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://lesliekenehan.com/printlife
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

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://lesliekenehan.com/printlife
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

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://lesliekenehan.com/printlife
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

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://lesliekenehan.com/printlife
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

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://lesliekenehan.com/printlife
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

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://lesliekenehan.com/printlife
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

Setting Goals That Actually Move Your Creative Business Forward

Let’s be real—most of us have set goals like “I want to sell more art” or “I want to grow on Instagram.” But are those goals actually helping you move forward? If you feel like you’ve been setting goals but not seeing real progress, this episode is for you.

Today, I’m breaking down the key things that truly matter when it comes to goal setting as a designer. These are the steps that will help you create real momentum, avoid distractions, and finally start seeing results in your creative business.

In this episode, I cover:
✔️ How to set goals that actually align with the business you want
✔️ Why process-based goals work better than vague outcome goals
✔️ How to break down big goals into clear, actionable steps
✔️ The importance of tracking progress and adjusting along the way
✔️ Why flexibility (not perfection) is key to long-term success

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and setting the same goals year after year, tune in now and start setting goals that actually get you where you want to go.

Stay Connected:

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

There’s a lot of advice floating around about whether or not you really need a niche as a designer. Maybe you’ve heard people say, “You don’t need to niche, just focus on your style,” or “You don’t need to niche, just find your audience.”

Here’s the truth: That IS niching.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why choosing a niche isn’t about limiting yourself—it’s about giving yourself a clear path forward. If you’re tired of feeling stuck, unsure of where to find clients, or unclear about your next steps, this episode will help you shift your perspective on niching and why it can actually create more freedom in your business.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why "my prints look good on everything" is the biggest myth keeping you stuck
✅ The real reason designers resist niching
✅ How niching gives you clarity on your portfolio, pricing, pitching, and marketing
✅ Why versatility is not the same as strategy
✅ A simple action step to start defining your niche today—without overthinking it!

Stay Connected & Keep Learning

📌 Join the Print Life Membership: https://lesliekenehan.com/printlife
📌 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

Stay Connected:

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

This week, I’m talking about something that so many of us struggle with—including myself: doing too much and getting nowhere. We often feel like we need to chase every opportunity, every revenue stream, and every strategy, thinking that the more we do, the more successful we’ll be. But the truth? Doing less strategically leads to bigger and better results.

So today, I’m sharing five ways to get better results by doing less—so you can create more impact, more income, and more mastery in your business.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Simplify Your Offers – Stop spreading yourself thin across multiple avenues. Choose 1–2 core areas to focus on and go all in.
• Establish a Consistent Practice – Mastery comes from repetition. Whether it’s designing, pitching, or marketing—consistency builds confidence and skill.
• Streamline Business Processes – Systems create freedom. Simplify pricing, pitching, and client communication to remove resistance.
• Streamline Your Creative Workflow – Set up a process that allows you to create without wasting time on decision fatigue.
• Keep Your Focus & Avoid Distractions – Stop chasing every new opportunity. Go all in on the areas that bring results before adding more.

This is your permission slip to simplify, focus, and create a business that works for you. What can you let go of to move forward with more clarity and ease?

Stay Connected:

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

In this episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal—how I decided to let go of parts of my business this year to create space for more freedom and joy. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or defined by your work, this one’s for you.

I’ll walk you through my journey of balancing multiple creative ventures and how I finally decided to simplify my focus. We’ll talk about recognizing what lights you up, creating space for meaningful work, and how to let go of what no longer serves you. My hope is that this episode gives you the clarity and courage to step into 2025 with intention and focus.

Key Takeaways:

• To do your best work, you must let go of what no longer serves you.
• Success doesn’t come from juggling everything—it comes from focusing on what matters most.
• Simplifying your business can reignite your creativity and energy.
• Freedom and flexibility require intentional decision-making.

I hope this episode inspires you to take a closer look at what’s truly bringing you joy in your work—and what it might be time to let go of. Thank you for tuning in! Let’s make 2025 the year of clarity, focus, and aligned growth.

Happy New Year!
Leslie

Stay Connected:

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