Each week, Reina + Christina bring you up close with the influencers you dream of meeting at conferences and workshops, but maybe don’t have a budget to attend yet. Sprinkled in between these are teaching episodes, and mentoring that walks show listeners through common problems with solutions during their early days of business.
Episode 200: Jam Session with Reina + Christina, Creative Empire's 2 Year Anniversary - the Creative Empire podcast
May 03, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina are back for episode 200! The duo are are so honored to have been in your ears for this long and this many episodes and they are really excited to jam about the things that They’ve learned through having this podcast, the things that they have seen in the industry and what they anticipate, the projections that they have for Creative Empire and the creative community at large.
Main Takeaways:
The story behind Creative Empire Podcast [0:01:33]
Why Reina was scared of starting the podcast [0:06:57]
How the podcast has influenced the duo in their businesses [0:11:51]
What type of brand to build [0:13:40]
How having the podcast has helped them become better guests [0:15:13]
What changes in the industry have looked like [0:15:43]
What sustainability in business can look like [0:18:46]
Why you just need to start somewhere [0:23:21]
What they have learned personally [0:26:00]
Where is the Creative Industry headed [0:39:59]
Entrepreneurship is just this game where you’re constantly trading up, like you start with a paperclip and then you end up with a condo in Hawaii, like that guy on craigslist all those years ago. You’re just like constantly trading up.
Every industry requires some kind of tenacity and what does that look like for you and how do you want to grow your business.
— Reina Pomeroy
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Episode 199: Freelancing As A Designer, with Jamie Starcevich - the Creative Empire podcast
Apr 30, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina are chatting with Jamie Starcevich of Spruce Road. Right at the beginning of the episode, Jamie dives into the why behind starting her own business, Spruce Road. She shares what a freelance design business is and why she promotes becoming a business owner to other designers. The trio discuss the freebies Jamie offers and about fear and processes in business. Towards the end of the episode, Jamie shares why having a community where you feel comfortable is important as a business owner and Reina shares about turning people off that may trigger you. Lastly, we hear how she balances life, working, and moving as gracefully as she does.
Main Takeaways:
What Spruce Road is + why she started her own business [0:01:39]
What a freelance design business is [0:02:48]
Why Jamie encourages people to become freelancers [0:04:15]
What some business owner pitfalls are [0:05:57]
What to expect when grabbing her client finder freebie [0:07:07]
How to get through fear [0:09:23]
Why your process is so important [0:12:42]
How to increase prices [0:15:49]
Why peer-support is helpful + having self-care [0:17:55]
How Jamie balances life, work, + moving [0:22:57]
What the Share Worthy Design Course is all about [0:26:28]
I have a heart for other designers. There’s such camaraderie within the design community and I just feel led to share what I’ve learned on the way.
Step one is to work on your process and then you’ll be 10 times further along than almost any designer that gets started.
— Jamie Starcevich
Bio:
Hey there! I’m Jamie, founder + creative director at Spruce Rd., a brand identity design studio for online businesses, and creator of the Share-worthy Design course for freelancers. I’m also mom to a little one, hiking enthusiast (walking around the park counts, right?!), and will never say no to cookies, tacos, or a Wes Anderson film.
Episode 198: How To Turn Your Passion Into A Profitable Endeavor, with Cathy Heller - the Creative Empire podcast
Apr 26, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina are joined today by Cathy Heller of the Don't Keep Your Day Job Podcast. Outside of building a huge podcasting following, Cathy is also a song writer and her music has been featured in places like Walmart, McDonald's, Crate and Barrel, and many tv shows. At the beginning of the episode, we learn more about Cathy and how she has landed where she is today. She shares more about why personal relationships are important in business and how you can use your passion without being salesy. The trio discuss what being in hustle mode is and how to align yourself with it. Lastly, Cathy shares getting feedback from your audience and being quiet for yourself.
