Gamify Business Tavern Tales

Paul Pape
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Welcome to Gamify Business Tavern Tales, where Paul Pape, accomplished artist, 'Santa for Nerds" and your friendly neighborhood barkeep and author of “The Creative Player’s Handbook to Business,” creates a cozy space for authentic conversations about the entrepreneurial journey. In this intimate tavern setting, Paul sits down with creative entrepreneurs to explore the roads less traveled - the unconventional paths, bold decisions, and unique approaches that led them to business success. Rather than following traditional playbooks, these guests share stories of how they forged their own way, overcame unexpected challenges, and built thriving enterprises while staying true to their creative vision. Each interview reveals the personal systems, creative problem-solving techniques, and innovative strategies these entrepreneurs developed along their journeys. You’ll hear about the pivotal moments, the calculated risks, and the creative solutions that made all the difference in their adventures. Solo episodes feature Paul sharing insights, exploring business concepts through his gamified lens, and offering practical wisdom for creative minds navigating the entrepreneurial landscape. These monologues dive deep into specific challenges and opportunities, always with the goal of making business feel more accessible and less intimidating. Whether you’re just starting your creative business quest or looking to level up an existing venture, these conversations offer inspiration and actionable insights from entrepreneurs who dared to play by their own rules. Pull up a chair, order your favorite drink, and discover the stories behind the success.

  1. 2H AGO

    GB Tavern Tales Episode 14 - Conner Tyson Ettin of Scarcity

    GB Tavern Tales Episode 14 - Conner Tyson: Ettin of Scarcity The Ettin of Scarcity is a two-headed monster that's taken down more creative adventurers than any dragon. One head whispers "real artists don't care about money" while the other growls "who are you to charge that much?" Tonight at the Tavern, financial coach Conner Tyson pulls up a chair to share how he helps creative entrepreneurs slay this beast. After climbing out of $60K in debt himself, Conner now guides designers, photographers, makers, and creative solopreneurs through the wilderness of irregular income, pricing custom work, and building systems that turn feast-or-famine into steady, sustainable gold. If you've ever underpaid yourself, avoided looking at your numbers, or believed that charging what you're worth somehow corrupts your art — this quest is for you. 🎲 Business is an adventure. Don't be an NPC.

    52 min

  2. DEC 19

    Gamify Business Tavern Tales Episode 13 - Al Kushner Breaking Through The Noise

    Breaking Through the Noise: Al Kushner on Amplifying Your Creative Voice Online Every creative entrepreneur faces the same frustrating paradox: you're incredibly talented at your craft, but terrible at getting people to notice. You know your work should speak for itself—but in a world where everyone's shouting for attention, how do you get heard without losing your soul? In this episode, Al Kushner, author of The AI LinkedIn Advantage, joins me at the Tavern to tackle the visibility challenge head-on. Al has spent years helping creative professionals build authentic online presence using AI—not as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool to amplify what makes them unique. We explore: Why "my work should speak for itself" is keeping you invisibleHow to use AI without sounding generic or roboticBuilding visibility on LinkedIn when self-promotion feels uncomfortableThe mindset shift from hiding your work to strategically sharing itPractical tools you can start using tomorrow to get noticedIf you're a photographer, designer, maker, or creative professional who's great at your craft but struggles with marketing—this conversation will change how you think about visibility. Connect with Al Kushner:  https://www.LinkAdvantage.com/Audit https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-kushner/ Get free chapters from The Creative Player's Handbook: gamifybusiness.com/podcast Subscribe to Gamify Business Tavern Tales for more conversations with creative entrepreneurs who've figured out how to thrive without losing their artistic souls. Business is an adventure. Don't be an NPC.

