The Professional Creative

Welcome to another episode of The Professional Creative! As I approach fourteen years in business, I have learned that creative problem solving is so important for overcoming the challenges that help us grow as leaders! I used to make decisions alone, but I have since come to realize how vital it is to have support in entrepreneurship, even when it can feel isolating. This episode of the show digs...

In case you didn't know this, I love my Tuesday episodes because they are unscripted! In this particular batch of my unscripted Tuesday thoughts, I open up about the challenges of staying focused as a creative entrepreneur. If you're like me, then you have very likely experienced "shiny object syndrome" - that temptation to jump from one exciting idea to the next, but this year, my mission has bee...

I invite you to listen this week as I jump into a topic that I believe is the very heartbeat of any business: core values. Whether you are running a solo venture or managing a team of 100, your core values are essential because they shape your decisions, influence your culture, and guide your growth! Join me as I share why defining your core values matters more than you might think. I walk you thr...

I think that you're likely really going to like today's topic – all about keeping the money that you have already made! Listen in as I examine an issue that every online business owner faces at some point: failed payments. If you run an online business, offer a product, or have a subscription-based model, failed payments can mean losing revenue that you have already earned, and nobody wants that,...

Going into this episode, you might want to go back and (re)listen to episode 20 of The Professional Creative as well all about learning to love going live because this episode is definitely going to pair well with that one! Join me as I revisit the topic of going live, whether it's on Instagram Stories, Facebook Live, Zoom workshops, or webinars. For many of us, the idea of going live can feel ove...

Welcome to another episode of The Professional Creative, everyone! Tune in as I discuss one of the most impactful strategies I've used to maintain success for my courses: building a strong alumni culture! If you are a course creator yourself, then this episode is packed with insights into how to keep your alumni engaged and coming back year after year! I share how our alumni community has grown in...

In this shorty episode, I am sharing a thought that has been incredibly impactful for me as of late– something that I believe can transform how you approach your day and week. You've probably heard me (or others) talk about time management and planning, but I want to dive into the concept of a "top three" and a "big one." Your daily top three are the tasks that, if accomplished, would make you fee...

I am so excited about today's guest— Shanna Skidmore, a former Fortune 100 financial advisor who is now a powerhouse in the world of business consulting and education! Known by her clients as the "Dream Releaser," Shanna has dedicated over 15 years to helping entrepreneurs build businesses they're passionate about while living fulfilling lives! Tune in as we discuss Shanna's incredibly fascinating...

I hope that you will join me for this episode as I discuss what I call "the gift of going second." It all started with a trip to Dollywood's Splash Country for my son Bear's birthday. I'm not much of a thrill-seeker, but I'll tackle most water slides – but not without someone going ahead of me first to give a little feedback! This got me thinking about how much we rely on social proof in our busin...

Today we're diving deep into the heart of member or student engagement, exploring why it's crucial for the success of your creative business. In this episode, I'll share my favorite retention techniques and strategies for nurturing your students and members long after a launch. Imagine launching a course or membership and keeping that initial excitement alive. Sounds challenging, right? Well, stic...

I am so thrilled to have my good friend Amy Porterfield back on the show for this episode as we discuss the world of digital courses! Amy is a renowned online marketing expert and the founder of Digital Course Academy and is here to share her insight into creating successful digital courses. If you aren't familiar with Amy, she is the New York Times bestselling author of Two Weeks Notice and the h...

This episode is for all you entrepreneurs out there with a team, whether it be a virtual assistant or a whole crew of twelve! If, like me, you are managing a remote team, then you know the challenges of keeping everyone connected and engaged when you're not physically together. I have definitely dreamt about having an in-person studio, but with where I live, it's simply not happening, so I have ha...

Do you ever feel like you're juggling too many tasks at once? Trust me, I have been there, and it's why today's episode is so close to my heart! I have had people ask me, "Bonnie, how do you do it all? Do you even sleep?" While that might sound like a compliment, it actually makes me cringe a bit because here's the truth: I don't do it all, and you shouldn't expect yourself to either! This episode...

You know that feeling when you have a million ideas but just don't even know where to start? It's something that I think most, if not all, of us struggle with – goal prioritization, and it was also me not too long ago. However, join me today as I share insights from a recent coaching session that truly transformed my approach. I discuss why it's important to choose just one goal at a time to focus...

As creatives, most of us eventually have to face the scary task of pitching or presenting our work, whether it be in trying to sell our work to a client, get it published, get it licensed, etc. It can be, as I said, scary, but it definitely doesn't have to be! Listen in today as I guide you through mastering the art of the pitch!  I discuss the common fears that tend to hold us back, such as self-...

Join me today as I take a little bit of time to discuss a true game-changer for artists and designers: the Ultimate Art Licensing Handbook! If you're dreaming of seeing your work on products worldwide, then this handbook is definitely for you! This comprehensive guide bridges the gap between your art and the business of art licensing and includes over 400 handpicked licensing partners, streamlined...

Have you ever or are you currently feeling stuck in a rut? Most, if not all, of us have been there at one point time or another. You know those times when inspiration seems to have packed its bags and left town, leaving us with that unsettling feeling that our skills are plateauing? If that sounds familiar, then this is an episode that you are definitely going to want to tune into! Listen as I sha...

I am doing something a little bit different for this episode and am sharing all of the exciting details of my recent trip - two weeks exploring the stunning landscapes of Iceland! From the moment that we arrived, Iceland offered us both breathtaking beauty and unexpected challenges, and I am here to share it all with you: the highs, the lows, and everything in between, including the learning curve...

As summer continues on, I find myself settling into what I affectionately call my "summer mode." Whether I'm adventuring on a family trip, lounging in a hammock with my kids, watching our ducks play in the creek, or tending to my garden, these moments brim with life and inspiration. These quieter, slower times are not just restful but essential for creativity, and I explore how embracing these mom...

A big part of where worry comes from is our focus on the absolute worst case scenario that our minds can imagine. I know that I am guilty of being a worrier, a habit that has led me to experience significant anxiety, especially back in 2020. Over the years, I have been working hard on personal development and strengthening my mental pathways to better manage these thoughts, and in this episode of...

Mental triggers essentially affect all of us. Founded from psychological and behavioral economics, they are psychological drivers that influence our behavior and the decisions that we make. They can take on many different forms, but join me today as I focus particularly on one that has become entwined with my own business - rituals! Rituals in business can create a profound bond between you and yo...

Entrepreneurs often find it difficult to take even a small step away from their business, and I am here in this episode to tell you that it doesn't have to be! I used to struggle with the idea of stepping away myself, fearing that everything would fall apart if I wasn't constantly available. Tune in to hear how I overcame this challenge, including my personal journey from being tethered to my work...

Welcome to today's episode, where we discuss ten ways to monetize your knowledge. If you've ever wondered how to turn your expertise into income, you're in the right place. We're diving into ten different strategies to monetize what you know, adding an educational component to your business in impactful and profitable ways. I'll share my personal experiences with these models and explore how the k...

Once you've decided to teach what you know, the big question is, "Now what?" Crafting a curriculum is an art that requires careful planning and creativity to pull students through an experience that provides real transformation. Today, we'll dive into the myriad of ideas on how you can create the perfect curriculum for your topic. We'll explore why it's essential to start with the end goal in mind...

If you've ever thought about adding teaching to your repertoire, you're in the right place. Today, we're diving into how to narrow down the topics you can teach, a crucial step if you're looking to diversify your revenue streams. Often, the decision to start teaching comes before you're entirely sure what you'll teach. It's an exciting journey, and once you take the plunge, you'll likely find that...