142: Beyond the Basics: 5 Powerful Automation Tools for Entrepreneurs
Release Date: 05/30/2024
204: Inside Our Expo Strategy
The Professional Creative
Stepping into the Licensing Expo for the very first time was both exhilarating and intimidating. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of how we approached exhibiting at the world's largest licensing trade show in Las Vegas—from our earliest preparations to what happened after the doors closed. We didn't come with flashy campaigns or loud visuals. Instead, we showed up with clarity, intention, and a booth designed to feel like an extension of my studio—warm, welcoming, and rooted in story. We talk through how we turned doubt into confidence, especially in the face of...
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203: Prepping the Portfolio: Back to Our Roots
The Professional Creative
Before I ever signed a licensing deal or showed my work at a trade show, I had one thing—a portfolio. In this episode, I take you back to the roots of my very first handmade portfolio and walk you through how I’ve translated that same heartfelt essence into a new, fully digital version for today. This journey has come full circle, and I want to share not only the story behind my original bound book but also how you can create a meaningful online portfolio that feels like an experience. I open up about the emotional connection behind that first portfolio—how I bound it by hand, infused it...
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202: How We Celebrate Workiversaries: Moments Not to be Missed
The Professional Creative
Celebrating milestones might seem small, but the impact is anything but. In this episode, I’m sharing a peek behind the scenes at how we intentionally honor and uplift our team through something we call “workiversaries”—the anniversaries of when each person joined Team Bonnie Christine. These moments of recognition go far beyond just marking a date. They are powerful opportunities to pause, reflect, and celebrate the people who help bring our work to life. Even if you don’t have a team, I encourage you to celebrate the people who support you. Whether it’s a contractor, a friend, or...
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201: How To Organize A Weekly Newsletter: The Purpose Behind Our Template
The Professional Creative
Today, I’m sharing how I went from struggling to write regular emails to building a system that helps us send two value-packed newsletters with ease and joy. You’ll learn the purpose behind our two biweekly newsletters—“Secrets of the Studio” for surface pattern designers and “Beneath the Surface” for creative entrepreneurs—and how having a clear structure and cadence changed everything. I walk through the importance of defining your audience, creating intentional sections, and using a repeatable template to take the guesswork out of writing. With tools like Kit and thoughtful...
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200: The Role of Surveys: Shaping Our Business Strategies
The Professional Creative
As creative entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves wondering what our audience wants—what they’re thinking, needing, or hoping we’ll create next. In this episode, I share one of the most powerful tools we use to stop guessing and start knowing: surveys. You'll hear exactly how we ask meaningful questions, the specific ones we rely on, and how we design surveys that lead to clear and confident decision-making. The episode begins with a funny (and humbling) story about a yacht surprise gone sideways. It’s a lighthearted reminder of how important it is to ask the right questions before...
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199: How to Build a Thriving Membership Site featuring Stu McLaren
The Professional Creative
Stu McLaren is one of the most impactful mentors I’ve ever had, and I’m thrilled to bring him back to the podcast to talk about a topic that can completely transform your creative business: recurring revenue through membership sites. Stu’s course, The Membership Experience, was a game changer for me. It’s the only course I’ve ever completed on time, and it’s one I return to year after year. After taking it, my membership revenue shifted from unpredictable spikes to a steady, staircase-like pattern of growth. In this episode, we explore why recurring revenue is so...
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198: Inside Our Creative Spring: From Magazines to Memberships
The Professional Creative
After a little spring break, I’m back with a behind-the-scenes update on what’s been unfolding in our business and creative world. This season has been one of the most energizing yet, full of new ideas, bold moves, and heart-filled work. In this episode, I’m sharing what we’ve been working on, what’s coming next, and what you can look forward to on the podcast. It all started with a leadership retreat in January that sparked a fresh season of building, creating, and expanding. Since then, we’ve been deep in development mode, launching several projects that have been on my heart for...
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197: From Overlap to Ownership: Aligning Your Team for Success
The Professional Creative
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges that growing teams face: role clarity and alignment. When businesses start out, it’s natural for everyone to pitch in and wear multiple hats. But as the business grows, this all-hands-on-deck approach can lead to confusion, inefficiencies, and even burnout. That’s why today’s conversation is all about how to ensure that your team is working together with clarity, confidence, and a shared sense of ownership. I share a personal story that sparked my realization about the importance of communication; let’s just say it...
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196: The Structure That Supports Freedom: Why Your Business Needs an Operating System
The Professional Creative
Does running your creative business sometimes feel like a circus? You're juggling tasks, managing projects, and trying to keep everything in motion, while secretly wondering if there's a better way. In this episode, I’m sharing one of the most transformative shifts I’ve made in my business: implementing an operating system. An operating system isn’t just for big corporations. No matter the size of your business, having a structured framework helps bring clarity, alignment, and efficiency to your workflow. It can transform how you work, how your team communicates, and how your business...
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195: Building Trust: How to Empower Your Team to Take the Lead
The Professional Creative
Do you ever feel like your business is entirely on your shoulders, like every decision, deadline, and detail depends on you alone? I see you. I’ve been there too. But what if you could empower your team to not only take on tasks but truly own them—sometimes even doing them better than you? In this episode, we’re diving into the power of delegation and trust. I know firsthand how difficult it is to let go, especially when your work is deeply personal. But the reality is that refusing to delegate is the riskiest move of all. It keeps you stuck in a cycle of overwork and burnout, limiting...
info_outlineIf you're tired of drowning in a sea of repetitive tasks and ready to work smarter, not harder, this episode is for you. We'll explore how automations can revolutionize your workflow, allowing you to work less while boosting productivity and efficiency. From handling monotonous tasks to streamlining team operations, automation is a game-changer, and today I’ll show you how to harness its power in your business.
In my own journey, I've used automation tools like Searchie, ConvertKit, and Asana to transform our processes, but there's so much more out there. I’ll introduce you to five other automation tools you may not have considered, helping you identify routine tasks that could be automated to save you time and energy. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur, managing a team, or just curious about these incredible tools, you're in the right place. Plus, I’ll also discuss the importance of transparency when using bots to interact with customers, ensuring a seamless and honest experience. Get ready to embrace the amazing world of automation and take your business to the next level!
📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒
https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/142
Connect with Bonnie:
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▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide