There's an uncomfortable space many creatives live in for far too long: the gap between being talented and being paid. Loving what you do doesn't automatically mean you know how to build a business around it.

If you're the person everyone calls for advice, ideas, or "just a quick look," this episode will hit close to home. I'm sharing the behind-the-scenes lessons I learned while building my staging business, including how I confused being helpful with being hired, gave away too much expertise for free and wondered why I was so busy but not profitable.

We're unpacking why talent alone doesn't get rewarded, how clarity and positioning change the way people value your work and why adding structure to your business doesn't make you less creative. It actually gives your creativity room to breathe.

Here's what we covered:
✅ The difference between being good at something and monetizing it
✅ Why creatives often undercharge or overgive without realizing it
✅ How free consultations quietly replace paid services
✅ The exhaustion that comes from being everyone's go-to resource
✅ Why selling outcomes creates stronger pricing confidence
✅ How clarity around the problem you solve changes everything
✅ The role of boundaries in protecting your energy and creativity
✅ Why confidence comes from facts, not feelings

This episode is about pairing creativity with business intelligence so you can build something sustainable without becoming corporate, hardened, or disconnected from who you are. You don't need to lose yourself to make money. You need clarity, confidence and systems that support the work you love.

Ready to stop being the best-kept secret in your industry?

If this episode resonated with you and you're ready to separate the math from the drama in your business, I'd love to support you.

📖 Start with the book: Grab your copy of UNMUTE YOURSELF and discover the mindset shifts that turn talented creatives into confident business owners. It's the foundation of everything I teach. Click here to order

💼 Go deeper with Business Therapy™: If you're ready for personalized support, clarity, and a roadmap that actually fits your creative business, let's work together. Business Therapy is where we separate what's holding you back from what moves you forward. Book your consultation at www.jokedurojaiye.me

Let's get into it.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the realities of business no one posts on instagram. Because the truth is, the dream you were sold and the reality you’re living don’t always match.

We break down the fantasy many creatives buy into. Freedom, flexibility, passion led work and fast success. And then we talk about what actually shows up once you start. The emotional weight, the financial pressure and the identity shift that happens when your business is deeply personal.

This episode dives into the messy middle of entrepreneurship. The season where you’re doing the work, showing up consistently and still wondering if you made a mistake. Not because you’re failing, but because no one prepared you for how demanding building a business can be.

I share real experiences around burnout, reinvesting everything back into the business and the quiet pressure of holding it all together while the internet makes it look easy. We talk about why passion isn’t enough, why stabilizing can matter more than scaling and why comparing your beginning to someone else’s highlight reel will only slow you down.

Here’s what we covered:
 ✅ The gap between the business dream and business reality
 ✅ Why freedom and flexibility don’t look the way they’re marketed
 ✅ The emotional and financial weight creatives carry quietly
 ✅ Why passion fades and discipline sustains
 ✅ When stabilizing is smarter than scaling
 ✅ How resilience and self-leadership are built in the hard seasons

We also talk about why these parts of business are rarely shared, how polished success stories leave out critical context and why adjusting your expectations can change how you experience this season.

If you’re in the middle right now and questioning yourself, your pace or your decisions, this episode is a reminder that the dream isn’t dead. It’s incomplete. And the struggle isn’t proof you’re doing it wrong. It’s proof you’re doing the work.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about what really happens after you decide to stop hiding. Because the truth is, the moment you choose visibility is the moment the real work begins.

Building on last week’s conversation around Inventing Anna, we explore the uncomfortable gap between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming. Anna walked into rooms with nothing but confidence, while you’re sitting on real skills, real experience, and real results, still questioning if you belong. So what’s actually holding you back?

This episode dives into that awkward in-between season where people start calling you an expert, opportunities show up, and your identity hasn’t fully caught up yet. The part that feels fake, uncomfortable, and tempting to quit, even though it’s actually growth.

I share personal stories about learning how to introduce myself differently, updating my identity publicly, and the hidden cost of reinventing yourself in business. We talk about why this phase isn’t imposter syndrome, why visibility is its own skill, and why awkward doesn’t mean wrong, it just means new.

Here’s what we covered:
 ✅ Why visibility creates discomfort, and why that’s a sign you’re growing
 ✅ The identity gap between the old you and the next-level version of you
 ✅ What it really costs to retire old versions of yourself publicly
 ✅ Why people from your past may struggle with your growth
 ✅ How to talk about your work without minimizing yourself
 ✅ Why being good at your craft and being visible are two different skills
 ✅ How to start owning your worth through practice, not permission

We also talk about updating your bio, pitch, and presence to match where you’re going, not where you’ve been and why waiting until you feel ready is just another way of staying invisible.

If you’re in that weird gap right now and need support navigating visibility, identity, and confidence, I share how you can work with me inside Business Therapy, because doing this work alone is harder than it needs to be.

This episode is for the creative, the quiet expert and the entrepreneur who’s done shrinking. You’re not pretending. You’re practicing. And the work is working.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the real reason so many talented, capable people stay stuck: Confidence. More specifically, the kind of confidence that comes from trusting yourself enough to start before you feel ready.

