Creative Ways Podcast

Ben Pechey is a fashion stylist, writer, award winning content creator and a huge LGBTQ activist

Ben identifies as non- binary- not exclusive male or female- ‘They/them’ are their preferred pronouns. Ben's mission is to live in a world where kindness educates.

Ben was relentlessly bullied growing up in a quiet rural Yorkshire town. Ben says It’s very common for LGBTQ people to miss out on their teenage years.

It wasn’t until Ben went to university they could fully step into Ben's true self.

Ben was lucky enough to become a fashion editor whilst still studying at university, which of course meant Ben could hit the London fashion catwalk running.

Of course, like many, 2020 meant everything got cancelled and cuts were made. This could of broke Ben. Going back to a tiny rural village in York meant Ben hasn’t been out mixing at all since March, Bens mental health of course suffered deeply, but what did Ben do with this?

Well they started talking about it all!

Fully, no pussy footing. What did this mean for Ben? Well Ben’s never been busier! Appearing for brands such as high streets Matalan, writing for cosmopolitan, Women’s Health’ plus Minus magazine restless magazine, The Guardian, Goldie magazine to name a few. Plus, Bens just announced that Ben is writing a book! Oh, and have I mentioned Bens amazing podcast ‘the happy place?! ‘Ben covers some of the tricky aspects of being human

We chat about all of this, but more importantly I wanted Ben to talk to me like I was his grandma as I’m fully  aware many people don’t know what to say or fully understand the terminology for LGBTQ so I asked for Ben to explain it all to me for you guys too!

Bens Takeaways

1.Respect and value each business opportunity. Remember how you conduct yourself throughout is important. As they will come back again with a bigger budget.

2.If you don’t know the correct terminology or are nervous, don’t want to offend, just say that, address it straight away, they will be pleased it’s talked about rather than avoided.

3.If you’re finding your community to be toxic, speak out, you’ll find it isn’t just you who's thinking that.

4.As long as you’re coming from a calm genuine place people won’t feel offended. Your views are always valid!

5.Don’t forget to remind people, Fashion has power, don’t be told otherwise. Think how women felt wearing trousers in the 20’s now thinks how liberated people feel expressing themselves in makeup, dresses or heels.

6.You can love fashion right now in this climate, being more of a conscious buyer is actually quite fun, it makes us think more and actually experiment more.

7.Remember, it’s common for many LGBTQ people to miss out on their teenage years. So, the 20’s are so important! Give them room to explore and express at any age. 

8.The best teachers and counsellors in life have been through struggle too, empathy is truly a super power. If you use your struggle and pain to help others it might help you heal, and switch hurt into purpose.

9.If you’re feeling like Ben with not wanting to go out into the world since the beginning of lock down, go easy on yourself and know you’re not alone. Remember how brains and bodies have muscle memory, if you take small steps each day and slowly increase it you will gain confidence. Do reach out to others though as this is not necessary you don’t need to be alone. There’s Millions feeling like you right now.

10.If you’re a writer a creator or I. The public eye and you’re wanting to change your voice to be more in line with who you really are, try one or two articles out of 7 and see how you feel. Send it to a close trusted friend first if that helps. As you’ll know what you hate the minute you hit send to them first.

11.Your bravery and strength will not come without pain and setbacks. But the other side is worth it!

You can find all of Bens stunning work at

Www. Benpechey.com and on Instagram at Ben Pechey and be sure to listen to Bens amazing podcast ‘The Happy Place!’

Books & Podcasts

Fattily Ever After by Stephanie Yeboah

Podcast - Queer Talk, Finding your Fabulous 

Richard Tillotson successful brand Mungo and Shoddy Cards is reaching 7 years and has published nearly 900 different design offerings!

You will recognise his fantastic ranges on Amazon, Paperchase, Card Factory and Moonpig to name a few. Richards designs won two prestigious Henries awards for Tigerprint plus he came 2nd last year with his Mungo and Shoddy brand.

Before this, Richard used to write and manage the editorial team in Hallmarks Tigerprint studio. To be able to offer your natural humours voice is one thing, but to switch to a sympathy sentiment message on the same morning whilst writing an uplifting verse for another Marks and Spencer’s demographic is pure talent!

Richards designs won two prestigious Henries awards for Tigerprint plus he came 2nd last year with his Mungo and Shoddy brand.

We chat about how the business is now working with Mungo and Shoddy’s collaboration with artist Yvonne Robson. These ranges are top sellers reaching no 3 and top 5 on Amazon! Having your own brand is of course great, but having to brief another very different artist's style is a completely different skill, we talk about this and how Yvonne felt working with such an established brand.

