What if your creativity isn’t lost—it’s just been waiting for permission to speak?

In this deeply human conversation, I sit down with Pia Leichter—award-winning creative professional turned “creative midwife”—who helps people birth the ideas, projects, and businesses they’ve been too afraid to begin.

Together, we unpack the truth about creativity: how it gets buried under expectations, how to redefine it beyond art and aesthetics, and how to reconnect with it in your life and business. Through personal stories, surprising perspectives, and a few hard truths, we explore why so many talented people feel disconnected from their creative voice—and how to finally find your way back.

Whether you’re a founder, freelancer, or idea-rich-but-time-poor entrepreneur, this episode will help you see creativity not as a luxury—but as a strategic and emotional lifeline.

Mentioned in the episode:
– Pia’s new book "Welcome to the Creative Club - Make your life your biggest art project" now available at:
 Amazon - Here

Barnes&Noble - Here

Bookshop.org - Here

– For more insights and upcoming episodes, visit kevinsimcock.com

In this episode Kevin shares his experience and knowledge on the one key element most business founders struggle with to maintain their growth - staffing. There is an art to finding the right people and knowing exactly who and how many people you need to sustain your growth trajectory.
Kevin shares the key steps you need to take to build the best team possible.

Check out more episodes of Nifty Thinking: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/nifty-thinking/id1680610153 

Subscribe to my YouTube channel @kevinsimcock

For more information on how Kevin can help you and your business visit kevinsimcock.com and Niftypicnic.com 

Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: [email protected] 

Host: Kevin Simcock 

LInkedIn Profile https://linkedin.com/kevin-simcock

It's 2025, is your sales strategy cutting the mustard?

In this episode, I'll show you four key elements you need to leverage to help you drive sales this year. Did you know that 70% of consumers say that they would switch brands if they had just 2 negative customer experiences? Find out how this and other key factors in your sales funnel can help drive greater brand loyalty and customer satisfaction

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter THE FIX for more insights, strategies and frameworks to grow your business here https://kevinsimcock.com

 
 Check out the Nifty Thinking Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/nifty-thinking/id1680610153 

 Check out the Kevin Simcock YouTube channel: @kevinsimcock
 
 For more information on how Kevin can help you transform your business visit kevinsimcock.com and Niftypicnic.com
 
 Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me
 [email protected]m

 Host: Kevin Simcock
 LInkedIn Profile https://linkedin.com/kevin-simcock

Want to turn your business challenges into more money, more clients and more time, without increasing your marketing budget? 

In this episode, I'll show you proven strategies to set growth goals for your business, how to avoid common pitfalls most companies experience how to improve your marketing and sales and the critical AI tools you need to have in your business to grow in 2025. Over 42% of all global businesses are using AI to grow their business, and I'll teach you what tools and platforms you need to incorporate into your workflow to stay ahead of your competitors, even if you're just starting.

You’ll learn how to: Set the right growth goals for your business. Create a roll-out plan to increase success of reaching your business goals. Avoid the common mistakes most businesses face when establishing growth targets for their business. Focus on key elements of our consumer journey map and key areas of your marketing plan you need to consider driving greater ROI from your marketing budget and drive greater growth.

If you're tired of trying to figure out what AI tools and platforms you need to invest in for your business and how to generate real growth in your business, this episode is for you!

Check out more episodes of Nifty Thinking: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/nifty-thinking/id1680610153 

For more information on how Kevin can help you transform your business, career and your life visit kevinsimcock.com and Niftypicnic.com 

Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: [email protected] 

Host: Kevin Simcock 

LInkedIn Profile https://linkedin.com/kevin-simcock

FREE Consultation (hosted by Kevin Simcock) – Get a free consultation with Kevin Simcock, founder of Nifty Picnic and an internationally-awarded creative leader with 3 decades of experience building success for the most iconic Fortune 500 brands in the world: https://www.kevinsimcock.com/contact-now

In this episode Kevin talks about the top AI and marketing campaigns that are disrupting business and the marketing industry. We discuss the behind the scenes effort of the latest Coca Cola AI holiday commercial and other top stories impacting how brands are reinventing content creation and brand building using unconventional AI approaches.

Kevin gives his perspective on what will impact the marketing industry in the coming months and the shift you need to be aware of to be prepared for it and how to capitalize on it.

He also has some important news about the podcast and his company!!

