The Creative Exponent

You’ve started this business. You’ve bought the domain, or rented the space or listed your products on Etsy. You are going to do this. Reality sets in and we begin the process of beginning our business, and often, we get bogged down in simple mistakes that shape the very nature of our creative work pursuit.

We don’t promote our work because it feels a little too sales-centered. We isolate ourselves and keep ourselves alone and outside of a like-minded community. We don’t treat our businesses like a business because it is easy to be distracted or to say yes during work hours. Believe us, we understand. This week, we talk about the mistakes we creative entrepreneurs make when we begin their businesses, and as we move forward. We still make them. There are ways to combat these mistakes, and ways we have learned to navigate through them. We hope this week leaves you feeling understood (we’ve all been there), and encouraged to look at these mistakes we can make with fresh, creative eyes.

You can find us, Marian and Shaunna, at www.thecreativeexponent.com where we continue our passionate conversation around all things creative.

If there is one thing we have learned about creative work, it is this: You just don’t have to do it alone. Being the CEO, COO, CFO, Creative Director, and every employee can be a little difficult to juggle, and while we all might be capable of multitasking, the needs we have as a creative business owner reach further than the tasks. The other thing we know is this: It is good for you to have other voices speak into your business and to give you a fresh perspective. While your own voice should be the loudest, giving a community of people permission to give you new ideas or new approaches, collaborations, or just plain encouragement is NEVER a bad thing.

This week we talk through all the reasons why we believe creative community is important, why The Creative Exponent began with community in mind, and the ways you can become a part of it. More than anything, we just want you to have community around you as you walk through your creative journey, whatever it looks like!

You can find us, Marian and Shaunna, at www.thecreativeexponent.com where we continue our passionate conversation around all things creative.

Working from home. What a gift and a challenge. We certainly know all about it, as both of us have worked from home for the last ten years. It can be a complete joy and almost impossible, depending on the way you approach setting up your space.

This week we talk about setting up your creative workspace at home: What does the space need to look and feel like to be conducive to creativity? What’s the top priority in the space? Does everything in the space give the space the chance to function for its highest and best use? And lastly, what kind of boundaries need to be set around the space...and you?

You can find us, Marian and Shaunna, at www.thecreativeexponent.com where we continue our passionate conversation around all things creative.

Weddings and Happy Mail. Sometimes we just need to talk about the good stuff. This week Shaunna and Marian talk about two good things surrounding us right now. Shaunna gets married, quarantine-style, and talks about why they decided to move forward during this stay-at-home time, and what really matters.

We also share some ways you can spread a little light around the world right now with the Happy Mail Movement. Marian began receiving happy mail from different friends and shops and is spreading the love. Drop a little something in an envelope and tag it #happymailmovement so we can see and share. Let’s take this time to start a movement with all the good feels!

You can find us, Marian and Shaunna, at www.thecreativeexponent.com where we continue our passionate conversation around all things creative.

Right now, as a creative or a creative entrepreneur, it is really tempting to ask the question, “What do I need to be for people right now?” We would say resoundingly, be authentic. We owe it to honor ourselves first as creatives and what we choose to share can come forth from who we really are. To create is to share your humanity. Your experiences give you a unique perspective on universal needs, problems, and feelings.

This week, we talk through how we can be trapped or liberated by what we choose to share. As long as what we share online or anywhere else is authentic, it is always freeing. And by doing so, we give others the permission to do so as well.

You can find us, Marian and Shaunna, at www.thecreativeexponent.com

where we continue our passionate conversation around all things creative.

How do we use inspiration without imitating? And how do we use this time we have right now at home to work for us. The language spoken in different art mediums often relates to what we do, and also brings with it fresh perspective and renewed inspiration. This week we’re talking about an article we both read by Stylist Heather Bullard, “How To Be Inspired.” We break down a few practical ideas for how to pull inspiration from many different sources, ways to play creatively to discover some new ideas or creative energy, and also how this time of forced stay can be a time for us to become truly inspired, despite the oddity of our days.

You can find us, Marian and Shaunna, at www.thecreativeexponent.com

where we continue our passionate conversation around all things creative.

This week the separation we are all feeling has hit us harder, as women and as creative business owners. Quite simply, while we have seen such pain, loss, and difficulty, we are continually amazed at the good we find in this world, today, amidst it all. We know that without finding this good, we will be lost and certainly less able to create and use our creative gifts for ourselves, our families, our customers, and this world. We talk about all the ways we are staying positive when we can and little ways and places you can find it, too. The good is what carries us. Long live it.

You can find us, Marian and Shaunna, at www.thecreativeexponent.com where we continue our passionate conversation around all things creative.

2.11 How To Support Artists & Businesses by Marian Parsons & Shaunna West

We

believe this to be true: creative work is beauty in the world. We are living in crazy times right now, and there is much fear, anxiety, and uncertainty around us. As creatives and creative business owners, how do we navigate through this fear and these circumstances? We do not have all the answers, but we hope to talk through this with you this week, because we need each other.

Here’s what we do know: the work we do matters, and it matters right now more than ever. As fear and uncertainty surround us, we are able, in moments, and with respect, to bring beauty and light to those around us. We are very seldom stopped by big, bold, neon signs flashing fear, but by subtle moments of doubt and insecurity that stem from fear.

“I’m not nearly as good as she is”

“I can’t do that; I’ve never been good at that”

“It’s pushy for me to ask people to support my business right now in these circumstances.”

This week, we talk about facing this big fear and subtle fear, and why it matters for you to continue doing your creative work. To share your unique perspective, to remember that it is the art we save, to offer reprieve, to bring light and beauty into the world. We hope you leave bolstered and with the resolve to keep on going. To keep sharing your creative gifts in this world.

You can find us, Marian and Shaunna, at www.thecreativeexponent.com where we continue our passionate conversation around all things creative.

Who doesn’t love a good brainstorming session? There is beauty in pursuing multiple avenues of creativity, but equally, there is power in learning to say no to yourself. Editing is one of the most important steps you will take in sharing your creative work with the world. What isn’t there is often what makes your work stand out and successful.

Our creativity shifts and if you are into a whole lot, you may find yourself in more need of editing than those who hone a single craft their entire lives. This week Marian and Shaunna talk through all the reasons saying no to yourself is powerful, how you can begin this practice, and why it can change everything for you and your business.

You can find Marian and Shaunna at www.thecreativeexponent.com where they continue their passionate conversation around all things creative.