Have you ever dreamed of having a mentor with years of success to guide you through your creative business journey?
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tun...
195: Building Trust: How to Empower Your Team to Take the Lead
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 your impact and slowing your growth. If you want to step into true leadership and scale your business, you have to build a team that doesn’t just support you, they lead alongside you. I share my own turning point, when I realized I couldn't keep carrying everything alone. By implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and building clear accountability structures, my team started thriving. In this episode, I walk you through the exact framework I use to empower my team, including: Defining roles clearly with an accountability chart Starting small to build trust gradually Setting clear expectations using 90-day goals (or “rocks”) Holding weekly check-ins to maintain progress and solve challenges together Celebrating wins because recognition fuels motivation When you put these strategies into place, you create a business that runs efficiently, a team that feels empowered, and the freedom to focus on the work that truly lights you up. If you’re ready to take action, I’ve also created a Delegation Checklist to guide you step by step. Download it from the show notes at theprofessionalcreative.com. Let’s build a business where trust and leadership go hand in hand. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/195 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide
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194: How to Get the Most from an Online Course: 8 Steps to Crossing the Finish Line
Have you ever started an online course with the best intentions: excited, motivated, and ready to learn, only to lose momentum along the way? You’re not alone! In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to not only start an online course but actually finish it strong. Whether it’s a creative workshop, a business training, or a deep-dive into a new skill, the key to success is in how you approach the journey. Online education has played a massive role in my personal and professional growth, and I know firsthand that focus is the hardest part. That’s why I’m sharing the exact 8 steps I use to cross the finish line on any course I take. These steps will help you stay motivated, create a plan, and make sure your investment, both time and money, is put to good use. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/194 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide
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193: The Simple Practice I Never Skip
In today’s episode, we’re diving into the transformative power of gratitude and how developing a simple gratitude practice can reshape your mindset, spark creativity, and guide you through life’s challenges. I share personal stories about how gratitude helped me through some of my most overwhelming times, including the early days of building my creative career. Gratitude doesn’t just happen—it’s intentional. I explain how pausing to reflect on what we’re thankful for can shift our perspective from what’s missing to what’s abundant, creating a foundation for joy and resilience. I also share my own daily practice, which involves setting aside a few moments each morning to journal about what I’m grateful for, specific moments of growth, and even the challenges that have shaped my journey. I talk about how gratitude has not only influenced my personal growth but also my work as a creative and an educator. Hearing stories from students whose lives have been transformed through surface pattern design fills me with gratitude and reminds me why I love doing this work. To help you start or deepen your own gratitude practice, I’ve created a free printable gratitude prompt. This tool can help you build a daily habit that’s simple yet impactful. As we’re in the middle of the launch for Surface Design Immersion, I’m feeling immense gratitude for this community and for every student who has joined or is considering joining. If you’ve been on the fence, I encourage you to take the leap—there’s room for you in this creative space. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/193 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide
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192: How to Create Beautiful Color Palettes
Today, I’m sharing how to create beautiful and cohesive color palettes—an essential skill for any surface pattern designer or creative. My favorite source of inspiration? Nature. Endless combinations await discovery all around us, from the hues in a sunrise to the intricate details of a flower. Creating color palettes can be a joyful and intuitive process. I’ll guide you through my four-step method: observing colors in your environment, capturing inspiration through photography, extracting colors digitally, and refining your palette to ensure balance and harmony. This approach brings depth and meaning to your work, transforming simple observations into palettes that feel authentic and connected to your creative voice. You’ll also learn tips for selecting tones, incorporating neutrals, and evoking emotion through color. Finally, I’m excited to invite you to my free workshop, Your Pattern Design Playbook. This workshop, running through February 19th, will help you map out your first collection and explore ways to create income from your art. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/192 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide
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191: The Secret to Getting the Most Out of Any Online Workshop
Attending a live workshop can be a powerful and transformative experience, but how you show up makes all the difference. In this episode, I’m sharing six practical strategies to help you get the most out of any online event, whether it's a course, workshop, or webinar. I know how easy it is to sign up with great intentions, only to let life get in the way. That’s why I’ve put together this step-by-step plan to help you stay engaged, focused, and ready to absorb all the value. Here’s what we cover: Mark your calendar. Treat the workshop like an unmissable appointment with your future self. Scheduling your time in advance ensures you prioritize learning. Create a distraction-free zone. Remove digital temptations, silence notifications, and prepare to take notes. Minimizing distractions will help you absorb more. Know the flow. Understand the schedule, lesson length, and key live sessions so you can plan accordingly. Being aware of the structure helps prevent falling behind. Find an accountability buddy. Just like having a workout partner, learning alongside someone else keeps you motivated, engaged, and accountable. Stay on track (or don’t stress if you fall behind). Life happens, and missing a lesson doesn’t mean you should stop showing up. Keep going and take advantage of replays. Connect to your why. Before starting, get clear on why you’re attending. Dig deeper—what’s your big goal? Understanding this will fuel your commitment. If you’re currently attending my free Your Pattern Design Playbook workshop, these tips will help you make the most of it! And if you haven’t joined yet, there’s still time! Head over to bonniechristine.com/workshop to grab your free spot. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/191 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide
Have you ever dreamed of having a mentor with years of success to guide you through your creative business journey?
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tune into The Professional Creative podcast with your host, Bonnie Christine. With over 14 years of experience as an artist, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Bonnie brings genuine warmth and actionable advice to your journey as a creative professional.
Tune in each week to get inspired and discover how the days of struggling to succeed as a creative are over.
Each episode is designed to help you GROW no matter what phase of the journey you’re on. From overcoming creative challenges to learning how to promote your work, you’ll learn how to take your passion to the next level and see SUCCESS. If you’re an aspiring professional creative or already on the entrepreneurial journey, you’ll hear about the latest marketing trends, best business practices, and inside tips from a longtime designer—all to help you grow your business like a boss!
Welcome to The Professional Creative podcast.
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