    23 min

  3. OCT 7

    Gamify Business Tavern Tales: Minisode 12 - The Creative's Energy Potion: Avoiding Burnout in Your Business Adventure

    Title: Gamify Business Tavern Tales: Minisode 12 - The Creative's Energy Potion: Avoiding Burnout in Your Business Adventure Description: Burnout destroys more creative businesses than bad clients or low prices combined. In this episode, Game Master Paul Pape reveals how to build a business that energizes you instead of draining your creative soul - completing our foundational series. Discover: How creative burnout happens (and why you can't just push through it)The Three Ingredients of Sustainable Creative Energy: Meaningful Work, Sustainable Pace, and Energy BoundariesEarly warning signs your creative fire is dimming (catch these before full burnout)Why creative energy must be actively replenished, not just restedHow to conduct your own Energy Audit to protect your most valuable resourcePerfect for artists, designers, makers, and creative professionals who want to sustain their passion without sacrificing their wellbeing. This Week's Quest: Track your daily energy patterns and identify one activity that reliably recharges your creative batteries. Keep your creative fire burning bright with the right fuel. Host: Paul Pape | Length: 5 minutes | Series: Gamify Business Tavern Tales

    5 min

  4. OCT 2

    Gamify Business Tavern Tales Minisode 11 - Contracts and Handshakes: Protecting Your Creative Work

    Title: Gamify Business Tavern Tales: Minisode 11 - Contracts and Handshakes: Protecting Your Creative Work Description: Don't let a handshake become your most expensive mistake! In this episode, Game Master Paul Pape reveals why even the nicest clients need contracts - and shares the three essential agreements that prevent 90% of creative business disasters. Discover: Why handshake agreements cost creative entrepreneurs thousands of dollarsThe Three Essential Agreements: Project Scope, Payment Terms, and Intellectual PropertyReal horror stories of what happens when you skip legal protectionHow to create simple, clear contracts without needing a law degreeWhy good clients actually appreciate clear agreements (and bad clients avoid them)Perfect for artists, designers, makers, and creative professionals who want to protect their work without drowning in legal complexity. This Week's Quest: Create your basic project agreement template covering scope, payment, and intellectual property in simple, clear language. Legal protection isn't about suspicion - it's about professionalism. Host: Paul Pape | Length: 5 minutes | Series: Gamify Business Tavern Tales

    5 min

  5. SEP 30

    Gamify Business Tavern Tales Minisode 10 - The Creatives Treasure Map: Multiple Revenue Streams That Make Sense

    Title: Gamify Business Tavern Tales: Minisode 10 - The Creative's Treasure Map: Multiple Revenue Streams That Make Sense  Description: Relying on one income source? You're one client away from financial panic. In this episode, Game Master Paul Pape reveals how to build multiple revenue streams without losing focus or spreading yourself too thin. Discover: Why the single-stream trap kills creative businesses (and what to do instead)The Three Types of Creative Treasure: Active, Product, and Passive IncomeHow your creative archetype (Warrior, Mage, or Rogue) affects your revenue strategyWhy diversification creates creative freedom, not just more moneyHow to add ONE new revenue stream without overwhelming your businessPerfect for artists, designers, makers, and creative professionals who want financial stability without sacrificing their creative focus. This Week's Quest: Map your current revenue streams and identify ONE potential new stream that excites you and aligns with your archetype. Build your treasure map one territory at a time. Host: Paul Pape | Length: 5 minutes | Series: Tales from the Tavern

    5 min

  6. SEP 16

    Gamify Business Tavern Tales: Minisode 9 - Reading the Client Quest

    Title: Gamify Business Tavern Tales: Minisode 9 - Reading the Client Quest: Red Flags vs. Green Lights Description: Not every paying client is worth taking! In this episode, Game Master Paul Pape reveals how to spot the difference between dream clients and nightmare projects before you start working. Learn the warning signs that save creative businesses. Discover: The most expensive mistake creative entrepreneurs make (hint: it's not underpricing)The Three Warning Signs that destroy creative businesses: Scope Creeper, Price Fighter, and Decision AvoiderHow to identify your Dream Clients through their green light behaviorsWhy bad clients cost more than good clients are worth (and affect every project after)How to create your own Client Bestiary for better project selectionPerfect for artists, designers, makers, and creative professionals who want to work with clients who respect their creativity and value their expertise. This Week's Quest: Create your Client Bestiary - document the red flags and green lights you've experienced to build your ideal client checklist. Stop taking projects just because they pay. Start taking projects because they're worth it. Host: Paul Pape | Length: 5 minutes | Series: Gamify Business Tavern Tales

