In this episode, I sit down with Samantha Eck—a former creative turned fractional CFO—for a candid conversation about something we don’t talk about enough in the art world: money. Whether you’re just starting your creative business or working to grow it full-time, this episode is here to help you ditch the shame, understand your numbers, and feel more confident managing your finances.

We talk about:

How Samantha’s creative background led her to become a fractional CFO for artists and entrepreneurs Why financial literacy is a game-changer for growing a creative business How to reframe budgeting as a tool for freedom, not restriction The emotional side of spending—and how to navigate it with compassion Setting financial goals that actually support your big dreams Why “money dates” should be on your calendar How to know when it’s time to bring a financial professional onto your team The power of celebrating financial milestones (no matter how small!) What every side hustler should know before going full-time

This is a must-listen for creatives who want to build a sustainable business and a healthy relationship with money—without feeling overwhelmed or behind.

Tools and takeaways:

Tracking your numbers helps you make empowered decisions You deserve to be paid for your work Start with monthly money check-ins—even if it’s just you Awareness around emotional spending can change everything Budgeting doesn’t have to feel heavy—it can actually feel freeing

Connect with Samantha Eck Website: https://firestormfinance.com/ Instagram: @firestormfinance Podcast: Creative Minds, Smart Money

In this episode, I sit down with Daisy and Chad, the husband-and-wife duo behind Studio Giclée, to dive deep into the world of fine art printing. Whether you're thinking of offering prints for the first time or looking to refine your current process, this conversation is packed with insights, practical tips, and a whole lot of encouragement.

We talk about:

• How Daisy and Chad started Studio Giclée and what inspired them to serve artists with high-quality prints
• What a giclée print actually is—and why it matters
• How to educate your collectors on the value of fine art prints
• Pricing strategies for prints and how to create perceived value
• The biggest mistakes artists make when it comes to image capture and file prep
• Tips for photographing your artwork at home (including why lighting, DPI, and file type matter)
• Why building a digital archive of your work is essential
• How Studio Giclée works with both local and out-of-state artists
• How to know if your art is ready to become a print—and what sells best

This is a must-listen for any artist looking to expand their income streams and build a sustainable art business without compromising quality.

Tools and takeaways:

• Start small with your print offerings and grow as you gain confidence
• Choose common sizes to keep things easy for your collectors
• Capture images of your artwork before varnishing
• Build your print library early—you’ll thank yourself later!

Download the FREE Printmaker's Guide ➡️ HERE

Connect with Studio Giclée Website: https://www.studiogiclee.com Email: [email protected] Instagram: @studiogiclee Upload your artwork for a free file check: studiogiclee.com → Upload Art

In this special episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at a one-on-one coaching session with emerging artist Barrie Noel. Barrie, who’s based in Greenville, shares her journey from childhood art lessons to building her creative business while juggling a full-time job. We dive into practical strategies for growing an online art business—covering everything from email marketing and Pinterest strategies to Instagram content creation and overcoming the struggles of social media algorithms. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to market your work while balancing life, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ How Barrie turned her childhood love for painting into a business ✔️ The power of using Etsy for evergreen products while building a fine art brand ✔️ Why Pinterest is an underutilized goldmine for artists and how to leverage it ✔️ How to create an email marketing system that actually grows your audience ✔️ The mindset shift every artist needs to make to thrive in online sales ✔️ Practical content ideas to repurpose and maximize the reach of every painting ✔️ Tips on building SEO for your website without feeling overwhelmed

Links & Resources: 📌 Shopify – Get started for just $1/month 📌 Barrie Noel’s Website 📌 Barrie’s Instagram 📌 My Free Painting Lesson 📌 Studio B Art Club Waitlist

💬 If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps bring more inspiring content to The 5 to 9 Podcast!

Are you overlooking one of the most powerful marketing tools for creatives? In this episode, we’re diving deep into Pinterest—a visual search engine that can drive long-term traffic to your website, grow your audience, and boost your sales. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, where content disappears quickly, Pinterest keeps working for you months or even years down the line!

I’ll walk you through: ✔️ Why Pinterest is a game-changer for artists and creative entrepreneurs ✔️ How I use Pinterest to generate 78% of my website traffic (yes, really!) ✔️ Six simple steps to optimize your Pinterest strategy without spending hours on another platform ✔️ The biggest mistakes creatives make on Pinterest—and how to avoid them

If you’re ready to stop relying solely on social media and start driving sustainable growth for your art business, this episode is for you!

Links & Resources: 📌 Join the Studio B Art Club Waitlist 📌 My go-to Pinterest scheduling tool – Tailwind 📌 Shopify – Start your creative business for $1/month

💡 Action Step: Take 30 minutes this week to set up your Pinterest business account, optimize your boards, and start pinning your work!

