Business of Being Creative with Sean Low - podcast cover

Business of Being Creative with Sean Low

I’m Sean Low, and I’ve been lending practical business advice to those in the business of being creative since the early 2000s, including accomplished notables such as Preston Bailey, Vicente Wolf, Nate Berkus, Sawyer Berson, Style Me Pretty, Marcy Blum, Michelle Rago, and Sylvia Weinstock--to name a few. The key to my own success has been my ability to help artists build their businesses in a way that most honors the art that is behind them. I’ll give you straight up, no holds barred advice on handling what happens from deal to done. The journey with your client begins when they first connect with you, whether digitally or in real life. And from that moment until the project is finished, you have the power to manifest an experience and journey with them that’s transformative for all. Everyone should be creative. Whatever your art is, it should invigorate you and bring you joy. And if it happens to be your business, it should bring you the money you need to KEEP being creative. Hopefully, I will challenge you each week to do just that. So, let’s not just think outside the box… Let’s erase it!
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Episodes

Episode 218: What Is Your One Thing?

At the end of the day, you need permission to do what you do as you would do it. The one thing you have to have to create. Let’s talk about Sunday dinner. Original Episode Number : 103 | Original Air Date: 6/14/2022 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Have your own opinion on Sean’s tips and advice? Talk Back!! Email Shawn or record a voice message directly through his show’s site ! Link: Join Sean’s Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media...

Jul 08, 202513 minEp. 218

Episode 217: Choosing What To Measure

Since the dawn of the industrial age, if we can measure it, we will. For creative business, those standards are and will always be amorphous. How do you value an idea? Let’s talk trains and clocks. Original Episode Number : 61 | Original Air Date: 7/20/2021 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Have your own opinion on Sean’s tips and advice? Talk Back!! Email Shawn or record a voice message directly through his show’s site ! Link: Join Sean’s Collective of Busi...

Jul 01, 202515 minEp. 217

Episode 216: The Intention Reception Paradox

Just like governments do not run like businesses, so too does creative businesses not look like other businesses. All too often what would be expected in business, is not true for creative business — say the customer is always right, being hungry and scrappy always works and, of course, price matters above all else. Enter the intention/reception paradox. Listen in… Original Episode Number : 24 | Original Air Date: 10/20/2020 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative...

Jun 24, 202520 minEp. 216

Episode 215: Integrity

Integrity means getting paid to ask better questions and being willing to live with the answers. Sound cryptic? It is not. Listen in for my explanation. Original Episode Number : 114 | Original Air Date: 11/8/2022 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Have your own opinion on Sean’s tips and advice? Talk Back!! Email Sean or record a voice message directly through his show’s site ! Link: Join Sean’s Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: I...

Jun 17, 202513 minEp. 215

Episode 214: Proaction

What does it mean to be proactive? How often do you practice being, well, you? Let’s talk brain surgery. Original Episode Number : 49 | Original Air Date: 4/27/2021 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn | Twitter: @SeanLow Have an opinion on Sean's tips and advice? Talk Back!! Email Sean. -- Podcast Network: The Wed...

Jun 10, 202516 minEp. 214

Episode 213: Gender and Race

Art does not see color or sex; clients do though. As with all things creative, how can the business story compel your art to move beyond bias? To do that though you will need to allow conversations to happen as you see them and remove the “get to yes” mentality. Maybe not a solution, but it is a start and definitely worth a conversation. Listen in… Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Have your own opinion on Sean’s tips and advice? Talk Back!! Email Shawn or r...

Jun 03, 202524 minEp. 213

Episode 212: When You Assume…

If you start a line of reasoning with a presumption, you can only go one way. For most creative businesses, the presumption makes no sense so you can only go the wrong way. The old saying is true, when you assume, you make an…oh you know the rest. Original Episode Number : 127 | Original Air Date: 6/20/2023 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebo...

May 27, 202512 minEp. 212

Episode 211: Entrepreneurship

I define entrepreneurship as being convicted enough to be relentless in having others believe as you do. This permeates everything a creative business is all about. Let’s talk about Chobani Greek Yogurt. Original Episode Number : 73 | Original Air Date: 10/26/2021 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn | Twitter: @Se...

