Studio Sundays

I'm back... but it's been far too long. Sorry about that! My last broadcast went out on April 7, 2024. Nearly a year has passed since my last email. But... I've been a little busy. Let's get you caught up: A few weeks after that email, my son August was born! He's a happy, bubbly, healthy little guy now, but his entry into this world was a little bumpy. I spent a few months in full-time dad mode after a hospital stay, a bout of Covid, and the normal wrecking-ball nature of a newborn. Once...

A practice of, well, practice. Hey Reader, In February, one of my favorite bands released a new album. I have followed Alkaline Trio for over two decades, and I get absolutely giddy when new tunes drop. In my excitement, I stumbled on a clip of their bass player, Dan Andriano, practicing in his home studio. I was fascinated by the behind-the-scenes view of one of my creative heroes. But what stuck with me is that Dan… was practicing. Practicing. Founded in 1996, Alkaline Trio is coming up on...

Issue 10Mar 23, 2024 Reading Time: 5 MinCategory: money Burn rate vs break-even rate Hey Reader, Buckle up - we're gonna talk money today! In our coaching call yesterday, an Accelerator member asked me to explain the difference between hourly burn rate and her break-even rate. She had just completed the Functional Financials calculator, and noticed something strange: Her hourly break-even rate was larger than her hourly burn rate. I’ll admit - I completely spaced on the definition in the...

Issue 09Mar 16, 2024 Reading Time: 4 MinCategory: Business An ode to the solo studio Hey Reader, This week, I had an interesting conversation with my good friend, Matthew Encina. It was one of those talks that sticks with you all week: the future of what being a creative or a creator means… Especially in the shadows of artificial intelligence, an increasingly competitive landscape, and rapidly evolving tastes and trends. In different ways, we’ve both developed a wide variety of skills to...

Issue 08Mar 11, 2024 Reading Time: 4 MinCategory: Mindset Do difficult things. Hey Reader, Sorry about being late! I had a wild weekend full of soccer games and extended family. We had nine kids running around my house and I couldn’t break away long enough to get this sent out. Spring has arrived a little early here, and the days are becoming warmer. I'm excited for the warm weather and find myself dreaming about the mountains (Mountains, Gandalf!). Today, this journal entry surfaced, and I...

Issue 07Mar 02, 2024 Reading Time: 11 MinCategory: Mindset Finding the help you need Hey Reader, You know how sometimes you’ll see the same person, or symbol, or pattern everywhere? And it feels like the universe might just be trying to tell you something… or the matrix is actually real? That’s how today’s issue came about. It came up in four unique conversations with four separate people over the course of two days. I figure that’s a good a sign as any. So… let’s dig in. The path to success...

Issue 06Feb 24, 2024 Reading Time: 7 MinAction: 1 Challenge Critiquing creative work. Hey Reader, Today, I’m going to show you a simple framework you can follow when critiquing creative work. Not only will this help you grow as a creative, but it also works when you lead creative teams… or when you become the client. A great critique can change the your world. Being good at critiquing creative work can supercharge your next project, your professional relationships, and your career. It’s the...

Issue 05Feb 17, 2024 Reading Time: 10 MinAction items: 4 Steps Your financial escape plan. Hey Reader, How do you know when to take this side-hustle full time? I hear that question a lot. And for good reason! Leaving your job is stressful to plan for, even if it’s a job you no longer want. Think about the things you’re walking away from: The perception of predictability and stability of your paycheck The support of the people around you (peers, leadership, etc) The simplicity of having one...

Issue 04February 10, 2024 Reading Time: 6 MinutesAction Steps: 1 Challenge Onboarding the right clients Hey Reader, Saying goodbye to your paycheck has to be the scariest part of quitting your job. Especially when you’re making the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. I mean, think about it: Twice a month, money shows up in your account. It doesn’t really matter if you excelled or did the minimum that week. And sure… you might not have that job for long if you consistently “phone it in.” But...

Issue 03February 03, 2024 Reading Time: 10 MinutesAction Steps: 4 Challenges Your lead-gen machine Hey Reader, In today’s issue, we’re continuing the four-part series on kickstarting your creative business while working full time. Keep following along, and I’ll lay out the step by step process on taking your side hustle full time. And let’s be honest: This is stressful stuff: Finding time to get it all done Getting started without raising the alarm at your job, Knowing when to make the leap...