Creative Business Spark

Show Notes: January often comes with pressure to feel motivated, organized, and ready to charge ahead. But what if that’s not the season you’re in? In this episode, I’m sharing a more honest start to the year. I talk about entering my eighth year of business, navigating caregiving and health challenges, and noticing what happens when energy feels low instead of abundant. Rather than pushing through exhaustion, this episode explores what it looks like to listen — to your body, your life, and the season you’re in — and how adjusting doesn’t mean quitting. Sometimes, it’s exactly how new ideas and new paths begin to emerge. If you’ve been feeling behind, unmotivated, or unsure how to start this year, this conversation is for you. What You'll Learn: Why feeling tired or unmotivated doesn’t mean you’re failing The bigger questions many entrepreneurs quietly ask (and why they’re normal) How listening to your energy can lead to more sustainable creativity Next Steps: Get started for just $10 with the From Doodles to Dollars® Workbook. Expand your surface pattern design skills in The Pattern Design Academy Self Study Program. Click HERE for details. Ready to expand your creative business? Explore The Creative Business Mastermind where I share my proven framework for building a successful and wildly profitable creative business online. By application only. Spot are limited. Click HERE for details and to apply. Join my email list and get my weekly Doodles Digest Newsletter.

Show Notes Start messy! I want you to think about your first pattern like your first pancake. You know how the first pancake is always wonky? Too thick, too thin, weird shape, probably stuck to the pan? But you don't stop making breakfast. You adjust the heat, perfect your pour, and by the third pancake, you're flipping like a pro. Your first pattern is just information gathering. It tells you: What tools feel comfortable Which design elements you're drawn to Where you need more practice What comes naturally to you Every "mistake" is actually data that moves you closer to your unique style. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why successful pattern designers hide hundreds of "learning patterns" The myth that's keeping women over 50 from starting their pattern journey Why "messy action beats perfect inaction" every time Key Takeaways: Your first pattern is information gathering, not your masterpiece You only need to learn 5% of Illustrator to create beautiful patterns Starting messy helps you discover your unique style faster Every successful designer started with messy first attempts Memorable Quotes:  "Your first pattern is like your first pancake – it's supposed to be wonky." "You're not too old, too late, or too anything. You're exactly where you need to be." "The magic isn't in that first flower being perfect. The magic is in starting." Next Steps: Get started for just $10 with the From Doodles to Dollars® Workbook. Expand your surface pattern design skills in The Pattern Design Academy Self Study Program. Click HERE. Ready to expand your business online? Explore The Creative Business Mastermind where you’ll learn my proven framework for building a successful and wildly profitable creative business online. By application only. Spots are limited. Click HERE for details and to apply. Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website:https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

Show Notes Ready for an embarrassing story that relates to my birthday? How about demanding to celebrate my birthday on my Saint's Day in July (because December 30th felt lost between holidays). What You'll Learn Why the shame we carry about our younger selves (wanting "too much," starting "too late") is actually evidence of someone who knew their worth and deserves forgiveness The permission slips every creative needs for 2026: to take up space, to start at any age, to be imperfect, and to believe your voice matters even if "it's all been done before" How December 30th birthdays – and all "in-between" moments – are actually perfect for creatives because creativity itself lives in the space between dreaming and doing  Next Steps: Get started for just $10 with the From Doodles to Dollars® Workbook. Expand your surface pattern design skills in The Pattern Design Academy Self Study Program. Click HERE and get $500 off at checkout. Ready to expand your business online? Explore The Creative Business Mastermind where you’ll learn my proven framework for building a successful and wildly profitable creative business online. By application only. Spot are limited. Click HERE for details and to apply. Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website:https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

Show Notes 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 thinking, 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 space which we all need.  What You'll Learn Why Pantone's choice of white (Cloud Dancer) after years of bold colors signals our collective craving for peace, and how this connects to the natural whites of the holiday season How white space in design is never empty but full of possibility – it's the pause that makes patterns sing and the breath between notes that turns sound into music Practical ways to create your own Cloud Dancer sanctuary during the holidays, plus a special downloadable wallpaper gift for your phone and desktop Download the free phone wallpaper HERE.   Next Steps: Get started for just $10 with the From Doodles to Dollars® Workbook. Expand your surface pattern design skills in The Pattern Design Academy Self Study Program. Click HERE and get $500 off at checkout. Ready to expand your business online? Explore The Creative Business Mastermind where you’ll learn my proven framework for building a successful and wildly profitable creative business online. By application only. Spot are limited. Click HERE for details and to apply. Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website:https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

