The Creative Business Community Podcast

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin sit's down with Perth-based branding photographer and videographer Steph White, founder of Stef Spills Ink - our very first guest of season two! We chat about how a life changing injury helped spark Steph's creative career, how she scaled by thinking like an operator, and why her next chapter blends creative with strategy through high-performing Meta ads. In this conversation, Steph unpacks what brand photography really is (and why it’s not just pretty pictures), the questions a real brand photographer should ask before a shoot, and the strategic imagery every business needs across websites, socials and ads. We talk common mistakes — from having no photos to leaning too hard on AI — the current trust recession, why showing your face matters, and how to stand out in a red ocean. If you want imagery that converts and a business you love running, this one’s for you. Connect with our guest! Find Stef Spills Ink: Website: https://www.stefspillsink.com.au Instagram: @stefspillsink Facebook: Stephanie White Pinerest: Stef Spills Ink Creative Business Spotlight: Sol Tank Studio Website: https://www.soltankstudio.com.au/ Instagram: @soltankstudio Facebook: Sol Tank Studio

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, we’re digging into what to actually post on social media as a small creative business. We break down reels vs carousels — when to use each — and why authenticity and showing the real human behind the work beats AI every time. You’ll get niche-specific tips for food trucks (mouth‑watering video, share locations in Stories), clothing (show movement on real bodies, style with intention), jewellery (close-ups, strong branding, educate on care), workshops (sell the experience and community), and ceramics (why simple image carousels still win). We share an easy posting rhythm, how to choose growth vs depth, and quick wins you can action today: film your process, create a pinned “about me” carousel, and try a “facts that’ll make you follow/unfollow” post. Plus, our Creative Business Spotlight! Creative Business Spotlight: Just Dumplings Website: https://www.justdumplings.com.au/ Instagram: @justdumplingswa Facebook: Just Dumplings

Welcome back to the Creative Business Community podcast! After a longer-than-planned break, we are kicking off Season 2 with a fresh, sharper focus: expect deep dives into marketing and social media for creative small businesses as well as our conversation with creative business owners. In this short welcome-back episode, we reflect on how fast everything’s shifting — from the economy to ever-changing social platforms and the creeping presence of AI in our tools. This season, expect practical, nitty-gritty guidance across: Social media PR, promotion and in-person marketing Real-world strategies that suit creatives working solo or in small studios Great chats with fellow creative entrepreneurs You’ll still hear candid stories from fellow creatives, plus plans for a roundtable episode featuring multiple voices. If you’d like to share your journey (whether you’re in Perth or anywhere in the world) we would love to hear from you. Grab a cuppa and settle in. We’re here to help you feel less isolated, more informed, and ready to market the business you love. Follow/subscribe and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or via our website—just search Creative Business Community.

It’s our Season One finale and 30th episode! In this episode, Erin and Ronnie look back at the moments that mattered most, from the unexpectedly powerful chat on creativity and mental health to the lessons learned from an incredible line-up of guests. They distil five big takeaways — why simple social media is worth it, how branding sets your foundation, the non‑negotiable admin, business plans that actually guide you, and why community always beats competition. You’ll also hear how structure creates space for creative play, why balance is a shared struggle, and how past life experience can supercharge your creative business. Go behind the scenes with honest confessions about batching, editing mishaps, tech hiccups and those days when the vibes just aren’t vibing (plus the eternal studio debate: coffee vs Diet Coke). Then, a sneak peek at Season Two: deeper dives into the Instagram algorithm, influencers and AI, working with friends and family, real talk on money and accounting with expert guests, and fresh voices from across creative industries—yes, even a spicy romance author (well, a girl can dream anyway!). We want your input to shape what’s next. Share your thoughts via the feedback form in the show notes for the chance to snag a free mini social media audit (or setup basics if you’re just starting out). Join the Creative Business Community Hub on Facebook and connect with us on socials. Let us know your thoughts about the Creative Business Community Podcast! We are busy planning season 2 and want to make sure we are hitting the mark. As an added incentive, if you fill in the feedback form, you go in the draw to win a FREE social media audit! Don't have your social media set up? No worries, instead we can offer you a FREE consult to get them set up! Let Us Know Your Thoughts Here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/6f29a91726408721cb7f4963f9731789?r=use1

