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Today, we are joined by my sweet friend Heather Fujikawa! We are so excited about the arrival of her little girl and reminiscing on our journeys as wives and mothers who are also busy in their careers!  Heather, my friend since college, started her company and entrepreneur journey as an interior designer in Los Angeles. She was drawn to the fashion and design industry and started a hair accessory business with her twin sister who was also in California at the time. It took off quickly, being in magazines and having a line at Nordstrom. You can see their work on Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson. They saw the trend starting in the early 2000s, noticing hair accessories were very popular and knew they could supply a growing demand.    They then jumped from that company to writing a book called Fairy Birds, teaching children to “shine bright and help others” she says. They sold through Scholastic and Costco, and credits her communications education in allowing her to have solid media attention and skills to sell her products to retailers.    “I was going through years of infertility and I gotta connect to kids somehow as I was waiting on these babies, it's kind of where the heart of the book came from.”   Heather's designs now are focused on finding the heart of people in her designs, and takes inspiration from organic environments. Watching her mother be a designer, she knew interior design is her passion and has spent time designing homes in Dalla, Texas since.    Quotes:   “There’s going to be a lot of no’s out there, but someone's bound to say yes, and you gotta keep going”   “There is a no from this person, but it does not mean it is a no on the whole project. It doesn’t have to be a deal killer.”   “Remember those punching bags as a kid, the inflatable ones with the sand at the bottom? It’s like that, you get knocked down but you get right back up over and over again”   “Instead of pushing and pulling in directions, lean in to what feels natural.”   “Make it big and bold”    “Throw fear out the window”   “You can give value; you can do anything”    “Have the desire to keep building; just move forward”   Takeaways- Learn from the no’s- there are tips you can get from no’s. Ask how you can improve and change your problem points with your clients.  Be self-aware, and be willing to change and be taught. Humble yourself to ask “is this process working for me and my clients” Move forward with faith and build- you should always be building up.  Heather and Heidi had to learn what was the right fit for her and their company, it is okay to say no, be told no, or learn when something is not a good fit.  The right fit will feel like you are being pulled to it, when she was being pitched shows by TV producers, she felt a strong desire to not be on TV until the right situation came forward.  Opportunities do not happen overnight, trust the process and have faith in it.  When the reality tv show started filming, they lived in chaos and had to work hard to find balance. Set ground rules with not only the people you work with but yourself. Boundaries are incredibly important to maintain a work-life balance and allow you to avoid burnout.  You will have to stand up for yourself- over and over again.  Lean into it- instead of pushing and pulling into directions, lean into what is naturally happening.  Communication is key- make sure your staff is matching your vision, attitude, and personality. They can then be trusted to do the heavy lifting so you can take on more projects.  See your own weaknesses- Your brand will be stronger when you see these things because it means you can keep improving. Self confront.  People first- Heather and Heidi were not only business partners but sisters. Finding that balance in working with someone you have a personal relationship with is key to succeeding in business ventures. While Heather admits she and Heidi get along incredibly well and don’t struggle in this area, she says the biggest way to keep things smooth is to put their personal relationship first over their business relationship. Love on the people, and people come first. Don't apologize- don’t make yourself small. Take credit for your work, and don’t shrink your vision by talking your business down. When someone asks about your company, don't brush it off as “just a small website, etc” Use actual legal counsel- the value of real experts makes your journey easier than online DIY legal services.  Three tips to starting a business- Start with the end in mind. Ask yourself “what could this be? What do I want it to be?”  Throw fear out the window. Lean on others and their testimonies until you have your own and are confident in yourself.  Write it down. Write down the small specific tasks, it makes the bigger goals less daunting. Micro steps give you the energy to accomplish building those big goals.  Balancing being a mother and entrepreneur- Make sure to be present when you’re with your kids. Heather takes her apple watch off, to ensure she is not distracted by work. She says “When I’m working, I’m working, but when I’m off, I try to be off.”      Connect with Heather- https://housesprucing.com/ Instagram- @house_sprucing Watch “Design Twins” on Amazon Prime 

