Surf Coast Creatives

Ep.60 with the magnificent @zoestrapp.photography is now streaming! Such a good chat with this amazing creative and visual artist from Anglesea. We covered a number of topics including the ever present imposter syndrome. Find out how Zoe deals with it and why she’s made no room for anything other than a creative life filled with passion & adventure.Episode LIVE now on your favourite podcast platform. Great chats Zoe! Listen right to the end for a special offer from Zoe and perhaps a small gift for Christmas! This episode of the podcast is proudly brought to you by Stonker in TorquayBen & Jess :) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been two years since we spoke to master landscape photographer, Craig Crosthwaite, from Anglesea. We catch up for a chat about "that photo" he captured of the blood moon on November 8 2022.Hear how put it together and how he got 61,000 likes, 28,000 shares and 1,000 comments on his Facebook page. Some people even took credit for the photo themselves - it was that good. David Attenborough even got in on the action.Make sure you check out CC's Facebook page under SeeSea Images for some other bangers we discuss.This episode of the podcast is proudly brought to you by Stonker in Torquay, Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a chat with the Commercial Director and Managing Director of Red Paddle Co Australia. We talk passion, innovation, sustainability and how to find work that feels like play.Get 15% OFF all 2022 Red Paddle Co inflatable SUPs at Stonker. Thanks for joining us George & James!This episode of the podcast is proudly brought to you by Stonker in Torquay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shaping is hard. Ian "Chiz" Chisholm joins us for Ep.56 of the podcast.Imagine getting told "we're going to run your business into the ground mate". That's exactly what happened to Chiz when he setup a shaping business in Torquay 26 years ago.Some local brands weren't happy about the upstart from Melbourne entering their turf. Find out who Chiz got a special visit from early days and how he's since built one of the top longboard brands in Australia.So much wisdom in this episode from a bloke who's been there and done it all. We talk about confrontation, resilience, family life, building a brand, marketing and so much more.Tune in now on you favourite podcast feed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how to get 500,000 downloads for your podcast and build a psycho community that loves you to bits. Rob & Lach from The Funny Business podcast join us for episode 55 of the Surf Coast Creatives podcast. These boys do not hold and they tell it how it is that is for sure! We talk business, building a platform, what makes good content, overcoming challenges and negative feedback and the secret behind the success of the Funny Business podcast (HINT: It's all in the name). It's a belter! Thanks so much for your time Rob & Lach. Check out the Funny Business podcast when you get a chance.Proudly to you by the all NEW Stonker Studios in Torquay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Local Jan Juc resident Ashleigh Butler spent a decade living and travelling in campervans across Australia and the US with her partner, Jared. She left behind the ideals and conveniences of suburban life but wasn’t prepared to abandon wholesome food and good cooking, even with limited resources in the kitchen.In her first collection of more than 65 recipes for campervans, caravans and tiny homes, Ash shows it’s simple to cook delicious, seasonal and nourishing food when all you’ve got is a two-burner stove, a small fridge and an incredible, everchanging view.We talk creative projects, facing your fears, parenthood, publishing, content, travelling, sustainability and lots more. Get yourself 10% OFF the purchase price of Ash's NEW book by using the CODE: "ash" at checkout! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Surf Coast Creatives podcast episode 53. In today's episode Ben interviews Bryan Hynes from Hynesight Productions. Bryan is our first videographer on the podcast! The episode is packed full of practical hints and tips for making awesome videos for your business or artisanal craft. For anyone interested in videography, pushing the envelope as a creative and storytelling, then this episode is for you. Today’s episode is proudly brought to you by Stonker - home of foiling, SUP and kiteboarding gear on the Surf Coast in Victoria, Australia. Sit back and enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever dreamt about waking up in the morning feeling happy and grateful for your body and not obsessed about what you are going to eat, or not eat?Imagine being able to enjoy the pleasure of food WITHOUT losing control or gaining weight? Sounds too good to be true right? We chat with holistic health expert, Leanne Rowbottom to find out more.Hear why Corona proved to be a blessing in disguise for Leanne after she was forced to shut down her massage therapy business too. Plus, a whole lot more on running a business as a sole, female entrepreneur. This is episode 52 of the Surf Coast Creatives podcast brought to you by Stonker in Torquay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back!The Surf Coast Creatives podcast returns with your hosts Ben & Jess.Yep. You couldn't keep us away. We miss our community. We miss the people! We miss everyone dearly and yeah, we miss doing coffees. We miss doing events, miss doing online mini master classes. It's just been too long away. Our last episode was published on September 6th, 2021. So what have we been doing? We go run through the what we've been up to the past 12 months and why we're pumped to be restarting the podcast. Sit back and relax with the return episode of the Surf Coast Creatives podcast.Proudly brought to you by our new sponsor Stonker! