Micah Elliott of Blackwater Market Comics and Coffee details his life overhaul from a long career in design to starting over in a new city.

Micah shares his journey of building a community in Mansfield, Ohio, and the challenges of navigating fear and doubt in new ventures. The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity in business, the impact of parenting on identity, and the struggles faced by Gen X and Millennial parents. They also explore grassroots marketing strategies and the financial paywalls that can hinder business growth. Throughout the discussion, Micah emphasizes the need for genuine connections and the cultural bridges between different regions.

Kaila Sachse and Micah Elliot discuss the evolving challenges of modern parenting, the importance of building a support network, and the current job market dynamics. They emphasize the need for authenticity in business and the role of AI as a tool for creativity. The discussion also highlights the significance of community connections and the art of pivoting in one's career.

ABOUT MICAH ELLIOT

Micah Elliot (Mr. Magenta) is the creator of Blackwater Market Comics & Coffee (BWM Comics), an online comic and coffee shop blending comics, caffeine, and creativity. With decades of experience in design, Micah brings a sharp eye for aesthetics and a deep love for geekdom to every project.

Micah is a lifelong comic reader and a fierce supporter of indie creators. He’s also the creator of Sarducci, BWM Comics' hyper-caffeinated alley cat mascot and chaotic ambassador. Whether he’s home-roasting beans, curating back issues, or launching creative projects, Micah is always chasing new ways to tell stories, build connections, and celebrate the things we love.

bwmcomics.com

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Freelance web designer Cami MacNamara offers practical advice for web designers, solopreneurs, and women entrepreneurs striving for sustainable success with clarity and boundaries. Whether you're building recurring revenue or managing client relationships, you'll find actionable insights to empower your business journey.

Cami and Bringing Up Business host, Kaila Sachse, delve into practical tips for client management, building recurring revenue, setting boundaries, and maintaining mental well-being. They also explore the realities of running a successful, sustainable web design business while balancing life and family. 

Cami also shares her experiences with challenging clients and the valuable lessons learned from them. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing when frustration arises and the need for self-care to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

About Cami MacNamara

Cami MacNamara is a longtime web designer and founder of WebCami LLC in Seattle. For over 20 years, she’s built websites for small businesses and nonprofits while raising a family and running her one-person studio. Today, she also leads a community for freelance web designers, sharing real-world advice about balancing business, creativity, and life outside of work.

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webdesignerhabits.com

facebook.com/groups/webcamicafe

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Eric Grotenhuis, CEO and partner of Page Design Group, shares his journey in purchasing a design firm while raising two sons, emphasizing the significance of trust within teams and the value of involving family in creative processes. 

Eric shares the importance of work-life balance and how it can help you build trust both at home and within the workplace. He also discusses the importance of communication in relationships, the need for structured time management, and the strategies that help maintain a healthy work-life balance. The conversation also touches on the importance of listening and supporting children as they navigate their own paths.

About Eric Grotenhuis 

Eric hails from the upper Midwest, where he graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 1992. After moving to sunny Sacramento in 2001, he became partner and CEO of Page Design Group, one of the area's most respected boutique design firms. He currently balances his talents between making Page Design a great workplace, hosting their Marketing Team of One podcast, and managing a variety of marketing and branding campaigns. He also currently serves on the board of the Capital Creative Alliance. He has been married for over 31 years and helped raise two wonderful sons, ages 19 and 21.

pagedesign.com

marketingteamofone.net

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Roberta Morris, a freelance designer and creative director, discusses with host Kaila Sachse how to foster creativity and productivity.

They journey Roberta's career through various cities, her experiences in nonprofit work, and the importance of creative spaces. Their conversation delves into managing time effectively, the significance of community support, and the lessons learned in communication and boundaries. Roberta shares valuable advice for aspiring freelancers, emphasizing the importance of networking and finding one's niche.

About Roberta Morris
Roberta Morris is a Memphis, TN-based designer and founder of Leave It to ’Berta, her own freelance design firm. Her passion is helping organizations to brand and promote their products in a consistent and thoughtful way. 

With a long and varied career, she started out in advertising and boutique design in Dallas, TX. She then lived and worked in Paris, lived in San Francisco for 20 years, and recently relocated back to her hometown of Memphis. 

Roberta has over 30 years' experience working for a wide-range of organizations, clients, and agencies, providing them with fully-integrated digital and print design. 

She regularly dedicates her design talents to nonprofits and charitable causes. When she's not designing something, ’Berta enjoys writing about colorful and creative topics on her Martini Minute blog.

leaveittoberta.com

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Nick Slavik, founder and owner of the Nick Slavik Painting and Restoration Company, shares insights on managing relationships, the significance of purpose, and the strategies he employs for business growth, including effective marketing and sales techniques. 

He discusses his journey from leaving a family business to starting his own, the impact of military experience on his perspective, and the importance of empathy in both business and family life. The conversation emphasizes the balance between personal growth, family, and professional responsibilities.

About Nick Slavik
Nick Slavik is the Proprietor of the Nick Slavik Painting & Restoration Co. and is the Host of Ask a Painter Live.  Ask a Painter Live has aired weekly for over 9 years, instructing, answering questions, and championing the trades and entrepreneurship as an avenue for freedom.  Nick has been a social media influencer and content creator for over a decade.  His company will celebrate its 17th anniversary this year, employs +40 people, has a leadership team, and operates a full-scale finishing shop and training facility.

