In this hosts-only episode, Renee Garcia and Damion Rowe pull back the curtain on their own creative journeys and business realities. No guest this time—just two creatives getting real about the messy, complicated, and often hilarious side of running creative businesses.

What starts as Renee lamenting her business name's unexpected SEO conflict quickly spirals into a deep dive through the landscape of modern creative entrepreneurship.

The conversation weaves through copyright confusion, AI's impact on artists, and the harsh reality of tariffs crushing small businesses. Damion shares war stories from DJing a 5,000-person Colombian wedding, while Renee opens up about her journey from commissioned illustrations (including a memorable 48-person family portrait) to full-time branding work.

Key Topics Explored:

* The unexpected challenges of choosing business names in the digital age

* How tariffs are forcing local businesses to get creative or close their doors

* Why hourly rates don't work for creative projects (and what does)

* The tennis elbow that changed Renee's entire business trajectory

* Damion's disciplined approach to music creation and why he spent years in the studio every night

* The psychology behind logo reveals and why clients get emotional

* File organization systems that actually work for creative projects

* Why taking breaks (and having a dog) can save your creative career

Going Behind the Curtain: This episode reveals the unglamorous realities behind creative success—from Renee's unconventional eating schedule and late-night work sessions to Damion's discovery that his college sleep deprivation habits permanently rewired his body clock. We witness their philosophical alignment around intention-driven creativity, their shared frustration with AI's impact on artistic integrity, and their mutual belief that supporting local businesses isn't just nice—it's necessary. The conversation gets wonderfully sidetracked by discussions of Duke Ellington's morning composition routine, the logistics of managing 32 Christmas commissions, and why some of the best creative solutions come during dog walks.

Whether you're a creative struggling with business fundamentals, someone curious about the real costs of artistic entrepreneurship, or just wanting to eavesdrop on two friends figuring out this creative life together, this episode offers both practical wisdom and reassuring honesty about the journey.

Perfect for: Creative entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed, anyone curious about the business side of art and design, supporters of local creative businesses, and those who appreciate unfiltered conversations about the creative life.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit droweaudio.substack.com