This episode kicks off the AFRAID series and explores what actually keeps us from starting the thing we know we’re called to do. I break down why lack of confidence isn’t a personality flaw, but a skill you can build, and how visibility often matters more than credentials in the early stages of business.

Using the Netflix series Inventing Anna as an unlikely case study, we unpack powerful and ethical lessons about visibility, positioning, and showing up boldly without waiting for permission. No fraud, no fake credentials, just real conversations about being seen, trusting yourself, and doing the work in public.

Here’s what we covered:

✅ Why lack of confidence is really a lack of self-trust
✅ How breaking promises to yourself erodes confidence over time
✅ The difference between being qualified and being visible
✅ Why confidence is a skill you build through action, not affirmation
✅ How imposter syndrome disguises itself as research and over-learning
✅ Practical ways to rebuild trust with yourself through small follow-through
✅ Why fear isn’t a stop sign, it’s proof that what you’re doing matters
✅ The importance of consistency and having a visibility routine
✅ Why investing in yourself only works when you implement what you learn
✅ How to stop hiding behind preparation and start building momentum

We also talk about ethical visibility, showing up with what you already know, using your real experience and receipts, and claiming your place in rooms where opportunity lives. Confidence gets you access. Competence keeps you there. But nothing happens if no one knows you exist.

If you’ve been waiting to feel ready, more qualified, or more confident before starting, this episode is your reminder that readiness comes after you begin. Visibility isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about being intentional, consistent, and willing to be seen while you’re still building.

And if you’re ready for support creating clarity, systems and confidence without the drama, I also share how you can work with me inside Business Therapy to move forward with intention and trust yourself again.

This episode is for the creative, the overthinker, the quiet expert, and the entrepreneur who knows there’s more but keeps hesitating. It’s time to stop hiding your talent and start showing up.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into reflection, resilience, and reset showing up after grief, loss, and the unexpected twists life throws at us. This is a deeply personal conversation about what it takes to keep building your business and life even when everything feels heavy.

I’m joined by myself, Joker, your host. I wear many hats: mom, certified life coach, serial entrepreneur, but at the core, I’m just a Nigerian girl navigating the soft life wrapped in the glorious mess of life and business in America.

We unpack the lessons learned from a challenging year, intentional self-care, and the transformative power of writing and reflection.

Here’s what we covered:
✅ How grief, loss, and exhaustion shaped the start of 2025
✅ Why taking a real reset like a solo retreat can change your perspective
✅ The unexpected ways memories and writing can become therapy
✅ Turning personal reflection into creativity, spoken word, and eventually a book
✅ The story behind my new book, Unmute Yourself, and what it represents
✅ How to embrace your story, own your journey, and lead with purpose
✅ Introducing the SOUL method for clarity, courage, and intentional action

Whether you’re navigating life’s challenges, starting something new, or trying to find space for your gifts while building your business, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and practical ways to move forward.

Creative Business Mindset™
Episode 32
January 2, 2025

Creative Business Mindset is a podcast for entrepreneurs, creatives, and dreamers building businesses in the real world where passion meets pressure and not all the puzzle pieces arrive on time.

Hosted by Joké Durojaiye, certified life coach, serial entrepreneur, and self-described “mom in charge,” this podcast pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build and sustain a business. From falling flat and getting back up, to navigating identity, mindset, money, and growth, Joké brings candid stories, lived experience, and hard-earned lessons with receipts.

Business isn’t just strategy and spreadsheets. It’s emotional. It’s personal. And sometimes it’s messy. Creative Business Mindset is where we separate the math from the drama, one business at a time.

If you’re tired of fluffy advice, craving honest conversations, and ready to build with clarity, resilience, and intention you’re in the right place.

In this episode, Joké closes out an incredible year with gratitude, reflection, and a clear vision for what’s ahead. She shares what she learned from creating 33 consistent episodes, the highs and lows behind the scenes, and why 2026 is her year of implementation, expansion, and soft strength.

She also announces the official launch of Business Therapy™, her one-on-one clarity and coaching sessions for creative entrepreneurs who need help separating the math from the drama, starting afraid, owning their story, using what they have, and leading with purpose.

Key Highlights

 ✓ Lessons from a full year of consistency
 ✓ What 2026 represents and why she feels unstoppable
 ✓ Why destiny leaves clues about your calling
 ✓ Creativity in every profession, not just design
 ✓ Personal challenges and the resilience that shaped this season
 ✓ Why she’s taking the rest of the year off to reset and return refreshed
 ✓ Introducing Business Therapy™ and the heart behind it
 ✓ A reminder that you already have the seeds of what you’re meant to build

Learn More
Discover Business Therapy™ sessions at www.jokeDurojaiye.me

Final Note
Thank you for a beautiful year. The podcast returns next year, bigger, bolder, softer and stronger.

Episode Summary

In this power-packed episode, Joké sits down with Lasada Pippen, a former computer engineer turned full-time keynote speaker and communication coach. From growing up in an underserved community to becoming the first in his family to graduate from college and work in corporate America, Lasada’s story is a blueprint for resilience and reinvention.

