Print Life Podcast: For Surface Pattern Designers

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:

• The Print Life Community: 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:

• The Print Life Community: 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:

• The Print Life Community: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

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:

• The Print Life Community: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

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:

• The Print Life Community: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

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:

• The Print Life Community: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

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:

• The Print Life Community: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

In this episode, we dive deep into the nuances of pricing your creative work, overcoming money mindset blocks, and building a sustainable business by adding value for your clients. Whether you’re struggling with confidence in charging for your art or feeling stuck in a cycle of chasing the money, this discussion provides a fresh perspective on aligning your creativity with financial success. Plus, we break down actionable strategies for pricing, adapting to feedback, and growing your brand visibility.

Stay Connected:

• The Print Life Community: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

In this episode of The Print Life Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Becky Dator, a creative manager with two decades of fashion industry experience across apparel, textile, and color design. With her roots in Philadelphia, Becky’s journey spans well-known brands like Free People and Print Fresh, where she’s held roles from design and project management to art direction and team leadership. We dive deep into her incredible path, starting with a chance encounter that sparked her desire to become a fashion designer, and trace her career’s evolution from student to a leader in the print and textile space.

Throughout our conversation, Becky shares unique insights into the creative world of in-house design teams, her approach to art direction, and the joy of seeing her team’s work come to life in stores and on the streets. We also explore her latest project—launching her own brand focused on upcycled vintage with hand embellishments— and discuss the importance of staying flexible, creative, and open to opportunities throughout a design career.

If you’re curious about the inner workings of textile studios, art direction, or building a sustainable fashion line, this episode is packed with inspiration. Join us as we explore the layers of the fashion industry through Becky’s lens and gain valuable advice for navigating a creative career in print design.

Stay Connected:

• The Print Life Community: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

Finding Your Power in Surface Pattern Design: An Interview with Hollei Anne Hayes

In this episode of The Print Life Podcast, I’m joined by Hollei Anne Hayes, the founder of Hollei Anne Design Co., who has spent over a decade honing her craft in the design industry. After working with esteemed brands like Toys R Us and Skip Hop, Hollei transitioned to full-time freelance and now runs her own creative studio, where her art has been seen in major retailers like Target, TJ Maxx, and Hallmark. 🌟

We talk about her journey from corporate to owning her own business, the power of embracing your unique creative voice, and how she balances creating trend-forward designs with her own personal style. Hollei also shares invaluable insights on pricing your work, navigating the surface pattern design world, and making your art commercially viable.

The big takeaway? No one is you, and that is your power. This episode is full of inspiration for designers looking to build a sustainable business and own their creative space.

Whether you're new to surface pattern design or an experienced freelancer, this conversation is a must-listen. 🎧

Stay Connected:

• The Print Life Community: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/