Show Notes 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. What You'll Learn The paradox of creative freedom: why entrepreneurial exhaustion is sneakier than corporate burnout because it comes dressed as passion and never has clear boundaries The science of creative breakthroughs: why your best ideas come in the shower (not at your desk) and how constant productivity actually blocks the connections your brain needs to make Practical "permission slips" and strategies for people who can't stop working, including artificial boundaries, no-work zones, and why rest needs to be scheduled like launches  Next Steps: Get started for just $10 with the From Doodles to Dollars® Workbook. Expand your surface pattern design skills in The Pattern Design Academy Self Study Program. Click HERE and get $500 off at checkout. Ready to expand your business online? Explore The Creative Business Mastermind where you’ll learn my proven framework for building a successful and wildly profitable creative business online. By application only. Spot are limited. Click HERE for details and to apply. Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website:https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

Show Notes. 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. 🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn: The backwards planning method that flips traditional goal-setting on its head – why blocking family trips, personal health, and creative restoration time FIRST actually increases your business success Why limiting yourself to just three major goals for the entire year (instead of twenty) leads to more profit and satisfaction, plus exactly how to choose which three How to identify your natural "business seasons" based on your energy patterns from your 2025 review, and why working with these rhythms instead of against them changes everything Next Steps: Get started for just $10 with the From Doodles to Dollars® Workbook. Expand your surface pattern design skills in The Pattern Design Academy Self Study Program. Click HERE and get $500 off at checkout. Ready to expand your business online? Explore The Creative Business Mastermind where you’ll learn my proven framework for building a successful and wildly profitable creative business online. By application only. Spot are limited. Click HERE for details and to apply. Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website:https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

Show Notes. 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. 🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn: The simple Post-it note and wall calendar system that revolutionized how I track my business (and why it's superior to any digital tool for creative entrepreneurs) How to conduct a meaningful year-end review even if you barely tracked anything this year using the 5-step framework that mines gold from imperfect data Why identifying your "hidden wins" and conducting an energy audit alongside your financial review will transform how you plan for 2026 Next Steps: Get started for just $10 with the From Doodles to Dollars® Workbook. Expand your surface pattern design skills in The Pattern Design Academy Self Study Program. Click HERE and get $500 off at checkout. Ready to expand your business online? Explore The Creative Business Mastermind where you’ll learn my proven framework for building a successful and wildly profitable creative business online. By application only. Spot are limited. Click HERE for details and to apply. Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website:https://www.annelafolletteart.com/

Show Notes: 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 warm and inviting approach to 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. She was always my biggest cheerleader and supported the exploration of my own unique perspective. What You'll Learn How learning from teachers whose styles differ from yours expands rather than limits your creative development and range of possibilities Why the most influential teachers often challenge your assumptions and introduce approaches you wouldn't have discovered on your own How authentic style emerges from absorbing principles while expressing them in your own voice rather than copying approaches exactly The difference between generous teaching that provides foundation without constraining possibility versus instruction that limits expression Why your creative voice is part of an ongoing conversation between learning and teaching, tradition and innovation  Three Ways to Work with Me If you're ready to take your creative confidence to the next level, there are three ways I can support your journey: To get started in surface pattern design: Grab a copy of my From Doodles to Dollars® workbook. This is a downloadable PDF with the step by step instructions for how to turn a doodle or sketch into a repeating pattern. You’ll create your very first repeating pattern and gain the foundation skills to begin expressing your artistic voice in a new, exciting way. If you've already made repeating patterns in Adobe Illustrator and you want to up-level your skills: Join the self-study version of my Pattern Design Academy® program. You get the complete program, with lifetime access and $500 off the regular price of $1,997. Click HERE for details. If you run a successful creative business and you want guidance on how to expand online: Apply for my Creative Business Mastermind. This program is limited to 20 students and is designed to help you scale and achieve greater profitability using my proven 6-part framework. Your creative voice is valuable. Your artistic perspective matters. The world needs what you have to offer.

