The Professional Creative

Bonnie Christine
  • 5.0 (2)
  • DESIGN
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS
The Professional Creative

Have you ever dreamed of having a mentor with years of success to guide you through your creative business journey? That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tune into The Professional Creative podcast with your host, Bonnie Christine. With over 13 years of experience as an artist, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Bonnie brings genuine warmth and actionable advice to your journey as a creative professional. Tune in each week to get inspired and discover how the days of struggling to succeed as a creative are over. Each episode is designed to help you GROW no matter what phase of the journey you’re on. From overcoming creative challenges to learning how to promote your work, you’ll learn how to take your passion to the next level and see SUCCESS. If you’re an aspiring professional creative or already on the entrepreneurial journey, you’ll hear about the latest marketing trends, best business practices, and inside tips from a longtime designer—all to help you grow your business like a boss! Welcome to The Professional Creative podcast.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    179: My Favorite Things - Holiday Edition

    If there is one thing that you know about me, it’s that I absolutely love my favorite things! Every year, I host a Favorite Things Party where my friends and I exchange our beloved finds from the year. It’s a fun way to discover new must-haves and share what we’ve been loving, and it has really become one of my favorite holiday traditions! This year, I thought, “Why not share my personal list of favorite things with you?” I hope that you will join me as I dive into all the goodies that have made my life a little brighter and cozier - from lifestyle must-haves to a couple of game-changing business tools to some perfect gift ideas for the holidays! Whether you are looking for gift inspiration, self-care upgrades, or just want to hear about what’s made my year special, I have you covered, so join me for this fun, festive chat, and don’t forget to tell me YOUR favorite things this year! 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/179 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

    20 min

  2. 14 NOV

    178: Come Create With Me

    It’s Bonnie Christine here, friends, and in this episode, I am bringing you an episode that just might spark a whole new creative journey for you! Imagine holding something that YOU designed - fabric, gift wrap, or wallpaper - and feeling that thrill of seeing your creativity come to life! I share all about my Start Simple mini-class series, a free, no-experience-required introduction to surface pattern design. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just curious about creative expression, these mini-classes are designed to be a fun, stress-free gateway into this vibrant world! I walk you through the essentials of creating your own patterns, from sketching and scanning found objects to tracing in Adobe Illustrator, and finally, ordering a tangible piece of your artwork. You can choose from fabric, gift wrap, or wallpaper design, and each mini-class is under an hour, making it perfect for busy schedules. Plus, I share tips for creating custom color palettes, building seamless patterns, and avoiding common mistakes when exporting files. You don’t need any fancy skills or even a background in art, just a curiosity to try something new. Also, here’s a little nudge from me: invite a friend, a family member, or your kids to join! Sharing this journey could make it even more fun. These classes are not only a chance to create something beautiful but also an invitation to play and reconnect with your creativity, so if you’re ready to dive into the world of pattern design, head over to bonniechristine.com/startsimple! I can’t wait to see what you create, and, as always, remember, there's room for you! 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/178 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

    12 min

  3. 12 NOV

    177: Inside the Mark Makers Mastermind Experience

    Welcome back, friends! I am so excited to talk about one of the most transformative programs I offer: the Mark Makers Mastermind! This mastermind is a deeply personal and intentional space that I pour my heart into every year, designed exclusively for creative entrepreneurs ready to make their mark on the world! What even is mastermind, you might ask? In essence, it’s a small, intimate group committed to supporting each other in achieving big dreams. Together, we form a powerful network - 30 creative minds coming together to share insights, hold each other accountable, and inspire personal and professional growth. Please tune in as I walk you through the Mark Makers journey, from our monthly “share calls” to intensive workshops where we connect, strategize, and make breakthroughs. Next year, we will even be traveling to Maine and Texas for two of our workshops - unique settings for unique transformations! This isn’t just about business strategy; it’s a safe, nurturing space where you can bring your whole self, share openly, and connect with people who truly “get it.” You’ll meet incredible entrepreneurs like Cynthia, who achieved her best year in over a decade, and Jenna, who has doubled her revenue every year since joining. Being a Mark Maker means leading with creativity, generosity, and impact, and if that resonates with you, I would so love for you to apply. If you're ready to make 2025 a year of transformation, join us! Applications are open now through November 21st! 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/177 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

