Startist Society
Are fear and procrastination keeping you from making progress in your art business? Artists Laura Lee Griffin and Nikki May believe strongly in the power of community, accountability, following your intuition, taking small actionable steps, and breaking down the barriers that keep you "stuck". The Startist Society will inspire you to stop getting in your own way and start building an art biz and life that you love. Follow along with us on our creative business journey as we encourage you on yours.
Episodes
Artists often ask, why do I need an email list when I already post on Instagram? Laura and Nikki share the answers: social media platforms can change their rules overnight, limit your reach, or even disappear entirely. Your email list belongs to you – nobody can take it away or stand between you and your audience. Listen in as we talk about how to get started and what to share with your email subscribers! You can also access a FREE...
The days when artists had to rely solely on galleries or craft fairs to get their work seen are long gone. Now we're all constantly wondering if we should be posting reels carousels or just give up and become hermits! Social media can feel like a full time job that none of us signed up for. In this episode, Laura and Nikki break down social media strategies that actually work for artists without eating up all of your creative time.
...In this episode, Nikki and Laura break down the most popular website platforms for artists and creatives. We’ll help you evaluate features, integrations, and costs to choose the best option for your needs, whether you want to sell your work online, create a stunning portfolio or manage your art business. Plus, we’ll share a handy comparison chart to simplify your decision-making process.
READ SHOW NOT...
In this episode, Nikki and Laura dive into the must-have elements for any artist's website. Whether you’re just starting out or revamping your online presence, we break down exactly what you need to showcase your work, connect with your audience and make sales!
READ SHOW NOTES & DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE ARTIST WEBSITE ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST:
In this episode, Laura and Nikki talk about the importance of branding for artists - beyond just a logo. They provide some great practical tips for building a brand identity and take you through three different levels of branding investment: DIY, mid-tier, and professional - based on wherever you are at on your business journey.
READ SHOW NOTES & ACCESS YOUR FREE BRANDING PDF DOWNLOAD:
In this episode Nikki and Laura tackle the ever-present temptation artists face—buying new supplies—and discuss why embracing the materials you already own can be a game-changer for your creativity and budget. We break down five compelling reasons why using your existing stash benefits both your art and your wallet, followed by ten practical tips to help you extend the life of you supplies, explore new creative possibilities, and s...
Technology can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to hold you back from growing your creative business. In this episode, Nikki and Laura share practical strategies and mindset shifts to help artists and creatives overcome their tech fears. From starting small and embracing imperfection to utilizing online resources and celebrating small wins, we break down simple ways to build confidence with technology. Whether you’re tackling...
We’re ridiculously excited to share this week’s episode with you. Why? Because we got to sit down with none other than Bonnie Christine—surface pattern designer extraordinaire, business powerhouse, and one of the best online educators out there. Bonnie is a completely self-taught designer who has created at least 16 fabric collections for Art Gallery Fabrics, built a thriving business, and helped thousands of creatives turn their a...
Thinking about taking an online course but not sure which ones are actually worth your time and money? We’ve taken a lot over the years—some amazing, some… not so much. In this episode, we break down the best online learning platforms, memberships, and in-depth courses that have truly helped us grow as artists and creative entrepreneurs. Be sure to listen until the end and hear about a special offer we have just for you!
Money doesn’t have to be scary—or boring! In this episode, Nikki and Laura share practical, relatable tips to help creative entrepreneurs take control of their finances. From tracking expenses to maximizing income and tackling debt, we’re covering all the essentials to make managing your money feel less daunting and more empowering.
STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & **FREE TIPS PDF DOWNLOAD**:
In this episode, Nikki and Laura kick off the new year with a deep dive into their planning process for 2025. We reflect on our personal and creative wins and struggles from 2024, share the lessons we’ve learned, and discuss our goals for the year ahead. From building habits to embracing the chaos of creative business, we outline actionable steps for balancing our personal lives, creative work, and podcast goals. We also discuss ou...
In our last episode, we introduced you to Heather Bourque of Paper and Wings, an artist and illustrator that sells physical products via wholesale. Did we mention she does this all on her own while still having time to travel the world each year? Heather is back this week to share her five best tips on getting started with a wholesale art business. We know you'll be inspired to give wholesale a try after you hear Heather's great ad...
In this episode, we continue our accountability group series by introducing you to Heather Bourque, an artist from Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada, who illustrates her love of coastal living and travel through her wholesale and retail online shop, Paper and Wings. We travel deep into Heather’s world of creating and distributing wholesale products alongside her online retail shop. We know you’ll love Heather’s Startist story – and He...
In episode 49, we introduced you to Elizabeth Silver, a surface pattern designer and educator who is the creator of a fantastic course called Start Your Surface Pattern Business. This week, Elizabeth is back to talk to us about reasons you might not be getting your art in front of potential paying clients. We know you'll love Elizabeth's frank, no fluff business advice as much as we do!
STARTIST SOCI...
In this week’s episode, Laura and Nikki share 5 quick tips to help improve your artwork and take it to the next level. We discuss strategies that can help elevate your artwork and set you apart from the crowd and share some really fun tools, websites and products that can help with implementing these techniques!
STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE PDF TIPS DOWNLOAD:
In our last episode, we introduced you to Maria Brophy, an author, teacher, art consultant, agent and brand manager who wrote the incredible book Art Money Success. This week, Maria is back to share her 5 best tips for achieving success with your art.
STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES & FREE PDF TIPS DOWNLOAD:
startistsociety.com/mariastips/
JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GR...
In this week’s episode, Laura and Nikki interview Maria Brophy, the author of Art Money Success. Maria discusses her journey from corporate cubicle life to becoming a successful art business owner and coach. She is a proven expert at marketing, licensing, and selling artwork, having played a key role in growing husband Drew Brophy's successful art career. We chat about tangible and proven strategies you can use to network in-pers...
In this week’s episode, Laura and Nikki explore the basics of professionally presenting your art business - both online and in person. We cover everything from communication etiquette to curating your portfolio, creating artist statements and a consistent brand identity, prepping physical artwork for galleries and more. We know you'll walk away with some great tips to put into action as you grow your art business.
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This week, Laura and Nikki do a deep dive into getting professional high resolution images of your artwork. Do you need a fancy camera or will a phone camera do? How do you prep your space and art for the best images? What are key things you should know before hitting the shutter button to ensure you get clear, well-lit photos? When are scans useful and how do you properly scan artwork? We'll cover all of this and more in today's...
Grab a cup of coffee (or bourbon) and join Laura & Nikki as they review what went well last year, what could have gone better, and what their plans are for the upcoming year (both for their personal/professional lives and for the Startist Society podcast).
STARTIST SOCIETY SHOW NOTES:
JOIN THE STARTIST SOCIETY FB GROUP:
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