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin is joined by our PR and marketing whiz, Renee, to unpack the hype around “going viral” — why it shouldn’t be your north star and what to focus on instead. We dig into what viral really means across platforms (including the surprise rise of Facebook Reels), the metrics that matter most (views vs viewers, watch time and location), and the hidden downsides — trolls, admin blowouts and audiences that won’t convert. Renee shares a real-world case study from our client Women on the Tools, whose 1.6M-view reel delivered sold-out workshops, media attention and global enquiries — along with serious operational overwhelm. You’ll come away with practical ways to prepare and profit: set up auto-responses and funnels, balance awareness and sales content, write emotion-led hooks, caption for sound-off viewing, and know when to boost or back off. Plus, our Creative Business Spotlight! Creative Business Spotlight: Seed Station Website: https://www.seedstation.com.au/ Instagram: @seed.station Facebook: Seed Station

This week on the Creative Business Community pod, Erin and Ronnie are chatting all things creative voice — what it is, how to find it, and why it shifts as you do. Think of it as your creative fingerprint: the style, tone and vibes that make people go, “yep, that’s yours.” They talk inspiration vs straight-up copying (and why credit matters), plus simple ways to sharpen your style — revisit old work, follow your curiosity, have a play in low-pressure mediums, and come back to your why. You’ll also hear how to navigate creative ruts, step away from the algorithm to protect your spark, and even build an “analogue bag” to reset when screens or sales pressure start to stifle your flow. Plus, the power of community feedback when friends and family don’t quite get it. And of course, our Creative Business Spotlight! Creative Business Spotlight: Master and Dame Website: https://www.masteranddame.com.au/ Instagram: @masteranddame Facebook: Master and Dame

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin sits down with Perth tattoo icon Fizz of Fizz Ink — the artist behind most of Erin’s own ink and a well known name for colourful work, big heart and making clients feel safe in a vulnerable process. Fizz traces her path from sketching designs and selling on Facebook as a teen to landing an apprenticeship in 2010, and unpacks how social media has reshaped portfolios, apprenticeships and the people skills needed to thrive. We dive into the real cost of running a creative studio: navigating councils and health regs, commercial leases, tax, hiring friends, setting boundaries and protecting quality — plus the COVID surge of tattoo artists, today’s saturated market and skyrocketing insurance. Fizz gets candid about the physical toll of tattooing, the tough call to close her much-loved Midland studio in 2025, and how stepping back to focus on art at Hood Royals in Gosnells has rekindled her creativity. You’ll hear grounded advice for aspiring tattooists — build a brand, nurture your socials and your soft skills, look after your body, and don’t put all your eggs in one basket — along with a playful quickfire round and our Creative Business Spotlight. Connect with our guest! Find Fizz Ink: Website: https://fizzinktattoo.bigcartel.com/ TikTok: @fizzinktattoo Instagram: @fizzink Hood Royals Tattoo Studio Creative Business Spotlight: Ella Mobbs Website: https://ellamobbsart.com/ Instagram: @ella_mobbs_art TikTok: @ella_mobbs_art Facebook: Ella Mobbs Art Pinterest: https://au.pinterest.com/ella_mobbs_art/