Richards wife left her job for the NHS to run the business full time alongside parenting two tween daughters a few years ago which of course is huge plus of course this year navigating all of this through lock down!

I also want to mention which I think is so inspiring, and very apt for creatives right now is that Richards navigated all of his career without a university degree.

Richard's Takeaways-

1.You don’t need a degree! Make sure your portfolio has a strong and varied body of designs. Remember Studios are looking for what they don’t already offer.

2.Sentiment is so important to a card. Make sure it’s given as much thought as the imagery.

3.The freelance world is tough and it’s ok to feel this! It’s a mind game. Confidence is key but it doesn’t define your creativity, it takes inner work. If you’re feeling this too, there’s other ways to freelance. You don’t have to be in a studio waiting to be briefed.

4.Finding your own rhythm is key, you can factor in times for creative thinking and times when you know it will be best for the admin to fit around busy holidays for example.

5.Allow enough creative time when briefing other artists!!

6.Trade shows are another world, reach out to stall holders you admire for advice and tips. You will find most creatives love sharing what’s worked or not for them.

7.Don’t expect instant results at shows or events they are a great place to network. Remember you don’t sow the seed and harvest at the same time. Trade shows are a big investment so research which ones are best fit for your brand. And keep going! 

8.Know your customer! Is it the end customer you need to reach  or is it the buyer for a store? They are different!

9.If you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with creativity, Why not Have device detox for a week!!

You can find all of Mungo and Shoddy’s designs at-

Www.Tillovision.com

This week is part 1 of a 2 part series! I had a wonderful chat with Richard Tillotson the creator of Mungo and Shoddy cards and Artist Yvonne Robson.

Yvonne Robson is an artist. Yvonne’s also been a designer, creative category manager and ran the main design studio for Marks and Spencers design studio Tigerprint. Yvonne has also been studio design manager and most recently she has managed the Ideating team for Hallmark. Yvonne has nurtured designers and design graduates from all over the U.K and each year straight from New Designers ND Awards.

After over two decades thoroughly loving all of the roles she had at Hallmark, Yvonne has now dared to jump into a whole new life; she's Created for herself. Not only is Yvonne freelancing, facilitating workshops, she's also gone back to college to studio counselling, taking this leap is huge, Yvonne’s is the sole parent in a house for her three extremely proud teenagers!

Yvonne now holds painting workshops which sell out fast. She also offers private mentoring for artists of all abilities. Many are accomplished designers who might need a new direction or some concentrated time on a subject matter or new style.

Yvonne has recently painted a few stunning ranges for Mungo and Shoddy cards 'sun follows rain’ and ‘With the Beatles’ as you can imagine they are selling well on Amazon.

We talk about this and Yvonne’s transition, and I think you will see how her caring personality suits counselling too.

Yvonne’s Takeaways 

1.Nurturing your students is vital. We create our best if we feel it’s safe to explore.

2.Floral workshops are about the energy to your brush strokes as well as the movement.

3.Going back to College in your 40’s with 3 children to support single handed is brave. But that’s where the magic lies.

4.It’s not about getting messy it’s about getting confident

5.Dare to jump and trust that inner pull.

6.You absolutely can build your career and life around multi passions

7.Make peace with what am I?

It’s ok to not know what your Identity is at this moment, you can be multi passionate and your talents will feed into each other.

Find all of Yvonne's and Mungo and Shoddy's ....

www.lovetodesign.co.uk

www.instagram.com/@_lovetodesign_

https://www.tillovision.com/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/MungoAndShoddy/SunFollowsRain_Ranges/page/B404E987-BA25-4E0C-9D83-212839811EA4

Books 

'Untamed' by Glennon Doyle

https://www.waterstones.com/book/untamed/glennon-doyle/9781785043352

'Permission to feel' by Dr Mark bracket

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Permission-Feel-emotions-yourself-children/dp/1787478815

'Normal people' Sally Rooney 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41057294-normal-people

Podcast

Brene Brown

https://brenebrown.com/podcast/introducing-unlocking-us/

Kaityln Bullen is brand manager, fashion designer and stylist for the successful vintage fashion label Blue Rinse.

The no 1 voted UK fashion store Blue Rinse is 24 years old! They now have a second store in Leeds, Manchester, ASOS, plus their label can be found in many Topshop and Topman stores around the U.K

Kaityln talks about all parts that her role requires, including the hard graft and the pure love Kaityln and her team have for this ethical up cycling brand, offering unique garments for fashion lovers. We even chat about the stories regarding the journey these pieces have been on prior to being reworked in Blue Rinse.

