San Francisco is famous for its hills. And a couple of years back early one morning, I was on top of my favorite hill, Tank Hill. At the time I was living in the Mission, so Tank Hill was the closest (and least crowded) hill from my house. But it was my favorite because of […]
Molly the Maker
Do you create and sell a physical product to your customers? Then this post collection will help do it on the legal up and up!
How to do a legit launch (+ FREE product launch checklist)
The first time I launched a product I was so nervous. Product launches are a roller coaster of emotions. You slave away in your little corner. And finally, you create a product that you are really proud of. And then you hit publish and hope and pray that other people see the value of your hard […]
Learning the Ropes: Tara Gentile
I’ve had a business crush on Tara Gentile for a long time. As a fellow nerd, I love that she openly talks about her own nerdiness. But the real reason I continue to follow Tara is for her approach to giving business advice. She doesn’t deliver one-size-fits-all advice or shiny quick fixes. She expects you […]
How to legally deal with copycats (+ avoid the rage spiral)
One day you are going to open up your email to find a message from a friend/fan/client/buyer saying: “Congrats!” I just saw your work on Art Print Site. I didn’t know you were being featured over there. It looks great! “Psst!” did you know that Etsy Store Name is using your photographs? Since it’s not […]
Learning the Ropes: Damon Powell
Have you ever walked into a building and it felt like you’d been there a million times before? That was how I felt when I walked into Warehouse 416 a few years back. I assumed I’d been there a few times before during Oakland Art Murmur, but it just felt like home. And for the […]
Learning the Ropes: Meighan O’Toole
the artist’s Courtyard Resource Create a Contract Course Get access to a course designed to help you finally ditch the annoying, selfish clients. By creating a contract that you (and your clients) love. Get the course I can remember sitting and reading Meighan O’Toole’s old art blog, my love for you. It was the summer […]
Do you need a legalese translator for your creative business?
For the past eight years, I’ve had the same black, beat-up, dog-eared dictionary on my desk. I totally admit that using a physical book rather than an online version is old school. But I find the physical aspect of pausing, flipping to the entry, and reading it so helpful. There are times that in that […]
Learning the Ropes: Alyson Stanfield
I first learned about Alyson Stanfield almost nine years ago via Google. I turned to Google because I was helping curate an art show. It was the first show I was taking an active role in the curation and promotion process. And I didn’t want to look like a total idiot when talking to the […]
Are you like the Wizard of Oz and fail to show yourself?
Do you remember being drawn into the wonder of the Wizard of Oz? I can vividly remember watching the Judy Garland version of the Wizard of Oz as a little kid. The Wicked Witch of the West and those flying monkeys terrified the crap out of me. Even sitting here writing this, thinking about them […]
Learning the Ropes: Jordan Brantley
Jordan Brantley and I have never met IRL, but we’ve got one of those serendipitous online friendships. We both were watching and tweeting along to one of Tara Gentile’s CreativeLive classes. I can’t remember which of us started the conversation, but we connected that day. And after a few Twitter conversations, we started exchanging emails. […]
2 factors to consider when you are afraid someone copied you
Likely one of your biggest business fears is waking up to an inbox full of emails letting you know that someone is selling a knockoff product. It’s enough to derail your entire month and send you into a rage spiral. And you’ll consider a host of ways to retaliate: shaming her online getting a lawyer […]
Learning the Ropes: Monica Lee
I don’t remember how Monica Lee and I first met, but she interviewed me for Smart Creative Women almost three years ago. Monica is one of my idols at infusing herself into her brand. And her new accessories line is a perfect example of her skill in doing this. Just looking at her products tells […]