This week we’re chatting AI — what it actually looks like for creatives in 2026, beyond just ChatGPT. Renee’s back to talk about on where it’s popping up (Canva, Adobe, your inbox, schedulers, even Meta ads) and how to use it without losing your voice or your values. We swap easy, time-saving wins — turning brain-dumps into clean copy, brainstorming post ideas, softening tone, proofreading, planning content, and setting up auto-replies so you can actually have a weekend. We also call out the traps: dodgy “facts” and made-up quotes, US vs AU spelling, AI images that misrepresent your product, ad “enhancements” that burn budget, and those uncanny celeb-style voiceovers. Big picture: keep your creative muscles working — AI’s a tool, not the whole process. Be transparent when it helps, and flick off default AI settings that don’t serve you. Your ideal customers still want the real, human-made stuff (they can spot the AI ick a mile away). Plus, super simple, ethical prompt tips to get started today, and of course, our Creative Business Spotlight! Creative Business Spotlight: Earthbound Website: https://earthboundstudio.org/ Instagram: @earthbound_studio Facebook: Earthbound Studio

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin chats with El from Maple and Wren — the Perth floral studio renowned for intentional, timeless floral moments — and the brains behind the Maple and Wren Floral Art Academy. El talks with us about her move swapping her government comms and corporate events job to running her own business, going from market‑stall flower crowns to luxe weddings, big‑deal installs and a buzzing education arm. We get into how she niched down and proved that what you show is what you attract, how she builds and trusts a team with clear briefs and mood boards (and lets go of the “my way” stuff when it doesn’t matter), and how she juggles being both creative and CEO — finding fresh spark in marketing, shop curation and new products. She also shares the real‑life rhythms keeping burnout at bay: crack‑of‑dawn walks, calendar blocking, Friday family movie night and the whole glass‑vs‑plastic balls mindset. Plus, she’s scaling with intention — acquiring Zest Flowers in Dunsborough and opening a new Beaufort Street store in Perth — and teaching the modern, on‑trend wedding design she wished existed when she started. It’s a fun, practical, heart‑led chat about building a luxury creative brand without losing the joy of making. Connect with our guest! Find Maple and Wren: Website: https://mapleandwren.com.au/ Instagram: @mapleandwren Facebook: Maple and Wren Find Maple and Wren Floral Art Academy: Website: https://www.mwfloralartacademy.com.au/ Instagram: @mapleandwren_floralartacademy Facebook: Maple and Wren Floral Art Academy Find Zest Flowers: Website: https://www.zestflowers.com.au/ Instagram: @zestflowers Facebook: Zest Flowers Creative Business Spotlight: The Dainty Co Website: https://www.thedaintyco.com.au/ Instagram: @thedainty_co Facebook: The Dainty Co YouTube: Coralie Carosin

This week we’re talking social media scheduling software — what it is, whether you really need it, and how to use it without losing the human touch. We’ll cover batching and auto‑publishing, planning with calendars and feed previews, and why scheduling is a tool (not a strategy). You’ll hear why you still need to keep showing up (think engagement), how platform nuances matter, and which metrics actually count now — think watch time, saves, shares and carousel swipes over likes. We touch on analytics, from native insights in Meta to when paid tools like Loomly make sense for multi‑brand workflows. You’ll learn how to align content to business goals with clear calls to action, write SEO‑friendly captions that can surface on Google, and free up headspace by setting a realistic posting rhythm. Plus, practical ways to start: use free options and trials, lean on tutorials, ask the community—and choose the platform you’ll actually use. Creative Business Spotlight: Modern Homewares Instagram: @modernhomewares Facebook: Modern Homewares