Check out more episodes of Nifty Thinking: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/nifty-thinking/id1680610153 

For more information on how Kevin can help you transform your business, career and your life visit kevinsimcock.com and Niftypicnic.com 

Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: [email protected] 

Host: Kevin Simcock
LInkedIn Profile https://linkedin.com/kevin-simcock

In this episode Kevin talks about the current state of AI in small and medium-sized business and what the current major advancements are in AI as well as what to expect and prepare for in 2025.

We go in-depth on the impact AI is having on business operations, workflows and content creation. We get into the nitty gritty details of what AI tools you need to be using now and what new tools will be impacting your business in 2025 and how you can be preparing for them now.

Kevin also launches the new membership program NEXT Business Leaders Collective. This new membership-based service combines the power of consulting with innovative thinkers and collaborators bringing a new concept in advancing your business with AI. This small-group membership program provides weekly consulting with Kevin on how to transform your brand and increase marketing performance with the group collaboration and innovative thinking of leading SMB owners to transform what's NEXT in AI marketing into a reality.

If you are interested in learning more about this exclusive program, click here: https://www.niftypicnic.com/nextcollective

If you liked this talk find more talks from Kevin here: www.youtube.com/@NiftyPicnicCreative 

Check out our audio podcast Nifty Thinking: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/nifty-thinking/id1680610153  

For more information on Nifty Picnic Creative Consulting visithttps://www.niftypicnic.com 

Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: [email protected] 

Host: Kevin Simcock 

LInkedIn Profile https://linkedin.com/kevin-simcock

In this episode Kevin tackles the debate about AI and it's creative abilities and how AI is impacting creative professions. Is it going to take creative jobs away? Should creative professionals be worried? Who better to ask than Kevin's AI assistant Nora. You won't believe what she says about creativity and her ability to do creative jobs.

If you liked this talk find more talks from Kevin here: www.youtube.com/@NiftyPicnicCreative 

Check out our audio podcast Nifty Thinking: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/nifty-thinking/id1680610153 

For more information on Nifty Picnic Creative Consulting visithttps://www.niftypicnic.com 

Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: [email protected] 

Host: Kevin Simcock 

LInkedIn Profile https://linkedin.com/kevin-simcock

In this episode Kevin walks through the importance of brand authenticity and the role it plays in differentiating your brand from your competitors.
If you are a creative service business you understand the intense competition for projects and landing your ideal clients. When every business is claiming to be creative, is a storyteller and uses the latest technology, the key to standing out is to find your authenticity and focus on your client needs.

You will learn the strategies and approach to finding your brand authenticity and how to use it to grow your business.

If you liked this talk find more talks from Kevin here:  www.youtube.com/@NiftyPicnicCreative

Check out our audio podcast Nifty Thinking: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/nifty-thinking/id1680610153

For more information on Nifty Picnic Creative Consulting visit https://www.niftypicnic.com

Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: [email protected]

Host: Kevin Simcock

LinkedIn Profile

In the high-stakes game of brand storytelling, where every player is vying for the spotlight, Kevin Simcock is an award-winning agency creative leader offering you an edge for success. With a playbook refined in the creative cauldrons of the world's top agencies, he's mastered the art of spinning brand yarns that stir the soul. Because when your brand's truth sings, the world stops to listen—and that's when real growth begins.

In this talk Kevin shares the inside truth, as an ad agency leader, on how proposals, RFPs and Treatments are issued, how to get more of them and be more successful at winning them. 

"I'm in the business of helping business owners learn how to differentiate their brands and communicate their value to others with greater outcomes"

Watch this episode on YouTube & find more talks from Kevin here:  www.youtube.com/@NiftyPicnicCreative

For more information on Nifty Picnic Creative Consulting visithttps://www.niftypicnic.com

Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: [email protected]

Host: Kevin Simcock

LinkedIn Profile

In the high-stakes game of brand storytelling, where every player is vying for the spotlight, Kevin Simcock is an award-winning agency creative leader offering you an edge for success.

In this talk Kevin shares strategies on how to leverage AI in your professional career and your business to ensure you are riding the wave of change with AI. Kevin walks you through what AI programs to leverage for creative business owners and creative professionals. His practical approach and insights will show you how you can be an AI leader in your area of expertise.

 "My business is to help business owners learn how to differentiate their brands and how to scale their business with greater success."

If you liked this talk find more talks from Kevin here:  www.youtube.com/@NiftyPicnicCreative

For more information on Nifty Picnic Creative Consulting visithttps://www.niftypicnic.com

Have a question? Have an opinion? Contact me: [email protected]

Host: Kevin Simcock

LinkedIn Profile