Standout Creatives: Business, marketing, and creativity tips for solopreneurs launching their ideas

What if the story you’ve been holding onto is the one someone else has been waiting to hear?Marc Cordon and I had a great conversation about the upcoming Book Summit. It will be a creative space built for writers, not-yet-writers, and anyone who feels a tug to put their story into the world. If you’ve ever felt like your experiences aren’t “big enough,” or you’re nervous about sharing something personal, this conversation might shift something for you.We talk about why storytelling is such a powerful form of liberation, how writing in community can dissolve fear, and why personal stories, especially the ones about transition, liminality, and rebirth, resonate universally. We also dig into the anthology we’re creating together, the therapeutic nature of writing, and the collaborative energy that makes this summit feel different from anything else.This episode is an invitation to stop waiting for permission and start exploring the story that’s already living inside you.If you are interested in coming to the Book Summit. It is this Saturday December 13th at 1pm ET. You can read all about it here.HighlightsStories are a form of freedomWriting isn’t just an art. It’s a way to reclaim your voice.“Books, storytelling… that’s the new form of freedom and liberation.”Everyone is a storyteller (even if you don’t believe it yet)You don’t need a title to begin. You only need curiosity.“Everybody is a writer and a storyteller.”Community makes your writing strongerWhen you share in a circle, something shifts in you and in the people listening.“The fact that we can all hear and experience these stories together is what really makes it powerful.”Feedback forms connectionWhen people lean in to your story, you can feel it.“It’s really cool to see people at the edge of their seats leaning forward when it comes to you and your story.”Specific stories create universal resonanceThe more personal you get, the more people see themselves in your words.“The more specific you are… the more people will say, I see myself in your story.”Creation is a transformationSomething magical happens when you start with nothing and end with something only you could have made.“There’s an ebullience that happens when you leave with something you created.”Closing ReflectionIf you’ve been telling yourself you’re not a writer… consider this your gentle interruption.You don’t need a polished story.You don’t need a plan.You just need a spark. And if you’re feeling that nudge, the Book Summit and the Story Circle are the places to explore it. These spaces are designed to help you uncover your voice, shape your story, and feel supported every step of the way.If you’re curious about writing a book someday… come.If you want to share a personal story but don’t know where to start… come.If you want community, feedback, and a little creative courage… come.You don’t have to do this alone.Let’s see what unfolds when you step into a room where your story is already welcome.LinksBook SummitMarc Cordon

What if growing your business didn’t require grinding harder, but actually slowing down, tending to your nervous system, and building something that feels human and sustainable?Heidi Weiland is a holistic business coach and strategist who went from burned-out freelance web designer to someone helping entrepreneurs blend smart strategy with real self-care. Her work sits at the intersection of nervous system support, authentic marketing, and human-centered business. In this episode, she shares the turning points, hard lessons, and gentle reminders that helped her rebuild her business from the inside out.From Burnout to Real BalanceHeidi’s story starts where so many creative businesses hit a wall: doing everything, being everything, and pretending it’s fine until it isn’t. Burnout pushed her into yoga, deep self-care, and eventually a whole new way of supporting clients.“I got to a point where I was just so burned out. I didn’t know what to do with myself.”Try this: Check in with your body before you check in with your to-do list.Bonus: List three tasks draining your energy right now. What can be paused, delegated, or simplified?Human-Centered Business Isn’t OptionalFor Heidi, business work is human work. Your energy, your nervous system, your values are all the foundations.“Business should be human-centered. We are the foundation of everything we do.”Try this: Before taking on a new project, ask: Does this support the version of me I’m becoming?Bonus: Rewrite one boundary that needs strengthening in your business.Authenticity as the StrategyOne of my favorite things about Heidi is how simple she makes authenticity feel. It's not a branding exercise or a persona. It's just… you.“I’m me and that’s enough. That’s great, actually.”Try this: Notice a moment today where you filtered yourself. How would it feel to soften that filter?Bonus: Share something real with your audience this week: a story, a lesson, a moment.Blending Smart Strategy with Nervous System SupportHeidi’s approach is part intuitive, part tactical. She’ll talk funnels, then ask what your body is telling you. She’ll map your plan, then help you regulate so you can actually follow through.“Blend strategy with nervous system support.”Try this: Before planning your week, take three deep breaths and let your shoulders drop.Bonus: Choose one strategic task and break it into the smallest next step. Your body will thank you.Energy + Task AlignmentThis is where so many creatives get stuck. You can do the work. But should you?“What is sucking your energy? Are there tasks outside your zone of genius that we can shift?”Try this: Highlight everything in your business: green for energizing, yellow for neutral, red for draining.Bonus: Delegate or delete just one red task this week.Relationships, Referrals, and Being a Real HumanHeidi builds her business the same way she lives her life—through genuine connection.“Referrals are just what I call being in the world.”Try this: Reach out to one person you appreciate in your creative circle.Bonus: Share your work in one community space where you already feel comfortable.Key TakeawaysBurnout is often the doorway to a more honest business.Human-centered business leads to sustainable growth.Authenticity is your greatest marketing strategy.Your nervous system matters as much as your strategy.Alignment comes from knowing what energizes you.Relationships build stronger businesses than algorithms ever will.Ready to Grow Your Business Without Burning Out?Heidi’s journey is such a good reminder that you don’t have to choose between success and self-care. You can build something meaningful, aligned, and fully yours without sacrificing your wellbeing.If you’re ready to grow your creative business with more clarity and ease, book a free strategy session at TheStandoutCreatives.com. Let’s make your business feel more like you.