Main Takeaways:
How she has landed where she is today [0:02:52]
Why personal relationships are so important + caring for others [0:15:45]
How to be passionate about your business without being salesy [0:22:59]
What offerings she has to serve you [0:28:36]
Why you have to align yourself with the hustle [0:29:22]
Why you should get feedback from your friends + audience [34:10]
How to be quiet + figuring out what you are really good at [0:36:!3]
What aligning with your thing feels like + having courage [0:43:04]
There is a game plan if you want to understand how to make something that someone else needs.
— Cathy Heller
Bio:
As the creator and host of the popular podcast Don’t Keep Your Day Job, Cathy Heller is growing one of the biggest, most engaged audiences in the podcast world. In just a few short months, Cathy’s podcast has climbed high up on the iTunes charts, is sponsored by world class brands, and draws thousands of listeners to feast upon each inspiring episode. Heller’s mission is to offer real tools and insight to help others find a sense of purpose and newfound fulfillment in their work. Far too many people live lives of quiet desperation and never find a way to express their unique gift. Heller is driven to see more people happily making a living doing what they love. Despite the cynics, the evidence is there that many have made careers from what they most enjoy. Whether it’s baking, screenwriting, sewing, painting or dance, it’s certainly attainable to turn your passion into profit. Heller’s listeners are already writing in about the steps her show has inspired them to take. As Heller’s following has grown, she’s created an online course based on the demand of her fans. She's created an active Facebook community, where listeners post about their career ambitions, support one another and share their challenges as they go through the process of building their business. Those who want the full step by step guide to reaching their goals, enroll for Cathy’s course. Prior to her podcast, Cathy was known for having hand crafted a career as a songwriter, licensing her music to Film/TV and Advertising. Songs of hers have been featured in ads for Mcdonald's, Walmart, Kellogs and many TV shows, films and even a few theme songs. Her journey has been documented in magazines and newspapers, like Variety, Billboard and the LA Weekly. After earning multi-six figures each year with her own songs, she started an agency, helping other artists to do the same. She has spoken on the DIY hustle and how to reverse engineer your dream job at countless places such as UCLA, the Grammy Museum, Billboard Film/TV conference, ASCAP Expo, Berklee School of music and more. A graduate from Florida State University, Heller currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and three daughters. When not podcasting, teaching or speaking, Cathy is still songwriting. Most recently, she wrote the main title theme song to a show called Llama Llama, soon to be out on Netflix, starring Jennifer Garner. In her free time she’s busy playing dress up with her little girls (5 and 3 years old) and enjoying the youngest, Madeleine, who is only 5 months old.
Episode 197: Processes + Procedures, with Laura Neff - the Creative Empire podcast
Apr 23, 2018
Show notes
Reina and Christina are joined today by Laura Neff who is a wedding and brand photographer, who preserves memories for adventurous fun loving couples and heart driven creative brands. In addition to running this very successful photography business, she is also an educator and she likes to educate the creative community on all things workflow systems, productivity and time management. At the beginning of the episode we learn a little more about Laura. Laura shares why she thinks workflows and systems are important and where they should be stored. Towards the end of the episode the trio discuss how you can garner higher prices with organization. Listen at the end to hear some quick tips for creating workflows are and client experience.
Main Takeaways:
How she got into wedding and brand photography + moved into an educator role [0:01:33]
Why workflows and systems are important in your business [0:07:37]
How to start creating workflows [0:10:55]
Where to store procedures and workflows [0:14:30]
How to create a procedure manual + changes in your processes [0:17:07]
Where you can learn about workflows with Laura [0:23:47]
Why organization can garner higher price points [0:27:54]
What quick tips for creating workflows are + client experience [0:31:34]
My goal as an educator to give people the tools and empower them that work life harmony is possible.
Nothing is ever going to be perfect but done is better than perfect.
— Laura Neff
Bio:
Laura is a New Jersey + worldwide wedding and brand photographer preserving memories for adventurous, fun-loving couples and heart-driven creative brands. In addition to running a very successful photography business, she educates the creative community on all things workflow, systems, productivity and time management! She's obsessed with firepits, sweet wine, deep conversation, elephants, and showing off her horrible dance moves at any given moment. Laura is on a mission for entrepreneurs to schedule more date nights, brunch weekends, and vacations as a result of finding work-life balance while running a thriving business!
