The Creative Business Community Podcast

Community, Craft, and Mental Health

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, hosts Erin Madeley and Ronnie Motroni chat about the powerful link between creativity and mental health. In a world of fast-paced living and doom scrolling, we explore how making with your hands slows you down, boosts dopamine, lowers stress, and helps you drop into that restorative “flow” state. From pottery, knitting and scrapbooking to makeup, gardening, cooking, Lego and even rearranging your furniture, they unpack why creativity is for everyone—not just “arty” types—and why the process matters far more than a perfect end result.
You’ll hear:
Practical ways to swap your phone for a short, creative moment
How boredom and repetition build neuroplasticity and better problem-solving
Gentle permission to start small, not finish every project, and keep some things just for you
Tips on finding community—DIY craft clubs, workshops, online groups
Budget-friendly supplies from op shops and Kmart
Personal stories of burnout, recovery and using creativity as a genuine antidote to stress
Tune in for science-backed insights, real talk and easy habits to help you feel calmer, more present and more inspired—one small creative act at a time.
 
TED Talk on How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas with Manoush Zomorodi:https://youtu.be/c73Q8oQmwzo?si=lbkM-oGkois-w975 
This week's Creative Business Spotlight: Fremantle PotteryInstagram: @fremantlepotteryStocked at Common Ground Collective in Fremantle

Shampoo Bars With Heart: Building Margaret River Made

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin sits down with Tracey, founder of Margaret River Made — a natural skincare and haircare brand born in Margaret River and now based in Perth. Tracey shares how a love of plants, sustainability and wellness took her from soap-making to salon-quality shampoo and conditioner bars, including a chemo-friendly formula created for a friend, and an anti-dandruff bar that transformed her own scalp health.
We dive into what it takes to build a values-led brand: choosing effective, nature-inspired ingredients, why pH matters for skin and scalp, proteins that protect colour (hello, quinoa), and the blend of botanicals and green chemistry behind her products. Tracey opens up about navigating her husband’s life-changing accident, scaling production without losing soul, and the moment she stepped away from wholesale to obsess over an exceptional direct-to-customer experience. Expect candid lessons on branding, markets, websites, team-building, and the number-one rule: don’t give up.
By the end, you’ll have practical, no-fluff takeaways on choosing smarter ingredients, protecting coloured hair with bars, simplifying sustainable packaging, and crafting an unboxing experience that keeps customers coming back. If you’re keen to build a values-first brand without burning out, this one’s for you. Press play and let’s dive in.
Tracey's Favourites:Anti Dandruff Shampoo BarMaya PerfumeHyaluronic Acid & Kiwi Seed Face Cream
Creative Business Spotlight: The Mulberry Pig. You can find them on:
Instagram: @the_mulberry_pigFacebook: @mulberry_pigWebsite: https://themulberrypig.com/ 

Talk About What You Do — with Confidence

This week on the Creative Business Community podcast, we’re diving into how to talk about what you do—with confidence, not arrogance.
Struggle to answer “So, what do you do?” without cringing? This episode gives practical ways to talk about your creative business with confidence—without tipping into arrogance.
If you’ve ever stumbled over “So, what do you do?”, felt the pinch of imposter syndrome or Tall Poppy culture, or downplayed your creative work as “just a hobby”, this one’s for you. Erin and Ronnie share simple tips for accepting compliments, a practical way to build your elevator pitch, and tips for tailoring your answer to different audiences — whether you’re at a market, a meeting or a networking event.
We also unpack how to show up online authentically (face, voice or even just hands), why sharing wins — big and small — matters, and where to draw the line between honest transparency and oversharing. You’ll hear real-world examples, mindset reframes, and confidence boosters that help you take up space without feeling salesy.
Tune in for permission to own your expertise—and the tools to talk about it with ease.
 