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All good things to come to an end hey?Sad to say we're finishing the podcast component of the Surf Coast Creatives. We'll continue celebrating the work of creatives on the Surf Cost in Australia but find out why we don't have the time or resources to commit to the pod right now .HINT: Big couple of months coming up for Ben & Jess!Join us for a chat as we talk stats for the pod, our personal highlights and what it takes to make a great podcast.  Find out why we aren't disappearing altogether though and what we'll do instead. This is Ep.50 of the Surf Coast Creatives podcast. Enjoy.Ben & Jess :) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Been itching to get this guy on the podcast for a chat. He's a landscape photographer based in Torquay and goes by the name, Ash Hughes. Ash hails from Ballarat but moved to the coast a few years ago with his wife. He's now a dad to two kids and works full-time as an accountant. On top of that, he's an in-demand wedding photographer with x32 weddings booked already for the season ahead. And he only started shooting weddings last year! But it's Ash's timeless imagery of the coast that came first. He's grown a legion of loyal fans on Instagram with 12,000 followers (in 3.5 years!) sweating on his next masterpiece. There's so much packed into this episode for young creatives and even older creatives who might be afraid to get going. We chat all things marriage, fatherhood, photography, inspiration and Ash's advice for young photographers and creatives - find out why Ash doesn't like wasting time watching TV and what he does instead. Welcome Ash Hughes to Ep.49 of the Surf Coast Creatives podcast!LINKS Ash Website - ashhughesphotos.comAsh Instagram - @ashhughesphotosAsh Tools - Photo Mechanic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is Geelong-born Artist and Photographer, Ferne Millen. Ferne has a passion for telling stories using visual arts and portrait photography as her medium. And she's been doing it for 21 years! Ferne talks about studying at the VCA and then progressing into a career in Melbourne and eventually settling in her home studio in Jan Juc. Ferne’s latest exhibition “Journey on Wadawurrung Country” is being taken outdoors, at the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (running 28 Aug - 24 Oct, 2021). Her work will be featured as part of the Core Outdoor Program. Projections which will showcase Ferne's photographs of Direct Descendants of Wadawurrung and will be projected onto the Ballarat Town Hall.This Surf Coast girl is both candid and down to earth in our chat. If you are interested in what it takes to make a lifelong career in the Arts world then this is the episode for you. Find out what it was like to dive head first into the Arts Industry from a young age and hear about Ferne's battle with mental health issues that she has now learnt to harness. Leave us a rating on iTunes after the show or better yet share the episode with one friend. This is episode #48 of the Surf Coast Creatives podcast. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is a talented local Designer, Jodie Hayes. Jodie runs local Torquay denim store, Scout for Vintage.If you’re a fashion lover and want to create a sustainable brand, then you’ll love this episode.Jodie runs her business in the heart of Torquay. She aims to sell vintage garments and gives each garment a second life beyond landfill. Jodie has a creative soul and has had a go at running multiple businesses at a young age. Tune in for an in-depth chat with Jodie about what it was like to dive head first into business at a young age. We talk about much more including Jodie’s passion for the denim industry and where she hopes to take her business in the future.She is super down-to-earth and we loved hearing her story. Leave us a rating on iTunes after the show or better yet share the episode with one friend. This is episode #47 of the Surf Coast Creatives podcast. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is one of my favourite podcast hosts Andrew Hellmich. Andrew is the host of a photography business podcast called PhotoBizX.If you’re wanting to build your photography business with a consistent flow of clients then this is the episode for you. Andrew is an entrepreneur, photographer, and author living on the Central Coast in NSW. He talks about the importance of work-life balance. Andrew and his wife have been running their photography business for more than 14 years and Andrew has racked up more than 400 episodes for his podcast. Tune in for an in-depth chat with Andrew about how to get clients using Facebook Ads. We talk about much more including Andrew’s passion for business and his advice for budding photographers and other creatives who rely on having a consistent flow of bookings.It’s an absolute ripper. Andrew is an awesome guy and we can tell you now he has given away the farm on this episode of the podcast.Leave us a rating on iTunes after the show or better yet share the episode with one friend. This is episode #46 of the Surf Coast Creatives podcast. Enjoy.LINKSPhotoBizX - Fb Ads cheat sheet (mentioned by Andrew right at the end of the episode if you want to start putting some of his advice into practice TODAY!