What is a vampire client (bad clients who "suck you dry") and how can you avoid them? Or are there no bad clients but only bad "systems" for managing those clients? (and let's be clear...we're not talking about brooding vampires with extra "sparkle" or annoyingly hot vampire brothers...) We're all with Team Jacob on this one.   Listen to this Creative Counsel podcast episode from Attorney for Creators Brittany Ratelle and learn all about vampire clients, red flags, and what you can avoid before, during, and after working with these nightmare clients to manage boundaries over your time, money, and energy.   This episode will help any done-for-your or service-based business (SBB) protect their most precious resource, their energy (yes, it's even more important than time), and make sure you are setting up your modern freelance business for success.   We'll also dish on my favorite legal and business process tips to set up clear collaborative contracts that establish healthy working relationships so that you can keep doing client work without hitting freelancer burnout.

Kylie Chenn, Founder of Acanela Expeditions, shares her story of growing her email list and strategically using promotions to build a booming $5 million dollar travel business, and then how that came to a crashing halt as the global COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down.   Tune in to hear Kylie's secrets on how she worked hard and smart to turn an industry-wide shutdown into SEVERAL other successful businesses: a true setback to success story!   Some of Kylie's Top Tips Use email marketing Don’t be afraid to start a new product – test it and if it takes off, spin it off to a new brand/channel, business, etc! Fail fast Don’t avoid HR issues – talk with team members early and often. Don’t avoid conflict!  

Listen in to this killer conversation with food and media personality, chef, author, and Food Network Start Kelsey Nixon. Kelsey came in fourth place on the fourth season of the Food Network series Food Network Star and hosted the Cooking Channel series Kelsey's Essentials, which ran for five seasons from 2010 to 2013 as one of the first pieces of original programming on Cooking Channel and earned her a daytime Emmy nomination. She has also hosted Kelsey's Homemade, on the Cooking Channel, author of several cookbooks, including Kitchen Confidence, and appeared on Iron Chef, Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, Guy’s Grocery Games, and Cutthroat Kitchen along with Today Show and Rachael Ray. She has designed a suite of kitchen tools and small appliances for HSN and has played the host and executive producer of the food game show, Dinner Takes All.  In this episode you will learn:  The highs and lows of being on TV Having an agent/representation – pros and cons and Kelsey's tips for making the best of it Kelsey's top tips for pitching yourself and nurturing relationships that can lead to opportunities what to do when the market is "too saturated” how to recognize and tap into your strengths as a brand or personal brand how to handle peaks and valleys in your business what the entertainment industry and high school boyfriends have in common! how to show up authentically with your audience and make sure you are creating content that will get seen Links:  Kelsey's Recipe club The Recipe club YEAR OF GROCERIES giveaway The Legal Promotions Bundle - Creative Contracts Shop Kelsey's Main site (recipes, kitchen consulting and more)

Ever wondered if we really "need" contracts and how you can use them without putting up a wall between you and your client, customer, vendor or business partner? This video will cover 10 tips for how to build collaborative contracts -- contracts that actually help protect and clarify roles and expectations for BOTH sides and preserve business relationships and boundaries. You will learn: - when and why contracts are necessary - how to convince someone to sign a contract (even if you didn't have one before) - how to edit contracts -- even if they are PDFs - how contracts can integrate into other business systems . Need some solid contracts for your modern small business? Check out CreativeContacts.co - a curated shop of DIY legal templates for creators, creatives, and online business owners.

