Permission to Pivot: Building a Sustainable Creative Business with Jeanetta Gonzales
Release Date: 05/13/2026
From The Vault: How to find joy when times are tough with Sophie Cliff
Building your Brand
Over the Summer I've curated a mini series of some of my favourite episodes from the podcast so far. We revisit old episodes that have stayed rent-free in my brain! So whether this episode ends up being new for you or you get to enjoy it again years later, I hope you find it helpful. We can all agree that the last few years have been a bit of a rollercoaster. Running a small business is hard work at the best of times but throw a double whammy of an unprecedented pandemic AND a recession into the mix and finding joy falls to the bottom of our (very long) to-do lists. If you're nodding...
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From The Vault: How women can build financial stability with Davinia Tomlinson
Building your Brand
Over the Summer I've curated a mini series of some of my favourite episodes from the podcast so far. We revisit old episodes that have stayed rent-free in my brain! So whether this episode ends up being new for you or you get to enjoy it again years later, I hope you find it helpful. How do you feel about money? If you're anything like me you might have a chequered history with your business finances and, let's face it, that rarely feels good. In today's empowering episode I chat with the award-winning founder of rainchq who is on a mission to help women take control of their...
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From The Vault: Getting the legal elements of your brand in order with Ingrid Fernandez
Building your Brand
Over the Summer I've curated a mini series of some of my favourite episodes from the podcast so far. We revisit old episodes that have stayed rent-free in my brain! So whether this episode ends up being new for you or you get to enjoy it again years later, I hope you find it helpful. In this episode I chat to Ingrid Fernandez who is a freelance consultant lawyer and I quiz her all about what small businesses need to do to be legal compliant in the UK. She has lived and breathed commercial law for 10 years, working for both Magic Circle and boutique law firms. But she decided it was time...
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From The Vault: Brand Personality and Email Marketing with Liz Wilcox
Building your Brand
Over the Summer I've curated a mini series of some of my favourite episodes from the podcast so far. We revisit old episodes that have stayed rent-free in my brain! So whether this episode ends up being new for you or you get to enjoy it again years later, I hope you find it helpful. The Fresh Princess of Email Marketing, Liz Wilcox is an Email Strategist and Keynote Speaker showing small businesses how to build online relationships, package up their “magic” and turn it into emails that people want to read and (more importantly) purchase from. In the span of 5 years, Liz grew and sold a...
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From The Vault: How to use journalling in your business with Sasha Glasgow
Building your Brand
Over the Summer I've curated a mini series of some of my favourite episodes from the podcast so far. We revisit old episodes that have stayed rent-free in my brain! So whether this episode ends up being new for you or you get to enjoy it again years later, I hope you find it helpful. In this episode I speak to Sasha Glasgow of Frank + Feel. Sasha classes herself as a writer, doubter and doer. Even though she's been writing in some form from the age of eight, she only started calling herself a writer last year - a rebellious act against her self-doubting nature. She's an avid journaler and...
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From The Vault: Weaving Play Into Life and Business with Emma Worrollo
Building your Brand
Over the Summer I've curated a mini series of some of my favourite episodes from the podcast so far. We revisit old episodes that have stayed rent-free in my brain! In this episode I chat to Emma Worrollo who has created Playful Den. Emma is an expert in the theory of play. Play is one the most natural human states we long to be in. But the journey to the adult-side is full of social conditioning and expectations which make us lose touch with our inner child. We forget how to play. We start feeling awkward about being silly. And somewhere in the process our dreams can start to seem childish...
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From The Vault: How Madlug Is Using Bags To Impact Lives With Dave Linton
Building your Brand
Over the Summer I've curated a mini series of some of my favourite episodes from the podcast so far. We revisit old episodes that have stayed rent-free in my brain! I’m always inspired by stories of purpose-driven businesses. In this episode, I sit down with Dave Linton, founder of Madlug; a brand that proves business can be a force for good. Dave’s journey from youth worker to social entrepreneur is filled with lessons on resilience, clarity of mission, and the power of a simple story. Whether you’re building a brand or just looking for a spark of inspiration, I hope this conversation...
