What does it mean to build a career with no regrets?

In this episode of Conversations with Erica, executive coach and career development author Erica Mattison speaks with creative entrepreneur Diane Ivey about taking bold risks, leading with values, and continually reinventing her work to reflect what matters most.

Diane shares the story behind her entrepreneurial journey, including the ten years she spent building a yarn dyeing business that sold products around the world. Through that company, she also helped advance conversations around craftivism, the intersection of crafting and social activism, using her platform to promote diversity, representation, and social justice within the crafting community.

After navigating the challenges of the pandemic and closing her company, Diane entered a period of reflection and reinvention. She explains how trusting her intuition, reaching out to her network, and reconnecting with her long-standing passion for politics and writing led her to a new chapter as a broadcast writer at CNN.

This conversation explores entrepreneurship, identity, risk-taking, and how values can guide career decisions across different phases of life.

• Building a values-driven business and leading with integrity
• The concept of craftivism and using creativity for social impact
• Taking risks and leaving a stable career to pursue meaningful work
• Navigating the decision to close a business and start a new chapter
• The role of networking and relationships in career transitions
• Trusting intuition and aligning work with personal values
• Designing a career that reflects purpose and impact

“I made a decision that whatever I was going to do, I was going to make sure that my life would be fulfilled.”
— Diane Ivey

Diane Ivey is a creative entrepreneur, writer, and widely recognized voice in the craftivism movement. Through her yarn dyeing business, she helped elevate diverse creators and bring social justice conversations into the crafting community before transitioning from entrepreneurship to journalism.

She is now beginning a new chapter as a broadcast writer at CNN while continuing to explore writing, entrepreneurship, and communication as tools for impact.

You might reflect on:

• What would building a career with no regrets look like for you?
• Where might taking a thoughtful risk open new possibilities?
• How do your values shape the work you choose to pursue?
• What experiences from your past could inform your next chapter?

If this conversation sparked reflection about career direction, entrepreneurship, or designing work that reflects your values, you can explore more resources on Erica Mattison’s website.

Erica Mattison is an executive coach and career development expert who helps professionals and leaders clarify what matters, navigate career transitions, and move forward with greater confidence.

Explore articles, podcast episodes, and coaching resources ➔

You can also learn more about Erica’s book Clarifying What Matters: Creating Direction for Your Career, which offers practical reflection tools to help professionals make thoughtful decisions about what comes next.

In the debut episode of Conversations with Erica, executive coach and motivational speaker Erica Mattison speaks with entrepreneur and creative Chuck Spidell, founder of Pooch and Zen, about how careers evolve through experimentation, creativity, and a willingness to take risks.

Chuck shares how his professional path shifted from running a Portland-based pet sitting business to developing a lifestyle brand inspired by his photography along the Pacific coast. The conversation explores how creative interests that show up early in life can later become part of meaningful work.

Erica and Chuck discuss how paying attention to audience feedback, redefining success beyond job titles, and staying open to pivots can shape both entrepreneurship and career direction. They also reflect on practical ways to explore new ideas without abandoning stability, including starting passion projects and developing multiple income streams.

For anyone reflecting on career direction, career transitions, or building work that feels more aligned, this conversation offers insight into how experimentation and curiosity can open new possibilities.

• How career pivots often grow out of long-standing interests
• The influence of job titles on what people believe they are allowed to pursue
• Why experimentation is essential for entrepreneurship and professional development
• How childhood interests can provide clues about future career direction
• Rethinking success beyond income, status, or traditional career paths
• Exploring passion projects while maintaining financial stability
• Diversifying income streams to create flexibility and security
• Marketing lessons entrepreneurs learn by listening to their audience

"Take risks if you want to grow. Take more risks if you want to grow faster."
— Chuck Spidell

Chuck Spidell is an entrepreneur and creative based along the Pacific coast. He is the founder of Pooch and Zen, a lifestyle brand inspired by nature, pets, and outdoor living.

Chuck’s work blends photography, design, and storytelling to share the landscapes and experiences that shape his creative journey. Through his entrepreneurial projects, he explores how curiosity, experimentation, and creativity can inform both business and life.

Learn more ➔
Pooch and Zen

You might reflect on:

• What interests or activities have followed you through different stages of your life?
• Where might experimentation help you explore a new direction in your career or business?
• What definition of success feels most meaningful to you right now?

If this conversation sparked reflection about your own career direction, leadership growth, or professional transition, you may want to explore additional resources.

Erica Mattison is an executive coach and career development expert who helps professionals and leaders clarify what matters, navigate career transitions, and move forward with greater confidence.

If you are thinking about what comes next in your own career, the resources below can help you continue that reflection.

Explore articles, podcast episodes, and coaching resources ➔

You can also learn more about Erica’s book Clarifying What Matters: Creating Direction for Your Career, which offers practical reflection tools to help professionals make thoughtful decisions about what comes next.