It’s Bonnie Christine here, friends, and in this episode, I am bringing you an episode that just might spark a whole new creative journey for you! Imagine holding something that YOU designed - fabric, gift wrap, or wallpaper - and feeling that thrill of seeing your creativity come to life! I share all about my Start Simple mini-class series, a free, no-experience-required introduction to surface pattern design. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just curious about creative expression, these...

Welcome back, friends! I am so excited to talk about one of the most transformative programs I offer: the Mark Makers Mastermind! This mastermind is a deeply personal and intentional space that I pour my heart into every year, designed exclusively for creative entrepreneurs ready to make their mark on the world! What even is mastermind, you might ask? In essence, it’s a small, intimate group committed to supporting each other in achieving big dreams. Together, we form a powerful network - 30...

I hope that you will join me this week as I am discussing the complex art of decision-making, especially when it comes to the tough choices we all face in business and life. Listen in as I share some personal insights into how I approach decisions, from small day-to-day choices to major moves that can change the course of my business. Hear about the challenges that I have faced when deciding to let go of clients, adjust product offerings, or even make tough calls within my team. One of the...

Today is a day that I have been eagerly waiting to share with you! We’ve been quietly working behind the scenes on something incredibly special, and I’m thrilled to finally announce it: Flowerie, my brand-new product shop, is here! Listen in this week as I take you through the heart and vision behind Flowerie, sharing the story of how this shop came to be and what inspired its creation. From my early days making handmade products on Etsy to where we are today, Flowerie represents my love for...

Welcome back, everyone, to another round of Q&A in which I will be answering some of your burning questions! This time, I reflect on things such as where I see myself and my business in the next five to ten years. While long-term vision admittedly is not always my strongest suit, my team and I recently pushed ourselves to create a five-year plan that includes exciting growth goals across various areas! I also answer questions about the challenges of focus (something that I like to call...

Welcome to another episode of The Professional Creative, everyone! Get ready because I have a special treat for you, a two-part Q&A series. In this episode, I am diving headfirst into your thought-provoking questions and am covering quite a bit of ground! I kick things off with a deep question about areas where I still feel that I need to grow, reminding me of the importance of leadership and integrity. I have dreams galore, from seeing my art on products to maybe even a TV show about...

Welcome to another episode of The Professional Creative! As I approach fourteen years in business, I have learned that creative problem solving is so important for overcoming the challenges that help us grow as leaders! I used to make decisions alone, but I have since come to realize how vital it is to have support in entrepreneurship, even when it can feel isolating. This episode of the show digs deep into the significance of thinking outside the box, whether you’re a solopreneur or part of...

In case you didn’t know this, I love my Tuesday episodes because they are unscripted! In this particular batch of my unscripted Tuesday thoughts, I open up about the challenges of staying focused as a creative entrepreneur. If you're like me, then you have very likely experienced “shiny object syndrome” - that temptation to jump from one exciting idea to the next, but this year, my mission has been to dial in on what truly matters to my business and heart, which is serving the surface pattern...

I invite you to listen this week as I jump into a topic that I believe is the very heartbeat of any business: core values. Whether you are running a solo venture or managing a team of 100, your core values are essential because they shape your decisions, influence your culture, and guide your growth! Join me as I share why defining your core values matters more than you might think. I walk you through my own company's ten core values and how they have evolved as my team has grown, and you...

I think that you're likely really going to like today's topic – all about keeping the money that you have already made! Listen in as I examine an issue that every online business owner faces at some point: failed payments. If you run an online business, offer a product, or have a subscription-based model, failed payments can mean losing revenue that you have already earned, and nobody wants that, right? What if I told you, though, that there is a way to recover those payments and keep more of...

Going into this episode, you might want to go back and (re)listen to episode 20 of The Professional Creative as well all about learning to love going live because this episode is definitely going to pair well with that one! Join me as I revisit the topic of going live, whether it’s on Instagram Stories, Facebook Live, Zoom workshops, or webinars. For many of us, the idea of going live can feel overwhelming, and trust me, I get it. Even after years of experience, I still feel a bit nervous,...

Welcome to another episode of The Professional Creative, everyone! Tune in as I discuss one of the most impactful strategies I’ve used to maintain success for my courses: building a strong alumni culture! If you are a course creator yourself, then this episode is packed with insights into how to keep your alumni engaged and coming back year after year! I share how our alumni community has grown into the lifeblood of our programs and how our dedicated alumni launch has played a pivotal role...

