Creative Business And Entrepreneurship Episodes

How does an independent artist go from finding her way in a new city, to performing with not one, but TWO of the biggest stars in the world? Singer, actor and songwriter Naärai Jacobs’ incredible story reveals the possibilities when you maintain your faith in God, prioritize your goals and work hard to pursue your dreams as a creative. Born into a musical family in Sarasota, FL, Naärai grew up surrounded by artists, and watched intently as her father ran a successful regional musical theater t...

As they say, the only constant in life is change. And for the artist and musician, change is something we’re experiencing more every single day. The big issue for most musicians, artists and creatives is the fear of how to handle the transitions that show up on our doorstep. Sometimes we feel the need to shift jobs, change creative approaches, or start new relationships. Other times, that choice is made for us. In either case, how we respond to transition makes all the difference in whether w...

Is it possible to maintain a healthy self-image and your artistic integrity in the entertainment business – and still make a living doing what you love? In an industry that often feels stacked against the independent artist, singer, songwriter and creative entrepreneur Maria Z has proven that you don’t have to sacrifice your authenticity or your emotional health in order to have a successful career. As an early adopter of the power of video during social media’s early days, Maria blazed a trai...

The celebrated musician and producer reveals the process that shaped his career in gospel music industry and the lessons every Christian creative must apply to survive and thrive in an uncertain and constantly changing culture.

How do you move to the front of the stage when you’ve spent a lifetime being in the background? This is the question many talented musicians and vocalists are asking. As the entire world continues to struggle to recover from the impact of COVID-19, singers and background musicians are no longer able to work consistently behind touring artists. This has forced many of us to rethink how to use our gifts and become more visible in the public eye. Thankfully, you don’t have to have a outgoing pers...

This discussion could get us in trouble. As the Covid-19 situation has enveloped our cultural and social world, philanthropy and charitable giving have become a huge part of the response. Scores of artists and creatives have been forced to rely on the goodwill of others to survive. Don't be mistaken - we’re all thankful for the generosity of those who give willingly to help artists. But...what about the long-term? Is this something that could hurt musicians later on? In this passionate discu...

In an industry that often seems to reward ‘overnight success’, is it worth it to perfect your craft, maintain professional principles, and learn from the best mentors you can find? According to creative entrepreneur, background vocalist and vocal producer Rachel James of Bridge Hooks & Stuff Entertainment, it's more than worth it - it’s the most valuable thing you could do to ensure you maintain a spot in the rough and tumble role of being a backing vocalist. Rachel James began her musical car...

Is it really possible to protect your hard earned creative income.. ... to confidently run and maintain an artistically focused business… ... and keep accurate financial records all year around… ...all while remaining compliant and current with ever-changing tax laws? You might say that’s impossible - because you've seen so many prominent artist careers destroyed due to financial mismanagement and poor (or non-existent) tax planning. Every year we hear stories of high-profile celebrities tha...

Name any major gospel or R&B project in the past 25 years - whether from Janet Jackson, ‪Beyoncé‬, ‪Paula Abdul‬, Donald Lawrence, Karen Clark-Sheard, Carl Thomas, the Winans, Fred Hammond, the list goes on and on - and there's a good chance Daniel Weatherspoon was a major player in bringing it to pass. Daniel Weatherspoon is a Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award-winning producer, composer, musician and musical director. This dynamic artist proved to be the pivotal force behind some of the most icon...

Do you hide under the bushes when someone mentions the word “lawyers”? The music and entertainment business has always been a treacherous place for artists who don’t know the legal side of being a creative. Many of us are frightened by the terminology and confused by the legalities, not to mention the financial cost of legal assistance. That’s why we talked to an attorney with a heart for artists, to help us get over the fear of legally protecting and profiting from your creativity. . S...

If there’s one thing we creatives all have in common - it’s the struggle to be consistent. It’s not that we don’t know what to do - it’s making sure we keep doing it. That’s as true for a podcast host and creative coach as it is for you. In this episode we’re sharing three powerful productivity hacks that can drastically reduce the chances of creative burnout, ensure you maintain your motivation, and renew your artistic focus day after day. We actually shared these tips during one of our Cre...

It’s our 50th episode...but the celebration takes second chair to the important challenge we are posing to every creative in our community. Here’s the question for you - are you doing what you were created to do? And are you doing it with excellence - meaning God’s standard and not yours? Two things have helped to clarify the importance of this message - one is a new book on finding and focusing on your purpose by Jordan Raynor called “Master of One”, and the other is the tragic loss of legend...

New Year, New Decade...New you? At the start of a year, it seems the entire world is bursting with optimism. But it's important that we take stock of what we need to leave behind in the last decade so we can have our most successful year as musicians, creatives and artists. In our last Creative Checkup of 2019 in our God and Gigs Facebook group, we shared 3 negative habits that we need to leave behind and the three positive characteristics that we can use to guarantee our best year ever in 2020...

How does a drummer with a dream, who began playing drums in his family's church at only seven years old, rise to become a highly successful musician touring with some of the biggest stars in music? Jamal Moore says it takes unshakable faith, serious focus, and relentless attention to details.

In this exclusive behind the scenes episode, we share a coaching call with an aspiring vocalist and influencer as she works through the issues every creative faces.

Reaching our highest potential as artists is impossible if we aren't healthy enough to pursue it. In this in-depth discussion, health advocate Dr. Katina shares key strategies and tips to help creatives put our health first.

What's the secret to continued success as a creative? Acclaimed producer John Mike reveals the key to reaching new levels - developing your skills and investing in yourself.

Are you promoting with purpose? This simple but powerful concept will help you book more gigs, gain more followers, and reach your ideal audience.

Is being a successful creative all about improving our skills? Maybe not. We examine whether true success has more to do with our perspective than we realize - and why you must shift your focus to have the impact you desire.

Bassist Chris Snowden reveals the essentials of being a successful, respected musician, and it's less about musical skill and more about professionalism and character.

If you're trying to get noticed as a creative in the noisy world of social media, it's easy to get overwhelmed. There's a more effective, value-focused mindset you should consider when it comes to sharing your art.

This highly successful background vocalist and vocal contractor shares the key lessons she learned about staying relevant in today's fast paced music and entertainment industry, building a lasting creative career by focusing on the right things, and the power of setting high expectations as you pursue your calling.

No creative should be ashamed of being labeled a "local artist" - not if you are utilizing all the tools and strategies that can make you wildly successful without being known all over the world.

Veteran musician, entrepreneur, producer, photographer, and studio owner Thierry Dejean reveals how having fun helps him overcome the challenges of the creative lifestyle!