We talk with Charisse Fagan about her journey and goals as a designer and illustrator! Not only is she opening her own shop this year but she also shares what a designer portfolio is and why she's building one. 

The insight Charissa shares on designing what she loves, why she designs, and the limitless beliefs that push her to achieve her dreams is so inspiring.

You can find Charisse here:

https://www.instagram.com/charissefaganstudio/

https://linktr.ee/charissefagan

We talk with Lindsay Rose who is the EVP for Mom’s Best Friend in Dallas. Mom’s Best Friend is a 22-year-old company that provides families with nannies, babysitters, child educators, housekeepers, senior care, and even personal assistants!

During this time of COVID, it is more important now than ever for Lindsay Rose’s company to reach an audience of parents and families who need help while working from home or having their children virtually attend school.

Her passion for family and Mom’s Best Friend radiates. We learn about her company and her daily work life in this podcast episode.

Show notes

00:43

Intro

4:51

the 5 Questions

15:00

Being a stay at home mom is a full time job just as much as a working mom balancing both jobs

18:04

A lot of parents are working from home right now – finding a solution so you can be home and work without watching your children at the same time is important

20:34

The nannies that work for Mom’s Best Friend are professional and creatively working around COVID

23:33

What is the most common ask and top reason that a mom comes to Mom’s Best Friend?

27:43

Mom’s Best Friend has nannies but also babysitters for different needs

30:43

What is the cost of hiring through Mom’s Best Friend?

33:13

What is Lindsay Rose’s typical work day like?

35:15

Madeline asks if they also work with single dads because their main client is a mother

36:38

Mom’s Best Friend also works with Personal Assistance jobs and matches them with clients! It’s less popular than their nanny services but something they are good at

37:53

Families tend to hire two services from Mom’s Best Friend such as nanny and a housekeeper

39:15

How has Mom’s Best Friend been affected during COVID?

41:23

What are some of the common issues Lindsay Roses sees within her company and with clients?

44:14

What is Lindsay Rose’s most rewarding part of her job?

49:30

The game of This or That

You can find Mom’s Best Friend here:

https://www.facebook.com/momsbestfrienddallas/

https://www.instagram.com/momsbestfrienddallas/

Taylor Swift’s newest album, Folklore, came out and all Harlee and I could talk about was her creative process and authenticity in this album and how it inspires us as artists.

All creatives can learn from each other and so much that Taylor has done and just released holds insight for us on how to stay true to you, collaborate with others, and create the environment needed to build your vision.

Show Notes:

00:43

Harlee reads Taylor Swift’s letter to her audience about Folklore

2:37

Harlee and Madeline start talking about their experience in growing up with Taylor Swift songs

10:32

We talk about how Taylor chose the name Folklore for her album and how her songs support this theme as well as how she produces her music

15:43

Folklore is huge on collaboration with other artists. We talk about the importance of this and how it stems from COVID

23:43

How we can learn from Taylor’s creative process!

34:53

Madeline asks what some of Harlee’s favorite lyrics from Folklore are

38:54

This is important - Showing your creative process to your audience and not judging your own process and art

44:03

We tie in the creative process by comparing Taylor Swift’s albums over the years and how Folklore sounds different than anything else that Taylor Swift has released

You can find Creative Banter Podcast here:

Website - https://creativebanter.wixsite.com/podcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativebanterpodcast/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/creativebanterpodcast/

We talk with Mary Robb who is the founder of Social Practice TX, which is a social media strategy agency based out of Dallas, Texas! Her company specializes in helping doctors and businesses while providing flexible jobs for creatives.

We talk marketing tips for social media platforms, networking, resources to use, and Mary’s lifestyle and passion that led her to own this company and grow it!

Show Notes:

00:20

Intro

2:20

The 5 Questions

9:55

Madeline asks Mary when she started her business, how did it scale, and where Mary’s inspiration came from

14:50

What is a great way a photographer can cross-platform digital marketing?

19:58

The importance of being responsive and engaging on IG for the algorithm to favor you

20:37

Mary’s resources that she loves to use and recommends to clients such as scheduling and newsletter apps

23:20

How much should a business owner show of their personal life and opinions on their Instagram?

27:30

5 things creative entrepreneurs aren’t doing in their digital marketing and social media strategy but they should be

34:05

What is Social Practice TX office space like?

36:02

Do we wait for clients to come to us or do we come to them?  How do we reach out to clients?

39:44

What is a dream brand that Mary wants to work for?

40:42

Where Mary got her networking talent from

55:10

What is Mary’s absolute favorite part about her job?

45:50

Mary shares from her heart: dive in and don’t wait for permission

48:00

The Game of This or That

You can find Mary here:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/socialpracticetx/

Website: http://social-practicetx.com/

IG for Mary’s Blog: https://www.instagram.com/thecandidmillennial/

Website for Mary’s Blog: https://www.liketoknow.it/thecandidmillennial

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryerobb and https://www.linkedin.com/organization-guest/company/socialpracticetx

FB: https://www.facebook.com/socialpracticetx/

We are honored to have Anastasia Chomlack on as our guest speaker. We heard about Anastasia from her Gratitude Sessions, where she started a movement of photographers offering free sessions to essential workers during COVID-19. We talk about how she set this up where all parties benefited and people felt appreciated.