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a fellow artist or creative entrepreneur. 🎨✨

Let’s get pinning! 🚀

Episode #28: Email Marketing for Creatives

In this episode of The 5 to 9 Podcast, I dive into the world of email marketing and share how it’s been a game-changer for my creative business. Whether you're just getting started or already have an email list, but aren't sure what to send, this episode is packed with tips and actionable advice to help you grow your business through email marketing!

Key Takeaways:

• Why Email Marketing Matters: I share why email marketing has a 36x ROI—meaning for every dollar spent, you could see $36 in return! It's a powerful tool for building and growing your business, especially for creatives.
• Start Simple: My advice is to start with a simple strategy and build your way up. Trying to do everything at once can feel overwhelming, so don’t worry about getting fancy right away!
• Your Email List Is an Asset: While social media is great for growing your audience, it doesn’t guarantee direct communication with your followers. Email marketing gives you control over your customer relationships and ensures you own that communication channel.
• How to Start: I walk you through the first steps of email marketing—from choosing an email service provider (like Flodesk, Mailchimp, or ConvertKit) to creating a lead magnet and nurturing your list.
• Creating Value: I discuss how to craft emails that provide real value to your audience, whether it's behind-the-scenes updates, helpful tips, or special offers.
• Sales Sequences: Serving your audience first, building trust, and then selling to them—these steps are key to successfully selling through email campaigns.

Episode Breakdown:

1. Why Email Marketing Is Important for Creatives (2:30)
2. Steps to Getting Started with Your Email List (9:57)
3. Choosing Your Email Service Provider (12:50)
4. How to Create Lead Magnets and Forms (16:00)
5. Nurturing Your Email List (20:22)
6. The Importance of Subject Lines and Selling (28:44)

Action Steps:

• Start collecting emails today—even if it's just on a piece of paper or in a Google Doc!
• Choose an email service provider and set up a simple opt-in form.
• Offer a valuable freebie or discount to encourage sign-ups.
• Nurture your list with content they’ll value, and when the time is right, offer your products or services.

If you're ready to take your email marketing to the next level, don’t forget to check out the 50% off offer for Flodesk HERE!

Thank you for listening! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow creative entrepreneur. Keep dreaming big and taking action—because action creates clarity! I’ll catch you in the next episode!

Description: In this episode of The 5 to 9 Podcast, I’m sharing my personal journey with burnout and how my word for the year, reverence, is shaping the way I approach life and business in 2025. I’ll walk you through how to recognize the signs of burnout, why rest is essential, and how observing a Sabbath has been transformative for my mental health, creativity, and overall well-being.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply looking for ways to realign your priorities, I hope this episode gives you the encouragement and actionable tips you need to move forward with intention.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to recognize the signs of burnout, like physical exhaustion, emotional detachment, and procrastination.
• Why burnout isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a signal that something needs to change.
• How I’m implementing a Sabbath to combat burnout and recharge.
• Practical strategies to overcome burnout, like setting boundaries, reconnecting with joy, and simplifying your schedule.
• Why I choose a word for the year and how reverence is guiding my mindset and goals this year.

Links I Mentioned:

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• Start your Shopify trial HERE for just $1/month for three months!

Your Action Step: If you’re feeling burnt out, take a moment to reflect on this question: What would it look like to live with reverence this year? Write down your thoughts and see how it can guide your next steps.

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love it if you’d leave a review or share it with a creative friend. Let’s combat burnout and embrace intentional living together!

Welcome to The 5 to 9 Podcast! In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes for an honest look at my 2024—what worked, what didn’t, and how I’m planning to create a more intentional and fulfilling 2025. I’ll share the lessons I learned as a creative entrepreneur, the personal milestones I’m celebrating, and how I’m setting myself up for success in the new year.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The Wins: From launching Art Club to running my first marathon, I’m celebrating the growth and resilience that defined my year.
• The Challenges: I’ll share how chaos, burnout, and unrealistic expectations took a toll—and the steps I’m taking to move forward.
• Key Takeaways:
  • How I’ve learned to recognize my limits and embrace delegation.
  • The importance of setting realistic goals and planning with intention.
  • Why protecting my creative time is essential for keeping the heart of my business alive.
• My 2025 Vision: I’m breaking down how I’m planning my year with realistic goals, buffers for flexibility, and a focus on what truly matters.

Resources I Mentioned:

• Books That Made an Impact in 2024:
  • The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
  • Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
  • Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
• My daily “Big Three” planning system that helped me stay focused and track my wins.

My Action Steps for You:

• Take time to reflect on your wins and lessons from 2024—there’s so much value in looking back.
• Set your goals and intentions for 2025, even if you’re starting late. It’s never too late to plan for a fresh start.
• Protect your time for what truly matters to you, whether it’s your creativity, family, or personal passions.

Let’s Connect:

• Visit my website: the5to9pod.com
• Follow me on Instagram: @_the5to9podcast

I’d Love Your Support! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or leave a review. Your support means the world to me and helps more creative entrepreneurs discover the podcast.

Here’s to a year of growth, creativity, and hitting those big goals. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time!

