E-commerce expert and Co-Founder of www.JustStartUp.com, Desiree Shank joins Nick & Dale for episode 32 of Secondary Colors! Desiree shares her wealth of knowledge on which KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) help best measure the success level of digital marketing campaigns and how to effectively utilize social media to drive traffic and sales. She also gives specific case studies of how she has leveled up a variety of brands, ways to keep up with the ever evolving game of S.E.O., email...

Nick, Tracey & Dale are back in this advice-packed episode of Secondary Colors! From public speaking, to managing staff meetings and client giveaways to the daunting task of hiring a new employee - the gang discusses all the pitfalls and highlights of navigating the world of small business ownership in 2024.    Come join us, friends!  Recorded in sunny Kailua town, O'ahu @ the Nick Kuchar Art & Design Shop.    Follow Nick: www.instagram.com/NickKuchar Follow our shop:...

Nick, Tracey & Dale welcome June Shine’s Creative Director, Kahana Kalama to episode #30 of Secondary Colors! Kahana delves into the skills needed for a successful middle-man between marketing teams and artists - aptly comparing the ability to do so as it to it’s own language. Having worked many times with Nick (for JuneShine’s can art) he provides the best practices for the push-and-pull dance required as a successful Creative Director, all while managing a full home life of 5 kids with...

Maui-based artist Welzie returns to Secondary Colors to discuss his perspective of life after the tragic fires that swept Maui on August 8th. From the importance of establishing your creative community to helping children heal through art, Nick & Welzie have a heartfelt one-on-one about the ways we can learn and grow from moments like this through out life and the power of speaking positivity. Join us, friends!  

Nick, Tracey & Dale are back from their summer-long hiatus to discuss the whirlwind of these last few months. From the excitement of meeting wild deer (and even wilder robots) in Japan, to the devestation brought on by the Maui fires and the surprising challenges that come with fundraising, this episode is a candid catch up between the guys packed with unsolicited advice. Nick shares tips they learned first hand in raising money for Maui Relief efforts, and one thing they started doing...

Hailing from the streets of Yokohama, Japan (which might explain some of the audio quality, sorry) Nick sits down with several of his friends and fellow artists for this special Green Room Festival edition of Secondary Colors! Nick chats mastering the freelance life and giving back to the Pacific Islander community with Shar Tuiasoa AKA Punky Aloha (https://punkyaloha.com), to unlocking the cheat code for being creative more often with Matt Allen (https://mattallen.com) & Jonas Claesson...

What’s going to take your art business to the next level? Brittney Heyd of Hawaii’s Mana Up (https://manauphawaii.com) joins Nick, Tracey & Dale to share tips and advice on how to do just that! From ways to begin your art business journey, to the importance of telling your personal story and creating a narrative behind everything you sell - Brittany and the guys discuss it all. Plus, new prints and clothing headed your way this month on www.nickkuchar.com. Wrap your ears around episode 26...

Pricing our work can be one of the most difficult things in our daily process...it doesn't have to be!  Take advice from Nick & Jaz's about becoming a confident freelancer in this conversation geared toward empowering creatives.  Jaz offers a free pricing calculator on her website & encourages our listeners to know their worth. She also gives tips on how to move their business forward.  The duo discuss drafting up a contract, getting your project off on the right foot and getting...

Creator of TheVectorLab, Designer Ray Dombroski joins Nick, Tracey & Dale for episode 24! Ray's extensive background in the surf apparel industry started in 2002. Since then he has designed for many top brands in California and Hawaii, such as Quiksilver, O'Neill, Billabong, Rip Curl, Ocean Pacific and Local Motion. He shares his successes and hardships that lead him to finally establishing The Vector Lab website that offers design elements, graphic design resources, tools, and tutorials....

Freelance Artist and Designer Matthew Tapia (www.instagram.com/MatthewTapia) joins Nick, Tracey and Dale for episode 23! From his large scale work including the iconic "Wish You Were Here" at the Surfjack hotel pool to his role on the team for MLB's Cleveland Guardians rename and a variety of branding & lettering projects in-between, Matt shares what he's learned in the many steps along the road to freelance life and how clear communication can make or break any relationship. Nick &...

The guys ring in the new year with Hawai‘i-based graffiti artist Melon James! Melon shares his personal story of his gang-filled past in the streets of Chicago, to life in the military and his eventual new beginnings on the isle of O‘ahu. Weaving perseverance and artistic skill, his inspirational journey has turned a strong passion for graffiti and art into a successful career. Nick, Tracey & Dale chat goals for 2023 and play a 'new' game with our guest. Happy New Episode, everybody! ...

Tis the Season to be ... Podcasting! Nick, Tracey & Dale look back at the last 20 episodes of Secondary Colors and share their favorite moments from all the guests and good times that they've shared.  We cover everything from crafting a great portfolio to show your clients (with Noa Emberson) and how to handle hard challenges and make difficult decisions (with career coach Maria Brophy and Juneshine founder Forrest Dein).  We also take a listen to a clip of Matt and Roxy Ortiz of Wooden...

