The Artrepreneur Diaries

The Artrepreneur Diaries

di Ashley Maese
Stagione 1
NYC, Dance & the Power of Community
In this episode, I sit down with Kensie Keele, a professional dancer who shares her journey from a small town in North Carolina to the fast-paced world of New York City. We talk about what it really takes to pursue dance as a career, the power of creative community, and how finding your people can change everything. From training at the CLI Conservatory to performing in NYC, Kenzie opens up about confidence, collaboration, and staying grounded in the hustle. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to TAD 03:03 Kensie Keele: A Journey into Dance 06:03 The Leap to New York City 08:54 Training at CLI Conservatory 12:09 Finding Confidence in Dance 14:55 Joining Akompany: A New Chapter 18:01 The Importance of Community 20:58 First Performance in NYC 24:10 Exploring Commercial Dance 26:47 The Power of Creative Collaboration 29:51 Creative Influences and Toolbox 32:46 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations
Music for Healing, Collaboration, and Building Community
In this episode of TAD, I sit down with Nicole, an artist, songwriter, and entrepreneur who left the corporate world to pursue her creative passions. We dive into the power of music as a tool for healing, the magic that happens through collaboration, and the importance of building a supportive creative community. Nicole opens up about her journey from poetry to songwriting, the challenges of sustaining a creative career, and what it truly means to live authentically as an artist. We also discuss overcoming burnout, discovering your creative voice, and the everyday practices that fuel inspiration. Plus, she shares her vision for SK, the creative community she’s cultivating. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to TAD 01:27 Introducing Nicole: The Corporate Turned Artist 02:44 Defining the Entrepreneurial Artist 04:28 The Evolution of Swartkat Studios 06:34 The Importance of Collaboration in Art 08:16 From Poetry to Songwriting 10:21 The Healing Power of Music 12:14 Authentic Creative Living 14:29 Practicing Songwriting and Singing 17:09 The Collaboration Process in Music 20:44 Challenges in the Artistic Journey 23:34 Overcoming Burnout as a Creative 25:40 Advice for Aspiring Creatives 29:05 Creative MVPs and Inspirations 31:35 Essential Tools for Creativity 33:13 Future Aspirations for SK 35:31 Connecting with Nicole
Cultural Transitions & Storytelling: Jana Tolmie's Film Journey
In this episode, I chat with filmmaker Jana Tolmi about her journey from South Africa to Canada to Paris and how these cultural transitions have shaped her creative perspective. We dive into storytelling, casting, networking, and the importance of embracing uncertainty in the film industry. If you're a filmmaker or creative looking for inspiration, this one's for you! Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Artrepreneur Diaries 01:01 Jana's Journey: From South Africa to Paris 04:12 Cultural Transitions: Adjusting to New Environments 10:45 Exploring Film: Jana's Experiences in Paris 14:09 The Influence of Culture on Storytelling 18:40 Casting: Bringing Stories to Life 20:46 Networking and Breaking into the Industry 23:34 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers 25:28 Embracing Uncertainty in the Next Chapter 27:23 Creative Inspirations and Resources
Acting, Filmmaking, and the Power of Storytelling
In this episode of TAD, I sit down with actress, writer, and founder of See Beyond Studios, DebbieAnn. We dive into her journey into acting and filmmaking, how motherhood has shaped her creative path, and her mission to create more opportunities for diverse voices in the industry. DebbieAnn shares the challenges and triumphs of breaking into Hollywood, the power of theater in storytelling, and the business side of being a creative entrepreneur. We also discuss her latest project, It Takes Ah Village, and she offers invaluable advice on networking, scriptwriting, and financial planning for creative ventures. If you're looking for insight on balancing creativity, business, and self-belief, this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss! Chapters 00:00Introduction to Creativity and the Guest 01:12Debbie Ann's Journey into Acting and Filmmaking 04:33The Impact of Motherhood on Creative Pursuits 07:05The Power of Theater and Performance 10:28Representation in the Creative Industry 15:00Creating C Beyond Studios and Its Mission 16:59Debbie Ann's TV Show: It Takes a Village 21:08Breaking into the Entertainment Industry 22:35Finding Financial Support for Creative Projects 24:25The Importance of a Great Script 28:03Networking and Collaboration in the Creative Industry 30:27Learning the Craft: Understanding Film Production 33:27Balancing Business and Creativity 35:58Advice for Aspiring Creatives 39:32Future Projects and Focus on Acting 41:34Creative Inspirations and Tools for Success
Finding Healing: From Therapy to Pottery
Join us in this episode of TAD as Melissa, owner of Lemon Balm Ceramics, discusses her journey of grief and how she turned it into a meaningful business. We discuss the transformative power of art, the cathartic process of creating, and the journey of transitioning from a mental health career to a creative business. Melissa shares her experiences with grief and burnout and the importance of maintaining passion and integrity in her work. The conversation highlights the significance of finding creative outlets for emotional expression and the challenges of pricing art. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to TAD 00:57 Art as a Tool for Healing 05:07 The Journey of Melissa: From Mental Health to Pottery 09:37 Finding Catharsis in Creativity 14:17 Navigating the Transition to a Creative Career 19:08 The Emotional Impact of Creating Meaningful Art 22:17 Maintaining Passion and Integrity in Business 24:20 Curating a Creative Community 31:20 Navigating the Market Landscape 35:34 Building Relationships Over Marketing 40:58 Taking the First Steps in Creativity 45:01 Lessons Learned Along the Journey 47:44 Celebrating Community and Support
Capturing Love: The Journey of a Wedding Photographer
In this episode of TAD, we explore the joy and art of capturing love with wedding photographer Amy Susnjara. We discuss the journey of turning a passion for photography into a successful business, the importance of storytelling in capturing moments, and the challenges faced in pricing and marketing. Amy shares her experiences, insights on learning and growth, and the significance of connecting with clients to create authentic and memorable photography. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Artrepreneur Diaries 01:47 The Art of Photography: Capturing Love 02:14 Amy's Journey: From Passion to Profession 04:07 Learning and Growth in Photography 07:55 Defining Photography Style and Storytelling 12:03 Memorable Shoots: Connecting with Clients 14:54 Diverse Photography Niches 17:09 Navigating Business Challenges in Photography 20:27 Building a Portfolio from Scratch 22:46 Balancing Art and Business 25:05 Marketing Strategies in a Competitive Industry 25:32 Building a Client Base Through Authentic Connections 30:00 The Power of Social Media and SEO in Marketing 35:49 Navigating Challenges in Wedding Photography 40:57 Advice for Aspiring Photographers 46:04 Finding Inspiration and Tools for Success
Welcome to the Artrepreneur Diaries
Welcome to TAD! I'm so excited to kick off this journey with you. Stick around to see all the cool things coming... Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Artrepreneur Diaries 01:17 Ashley’s Creative Journey and Background 03:10 Defining the Creative Entrepreneur 04:11 Wake-Up Moments and Reality Checks 05:53 Expectations for the Podcast 08:39 Personal Insights and Community Engagement 12:01 Advice for Creative Growth