    5 min

  7. SEP 12

    Gamify Business Tavern Tales: Minisode 8 - Taming Creative Schedules

    Gamify Business Tavern Tales: Minisode 8 - The Time Dragon: Taming Creative Schedules That Actually Work Description: Tired of productivity advice that kills your creativity? In this episode, Game Master Paul Pape reveals why corporate time management destroys creative work - and shows you how to tame the Time Dragon with schedules that honor your creative rhythms. Discover: •Why traditional productivity advice fails creative entrepreneurs completely •The Three Keys to Creative Time Mastery (rhythms, batching, and buffer time) •How to defeat the Time Dragon's attacks: Deadline Panic, Energy Drain, and Direction Loss •Energy-based scheduling vs. rigid time blocks that fight your natural creative flow •How to protect your peak creative hours like the treasure they are Perfect for artists, designers, makers, and creative professionals who want to work with their creative energy instead of against it. This Week's Quest: Track your energy patterns for seven days to discover when your creativity peaks and when it crashes. Stop managing time like a machine. Start working like the creative human you are. Host: Paul Pape | Length: 5:28 minutes | Series: Gamify Business Tavern Tales #CreativeTimeManagement #TimeManagement #CreativeScheduling #CreativeProductivity #EnergyManagement #CreativeEntrepreneur #TimeDragon #CreativeRhythms #ProductivityTips #CreativeWorkflow

    5 min

  8. SEP 9

    Gamify Business Tavern Tales: Minisode 7 - Setting Creative Boundaries

    Gamify Business Tavern Tales: Minisode 7 - Setting Creative Boundaries: The Shield Every Adventurer Needs Struggling to say no to draining projects and difficult clients? In this episode, Game Master Paul Pape reveals why creative entrepreneurs feel guilty about setting boundaries - and why boundaries are actually your most important business tool. Discover: •Why creative boundaries feel "wrong" but actually save your business and creativity •The Three Shields Every Creative Needs (time, scope, and energy boundaries) •How to set professional boundaries without losing clients (spoiler: good clients respect them) •The Scope Creeper and other boundary-pushing client types to watch for •How to communicate boundaries as professional standards, not personal preferences Perfect for artists, designers, makers, and creative professionals who are tired of working weekends, dealing with endless revisions, and saying yes to everything. This Week's Quest: Identify your three biggest boundary problems and create one professional response for each that you can use with confidence. Your boundaries protect your creativity - don't apologize for them. Host: Paul Pape | Length: 5:25 minutes | Series: Gamify Business Tavern Tales #CreativeBoundaries #BusinessBoundaries #CreativeEntrepreneur #ScopeCreep #ClientManagement #CreativeBusiness #ProfessionalBoundaries #CreativeProtection #BusinessShield #EntrepreneurTips

    6 min
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About

Welcome to Gamify Business Tavern Tales, where Paul Pape, accomplished artist, 'Santa for Nerds" and your friendly neighborhood barkeep and author of “The Creative Player’s Handbook to Business,” creates a cozy space for authentic conversations about the entrepreneurial journey. In this intimate tavern setting, Paul sits down with creative entrepreneurs to explore the roads less traveled - the unconventional paths, bold decisions, and unique approaches that led them to business success. Rather than following traditional playbooks, these guests share stories of how they forged their own way, overcame unexpected challenges, and built thriving enterprises while staying true to their creative vision. Each interview reveals the personal systems, creative problem-solving techniques, and innovative strategies these entrepreneurs developed along their journeys. You’ll hear about the pivotal moments, the calculated risks, and the creative solutions that made all the difference in their adventures. Solo episodes feature Paul sharing insights, exploring business concepts through his gamified lens, and offering practical wisdom for creative minds navigating the entrepreneurial landscape. These monologues dive deep into specific challenges and opportunities, always with the goal of making business feel more accessible and less intimidating. Whether you’re just starting your creative business quest or looking to level up an existing venture, these conversations offer inspiration and actionable insights from entrepreneurs who dared to play by their own rules. Pull up a chair, order your favorite drink, and discover the stories behind the success.

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