Photographer Asia Brynne joins us for episode 20 to give her advice on being a successful commercial photographer. She talks diversifying your business and navigating the fine line of work you're passionate about with work you can make a living off of. Asia also provides practical tips for shoot day and the gang all chats about crafting your dream career through the winding road of entrepreneurship. Nick and Dale take a deep dive into how to answer media interview questions, Black Friday...

Artist Jonas Claesson joins the guys to share words of wisdom on how to get helpful direction and quick feedback from your clients (from the initial design brief!) to revision stages and presenting the finished product. They talk ways to avoid creative burnout and the amazingly coined feat of learning how to “fail forward.” Even Jonas’ worst fail ever comes with practical advice you can take and apply today to avoid it yourself. Nick and the Australia-based guest discuss their upcoming NFT...

An often requested topic from our listeners, this deep dive takes us into Web3, NFTs and art on the blockchain. A must listen convo with guests Eric & Noah of Collective Strangers serves as a great intro-guide for creatives entering the space! The team also talks new studio releases, physical vs. digital collecting and Nick's upcoming NFT PFP collaboration with Collective Strangers (Sneak peak @ www.twitter.com/nickkuchar). World travel photographer Eric Rubens additionally gives tips on...

Onward Creative Art Director and Artist Noa Emberson joins us to discuss the ins and outs of working with clients and gives practical tips on successfully directing a design team. How do you avoid an endless loop of revisions? How do you get properly compensated for your work? What does a client look for in a designer or creative agency? This one is a topical, insightful look into the way a creative's brain works (with another zany round of "This or That"). Join us for episode 17 of Secondary...

After a long hiatus (thanks, COVID) the boys are back in town with episode 16! Nick & Tracey sit down with producer Dale to answer all your "Ask Me Anything" submissions from social media. From business tips to family life, and never discussed before topics, the guys reveal a plethora of fun facts about the adventures of Nick Kuchar Art & Design Co. Join us now, friends!

We dive headfirst into the intriguing life of renaissance man Brian Bent. From kookboxes to homemade hot rods, family-band punk rock and his myriad of creative ventures. The gang goes deep on advice for positive thinking during the darkest of times (even during tragic family loss) and how the right mindset to constantly put yourself out there can lead you to unexpected success. Nick, Tracey & Dale also chat about recent outer island adventures and how to find the sweet spot of challenging...

Nick, Tracey & Dale are back with the one 'n only Captain Jack Soren to discuss his catapult to success in the art world and all the ups and downs in business that can go with that (all while trying to stay true to your art.) Nick 'n Tracey had an event-filled weekend around the island while Dale became an official Kailua resident right by our shop. Guard your June Shine folks, it's time for episode 14 of Secondary Colors!   Find more of Jack's work here: www.jacksorenart.com Follow...

Nick, Tracey & producer Dale are joined by photographer John Hook in a discussion about the creative process of being a professional art creator. Is your work for your audience or do you make it for yourself? Is there a way to genuinely balance both? John also gives some great wedding photography tips from his years in the biz and Nick offers some bite-sized advice ... unsolicited, of course. Join us, friends!

Creative artist and owner of Surfer Towel (www.surfertowel.com) Christie Shinn drops in for a chat about the importance of well considered decisions regarding product design feedback and the right (and wrong) times to say "Yes!" to projects. Nick offers unsolicited advice on that very topic while a returning Tracey shares his recent US Citizenship story which prompts a Canadians-are-people-too themed round of "The Hot Seat" with their guest from the north. 

JuneShine Hard Kombucha Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer Forrest Dein joins Nick & Dale (thanks to a quarantined Tracey) to share some ways JuneShine found success and national growth since the brand's 2018 start. Focus on company culture, engaging Ambassadors, establishing (and staying committed) to your brand ethos and more plus Tracey delivers some "Unsolicited Advice" from home and Nick fails horribly at his own show's game ... all right here on Secondary Colors! 

Happy New Year, friends! We're kicking off 2022 with Episode 10, and our producer (former FOX Sports host) Dale's got a mic?! Nick, Tracey & Dale reflect on their varied careers over the past 25 years and what brought them to where they are today. This episode contains practical advice about merchandising your art and tips on how to treat a new year as a jumping point to new goals.  Diving into how opportunities don't always have the potential they seem and why you can learn more from a...

This week's holiday episode of Secondary Colors features Nate Justiss & Lindsay Windham of Distil Union (https://distilunion.com) and focuses on the keys to a successful Kickstarter campaign and advice on what to do when creative burnout rears its ugly head. Nick & Tracey also discuss new holiday items available at the Nick Kuchar Art & Design Co. and the importance of giving back to those in need when you can, regardless of the season.  Special thanks to our Producer Dale...