Show Notes In this 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 wantin 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 helps guide every decision you make moving forward. What You'll Learn The fundamental question that should guide every creative decision: Are you seeking a fulfilling hobby or building a sustainable business? Why the myth of the perfect starting point keeps you stuck and how to take action from exactly where you are now How to break down overwhelming creative dreams into strategic, manageable steps that build on each other over time Why baby steps create momentum that eventually leads to transformation that feels miraculous when you look back The power of starting with one clear goal instead of trying to pursue multiple directions simultaneously Three Ways to Work with Me If you're ready to take your creative confidence to the next level, there are three ways I can support your journey: To get started in surface pattern design: Grab a copy of my From Doodles to Dollars® workbook. This is a downloadable PDF with the step by step instructions for how to turn a doodle or sketch into a repeating pattern. You’ll create your very first repeating pattern and gain the foundation skills to begin expressing your artistic voice in a new, exciting way. If you've already made repeating patterns in Adobe Illustrator and you want to up-level your skills: Join the self-study version of my Pattern Design Academy® program. You get the complete program, with lifetime access and $500 off the regular price of $1,997. Click HERE for details. If you run a successful creative business and you want guidance on how to expand online: Apply for my Creative Business Mastermind. This program is limited to 20 students and is designed to help you scale and achieve greater profitability using my proven 6-part framework. Your creative voice is valuable. Your artistic perspective matters. The world needs what you have to offer.

Show Notes: 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. What You'll Learn: Why the myth of the solitary creative artist works against the conditions that foster sustainable creative practice How creative community provides specific advantages including perspective on your work, solutions to technical challenges, and normalized creative struggles The "trust recession" in creative education and what to look for in authentic communities that prioritize relationship building over content delivery Why the most robust creative communities embrace both online consistency and periodic in-person intensive experiences How to find the right type of creative community for your current stage of creative development and business goals Resources Mentioned: If you're ready to explore what's possible when you combine your creativity with strategic business thinking, I'd love to support your journey. My Creative Business Mastermind is designed specifically for creative entrepreneurs who are ready to build sustainable, profitable businesses without losing the joy in their creative practice. Apply today!  

Show Notes: In this 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, and how this season invites us to pause, give thanks for our creative gifts, and gently prepare for what wants to emerge in 2026. From practical tips about revisiting existing patterns with fresh seasonal eyes to permission for creative rest during the holidays, this episode celebrates the cyclical nature of creative practice. What You'll Learn: How Thanksgiving tablescape planning engages every creative skill you use in your art practice including color theory, texture, and composition Why November's seasonal rhythm naturally supports the kind of reflection that fuels artistic growth and development A practical approach to revisiting your existing patterns and designs with fresh, seasonal perspective for holiday opportunities How to give yourself permission for creative rest during the holiday season as part of sustainable creative practice Why planting gentle seeds for 2026 goals now creates natural momentum without pressure or rigid planning Resources Mentioned Creative Business Mastermind Spoonflower

Show Notes: 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 – the belief that turning creativity into business will kill the joy – and explain why this fear is often based on false premises. As we approach 2026, I guide listeners through the mindset shifts necessary to move from wondering "what if" to discovering "what's possible" with their creative gifts. What You'll Learn: The two "aha" moments that shifted my perspective from hobbyist to entrepreneur and why online creative education is a thriving business Why the fear that monetizing creativity kills joy is based on false premises and how building the right business can actually enhance creative satisfaction How to use the holiday season as a perfect testing ground for experimenting with creative business without major commitments The four critical mindset shifts that separate those who stay stuck from those who successfully transition to creative entrepreneurship How to protect the joy in your creativity while building a sustainable business that aligns with your values Resources Mentioned: Creative Business Mastermind Application