We explore what it really means to "unmute yourself," how confidence and communication go hand in hand, and why your unique voice is your greatest leadership tool. Whether you are in a boardroom, a classroom, or trying to find the courage to show up online, this episode is for you.

Lasada shares his C4 Communication Framework and offers tangible advice for anyone ready to speak up, show up, and own their space.

What You Will Learn

✔️ How to identify your unique value and voice
 ✔️ Why fear and faith can co-exist—and how to move forward anyway
 ✔️ The truth about walking away from a “safe” career to pursue purpose
 ✔️ What it takes to break generational patterns and be the first
 ✔️ How to turn your story into your strength
 ✔️ The C4 Communication Formula that will change how you speak
 ✔️ How to go from quiet to confident without pretending to be someone else

The C4 Communication Framework

1. Clear – Define the message you want to communicate
2. Concise – Get to the point without losing the power
3. Compelling – Share with depth and a point of view
4. Confident – Deliver like you believe it

This episode is not just for aspiring speakers. It is for anyone who knows there is more inside them, but needs the clarity, courage, and coaching to bring it to the surface.

Favorite Quotes from Lasada

"If you can solve a problem or bring a unique angle, you have value"
 "You can have fear, but you cannot have doubt"
 "It is hard to quit on something you are obsessed with"
 "Most people talk. Some people speak. Few people communicate"

Connect with Lasada Pippen

Website: www.lasadapippen.com
Instagram: @lasadapippen

Episode Summary

What happens when a former tech executive at Meta, eBay, Target, and McDonald’s sets her sights on solving one of the most overlooked problems in fashion? You get TAELOR, the AI-powered menswear rental startup that is redefining style, laundry, and confidence for busy professionals.

In this inspiring episode, Anya Cheng, CEO and Founder of TAELOR, shares her powerful story. From arriving in the U.S. with no English to launching Facebook and Instagram shopping, and now building a company that solves a real problem for men who want to look sharp without the stress of shopping or laundry.

We talk about resilience, reinvention, and the real reason most startups fail. This episode is full of insight, energy, and practical business wisdom.

What You Will Learn

✔️ Why TAELOR is more than a fashion subscription. It is confidence on autopilot
 ✔️ The surprising way Anya landed her first job with zero connections
 ✔️ Why menswear rental is not just Rent the Runway for men
 ✔️ How AI helps clients feel ready to win in court, on dates, or in the boardroom
 ✔️ The biggest mindset challenge every first-time founder faces
 ✔️ How to build a business by solving a real problem
 ✔️ Why knowing your customer is more powerful than knowing your competition

Favorite Quotes from Anya

"People aren’t buying clothes. They are buying a chance to succeed."
 "Use your superpower. When you are operating in your strength, fear cannot lead."
 "Most failed fashion startups didn’t fail because of the idea. They failed because they were not scalable. That is where AI comes in."

About TAELOR

TAELOR is an AI-powered menswear rental subscription that makes style effortless. For a monthly fee, busy men receive a curated wardrobe without shopping, laundry, or decision fatigue. Think of it as Netflix for clothes. No commitment, just confidence.

Use code PODCAST25 to receive 25 percent off your first month
Use code PODCASTGIFT for 10 percent off any gift card

Visit www.taelor.style
Connect with Anya Cheng

[email protected]
 www.taelor.style

https://www.jokedurojaiye.me/the-podcast

In this episode, I am sharing a powerful shift that transformed how I work and why I work. I call it the Workation—a blend of focused creation and intentional rest that has become a non-negotiable part of my business rhythm.

Born out of the chaos of the pandemic and refined through practice, the Workation started as an escape from distraction and became a strategy for clarity, creativity, and meaningful productivity. I’m pulling back the curtain on how stepping away has helped me build better offers, design new ideas, and come back more aligned every single time.

If you are feeling tired, stuck, or disconnected from your work, this episode is your invitation to pause on purpose and hear what your next level might be saying in the silence.

What You’ll Learn

• How rest became a core business strategy
•  Why working more doesn’t always mean doing meaningful work
•  How to create space for your next big idea without losing momentum
•  What it means to retreat without guilt and still show up powerfully
•  How I’ve built new offers and ideas by walking away from the noise
•  Why burnout doesn’t birth breakthroughs

This Episode is For

• Creative entrepreneurs and visionaries are feeling stretched thin
•  Business owners who can’t remember the last time they paused
•  Anyone who feels guilty resting but craves clarity and inspiration
•  Leaders building in silence and ready for their next shift
• Mentioned in This Episode
• Wander.com and the concept of the digital Workation (not sponsored)
•  Personal behind-the-scenes of my annual pre-birthday retreat
•  The mindset shift that changed how I rest and why I create
•  My upcoming experience to help you build rest into your business model

Take Action

• Share this episode with a friend who is long overdue for a pause
•  Think about what a rest-first version of your business could look like
•  Be honest—when was the last time you were alone with your own thoughts
•  Stay tuned for something I’m creating to help you design your version of the Workation Life