Episode 40: My Birthday Gift to You: The Permission You've Been Waiting For
Want to know something embarrassing? When I was twelve, I was so frustrated about having a December 30th birthday – convinced everyone was just re-gifting Christmas presents – that I demanded to celebrate on my Saint's Day in July instead. I've carried shame and embarrassment about that demanding little girl for years. But here's what I realized as I celebrate my 68th birthday today: She wasn't selfish. She just wanted to feel special. She wanted her own moment. In this week’s episode, I’m gifting you some permission slips you probably need… Permission to forgive your younger you. Permission to start now. Permission to want what you want.
Episode 39: A Holiday Reflection on Peace, Possibility, and Pantone's Color of The Year
It’s two days before Christmas. Let’s celebrate and talk about Pantone's perfectly timed announcement of Cloud Dancer as the 2026 Color of the Year. You may think it’s just… WHITE! But I explore why this softest shade of white represents exactly what we need right now – not empty space, but possibility space. Space for reflection, which we all need.
Episode 38: The Power of Rest: Why Creative Downtime Matters
Publishing this podcast on a Sunday perfectly captures the challenge: As entrepreneurs, we work a lot! Entrepreneurial exhaustion is real and sometimes it's actually harder to rest as a creative business owner because there is always something to do. In this episode, I share how my walks transformed from restoration time into mobile strategy sessions with AI, and why I had to learn the hard way that creativity without rest leads to creative bankruptcy.
Episode 37: 2026 Goals That Work for Your Creative Brain
After learning the hard way during a disastrous Paris trip where I was stuck on late-night Zoom calls instead of enjoying family dinners, let’s dive into my favorite way to plan for the year ahead. I’ll share why starting with life first and building business goals second actually leads to greater success, not less.
Episode 36: How to Capture Your 2025 Wins
In this episode, I share my 8-year journey of learning how to effectively review and plan for business growth. I’ll reveal why skipping your year-end review is the biggest mistake you can make, even when your tracking wasn't perfect, and I’ll share my game-changing Post-it note system that makes both reviewing and planning visual, flexible, and actually doable.
Episode 35: A Thanksgiving Reflection on Creative Influence
In this Thanksgiving week episode, I share the story of how my mother and I used to alternate hosting family holidays, and what I learned from her generous approach to teaching hospitality. My mother was a fabulous hostess who had an incredible gift for making people feel completely at ease, using formal elegance that somehow felt completely welcoming.
Episode 34: When Creative Dreams Feel Too Big: Start Where You Are
In this encouraging and practical episode, I share my personal journey from corporate employee to creative entrepreneur, and the overwhelming feeling of facing a dream that seemed impossibly large compared to my starting point. After 30 years of following someone else's strategic vision, I found myself needing to create something completely from scratch, and I had no idea where to begin. I explore the crucial question that changed everything for me – what am I actually seeking underneath this dream? – and how clarifying whether you want a creative hobby or creative business determines every decision you make moving forward.
Episode 33: The Power of Creative Community & Why You Don't Have to Build Alone
In this episode, I share my journey from corporate job loss and creative isolation to discovering the transformative power of a creative community through a local co-working space. I explore why the myth of the solitary artist is actually harmful to working creatives and how an authentic community provides perspective, solutions, and accountability that you simply cannot achieve alone. As we approach 2026, I discuss the importance of both online communities and in-person connection, address the current "trust recession", and explain how a community can support you when you’re feeling lost or isolated.
Episode 33: The Power of Creative Community & Why You Don't Have to Build Alone
In this episode, I share my journey from corporate job loss and creative isolation to discovering the transformative power of a creative community through a local co-working space. I explore why the myth of the solitary artist is actually harmful to working creatives and how an authentic community provides perspective, solutions, and accountability that you simply cannot achieve alone. As we approach 2026, I discuss the importance of both online communities and in-person connection, address the current "trust recession", and explain how a community can support you when you’re feeling lost or isolated.
Episode 32: Creative Seasons & Why November is Perfect for Reflection
In this reflective and inspiring episode, I explore how planning your Thanksgiving tablescape is actually a comprehensive creative exercise that showcases every artistic talent you possess. I share why November's natural rhythm of harvest and gathering creates the perfect environment for artistic reflection…
Episode 31: From Hobby to Business - When & How to Make the leap
In this episode, I share the story of how getting laid off from my corporate job led me to discover my first online art class and ultimately changed my entire perspective on creative businesses. I explore the biggest fear that stops most creative people from monetizing their work.
Episode 30: The Art of Creative Expression
In this personal (and practical) episode, I share my own struggles with creative confidence, including my confession about collecting beautiful sketchbooks I'm afraid to use. I explore why real creative confidence isn't the absence of doubt but the willingness to create despite it, especially as we move into the introspective months of late fall and early winter.
Episode 29: Maria Ahl-Zanier’s Inspiring Story
Come listen to the remarkable and inspiring story of Maria Ahl-Zanier, a Swedish watercolor artist who built a thriving multi-stream business from her grandparents converted barn. Through Maria's journey from successful watercolor artist to thriving creative entrepreneur, you’ll learn about masterminds…
Episode 28: Congratulations PDA Graduates!
In this inspiring episode, let’s celebrate these Pattern Design Academy® students who transformed from complete beginners into confident pattern designers in just nine weeks. Gain powerful insights about the mindset shifts that separate struggling creatives from thriving ones…
Episode 27: Start Planning for Black Friday Now
Ready to turn your creativity into revenue this holiday season? In this episode, I walk you through a simple checklist to prepare your creative business for Black Friday, without overwhelm. From picking the right promotions to prepping your products, this will help you get started with clarity.
Episode 26: Try a Craft Fair this holiday season
Craft fairs can be a fantastic way to get your art out into the world, especially during the busy holiday season. In this episode, I share the story of my first craft fair (spoiler alert: it was a big success!) and walk through some key things to keep in mind as you prepare for your own. From product planning to pricing to collecting emails, this is your roadmap to making craft fairs work for you.
Episode 25: The Critical Importance of Organizing Your Files
Have you ever lost your surface pattern design files or spent way too much time searching for that one design? I’ve been there. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the exact 5-part system I use to organize my design files so everything stays clear, consistent, and easy to find. Whether you’re just starting out or feeling buried in a sea of files, this episode will help you bring order to the chaos.
Episode 24: Finding Treasures in your Old Sketchbooks
In this episode, I share why your old sketchbooks might be the best source of new inspiration. And how revisiting them helped shape the branding for Anne’s Atelier. Learn how to rediscover your early ideas, bring them to life with fresh eyes, and save time in your creative process.
Episode 23: Preparing for Licensing
In this episode, I’m walking you through how to get your artwork licensing-ready this fall. And why the timing matters more than you think. We’ll talk about how the art licensing timeline works, what to include in your portfolio, and five steps you can take this week to start pitching your work with confidence.
Episode 22: Meet SAGE Designers
This episode shines a light on something truly special: the SAGE Designers. A collective of women from my surface design programs who’ve come together to support each other, create themed collections, and grow their surface design businesses. We’ll explore how they work, the power of collaboration, and why this model might just inspire your next creative leap.