Purpose to Create Podcast

In episode 28, I'm chatting with Sugar Taylor, a D.C. based Multi-Media designer and the Creative Director of Sugar Taylor Co. which focuses on Interior Design and custom products such as laser-cut and clay earrings. Sugar is a Bronx, New York native, and has overcame family ills such as drug addiction and homelessness, and turned to art as her escape.

Listen now! Purpose to Create Podcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher. Listen, share, like, comment, and review this episode. Shownotes: + www.purposetocreatepodcast.com

Connect with us online: + www.instagram.com/purposetocreate + www.facebook.com/purposetocreatepodcast/

In episode 27 I'm chatting with beauty and lifestyle blogger Charlene McCraney. She drops so many gems of wisdom in this episode. Grab a latte, a pen and take notes! It's gonna be a good one. Charlene didn't have plans to build a business from her blog. She started out by sharing her passion for natural hair with her audience, and has since grown a whole empire around her blog! Charlene tells us that knowing your purpose and passion is the first step to starting a blog. Charlene shares so many tips and tricks that help get your website to the top of the search engines! Everything from naming your photos correctly to choosing the right keywords and even plugins that evaluate your site's SEO, Charlene shares all about it in this episode!

Listen now! Purpose to Create Podcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher. Listen, share, like, comment, and review this episode. Shownotes: + www.purposetocreatepodcast.com

Connect with us online: + www.instagram.com/purposetocreate + www.facebook.com/purposetocreatepodcast/

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Joshua and Karris, a husband-and-wife wedding photography team. Joshua and Karris met in college and their photography business grew with their relationship. With all the ups and downs of life, these two have had to learn how to make their business work for them… rather than having to always work in/on their business! Life always comes your way, and unexpected things happen. So it's important to have clear systems in your business so that it doesn't fall into a tailspin. Don't miss a single second of this episode, friends! I know you're going to love each and every gem they drop throughout this episode.

Listen now! Purpose to Create Podcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher. Listen, share, like, comment, and review this episode. Shownotes: + www.purposetocreatepodcast.com

Connect with us online: + www.instagram.com/purposetocreate + www.facebook.com/purposetocreatepodcast/

In this episode, I'm chatting with Joy Michelle Photography and she is sharing all about the untapped potential in sharing content on YouTube. Is anyone else just using YouTube to watch videos or new movie trailers? Good! I'm glad I'm not alone!

Joy shares about her own fears with starting a YouTube channel including fear of the technology and fear of what people will think and what they'll say. But she quickly learned that these fears were unfounded and now has a YouTube community of almost 25,000 followers!

So, what's keeping you from getting started with YouTube? Make the leap today, friends! I'll be jumping with you!

Listen now! Purpose to Create Podcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher. Listen, share, like, comment, and review this episode. Shownotes: + www.purposetocreatepodcast.com

Connect with us online: + www.instagram.com/purposetocreate + www.facebook.com/purposetocreatepodcast/

In this episode, I'm chatting with Michelle Harris about Photography Education. Michelle is a mentor that you definitely want in your corner. After taking the leap to full-time entrepreneurship, Michelle has grown a thriving wedding photography business, an associate photography team, and an education empire designed for creative entrepreneurs with conferences, workshops, and a bootcamp. Michelle takes a "no-excuses" approach to education. In order to move forward and achieve those crazy dreams filling your head, you need to leap. Don't worry about having everything perfect from the start—your strategy will develop over time.

Listen now! Purpose to Create Podcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher. Listen, share, like, comment, and review this episode.

Shownotes: + www.purposetocreatepodcast.com

Connect with us online: + www.instagram.com/purposetocreate + www.facebook.com/purposetocreatepodcast/

In this episode, Samatha Clarke, a wedding and portrait photographer based in Toronto, shares all about her journey as a creative entrepreneur. She started her photography business when she was still in law school (talk about a lot to juggle, right?!) and has steadily grown her business to the point where she was able to leave her 9-5 job.

Samantha is a great example of blending your unique skills to build your business and make it stand out. Samantha's legal background has helped her throughout her business journey, and she has used that education and experience to grow her own business and help others in the industry.

Samantha also points out some of the common pitfalls that hold us back from achieving greatness in our businesses. Outsourcing and time management strategies are key in helping us overcome these pitfalls, and Samantha has some great pointers in these areas.

For the quick, down and dirty details, check out these highlights:

1:07 - More about Samantha

2:31 - Knowing when it's time to transition away from a 9-5

5:53 - Growing a photography business

11:15 - Blending your background/formal education with your creative business

19:38 - What are some common pitfalls entrepreneurs find themselves in when growing

23:37 - Time management

27:03 - Strategies to grow your business no matter what stage or season you're in

Purpose to Create Podcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher. Listen, share, like, comment, and review this episode. Shownotes: + www.purposetocreatepodcast.com Connect with us online: + www.instagram.com/purposetocreate + www.facebook.com/purposetocreatepodcast/

In this episode 22, Danielle Finney shares with us a personal story about her mental wellness. Danielle, a natural light photographer and instructor based in the Washington, DC area. Danielle specializes in lifestyle portrait and business photography...you can see her love for color harmony all throughout her work; and she also teaches photographers looking to improve their natural light portraiture.