In this shorty episode, I am sharing a thought that has been incredibly impactful for me as of late– something that I believe can transform how you approach your day and week. You've probably heard me (or others) talk about time management and planning, but I want to dive into the concept of a “top three” and a “big one.” Your daily top three are the tasks that, if accomplished, would make you feel like you’ve moved the needle in your business, but there’s also value in identifying your “big...

I am so excited about today’s guest— Shanna Skidmore, a former Fortune 100 financial advisor who is now a powerhouse in the world of business consulting and education! Known by her clients as the “Dream Releaser,” Shanna has dedicated over 15 years to helping entrepreneurs build businesses they’re passionate about while living fulfilling lives! Tune in as we discuss Shanna’s incredibly fascinating journey, from her transition from finance to helping creative entrepreneurs thrive. She shares...

I hope that you will join me for this episode as I discuss what I call “the gift of going second.” It all started with a trip to Dollywood’s Splash Country for my son Bear’s birthday. I’m not much of a thrill-seeker, but I’ll tackle most water slides – but not without someone going ahead of me first to give a little feedback! This got me thinking about how much we rely on social proof in our businesses, whether it’s reviews, testimonials, or case studies. We want to see that someone like us...

Today we're diving deep into the heart of member or student engagement, exploring why it's crucial for the success of your creative business. In this episode, I'll share my favorite retention techniques and strategies for nurturing your students and members long after a launch. Imagine launching a course or membership and keeping that initial excitement alive. Sounds challenging, right? Well, stick around because we'll explore how to transform your engagement from waning interest into a...

I am so thrilled to have my good friend Amy Porterfield back on the show for this episode as we discuss the world of digital courses! Amy is a renowned online marketing expert and the founder of Digital Course Academy and is here to share her insight into creating successful digital courses. If you aren't familiar with Amy, she is the New York Times bestselling author of Two Weeks Notice and the host of the top-ranked The Online Marketing Made Easy Podcast, and we chat about how she turned...

This episode is for all you entrepreneurs out there with a team, whether it be a virtual assistant or a whole crew of twelve! If, like me, you are managing a remote team, then you know the challenges of keeping everyone connected and engaged when you’re not physically together. I have definitely dreamt about having an in-person studio, but with where I live, it’s simply not happening, so I have had to get creative in making our virtual environment feel close-knit, collaborative, and, perhaps...

Do you ever feel like you're juggling too many tasks at once? Trust me, I have been there, and it’s why today’s episode is so close to my heart! I have had people ask me, “Bonnie, how do you do it all? Do you even sleep?” While that might sound like a compliment, it actually makes me cringe a bit because here's the truth: I don’t do it all, and you shouldn’t expect yourself to either! This episode is all about normalizing getting help, whether it's in your business or at home. Listen in as...

You know that feeling when you have a million ideas but just don't even know where to start? It's something that I think most, if not all, of us struggle with – goal prioritization, and it was also me not too long ago. However, join me today as I share insights from a recent coaching session that truly transformed my approach. I discuss why it's important to choose just one goal at a time to focus on and let the others wait their turn. I also touch upon the power of discipline and share how...

As creatives, most of us eventually have to face the scary task of pitching or presenting our work, whether it be in trying to sell our work to a client, get it published, get it licensed, etc. It can be, as I said, scary, but it definitely doesn’t have to be! Listen in today as I guide you through mastering the art of the pitch!  I discuss the common fears that tend to hold us back, such as self-doubt, fear of rejection, imposter syndrome, and more. I share some personal stories that help...

Join me today as I take a little bit of time to discuss a true game-changer for artists and designers: the Ultimate Art Licensing Handbook! If you're dreaming of seeing your work on products worldwide, then this handbook is definitely for you! This comprehensive guide bridges the gap between your art and the business of art licensing and includes over 400 handpicked licensing partners, streamlined processes, pitch templates, and tools to navigate the art licensing landscape confidently! This...

Have you ever or are you currently feeling stuck in a rut? Most, if not all, of us have been there at one point time or another. You know those times when inspiration seems to have packed its bags and left town, leaving us with that unsettling feeling that our skills are plateauing? If that sounds familiar, then this is an episode that you are definitely going to want to tune into! Listen as I share my personal journey through these frustrating moments and reveal the secret weapon that has...

I am doing something a little bit different for this episode and am sharing all of the exciting details of my recent trip - two weeks exploring the stunning landscapes of Iceland! From the moment that we arrived, Iceland offered us both breathtaking beauty and unexpected challenges, and I am here to share it all with you: the highs, the lows, and everything in between, including the learning curve that we faced with the Icelandic climate! We kicked off our adventure during the Icelandic...