What if the secret to impactful design isn’t talent or aesthetics, but responsibility to your community, the planet, and the people you’re building for?As the co-founder of Reny, a certified B Corp agency, Ben Rennie has built his career around using design as a force for impact. The agency now works with global brands like Patagonia, Google, and Nike. But that wasn’t the starting line. Ben started as a self-taught designer, shaping his craft over time while developing a worldview anchored in responsibility, sustainability, and community.From Grassroots to Global ReachWhat began as a personal practice turned into a studio and eventually, a full-scale agency operating on a global level. Reny didn’t grow because it chased trends. It grew because it stayed grounded in purpose, credibility, and long-term thinking.Ben learned early on that visibility matters but alignment matters more. The work had to stand for something.“Design should make you feel something or change something.”Actionable Insight: Start with a clear vision, but be willing to evolve. Consistency over time is what creates traction in creative businesses.Bonus: Spend 10 minutes today identifying one small creative habit you can repeat weekly. Pick something so simple you can’t avoid doing it.Creative Control as a Business StrategyA big part of Reny’s staying power comes from creative autonomy. Instead of relying on outside permission or gatekeepers, Ben built the platform around ownership: of ideas, of impact, and of the process itself.That choice wasn’t just aesthetic. It was strategic.“Design isn’t just about things that look good. It’s about the impact they make.”When you control the work, you control the integrity.Actionable Insight: Identify one area of your creative process where you can step into full ownership even if it makes you uncomfortable.Bonus: Look up one independent designer or creative studio you admire and note how they control their platform.Building a Brand People NoticeWork this intentional doesn’t spread by accident. Rennie put in the reps through strategic marketing, community-building, positioning, storytelling, and showing up where the right audience gathers.Actionable Insight: Commit to being visible. Start small: post, publish, share, and see what resonates.Bonus: Engage with at least 5 people in your audience this week. Not “posting at them” but actually interacting with them.Balancing Work While Building the VisionNone of this happened overnight. There were years where the agency grew in the margins — nights, early mornings, pockets of time between responsibilities. Creative entrepreneurship is a long game, and Ben understood that early.“It’s a long-ass marathon, not a sprint.”That mindset of patience + forward motion became their competitive advantage.Actionable Insight: Block out a small, consistent window of creation each week. Bonus: Use a single 20–30 minute session to plan your one creative priority for the week.What Ben’s Journey Teaches UsPassion might start the work, but persistence finishes it.Design is both a craft and a lever for change.Creative control requires boundaries and leadership.Brand recognition is earned through consistency and clarity.Growth comes from being visible, not waiting to be discovered.Bringing It All TogetherBen didn’t wait for permission. He built his own lane — project by project, conversation by conversation, collaboration by collaboration. His story is proof that you don’t have to jump early to land big. You just have to stay committed long enough for your work to matter.Want help growing your own creative business?If you’ve been sitting on an idea: a creative project, a business, a new direction, but don't know where to start, I'm offering a free strategy session to help get you on track.Just sign up at TheStandoutCreative.com

You ever get that gut feeling to do something wild — the kind that makes zero sense on paper but just feels right?That’s how this Substack Live with Heather Vickery started.Heather’s a Joy Warrior: coach, retreat host, and professional permission-giver for anyone tired of living by other people’s rules. We talked about what it means to lead with joy, why curating your circle matters, and how trusting your gut can lead you places your brain never would’ve approved of.It was a great conversation even with the tech hiccup in the middle.Finding Clarity in Creative SpacesWe dove into the power of community and collaboration. Heather calls it the “collective mind” — drawing on the energy and ideas of others can spark some of your most innovative work.But we did agreed that having too many ideas without a filter can be overwhelming. Boundaries aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential for clarity and focus.Heather: “I take intentional pauses to reflect on what truly serves me.”Me: And I realized that I do the same thing, but in a different way — sifting through inspiration, holding onto the ideas that really line up with my goals, and letting the rest fall away.Try this: Notice one idea or opportunity you’ve been juggling. Which one actually lights you up? Which feels like busywork?Bonus idea: Give yourself permission to drop the rest, even temporarily. Creativity isn’t a sprint.Vulnerability, Leadership, and Showing UpOne thread that kept coming up was vulnerability and how stepping away from the need to always “lead” opens space for listening, growth, and deeper connection.Heather and I talked about the energy shift that happens when you let go of perfection, or the pressure to have all the answers:“Joy isn’t a reward at the end of the journey,” Heather reminded me. “It’s the fuel that gets you there.”I shared my own experiences with creative retreats and live conversations — feeling energized, humbled, and reminded that showing up authentically often leads to the richest insights.Try this: Reflect on one area where you feel pressured to perform or lead. How could leaning into vulnerability actually make the experience richer?Bonus idea: Take a small action this week that’s just for the joy of it, without any expectation.Embracing Uncertainty and Rule-BreakingWe also explored the “messy middle” — the uncertainty that comes with growth, creativity, and breaking rules that no longer serve you.Whether it’s stepping into a new project, a retreat, or just saying yes to curiosity, Heather reminded me that growth often lives in that uncomfortable space.