What do you get when you cross retro vibes with ecological magic and throw in some seriously large paintbrushes? You get Kell Sunshine aka Kelly Spencer – and this conversation will leave you inspired to think bigger (literally). Kelly is a muralist, letterer, and illustrator from New Zealand who's spent 17 years creating vibrant work that celebrates the interconnectedness of all living beings. Her distinctive style features lush, retro-inspired colour palettes and flowing, curvaceous forms, oft...
Jul 01, 2025•36 min•Ep. 141
You know that feeling when you keep seeing the same artist's work in every shop? That's exactly what happened during my recent holiday - I kept spotting the same distinctive ceramics everywhere I went. The work was so recognisable and impossible to ignore that I knew I had to track down the artist behind it. That artist is Sophie Holt, an artist and illustrator with a real love for clay. Born in New Zealand but raised in The Netherlands studying Graphic Design, she returned to discover her roots...
Jun 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 140
Every quarter, I love doing a Q&A episode where I answer questions from the Brand Your Passion Collective community. This one's full of real questions from creatives who are probably wondering about the same stuff you are. In this episode, I'm talking about how to market your creative business offline (yes, there's actually life beyond social media!), what gets me out of bed every morning, where I find inspiration when I'm feeling totally stuck, how I actually manage to switch off from work,...
Jun 03, 2025•30 min•Ep. 139
Want to know why I'm so passionate about what I do? Because it honestly breaks my heart seeing incredibly talented artists with jaw-dropping work getting absolutely SQUAT in return - no recognition, zero visibility, and sales that don't match their true worth. In today's episode, I'm showing you exactly how to transform your creative business from completely overlooked and undiscovered to totally unforgettable through strategic branding. We'll cover the six critical elements that make a brand st...
May 20, 2025•12 min•Ep. 138
When I ask artists what they struggle with the most, it's almost always about social media - what to post that actually works, how to stand out in the noise, why someone would engage with their content over other creatives, and how to build a community of raving fans. Sound familiar? Today, we're going to talk about how to show up, stand out, and sell your work online with confidence, with something I like to call your YOU-SPs. You’ll learn what makes you and your creative work unique in a marke...
May 06, 2025•13 min•Ep. 137
How many times have you put "write brand values," "update logo," or "redesign website" on your to-do list only to keep moving it to another day, another week, another month, and on and on until it's at the bottom of the list, or deleted altogether? This happens to the best of us. As creatives, we all have so many things on our minds and our to-do lists that it's easy to keep pushing something that doesn't feel as “urgent”. But branding is urgent and important, and if you're reading this, I recko...
Apr 22, 2025•17 min•Ep. 136
Have you ever heard people tell you that you need your brand to be personal, and that your audience wants to know and connect with the person behind the brand? Sounds great in theory, right? But how do you know how personal to be? Should you be sharing what you had for breakfast even if it has nothing to do with your work? Or documenting every random thought that pops into your head? Where’s the line between relatable and TMI? Here’s the thing - yes, people connect with people, that's true. But ...
Apr 08, 2025•16 min•Ep. 135
Want the inside scoop on what it takes to thrive as an artist and creative business owner for 20 years? In today’s episode, I have the AH-mazing Hayley King (AKA FLOX) on the show where she shares her amazing journey from street art beginnings to building a thriving creative business with hand painted commissions, large scale murals, and producing seasonal luxury bag and personal stationery collections. Hayley opens up about building a business that stands the test of time, growing her team, set...
Mar 11, 2025•50 min•Ep. 134
Today, I've got a treat for you - I'm answering the exact questions you've been asking about building your creative brand. No fluff, just practical answers to your burning branding questions. In this episode, I'm tackling everything from what you genuinely need to launch your business (it's less than you think) to how to market consistently without playing chicken with burnout. These are real questions from real creative business owners, and I'm sharing straight-forward, actionable solutions. Th...
Feb 25, 2025•38 min•Ep. 133
In this episode, we're revisiting a fan-favourite (episode 108) with the wonderfully unique Meg Lewis, who's rewriting the rules of what it means to build a creative career. Meg proves you don't have to choose just one path. As a designer, comedian, performer, and educator (yes, even a clown! 🤡), they've built an incredible brand by being fearlessly themselves. Their magnetic personality has attracted major clients like Adobe, Pinterest, and Slack – all because they refused to fit into just one...