This week, Erin sits down with Lucy, founder of Not Yet Perfect — a boutique pottery studio in Applecross known for soul‑soothing workshops and masterclasses — to explore how letting go can unlock your best creative and business work. Born in Norway, raised in WA’s southwest and forged in a decade of fashion, Lucy shares how a surprise stint teaching at‑risk teens led her to pottery as a grounding practice, first in her lounge room with wine and clay, then via Gumtree classes, and eventually into a thriving studio space of their own. We dive into separating creativity from business identity, building resilience by self‑educating (yes, even through boring books), growing organically, and getting radically honest — about money, motives and the mundane daily habits that actually move the wheel. You’ll hear how community shaped her systems during COVID, why becoming your own cheerleader matters, and Lucy’s beautiful “vessel” metaphor for holding space, creativity and business without losing yourself. Plus a quick‑fire round: weekly Ghost references, meditation as a must, green juice, sewing comebacks and big clay vessels. If you’re a creative wrestling with perfectionism, this conversation is a breath of fresh air. Connect with our guest! Find Not Yet Perfect: Website: https://www.notyetperfect.com/ Instagram: @nyperfect Facebook: Not Yet Perfect Creative Business Spotlight: Coralie Carosin of Coco Studio Website: https://www.cocostudio.com.au/ Instagram: @coralie.carosin YouTube: Coralie Carosin

Note: In this episode we chat about reporting income, the idea of an income “threshold”, and when your creative pursuit is considered a business vs a hobby for tax purposes. After recording, we double-checked the details to make sure you have the most accurate information - please see the list at the bottom for links to relevant websites. This week we’re talking about the unsexy side of creative business. Admin admin, systems and boundaries that help to turn a passion project into a profitable, sustainable venture. Erin and Ronnie unpack how to shift your mindset, track money without tears, and stop your creativity from sliding into “expensive hobby” territory. Expect practical, low-cost ways to get organised. We also dig into project management tools, using automations and email templates to save hours, valuing your time, and setting gentle but firm boundaries. You’ll also hear practical ways to avoid burnout: time-blocking “boring” tasks, creating rituals or rewards to get through them, and protecting play time so your creativity keeps flourishing. Our quick-start tip? Book just 10–15 minutes a week to tackle the task you dread most — consistency beats overwhelm every time. Plus, a heads-up on our Small Business 101 workshop, and this week’s Creative Business Spotlight. Book Into our Small Business 101 Workshop Date: Wednesday April 29th 2026 Time: 10am - 12pm Location: Goolugatup Heathcote, Applecross, Perth BOOK NOW Creative Business Spotlight: Not Yet Perfect Pottery Studio Website: https://www.notyetperfect.com/ Instagram: @nyperfect Facebook: The Potters Market From Our Note: In Australia, there is no specific income threshold that determines whether you are considered a business. It’s based on a range of factors outlined by the ATO. If you are operating as a sole trader, the first $18,200 is generally the tax-free threshold (subject to your individual circumstances). For more detailed and up-to-date information, please refer to the official sources below: ATO – Are you in business? https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/starting-registering-or-closing-a-business/starting-your-own-business/are-you-in-business Business.gov.au – Difference between a hobby and a business https://business.gov.au/planning/new-businesses/difference-between-a-business-and-a-hobby ATO – Assessable business income https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/income-deductions-and-concessions/income-and-deductions-for-business/assessable-income As always, we recommend speaking with a registered accountant or tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin sits down with artist and House of Hobby founder Emilie Otto again for a chat about keeping your personal creativity alive while you run a creative small business. They unpack what happens when you take a beloved hobby and turn it into a business — and how to protect the joy when the admin, timelines and “make what sells” mentality creep in. They explore the very real guilt of “not creating enough,” the shift away from hands‑on everyday skills, and how reclaiming simple lifestyle making—mending, sewing, cooking—can rebalance your week. Emilie also shares what she delegated first, why teaching fuels her own creativity, and a reassuring reminder that many “creative” businesses are, at their core, events or retail operations — so you don’t have to be wildly arty to run one well. Connect with our guest! Find House of Hobby: Website: https://www.houseofhobby.net/ Instagram: @houseofhobbyau Facebook: House of Hobby TikTok: @houseofhobby Connect with our guest! Find Emilie Otto Art: Website: https://emilieotto.com.au/ Instagram: @emilieottoart Facebook: Emilie Otto Art YouTube: Emilie Otto Art Creative Business Spotlight: Kalamunda Art Glass Website: https://artglasssupplies.com.au/ Books Mentioned in the Podcast: Craft for the Soul by Pip Lincolne Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Feeling a bit solo running your creative biz? You’re not the only one. This week Erin and Ronnie chat about finding your people and why real community beats those referral based networking nights. We share easy ways to meet fellow creatives; online groups, your local library, Eventbrite, Meet Up, and our own Creative Business Community. We talk about how to keep chats genuine, not salesy. Nervous? We’ve got low-pressure icebreakers (including a tiny script for introverts) and the “wear a conversation starter” trick. Plus quick, free ways to back each other—likes, shares and reviews. We also chat about outgrowing groups, collaborating without competition, and why community groups are rising as influencer culture fades. Join us for our first ever in person networking session! Held March 4th at Goolugatup Heathcote in Perth. Running from 10am - 12pm. BOOK HERE Creative Business Spotlight: Perth Clothes Swap Instagram: @perthclothesswap