Kaitlyn is also multi passionate, she creates stunning bespoke resin homeware using hand-picked wild flowers, we chat about how she juggles all of this too.

Kaitlyn’s takeaways

1.Own not Being ‘on trend and show your natural flare of pattern and fabric clashing or unusual garment cuts.

2.If you have a story about the original garment or fabric then tell it!! In a world of mass produced and cheap fast clothing, customers want more individual garments that have a story to them.

3.As a creative we should always be thinking about sustainability.

4.Hire local or if you’re not at that stage, shop local! It’s all good energy to you and your work

5.Feeling overwhelmed and spinning plates is not good for our health, listen to your body and work with your intuition.

6.Take a step back and think ‘what can I put my energy into?’ Rather than forcing it!

7.Don’t be ashamed of being a seeker, it’s a growth mindset!

8.Looking for beauty wherever you are during these strange times Is a super power us creatives have. Use it!

9.Success is having a job that doesn’t feel like work. Or also being grateful for where you are now!

You can find Kaitlyn’s stunning resin pieces at

Www.instagram.com/honeysuckle_studio  www.honeysucklestudio.co.uk

Ben is a Manchester based award winning Illustrator, author of Champagne And Wax Crayons and host of the original thinking and creative innovation podcast 'Arrest All Mimics'

Ben's unique energetic brush style illustrations have been used by the Guardian, Channel 4, World Wrestling, The Premier League, UNICEF, Penguin Books, among many others. He hosts a great podcast ‘Arrest All Mimics’ he's given many talks and lectures at Universities, been featured in Design Week, Creative Review and of courses his latest book ‘Ya Mum’ which is out this week!

‘Ya Mum’ is a rancid collection of short stories, moments and embarrassments from Britain’s cultural underbelly. And guess who narrated it? The happy Mondays Shaun Ryder!

Ben's Takeaways 

1.Only put out what you want more of

2.Doing a side project takes belief and bravery and because it’s not making money at this point it needs the respect the paid work gets too, as this be the reason we leave the project unfinished. Keep chipping away at it as there is always a win win ending you will Always gain from it in some way!

3.The drive Is not about the prestige or gloss, it’s about fulfilment and satisfaction

4. The idea is the inspired state of mind which is very different from the doing. The doing is the messy hard middle stage where you need to stay focused and committed. Remember know one can see that idea yet so it’s Uk to you to jerk it watered for the harvest

5.Creativity can lift us of depression

6.The opposite of depression is purpose

7. If you’ve made a connection with a creative from your  idol company, nurture that relationship, their opinions and inputs are so  golden!

8.If you are painfully shy, own it! Own your personality!

9.Paying the bills of course  is important but if you aren’t happy about the direction in which your work is at then you have to keep going with your side projects. It’s side projects that keep us inspired at those times and work often comes from them!

10.You don’t need a book deal any more, spend your time and money on an editor and the right designers and creatives of course but self publishing is the game now!

Find Ben here-

https://bentallon.com/

Books-

Champagne and Wax Crayons by Ben Tallon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Champagne-Wax-Crayons-Creative-Industry/dp/190779493X

Ya Mum by Ben Tallon

https://www.bentallonwriter.com/

This  latest book ya mum is out this Thursday 22 October and to celebrate this I’m giving away a copy!

To be in with a chance to win - wright a review of this show on Apple iTunes and send me a screen shot or share this episode on your stories on Instagram and Facebook. And I’ll announce the winner Monday 26th!

If you think the work place isn't equal today, imagine what it would have felt like presenting to all male board rooms and working 100-hour weeks then having to party straight after to fit in at the office? We aren't talking the 1970's, Julie talks about working with just one other female in the agency world in the 90's!

Jules has since headed the huge artwork team for Tigerprint and Hallmark for years, lead contracts in the large UKG studio and many more whilst her time living in the Caribbean.

Alongside all of this Jules has a successful stunning digital design brand which has given her the most glamorous life, working with Chanel, and an haute Couture fashion brand she's contracted to keep top secret! Jules also works with lots of TV celebs Premier league and international footballers and influencers from Towie, Real housewives of Cheshire, Katie Daley, Leanne Brown, Tanya Beardsley on all of their beauty brands plus exciting brands like Mister Sister and Drammock International where Jules gets to go in the lab and be part of the testing stage coming up with formulas and combination ideas! 

However, at this time Jules got told she had cancer. It was terminal and she literally had a year to live! 3 years on and she's keeping its ass at bay! You will hear Jules talk about how this has led her to charity work in Africa called ‘One Woman at a Time’ charity and how differently she looks at her life now. 

Jules Takeaways

1.If you put your fees up for certain projects it means you can afford to do more for your local clients who are at a different pay level.