Feb 11, 2025•54 min•Ep. 132
Right now there are countless traumatic things happening around the world, multiple social media platforms are changing AGAIN, and our own lives have ups and downs every single day. We’re all just trying to keep up and keep going. Whether it’s things in your own life, your creative business, or the world, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by everything that’s going on. I know I’ve felt that, especially lately. You might be thinking… Where does your art fit in? Is there any point with everything ...
Jan 28, 2025•15 min•Ep. 131
If the thought of planning your content for Q1 makes you want to hide under your desk and take a nap, this episode is for you. Today, we’re throwing out all those complicated content strategies that make you want to curl up in a ball, and instead, we’re creating a simple, sustainable plan that actually works for artists. No more overthinking, no more content overwhelm, no more feeling like you’re on a hamster wheel of constant posting. I’ll show you how to create content that feels natural, conn...
Jan 14, 2025•22 min•Ep. 130
Ever found yourself responding to client messages at midnight? Or saying yes to a project that your gut is screaming no to? Or maybe you're feeling stretched thin trying to show up on every single platform? Here's what nobody tells you about building a creative brand - the stronger your boundaries, the stronger your business. In today's episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to set brand boundaries that protect your creative energy without pushing away opportunities. You'll learn how to decide w...
Dec 31, 2024•30 min•Ep. 129
Feeling a bit uncomfortable with all those year-in-review posts showing up everywhere, filled with impressive numbers and massive launches? I totally get it. As artists and makers, our growth looks different – the real magic often happens in moments that don't fit neatly into a spreadsheet. In today's episode, I'm sharing a different approach to year-end reflection that will actually feel good and capture the true evolution of your creative business. We'll explore how to celebrate progress that ...
Dec 17, 2024•16 min•Ep. 128
Oh my goodness, we did something totally different and SO exciting! For the very first time ever, Brand Your Passion went LIVE and in-person, and it was absolutely incredible! I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with two incredible artists - the amazing Pepper Raccoon and Emma Smith (you might know her as @steerIllustrations) for our very first live podcast recording. The atmosphere was electric - a room full of creative energy, real conversations, and that buzzing excitement that only h...
Dec 03, 2024•50 min•Ep. 127
Ready to transform your brand from 'meh' to absolutely magnetic ? In this episode, I'm spilling all the details about my Brand Magic Blueprint - the exact framework I use to help artists and makers turn their passion into a brand people can't help but fall in love with! I'm breaking down the 8 magical modules that'll take you from scattered to strategic in just 90 days, from discovering your brand's true purpose to crafting a personality that stands out, we're covering everything you need to bui...
Nov 19, 2024•18 min•Ep. 126
As an artist, maker and creative, do you wish you had a supportive community of fellow creatives by your side? You know those days when you're sitting alone in your studio, staring at your work, and wondering if anyone else in the whole wide world gets it? Those moments when you're second-guessing your prices, overthinking your latest design, or feeling totally stuck on how to grow your creative business? Over the past few months, I’ve been having heart-to-heart convos with creatives just like y...
Nov 05, 2024•26 min•Ep. 125
Are you stuck in “learning mode” and not taking action? We all struggle with it from time to time: learning without doing because hey, learning is exciting! I get it. One of my core values is to never stop learning. But there comes a time when learning more isn’t helpful; instead, it’s action-taking that you need to be doing. In this episode, I’ll share 10 quick, actionable steps - each taking just 15-30 minutes - that will help you fall back in love with your brand and get things moving. From d...
Oct 22, 2024•38 min•Ep. 124
You know what I admire even more than a creative chasing their passion and launching a business? A creative who knows when to spot the signs that it’s time to hit pause - or even pull the plug - when their business isn’t serving them anymore and getting back to the basics of creating purely for the love of it. That’s the real magic! And in this episode, we’re talking about just that with my guest, Kassy King. Kassy is a multidisciplinary creative, total arts-and-crafts dabbler, and a big-time fa...
Oct 08, 2024•44 min•Ep. 123
It’s no secret that I love collaborating with other artists. Not only will you make new friends and connect with other creatives like you, but you will also be seen by a whole new audience and expand your reach! What’s not to love?! In this week’s episode, I’m diving into the wonderful world of collaborations. We’re talking about: 🎨 Why you should prioritise collaborations if you aren’t already 🎨 The collaborations that have worked the best for me so far! 🎨 What kinds of collaborations you ca...