Want to avoid some of the most common legal mistakes that new business owners make? Wondering how you can skip over some unnecessary frustration, worry, overwhelm or costly fixes that come from starting a new business and wanting your legal foundations to be solid? In this episode you will learn:  the most common mistakes new entrepreneurs make what you need to do to actually pick a solid business name how to use other people's content the trouble with taxes and ignoring them what "business prenup" you need if you have a partner what needs to be on in your website footer what contracts you need and how you can negotiate anything when you need an NDA or non-disclosure agreement how to properly manage legal risk but also don't be crippled by as an entrepreneur (there's a healthy balance!) Want a free LEGAL workbook to get your creative business legally legit? Download HERE and get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Listen and subscribe to Creative Counsel on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify &  iHeartRadio Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a 15-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my quick tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram.  *Not legal advice. For informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship.*

Do you have a business built to last? Guest Michelle Gifford, business coach and content strategist shares what is working to move the needle on content marketing and how you shouldn't be putting all of your eggs in the Instagram basket. Learn about Reeles, email marketing, Pinterest, pretty and functional websites, and how everything should fit together in this juicy episode.  You will learn:  what do you need to stop doing with your marketing what do you need to START doing why you can't just rely on one social media platform (like Instagram) what is working for small businesses is blogging dead, and if not -- how are you supposed to use it? Make sure to check out Michelle's new amazing package -- the "Built to Last Business Bundle" and get $100 off (and a FREE website legal bundle) with code Brittany100 HERE Check out Michelle's other offerings, including her lastest courses, online coaching group, and marketing agency services here Listen below in the plug-in, or the find the podcast on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and on iHeartRadio.   FREE RESOURCES Want a free LEGAL workbook to get your creative business legally legit? Download HERE and get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Listen and subscribe to Creative Counsel on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify &  iHeartRadio Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a free 15-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my quick tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram.  *Not legal advice. For informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship.*

Ep. 64: Creating a Sustainable Career as an Indie Artist with Heidi Luerra, author of The Work of Art, Founder of RAW: Natural   Tune into this podcast interview with Heidi Luerra, master creative consultant and event planner. For more than 20 years, Heidi has worked with artists of all creative genres. Starting her own clothing line at a young age, she earned her business stripes the hard way. Over the past decade, Heidi has grown RAW to a worldwide operation in over 80 cities with over 200k artists in the RAW community. She has combined her decade of experience in helping support, critique and launch successful creatives of all types into her best-selling book, “The Work of Art: A No-Nonsense Field guide for Creative Entrepreneurs. In this episode you will learn:  How she went from a fashion school student to an accidental event producer How to prepare for business opportunities as an independent artist What creatives need to self-educate on, and what they’re already good at How to get over pitching yourself Heidi’s best tips for running a successful event (granted this was all pre-Covid!) What creative pitfalls to avoid and what to embrace as you journey along as a creative entrepreneur “I don’t think we have a problem being creative...I think we need to self-educate on how to build sustainable businesses.” “Creatives need to figure out exactly what they want.” “No one can pitch you like you can pitch you.” “You can start a business -- and that’s fantastic for a lot of things -- but we need more business education to come with it.” “There isn’t an app for hard work.” Links:  Heidi Luerra Site The Work of Art Book RAW: Natural Born Artists - Showcases returning in 2021 Hatch Planning & Strategy: Boutique Consultancy for creative entrepreneurs FREE RESOURCES Want my free LEGALLY LEGIT workbook to help get your creative business legit? Download HERE and also get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Listen and subscribe to Creative Counsel on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify &  iHeartRadio Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a 15-min consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my quick tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram.  *Not legal advice. For informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship.*

Learn from serial entrepreneur Sharon McMahon, who started out her adult life as a government teacher, before leaving to pursue her side hustle full time. After she built a seven-figure business and sold it, she became one of her region's most successful photographers and has gone on to coach entrepreneurs via her coaching program, Masters Level Collective. When she's not answering all of Instagram's questions about government, she's likely trapped under a snoring labrador reading a book. In this episode you will learn:  why you don't need another business course (probably) the ONE thing entrepreneurs actually need to grow their businesses how to talk/think about politics without wanting to hide under your desk resources for finding and consuming news and media with a more critical eye how to handle online criticism how to overcome fear of failure as a business owner lessons from running a successful service and product-based business how to cute a "good" community online ++ what made an Irish-Minnesota mother of four into a natural bathing costume model... Links: All Sides Now The Coddling of the American Mind Instagram: Sharon Says So , Masters Level Collective  Sharon’s Photography business The Life Coach School Podcast with Brooke Castillo Listen below in the plug-in, or find the podcast on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and on iHeartRadio. Interested in more free resources to help with the legal side of running a creative business? Connect with me on IG (where I share quick and dirty tips and host free LEGAL LIVE q&As) and subscribe to my newsletter here (& get the free "Legally Legit Workbook" for your creative business!)

