This week, I had the joy of sitting down with Jesse Rae Akin, a print designer and new mama navigating creativity in the middle of life’s most tender transitions. We talk about how she discovered surface pattern design almost by accident, what it’s been like balancing art with early motherhood, and how she’s finding rhythm in the messiness. Jesse shares honestly about fear, feedback, and forging your own pace in a world that feels constantly rushed. A beautiful reminder that we’re allowed to take our time—and that beauty doesn’t require perfection.

In this episode, we explore:

• Falling into surface pattern design (and staying for the joy)
• How new motherhood reshapes your creative time and energy
• The pressure of pitching your work and the power of just starting
• Learning to trust your hand, even when a brief feels like pressure
• The emotional boost of a good dress and a beautiful print

🧡 To connect with Jesse Rae Akin:

If you’d like to follow along on Jesse's journey or reach out, you can find her here:

www.jesseraeakin.com
www.instagram.com/jesseraeakin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseakin/

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

We’re digging into the stage of the creative process most designers skip — the part where your actual style gets formed.

Whether you're licensing, selling on Spoonflower, or pitching agents — rushing into repeat patterns and mockups without honoring your artist phase can leave your work feeling disconnected, no matter how good it looks.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• Why your signature style doesn’t come from finishing prints — but from what happens before
• The real difference between the artist and the designer (and why you need both — separately)
• How to create the space your creative voice needs to fully emerge
• What to do if your portfolio looks finished but doesn’t feel aligned
• How to spot which season you're in — and where to focus next

Whether you're still discovering your style or revisiting it for the tenth time, this is your reminder: you don’t need to start over. You just need to dig in a little deeper.

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

If you’ve been spinning your wheels trying to do all the things (more posts, more platforms, more pitching), this one’s for you. We talk about:

• Why clarity around your voice is more powerful than chasing metrics
• How to identify your unique point of view through your art and process
• What clients really want to see in your work
• A 90-day focus shift that could change everything
• A simple journaling exercise to strengthen your style and brand

The Print Life Membership – Where Design Meets Direction → https://printlife.io/

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

If everything in your creative business feels heavy or overwhelming, it doesn’t always mean you’re burnt out — sometimes, it’s a sign you’re ready for a realignment.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the moments when things feel out of sync — and how to reconnect with your true creative identity before making big changes.

We’ll cover:

• How to recognize when you’re ready for a shift
• Why simplifying your focus can reignite your creativity
• The power of authentic connection in building a sustainable business
• How to move forward from a place of clarity, not confusion

This episode is a soft reset — a mindset shift to help you simplify, refocus, and step into your next season with confidence.

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

Today on the Print Life podcast, I’m so excited to sit down with surface pattern designer and creative entrepreneur, Elizabeth Rachel. Liz (as many of you might know her from Instagram) has built a vibrant, playful, and thoughtfully curated product-based business rooted in her years of experience as a print designer. Her work spans home goods, accessories, and art prints — all bursting with color and her own refined, joyful style.

We talk about everything from how she got started in the fashion industry to the pivot that led her to launching a thriving Etsy shop, shipping orders solo, and growing a business that truly reflects her creative voice.

Liz also opens up about what it’s been like to juggle freelance clients, building a product line, and being a mom — and how she’s carved out space for herself while still prioritizing her family. We dive into her creative journey, how she finds inspiration, and her dream of future collaborations with brands like Liberty and even her top-tier dream: Anthropologie.

Whether you’re curious about shifting into product-based work, balancing freelance with your own line, or simply want a peek behind the scenes of a designer building something truly aligned — this episode will leave you feeling inspired and encouraged.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Liz’s creative pivot from fashion to home goods
• What it looked like to start her Etsy shop from scratch
• How her style evolved and became more playful through product design
• The reality of juggling freelance work, motherhood, and building her brand
• Dream collaborations, favorite sources of inspiration, and the mindset that keeps her going
• The advice she’d give to any designer starting out

Connect with Liz:
Website: https://www.elizabethrachael.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethrachael/

If you loved this episode, be sure to reach out to Liz and let her know! And if you’re building your own design path and looking for creative alignment, stay tuned for more conversations just like this one!

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

What if your next collection didn’t require starting from scratch?

In this episode, we’re exploring a mindset shift that could change the way you approach your portfolio, your pitch, and even your creative process.