2.Being a full time Creative isn’t a hobby, price that job with the respect it deserves!

3.When pricing, remember, people are paying for your years of knowledge and experience. If that job doesn’t take as long, that’s your prerogative, and your years of storing materials and tools to make it a quicker job!

4.Passing on work feels good, if you can’t do the whole brief, don’t worry, this is what tradesmen do, and its definitely what large companies do! Get that website designer or videographer or social media expert on the project, it feels great and adds a different energy to the brief you were once stuck on.

5.Remember when you earn more, you are taking the pressure off yourself so you can do some other maybe meaningful activities with your life?

6.Celebrate your achievements!

7.You can be the best designer in the world but if people don’t see it what’s the point, that’s actually selfish!

8.Celebrate being a commercial designer your work is actually viewed more than most!

You can find Jules at

www.northdesigns.co.uk

https://www.onewomanatatime.co.uk/

Its ADHD Awareness month, so what better way to demystify common beliefs around neurodiversity and everything to do with this super power, than a deep chat with Andy J Pizza.

For those of you who don’t know Andy, he’s a successful illustrator and host of the ultra-inspiring Creative Pep Talk Podcast.

Andy’s designed for Sony, YouTube, The New York Times, The Guardian, Washington post, Amazon, Google, Smart Car, Urban outfitters, Wired magazine, Nickelodeon. Andy has a couple of really cool Skill-share classes out, he's a public speaker too, plus he’s got a few stunning books out including ‘Creative Pep Talk Inspiration from 50 Artists’

Andy’s Takeaways-

1.Everything you seek is within you!

2.It’s what’s going on in the inside that really counts.

3.The treasure you seek is in the dark side of yourself.

4.When you’re looking for what’s different about you, just look at what you’re insecure about.

5.We don’t remember the compliments, only the insults and those insults you've had is what makes you you!

6.The school system wasn’t for different thinking it was designed for the industrial revolution.

7.You are unique in all of the universe; you contain the most complex machinery device in the world.

9.We as humans don’t even know the full brain yet!

10.Diversity within our species allowed humans to survive!

11.Passing as normal is exhausting, stop trying! Stop holding back. You be you!

12.If you’re wondering about a family member, remember girls hide it well. Hence why more buys are diagnosed as children.

13.Also remember it’s ‘cooler’ to be the naughty kid at school than the struggling kid. So keep an eye on this!

14.As a creative try not to over plan too much, the special sauce is in the middle bit.

15.ADHD is a freaking superpower! Please make sure you tell all children and adults this!

www.andyjpizza.com/

Andy’s Skillshare classes -

Finding your style: Five exercises to unlock your creative Identity

Making creativity your career: Six exercises to create a successful side project!

Andy’s Books -

Creative Pep Talk - Inspiration form 50 Artist

Dream Machine -Andy J Pizza and Joshua Jay

A pizza with Everything on it-Andy J Pizza and Kyle Scheele

*****GIVEAWAY******

We are giving away one of Andy’s books! To enter -Review this podcast on iTunes. Or share on your stories. Winner will be announced 11th October!

How do you switch from designing for your clients brand and trends to finding your own true creative voice and being briefed to design more of that? Finding your own style is where the real magic happens. Andy J. Pizza, illustrator and host of the ultra-inspiring Creative Pep Talk Podcast talks about it all.

For those of you who don’t know Andy he’s designed for Sony, YouTube, The New York Times, The Guardian, Washington post, Amazon, Google, Smart Car, Urban outfitters, Wired magazine, Nickelodeon. Andy has a couple of really cool Skill-share classes out, he's a speaker too plus he’s got a stunning book out ‘Creative Pep Talk Inspiration from 50 Artists’

Which I have a copy I will be giving away to a lucky winner! I’ll talk about details at the end of this episode so stay tuned!

Andy’s Takeaways

1.Your creative voice doesn’t find you. You have to do the work.

2. The magic lies in not knowing where you’re going in your work. In the playing part the bit where you're in your intuition and you’re simply trusting your own good taste! 

3. It’s never been more important to find your creative voice as it is right now, in this time in history. The world needs your art more than ever!

4. We all need stories! You the creative are the storytellers

5. Do you love your art enough to risk not winning?

6. Ask yourself this, what’s the thing you’re so passionate about and you’re willing to be bad at?

7.Vulnerability is the not knowing if you’re going to be successful!

8. Survive as a creative you had to find your hiding mechanisms! They helped you cope in the past! However there comes a time when they aren’t serving you anymore!

9. The resilience of an adult artist is unbelievable. Don’t forget this! What it takes to be a creative throughout your life is brave!