“Just because you can do it all doesn’t mean you should do it all.” Try this: Look at one area where you’re following a rule just because “that’s how it’s done.” What would happen if you rewrote it for yourself?Bonus idea: Journal about what your ideal day, project, or connection would look like if you removed the pressure to perform.Listen InThis Substack Live was full of gentle nudges:Joy is your compass.Connection is a creative practice.Boundaries and reflection are part of the process.Trusting your gut and embracing uncertainty can spark your best ideas.So whether you’re navigating your own creative projects, curating your circle, or just figuring out how to live with more ease, Heather and I unpacked ideas that remind us to start with joy, trust the process, and lean into what energizes us.Closing ReflectionWhat would shift if you let joy lead the way instead of waiting for it?If that resonates, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment, share a reflection, or just sit with the question for a moment. If you want to explore how leading with joy and authenticity could shape your life or work, I’ve got a few spots open. Book a free session and we can unpack what’s waiting on the other side of the “rules”.

What if your next event didn’t have to feel overwhelming? What if it could actually be aligned, intentional—and even profitable?Heather Black is here to show you how.She’s the founder of Phoenix Collaborations and has spent 25 years in the event world, helping solopreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits turn events and speaking gigs into meaningful, money-making opportunities.In this episode, Heather shares her signature S.O.P. method for event planning, breaks down what it really takes to host events that work, and gives practical advice for those of us who are already feeling maxed out. If you’ve ever wanted to share your message on a bigger stage—but the logistics have held you back—this is your starting point.From Chaos to ClarityHeather knows how easy it is to get lost in the weeds of event planning. With so many moving parts, it's no wonder people give up before they even start. But she believes events don’t have to be chaotic. With a clear strategy and a plan that fits your goals, events can become a major part of your business growth.“Event planning is easy if you give yourself the right runway. But if you try to take a Boeing 747 off on a runway for a Cessna 180, it will not be pretty.”Try this: Map out what a successful event looks like for you—what would you want people to walk away with?Bonus idea: Write down your biggest fear about hosting or speaking. Then write a plan to work around it.The S.O.P. MethodHeather’s signature approach helps mission-driven entrepreneurs move from idea to action using three key steps:Strategic – Align the event with your goals and create a clear plan.Organized – Use checklists and timelines so you know exactly what to do and when.Profitable – Make sure it’s actually worth your time and energy by tracking expenses and revenue.Try this: Think of your next event idea. What would make it feel more doable?Bonus idea: Break it into phases—planning, promotion, delivery—and focus on just one at a time.The Power of 1:ManyWhether it’s hosting your own event or speaking on someone else’s stage, Heather is a big believer in the power of connecting with many people at once. It’s a visibility tool, a trust-builder, and a major income generator when done well.“When it comes to being a speaker, I kind of break the speaking engagement down into three phases: the spark phase, the flame phase, and the ember phase.”Try this: Make a list of 3 topics you’d love to speak about. These can turn into workshops, talks, or even content for an event.Bonus idea: Reach out to one podcast, community, or group you’d love to speak to. Just start the conversation.Why Events (Still) MatterIn a world where we’re all glued to screens, events offer something different—connection, presence, and real-time transformation. But it doesn’t have to be fancy. Heather reminds us that even small, focused gatherings can make a huge impact.“Just be your authentic, fun self, whatever that looks like. Don’t get in that box that says we have to do it this way.”Try this: Think small. What’s one micro-event you could host—online or off?Bonus idea: Invite 3–5 people to a mini workshop or Q&A. Keep it simple, and focus on connection.Quick Recap:Events don’t have to be overwhelming when they’re aligned with your goals.Strategy, organization, and profitability are the keys to making events work.The power of 1:Many helps you expand your reach without burning out.Small, focused events can have a big impact.A clear plan beats a big production every time.You don’t need to do it all—you just need to do what matters.Ready to Bring Your Event Idea to Life?Heather’s story is a reminder that events and speaking don’t have to feel stressful or out of reach. With the right support, they can be the thing that unlocks the next level of your business.If you’re ready to get clear, organized, and actually follow through on that event or speaking idea—let’s talk.Book a free strategy session at TheStandoutCreatives.com.We’ll figure out where to start and how to make it feel like you.