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Taking a Summer Break and Curating the Best of the Podcast
Building your Brand
I’m taking a little break from the podcast this summer, but that doesn’t mean your feed will be empty! In this solo episode, I share why I’m stepping back from new episodes for a few months, how I’ve handpicked some of my favorite early interviews to re-release, and what my summer looks like as a self-employed parent. I hope this inspires you to find your own balance and enjoy a slower pace over the next few months. Key Takeaways Embrace the Power of Pause. Sometimes, stepping back is the best way to move forward. Allow yourself space to recharge and return with fresh energy...
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Unlearning Adulthood and Finding Creative Joy with Meg Lewis
Building your Brand
One of my favourite people to chat with about life and creativity is Meg Lewis. We often go deep into how we perceive the world, and in this episode, we talk about success, failure, and how to return to the fun and joy we experienced as children. Meg helps adults to undo, unlearn, and un-grow up so they can reconnect with their authentic selves before societal norms made things a bit too predictable. We explore how to dismantle the constructs of shame and why it is important to challenge what we consider "normal" in our careers and personal lives. Key...
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My Atomicon Speaking Experience: The Good, The Nerve-Wracking, and the Lessons
Building your Brand
In this debrief episode I take you behind the scenes of my experience at Atomicon 2026, one of the UK’s leading marketing conferences for small businesses. This year was my first time speaking, and I recorded this episode the day after getting back to make sure everything was still fresh in my mind! Three years ago I went to Atomicon for the first time I remember thinking how much I would love to speak at the event, and now, after years of honing my public speaking skills and building my business through podcasting, that dream has become a reality. I share about the atmosphere at Atomicon,...
info_outlineIn this episode, I chat with Jeanetta Gonzales a multidisciplinary artist, illustrator, surface pattern designer, and mentor to creatives . Jeanette shares her journey from the early days of graphic design (pre-internet!) to building a thriving career in art licensing and coaching .
We dive deep into the emotional side of creativity, discussing how to overcome imposter syndrome, why we often seek "permission" to follow our dreams, and how to spot the early warning signs of burnout .
If you need permission to REST this is the episode for you!
This episode is sponsored by Ivy Malik. Ivy has created a free training to help you understand how higher-paying clients actually think, behave and buy, so you can attract and sell to them more confidently. If you want sales to feel more natural (and less awkward), head to lizmosley.net/Ivy to watch the free training.
Key Takeaways
The Confidence Connection: Most creative blocks; whether they relate to portfolio building or pitching, are rooted in a lack of confidence and the feeling of not being "good enough".
Permission is Personal: Many creatives stay stagnant because they are waiting for external permission to take the next big leap. Recognizing that you have the power to give yourself that permission is the first step toward action.
Creativity and Life are Intertwined: Unlike data-driven roles, creative work is deeply influenced by personal life events. It is essential to nurture your environment to protect your creative output.
Recognizing Burnout Early: Learn to identify when your creativity "nose dives" as a signal to rest before you hit total exhaustion.
Episode Highlights
- 04:02: Navigating the "dot-com bomb" of 2000 and surviving economic uncertainty in the creative industry.
- 06:55: The most common struggles Jeanetta sees in her 10 years of coaching artists.
- 09:42: Why we look for "permission" and how a coach provides a safe space for creative growth.
- 13:50: Practical advice for working through a "funk" or a period of low creative confidence.
- 15:59: Identifying the "alarm bells" of burnout and the importance of rest.
- 19:10: How to handle comparison and "negative voices" from the past that hinder your current work.
About the Guest
- Website: jeanettagonzales.com
- Instagram: @nettdesigns
Mentioned in the Episode
- Ivy Malik: Sales coach and mentor (Free training at lizmosley.net/ivy ).
- UCLA: Where Jeanetta attended art school
- Software Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and the "old school" Freehand and QuarkXPress
End Credits
I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @lizmmosley or @buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!
This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!