Studio Notes
Podcast: Authenticity in Art: Katie Craig on Finding Your Voice, Building Community, and Avoiding Burnout
ChatGPT and Pinterest Courses for Sale - If you missed the live events, the recording and slides are for sale. Exclusively for Substack Subscribers - $40 each or $70 for both. Email theartcoachingclub@gmail.com to purchase. (Special deal for paid subscribers, scroll to bottom)
Founders Society on Substack - Check out the new page!
Good Morning Creatives!
When you’re starting a creative business, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the places you could spend your time and money. Should you splurge on high-quality supplies, build a stunning website, or invest in marketing? What about workshops, tools, or even coaching?
Here’s the truth: Not all investments are created equal. Every decision you make with your resources shapes the foundation of your business. The key is learning to invest strategically—choosing what will truly help you grow and create sustainability in the long run.
Time is Just as Valuable as Money
While financial investments are important, how you invest your time is just as critical. Are you spending hours scrolling social media when you could be developing your craft? Or working on admin tasks that a system could automate? Reflect on how you’re spending your time and ask, “Is this moving me toward my goals?”
Tip: invest in apps that save you time. If a $10 app can save you 10 hour of work a month, it is 100% worth the cost. One time-saving app I️ love is ChatGPT. It acts as a personal assistant and can help me research, proofread, and more! (Plus it’s free)
Now, let’s get into my three tips to help YOU decide what is worth investing in right now.
Tip 1: Ask Yourself “What Will Make the Biggest Difference in My Growth Right Now?”
Starting a creative business often feels like juggling a thousand priorities. But the key to growth is identifying what will make the biggest impact right now—not what seems urgent or trendy. For example:
If you’re struggling to attract clients, investing in marketing or refining your portfolio could yield immediate results.
If you’re unsure how to price your work or handle business logistics, professional coaching might provide the clarity you need to move forward.
If your creative process feels stagnant, investing in new tools or workshops could reignite your inspiration.
Ask yourself: “What’s the one thing I can focus on this month to create real progress?” Then, commit to it fully before jumping to the next goal.
Tip 2: Ask Yourself “How Can I Streamline Tasks to Focus on What Truly Matters?”
We all have tasks that feel important but drain our energy without moving the needle. Whether it’s endless email replies, managing social media, or organizing your studio for the tenth time, these can become distractions if not handled efficiently.
To streamline your workload:
Automate repetitive tasks, like scheduling social posts or sending invoices.
Batch work—set aside one day for admin tasks so you can focus the rest of your week on creating.
Outsource when possible. Hiring someone to handle shipping or website updates might free up your energy for what you do best: making art.
Remember, your time is one of your most valuable resources. Protect it fiercely so you can dedicate yourself to the things that truly matter. Invest in things that buy back this precious resource.
Tip 3: Ask Yourself “Am I Saying Yes to Opportunities That Align With My Goals—Or Just Staying Busy?”
It’s easy to say yes to everything when you’re starting out—commissions, collaborations, events, and projects that sound exciting in the moment. But not every opportunity is a good fit for your long-term vision.
Before saying yes, ask:
Does this align with the artist I want to be or the career I want to build?
Will this help me grow, gain exposure, or develop skills?
Is this opportunity worth the time and energy it will require?
Saying no to projects that don’t align with your goals isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. Every no creates space for the right opportunities to come your way. Plus, opportunities take money and time, by learning when to say yes and no, you are preserving those resources for other investments.
Takeaway for Today:
As you reflect on where to invest your time and money, start with these questions:
What will make the biggest difference in my growth right now?
How can I streamline tasks to focus on what truly matters?
Am I saying yes to opportunities that align with my goals—or just staying busy?
Here’s to making smarter, more aligned investments in your creative journey.
Warmly,
Hayley
Learn More:
In this week’s exclusive podcast for paid subscribers, I’m diving into the three things I’d prioritize when starting an art business. Plus, I’ve invited two incredible artists, Emma Katherine Treat and Amanda Petro, to share what they’d invest in if they were starting today. Their insights are as inspiring as they are practical—you won’t want to miss it.
Weekly Recs:
Some of the links included in my posts are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through them. I only recommend products and services that I truly love and believe will add value to your life or creative journey. Thank you for supporting my work—it helps me continue to create and share helpful content for our community!
ShopMy: if you are interested in affiliate marketing, this is my favorite platform. It’s so easy to use and can generate links with TONS of brands. Click here to sign up.
*Note: Affiliate marketing is rarely going to make you the big bucks, so in aligment with today’s topic, only do it if it aligns with your voice, enhances your brand, is enjoyable for you, and doesn’t take precious time and energy away from other, more important tasks.
I’m linking lots of makeup today because I️ just did a big Sephora haul during their sale and these are my favorites from what I️ purchased.
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Mini Molecular Repair Hair Mask & Oil Value Set - I️ bought this recently and it has made my hair feel so healthy and smooth even in the colder months when it tends to feel dry.
MERIT | Flush Balm Cream Blush - I️ just purchased the “Fox” color and it’s so versatile. It gives the perfect flush year-round. I️ recommend picking a shade that works for your skin-tone, but love everything about this brand. They truly make up 95% of my makeup routine.
The one part I️ don’t use them for is for a lip-liner. I️ just purchased this Patrick Ta lip crayon in neutral pink. It’s so subtle but just gives my lips a slightly plumped look. Highly recommend.