Learn some super practical accounting tips for creatives with CPA Amy Northard. Amy shares hands-on tips to help you avoid tax stress and to help you set up successful money systems. We dig into hiring independent contractors, using Paypal, how to reconcile accounts and the top tips for avoiding tax issues as a creative entrepreneur.  In this episode you will learn: 4 bookkeeping tips to reduce stress at tax time how to work better with your husband  improving entrepreneurship + motherhood boundaries Tips for bringing the right team members into your service business what's the difference between an accountant and a CFO what software tools can help you with accounting Links:  Amy Northard Be Your Bown CFO S-Corp Reasonable Compensation Report PPP Loan Forgiveness Update FREE RESOURCES Want a free LEGAL checklist to get your creative business legit? Download HERE and get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Listen and subscribe to Creative Counsel on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify &  iHeartRadio Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a free 15-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my quick tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram.  *Not legal advice. For informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship WCYuGm4qCq2srXxdmdwF

So how exactly do you run your business in the time of Covid and quarantines, masks and mandates, policy and personal protection equipment? This podcast episode will dive into the best tips about navigating the dynamic landscape of trying to run a small business during a pandemic.  You will learn:    What websites should I be checking What to say and what NOT to say What are the reasonable measures for protecting my team? My customers? How can I open in-person What plans do I need to have in place How can I make remote work safer What kind of liability do I have if someone gets sick Where can I get help with cashflow How can I pivot ++ Top resources for small business owners   Links:  OSHA CDC - employers CDC - small business US Chamber of Commerce Covid HR templates/legal forms   Resources: Event release (with updated COVID language)  FREE RESOURCES Want a free LEGAL checklist to get your creative business legit? Download HERE and get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Listen and subscribe to Creative Counsel on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify &  iHeartRadio Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a free 15-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my quick tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram.  *Not legal advice. For informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship.*

Have you ever felt that panicky feeling when someone asks you what you "do"? Or spewed such a giant word vomit on them that you yourself got lost on what you ACTUALLY do to make money, let alone help people? Enter Macy Robison, StoryBrand Guide certified expert and marketing professional who helps creatives, influencers, and all-around multi-passionate people and helps them tell EXACTLY what they do so they can clearly articulate in ONE sentence who they are and who they serve.  In this episode of Creative Counsel, you will learn:  who is the guide and why it's important what you need in the upper right-hand corner of your website what kind of customer call to action you need (regardless of what you sell or how you make your money) how to be a magnetic brand and why it's important how to craft an impressive elevator pitch why creatives struggle with describing what they "do" and how to fix it +++MORE!!! Links mentioned:  Free worksheet mentioned in the episode! 5-minute marketing makeover by Donald Miller Building a StoryBrand Book by Donald Miller Alt Summit  

Do you sell a digital product and want to make sure you are using best practices in setting up your e-commerce site? This episode will give you my top 5 tips for setting up and protecting your online products so that you can continue to serve your audience.  You will learn:  What you need to do before, during and after the product creation stage How to work with freelancers in creating your digital products What to put in your checkout terms How to use a copyright notice and copyright registration What you might need to trademark What legal statements you need on your website and what they should cover Links:  Online Course Terms of Use (TOU) Digital Product Terms of Use (TOU) Copyright Transfer Form Independent Contractor/Freelancer Agreement Full Website Legal Bundle (Privacy + website terms) Privacy policy stand alone Other episode links mentioned: Copyright and Copywrongs: What you can and can't protect Everything is a remix and that's OK -  Business Partnerships 101 Want a free LEGAL checklist to get your creative business legit? Download HERE and get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Listen and subscribe to Creative Counsel on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify &  iHeartRadio Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a free 15-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my quick tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram. **Not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship.** 