Episode 196: Motherhood + Consistency, with Kelsey Baldwin - the Creative Empire podcast
Apr 19, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina are joined today by Kelsey Baldwin of Paper and Oats. Kelsey is the owner of an Etsy shop and a freelance design studio since 2013. But what’s really phenomenal about Kelsey is her story, plus she just wrote a book about it! At the beginning of the episode, we learn about Kelsey's back-story and about how single-motherhood has impacted her. We learn about how she moved away from client work and digital products and courses. The trio discuss planning and how multiple revenue streams are important for her as a single-parent. Lastly, we learn who Kelsey's mentors and influencers have been.
Main Takeaways:
Who Kelsey is + how she got to where she is [0:02:01]
What being a single-mother in business is like [0:05:39]
What early moments of a rough stage feels like [0:08:21]
How moving away from client work has impacted her business [0:12:11]
How to balance money now vs future payoff of passive products [0:14:35]
Why multiple revenue streams is a good idea [0:17:16]
What planning is like for her [0:19:20]
How to prepare for a digital product launch [0:27:51]
Who Kelsey's mentors have been [0:30:30]
A lot of stuff gets erased and rewritten (in my calendar), so I think being able to be flexible and move stuff around as you go.
(My book) will be another little piece that can help sustain all these other little pieces that make up a whole.
— Kelsey Baldwin
Bio:
Kelsey Baldwin started Paper + Oats as an Etsy shop and a freelance design studio in 2013. It has since grown into a brand + blog that teaches creatives how to organize, design, and market their digital products, so they can share what they know + look good doing it. She is a single mom to a crazy 3-year-old and a big fluffy dog, and is also an advocate for women learning to sustain themselves + gain independence through online business.
Episode 195: Turning Off the BS, with Allen Brouwer - the Creative Empire podcast
Apr 16, 2018
Show notes
Reina and Christina are joined with Allen Brouwer and Allen is the co-founder of Best Self Co. a company that helps people achieve their goals and become the best version of themselves through productivity performance and positivity. At the beginning of the episode, we jump right in with Allen and learn more about him and his motto. He shares about how to cut off distractions and how to use a schedule as a creative to cut through the bs. Allen then chats about how Best Self Co. was created and how it started off of a Kickstarter campaign. Lastly, the trio talk tips and takeaways to help you stay productive.
Main Takeaways:
Who Allen Brouwer is + his experiences [0:01:23]
How to turn off the bs [0:03:47]
What the easiest way to start turning off distractions [0:05:39]
How to use a schedule as a creative [0:09:31]
What exercise to do, to cut through that bs [0:14:05]
How the Best Self Co. system came to be + how journal works [0:17:25]
Why they started with Kickstarter [0:20:31]
What some launch tips are [0:24:31]
How to connect better with your audience [0:28:22]
What shifting your mindset looks like + practicing gratitude [0:31:57]
You’ll start creating a fan base that is so loyal, regardless of what you’re selling, as long as you’re there and you’re acknowledging them and you’re supporting them and you’re contributing and you’re providing value.
Then you just create a narrow mindset and anything that does not relate to either becoming the person that you want to become or achieving the things that you want to achieve, you say no to it.
— Allen Brouwer
Bio:
Allen is the Co-Founder of BestSelf Co. a company that helps people achieve their goals and become the best version of themselves through productivity, performance, and positivity. A serial entrepreneur whose passion is to help others achieve their entrepreneurial visions. He loves the outdoors, psychology, and marketing.
Episode 194: Being an Influencer, with Julie Solomon - the Creative Empire podcast
Apr 12, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina are joined with Julie Solomon. Julie is a New York Times bestselling publicist, host of The Influencer Podcast, and a marketing expert! At the beginning of the episode, we hear all about Julie's twist and turns in business and how she has landed where she is today. Julie shares about soul-searching within her businesses and all about what being an "influencer" actually means. In the episode, we even find out who Julie follows as influencers. At the end of the podcast we learn why batching your content is key to having more time as well as what makes a good pitch.