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin chats with Fremantle potter Rosie Button about her bold pivot from engineering to an 11‑year empowerment photography studio—then, 18 months ago, into full‑time clay. Rosie shares how a well‑timed redundancy sparked her first business, the organic way her portrait work transformed women’s confidence, and why she ultimately swapped the emotional load of that work for a slower, hands‑on life at the wheel. You’ll hear how she turned a much‑loved hobby into a sustainable business: choosing markets over online sales, keeping overheads lean, reusing materials, and regularly reviewing those sneaky subscriptions and insurance costs. Rosie also opens up about her sketch‑to‑throw process, Japanese influences, firing weeks, and the real costs behind a “perfect” pot. Plus, practical tips on authentic social media, engaging at markets, and building loyal collectors. Rosie's mentor: Cher Shackleton Instagram: @chershackleton Facebook: Cher Shackleton Connect with our guest! Find Rosie - Fremantle Pottery: Instagram: @fremantlepotteryrosie Creative Business Spotlight: Michelle Fleur Artist Website: https://www.michellefleur.com/ Instagram: @michellefleurartist Facebook: Michelle Fleur Artist YouTube: Michelle Fleur Artist

In this episode, Erin and Ronnie kick off from their new studio — our first video episode on YouTube — and tackle a decidedly unsexy but critical topic: insurance for creative businesses. We demystify what you actually need depending on how you work — whether you’re a market stallholder, maker, workshop host, hairdresser or service provider. We chat about why insurance is about peace of mind, not fear. You’ll hear how to run a quick risk assessment, what public liability typically covers (and why $10m is standard at Aussie markets), when product liability matters (especially for food, children’s toys and skincare), and the role of contents/equipment cover, workers’ compensation, income protection and professional indemnity. We unpack one‑off event cover vs getting your own policy, why sole traders can be personally liable, how an insurance broker can save time, and the importance of updating cover as your business evolves. Plus, a nudge to review your policy today and a heartfelt shout‑out for this weeks Creative Business Spotlight. Creative Business Spotlight: Elia Balms and Blends Website: https://eliabalmsandblends.com.au/ Instagram: @eliabalmsandblends Facebook: Elia Balms and Blends

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin chats with Perth-based bridal designer Sally of Sally Victoria Couture. From market stalls to her first custom wedding gown, Sally shares how a love of beading, corsetry and craftsmanship evolved into a couture brand built for modern brides—and a business designed to flex around life as a mum. We cover her rebrand to a more scalable, sale-ready identity, why she keeps production in-house for quality and uniqueness, and how she’s expanding with virtual appointments for East Coast brides. Sally lifts the veil on her process—sketch-to-toile-to-final with six to seven fittings and total transparency—plus the systems that keep creativity and business in balance, from time-blocking to carving out protected “play” time. She talks pricing and worth, defining her ideal client avatar, finding the right mentors, and the pinch-me moment of seeing her gowns on the Brownlow red carpet. Connect with our guest! Find Sally Victoria Couture: Website: https://www.sallyvictoriacouture.com/ Instagram: @sallyvictoriacouture Facebook: @sallyvictoriacouture Creative Business Spotlight: Curated by Georgie Portfolio: Curated by Georgie Instagram: @curated.by.georgie TikTok: @curated.by.georgie