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredibly talented fashion designer and entrepreneur, Abbey Glass. Abbey shares her journey from a creative middle child with a passion for sewing to founding her namesake fashion brand, which now includes retail stores in Atlanta, Charleston, and Dallas. Abbey opens up about the lessons she learned along the way, including embracing failure, navigating challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and scaling her business without losing the artistry that makes her designs so special.

We dive into:

• How Abbey’s upbringing shaped her creativity and entrepreneurial drive.
• Her experiences at art school and showcasing her first collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
• Transitioning from custom designs to scaling a fashion business with manufacturing partnerships.
• How the Tory Burch Fellowship transformed her business during the pandemic.
• The importance of unbridled confidence and why taking risks is essential for growth.

Whether you’re a designer, artist, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and practical advice to fuel your creative journey.

1. The importance of taking baby steps and embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.
2. How to balance artistic passion with building a sustainable business.
3. Why confidence—even if it feels naïve—is a powerful tool for achieving your dreams.
4. The value of redefining success and finding contentment in the journey.
5. Practical advice for artists and designers looking to grow their brand.

• Abbey Glass: Shop Abbey Glass
• Follow Abbey on Instagram: @ShopAbbeyGlass

• Visit my website: the5to9pod.com
• Follow me on Instagram: @_the5to9podcast
• Subscribe to the podcast for more inspiring stories like Abbey’s!

This episode is sponsored by Shopify. I’ve been using Shopify for the past 10 years to run my online business! Sign up through this link to get your first three months for just $1 each and discover how Shopify can help you manage and grow your online storefront no matter what stage of the game your business is at!

In this inspiring episode of The 5 to 9 Podcast, we’re taking you behind the scenes of a creative business coaching session with Laurie Arnold, a former teacher who has turned her passion for art into her second act. Laurie shares her journey from hosting art camps in her home to opening her own art studio, where she teaches children and adults while working to grow her career as an artist.

What We Cover: 🌟 Laurie’s transition from education to creative entrepreneurship 🌟 How she launched her art studio on a shoestring budget 🌟 The challenges of overcoming self-doubt and selling her first piece of art 🌟 Pricing strategies for artists just starting out 🌟 Tips for building confidence as an artist and leveraging your local community 🌟 The importance of setting goals, time management, and mindset shifts

Takeaways for Artists:

• You don’t need a formal art education to start a successful creative business.
• Building a local audience can be a powerful stepping stone for selling your work online.
• Pricing your work doesn’t have to feel daunting—start with a simple formula to gain confidence.
• Collecting emails and fostering connections are vital for growing your audience.
• Small, giftable items like mini paintings and ornaments are great for the holiday season!

🎧 Whether you’re an artist just starting out or a seasoned creative looking to scale, this episode is packed with practical advice and heartwarming stories to inspire your next steps.

Links Mentioned:

• Join the Studio B Art Club: Click here to join (Doors close soon—don’t miss out!)
• Brooke’s recommended book: The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
• Check out the recommended platforms for selling art: Shopify, Squarespace, FinerWorks, and IPrintFromHome

💌 Stay Connected:

• Follow Laurie Arnold on Facebook: @LaurieArnoldArt
• Learn more about Brooke: www.studioblearn.com
• Sign up for Brooke’s newsletter for weekly art tips and updates!

In this episode, I’m diving deep into the key elements that have helped me—and many others—accelerate our creative journeys. It’s not just about improving technique or mastering your medium (though that’s part of it!). It’s about nurturing the mindset, environment, and community that make growth happen in unexpected and powerful ways.

Here’s what you can expect in this week’s episode:

1. Mindset Shifts for Creative Growth – How the right mindset can unlock endless creative potential (and why self-doubt doesn’t have to hold you back).
2. Setting Up Your Creative Environment – Why your workspace is more than just a place to create; it’s where your best ideas come to life.
3. Consistency (and Rest) – Why showing up is key to progress, but resting is just as important for long-term growth.
4. Pushing Beyond Your Comfort Zone – The uncomfortable truth about growth: it happens when you take risks and push your boundaries.
5. The Power of Community – How a supportive, like-minded community can elevate your creativity, push you further, and hold you accountable.

I’ll be sharing personal stories from my own creative journey to illustrate how these elements came together for me, and how they can do the same for you. Whether you're just starting out or already on your creative path, this episode will offer a fresh perspective on how to nurture your growth in a holistic, sustainable way.

I can't wait for you to listen and hopefully walk away feeling inspired to tackle your creative goals with new tools and a fresh outlook.

SPONSORS

This episode is sponsored by Studio B. The Studio B Art Club is launching December 2, and I’m thrilled to invite you into this new creative space! Inside, you’ll find step-by-step tutorials, foundational courses, and fresh content released throughout the year. Plus, enjoy live sessions filled with inspiration, tips, and guidance to support your creative journey. Spots are limited, so join the waitlist now to save your place! Visit www.studioblearn.com and be part of this amazing community!

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Email us at [email protected] or follow this link to apply to be on the show!

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