Tag Archives: Building a small creative business

Finding your own voice

You sit at your desk, perhaps even on the couch with your laptop or iPad, and start researching. “your niche” + “Business”. You type the words in and tap your fingers against the hard surface below while the results load and then you click away like a child in a candy store, excited about the…

7 comments
  • AnneFebruary 3, 2012 - 1:32 PM

    Thank you! Amazing advice 🙂ReplyCancel

  • MalinderFebruary 3, 2012 - 1:45 PM

    Thank you for this article, Lesley! I must say that I came to this realisation not long ago and am currently in Step 2 – and as you put it, it has to be honest self-reflection. Glad to know that, sooner or later, most goes through this phase 🙂ReplyCancel

  • JessicaFebruary 3, 2012 - 4:25 PM

    This is such inspiring words. Something I am totally struggling with right now (not even my mom is reading my blog!) Thank you so much for this.ReplyCancel

  • julie socherFebruary 4, 2012 - 3:24 AM

    This is great, thanks for posting this, it’s so inspiring.ReplyCancel

  • MartaFebruary 4, 2012 - 4:01 AM

    Thanks Lesley for sharing a very from-the-heart reflection on your own journey and good advice. Can you expand on your second point some more in a future post? I’m not naturally the journalling type so I’d love to read more about where to start or specific tips on how to do this.ReplyCancel

  • Tanja A.February 4, 2012 - 8:16 AM

    I like (and agree with) every part of this post, except the part of the removing of those who inspire you…
    Instead of comparing yourself with them, you can just try to feel happy for them and let them inspire you (without copying of course). Instead of thinking about what you don’t have, start thinking of what you are going to reach, because they once started just like you… Maybe you can recognize parts of yourself in their stories and you might even realize you are not so different. 🙂

    But maybe this is something personal and if it really bothers you and you feel bad after reading their posts, of course you should get rid of them.ReplyCancel

  • SherylFebruary 4, 2012 - 3:58 PM

    THANK YOU! I am NOT alone in this amazing, jouney that seems to be filled with constant struggle and comparisons. This article really made me think! ♥ReplyCancel

i am multi-passionate

I watched the red wine swish around my glass while I talked passionately with Mister about my new idea for my business. I was smiling and talking excitedly that I could hardly sit still. Hence why my wine was swishing around in my glass. He sat there, listening, but I knew that look on his…

7 comments
  • Lynn ClarkJanuary 31, 2012 - 6:40 PM

    This is sage advice. And I love the term multi-passionate. I have been, always. Right now, as I plan my exit strategy from my day job to segue full time in to my photography business, I’ve felt a little panicked to only have the photography feeding me. But then I remembered that 18 months ago, when I first formed my business, I said I’d love to have time to write again–really write, and not for money. I could let my creative passion for fiction and poetry fuel my creative passion for telling stories visually.

    And, I just remembered a sexy little plan I have for incorporating it into my boudoir business–merging a secret occupation I had a few years ago.

    My life is going to change, I’m losing a stead and lucrative paycheck, and I’m as terrified as I am excited.

    I can always find another day job. What’s the worst that can happen–or the best.ReplyCancel

  • Jenn BestFebruary 1, 2012 - 6:48 PM

    Oh, me too – all over the map with ideas. Thanks for sharing your tips beautiful.ReplyCancel

  • Jennifer HejnaFebruary 2, 2012 - 10:50 AM

    Great tips Lesley – I never leave the house without my moleskine. Sometimes I have the impression these are not my ideas but the ideas the moleskine comes up with.ReplyCancel

  • Cathy EmpeyFebruary 3, 2012 - 4:43 AM

    Beautiful post Lesley! I too believe I am as you say…multi-passionate. I need to get me some journals. I find I write a lot of post it notes, and pages of notebooks.ReplyCancel

  • SusieLeeFebruary 3, 2012 - 6:25 PM

    Lesley
    Thanks for the ideas. I am the same way. I need to be more diligent about writing stuff down. Ideas come to me and I get all excited and then days later I can’t remember what they were and I am disappointed.
    Great post.ReplyCancel

  • robynFebruary 13, 2012 - 8:03 PM

    oh, darling, we are so alike (but we already knew that… and our love’s are so alike as well!)
    just catching up on your recent posts and anticipating our conversation tomorrow — i cannot wait to ‘see’ you!
    xx.ReplyCancel

  • Vane D. LopezJuly 7, 2013 - 1:21 PM

    Great Advice! I’ve struggled with being multi-passionate but it’s nice to know there’s others like me. I like when you mention not too mention or act upon our idea. I still have trouble with this because I tend to get overexcited about my different passions and I want to share it with the world yet I get discouraged when I’m not able to follow through right away or I don’t get a positive reaction from others. Many of my passions include music, poetry, playing piano, writing, blogging, Health and weightloss, Autism Awareness,and I am in the proccess of writing some fiction novels. Well, it all started with one novel idea then I have been getting more ideas so it’s become more difficult to focus on the first one. Sometimes I think being multipassionate is a curse then other times I see it as a blessing to have so much passion. I just need some organization and some more time. Thanks for sharing.ReplyCancel