May 20, 202515 minEp. 211

Episode 210: The Four Transitions That Define Creative Business

Every creative business has four transitions: Potential Client To Actual Client, Idea To Design, Design To Production, Production To Reveal. As with all one-way valves, if they are leaky, things are going to go afoot, often drastically so. Enter Diana Prince. Listen in… Original Episode Number : 14 | Original Air Date: 8/11/2020 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanL...

May 13, 202518 minEp. 210

Episode 209: Contracts

A contract is when your business talks. Do you want to shout? Whisper? Or pretend you are not talking? How about you just tell a story? Original Episode Number : 101 | Original Air Date: 5/31/2022 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn | Twitter: @SeanLow Have an opinion on Sean's tips and advice? Talk Back!! Email S...

May 06, 202515 minEp. 209

Episode 208: The Importance Of Your Core

The impact your work as a creative business will have and the places you might take it depend on your core and consistency between your business and your artistry. The frog and the scorpion comes to mind. Original Episode Number : 91 | Original Air Date: 3/15/2022 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn | Twitter: @Se...

Apr 29, 202513 minEp. 208

Episode 207: Understanding Herbie And The Importance Of The Theory Of Constraints To Creative Business

You would not think an operations management book would be so critical to the success of a creative business. After all creative businesses do not produce widgets. Process is process though and if you are not appreciating bottlenecks and motion, you will likely invest in the wrong solution. Enter Herbie and the cub scout hike. Listen in… Original Episode Number : 29 | Original Air Date: 11/24/2020 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collectiv...

Apr 22, 202526 minEp. 207

Episode 206: Macro and Micro

The world is upside down so I better react by screaming louder and compromising more. Except you only want ten clients. How about you become more specific, not less? Original Episode Number : 120 | Original Air Date: 2/7/2023 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn | Twitter: @SeanLow Have an opinion on Sean's tips an...

Apr 15, 202517 minEp. 206

Episode 205: Dignity

As a creative professional, you see what others do not. It is why you get paid. You try to lead those you seek to serve with a guiding hand. And yet. When those around you refuse your direction what are you to do. Let’s talk about Leona Helmsley. Original Episode Number : 88 | Original Air Date: 2/22/2022 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook...

Apr 08, 202514 minEp. 205

Episode 204: How Do We Come Together?

We live in a world of validators, franchises and even networks. Duncan Hines, McDonald’s and The St. Regis. What if we created a different kind of consortium for creative business? Would we all be able to play nice in the sandbox and change the way clients make their choices? What would the world look like if we did? Original Episode Number : 47 | Original Air Date: 4/13/2021 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Talk Back Guest: Carl Clemetson of Hometown Elega...

Apr 01, 202521 minEp. 204

203: Perfect Egg Reprise

So you want to start something new or continue going on a new endeavor. How do you go about thinking about whether it makes sense to start and/or keep going? Remember The Perfect Egg. Original Episode Number : 139 | Original Air Date: 12/5/2023 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn | Twitter: @SeanLow Have an opinio...

Mar 25, 202513 minEp. 203

202: The Next Mega Brand

All artists want to leverage their creative business. Most use influence and/or product to get where they want to go. They all want to be the next mega brand, the next unicorn. What if, instead, it was about community, connection, and intimate relationships? Let’s talk Marth Stewart and Shop My Porch. Original Episode Number : 54 | Original Air Date: 6/1/2021 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on ...

Mar 18, 202520 minEp. 202

201: Tony Hsieh’s Legacy

Delivering Happiness shows what it means to change thinking and to solve a different problem. It also shows the power of scarcity, relationship and purpose. Zappo’s is the story that resonates louder today than ever. Listen in… Original Episode Number : 31 | Original Air Date: 12/8/2020 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | ...

Mar 11, 202523 minEp. 201

200: The Importance Of Structure

A slinky stretched out down the stairs is the same toy as the one sitting on the shelf unless you bend or break a rib. So too your creative business. Structure is everything. Original Episode Number : 130 | Original Air Date: 8/1/2023 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn | Twitter: @SeanLow Have an opinion on Sean'...

Mar 04, 202512 minEp. 200

199: A New Way To Introduce Employees To Your Business

Creative businesses are busy. Many are seeking new employees as they grow. The question is what do you do when they show up? Teach tasks or show culture. Let’s talk Herbie, Think Again, Loonshots and video diaries. Original Episode Number : 76 | Original Air Date: 11/23/2021 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn | T...