Nick has been a craftsman for more than 33 years.  His company has been awarded more than 17 National awards for craftsmanship, including massive restorations of Victorian mansions.  He has created a rigorous Apprenticeship program where he finds, trains, inspires, and mentors young people in his craft. Nick is currently the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the PCA - the Painting Contractors Association.  The PCA is a 140-year-old nonprofit whose mission is to build better contractors. 

nickslavik.com 

facebook.com/nick.slavik.92 

facebook.com/askapainter 

facebook.com/nsprco 

instagram.com/slaviknick

youtube.com/@AskaPainterLive

tiktok.com/@ni

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Bri West, co-founder of Somerled, shares her massively successful intersection of business and parenting. 

Somerled has used market research and data analysis to design 700+ short term rentals that surpass the competition and maximize cash flow, with results that average 30-50% increase in revenue. Bri dives into her journey from long-term to short-term rental investments, the importance of asking for help, and the challenges of scaling a service-based business. They discuss financial management, pricing strategies, and the dynamics of working with a spouse. Bri also opens up about her plans for maternity leave and her dreams for her family and business.

About Bri West

Bri West is a co-owner of Somerled Designs with a strong background in marketing. From her experience in the marketing industry, she has the expertise to identify the right target audience and design tactics that will truly make an STR property shine.

Throughout her career, Bri has spearheaded countless impactful marketing campaigns, resulting in significant revenue growth and increased brand visibility for various organizations. Her exceptional ability to analyze market trends, target specific audiences, and come up with innovative solutions consistently delivers exceptional results. Now, Bri brings her expertise to the STR world, treating each design project as an opportunity to drive a higher return on investment for STR investors.

Bri is also an STR investor herself. Having purchased, set up, and managed over 10 successful STR properties, Bri understands the investor's point of view. At Somerled, she caters to these needs by focusing on efficient design for quick setup and cash flow, streamlined processes to accommodate busy investors, and smart furniture choices based on Bri's understanding of guest wear and tear. Her goal is to ensure that STR investors have a seamless and profitable experience at Somerled.

Overall, Bri is results driven with a proven ability to design STR properties that stand out from their competition, attract more bookings, and generate more revenue.

somerleddesigns.com

@somerled.designs

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Arlene Birt, a visual storyteller and educator, discusses the intersection of motherhood and running her own company with employees.

Arlene and host, Kaila Sachse, discuss practical parenting hacks, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the importance of creating a supportive community. 

Arlene also shares her journey from freelancing to running a successful design consultancy, emphasizing the need for financial health and effective communication in both parenting and business. 

The conversation highlights the evolving nature of priorities and the significance of understanding complex topics in a relatable way.

More About Arlene Birt

Arlene Birt is a mom, and she creates visuals to help individuals connect emotionally to seemingly distant environmental topics. 

A visual storyteller, information designer, and educator, her visuals explain the complexities of science and social topics to non-expert audiences. As graphics officer with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), she co-created figures with 60+ climate scientists – including one that landed on the front page of global news media. Birt is a professor in Creative Entrepreneurship at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), and founder and creative director of design consultancy, Background Stories.

Her work has been featured in the Washington Post, Financial Times, Le Monde, Creative Review, U.S. News and World Report, and numerous other global media. She has published chapters in several books, including New Challenges for Data Design.

Birt was visiting fellow at Seoul National University (2023-’24), adjunct faculty of Wuhan University of Technology, Fulbright fellow in the Netherlands, and has held several artist residencies. Birt holds a master’s degree from Design Academy Eindhoven (the Netherlands) and runs workshops internationally.

backgroundstories.com

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Nikolai Paquin, a creative solopreneur, discusses strategies for building a personal brand, the significance of understanding your MVP (Minimum Viable Product), and how failure can be a valuable teacher with host Kaila Sachse. 

They also discuss Nikolai’s journey in self-employment and how he managed to pay off his student loans. 

Nikolai shares insights on preparing for parenthood, the impact of upbringing on entrepreneurial mindset, and the value of self-education through online resources. 

The conversation concludes with Nikolai's aspirations for his business and the transition towards teaching others how to succeed in entrepreneurship.

More About Nikolai Paquin
Nikolai Paquin build brands at the intersection of design and AI. With 10 years of experience across industries from food & beverage to SaaS, his specialty is creating scalable brand systems that work across every touchpoint, from packaging to paid ads. He’s particularly passionate about helping companies leverage AI tools without losing their human touch. Based in upstate New York, Nikolai is always experimenting with the latest creative technology while staying grounded in timeless design principles.

nikolaipaquin.com

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Brandie Nicole Adams, certified health coach and founder of Revealed Healing, discusses the importance of professional support in health and wellness. 

They discuss Brandie's journey from a side hustle to a full-time entrepreneur, the significance of self-care, and the impact of negative self-talk on mental health. Brandie emphasizes the need for non-negotiables in wellness routines and the role of community in supporting personal transformation. The conversation highlights the balance between discipline and grace in parenting and self-care, encouraging listeners to recognize and address their negative self-talk.

More About Brandie Nicole Adams
Brandie Nicole is a Certified Health Coach and the founder of Revealed Healing and The Revealed Healing Blueprint, a transformational program helping women lose fat, build lean muscle, and reclaim their energy through faith-infused, sustainable strategies for full body wellness.

With over a decade of experience in health and fitness, Brandie specializes in guiding women to take confident ownership of their health—without restriction, confusion, or shame. Her holistic approach combines balanced nutrition, effective training, emotional wellness, and biblical principles to support women in honoring their bodies as the sacred temples they are.

Brandie’s mission is rooted in transformation—both physical and spiritual. She equips women with the tools and strategies to care for their bodies from a place of purpose, so they can show up with boldness in every area of life. Through her coaching, clients experience measurable improvements in energy, sleep, stress, and self-confidence while deepening their relationship with God and themselves.

Whether working with busy professionals, moms, or women navigating major life transitions, Brandie creates a safe, empowering space where real change can happen—and last.

Instagram @revealedhealingcoach
revealedhealing.com

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