Show Biz Pod

In this episode, Emma Claire flips the script and puts co-host Carissa in the hot seat to break down how she built a thriving freelance business on Fiverr. From voiceover gigs to UGC TikTok content and more, Carissa has delivered over 1,000 five-star orders through the platform and she’s here to share how Fiverr works, how to stand out, and how it’s supported her creative career along the way.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• What Fiverr actually is and why Carissa chose it as her launchpad into freelancing.
• How she went started from ground zero and turned her side hustle into a full time income.
• Tips for writing standout gig descriptions, choosing pricing, and working the algorithm.
• How she balances Fiverr work with her acting schedule and avoids burnout.
• The pros, cons, and biggest lessons learned from growing her business online

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Carissa's Fiverr Profile
• Fiverr Reddit Thread
• Fiverr Forum
• Open an HYSA with Ally and receive a $100 bonus: (referral link)
• Sign up for Acorns and get $5 invested for free: (referral link)

CONNECT WITH US:

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire sit down with actor, CrossFit coach, and founder of Julia Jean Media, Julia Damatin, to talk about what it really looks like to shift from a draining survival job to thriving on your own terms. Julia shares how she went from bartending to building a full-time social media business with little experience, how her mindset around freedom and flexibility has changed, and why it’s actually cool to care deeply about your work (and less about what other people think).

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• How Julia built a social media marketing business from the ground up with no formal background.
• Why transitioning from bartending to business ownership gave her more flexibility in her acting career.
• How fitness, discipline, and the “Actors Are Athletes” philosophy support her business and creative work.
• The mindset shift and resources that helped her start to achieve her goals,

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

• Julia’s Media Company: Julia Jean Media
• Fitness & Mindset: @actorsareathletes
• Personal IG: @juliadamatin
• Website: www.juliajeanmedia.com
• Eli Rallo's TikTok
• Open an HYSA with Ally and receive a $100 bonus: (referral link)
• Sign up for Acorns and get $5 invested for free: (referral link)

CONNECT WITH US:

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire break down how to actually save as a creative & on an inconsistent income. They talk about the difference between emergency funds and sinking funds, how to avoid panic when unexpected costs pop up, and why having a savings plan gives you more freedom to say yes to your creative goals.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• Why saving money isn't just about putting all of your spare change in one ambiguous pot.
• The difference between emergency funds and sinking funds (and why you need both).
• How to use “buckets” to stay organized and reduce guilt when it’s time to spend.
• How much to save, where to keep it, and how to build the habit even with variable income.
• Creative ways to reduce financial stress and give future-you some breathing room.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Open an HYSA with Ally and receive a $100 bonus: (referral link)
• Sign up for Acorns and get $5 invested for free: (referral link)
• Our FREE Budgeting Template
• Our FREE Resource: 5 Things Creatives Can Do Today To Improve Your Financial Future
• Book Rec: I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

CONNECT WITH US:

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire chat with dancer, choreographer, and photographer Katy Weske about how she turned a creative side hustle into a thriving photography business while navigating her college dance program & then performing professionally. From shooting headshots between contracts to managing a national client base, Katy shares what it takes to build a business that works with your artistry, not against it.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• Katy's background & how she accidentally stumbled across photography.
• The early steps she took to turn her photography hobby into a legit business.
• What it’s really like to scale a service-based business while still choreographing and performing.
• The systems and tools that keep her organized across roles.
• How her business has given her more creative freedom to pursue her passion of dance.
• Advice for artists who want to start a side hustle but don’t know where to begin.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

• Katy’s photography: @katyweske.photography
• Katy's choregraphy: @katyweske.choreo
• Personal: @katy.weske
• Website: www.katyweskephotography.com

CONNECT WITH US:

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire discuss how and why they stopped thinking of their creative work as just art and started treating it like a brand or a business. They get real about why knowing your worth matters and how business skills like marketing and negotiation are key to turning your dreams into something sustainable.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• Making the mindset shift from artist to entrepreneur
• How key business skills like marketing, negotiation, and time management show up in creative work.
• Why building systems and treating yourself like a CEO will help you build a sustainable career.
• The tools and practices they use to balance art and business.
• The importance of knowing your worth and how to advocate for yourself.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Google Calendar
• Notion
• Actor Aesthetic Podcast
• The Actor's Life by Jenna Fisher
• Download our FREE Budget Template designed for creatives
• Download our FREE pdf resource for 5 things creative can do TODAY to improve their financial futures.

CONNECT WITH US:

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

Thanks for listening - see you next week!

In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire chat with NYC-based actor and influencer marketing manager Charlotte Um about how she navigates the challenging balance between her corporate career and her creative goals. From managing auditions in the midst of work deadlines to staying open to whatever may come her way, this conversation is an honest look at what it really takes to pursue two paths at once

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• How difficult it is to fold up the self-tape blue/green screen (if you know, you know).
• What life looked like post-grad for Charlotte and why she didn’t head straight to NYC.
• How she balanced pursuing a fine arts degree at the University of Michigan with working advertising, marketing, and other business-related jobs during the summers.
• The real challenges of managing a full-time job while also pursuing acting in NYC and how she makes it work.
• Why she’s open about not having a perfectly clear life plan and how she’s learned to find comfort in that.
• The unexpected ways her acting skills have helped her thrive in the corporate world & advice for those wanting to jump in to similar positions.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Charlotte recommends finding a non-theatre community!
• Open an HYSA with Ally and receive a $100 bonus: (referral link)
• Sign up for Acorns and get $5 invested for free: (referral link)

CONNECT WITH US:

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

In this episode, Emma Claire and Carissa dive into the challenges and solutions for budgeting when your income is unpredictable. Whether you’re a freelancer, artist, or creative professional juggling side gigs and fluctuating paychecks, this episode offers practical strategies to keep your finances steady—even when your income isn’t.

