Letters From A Hopeful Creative

Just Jen here today popping into your feed to share 3 free resources with you that I hope can be a dose of encouragement and support in your business in this season.📞 The Simple & Spacious Hotline + listen to the first responses here, here, and here🎙 Listen to Simple & Spacious Stories🖥 Register to join me for my free workshop: The Three Brave Decisions To Bring More Simplicity, Spaciousness, & Financial Stability Into Your Business This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

A short and sweet solo episode from Jen today to encourage you to run your business in a way that truly works best for you and some gentle ways you can tap into support from Jen in your business this month too. Get the Design Your Part Time Business Model Toolkit sent to your inbox for freeSubmit your Q for the office hour - deadline is Wednesday 23rd AprilFind out more about Your Simple & Spacious Business + join the waitlist This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

Jen here today to share the audio of a recent coaching session from inside her group program all about the rules & norms we have permission to opt-out of in our business.If you feel overwhelmed by all of the noise and ‘should dos’ and are craving doing business in a way that feels sustainable, joyful, and aligned for you - this episode is for you. And if you’d love to never do business alone again and join Jen inside Your Simple & Spacious Business: Doors are now open with early-bird pricing until Sunday 2nd February.Would you love some encouragement and support in your business? Submit your letter for an upcoming episode here.More from SaraMore from JenLetters From A Hopeful Creative is produced by Sonics PodcastsPhoto credit: Unsplash This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

In today’s episode Jen dives into eighteen questions covering topics such as making space for the needs of your health in your business, moving from 1:1 to 1:many work, marketing and messaging, preparing your business for starting a family, aligning your offers with your capacity and more.If you’d prefer to watch a video with timestamps of each question you can find that here.And if you’d love to have guidance, encouragement, and support every step of the way in bringing more freedom, ease, and intentional growth into your business and never feel stuck or alone again in your journey you can join Jen inside her program Your Simple & Spacious Business before doors close soon on Friday 1st November. * Submit your letter for an upcoming episodeLetters From A Hopeful Creative is produced by Sonics Podcasts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

Do you currently feel overstretched, burned out, or like there’s not enough space for your needs and your humanness in your business? If so, today’s episode is for you.We’re doing things a little differently today and sharing an interview Jen did on one of her favourite business podcasts, Off The Grid, where the wonderful host Amelia asks Jen some really insightful questions around reshaping her business to truly work best for her, how to stop building burnout into your business, plus why fluctuating income in business is so normal and Jen’s approach to gentle and human marketing too. Join Jen for her Revitalise Your Marketing workshopGet Jen’s free Simple & Spacious Deep Dive Kit sent straight to your inboxListen to more Off The Grid episodesMore from SaraMore from Jen This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

In today’s episode we dive into listener questions all about Instagram - from building engagement up, feeling hopeful and excited about the platform again, coming back after a long break, adapting to creating more video content, whether to use hashtags anymore and lots more.Join Sara for her Instagram Summer SchoolWould you love some encouragement and support in your business? Submit your letter for an upcoming episode here.More from SaraMore from Jen This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

In today’s episode we dive into this letter from a listener:Please can you talk more about the failure/success connection and how we can pick ourselves up and move past the failures when we’re struggling with our confidence and self belief? In today’s episode Sara and Jen dig into their relationship with failure in their business, why highs and lows are normal in this journey, and how to hold ourselves through the emotional rollercoaster along the way.Would you love some encouragement and support in your business? Submit your letter for an upcoming episode here.Find out more about Sara’s The Insta RetreatFind out more about Jen’s gentle mastermind for small business owners: SteadyMore from SaraMore from Jen This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

In this episode we catch up for spring and dive into what’s been going well in our businesses, what we’ve been finding challenging in this season, and what we’re working towards in our businesses right now too.If you’d love to listen to a really honest chat between two business besties, we recorded this episode for you.Links mentioned:Sara has some availability for 1:1 clientsGet 100 Hell Yes People - Jen’s new free toolkitAnd Jen’s group program, Your Simple & Spacious Business, is open for enrolment until Friday 24th May if you’d love to never do business alone againAnd you can listen to Jen’s interview on the Off The Grid podcastWhat Jen’s simple and spacious workweek looks likeWhat Jen’s learned about running a gently thriving group programLaurel Denise plannersDr BeckyAnd our inbox is open for new letters for upcoming episodes if you’d love our encouragement and support in your business This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

In today’s episode we dive into this letter from a listener:How do you handle navigating the grief of feeling like your chronic illness has held you back in so many ways - and yet know that there's nothing else you'd rather do? I have so many ideas, so many things I want to create, and yet with my health recently being so challenging at times, I've found myself feeling stuck in the grief of not getting to do everything I want to in the timeline that I want to, and feeling like people often pip me to the post when it comes to creating new things. To the outside world I look like I create & do a lot - but in my messy internal world I often feel like I'm playing catch up and people around me are creating similar ideas to my own far quicker than I'm able to.In this episode we dig deep into this question, share our own lived experienced as chronically ill humans, and how we try and find peace, joy, and acceptance in taking our business journey slower and gentler along the way.This episode is for anyone who feels like you have to take your business journey slower than you sometimes wish you had to - whether that’s because of chronic illness, caregiving responsibilities, or just not being a human being who thrives at a go-go-go pace.Join us on SubstackWould you love some encouragement and support in your business? Submit your letter for an upcoming episode here.More from SaraMore from JenLetters From A Hopeful Creative is produced by Sonics Podcasts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