Main Takeaways:
How Julie got to where she is + twist and turns in business [0:01:24]
What soul-searching was like for Julie [0:18:03]
What an influencer means [0:22:26]
What are some things that comes with the "influencer" title [0:28:35]
Who Julie follows as influencers [0:31:44]
Why you should be batching your content [0:35:00]
What makes a good pitch [0:39:12]
(To me) Influencer means helping others find that magic within, so then create the brilliance that they want to be in the world and then they can share that with everyone, and to really enact change.
— Julie Solomon
The more that you’re able to know who your audience is, the more that you’re going to be able to serve them.
Nashville native and California-based entrepreneur Julie Solomon is a NY Times Best-Selling Publicist, influencer and marketing expert who teaches bloggers and online entrepreneurs how to grow their blog, business, and income through authentic connection and brand strategy. Julie has worked with some of the country’s most recognized influencers, authors, entrepreneurs, and bloggers for over a decade. From graduating cum laude with a major in Journalism and Public Relations to working at PR powerhouses, Julie has made a reputable name for herself in the PR, marketing and branding world. As a New York Times-best selling publicist with experience covering music, publishing, and entertainment, Julie eventually co-founded a prestigious public relations agency, OMG! Publicity, in 2013. Along with her PR agency, Julie has since created a popular website, JulieSolomon.net, to combine her talents, background, and passion to empower others through her informative tips on business growth, social media and marketing. Within her domain, Julie runs Pitch It Perfect, a branding and marketing pitch program for bloggers, influencers, and entrepreneurs to learn the step-by-step formula for executing a pitch strategy that converts into lucrative brand deals and attention grabbing media placements for their businesses. These strategies are the same she used to help herself as well as clients garner national media placements and over $1 million dollars in income from brand deals in just 1 year. Her latest venture, The Influencer Podcast, explores the secrets behind the every changing landscape of influencer marketing and shares the most accredited and informed strategies from top social influencers, business owners, and industry elites. During its launch month in April 2017, The Influencer Podcast joined the Top-50 list of iTunes’ Business Podcast Chart, peaking at #15, and remains in the Top-50 to date. Julie currently calls Los Angeles home, and lives there with her husband, Johnathon, and son Camden.
Episode 193: Building + Becoming Boss, with Kathleen Shannon - the Creative Empire podcast
Apr 09, 2018
Show notes
Today Reina and Christian are talking to Kathleen Shannon. Kathleen is one of the co-hosts of Being Boss Podcast, a founder of Braid Creative, and is the co-author of the Being Boss book. At the beginning of the episode, we hear all about how Kathleen got started with her business and podcasting. She shares about content streams and how she repurposes content for her audience. The trio discuss shifting mindset into bigger picture marketing and why you need to get clear with your offerings. Lastly, we hear all about the new Being Boss book and Kathleen shares about two methods that she writes about in the book.
Main Takeaways:
How Kathleen got started with her business + podcast [0:01:55]
What all of her content streams are + repurposing content [0:05:49]
What Being Boss has become [0:12:26]
How to get into shifting your mindset to bigger picture marketing [0:16:08]
Why to created content for your ideal clients + getting clear [0:20:11]
What the Being Boss book is about + the chalkboard method [0:23:24]
What Kathleen's dinner party method is [0:28:24]
What the best way to digest her book is [0:34:44]
How being a leader has helped her grow [0:41:04]
Whenever it comes to having a brand and a reputation, it is about saying the same thing over and over again. If you feel like you’re being redundant, you’re probably doing it right.
There is definitely some manifesting magic whenever it comes to the chalkboard. It’s also a really practical way to visualize your goals and to get some hustle in your bustle.