    15 min

  4. 7 NOV

    176: Decisive Moments: How Hard Choices Shape Creative Success

    I hope that you will join me this week as I am discussing the complex art of decision-making, especially when it comes to the tough choices we all face in business and life. Listen in as I share some personal insights into how I approach decisions, from small day-to-day choices to major moves that can change the course of my business. Hear about the challenges that I have faced when deciding to let go of clients, adjust product offerings, or even make tough calls within my team. One of the biggest takeaways from today's episode is how critical it is to make decisions quickly and confidently, and I talk about how indecision can lead to missed opportunities, decreased productivity, and increased stress, especially when you're leading a team, but what happens when the decision is especially hard? I share my own experience with one of the most difficult decisions that I have had to make in recent weeks, and how I have learned to navigate these moments with more clarity. I also walk you through several strategies that I use to make decisions more effectively, from trusting my team’s input to knowing when to delegate and how to keep my focus sharp. These strategies have helped me streamline the process and avoid the pitfalls of decision fatigue, so if you have ever struggled with making big decisions or have found yourself paralyzed by too many options, this episode will help you get unstuck! Tune in to learn how you can make decisions that will propel your business - and your life – forward, and, as always, remember that there's room for you. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/176 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

    32 min

  5. 29 OCT

    175: Drumroll, Please: Unveiling Flowerie—Our New Product Shop

    Today is a day that I have been eagerly waiting to share with you! We’ve been quietly working behind the scenes on something incredibly special, and I’m thrilled to finally announce it: Flowerie, my brand-new product shop, is here! Listen in this week as I take you through the heart and vision behind Flowerie, sharing the story of how this shop came to be and what inspired its creation. From my early days making handmade products on Etsy to where we are today, Flowerie represents my love for combining natural beauty with everyday function and is a reflection of everything I love such as creativity, nature, and bringing a little bit of magic into daily life! I discuss the exciting products you’ll find in the first collection, including floral-themed sketchbooks, aprons, puzzles, and more. There are some special personal touches, too, like handmade aprons made by my mom from the original pattern I created back in 2009. Plus, I am so excited to share the details of our holiday sneak peek, coming next month! We will be releasing a small batch of our favorite items in limited quantities, and it’s your chance to grab something special before the full launch in late spring/early summer 2025! I also introduce The Secret Garden, our VIP community, where you’ll get first access to shop, sneak peeks at upcoming collections, and plenty of exclusive perks. Finally, I dive into our unique approach to building Flowerie, what we’re calling growing in public. We’re committed to sharing the behind-the-scenes process of building this shop, with transparency at the core of everything we do. I can’t wait to invite you into The Greenhouse, where you’ll be able to follow our journey in real-time! In the meantime, thank you so much for being part of this exciting new chapter. Be sure to sign up for The Secret Garden to get early access and stay in the loop on all things Flowerie. I’m so excited for what’s ahead! 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/175 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

    16 min

  6. 24 OCT

    174: Fall Q&A: Your Burning Questions Part 2

    Welcome back, everyone, to another round of Q&A in which I will be answering some of your burning questions! This time, I reflect on things such as where I see myself and my business in the next five to ten years. While long-term vision admittedly is not always my strongest suit, my team and I recently pushed ourselves to create a five-year plan that includes exciting growth goals across various areas! I also answer questions about the challenges of focus (something that I like to call our creative "Kryptonite”) and share how my team has been honing our priorities to stay on track with our mission, and you will hear me discuss some pivotal moments in my career and the mentors who helped shape my path. I additionally touch on the importance of family and work-life balance, sharing how I navigate both, especially with two kids now in school, and I discuss my homebody tendencies, gardening, and the joy of raising chickens and crafting with my daughter! I really hope that you will join me for this second round of questions and for this thoughtful, personal episode filled with stories, lessons, and tips on everything from business strategy to maintaining creative energy, and, as always, remember that there’s room for you! 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/174 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