Listen to Creative Producer and Director Rebecca M Creative as she shared the tricks of the trade for pulling off a successful styled shoot! Rebecca shares the top things that people do wrong, whether they are DIY their productions or hiring out and what you can do to make things go smoothly and get the deliverables you need fo a successful campaign! In the episode, you will learn:  How to know who to work with the difference between a styled shoot, collaborative shoot, editorial, or workshop how to handle when friends don't want to sign a contract whether trading or doing things for "exposure" is worth it and when it's not PLUS -- the ten items you MUST-HAVE in a stylist/event kit! EPISODE LINKS ribbon ((https://www.honeysilks.com/, https://tonoandco.com/) Acrylic blocks (https://www.sourcedco.com/) Rebecca's Pinterest Boards (portfolio) Rebecca's Pinterest Board (personal) FREE RESOURCES Want a free LEGAL checklist to get your creative business legit? Download HERE and get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Listen and subscribe to Creative Counsel on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify &  iHeartRadio Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a free 15-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my quick tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram.

So...let's address the elephant in the room (or rather the bat...) It's fair to say if you aren't experiencing some sort of business disruptions today due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that you might experience other force majeure events that will throw a wrench into even the best of plans.  So -- what you are supposed to do or refund? And what is smart? Or legal? Or your obligation under the contract?  Let's dig into this episode and find out!  In the episode you will learn:  what does force majeure really mean and how does it affect your business contracts what are the big MYTHS that need to be busted about what force majeure REALLY means how you reschedule/add an addendum to a contract how you cancel a contract what other considerations or strategies you might want to use when doing right by your clients AND while keeping healthy business boundaries some bonus info on the SBA/CARES loans and grants, including the PPP and the EIDL! Get my Client Services Cancellation/Rescheduling Legal Kit HERE (special 10% discount for listeners with code CREATIVECOUNSEL Get the Photography Services Cancellation Rescheduling Legal Kit HERE (special 10% discount for listeners with code CREATIVECOUNSEL Other resources for economic recovery funds:  Emergency loan infographics (for my right-brain folks!!) Small Business Administration hub for funding options (I recommend getting on their email list and be first to know of any updates, deadlines, changes) Online PPP application Other helpful episodes: Episode 53 - The Ultimate Event Legal Checklist Episode 38 - Get it in Writing: Contracts 101 for Creatives  Episode 19 - Legalize your E-Commerce Site in 6 Steps Episode 13 - 10 Must-Know Contract Terms for Creatives Want a general free LEGAL checklist to get your creative business legit? Download HERE and get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Listen and subscribe to Creative Counsel on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and iHeartRadio. Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a free 15-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my quick tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram. If you want to join the FREE Creativepreneur Book Club -- click HERE!  *Not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship. For informational purposes only.