Anastasia also is very passionate about creating a sustainable, inclusive, and humane brand. She is a branding photographer and also runs a wedding business with associates called The Whistler Wedding Collective!

We talk humanity, personal journeys, branding, running a business with associates, and gratitude.

Show Notes:

00:20

Intro

3:23

The 5 Questions

11:00

What is The Whistler Wedding Collective?

We also talk about competition vs community, not saying yes to every client, and the importance of saying no

20:47

How Anastasia’s workshops and mentor sessions go

23:48

Anastasia’s other business: Anastasia Creative

It’s her branding photography business that is a full experience and package

27:10

What is a brand? What is an ethical, sustainable brand? How are we showing up and creating transformation?

31:45

Anastasia has shown her authentic journey in her brand. We ask how she does it – she has gone through a lot, involving cancer, so she opens up about how that transformed her and her brand

38:30

Anastasia’s personal journey led to her now branding photography business, Anastasia Creative, and her why

41:26

Anastasia is the one that started the One for One Essential Worker Gratitude Sessions and it spread like wildfire!

49:49

Anastasia has an anti-racism and inclusion page on her website – she is hoping that more creatives and entrepreneurs will also think about their brand in this direction as well

This topic flows into BLM, COVID-19, and 2020 in general

1:02:52

Anastasia reads a manifesto that she and her friend wrote

1:04:03

This or That

You can find Anastasia Here:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiachomlack/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thewhistlerweddingcollective/

Website: https://anastasiacreative.com/#/

Website: https://anastasiaphotography.ca/

Josiah has been on a previous episode with his partner, Harlee, who are a photography team. On this episode, we are highlighting Josiah as an individual because he has natural leadership skills, lives creatively, and is a ranch manager. His job requires innovative thinking, discipline, and adaptability every day.

Hear about Josiah’s story and life as he gives us wise words on knowing self-value and prioritizing happiness!

Show Notes:

00:20

Intro – Josiah gives us his background of growing up to where he is now

2:28

The 5 Questions

6:15

Josiah explains what his career as a ranch manager entails and it’s not what people typically think it is!

9:20

Madeline asks Josiah about his creative side

14:10

“How do you define yourself as a leader?”

15:08

Have you heard of what it means to be a T Person or an X Person? We cover this topic and how Josiah is an X Peron!

20:58

Understanding how Josiah thinks and how his job works with creating streams of revenue

24:50

Josiah gives advice on how to be a good leader

25:52

We talk about what it’s like to work under a boss or with co-workers who are toxic or bad leaders

26:30

Josiah talks about when leadership became important to him as a kid

28:10

Certain leaders’ words and philosophies have inspired Josiah. We talk about how our perspectives on life are everything

31:10

Prioritizing your happiness and value is important!

32:23

Josiah’s life goals and values

34:45

We talk about Josiah’s traits that make him so creative and a good leader. Is Josiah a logical person or more intuitive? More hands on? An out of the box thinker?

42:55

The Game of This or That

You can find Josiah here under Polich Company Photography:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polichcompany/

Website: Polichcompany.weebly.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polichco/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/polichcompany/

Amanda Jewell is an influencer based out of Dallas and Austin, Texas. We have had her on our show before and brought her on again because she often talks about manifestation and how it works with the Law of Attraction.

Amanda manifested getting into UT Austin and even created content on how to transfer there, which is one of her most popular pieces of content as an influencer!

We talk about manifestation, mindset, and how to flip the switch to use the Law of Attraction in our favor.

Show Notes:

00:20

Intro

2:52

What is manifestation and Law of Attraction?

13:26

How Journaling for Law of Attraction works

17:25

Working on our subconscious and the power of visualizing

20:27

Vision Boards!

24:30

Being in a state of gratitude is important and how the pandemic can open our eyes to what we already have

28:23

Generating Positive Energy

30:07

We ask Amanda to tell personal stories of what she has manifested

53:32

Back to Vision Boards: How To

55:48

Amanda gives us books to read to learn about Law of Attraction and Manifestation

You can find Amanda here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamandajewell/

Website: https://theamandajewell.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/amandajewell

We talk with Caitlin of Meraki Media Management as she enlightens us on how to add value to your clients and how to stand out in a saturated market.

We discuss cold calls and dms, using video to show your business brand, and understanding client’s pain points and desires to better serve them.

Caitlin has worked towards success in marketing and her passion is radiant. She knows that marketing is more than numbers, patterns, and analytics. Caitlin leads with empathy and communications and teaches us how we can do the same!

Show Notes:

00:20

Intro

2:03

The 5 Questions

7:28

Caitlin gives us an in-depth background to how her business began

1:10

Caitlin talks about her mission statement and core values. This topic leads into value and quality over quantity

18:33

Caitlin describes how to pitch to potential clients by using free value and emotions

22:58

What is a sales funnel? We talk about generating leads and what it can do for your business

26:26

To Instagram Live or not to Instagram Live

27:33

Coming from a place of service on IG is key

29:33

How do you stand out amongst the crowd and show the unique value you offer on Instagram? Caitlin explains how video, open communication, and expectations are essential.