10.Split your working week into paid work with what you can make the most about of instant money from and then look at how you can free up the rest for your own business project.

11.You can’t create whilst you’re stressing about money, so put the time and respect into making that dollar or pound doing what you know you can do! Don’t complain about that Mundane job you wish was more creative, has more Freedom etc, instead look at the positives and really remind yourself it's paying your bills whilst you work out your steps and transition. Trust the process!

https://www.andyjpizza.com/

Andy’s Skillshare classes -

Finding your style: Five exercises to unlock your creative Identity

Making creativity your career: Six exercises to create a successful side project!

Andy’s Books -

Creative Pep Talk: Inspiration form 50 Artist

Ben Haynes is a professional music producer, he dared to take the leap from his safe job in the NHS 11 years ago and hasn’t looked back!
Haynes Music production does two things, Music Production for Solo Artists & Composition for Media.

Ben has produced songs for a large huge range of genres, including global giant Formula 1, award winning Country singer Kezia Gill and the critical acclaimed musical ‘Poppy Fields’

Ben openly talks about the fear of leaving a safe job in the NHS when his daughter was only 12 months old and the transition of what setting up a business really looked like in those first few years.

What it was like as a teenage boy at school and the importance of teachers in those formative years of growing up.

Ben also talks openly about his battle with depression and what he’s done in his business to help with this going forward.

Bens Takeaways-

1.If people tell you not to do the thing you want to dive into, it’s their fear they're projecting!

2.Putting yourself out there is being vulnerable.

3.The real magic in producing music is how you make people feel with the finished track!

4.Don’t labour too long over a piece, remember you lose the intuitive feelings and the initial creative vision in the piece.

5.Learn which part of the day you are most productive.

6.SEO is so important for your website, invest in the time.

7.If this is a side hustle or your main business, remember no one went with that builder or joiner who said he just likes doing it as a hobby! Go all in with both feet, that energy works. People appreciate it! Enthusiasm is attractive.

8.Depression or dark thought patterns can happen at any stage in life, seek it out with a doctor or professional but even if you feel ‘better’ note the times of year, circumstances etc as it’s important to seek patterns that can be a trigger. However also understand that if you do ‘the work’ meaning reading great books, seeking support, changing areas like stressful jobs, giving up bad habits maybe or changing to healthier practices, then this ‘dark dog’ as many name it, may not come back at all.

9.There’s no two depressions the same as there’s no two people the same, log and note what it looks like for you.

10.We aren’t going to be for everyone, you might experience a time where you work with an artist and you don’t gel, that’s fine it’s not about you, we have no idea where that other person is in their head or indeed life or it could just be a personality clash.

You can find Ben's work at

https://www.haynesmusic.com/

Here are a few of Ben's library tracks -

https://www.gargantuanmusic.com/#!explorer?g=521818

https://harmony-uk.sourceaudio.com/#!explorer?b=6620316

Gillian Flint is a children's books illustrator, this hasn't always been the case though, Gill has been a successful illustrator for 17 years now but after 10, Gillian felt slightly, very almost, nearly ready, to reach out to book agents. We talk about this and what persistence and determination really look like for a mum of two.

Her clients include CBeebies, Rodale Kids, Penguin Random House, Charlesbridge, Alfred A Knopf, Penguin Random House, Hardie Grant Egmont, Little Bee Books, Worthy Kids, Five Mile Press, Bonnier, Oxford University Press, Highlights Magazine, Highlights High Five, UK Greetings, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Tesco, Clintons, and many more. 

Gills takeaways  

1.If you're freelancing for a come company you’ve got relationship with offer to go in and help if they aren’t too far away, those connects and relationships go along way! 

2.If you’re wanting to get into another area of illustration like books, then trade shows are great way to connect with the right agents. Of course, Covid changed this but there is still linked in or twitter! 

3.Make sure you plan in enough research time for big briefs 

4.You don’t need a fancy studio to start, create a corner with a portable trolley with your materials in or hide away in your tv cabinet. Don’t wait for all the gear to start the thing 

5.Getting up earlier each morning to work is far more productive than staying too late. You are giving yourself the freshest awake empty part of your new day rather than the tired end of the day part. 

6.Having a side project helps with your creative flow when you have to be creative for your day work 

7.Remember, this isn’t to sell or show just for your own joy 

8.It doesn't have to be creative, a hobby could be learning a language, fishing, dissent matter what it helps feel. It can put Control if your life rather than work life and family juggles 

 https://www.gillianflint.com/

https://thebrightagency.com/us/publishing/artists/gillian-flint?collection=black-white