Sep 24, 2024•39 min•Ep. 122
Curious about what it takes to run a successful sticker club? Wonder no more! In today’s episode, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Itzel Islas, who’s here to spill what it's like running a successful sticker club and so much more! Itzel is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator originally from Tijuana, Mexico, now living in San Diego, California. Her work is inspired by Mexican culture, vibrant colour palettes and playful elements of everyday life. Her mission since 2016 has been to...
Sep 10, 2024•35 min•Ep. 121
Ready to turn your brand strategy into a brand IDENTITY? (aka make your brand not only feel and sound good but look good too?!). This step is absolutely crucial for any artist or maker looking to grow your brand. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the process of transforming your brand strategy into a cohesive brand identity that attracts the right audience and reflects your brand personality, and business goals. From how to gather inspiration to putting it all together into brand guidelines,...
Aug 27, 2024•28 min•Ep. 120
Today I have the privilege of speaking with the lovely Ellie Compton, who is an architect and artist who runs a Christchurch-based art studio called Maker of Chaos . Ellie collects people's life stories and weaves them into chaotic and whimsical worlds of art that encourage imagination and discovery. In this episode, you're going to learn how to make art competitions worth your time, get some tips and tricks for growing your following as a brand-new business, and the value of a complete brand ex...
Aug 13, 2024•43 min•Ep. 119
For people to buy your work, they need to be thinking about your work, and to be thinking about your work, they need to be AWARE of your work. So, are you ready to make your brand unforgettable and live rent-free in your ideal customer’s head? Look no further, cause in today’s podcast episode I’m sharing 20 game-changing tips for artists and makers to boost your brand awareness and get your ideal client thinking of you first . From revamping your bios, leveraging Pinterest, and the difference be...
Jul 30, 2024•45 min•Ep. 118
Today I have the pleasure of speaking with the extremely talented illustrator, Eliza Williams of Doolittle Illustrations. Eliza is a multi-disciplinary creative who specialises in illustration, animation and design, bringing a bit of colour into people’s lives. Her work takes on many different forms combining both digital and traditional mediums to create a colourful little world to escape to and explore. In this episode, Eliza shares her journey as an illustrator and talks about her experience ...
Jul 16, 2024•48 min•Ep. 117
Get ready for a blast from the past. This week we’re tuning back into one of our favourite episodes because it’s just too good not to share again and something that feels very relevant right now. That’s right, in today’s episode, we’re diving back into the big, beautiful world of brand values. In case you didn’t know it already, brand values are the backbone of your business – they guide your decisions, keep you aligned with your vision, and communicate to your audience who you are and what you ...
Jul 02, 2024•17 min•Ep. 116
Today we’re talking about DIYing your branding and how to know if you’ve nailed it, or… failed it. I’m diving into EVERYTHING you need to know to DIY your branding in a way that not only looks good but makes sense for your brand, your vision and mission, and your overall goals for your creative business. I want to help you remove the self-doubt and give you some practical steps to connect your brand strategy, brand identity and marketing in a way that feels good to you, attracts your dream clien...
Jun 18, 2024•21 min•Ep. 115
There’s no denying that marketing your creative business can at times be overwhelming and stressful. And as the sole person taking care of your business, you’re not only responsible for the health of your business but YOUR health too. In today’s episode, we’re talking about a topic that I’m very passionate about and quite frankly I think more entrepreneurs need to be talking about, and that’s the importance of prioritising your mental health as a creative. I’m breaking down 10 simple yet life-ch...
Jun 04, 2024•33 min•Ep. 114
As a creative, you know how exciting it feels to have a new idea, right? It’s intoxicating. It’s a rush. It’s why a lot of us do what we do. But what happens when that initial high wears off? How do you keep going when the exciting idea becomes a project, a commitment, a responsibility? In this episode, Lauren Tilden is going to tell us just that. Lauren is a marketing coach for small business owners who struggle with showing up consistently to market their business and is also the host of the p...
May 21, 2024•19 min•Ep. 113
Are you ready to grow your audience, attract new customers and get more building-building opportunities on repeat? This episode is where I tell you exactly how. We’re ditching the ol’ “throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks” approach and shifting our focus to something more powerful and actually useful … branding. We’re diving into how branding is the umbrella that ties together ALL aspects of your business from design and marketing to systems and growth. Plus how adopting a new approac...
May 07, 2024•22 min•Ep. 112
