The Self-Employed Life

In big ways and in little ways, our worlds often get rocked. Especially as Creative Warriors. It can be something like losing a client, something not working or a sudden change. My world was rocked in a big way recently with the sudden death of my 59-year-old brother just before Christmas. But what I want to share is how you can handle the situation when your world gets rocked, whether it's in a b...

We're going to change things up on Creative Warriors. This week I'm thrilled to welcome a guest who's 6-week course I will be taking in the new year. Once I've finished the course, I plan on having this guest back to discuss my results. Sure, it's a little intimidating to be doing this so publicly. But my goal is to show you all how important this work can be. What is it I'm going to be working on...

I always love it when an episode lands on Christmas Day! It's yet another time when I get to reflect and be thankful for everything my Creative Warriors community has given me. So, I wanted to revisit one of our special Christmas episodes where we had two very special guests. First, we had the extremely rare opportunity to chat with the big man himself-- Santa Claus! I mean, seriously, how often d...

I'll admit that the idea of creating a brand new category is intimidating. Not many of us feel like we might be the next Steve Jobs. But creating categories is not only more approachable than we think, but often right in front of us. All it takes is a simple re-framing of how you position your business as a specific human-focused solution. When broken down, creating a new category can be the answe...

In this episode, I offer you a tool to evaluate the true hourly value of your business. I call it the rule of thirds. Listen in and you'll understand why. Once you understand this, you'll know better what to say yes to and what to say no to. You'll be able to reevaluate what services and products are worth your time and which aren't. You'll be more clear on where to put your attention. And you can...

I consider myself a productive person. I have hard systems, apps, and even color-coding that I use to make sure that I complete projects and tasks in a timely fashion and still have time for myself.  However, it's a topic that I love digging into. Who doesn't want to find new ways to streamline their productivity? We Creative Warriors often have a lot of projects we are juggling and in an industry...

2020 is a leap year on the calendar but it can also be YOUR leap year. The year you make a big leap forward in your life and business. Find out how and the story behind my new talk, Life is an Everything Bagel, that will inspire you to stop choosing between things and choose everything instead! The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear from you. Be part of the conversation - Join our com...

The world is moving deeper into the digital world and at an alarmingly fast pace. As a result, today's technology has leveled the business playing field. In this fast-moving virtual age, establishing a strong personal brand has become a critical part of being a Creative Warrior. Whether it's on or offline, your personal brand is about giving people in your community a choice. When you can be pure...

The thing about goal setting is you can set all the goals you want, make all the plans and create the lists, but if you don't have mindsets to support you, your goals aren't as likely to work out. In this episode, I share ideas to strengthen positive mindsets and weaken mindsets that are obstacles. The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear from you. Be part of the conversation - Join our...

As entrepreneurs, we can always learn from studying companies that really understand what they're doing. From branding to customer service, there is always more to learn. I especially get excited when I get the opportunity to unpack a brand with someone who understands it intimately.  Airbnb is a brand that I've come to truly respect. I'll be completely honest- for the longest time, I was not a fa...

Often when launching a new company or business, we are looking for a map that will guide us from seed to conception. On my journey, I looked for any source that would help me on my path. Some strategies worked, but many of them did not. Looking back, I have to think of how helpful it would have been if someone would have been able to provide a map or guideline that spoke to my specific needs. A pl...

There's one bit of advice I find myself saying to branding and coaching clients all the time, No, I'm not going to reveal it here. You have to listen to the episode! And I would listen as I'm sure if I had the good fortune to work with you personally, at some point I'm likely to give you the same advice.  The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear from you. Be part of the conversation - J...

When people think about making changes in their business, they often think about massive life-altering changes. What if the changes we need to make are small detail-oriented changes? Subtle improvements in our customer service can increase the value of our relationships leading to major results over time. We can alter the way we interact with our customers making them feel more appreciated, recogn...

I'm asked all the time what books I suggest. Reading two books a week to keep up with interviews for Creative Warriors, over 5+ years you can imagine how many books I've read. These are the best of the best. Links to each book are below. Enjoy and always respect the power of the written word to pass on wisdom! The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear from you. Be part of the conversatio...

As Creative Warriors, we're always looking for ways to expand our business and build new relationships. We often look for things outside of ourselves that will help us gain a strategic advantage. What if the edge we need is something we currently possess? A gift and an ability that is within us already.  There is no master formula or a step-by-step guide to success. But there are character traits...

In what has become an end-of-the-year annual tradition on Creative Warriors, in this episode I share ideas about setting your theme for next year. Why it's important, how to go about discovering your theme and how your theme integrates into your goals for 2020. Your theme is your north star, your guide and what will keep you on track! Listen in. The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear...

I am continuously looking for new authentic ways to connect with people. Personal connections have been essential for me when looking to create new business relationships. It's a vital part of my professional strategy. The goal is to expand my business in an organic way that genuinely connects with the people I intend to work with professionally.  There are many ways to accomplish this, but the st...

In business, we're often taught to achieve at all costs. But what if there's a better way to approach entrepreneurialism that still leads to success and achievement. A way to bring more peace, calm, and artistry to your business life. Being an entrepreneur is similar to being an artist. You are creating something from nothing, and you genuinely care about what you're creating. For Creative Warrior...

After observing a number of situations recently where leaders seem to have a lack of understanding of those they lead, it got me wondering about measurable empathy intelligence. We have tests, assessments and scales for every other kind of intelligence but empathy intelligence doesn't even exist. As far as Google is concerned. It's always wrapped up under emotional intelligence. I think we need to...

Sometimes I have concerns about technology and the impact it is having on society. Whether positive or negative, it has become an integral part of our lives, both professionally and personally. With the advances we've made in technology, there are still some significant questions about its impact. Will it lead us to a perfect or a dystopian future? Is it possible to merge technology and humanity i...

We all strive to provide the best customer service possible. But what if good or even exceptional customer service isn't enough? Excellent customer service is too easy to replicate so it's still hard to stand out. What could be better than serving people? Seeing them. Really seeing them and all that is important to them. Feeling seen, heard and understood are some of the most important feelings we...

If you want to attract business you must have a story that is interesting. Business owners often miss out on opportunities or cannot close a deal because they didn't make a lasting impression. Many think that it's luck, but it's not. It's important to spend time molding, crafting, and perfecting your story; it can change your future. Success depends on the stories we tell about ourselves and our b...

Could it be that we're becoming more positive? That marketing pain and negativity is no longer what people need to see before they seek a solution? It seems so! Or at least negativity is not all they want to see. Find out how to market aspiration and paint a picture of all that's possible! The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear from you. Be part of the conversation - Join our communit...

A lack of clarity can severely hinder the life of a creative professional. You can have a bunch of daily tasks and plenty of work to do, but without clarity, you don't have a clear idea of why you're doing it and how it will benefit your overall goal strategy. With clarity, you can stay flexible on the path to achieving each goal. Clarity of purpose, clarity of direction, and clarity of identity a...

There are three months left to 2019. So I'm challenging you with a series of things you can do for the remaining three months to change your life. Three daily practices for three months. Three things you're going to start doing for the next three months. And three things you're going to stop doing for the next three months. This combination of threes is practically certain to change your life in j...