Creative Campfire: Conversations for Creative Entrepreneurs

I’m calling this one The Money Shift—because that’s exactly what Xanthe Appleyard of Oh Sierra has been living. From “sweet, let me buy that” and overdraft life… to getting to zero, taking ownership, and actually looking at her numbers (go figure).

After hearing Xanthe and her husband Frank open up about their debt on their podcast Love You to the Core, I knew I had to bring her on to go deeper. We talk about shame, survival mode, self-trust, and how she’s redefining what a “rich life” looks like—from the inside out.

Where to find Xanthe:

• Podcast
• Substack
• Instagram
• Website

The London Experience Sept 28 - Oct 2, learn more and get the waitlist bonuses that expire on July 20th.

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We don't talk enough about money as creatives and photographers. This is more than pricing, this is the mindset, habits, and lessons we learned from our upbringing til now. So I'm inviting various folks on to share their money stories, and journeys.

To kick things off, I’m joined by my longtime friend and former colleague Jenny Flores.

Jenny and I first met during my decade in banking, when I was a financial analyst at Citibank. She led Community Development for the San Francisco region before moving on to Bank of the West, and later, Wells Fargo. Just days into her new role leading Small Business Growth at Wells, COVID hit and Jenny had to pivot fast. She co-designed the $420 million Open for Business Fund, which helped keep 336,000 small businesses alive through the pandemic.

Today, Jenny is building AMH Catalyst, a venture capital firm reimagining access to capital for women founders. The firm has both a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm and a for-profit side, using AI and blockchain to reshape how funding and support are distributed.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The money habits Jenny learned as a child

• How one book on money changed her entire approach

• The lessons she’s teaching her daughter now

• Why she launched her own venture capital firm — and how it’s structured to create long-term change

Stay in Touch:

Jenny Flores

LinkedIn

AMH Catalyst Center Website LinkedIn Creative Camp:Keep the conversation going over on Instagram. Drop us a DM, or tag us in your post/story.

Support the show by buying us a coffee

We shared our thoughts, insights and industry happenings, and drop it in our weekly-ish Camp Bulletin⁠Sign up⁠ to stay in the loop.

🎟️ The Creative Camp: London Experience is coming September 28–October 2!
This four-day immersive experience is designed for commercial photographers and creative entrepreneurs craving inspiration, community, and business clarity.

✨ Waitlist tickets go on sale July 2.
Join the waitlist now to get $400 off, a 1:1 coaching session, and first access to one of just 12 spots.

👉 Get all the details + sign up at creativecamp.pro/london-experience

Shelly met Chris at Creative Supper Club dinner in Los Angeles, thanks to Caydie McCumber. They happened to sit next to each and quickly found common ground, as they were both embarking to live overseas. Shelly in London, and Chris to Barcelona.

The conversation hasn't stop since that dinner. That's why when you hop into this episode we're already in conversation.

We dive into AI and how Chris has used it with a client to show ideas for a Cannes project, which was green lit. Then we move into his graphic design background that infuses with and complimented by photography, video and animation.

All that mixed with his love of music, storytelling and books, ignited a passion project that he's been thinking about for ages. We get into the nitty gritty of how he found contributors, did a Kickstarter campaign, pushed through the unknowns and uncertainty, to finding a publisher that could bring his project to life.

Chris is now looking for contributors for book two, all about Spain. Hop over to the magazine (aka book) @pigeon_mag_ and check out Chris' IG and website too:@somekidstudio     somekidstudio.com

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Our very first in person experience is coming to London, September 28 - Oct 2. It's four days (with a bonus VIP) for creative entrepreneurs .

Those Seeking Real Connection & Inspiration
If you’re craving a break from screens and endless online meetings, this experience is for you—a chance to refill your creative well and spark fresh ideas through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations.

Get on the Waitlist to learn more, and get Shelly's birthday special (yes her birthday is June 24th). You'll be notify via email when the tickets are available. There's room for 12.

Today's episode is full of insights on:

• Burn Out; how burnt is your toast, will depend on what action steps and how much time you will need to recover, reset and rise again.
• Learning on the job; never wanting to be in that situation again.
• Gear that has had the biggest impact on our work
• how we built meaningful connections
• Advice on breaking into a specific niche of photography

For those interested in niching down we have a great workshop with Commercial Athletic and Wellness photographer, Caydie McCumber, check it out here

Want to support the show? Treat us to a warm beverage.

We pull together industry happenings, photo jobs and more and drop it in our weekly Camp Bulletin along with our insights and stories. Sign up to stay in the loop.

In this episode, we’re kicking off a two-part series inspired by a thoughtful list of questions Lauren received from a photography student. We dive into what it really means to find your style, how to start building a client base, and what branding looks like early in your career. Along the way, we share a few stories from our own humble beginnings — the missteps, the lessons, and the moments that helped shape the creative businesses we have today. Whether you’re just starting out or circling back to reconnect with your "why," this one’s for you.Want to reat us to a warm beverage? Hot chocolate sounds good about right now.

https://buymeacoffee.com/creativecamp We're hanging out over on IG, so drop us a DM with your insigths or questions: @creativecamp.pro

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Lauren Hubbard and I dive into why she's moving away from her current studio management system. It's a clear reason, and that leads us into talking about other options we've collectively tried.

As well as we get into email systems, and the difference between CRMs and studio management software.

Heat up your drink and pull up a chair by the fire.

Want to treat us to a warm beverage?

Coffee for Lauren and a Chai for Shelly.

http://buymeacoffee.com/creativecamp

Hop over to IG to keep the conversation going:

http://instagram.com/creativecamp.pro

Join our camp bulletin to stay in the loop.

Welcome to the kick off episode of Creative Campfire pod where we talk about life as a creative entrepernuer.

Your campsite hosts, Shelly Waldman and Lauren Hubbard are multi-skilled, commerical photographers, who have a lot to share.

In this episode, we touch on our background stories, why we started this podcast, Lauren's love for Notion, converastions we're hearing in the field (which we will get into more with future episodes.)

If you’re in to having candid conversations all things spanning the work and life of being a creative entrepreneur…grab a warm beverage, pull up a chair, and come sit by the fire with us.

Want to treat us to a warm beverage?

Coffee for Lauren and chai for Shelly ⬇️

buymeacoffee.com/creativecamp

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