Marketing often feels like the most challenging part of running a creative business, but it doesn’t have to.

In this episode, Lyric Kinard talks with Amberleigh Adoff, a former art educator turned surface pattern designer, social media manager, and creative mentor. Amberleigh shares her journey from teaching to building a thriving creative business and offers practical, stress-reducing strategies for marketing. From working backward to plan your launches, to repurposing content instead of reinventing the wheel, to focusing on engagement over perfection, Amberleigh helps us see that sustainable marketing is less about hustle and more about structure, clarity, and connection.

Whether you’re an educator launching your first online course or a maker looking to grow your visibility, this conversation will give you the confidence to market with ease and create a business that actually supports your creativity.

Learn more about the 30 Days to Sold Out workshop here.

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I’m thrilled to share this week’s conversation with the incredibly creative Emma Brassfield of Studio 7t7. Emma’s career began in costume and special effects, working on blockbuster films like Harry Potter, Batman Begins, and Star Wars (yes, she made Chewbacca’s costume!). But when the demanding film industry no longer aligned with family life, she carved out a new path—turning her love of textiles into a thriving online business. Emma now designs bag patterns, runs a membership and subscription box, and has built a vibrant YouTube channel that reached monetization in just six months. In this episode, she opens up about the realities of building an online business, why she restructured her membership to avoid burnout, and how she uses YouTube, email, and community to create sustainable income and freedom on her own terms.

If you’ve ever wondered how to blend creativity with entrepreneurship—or how to grow an audience that truly supports you—Emma’s story is full of inspiration and practical wisdom.

Learn more about the 30 Days to Sold Out workshop here.

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>> Register for the FREE webinar: Make an Effective Promotional Video in 3 Easy Steps! You will learn how to get conversions with authentic connections instead of pushy sales!

What do you do when the business that once lit you up starts to drain your energy? Nicole Stevenson has lived that journey, from selling art on the Venice Beach boardwalk to running a national clothing line, to becoming the founder of Craftcation Conference and Patchwork Show.

In this conversation, Nicole shares how to recognize when it’s time to pivot, why feedback (even from a tiny audience) is pure gold, and how shifting your mindset from selling to serving can transform the way you market yourself. We talk about what it takes to create a truly connected community, how to show your presence authentically on video, and why the path to a sustainable creative business is often messy, but always full of lessons. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a creative career without losing yourself, this episode will inspire you to follow your soul, embrace change, and keep building with purpose.

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Every creative business needs direction, and that’s where your North Star comes in.

In this solo episode, I share how to dream big about the business and life you want, then break that vision down into systems and baby steps that actually move you forward. Your North Star should feel so big it scares you. You’ll probably never “stand on it”, but it can guide your decisions, give you clarity, and keep you moving. I’ll walk you through imagining your ideal business, identifying just three systems you need in place, and then breaking down your next step into something so manageable that you can complete it in 20 minutes today. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to start, this episode is your reminder that success is built one baby step at a time.

Learn more about the 30 Days to Sold Out workshop here.

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I’m thrilled to bring you artist‑turned‑tax expert Hannah Cole of Sunlight Tax. We dig into the mindset piece (money is an amplifier), the simplest first steps to act like a real business (hello, separate bank account), and the practical systems that make tax time easy. Hannah walks us through her Money Bootcamp, the gorgeous “rainbow” deductions guide for creatives, and her new book Taxes for Humans—complete with visuals that finally make tricky concepts click. We also talk about online course platforms (Podia, Kajabi, Zenler, Mighty Networks), why “passive income” still requires energy, and how generosity in your free content builds trust—and sales. If you teach, sell, or make anything creative, this one will pay you back.

Learn more about the 30 Days to Sold Out workshop here.

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>> Register for the FREE webinar: Make an Effective Promotional Video in 3 Easy Steps! You will learn how to get conversions with authentic connections instead of pushy sales!

In the third episode of my On-Demand Platform Interview Series, I’m joined by Nicola Wynn from Podia, the platform I personally use for many of my on-demand classes. Nicola shares how Podia helps creatives simplify their tech, sell courses and digital products, and build stronger connections with their audience. We cover free migrations, built-in email marketing, webinars, blogging for growth, and how to keep momentum when the mid-project slump hits. Whether you’re launching your first course or refining your online teaching, this conversation is packed with ideas to help you work smarter and serve your students better.

Don’t forget to tune into our other episodes that are a part of our On Demand series – Aaron Morin from Thinkific and David Zenler from Zenler!

Learn more about the 30 Days to Sold Out workshop here.

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In this episode of Creatives on Camera, I sit down with Beth Gorishek, also known as The Adaptive Knitter, to talk about accessibility, creativity, and the power of making art available to everyone. Beth shares her journey of growing up with a limb difference, building a thriving business in the fiber arts industry, and how she helps makers adapt their craft after injury or disability. We dig into practical ways to make online classes more inclusive—from lighting and contrast to captions and modular lesson design and why thinking about accessibility benefits all of our students. Beth also shares her dreams for future “Knit Working” retreats and her excitement about launching her own podcast. This conversation will leave you inspired to rethink how you teach, create, and connect with your audience—while making your creative business more welcoming for everyone.

If you want the chance to ask questions live with Beth, she is our guest expert at the Academy for Virtual Teaching on August 27th at 8pm eastern. Academy membership is free and all are invited to attend this casual conversation and Q&A.

Learn more about the 30 Days to Sold Out workshop here.

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>> Register for the FREE webinar: Make an Effective Promotional Video in 3 Easy Steps! You will learn how to get conversions with authentic connections instead of pushy sales!

I’m so excited to share this conversation with my friend and fellow coach, quilter, and teacher, Tori McElwain. Tori and I talk about the real-life journey of building a creative business while juggling motherhood, military life, and burnout—and why she chose self-publishing to get her book Workshops Unleashed out into the world. Tori’s story is such a powerful reminder that you don’t need perfect gear or a polished plan to start teaching online. We dive into creating safe spaces for students to make mistakes, how to handle big personalities in workshops, and what it really takes to build a sustainable creative business. If you’ve ever frozen up in front of a camera or doubted your ability to write, teach, or lead, this episode will inspire you to start where you are, use what you have, and trust that your imperfect action matters.

→ If you want the chance to ask questions live with Tori, she is our guest expert at the Academy for Virtual Teaching on August 20th at 12pm/noon eastern. Academy membership is free and all are invited to attend this casual conversation and Q&A.

Learn more about the 30 Days to Sold Out workshop here.

Let's Connect!

• Join The Academy for Virtual Teaching
• Instagram
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>> Register for the FREE webinar: Make an Effective Promotional Video in 3 Easy Steps! You will learn how to get conversions with authentic connections instead of pushy sales!