Mentioned in the show: Drew Awfualo: Instagram: @drewafualoNatterdoodle: Instagram: @natterdoodles
Creative Business Spotlight: Jotterbook Flowers. You can find them on:
Instagram: @jotterbookflowersFacebook: @jotterbookflowersWebsite: https://www.jotterbookflowers.com/ 

Making Internships Work for Creative Small Businesses

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin is joined by Renee and intern-turned-team-member Kyah to explore how internships can supercharge creative businesses. We dive into mentoring styles that spark confidence and creativity, the real-world pace of marketing beyond uni, and smart ways to use AI without sounding robotic.
You’ll hear how the team tackles newsletter fatigue, brainstorms better ideas, and leverages cross‑generational perspectives to reach younger audiences (hello, student happy hour). We unpack practical steps for hosting interns ethically and effectively, from setting clear objectives to building portfolios, plus why going through universities can make placements smoother.
Kyah shares her biggest takeaways, what’s next as she heads into advertising design, and a sunny shout‑out to small business Salty Dunes. Tune in for actionable advice on mentoring, marketing and making the most of internships in a creative business.
Creative Business Spotlight: Salty Dunes. You can find them on:Instagram: @salty.dunesFacebook: @salty.dunesWebsite: https://saltydunes.com.au/ 

Show Your Face in Your Business with Tanita Seton

In this episode, Erin Madeley sits down with Perth photographer and educator Tanita Seton who shares how she built a people-first creative business and why she’s leaning into smartphone photography.
After returning to study at TAFE and earning her Advanced Diploma, Tanita has built a career capturing women in business and wellness retreats — before following her gut into teaching photography, especially smartphone skills. She shares what it’s really like to shoot branding sessions versus retreats (think “silent ninja”), how COVID derailed travel and nudged her towards workshops and online delivery, and the milestones that kept her going.
Expect candid lessons on resilience and mental health in business, selling through relationships, tuning out the noise, and practical tips like showing your face in your marketing and asking for better testimonials. Plus, Tanita’s dream collab (smartphone photo travel tours, anyone?) and a Creative Spotlight to wrap things up.
 
Connect with our guest! Find Tanita Seton:Website: https://www.tanitasetonphotography.com.au/ Instagram: @tanita_seton_photographyFacebook: @tanitasetonphotography
Creative Business Spotlight: Spaniels & Co. You can find them on:Instagram: @spaniels_and_co._craftEtsy: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/SpanielsAndCo 

Branding: More Than Just Your Logo!

This week on the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin and Ronnie are joined by Renee, MarketLife’s marketing and PR coordinator, to unpack what branding really is—and why it’s far more than a logo and a colour palette. 
Branding is more than a logo — it’s how your business makes people feel. Erin, Ronnie and Renee break down practical steps to sharpen your brand and stand out online and at markets.
Together they explore the pillars of powerful branding for creative small businesses: getting crystal clear on your values and writing them down, knowing your audience and speaking directly to them, and choosing trends that genuinely align with your brand identity (yep, even when the internet goes all-in on Taylor Swift). They talk about showing up consistently across every touchpoint—from your stall display and packaging to fonts, colours, captions and customer interactions—and why repetition is essential for recognition. You’ll also hear a practical take on when AI helps and when it hurts, how to handle pop culture and political moments through a brand lens, and why searchability, legibility and simple naming conventions matter more than you think.
Creative Business Spotlight: SolyteWebsite: https://www.solyte.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Solyte-61572628515969/ Instagram: @solyte__

The Handmade Difference

This episode breaks down the real value of handmade — for you, your community and the planet. We share quick examples, clear benefits and simple actions you can take today.
This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin and Ronnie dive into the handmade difference—why choosing handmade matters for your home, your community and the planet. Kicking off with a sneaky bowl buy and the hunt for the perfect mug, they unpack the emotional stories behind objects, the beauty of the human touch, the local economic ripple effect, and the sustainability wins of buying close to home. They chat markets and maker co-ops, heirloom-quality pieces that outlast fast everything, and practical ways to nurture creativity—think kids’ screen-free making, 3D-printed “Rocktopus” side hustles, and finding calm through craft.
Stick around for simple actions you can take this week: visit a local market, buy handmade, share and tag your makers, and carve out 15 minutes to make something yourself—even if it’s just a quick doodle.Mentioned in the Podcast:Fremantle PotteryXanthe Caesia Pottery
Creative Business Spotlight: Tina Scott Collections. You can find them on:
Instagram: @tinascottcollectionsFacebook: @TinaScottCollectionsJewelleryWebsite: https://www.tinascottcollections.com/ 