Feb 25, 202518 minEp. 199

198: Living In Wonderland

Creative business is all about the irrational, the ephemeral, the desire for other. It is the business of hope and transcendence. How you get from challenge to solution is of course a trek through the unknown. Welcome to Wonderland. Original Episode Number : 45 | Original Air Date: 3/30/2021 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low....

Feb 18, 202517 minEp. 198

197: Do You Want To Learn Another Language?

Clarity. Nuance. Exposition. Chameleons can do any of these because they are too busy being Chameleons. Let's explore what it means to dig deeper holes. Original Episode Number : 116 | Original Air Date: 12/6/2022 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn | Twitter: @SeanLow Have an opinion on Sean's tips and advice? Ta...

Feb 11, 202518 minEp. 197

196: Creative Ways To Improve Client Experiences

The fluency of creative business is ever on order today. Design, Production, Installation/Reveal are the stages every creative business inhabits. The path forward remains with the opportunity for exposition. Simply, how do you get better at being memorable. Let’s talk Blow Pops. Original Episode Number : 57 | Original Air Date: 6/22/2021 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagra...

Feb 04, 202519 minEp. 196

195: Metrics Of Success, Community And Zappo’s

In today’s world, we are what we measure. We hear it all the time now — data analysis, big data, consumer preferences, artificial intelligence and computer learning to show us what we see, feel and even touch. What does that mean for your creative business? Umm, everything. If experience is what you truly sell, then making sure that you define the success of that experience in your own iconic way is crucial. Enter metrics of success, the coffee table idea and Zappo’s. Listen in… Original Episode...

Jan 28, 202523 minEp. 195

194: What Makes For Great Client Management?

We have all experienced the utter toxicity of an out of control client. What makes for great client management? Easy — Knowing the 4 transitions and living the 3Ws. Original Episode Number : 96 | Original Air Date: 4/26/2022 Links & Resources: Link to Sound File for Visually Impaired: Click Here Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn |...

Jan 21, 202515 minEp. 194

193: Start With What You Are Not

Storytelling requires engagement and imagination. If you lay it all out there you rob me of my ability to dream. Let’s talk about fairness, no more no less and being the adult in the room. Original Episode Number : 85 | Original Air Date: 2/1/2022 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn | Twitter: @SeanLow Have an opi...

Jan 14, 202517 minEp. 193

192: Communication And Evolving Clarity Of Expression

All creative businesses are actually in the information and communication business far more than they are in the making stuff business. Understanding how communication tools have grown — from hieroglyphics to Zoom is critical to recognize the future that awaits for creative business. A quick trip through the past century of communication tools is a great place to start. Listen in… Original Episode Number : 23 | Original Air Date: 10/13/2020 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business o...

Jan 07, 202520 minEp. 192

191: The Power Of Community

Most people think about their creative businesses as singular not communities. What a missed opportunity. Let’s talk about JazzWire and Shop My Porch. Original Episode Number : 107 | Original Air Date: 7/26/2022 Links & Resources: Link to Sound File for Visually Impaired: Click Here Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: JazzWire Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/Sean.Low.35 | LinkedIn...

Dec 31, 202413 minEp. 191

190: Conversation with Bernadette Smith — Expert In Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Author of Inclusive 360

Bernadette and I discuss all things DEI and its impact on all business, creative and not. We talk about opportunity and change and the desire to be human. We also talk about forgiveness and being anti-cancel culture. Original Episode Number : 71 | Original Air Date: 10/12/2021 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's Collective of Business Creatives Guest: Bernadette Smith Follow Sean on social media: Instagram: @SeanLow1 | Facebook: Facebook.com/...

Dec 24, 202440 minEp. 190

189: Talent, Wisdom and Experience

To be successful in creative business, you have to get paid for your talent, wisdom and experience. But what does that mean? In fact, what does each of talent, wisdom and experience mean? And why do they need to go together with the glue of resilience, conviction and faith? The answer is in the question, Is it art or the creation of art? Listen in… Original Episode Number: 36 | Original Air Date: 01/26/2021 Links & Resources: Host: Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative Link: Join Sean's...

Dec 17, 202415 minEp. 189
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