Today we’re talking all about the money, honey. It’s a crucial part of business success and yet it’s an area that a lot of creative entrepreneurs feel all the emotions over. Learning to separate your income and expenses from emotions is an important first step and one that Amy Laliberte teaches to her clients.  Amy is a virtual CFO for hire. Numbers are her jam and she provides bookkeeping services and CFO services for six and seven-figure business owners. But she also shares strategies that any business owner can put in place. So, if you’re not a six figurer earner, don’t worry—this message is still for you! Today we’re discussing the strategy from the Mike Michaelowicz book, Profit First, and the positive impact it will make on your business finances.  In this episode, you will learn: What the Profit First strategy is and how to implement it in your business The five bank accounts that your business needs to have set up right off the bat Why it’s crucial to address your money mindset in order to take control of your finances How to approach finances if you’re just working your side hustle right now and are thinking of going full-time The importance of separating your self-worth from your bottom line What professionals you want on your financial team  How all those courses and software free trials are eating into your profit (I know, I know—I love a good online course as much as the rest of you.) The importance of choosing your clients instead of simply letting them choose you (hint-hint: not everyone in your niche is right for you) LINKS Amy’s profit calculator: DOWNLOAD HERE Check out the book Profit First: https://profitfirstbook.com/ Amy’s Website: https://myvirtualcfo.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewellnessbookkeeper/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myvirtualcfo/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaliberte/ QUOTES “If somebody claims that they don’t have a good relationship with money, I would argue that you need to take a timeout and really unpack what that’s about.” “In order to grow, we need to turn around and examine what those thought patterns are and really decide, ‘Do we make money from and are we willing to step into an area of discomfort in order to become a better creative and to have a better relationship with your money.’” “Whatever is in your bank account, or not in your bank account, doesn’t have any correlation to you. It’s just a number.” “Oftentimes, people think that to get from their nine to five to their side hustle is something that has to take a very long time. If you’re really pragmatic and in relationship with your numbers, even if it’s just from a very simplistic way, to get there, it’s really not going to take that long. It’s just your limiting beliefs that are causing you to have that pause and question whether or not that’s possible.” “If you know that you’re going to be working a good chunk of the time for six months out of the year, you can use Profit First to create a vault that will just tuck your money away so that you can then not be in a panic come January/February when you’re not getting paid.” “So often, we’re telling the stories of our past when we really should be addressing them presently so that we can make better future decisions.”  “I pay myself because I work hard and I provide a quality service for my clients. And as a result of that, I reward myself with deliberately providing for, mentally myself, but for my family.” “It’s not about you having to pay yourself in order to be a contributor to your family, but it could be that I pay myself as a token of appreciation for the work that I do for my clients.” “You are great, no matter what your bank account says. You’re human. You’re worthy of everything just as much as the next person ad the next person and the next person.” “It’s not about, ‘Oh, I need to get to $100,000.’ It’s, what is this? What is the one step I can take today? That will get me closer to that destination.” “I think it’s always smart for you to work with someone like a bookkeeper just to get you started. I’m not saying hold them on as a retainer because I think there are other ways that you can leverage your money from that. But if you have your books set up properly at the getgo, it will help you when you are ready to bring on that person on your team.” “A bookkeeper is the person that’s working in your day to day business and can see all the different nuanced micro things that are happening. A CPA, an accountant, is really looking at your business from a tax lens.” “One of my things is to not buy any course for the sake of buying a course. I only buy courses at the present moment that I’m actually going to utilize them.” “You need to make sure that the people that you have in the bus are sitting on the right seats.” “If you’re really digging into your numbers and you can’t tell yourself what that thing was for, then chances are, it’s probably not essential to the benefit of your business.” “If you’re holding space with a client who isn’t the right fit, you are missing out on a chance to fill that space with a client who is.” “You could very well be serving a niche, but there are people within that niche that are not a good fit for you.”

