Canadian children's book author Liliana Tommasini joins us to talk about her journey from programmer to first time children's book author (after becoming a Nonna!) and the process of independently publishing her first book (in English and French), Octavia Can Do It!
Read MoreThere is a hidden gem - right in your neighbourhood - that's an astonishing wealth of inspiration, resources, and community building opportunities. And it's all FREE. University librarian, Dr. Christina Neigel stops by to help us navigate this amazing resource we all have access to!
Read MoreAs a multi-passionate creative herself, creativity coach and host of the Multi-Passionate Artists Podcast, Diane Foy understands how difficult it is for multi-passionate creative entrepreneurs to present themselves to the world. This week she joins the podcast to talk about the power of personal branding and showing the world all the wonderful things you do instead of trying to keep them under wraps!
Read MoreAlberta singer/songwriter Sharon Marie White talks about her deep roots as a musician and performer and how she let her music move to the background as she found other ways to contribute to her family. Now, after putting her music on hold for decades, she's back and she's just getting started - in an era where women are no longer willing to put up with ageism as working creatives!
Read MoreRaj Thandhi, the Creative Director and owner of Pink Chai Media as well as the blogger behind Pink Chai Living joins Melissa this week to talk about choosing a word of the year and why this has been such a beneficial exercise for both of them over the years - in their businesses and their personal lives.
Read MoreAuthor, journalist and freelance writer Tiffany Mayer joins Melissa to talk about some of the biggest mistakes we tend to make as freelancers in the creative services. Are you making these mistakes?
Read MoreSaskatoon's Kristen Raney of Shifting Roots went from being a professional singer to an urban gardener, floral artist and content entrepreneur. In this episode, Kristen shares how she created a successful multi-revenue stream business. Operating from an abundance mindset with a belief in the power of collaboration and education, Kristen has not only brought her audience along for the ride, she's turned the power of growing that community into a revenue generating business strategy.
Read MoreMulti-passionate creative entrepreneur, nutritionist and 2x best selling author Meghan Telpner sits down with Melissa to talk about her creative & entrepreneurial journey, the importance of building community, experimenting & inspiration, and finding alignment and coherence through the heart-brain connection to foster happiness and creativity.
Read MoreLouisa Hrennikoff is the designer and maker behind Vancouver based jewellery brand, Luli Designs and she's a craft market veteran. This week she shares her best tips for prepping for craft market season! Everything from how much inventory to stock to how to build your booth display (and much more!)
Read MoreBetty Shin Binon (aka Stems and Forks) has gone from being one of Toronto's most successful floral designers to now being highly sought after for her photography and video work in her distinct chiaroscuro style. We talk about the challenges and courage that go into making a creative career change a little later in life. And we discuss the power of education, the importance of continuous learning and how generously sharing our knowledge and creative process can take us far.
Read MoreAs Managing Director of Devour! The Food Film Festival, Lia Rinaldo and her team have grown a small, niche film festival in Wolfville, N.S into the largest film festival related to all things culinary in the world! She had to get small to go big and this week she shares her story with us. We talk about niching down, curating the work of other creatives, grass roots marketing, applying for grants and, of course, pivoting in a pandemic!
Read MoreCopywriter Natalie Gates turned her childhood love of writing into a career and now she uses those skills to help other creatives communicate with their customers and clients through great copy. This week she shares her best tips so you can do the same for your creative business.
Read MoreWell-known author, editor and writing coach, Dianne Jacob, is celebrating the launch of the 4th edition of Will Write For Food, the book that has helped food writers all over the world turn their words into deliciously flourishing careers. She sits down to talk to Melissa about her creative career from Metro Vancouver journalist to Vancouver restaurant critic to the editor of an international off-roading magazine to the author of one of the most well-known books on the craft of food writing and sought after writing coach.
Read MoreMeet Hamilton based YouTuber and blogger, Lisa Le, also known as the Viet Vegan. In this episode we talk about how Lisa went from pursuing a career as a translator to becoming a successful full-time blogger and YouTuber and how YouTube helped her diversify her revenue and grow her core audience. She also shares some of her best tips to help you get started on YouTube so you can grow your audience and customer base!
Read MoreMeet Halifax based dance photographer Rachael Dyer of Movita Beaucoup Dance Photography. In this episode we talk about how Rachael navigated switching creative fields in her 40s from classically trained ballet instructor to full time dance photographer and now niching down in her field helped her build her business.
Read MoreMeet Debra Wong, founder of Dessert by Deb, an online organic tea company and lifestyle brand where she blends her own organic teas and designs her own tea related accessories, gifts, stationery and subscription boxes. Hear how a fateful trip led to her closing one business and inspired her to open another that embodies her passion for afternoon tea!
Read MoreMelissa chats with author, chef, TV host and YouTuber, Pailin Chongchitnant, about how getting started on YouTube with her channel Hot Thai Kitchen led her to her dream of co-hosting a TV cooking show, writing a book and becoming a self-employed creative. And she shares her tips for launching a Patreon community to grow and diversify your revenue.
Melissa chats with self-described serial entrepreneur Steph Todd about her multiple business ventures, including her well-known blog Meal Plan Addict. Steph shares how she gets it all done, how she manages her mental health challenges and the importance of building a supportive network around her.
In this episode And She Looked Up co-founder Lisa Bolton returns to the podcast to talk with Melissa about different techniques to help you visualize success in your career and in life. We'll cover everything from journaling and art journaling to vision boards and vision books.
Lawyer Andrea Henry of Henry Business Law joins us this week to talk about how you can take steps to protect your creative business and your intellectual property - including what you can do yourself and where you should get a lawyer to help you (and how to find a lawyer that gets you and your business!)
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