I have faced when deciding to le...

Today is a day that I have been eagerly waiting to share with you! We've been quietly working behind the scenes on something incredibly special, and I'm thrilled to finally announce it: Flowerie, my brand-new product shop, is here! Listen in this week as I take you through the heart and vision behind Flowerie, sharing the story of how this shop came to be and what inspired its creation. From my ea...

Welcome back, everyone, to another round of Q&A in which I will be answering some of your burning questions! This time, I reflect on things such as where I see myself and my business in the next five to ten years. While long-term vision admittedly is not always my strongest suit, my team and I recently pushed ourselves to create a five-year plan that includes exciting growth goals across various a...

Welcome to another episode of The Professional Creative, everyone! Get ready because I have a special treat for you, a two-part Q&A series. In this episode, I am diving headfirst into your thought-provoking questions and am covering quite a bit of ground! I kick things off with a deep question about areas where I still feel that I need to grow, reminding me of the importance of leadership and inte...