Listen in as we chat about Wellness for Creatives.

Purpose to Create Podcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher. Listen, share, like, comment, and review this episode. Shownotes: + www.purposetocreatepodcast.com Connect with us online: + www.instagram.com/purposetocreate + www.facebook.com/purposetocreatepodcast/

In this episode, Marlena shares a bit about her journey as an entrepreneur and finding her way into a very underserved market. She also shares about her lessons in learning to trust God and follow His leading. Sometimes we think we know better, but God always has big plans for us, and great things will happen when we lean in to our calling.

Marlena tells us a bit about what it was like to leave her 9-5 job to go full time as an author, including some of the prep and mindset shifts that had to happen for the transition to be successful.

Let's be honest, we all struggle with listening to God's leanings and not just going on our own merry way thinking we know best. Today's episode will inspire you to open your heart and mind to God's plans so that you can find your calling, serve the right people, and be fulfilled in the work you're doing.

For the quick, down-and-dirty details, check out these highlights:

1:04 - Marlena's journey as an entrepreneur

4:48 - All about Big Idea Food

8:51 - Listening to God and knowing you already have everything you need to get started

16:33 - Quitting the 9-5 grind

21:30 - Expanding your business offerings

Purpose to Create Podcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher. Listen, share, like, comment, and review this episode. Shownotes: + www.purposetocreatepodcast.com Connect with us online: + www.instagram.com/purposetocreate + www.facebook.com/purposetocreatepodcast/

In this episode, I chat with Jamesa Adams of Jayne Heir Weddings & Events. She has been one of my business buddies for quite some time now. After building a successful wedding planning business that has served brides and grooms in the luxury DC market, Jamesa decided to change things up a bit and take on more corporate clients.

It can be so scary and intimidating to start something new. Whether you're just getting around to starting your first business or if you want to do something completely new and different in your existing business!

It takes courage and you'll need a support system around you of family, friends, and industry peers, but the most important thing to remember is to just get started! So often we get caught up in our own heads, worrying about what could go wrong or what people will think of us if we do this new thing. If you've been feeling like you can't do that thing you've been dreaming of doing, Jamesa and I are here to give you permission to go for it!

In this episode you'll hear all about Jamesa's journey as a business owner: from starting her business while raising her precious baby boy, to sustaining her business through personal struggles, and then pivoting to offer all-new services.

Things don't have to be perfect, my friend. But remember to pray and trust, and then dive in and go get it!

For the quick, down-and-dirty details, check out these highlights:

+ 1:12 - Jamesa's entrepreneurial journey

+ 11:16 - Evolving & expanding your business

+ 15:32 - Challenges that prevent you from moving forward

+ 19:58 - Surrounding yourself with supportive people

+ 23:16 - Making connections with your industry peers

+ 31:19 - Jayne Heir: Business names, brands, and legacies

Purpose to Create Podcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher. Listen, share, like, comment, and review this episode. Shownotes: + www.purposetocreatepodcast.com Connect with us online: + www.instagram.com/purposetocreate + www.facebook.com/purposetocreatepodcast/

In this episode, I sit down with event planner, Jon'll Boyd. Jon'll's infectious joy and bright personality help give some peace about a topic that can often be stressful for small business owners: evolving and shifting your business in new seasons of life.

After a successful career in sales and marketing, Jon'll embarked on her journey to start her own event planning business. Jon'll serves brides, grooms, and corporations in the DC wedding, taking care of all their planning needs.

But Jon'll's roles don't stop at being an event planner. She is a highly sought after speaker, a teacher, and the mastermind behind the Planner's Suite, an educational experience for planners and other business owners seeking to build a sustainable and profitable business.

Jon'll takes us to church and shares all about letting go of control and trusting God. At the end of the day, we entrepreneurs can't possibly be in control of every little thing that might come our way. Regardless of your faith, understanding that things won't be perfect and that things might go wrong is one of the first mindset shifts you need before evolving in your business.

Jon'll also shares her insight on trusting your instincts to know when it's time to shift when it's time to shift in your business. Oftentimes, we feel it in our gut that something needs to change, but fears and insecurities hold us back. Today's episode is all about getting rid of some of those fears and preparing yourself for success in seasons of change.

For the quick, down-and-dirty details, check out these highlights:

1:30 - Jon'll's story and background

5:23 - Letting go and trusting God

9:13 - Preparing to shift and knowing when it's time to evolve

20:48 - Relationship capital vs. relationship crutch

23:28 - Lessons learned during seasons of evolution

29:33 - Shifting from weddings to corporate events: knowing when it's time to evolve

36:20 - What's ahead for Jon'll and investing in your education

Purpose to Create Podcast can be found on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher. Listen, share, like, comment, and review this episode. Shownotes: + www.purposetocreatepodcast.com Connect with us online: + www.instagram.com/purposetocreate + www.facebook.com/purposetocreatepodcast/