Balancing Art and Curation: Creative Business Community with Jana Braddock

*Content warning* There is mention of a placenta during this episode as part of an exhibition. This week on the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin sits down with multi-creative Jana Braddock — visual artist, jewellery maker and Senior Curator at Goolugatup Heathcote. From a small country town in SA to the helm of one of Perth’s most vibrant contemporary art galleries, Jana shares how she carved a career in the arts, the moment she walked away from a comfortable teaching job, and the path that led her into a curating career. You’ll hear her no-nonsense advice on balancing a full-time role with a creative practice — why you need to create even when you’re tired — plus practical ways to embed yourself in the arts community, find mentors, and choose collaboration over competition.
Jana takes us behind the scenes of contemporary installs (including the wildest piece they’ve ever shown), spotlights November’s trio of exhibitions at Goolugatup (including Tilt with Jessee Lee-Johns, a solo by Jess Day and a collaboration between Paul Boye and Ella Valentine), and opens up about her own silversmithing — from stocking local gallery shops to turning holidays into hands-on learning opportunities with makers abroad.Connect with our guest! Find Jana Braddock:Website: https://www.janabraddock.com/Instagram: @janabraddockVolasa Wearable Art Instagram: @volasawearableart
Businesses and artists mentioned in the podcast (in no particular order):Jess Day: https://www.jessday.net/about Jessee Lee Johns: http://www.jesseeleejohns.com.au/ Paul Boye: https://www.goolugatup.com/staff/paul-boye Ella Valentine: https://ella-valentine.github.io/ Midland Junction Arts Centre: https://www.midlandjunctionartscentre.com.au/ Fremantle Arts Centre: https://wfac.org.au/ Mundaring Arts Centre: https://www.mundaringartscentre.com.au/ Third Hand Studio: https://www.goolugatup.com/tenants/third-hand-jewellery-studio Curtis Taylor: https://www.goolugatup.com/exhibitions/curtis-taylor Kate Sale: https://katesalejewellery.com/ 
 
Creative Business Spotlight: Goolugatup Heathcote. You can find them on:
Instagram: @goolugatupheathcoteFacebook: @GoolugatupHeathcoteWebsite: https://www.goolugatup.com/ 

Small Business Cheat Codes for Creatives

Practical cheat codes for creative small businesses. Erin Madeley and co-host Ronnie share the habits, tools, and systems that keep things running smoothly—without burnout or bloat.
Daily creative reset to prevent burnout (and what to do when your hobby becomes your job).
People-first operations: genuine check-ins, fair pay, zero tolerance for bad behavior, and simple community hubs (Facebook groups, mailing lists) that build loyalty.
Tools that punch above their price: Monday.com for documented workflows and Loomley for affordable social scheduling.
Loyalty without discounts: transparency, fast comms, and a frictionless customer journey (mobile-first site, minimal pop-ups, visible email, easy checkout).
Time and decision frameworks: canned replies/templates, smart automation, values-led outsourcing, start-before-perfect, accountability, and a living business plan.
Creative Business Spotlight: Confetti Rebels—bold tees, bigger mission, unapologetically empowering. You can find them on:
Instagram: @confetti_rebelsFacebook: @confettirebelsstoreTikTok: @confetti_rebelsWebsite: https://confettirebels.com.au/ 

Cherrie Blossom Candle & Co - From Candles to Community

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin welcomes Amy, the candle maker and workshop host behind Cherry Blossom Candle & Co. Amy shares how a tough season with postpartum depression led her to candle making, and how she pivoted from selling products at markets to creating intimate, mindful workshops that prioritise connection, calm and community. We dive into navigating anxiety and self-doubt, setting boundaries and embracing self-care, plus practical tips on selling experiences, showing up authentically on socials, listening to feedback and leveraging platforms like ClassBento. You’ll also hear how one raw, unplanned moment became a turning point for her business, and why smaller, lounge-room-style classes are her secret sauce. Mentioned during the podcast:
Class Bento: https://classbento.com.au/ House of Hobby: https://www.houseofhobby.net/ 
Find Cherrie Blossom Candle & Co: Website: https://cbcandco.my.canva.site/Class Bento: https://www.facebook.com/cherrieblossomcandleandco/ Facebook: @cherrieblossomcandleandcoInstagram: @cherrieblossomcandleandco 
 
Creative Business Spotlight: Kreations by KerryWebsite: https://kreationsbykerry.com/Facebook: @kreationsbykerrydInstagram: @kreationsbykerryEtsy: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/KreationsbyKerryShop