Jenie Gao, artist and muralist is here to decimate the "starving artist" myth and show how she quit her full-time corporate job and made the leap into the art world. She is now a successful full-time artist, creative director, and entrepreneur and is ready to drop some art biz knowledge bombs on the creative entrepreneurs, artists, illustrators, muralists, and other creatives out there who are working on pursuing their own creative businesses.  Jenie pulled from her experience working in the arts, public education, and lean manufacturing to build a business that allowed her to continue developing her passion while making a positive impact on the world around her. She now specializes in printmaking, murals, public installations, and arts project management and has built a business that allows her to bring budding artists along in their journey as well.  In this episode, you will learn: The impact the “creativity gap” is having in schools and on society What Jenie did to prepare for setting out as an entrepreneur The obstacles she faced in her entrepreneurial journey as a first-generation American Why artists need to be expanding their network outside of other artists and creatives What legal considerations artists need to make when running an art business How creativity is a survival tool How you can become more involved in public art LINKS National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) is full of helpful information on art funding and more. Episode 42: Everything is a Remix and That’s OK Episode 6: Do You Need an LLC? You can learn more about Jenie Gao on her website and social media: Website: jenie.org Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/jeniesart/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeniegao/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeniegao Tips for striving artists and creatives Look up the organizations in your area. Most cities, in urban and rural areas, have in arts board. Jenie Gao recommends that every artist should serve on one of these boards or commissions. It allows you to see the backend of how decisions are made within the city or nonprofit. It’s also a great way to get plugged in and start building a more diverse network.   File your business as an LLC. The process varies based on where you live, but generally, it’s relatively easy and inexpensive. It’s one of the things that Jenie stresses for all artists to do.  Learn to negotiate a contract. Understanding how to lead and negotiate a contract is critical for artists. You need to know how to keep negotiations going and when it’s time to walk away.  Get business insurance. You might have clients that think they can save money on the contract by obtaining the scaffolding that you need to paint your mural for you, but as soon as you remind them of the liability that comes with it, they’ll be singing a different tune. Make sure that you have the proper insurance to cover yourself and anyone that you have working with you. Learn about the laws and infrastructures that exist. The more you know the better art advocate you’ll be in this space. Learn about what exists and what doesn’t exists. The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies is a great resource for data on art funding. Jenie also recommends that you educate yourself on where the US ranks compared to other countries in this area. It’s important to know and understand the environment that you’re working in when there are stakeholders that you need to convince as to the importance of your work. Do your homework and be prepared. FREE RESOURCES Want a free LEGAL checklist to get your creative business legit? Download HERE and get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Listen and subscribe to Law & Wit on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify &  iHeartRadio Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a free 15-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my quick tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram.

Are you stuck working “in” your business and not “on” it? Have you read the EMyth Revisited -- or had it on your “list”? Considered one of the most influential business books of all time, EMyth is the Creativentrepeneur Book Club Pick for January and is a classic story that helps business owners “beat” the sobering statistics of small business burnout and failure. You do not want to miss this special interview with the OG business coaching gurus with guest Tricia Huebner, VP and Head of Coaching at EMyth. Tricia shares her vast entrepreneurial insights from two decades of coaching and leading more than 3,000 entrepreneurship workshops. If you are interested in getting started in setting up systems in your business (even in a company of ONE) and in building a business that you will ACTUALLY love, instead of giving yourself another crappy job -- then listen in! In this episode, you will learn:  What is the great EMyth and why should it matter to you How do you find out your primary aim and what it does and doesn’t have in it Why systems matter, even in 2020 How to get started setting up systems How systems can work for personalized brands or creative professionals What a position agreement is and why you absolutely need them in your business What beliefs you need to hold onto and which ones you need to let go How to get the “secret” sauce out of you and onto paper How to pick a good business coach -- not just a good coaching salesperson Listen and subscribe to Creative Counsel on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and iHeartRadio. Links The EMyth team was super generous in sending over a specially curated resource list: The E-Myth Revisited: Chapter One download Free 1-hour Business Coaching Session How Kolby Moser, owner of Aria Studios, Built the Life She Always Wanted A Business Owner’s Guide: Transform Your Business With Systems The Time Management Handbook Six Steps to Transform Frustrations Into Solutions Blog: How to stop feeling overwhelmed and get control of your business Blog: 7 tips every business owner needs to take a real vacation Blog: Cut the clutter: 3 simple steps to overhaul your inbox Other FREE resources from Attorney for Creatives Brittany Ratelle Want a general free LEGAL checklist to get your creative business legit? Download HERE and get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a free 15-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my small business tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram. If you want to join the FREE Creativepreneur Book Club -- click HERE!  *Not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship. For informational purposes only.