35:58

Caitlin talks about how her clients are both business to business and business to customer. We talk her passions, empathy, and understanding clients’ pain points.

42:10

Caitlin talks about her growing pains running a new business – learning what clients to say yes or no to

50:20

How to make your Instagram unique and stand out to catch your audiences’ eye

51:44

What is the meaning behind the name Meraki?

53:33

Creative Entrepeneurship comes from the soul and is a deep rooted passion!

58:24

The Game of This or That

Where to find Meraki Media Management:

https://www.instagram.com/meraki_media_management/

https://linktr.ee/meraki_media_management

https://www.merakimediamanagement.com/

Sophie of Sophie Bee Art is a Scientific Illustrator. She has worked for the CDC, has a degree in Scientific Illustration, and is currently earning her Masters of Public Health.

Her love for art, biology, and helping others become more aware and healthy through illustration fuels her passion and the career path she has taken.

We talk with Sophie about how she became a scientific illustrator, her career goals, the commissioned artwork she creates, and what inspires her to do what she does.

This episode is perfect for you science AND art lovers!

Show Notes:

00:20

Intro

1:55

Sophie explains how she got into scientific illustration -

Hint: She started as a biology major and art minor and then discovered her major from there!

6:05

Sophie explains the process of learning the anatomy and biology of a subject in order to illustrate it properly and artistically.

9:04

The 5 questions we ask every guest.

13:45

Sophie explains the inspiration of her interests in science, public health, and art.

15:39

We talk more about her commission artwork!

18:53

Details on Sophie’s CDC job: She was a public health associate in a highly competitive program. She was accepted and moved out to Reno for the job position.

23:56

Sophie and our host, Harlee, met in Reno because Harlee grew up in that area. They met when Sophie had her CDC job so we talk about their friendship!

26:59

Sophie is currently quarantined in Atlanta where she is from. We ask how that is affecting her creativity and business.

30:12

Madeline asks Sophie what her favorite thing to draw is!

32:02

Sophie talks about the classes she’s studying in her Scientific Illustration Master Program. Sophie explains how Digital Storytelling, which is one of her classes, is a way she will continue to utilize her talent and passion to help others.

39:22

We ask Sophie to share her goals. She wants to create bigger prints and have her work shown in museums. As far as public health, she would love to work in health communication and to make a difference in the lives of others.

41:25

Harlee asks Sophie what her favorite art piece that she’s ever created is. Sophie is smart with how she creates her work in order to save it!

43:40

We have this notion that science-minded, structured people are organized and that creative, freethinking, artists are scattered brain. We ask Sophie where she falls on this spectrum!

45:41

Sophie tells listeners that she’s open to help anyone interested in scientific illustration!

46:33

The game of This or That!

You can find Sophie here:

https://www.facebook.com/sophiebeeart/

https://www.instagram.com/sophiebeeart/

https://www.sophiebeeart.com/

Harlee is one of the hosts at Creative Banter and her partner, Josiah, is also her photography and business teammate!

We dive in to get to know them more! They talk about what it’s like to work together, business and photography, and their outdoor ranch living.

Show notes:

00:20

Intro:

How did Polich Company become a team? Harlee was already a photog running a business before they became a duo! It’s pretty cool how they started working together

4:50

Harlee and Josiah talk about the benefits of being a team for wedding photography – especially as two different genders.

6:40

Living on a ranch influences their creative style and makes their business more unique!

9:43

How do Harlee and Josiah stay inspired and what are non-photography things that keep them creative?

12:20

Advice that Josiah and Harlee have been told in the past that affect them still today to be the best business owner and creative in life.

14:24

Harlee and Josiah talk about re-occurring struggles they face as business owners.

16:00

Advice Josiah and Harlee can give to new photographers looking to start a business and to couples who want to work together.

18:25

I ask what their ideal dream shoot is! Harlee loves adventure wedding photography as it’s very outdoorsy. We talk about rock climbing on couple’s photoshoots and as a hobby.

22:18

Is there a photography session they would NEVER want to do?

23:49

Harlee and Josiah live on a lot of land and would like to start doing styled shoots on their property.

24:08

If Polich Company’s creative work were edible, then what would it be?

25:18

Josiah shares a wedding story when Harlee had to stand up to an uninvited guest at the wedding in order to do her job as well as help the bride out! Sometimes being a wedding photographer means dealing with conflict and difficult people.

27:10

Josiah and Harlee have two different favorite parts of weddings as photogs. What are they?

28:23

Harlee and Josiah talk about their favorite types of shoots to do in their business. They had a recent shoot, which turned out to be favorite because it included a surprise proposal!

30:59

I ask Harlee and Josiah if they are romantics. One is and the other isn’t!

34:35

Josiah gives advice to couples that work together!

You can find Polich Company here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polichcompany/

Website: Polichcompany.weebly.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polichco/