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is the founder of not one but two awesome brands, Be Franc. Creative, a boutique branding and content agency, and homewares specialist, FrancHome. Her name is Eliza Francombe.If you’re into your DIY experiences then you’ll love listening to Eliza’s story. She is a soon-to-be mum of two kids and runs her studio out of the Ashmore Arts precinct in Torquay.Eliza has recently added in-person workshops to her bow, helping attendees create unique pieces for their homes. She is a modern-day creative weapon with a foundation of skills built working in fashion photography and graphic design. We chat about pregnancy, motherhood, and the ups and downs of running your own creative business. Plus, we talk about Eliza’s passion for art and creativity and her advice for young creatives. It’s a good honest chat and Eliza has some real character so we hope you enjoy it.Leave us a rating on iTunes after the show or better yet share the episode with one friend. This is episode #45 of the Surf Coast Creatives podcast. Enjoy.P.S. Tune in right to the end for an exclusive $50 DISCOUNT CODE for one of Eliza's creative workshops!APPS MENTIONED BY ELIZAToDoist - Organise your dayF.lux - Screen dimmerTrello - Project management Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is the curator of the world’s biggest Surf Museum, Craig “Gonzo” Baird.If you’re into the history of surfing in Australia then this is the episode for you. Craig tells us some wild tales of surfing before it became a sport. He also explains how he has managed to avoid producing a resume his entire life. He relies on gut intuition and following his passion to get by. Learn how Craig got a job airbrushing t-shirts for Rip Curl which started a 26-year career.He’s now the head curator of the Australian National Surfing Museum where he has been for 27 years. Find out how he stumbled into this role as well and the overlap with his job at Rip Curl.We talk about much more including Craig’s passion for art and creativity and his advice for young creatives.Leave us a rating on iTunes after the show or better yet share the episode with one friend. That would really help us out. Once again I’m your host, Ben Hucker. This is episode #44 of the Surf Coast Creatives podcast. Enjoy.ANSF links:wwww.australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.auwww.facebook.com/ANSMTorquay/www.instagram.com/australianationalsurfingmuseum/www.youtube.com/user/surfworldtv Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We chat with Torquay local Jenna Hutchison about the transition from business owner to a full-time artist in episode #43 of the podcast. In her first two years painting, Jenna sold two commissions. She had a lot to learn. Take two during 2020 and she sold eighty-seven commissions in short thrift. Jenna shares how momentum built as an artist in 2020 has led her on the path to successful collaborations with other creatives. But there’s so more much packed in too. From learning how to make candles at home 8 years ago and making them by chance for a friend’s wedding, Jenna’s candles eventually featured in Vogue. It was the birth of Jenna's first business, Love Ludie.From there, Jenna garnered more attention and was eventually stocked in +50 stores all over Australia and the U.S.There was an epiphany to come though after Jenna went through the traumatic experience of losing her Dad to cancer. Find out how she dealt with this painful period of grief which still impacts her today.In this episode you will learn:How Jenna went from flat broke to 87 commissions in 2020Why 2020 got real busy for Jenna and why she shut her retail store downHow Jenna got featured in Vogue at the start of her journeyHow Jenna dealt with the loss of her Dad to cancer when she was working in the cityOn painting, collaborations, and sponsorship with Microsoft Practical tips for building a HUGE following on InstagramAbout Jenna Hutchison:Jenna Hutchison is a self-taught artist from Torquay, Victoria. She is the talent behind LoveLudie, an artistic brand that creates art, candles and incorporates workshops on yoga and art. Jenna’s works have reached many partners and gained a ton of sponsorship from different brands and events all over Australia and the US. Some of her products have graced the pages of Vogue and have landed in the stores of surf brand Quiksilver. Connect with Jenna Hutchison on:Website:              https://www.loveludie.com/Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/loveludie/Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/loveludie Catch Surf Coast Creatives on:Website:              https://surfcoastcreatives.com/Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/surfcoastcreatives/Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/surfcoastcreativesThis episode is brought to you by our new partner Maxted Clothing. Tune into Ep.9 of the podcast to hear more about Maxted’s story and go in the draw to WIN A WEEKEND AWAY at Barwon Heads.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for our chat with professional artists Geoffrey Carran & Rowena Martinich. They talk about artistic risk, the intricate balance of life and art, and the necessary hustle when it comes to the business side of art. Make no bones, for Geoffrey and Rowena, art is a 24/7 thing. Despite their success to date, Geoffrey & Rowena both agree there is always that sense of hesitancy that never goes away as a creative—something that Geoffrey describes as “never-ending stage fright.” There is so much more too. Tune in for their take on work ethic, curiosity, business skills, and the inevitable burnout and how to deal with it. In this episode you will learn:How to keep the ball rolling as an artist and running with momentumWhy it’s important to walk away or take a break from artistic workThe nature of working with different clients and commissionsHaving a firm belief that "your art is your business"The common challenges of doing art full-time and as a partnershipAbout Geoffrey Carran & Rowena Martinich:Melbourne-based artists Rowena Martinich and Geoffrey Carran work both independently and collaboratively to create giant public murals and collectible artworks. Their art has adorned buildings and spaces throughout Australia, as well as prominent international commissions and exhibitions. Their work as individual artists informs and inspires their collaborative projects, marrying their two diverse practices of vibrant Abstract Expressionism and Representational painting. Martinich&Carran's projects often blur the boundaries between art and design with a strong focus on colour.Connect with Geoffrey Carran & Rowena Martinich on:Website:              https://www.martinichandcarran.com.au/Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/martinichandcarran/Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/martinichandcarran/ Catch Surf Coast Creatives on:Website:              https://surfcoastcreatives.com/Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/surfcoastcreatives/Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/surfcoastcreativesThis episode is brought to you by our NEW SPONSOR Maxted Clothing. Tune into Ep.9 of the podcast to hear more about Maxted’s story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join your host Ben Hucker with Torquay guest, Claire Summers. Ben speaks to Claire about a cascade of traumatic life events that hit her in 2017. Oprah entered Claire’s life not long after. Claire is the founder of Gratitude Glass Jars which became a viral sensation in 2017 after the ‘Big O’ came across her product.But an unhealthy relationship, the loss of a dearly wanted baby, nursing her father through terminal cancer, a near-death experience with IVF treatment, and being sexually harassed by her new boss meant Claire almost didn’t make it for her first meeting with Oprah.Tune in to hear the rest of that story and learn how Claire set about retraining her mind to tackle life’s lemons with gratitude. In this episode we cover:The Gratitude Glass Jar – one card a day for 365 days a year.How Claire never planned for Gratitude Glass Jars to become a business.How Oprah came across Claire and her Glass Jars.Claire’s former life as a corporate highflyer and technology executive.Claire’s near-death experience with IVF treatment, losing her Dad, dealing with an abusive relationship and sexual harassment in the workplace. About Claire Summers:Claire created Gratitude Glass Jars to help her heal from distressing life events by capturing daily notes of gratitude. These notes enabled her to rebuild herself and her heart. She made them while in her Mum’s care after a lengthy hospital stay. A month later, she had a job opportunity in the US. Despite her fear, Claire took the job, believing it to be her way forward.But only weeks into her new role in a new country, she found herself being sexually harassed by her boss. After all this, Claire was still aware of the power of gratitude. This concept had helped her in the past and could potentially help others. Seeking some light-hearted relief, Claire took her Gratitude Glass Jar to the New York Now Trade Show. It was where her life changed forever.Connect with Claire Summers on:Website:              https://www.gratitudeglassjars.com/LinkedIn:              https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-summers-28479643Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/gratitudeglassjars/Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/gratitudeglassjars/ Catch Surf Coast Creatives on:Website:              https://surfcoastcreatives.com/Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/surfcoastcreatives/Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/surfcoastcreativesEp.41 is brought to you by our new sponsor Maxted Clothing. Make sure you go in the running to WIN A LUXURY WEEKEND AWAY at Barwon Heads. More details on Maxted's website.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest for this episode of the podcast is the editor and owner of Surfing Life Magazine, Ray Bisschop.Ray has been described as a “visual marketing genius” by some of his peers. He’s also a designer, photographer, loving husband and devoted Dad who started surfing about 35 years ago.In fact, surfing lit the spark for an interest in all things creative. These two elements combined have led Ray on a three-decade journey to become owner and publisher of Surfing Life magazine, But he had his fair share of challenges in between. He spent 30 years dreaming of the day he could for a blue-chip surf mag like Surfing Life. The lesson? Do not give up on your dreams. There is so much wisdom packed into this episode of the podcast along with some ripping yarns. We cover: The definition of a creative and what is an entrepreneur?30 years later, never give up on your dreams.The most sustainable thing you can do when it comes to work…How budding surf photographers and writers can get published in a mag like Surfing Life.The difference between print and digital media – kind like coffee makers and instant coffee!Plus, so much more…About Ray Bisschop:Ray dreamt about working at Surfing Life magazine for the last 30 years. Starting out as a graphic designer who'd always surfed, he thought there could be nothing better than working in the same field as your passion. Thirty years later, Ray is doing precisely that.He’s seen it all in his long career, from working as an analog designer to web, photography, video, and social media, finishing up as a Creative Director before taking on his current role. The one takeaway Ray has from this whole experience is... “never give up on your dreams.”Ray is a firm believer that the more we learn about technology and ourselves, the more we understand how certain things can never be replaced like a mother's warm hug, a cold glass of beer, and the visceral effect a print magazine has on readers. Connect with Ray Bisschop on:Website:              https://www.surfinglife.com.au/LinkedIn:              https://www.linkedin.com/in/raybisschop/?originalSubdomain=auFacebook:           https://www.facebook.com/raybisschopInstagram:          https://www.instagram.com/raybisschop/Twitter:                https://twitter.com/raybisschop/ Catch Surf Coast Creatives on:Website:              https://surfcoastcreatives.com/Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/surfcoastcreatives/Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/surfcoastcreatives Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.