Somewhere along the way, ambition became associated with things that don't resonate with creative entrepreneurs, hustle culture, sacrificing everything for growth, becoming someone you're not. So when people talk about scaling or being ambitious, many of us instinctively recoil. Not because we don't want success, but because we don't want the version of success being sold to us.

In this episode, through real-life examples, we explore what ambition actually looks like for creative businesses: having a sense of purpose, doing work you're proud of, and being fairly rewarded for it. You don't have to choose between them. You can have all three.

Key Moments:

• [00:00] Why last week's episode on financial independence sparked this conversation about ambition
• [03:24] Redefining what ambition actually means for creative entrepreneurs and why it's not what you think
• [04:05] The three elements that make up real ambition: purpose, pride, and fair reward
• [06:50] What aligned scaling looks like - hint: it's amplification, not multiplication
• [07:48] Kate's transformation: changing one question that shifted everything for her team
• [10:28]The interior designer who stopped doing free consultations and created Space Planning Intensives instead
• [13:48] Why traditional scaling advice feels wrong and the unshakeable foundation that makes ambitious growth possible
• [17:39] My own journey choosing to scale on my terms and why that was more ambitious, not less
• [19:43] Three clarity questions that change everything about how you approach growth

Notable Quotes:

"Let's fully embrace and celebrate ambition. For most creatives, ambition is having a sense of purpose, doing good work you're proud of, and being fairly rewarded for it."

"Ambition isn't the problem. Following someone else's definition of ambition is the problem."

Resources Mentioned:

• Read: This Week's Full Journal Post
• Listen Episode 116: "Why I Do What I Do"
• Link: The Base Notes Waitlist
• Subscribe to our Weekly newsletter
• Website: www.philippacraddock.com
• Email: [email protected]

Share Your Insights:

What does ambition look like for you? I'd genuinely love to hear how you define success on your own terms. Please do share your thoughts with me over on Instagram these conversations really matter and often shape future content.

Never Miss an Episode:

Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive resources, and first access to new offerings that support your creative business growth.

And if this episode resonated with you, if you're taking away even one idea or action point for your creative business, would you leave a quick review on the platform you use? It takes less than a minute and makes a massive impact on helping us reach others who'll benefit from these episodes. Thank you.