— Kathleen Shannon
Bio:
Kathleen Shannon is a creative director, podcaster, speaker, author, and mentor. As the co-founder of Braid Creative and co-host of the Being Boss podcast she has helped thousands of creative entrepreneurs from all over the world authentically brand and position themselves as creative experts, cultivate confidence in their business, and blend more of who they are into the work they do. When she’s not working she’s traveling the world, cooking a great meal, or cuddling on the couch with her husband and their 3 year old son, Fox.
Episode 192: Having a Badass Brand, with Pia Silva - the Creative Empire podcast
Apr 05, 2018
Show notes
Reina and I are joined today by Pia Silva, who is an entrepreneur, speaker and author. She is also the partner and branch strategist of at Worstofall Design, where they build badass brands without the BS. At the beginning of the episode, Pia jumps right in sharing about her book and what differentiation has looked like for her business. She explains what being a badass brand means and how they accomplish it with their clients. Pia shares about her brand, Worstofall design, and how the name came to be. She shares about shifting in business and why you need to prepare your clients when you work with them. Lastly, Pia talks about influencer opportunities and what you need to know about your ideal clients.
Main Takeaways:
How her book, Badass Your Brand, came to be [0:01:20]
What moving through pricing has looked like + differentiation [0:02:35]
What it means to have a badass brand [0:05:45]
How they prep for an intensive with their brand [0:08:02]
Why you need to build a brand that only attracts your audience [0:11:09]
How her brand shifted from to having a productized service [0:13:00]
How their design brand name, "worstofall" came to be [0:19:15]
When do you know when you are ready to hire a designer [0:22:39]
Why you need to prepare your clients [0:25:25]
How designers can help their businesses [0:28:17]
What to know about ideal clients + influencer opportunities [0:32:01]
One of the most valuable things as a business owner is getting back to what’s going to bring in the money.
You want to build a brand that is so clear in its’ positioning that it attracts exactly the clients you want.
— Pia Silva
Bio:
Entrepreneur, speaker and author Pia Silva is a partner and brand strategist at Worstofall Design where they build “Badass Brands without the BS” for 1-3 person service businesses in 1-3 day intensives. She is also a Forbes contributor and author of Badass Your Brand: The Impatient Entrepreneur’s Guide to Turning Expertise into Profit.
Episode 191: Becoming Obsessed With Your Business, with Melissa Cassera - the Creative Empire podcast
Apr 02, 2018
Show notes
Today Reina and Christina are talking to Melissa Cassera, who is an award-winning business strategist and professional screenwriter. She is actually one of Reina's mentors and Reina is part of her Obsessed Program. Melissa teaches entrepreneurs how to build an audience that’s a 100% obsessed with their work while making every step feel like a total guilty pleasure. At the beginning of the episode, Melissa shares how she started her business and what it has evolved from. She shares why you need to be obsessed with your business with some helpful tips, plus explains how being obsessed with help influence your audience. Towards the end of the episode, the trio talk about haters and how to deal with negative words sent to you. Lastly, Melissa shares how she deals with the twists and turns of entrepreneurship.
Main Takeaways:
How she started her business + the facets of her business [0:01:35]
How to move past fear of repeating yourself to your audience [0:04:39]
Why you should shift and be obsessed with your business [0:07:54]
What personality brings to being "professional" + adding personality [0:14:48]
How to deal with haters + hate messages [0:24:23]
How to talk about the twists + turns in entrepreneurship [0:37:32]
Trust that when you go out there with that energy and actually talk about things you want to talk about, not talk about things that you think other people wanted you to talk about, because that never goes any place good. When you do that, then people get behind your energy and your enthusiasm.
Bringing in your passions and your guilty pleasures, whatever feels fun for you is really crucial for business.
— Melissa Cassera
Bio:
Melissa Cassera is an award-winning Business Strategist and Professional Screenwriter. She teaches entrepreneurs how to build an audience that is 100% obsessed with their work, while making every step feel like a total guilty pleasure. She was named one of the nation’s “Top Personal Branding Experts” by Huffington Post and her insights have been featured in Success Magazine, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and Forbes. Her first film GIRL FOLLOWED currently airs on Lifetime, and she has a TV series in development.
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