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, we’re getting real about market stalls. Erin and Ronnie share what actually works — from telling your own audience you’ll be there (don’t just rely on the organiser) to packing smart with a labelled setup and a trusty Market Go Box. Think battery pack and cables, your card reader plus bank details if tap-and-go fails, a mini first-aid kit and weather gear. They even suggest a full test run at home: tape out your stall size, build it once, and pack in the order you’ll set up. Then it’s all about making your stall do the selling. Add height so people can see over the crowd, keep it clutter-free, style to your brand and make pricing obvious. Sort your lighting — aim for consistent daylight-style and watch those blue gazebos — and plan a layout that flows. Set a clear point of sale, group products sensibly, and keep small high-value items (like jewellery) close and secure. And remember, you’re part of the display. Dress on-brand, stand up, smile and say hi — don’t hide on your phone! Pack a change of clothes, deodorant and comfy, supportive shoes. Look after yourself: water, sunscreen, snack breaks, and tag in a mate or stall neighbour when you need five. Jot quick notes throughout the day so you know what to tweak next time. Don't forget to share your stall pics and tips with our community on social media! Download our Market Go Box Checklist here . Creative Business Spotlight: Zeezbeez Website: https://www.zeezbeez.com/ Instagram: @zeezbeez.honey Facebook: @zeezbeezroleystone

In this episode of the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin chats with artist and workshop leader Emilie Otto, owner of Perth’s House of Hobby. Emilie shares how she went from graphic design to illustration to lounge-room workshops — and then took she the leap to buy an existing business during COVID. Emilie unpacks the pros and cons of stepping into someone else’s setup, why she moved from a mobile model to a dedicated studio to control the customer experience, and how she balances subcontracted creatives with in-house staff. You’ll hear candid lessons on innovating at the pace of social media, testing new offers (including flops), leading with clear, visual training, and handling feedback without taking it to heart. Emilie also reveals the power of a razor-sharp customer persona, the realities of rising costs, what to outsource first (hello, insurance broker), and the joy of building creative community. Tune in for practical, heartfelt insights you can apply to your own creative business. Connect with our guest! Find House of Hobby: Website: https://www.houseofhobby.net/ Instagram: @houseofhobbyau Facebook: House of Hobby TikTok: @houseofhobby Connect with our guest! Find Emilie Otto Art: Website: https://emilieotto.com.au/ Instagram: @emilieottoart Facebook: Emilie Otto Art YouTube: Emilie Otto Art Creative Business Spotlight: The Potters Market Website: https://thepottersmarket.com.au/ Instagram: @the.potters.market Facebook: The Potters Market

Erin, Renee and Kyah break down how Gen Z behaves online and what that means for creative businesses. Get practical tactics to reach younger audiences while staying authentic. This week on the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin is joined by Renee and our resident Gen Z voice, Kyah, to unpack how younger audiences actually show up online—and what that means for your creative business. We dive into platform habits (why Gen Z often prefers Instagram Reels over TikTok, how Facebook fits, and where YouTube sits), why short‑form video and fast hooks matter, and how to reach Gen Z without chasing every trend. Expect practical tips on storytelling that feels human, building trust through in‑person community, and why email marketing still punches well above its weight. We talk owning mistakes (and why that grows loyalty), what the algorithm really rewards, and where AI can help—or hurt—your brand’s authenticity. Plus, we explore generational differences in creative practice and how to keep your content fresh without losing your voice. Creative Business Spotlight: Common Ground Collective. You can find them on: Instagram: @cmmngrnd Facebook: @cmmngrnd Website: https://commongroundcollective.com.au/