Instead of chasing new ideas, Leslie invites you to look inward—to revisit the sketches, motifs, and half-finished prints that may already hold the clarity, connection, and style you’ve been looking for.

You’ll learn:

• Why constantly creating new art can become a form of avoidance
• How to recognize the value in work you’ve already made
• A simple way to organize and re-engage with your “creative backlog”
• What buyers actually respond to—and why your existing work might already be ready
• How to refine, recolor, and reposition your prints to make them pitch-ready

This episode is your reminder that you don’t always need more art—just more intention.

 📥 Grab the free checklist: 7 Ways to Make Your Prints Stand Out

https://lesliekenehan.myflodesk.com/portfoliotips

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

This week, I had the joy of sitting down with Woody Roseland—filmmaker, photographer, comedian, and all-around creative soul with a story that really moved me.

Woody shares his journey through multiple creative outlets, how surviving cancer shaped his path, and what he's learned about embracing experimentation, letting go of outcomes, and simply staying in the process. From commercial video work to painting rooftops in Oaxaca, his story is full of wisdom, warmth, and a whole lot of heart.

One of my favorite moments? Woody talks about how no one will hire you for something you haven’t already shown you can do—and how our most meaningful work often comes after years of showing up. He reminds us that your magnum opus doesn’t happen before the process—it’s born because of it.

If you're feeling stuck, second-guessing your direction, or waiting for the “perfect time” to do your best work… this conversation is exactly what you need.

Tune in and come back to what matters: the process, the joy, and your own creative voice.

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

In this episode, I dive into the phrase “the riches are in the niches”—and what that really means beyond the buzz.

We explore how defining your version of a rich life is the first step to creating it, and how intentionality, clarity, and a focused process are what actually lead to aligned, sustainable success. Whether you're dreaming of collaborations, financial freedom, or simply the flexibility to do what you love—this episode is your invitation to stop spinning and start choosing.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why riches actually are in the niches
• What richness means beyond financial success
• How clarity, intent, and process shape your path
• The truth about fear, readiness, and going all in

Ready to find your niche?
Join me for Find Your Niche—a free 3-day challenge to help you define your space in the surface pattern design industry with purpose and direction.

👉 https://lesliekenehan.com/nichechallenge

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

In this episode, I’m diving into a conversation that’s been circling the design space for a while: Do you really need a niche to succeed—or is versatility the key?

There's been a lot of noise out there: "niche is dead,” “you are your niche,” “be the one-stop-shop.” And while there’s some truth in the intention behind those ideas, they can also create confusion. So, today I’m breaking it down.

We talk about the role of experimentation, why staying scattered too long can hold you back, and how niching doesn’t mean restriction—it means clarity. I also share my own journey from specialist to generalist and how that path helped me attract aligned clients, build authority, and avoid burnout.

Here’s what I want you to walk away with:
 → You can be versatile—but start with a foundation.
 → You can specialize—but still stay creatively expansive.
 → You can find your place—by choosing intentionally.

We’ll talk about:

• Why niching isn’t the enemy—it’s actually your anchor.
• How I evolved from working in Illustrator to directing design teams.
• The real reason many designers stay stuck (hint: it’s not skill).
• What “you are your niche” really means—and how to not get boxed in.
• How to use your strengths as your starting point to attract the right work.

If you’re tired of feeling scattered and unsure about where to focus your time, this episode will help you clarify your next step.

🎧 Tune in and let’s talk about what it really takes to gain momentum—your way.

✨ Ready to go deeper? Get on the Print Life waitlist and learn how to turn your art into aligned, intentional work that sells.

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

When we talk about income as surface designers, we often focus on how much designers are making—but the real question is why some designers earn more than others. In this episode, we’re diving into the factors that truly shape your income, from clarity and confidence to strategy and consistency. If you’ve ever hesitated to put your work out there, struggled with pricing, or felt stuck in a cycle of undercharging and overworking, this episode is for you.

Tune in as we discuss:
✔ The key difference between designers who thrive and those who struggle.
✔ The role of mindset in pricing your work confidently.
✔ Why no single sales method guarantees success.
✔ How to shift from hesitation to action and increase your visibility.

Your income isn’t just about where you sell—it’s about how you approach it. Let’s shift your beliefs around pricing and step into the value you bring to the industry.

🎧 Listen now and let’s talk about it!

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/