In today’s episode Jen dives into twelve questions covering topics such as buiding your business in a way that honours your energetic needs, prioritising your goals with intention, routines and habits to work less and still get your important work done, simplifying marketing, recovering from burnout and more. If you’d prefer to watch a video with timestamps of each question you can find that here. And if you’d love to have guidance, encouragement, and support every step of the way in bringing more freedom, ease, and intentional growth into your business and never feel stuck or alone again in your journey you can join Jen inside her program Your Simple & Spacious Business before doors close soon on Friday 9th February and there’s also an awesome 1:1 coaching bonus if you join by Friday 2nd.* Letters From A Hopeful Creative Substack* Submit your letterLetters From A Hopeful Creative is produced by Sonics Podcasts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

In today’s episode, for our last episode of 2023, we’re diving into four listener questions covering stepping into a new arena in our work, feeling lonely in our business, structuring our days with intention, and the main challenges we’ve seen others and ourselves overcome in our business journey too. And today is the last day to join The Substack Soirée for the Christmas class!* Letters From A Hopeful Creative Substack* Submit your letter* More from Sara* Sara’s Substack* More from Jen* Jen’s Substack* Get Jen’s Deep Dive KitLetters From A Hopeful Creative is produced by Sonics Podcasts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

In today’s episode we dive into this letter from a listener:Despite having a chronic illness, I show up fully to my clients - so how can I explain that I am 100% there for my clients at the times I make for them - but also be real about the reality of days where I can't even muster to have a shower? How can I share, in my communications - that I can be both of these things, all at once?- BoIn today’s episode we dive into this question, share the lessons we’ve learned about putting our needs on the table in our business, and our encouragement for anyone who fears their humanness is an inconvenience in their work.And Jen’s group coaching program to support you to bring more freedom, ease, and intentional growth into your work and life, Your Simple & Spacious Business, is now open for enrolment if you’d love to never do business alone again. And there’s also an awesome 1:1 coaching bonus available if you join by Wednesday 11th October - you can find out more this way. And Sara’s The Substack Soirée will be opening again very soon too. * Letters From A Hopeful Creative Substack* Submit your letter* More from Sara* Sara’s Substack* More from Jen* Jen’s Substack* Get Jen’s Deep Dive KitLetters From A Hopeful Creative is produced by Sonics Podcasts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com

In today’s episode we dive into this letter from a listener:I am writing you from probably the lowest point I have encountered in my creative journey.This year has been hard for me. I feel a bit lost in my business and so so tired. I have been making pottery for over a decade, selling for about 6 years and working full time as an artist for 2. And the struggle just never ends. I feel like I am pushing a rock up a hill and I keep waiting for the incline to level out so I can coast a little. I keep waiting for that break: for that post or feature that brings thousands of new people to my page, for the grant to be approved, for the gallery show to happen, for my community to establish… I am just desperately needing some ease from the grind. I am so grateful for the growth I have had. I am grateful to be selling my work after years and years of building that confidence, I so grateful for the kind words and support from my customers. I am also very privileged that I am partnered with a wonderful supportive husband who has a secure job and salary that we can rely on when sales have been dropping the past year due to inflation and economic anxiety. I am so lucky… but I am also starting to really lose confidence in myself.I am simply running out of stamina.As I see other businesses and accounts pop up around me and grow with such ease (of course I know I am only seeing the surface of these experiences) I can’t help but wonder if I just am not good enough as an artist… or if I am just too idealist. Or really I am just complete s**t at the marketing? My vision isn’t what sells quickly and I don’t want to stray from my aesthetic. I don’t want to play the trending social media games, I am too tired and those honestly aren’t the least bit inspiring to me. I know I need to shift what I am doing because social media based sales just aren’t working for me anymore, Instagram is no longer a place I feel inspired by and want to be spending my time. I just feel so lost and am not sure what my next steps should be.There is an other aspect to this too I need to throw in and would love to get your advice on: last year I was diagnosed with ADHD. I started using a light medical dose to help with this condition and it did wonders for my executive function. I felt like for the first time I was really getting my business, finances, schedule, all the little pieces that slip through the cracks under control! As I am writing this I am newly pregnant and desperately struggling with fatigue. Because I can no longer take medication it has thrown me for a loop and I feel more disoriented than ever before. I catch myself wasting hours of the day distracted from tasks. I am trying to study more information on ADHD and develop new strategies for coping. The more I study, the more “ah-ha” moments I have. I believe my ADHD has been a much bigger barrier in operating a business and managing a social media account than I was aware of.I apologize this is a lot of different elements (and I realize this letter is probably now long enough to be disqualified from being answered!) but I know Sara has been so open with her ADHD and you both experience chronic conditions that make you experts in running a business with varying levels of energy. You seem like the perfect people ask for guidance in this time. How can I right this ship and get back on track while this pregnancy is wrecking havoc on my emotions and energy? Are there any resources for creatives with ADHD you recommend Sarah? I would love to know more about your experiences transitioning into motherhood especially as my transition is coming at a time where I was already struggling with so much self doubt in my identity as an artist. I am a bit frightened right now to be honest.Thank you so so much for considering this letter.- Insecure, distracted, AND expectingIn today’s episode we dive into this question, share our encouragement for when you find yourself running out of stamina in your business, why we believe honouring our humanness first is so important, and how we’ve both navigated seasons like this in our own business journey too.* Letters From A Hopeful Creative Substack* Submit your letter* More from Sara* Sara’s Substack* More from Jen* Jen’s Substack* Get Jen’s Deep Dive KitLetters From A Hopeful Creative is produced by Sonics Podcasts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lettersfromahopefulcreative.com