Today is my 40th birthday so I wanted to do something a little different.I started thinking about what I’m grateful for, so I wanted to bring back the idea of my gratitude journal to celebrate.Here are 40 things I’m deeply grateful for, broken down into themes that matter the most to me.Personal Relationships This is where everything starts.My wife, Anita — she’s my favorite person, a creative sounding board, and my biggest cheerleader.My dog, Pookie — he never lets me down, is a master of napping, and the cutest thing you’ll ever see.My family — laid the foundation for my growth and let me dream about weird, wonderful, things.My Friends — people who’ve cheered me on, created with me, and cared about me.Creative business friends who just get it — it’s a special kind of magic when people speak the same language.'Jeff Wirth, Matt Moeller, Lauren Morris — for introducing me to improv, and creating amazing spaces to explore creative storytelling.All my collaborators — whether we made a zine, recorded a podcast, or just worked on fun creative projects. And a special shoutout to Marc Cordon, my Creativity Parties partner in crime.The Central Florida Fruit Society — for turning me into someone who geeks out about pineapples and permaculture.Jacques Ho and Stephanie Graham — Amazing accountability partners, wildly creative humans, and even better friends.Creative Work & ExpressionThe stuff that lights me up from the inside.My podcast — and everyone who’s tuned in, shared it, or sat down to record. Your creativity inspires me.Captivate + Riverside — two platforms that make it possible to connect with people from across the world.My Substack — and the beautiful weirdos who read along, reply, and remind me why I write in the first place.That spark when an idea turns real — from random scribbles to something I can share with the world.Helping other creatives launch — it’s such a gift to help someone spread their joy and creativity with the world.Discovering new ideas on the fly — some of my best breakthroughs didn’t come from thinking harder, just from thinking out loud.Past-me, who quit but never gave up — even when things got hard, you still kept the spark alive.My notebooks — half-thoughts, doodles, dreams, and reminders that messy is magic.Vision & Life GoalsZooming out a bit and get a bird’s eye view.This slow-building path to Costa Rica — for teaching me how to follow a dream step by step.The idea of mountain life — simpler, slower, closer to the Earth and living among the plants.Creating a life driven by curiosity, not just productivity — this one’s a work in progress, but it feels good.Freedom to try things — even if they don’t "make sense" on paper.Designing a business that feels like me — something real. Not some copy and paste formula like everyone else.Non-hustle income streams — because I love creative work, but I don’t want to live in burnout mode anymore.Tools, Tech & Tiny MiraclesA love letter to the behind-the-scenes magic.The internet — for letting me meet people who change my life without leaving my desk.Notion and ChatGPT — my digital brains that keep track of everything.Zoom — for all the deep, soul-filling chats that happened in tiny boxes.Podcasts — as a medium, an art form, and the great equalizer in media.TidyCal — the unsung sidekick that makes creative connections happen on time.Spotify playlists — music that holds my focus, lifts my moods, and fills the blank spaces.Learning & GrowthBecause learning doesn’t end when you finish school. It’s a lifelong pursuit.30. Valuing the power of “I don’t know yet” — I follow curiosity wherever it leads me.Finding strength in my quiet voice — because louder doesn't always mean right.Embracing depth over expansion — go deeper instead of wider with your ideas and exploration.Seeing failure as a rough draft — failure is a step in the process, not the end.Not needing to prove myself — creation itself is often its own reward. Don’t let others tell you otherwise.Celebrating creativity’s quirks — every medium can be a canvas to explore. Let’s have fun with it.Geeking out on marketing — it’s really about the art of connection. Don’t sweat it so much.Recognizing rest as a strategy — rest is essential fuel for the creative mind.The Little Joys in LifeTiny things and big feelings.Every delicious thing I’ve eaten recently — I could write a second list just about food.That first sip of coffee in the morning — it’s still one of the greatest joys in life.And you — yes you, reading this right now. Thanks for being part of this journey.That’s all 40. I could keep going because gratitude has no end.But I’ll try to remember this list when things get tough. It’ll remind me why I do what I do.Thanks for sticking with me. I’m grateful you’re along this ride with me.What would be on YOUR gratitude list?I'd love to hear about the people, moments, or tiny miracles that light you up. Drop a comment or send me a message. Let's celebrate what matters!Thanks for reading Standout Creative Business for Authors! This post is public so feel free to share it.