Well -- the SEO-droolworthy title kind of says it all, right? If you plan events or want to plan events for your business or organization -- then you need this episode in your life (to be honest, you probably needed it a few Diet Cokes ago). This episode comes BURSTING with all the real legal issues that can crop up when you are planning an event and breaks them down one-by-one. You can host events and rock then AND do it legally without losing too much money, momentum or sleep. So buckle in and dig in! In this episode, you will learn:  Why your name matters and how to do a name clearance search The business fundamental steps you CANNOT skip when doing events how to protect your business materials/intellectual property at a event what you need to get in writing and with who you need to hash it all out with how to properly set up legal expectations and professional relationships with sponsors, speakers, and partners/collaborators what liability waivers are really about and what you need in one how to handle media releases for attendees the low-down on insurance tips for moving forward on licenses/permits and best practices for health and safety planning and response PLUS -- I put together a free checklist of ALL the above and it is available to DOWNLOAD HERE SURVEY + $300 creative contract gift card + $30 Target giftcard giveaway!! CLICK HERE PLEASE -- your feedback is SO appreciated!! MORE FREE RESOURCES Do you need a LLC? Episode 6 Copyrights and Copywrongs, what you can and can't protect - Episode 40 Designing a Hit Conference with Alt Summit Founder/Design Mom OG Blogger Gabrielle Blair - Episode 33 How to Get your Site Legit - 36 Want a general free LEGAL checklist to get your creative business legit? Download HERE and get access to my newsletter with tips and tricks for YOUR growing creative business. Listen and subscribe to Law & Wit on iTunes, Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and iHeartRadio. Interested in working with Brittany for one-on-one legal services? Sign up for a free 15-min phone consult at brittanyratelle.com/services. Want an attorney-drafted, industry-tested legal template for your business? Take a free quiz and find out exactly what you need for your creative business at creativecontracts.co. Or browse through my quick tips and tricks by connecting on Instagram. *Not intended as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship. For informational purposes only.

Does the thought of “selling” make you feel sleazy and leave you feeling like you need a shower? You’re not alone! It’s actually quite common for creative entrepreneurs, and even more so for female entrepreneurs to struggle with the thought of sales. If you struggle with the idea of selling, you’re going to love the message that guest Erika Tebbens has to share—selling can be simple, authentic, and leave you feeling good with money in your pocket. And, you can be a selling rockstar! Erika Tebbens is a Lord of the Rings lovin’, coffee drinking, teenager mama and all-around spunky entrepreneur. She’s not about the labels, but if she was you could call her a business coach, consultant, strategist or selling superstar. She’s paired her passion for helping women succeed at growing their businesses with the knowledge she’s gained from working corporate retail, small business retail and direct sales to create an incredible consulting business of her own - and she drops ALL kinds of knowledge in this episode. In this episode, you will learn: How Erika fell in love with selling and teaching others to succeed in sales and creating a great customer experience. The four-step system that Erika teaches clients so they can sell more without feeling dirty doing it.  How to get noticed by being your crazy, quirky, authentic self (or quiet, laid back self if that’s more your style). What you can do to build trust with your audience. Why you need to work towards working smarter instead of harder (hint, hint - outsourcing comes into play here).  LINKS Download the FREE episode handout with tips and quotes taken from this interview with Erika Tebbens. Books mentioned: High Performance Habits by Brenden Burchard Playing Big by Tara Mohr The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks Erika Tebbens Consulting website Sell it Sister - Erika’s course You can find Erika on Instagram and Facebook (@erikatebbensconsulting) And Erika now has her own podcast -- Sell it, Sister Podcast! QUOTES  "I've worked corporate retail and small business retail and direct sales and I've woven the common themes throughout each of them that are so essential to really good selling and customer service and now I teach that to other women." "I knew that my faith was bigger than my fear. And, I knew that if other people had figured it out that I would be able to figure it out too. It was just a matter of staying in the game long enough to see that success."  "Every new thing has a learning curve." "When you're so close to your own stuff, it's hard to see opportunities that you may be missing or small tweaks you can make that would make your life easier."  "There's room enough for all of us with all of our quirks and everything combined. We don't have to keep them hidden." "Everyone has something amazing to offer and by being too afraid to share it, you're keeping it from the people that need it most."  "You can be a selling rockstar. I promise."  A few areas to consider outsourcing early on include: Legal (hint, hint! You know a pretty fun lawyer!!) Accounting Social media Graphic design