From baseline budgeting to income buffer accounts, they break down a budgeting system that works with your creative lifestyle and share real-life lessons from their own experiences navigating freelance finances. Check out their FREE budget template in addition to this episode to get your budgeting back on track!

WE TALKED ABOUT:

• Why inconsistent income makes traditional budgeting strategies difficult
• The risks of spending money that hasn’t actually hit your account yet
• How to identify your “bare minimum baseline” income
• The four-tier system for prioritizing expenses and savings
• The importance of an income buffer savings account (and how to use it)
• Tools and mindset shifts to create stability during lean months
• A quick recap of the steps to take control of your fluctuating income

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Download our FREE Budget Template designed for creatives
• Listen to Ep 8: Budgeting 101 - The Blueprint For Your Bank Account
• Open an HYSA with Ally and receive a $100 bonus: (referral link)
• Sign up for Acorns and get $5 invested for free: (referral link)

CONNECT WITH US:

•  Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @show.biz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

Like the show? Subscribe, rate & review — it helps other artists & entrepreneurs find us! 

See you next Wednesday!

Episode 9: The Practical Business That Let Me Quit My Job (& Keep Acting) Ft. Rosemary Gilmore

In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire chat with ATL-based film actor and entrepreneur Rosemary Gilmore about how launching a pool service business in Atlanta alongside her husband gave her the freedom and flexibility to pursue film acting on her own terms. From taking the leap into entrepreneurship with zero experience to navigating creative life with a business owner mindset, this episode is full of grounded advice for any creative looking to jump into the pool of starting their own business. 

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• How Rosemary transitioned from juggling multiple draining jobs to launching a business with her husband.
• The journey of growing Heat My Pool from a side hustle into a full-time income stream.
• Why choosing a business outside the creative industry actually gave her more freedom within it.
• How she balances acting, producing, and entrepreneurship without burning out.
• Practical advice for creatives who want to build a sustainable business without giving up on their artistic goals

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

• Rosemary's pool equipment service business (based in Atlanta, GA): Heat My Pool
• Rosemary’s production company: Good Ghost Productions 
• Free Book Recommendation: New Thoughts For Actors by Jack Plotnick
• Book Recommendation: The Artist's Way
• Follow Rosemary! 
• Instagram
• TikTok

CONNECT WITH US:

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod 
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

Like the show? Please subscribe, rate & review as it helps other artists & entrepreneurs find us!

See you next Wednesday!

Carissa and Emma Claire have the budget chat that your BFA program forgot! They break down the basics of building a budget that actually works for your creative lifestyle. From understanding where your money is going to using flexible tools that fit your rhythm, this is your starter pack for taking control of your finances without sacrificing joy or freedom.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• Why budgeting gives you more freedom, not less
• How to define a budget that reflects your reality
• The 4-part budget breakdown: Needs, Wants, Savings, Debt
• Tools and templates for tracking your money
• Common budgeting mistakes to avoid
• Real-world advice tailored for creatives and freelancers

Whether you’re living gig-to-gig or navigating multiple side hustles, this episode is your no-judgment intro to making your money work for you.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

• You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero — a mindset-forward guide to shifting how you view money and wealth.
• TikTok Creators for Budgeting Inspiration:
• Michela Allocca (@breakyourbudget)
• Erin Confortini (@itserinconfortini)
• McKenzie Mack (@mckenzie.mack)
• Open an HYSA with Ally and receive a $100 bonus: (referral link)
• Sign up for Acorns and get $5 invested for free: (referral link)
• Download our FREE PDF Resource for 5 Things Creatives Can Do TODAY to Improve their Financial Futures

CONNECT WITH US:

•  Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @show.biz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

Like the show? Subscribe, rate & review — it helps other artists & entrepreneurs find us! 

See you next Wednesday!

In this episode of Show Biz Pod, Emma Claire and Carissa sit down with Lara Hayhurst— actor, casting director, Bill Berloni trained animal handler, personal stylist, and Pace University graduate. She shares how she’s built a sustainable and ever-evolving career by embracing every opportunity on and off the stage.

Lara opens up about the power of versatility, the overlap between performing and her day jobs, and how saying “yes” (and showing up) kept her working on-stage and off.

WE TALKED ABOUT:

• How Lara built a multi-hyphenate career & the various side hustles that have kept her sustained.
• How she made the transition from the stage to behind the casting table.
• Her experience as an animal handler trained by Bill Berloni.
• How casting jobs have changed her perspective as an actor.
• Actionable advice for creatives interested in various side hustles (animal handling, casting, styling, etc.)

FOLLOW LARA:

• Larahayhurst.com
• Instagram: @larahayhurst

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• The Four Agreements
• Broadway Tails by Bill Berloni
• Download our FREE resource: 5 Things Creatives Can Do TODAY to Improve Their Financial Future
• Open a high-yield savings account with Ally
• Start investing with Acorns

CONNECT WITH SHOW BIZ POD:

Visit our Website: www.showbizpod.com

Instagram: @showbiz.pod

TikTok: @show.biz.pod

Like the show? Subscribe, rate & review — it helps other artists and creatives find us!

See you next Wednesday!