Show Notes In this 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. Through vulnerable storytelling and actionable strategies, I reveal how to move past the inner critic's commentary and trust your artistic voice enough to begin creating meaningful work, whether for personal expression or holiday gifts. What You'll Learn Why creative confidence is about creating despite doubt, not the absence of doubt altogether Three practical strategies for moving past mental chatter into actual creating: removing impediments, lowering stakes, and using timers How to find time for creativity by deciding your artistic voice matters enough to make time for it Why your artistic voice is ready now, not when you feel more prepared or confident How the holiday season offers natural inspiration and opportunities to practice trusting your voice Resources Mentioned From Doodles to Dollars® Coaching Week Waitlist Pattern Design Academy® Waitlist Creative Business Mastermind® Application Creative Market Mockups  

Show Notes In this inspiring episode, Anne shares the remarkable transformation story of Maria Ahl-Zanier, a Swedish watercolor artist who built a thriving multi-stream business from her grandparents converted general store. Through Maria's journey from struggling artist to successful entrepreneur running MAZart, Anne demystifies the concept of masterminds and reveals how strategic education and community can transform any creative business. Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale beyond trading time for money, this episode provides a clear roadmap for building sustainable, profitable creative enterprises through the power of mastermind collaboration. What You'll Learn What exactly a mastermind is and why most creatives have never heard of this powerful collaboration format  The strategic progression from basic skills to advanced business development using Maria's real journey as a blueprint  How Maria transformed from selling one-off watercolor paintings to running multiple revenue streams without inventory headaches  Why masterminds work differently than courses or coaching and provide collaborative intelligence that accelerates growth  The unique structure of Anne's Creative Business Mastermind including twice-monthly meetings and quarterly guest speakers  Resources Mentioned From Doodles to Dollars® Coaching Week Waitlist Pattern Design Academy® Waitlist Creative Business Mastermind® Application Maria's MAZart Website

Show Notes In this inspiring episode, we celebrate the graduation of Pattern Design Academy students who transformed from complete beginners into confident pattern designers in just nine weeks. Listen to powerful insights about the mindset shifts that separate struggling creatives from thriving ones. And what comes next for creatives ready to turn their passion into profit. Whether you're just starting your creative journey or looking to scale your existing business, this episode offers valuable lessons about courage, growth, and the power of taking one step at a time. What You'll Learn The joy of watching artists discover they can handle technical challenges they once feared Why an intimate learning environment allows for deeper transformation and personalized growth How bite-sized lessons and constant encouragement create lasting confidence in creative students Resources Mentioned From Doodles to Dollars® Coaching Week Waitlist Pattern Design Academy® Waitlist Creative Business Mastermind® Application

Show Notes: 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 promo to prepping your products, you’ll walk away with clarity, inspiration, and a plan you can start today. What You’ll Learn: 5 steps to prep for Black Friday as an artist or designer Promotion ideas that don’t require deep discounts A simple marketing calendar to follow How to make your shop easy and inviting to buy from How our Anne’s Atelier members are preparing with confidence Join the Q4 Planning Workshop: 🎨 Anne’s Atelier Membership

Show Notes: 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. What You’ll Learn: Why craft fairs are ideal for the holiday season What products work best for in-person events My real-world tips for displays, pricing, and marketing A free resource to help you get started 👉 Download the Craft Fair eBook here

Show Notes: Have you ever lost track of your surface pattern designs or spent way too much time searching for that one Illustrator file? 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. What You’ll Learn: Why file organization is crucial for licensing and scaling your business How to structure your folders for easy access and version control A simple file naming system that saves hours My favorite tools for backing up and syncing your work How one old sketchbook led to a major branding breakthrough Links & Resources: Tools & Resources I Use Learn more about Anne’s Atelier: my monthly creative membership Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website:https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

Show Notes: 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. What You’ll Learn: Why old art is full of untapped potential My personal story of reusing old sketches for branding 5 benefits of revisiting your older work How to organize and digitize older sketches A bonus tip for aligning revived work with current trends Resources Mentioned: Anne’s Atelier Membership Tools & Resources I Use Design with Mojo – Monique Johnson

Show Notes: 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. You’ll learn: Why fall is a prime time to prep your licensing portfolio What to include in a licensing-ready collection How far ahead companies work on design planning Where to find color and trend inspiration How to make progress in just one week Links mentioned: Anne’s Atelier Membership