    26 min

  7. 17 OCT

    173: Fall Q&A: Your Burning Questions Part 1

    Welcome to another episode of The Professional Creative, everyone! Get ready because I have a special treat for you, a two-part Q&A series. In this episode, I am diving headfirst into your thought-provoking questions and am covering quite a bit of ground! I kick things off with a deep question about areas where I still feel that I need to grow, reminding me of the importance of leadership and integrity. I have dreams galore, from seeing my art on products to maybe even a TV show about surface pattern design, but it’s all about embracing the journey, right? I am also asked about a career low point, and boy, does that ever hit home! Getting rejected by a fabric company made me question everything, but it ultimately taught me the strength of perseverance. Empathy grew from that experience, reminding me that we all face nay-sayers at different stages of our lives, but we’ve got to keep pushing through! Then, there is, of course, AI, truly a hot topic today with lots and lots of opinions floating around, so here is my take: AI in the design world is here, and it’s shaking things up. Whether you are an artwork architect using AI creatively or a traditional artist staying analog, there’s a place for everyone. I believe that we should be embracing AI as a helper, not a replacement. New challenges with growth bring up important questions about focus and financial stewardship, truly important stuff as we navigate new levels in our careers, so stay tuned as we tackle what traits make successful professional creatives! 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/173 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

    30 min

  8. 10 OCT

    172: Think Outside the Box: How to Master Creative Problem-Solving

    Welcome to another episode of The Professional Creative! As I approach fourteen years in business, I have learned that creative problem solving is so important for overcoming the challenges that help us grow as leaders! I used to make decisions alone, but I have since come to realize how vital it is to have support in entrepreneurship, even when it can feel isolating. This episode of the show digs deep into the significance of thinking outside the box, whether you’re a solopreneur or part of a larger team. Join me as I share a memorable story from my recent family vacation to Iceland, where we faced an unexpected challenge that forced us to get creative. I reveal how I was taught a valuable lesson about adapting to unpredictable situations and avoiding panic, and I contrast conventional problem-solving approaches with more flexible, innovative strategies, demonstrating how we can truly all benefit from thinking creatively! I also provide you with five practical steps to apply creative problem-solving in your business. From encouraging wild ideas to embracing constraints and deferring judgment, these tips are sure to help you develop innovative solutions when faced with obstacles, and you will learn how organizations like Facebook truly harness the power of ideation to fuel their success! Please tune in so that we can build resilience together as entrepreneurs and transform challenges into opportunities for growth! This episode is sure to help you discover how you can create the beauty you want to see in your business and beyond! 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/172 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

    25 min
See All (180)

Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Have you ever dreamed of having a mentor with years of success to guide you through your creative business journey? That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tune into The Professional Creative podcast with your host, Bonnie Christine. With over 13 years of experience as an artist, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Bonnie brings genuine warmth and actionable advice to your journey as a creative professional. Tune in each week to get inspired and discover how the days of struggling to succeed as a creative are over. Each episode is designed to help you GROW no matter what phase of the journey you’re on. From overcoming creative challenges to learning how to promote your work, you’ll learn how to take your passion to the next level and see SUCCESS. If you’re an aspiring professional creative or already on the entrepreneurial journey, you’ll hear about the latest marketing trends, best business practices, and inside tips from a longtime designer—all to help you grow your business like a boss! Welcome to The Professional Creative podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Bonnie Christine
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    180
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Bonnie Christine
  • Show Website
    The Professional Creative

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada