Bio The path that led her to this point
I was on a very set path, I had big plans for a high-flying life in hospitality and hotel management.
At 23 I became a single mum and life changed. I wanted to be home more, I had different priorities and I needed to find out what would give us financial security but also give us a good life. I fell into the world of craft through a part-time job and I haven't ever looked back.
Despite having studied business and marketing at uni I couldn't seem to get the planning and marketing right because my emotions, sense of self and ego was all wrapped up with my pricing and marketing efforts.
I looked around for resources that would help me improve my creative business but kept falling short. So after 12 months of running my own handmade business, lots of research, lots of Skype calls with wonderful people all over the world I launched the Artful Business Conference. This is a two-day business conference for the creative entrepreneur, we talk about all things business in a right brain way.
In 2012 I had a business partner and together we launched Studio Exsto a creative business coaching service. We also took over as editors for bespoke magazine. We decided it was all getting too much and have gone our separate ways, with Robyn taking on bespoke and me now looking after Studio Exsto.
I love working with creative businesses every day and helping empower women to believe in themselves. When you are business with no one but yourself it can be really isolating, not to mention confronting. Studio Exsto is about offering resources that are relevant to micro business owners, but also provide community and support so people can feel encouraged.
Despite how much I love the work I got pretty burnt out last year and nearly threw in the towel. I've spent a lot of time this year re-discovering my joy for craft, getting out doors more and starting a personal blog where I write for fun, not business. All of this has given me a renewed sense of passion and energy for the conference and Studio Exsto and I feel blessed every day to live a life of such fun and excitement.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
The first ABC in 2012 was amazing! One of those "holy shit" kind of moments. Obviously I didn't do it on my own, I had a lot of good friends supporting me, and my mum put up with a lot of stress, loads of tears and even the odd tantrum. But we made it! And it was worth every challenge.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
Finding a balance. I think it is more like managing to juggle things, rather than balance. Working 18 hour days is not sustainable for me, but I got to a point where I thought that's what I needed to do to make it work. I tend to be all or nothing so staying motivated without burning out is a struggle.
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
Be true to yourself! Read the advice, be open minded and learn - I still learn everyday how to do things better. But trust your intuition above all things and what works for someone else won't necessarily work for you, so if something doesn't feel right let it go.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
Jenn Lee and her Right Brain Business books and her blog have been a constant source of inspiration.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
There are too many to name, I'm inspired by people's stories, hearing why people do what they do and seeing them show up over and over again. But If I had to name a few there is Kelly Exeter (Swish Design), Karen Gunton (Build a Little Biz) and Carolyn Chambers (fourzero). They show up even when they don't feel like it.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
Don't wait for perfect, it never happens.
Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can - Arthur Ashe
You can figure the rest out as you go.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I stopped listening to other peoples version of success, and started believing in my own.
Visit
WEBSITE
Tweet
Like