ThrivTALK

Pricing. It’s the game that we never feel like we’ve mastered but every single one of us has to play if we want to put food on our table. We all start a business because we want to do what we love every single day… but charging money for it? That’s not as easy.

In this raw and value-packed episode, Jenn and Doug talk through how to cover your initial overhead BEFORE you quit your 9-5, how to learn from industry masters, how to build your confidence and charge what you’re worth and all of the nuances in between.

Don't forget to subscribe to ThrivTALK. You can find show notes online at starvingartistmyth.com.

So… you’ve made the decision to turn this hobby into a side hustle huh? Join the club. We’re all fighting the same battle - to remain true to our craft, figure out what we’re worth and still pay the bills.

But take heart - earning a living for doing great work isn’t selling out! In this episode, Jenn and Doug explore their own origin stories. From triple-guessing if they should raise their prices to questioning if they should even continue this journey of entrepreneurship, they confront the fears and doubts that we’re all intimately acquainted with.

Don't forget to subscribe to ThrivTALK. You can find show notes online at starvingartistmyth.com.

When it comes to branding, there are a million different opinions. Many believe it’s just a clever logo. But we can’t all own the simplicity and recognizability of the Golden Arches or the White Apple. What we CAN own is the the way we are perceived. Does your brand immediately trigger an emotional reaction? Does your brand inspire loyalty?

In this episode, Jenn and Doug break down the misconceptions, best practices and personal experiences that shape the way they understand “brand.” Spoiler Alert: they don’t always agree!

Listen in as they each build their case for how to build a brand including things like visual branding, mission and vision statements and consistency vs. evolution.

Don't forget to subscribe to ThrivTALK. You can find show notes online at starvingartistmyth.com.

When it comes to creative work, the myth of the starving artist is prevalent. Because charging money for a something as abstract as art is a difficult subject to approach. As artists, it’s easy to fall into the trap of busy work, side projects or working for free in an effort to avoid the money conversation and still feel productive. But you don’t have to live like that!

In this episode, Jenn and Doug walk you through their personal experiences with figuring out when to say no and when to say yes. When to work for free and when to stand your ground. If you’re an artist, the questions and scenarios in this episode are a must-listen as you are on your journey to bust the starving artist myth.

Don't forget to subscribe to ThrivTALK. You can find show notes online at starvingartistmyth.com.

You’ve done it! You put a period at the end of your mission statement, uploaded a sleek logo as your brand’s Facebook avatar and launch a newly built website… only to feel like you want to start over three months later. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there and it’s not unusual because this concept of “brand” isn’t (and shouldn’t be) set in stone. It’s fluid, evolving with you as you evolve as an artist and a business person.

In this episode, Jenn and Doug each tell their stories of how their brand has evolved over the years. Is it wrong for your brand to cater to your audience instead of being true to yourself as an artist? Is a brand just a logo or does it encompass more than that? How do you evolve your brand as you grow without losing your authenticity? All these questions and more in this thought-provoking episode of ThrivTALK.

Don't forget to subscribe to ThrivTALK. You can find show notes online at starvingartistmyth.com.

In the grand scheme of things, actually starting your business is easy. Fill out some paperwork, pay the fees and you’re a legal business. Sometimes, the hardest part of your craft is defining what it is you actually do. As you may have guessed, it’s not always obvious. It depends on who is asking and why they’re asking you.

In this episode, Jenn and Doug each tell their own stories of discovering who they were as artists and what they offered the world. What does that process look like? How does your craft evolve over time? How do you position yourself and your craft to your audience? Find out the answers to these questions and others in this episode of ThrivTALK.

Don't forget to subscribe to ThrivTALK. You can find show notes online at starvingartistmyth.com.

You’ve spent weeks, months, maybe years perfecting your craft and reveling in the joy of the creative process. But deciding to make a living off your art? That’s a whole different beast. No one else is going to show up for your business. You have to own it. But we promise, it’s not selling out — it’s getting in the game!

In this episode, Jenn and Doug share their personal experiences with starting and running a business. Two journeys of fear, discovery, community and risk taking. But despite the hard times, they both began to realize, there's no way they'll fail. Find out why and how in this this powerful discussion between two successful creatives and learn about the art of running a business.

Don't forget to subscribe to ThrivTALK. You can find show notes online at starvingartistmyth.com.

"Yes" is a magical word. Three letters can open entire worlds of opportunity. And when you're getting your startup or freelance business off the ground, you need every opportunity you can get. But on the flip side of the same coin, saying "yes" comes with a demand. You have to show up. And when you haven't been in the game all your life, sometimes that means you have to jump out of the plane and build yourself a parachute on the way down.

In this episode, Jenn and Doug talk about the power of "yes" in their own lives as they grew from starving artists to successful entrepreneurs as well as strategic use of that two-letter sibling: no. Tune in this week to learn how and when to take advantages of the opportunities in front of you and how to crush the starving artist myth.

Don't forget to subscribe to ThrivTALK. You can find show notes online at starvingartistmyth.com.

In the wild wild west of freelance, small business and entrepreneurship, boundaries can feel like an after thought. But the ability to set boundaries is one of the most important tools in your toolkit. Boundaries help you protect your reputation, champion your values, give you the freedom to say yes and the peace of mind to say no.

Setting boundaries is hard. Boundaries can change. Sometimes they can be broken. And sometimes they never should be. In this episode, Jenn and Doug give real world examples from their lives as a photographer and a musician, of boundaries they've set for themselves, boundaries they've broken (and why) and where they draw the line.

Don't forget to subscribe to ThrivTALK. You can find show notes online at starvingartistmyth.com.

ThrivTALK is a podcast filled with informal, organic conversation about the pains we Creatives often feel when starting and growing a business. Jenn and Doug will share their experiences, both good and bad, with the hope of making you, the Creative, feel inspired to start your business, take more action in your business, feel you are not alone in your journey, not be a afraid to show your vulnerability, and drive you to take the steps Jenn has created through ThrivCommunity.com to find daily peace and confidence in your mind, and organizational structure in your business.

This is not a step by step success model, it’s a community of accountability partners all working together to support each other, from the emotional side of business that we Creatives struggle with, to tried and true methods structuring your systems and processes that will maximize your bottom line. Welcome to ThrivTALK!

Don't forget to subscribe to ThrivTALK. You can find show notes online at starvingartistmyth.com.