Fresh Ideas for Creatives

Alejo Porras
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As creative people we geek to about our craft, but if we want a sustainable practice we must add other ingredients in the mix. Every week Alejo Porras chats with experts to learn their recipes for success, so you can apply them to your creative business. Because artists who pair their craft with business knowledge never starve. So, if you're hungry for inspiration, stories, and tips to thrive as a creative professional, you've come to the right place for food for thought. Enjoy! alejoporrasart.substack.com

  1. 2d ago

    Your price is a referendum on your self-esteem || Feat. Rich Webster || Ep.017

    On this episode’s menu of the Fresh Ideas Podcast, host Alejo Porras sits down with Rich Webster — designer turned creative business strategist — for a conversation about the thing most creatives get wrong about charging more: they think it means doing more. Rich ran a design agency in Washington D.C. for over a decade, working with clients like the World Bank, Google, and a roster of nonprofits and celebrities. By the end, his agency was generating half a million dollars a year — and he was working 10 to 15 hours a week. That result didn’t come from taking on more clients or grinding harder. It came from becoming obsessive about one number: his effective hourly rate. In this episode, Rich unpacks the four levers that determine what you can charge, why conviction is the one most creatives are missing, and why the problem isn’t that you don’t know how to get bigger clients — it’s that you’re not doing anything about it. He also weighs in on AI and what it actually means for creatives right now, and why the top of the market is somehow making more money than ever. This episode is for the creative entrepreneur who is talented, busy, and still not making the money they should be. On this episode’s menu: * Effective hourly rate: the one number that tells you whether you’re actually charging more — or just working more for the same price * The four levers for charging higher prices: skill, client quality, articulation, and conviction — and why the last one is where most creatives stall * Why your price is a referendum on your self-esteem — and what it looks like when conviction is the missing ingredient * The calendar priority audit: how Rich’s clients discover that their number one stated priority gets zero hours in their actual week * Scaling with price vs. scaling with clients — why Rich ended his agency at 5 to 8 clients a year with a $60K minimum * Hiring an assistant as a day-one move: why doing $10 tasks is costing your business real money, and the resources Rich sends every client * Fear-based fuel: the unsustainable cycle that keeps creatives stuck at the same revenue number year after year * AI and the creative market: why the messy middle is getting squeezed out — and why top-market creatives are making more than ever About the Guest Rich Webster is a creative business strategist and the founder of How to Work Less, a program he built by distilling the systems and principles behind his own design agency. He ran Richard Media Company in Washington D.C. for over a decade, working with clients including the World Bank, Google, nonprofits, NGOs, and NBA players. He took an unconventional path into design — no formal creative education, no agency background — and credits that outsider perspective for how differently he approached the business side of creative work. By the time he closed the agency, it was generating $500K a year on 10 to 15 hours a week. He now consults one-on-one with creative entrepreneurs doing half a million to several million a year, and teaches a cohort-based course called How to Charge More. He and Alejo are longtime friends. Let’s Connect on Socials Alejo Porras IG: http://instagram.com/alejoporrasart/ LI: http://linkedin.com/in/alejoporras/ STACK: Learn more about Alejo and his business: Website: http://www.alejoporrasart.com Connect with Rich Webster IG: https://www.instagram.com/richwebz/?hl=en Web: https://www.richwebster.co/ Books and Resources Referenced in This Episode * The Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss → [add link] (Rich’s stated catalyst for rethinking his business) * Buyback Your Time by Dan Martell → [add link] * Delegation deep-dive: Tim Ferriss podcast with Sam Corcos (CEO of Levels) → [add link] (Rich calls it a “three-hour red pill on delegation” — search “Tim Ferriss Sam Corcos delegation”) Pull the Thread Heroes quoted or referenced in this episode: * Tim Ferriss (The Four Hour Workweek) * Dan Martell (Buyback Your Time) * Sam Corcos (CEO of Levels; featured on delegation podcast Rich recommends) * Alex Hormozi (referenced for business growth content) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alejoporrasart.substack.com

    Your price is a referendum on your self-esteem || Feat. Rich Webster || Ep.017

  2. Oct 27

    Why creatives have too many ideas (and how to finally act on one) || Feat. Charles T. Lee || Ep.016

    On this episode’s menu of the Fresh Ideas Podcast, host Alejo Porras sits down with Charles T. Lee — author and CEO of Ideation — to tackle a problem most creative people know all too well: having so many ideas that you don’t know where to start. Charles has spent his career helping executives and organizations do something most struggle with — not just generating ideas, but actually implementing them. In this conversation, he brings that same framework to creative individuals: how do you filter which ideas are worth pursuing, how do you move from dreaming to doing, and how do you build the kind of life that makes all of it sustainable? This episode covers Charles’s three life stages — Spark, Actualize, and Influence — and why they’re cyclical rather than linear. He shares the desirable/feasible/sustainable framework for evaluating ideas, his take on selective curiosity as a discipline, and the relational strategies — from curated dinners to cross-industry conferences — that have driven his best creative breakthroughs. He also gets personal about what it means to be human in an age when AI makes it dangerously easy to outsource your thinking. If you’ve ever had more ideas than you know what to do with — or if you’ve had a great idea and watched it quietly die because life got in the way — this episode is for you. On this episode’s menu: * The desirable/feasible/sustainable framework: the three-question filter for deciding which ideas are worth your time * Spark, Actualize, Influence — the three life stages Charles maps in his book and why they don’t work in a straight line * Selective curiosity: why staying curious as you age requires intention, and how to practice it * Going to conferences outside your field — and why the best creative breakthroughs often come from unexpected rooms * Curated dinners as a networking strategy: why Charles invites strangers to his table with no agenda, no pitch, and no ask * Value exchange for creatives: how to position your work by articulating the pain you remove or the gain you create * Being human in the age of AI — why outsourcing your thinking is the most creative skill you can lose About the Guest Charles T. Lee is an author and the CEO of Ideation, a consultancy that helps executives and organizations execute on strategy and creative concepts. A philosophy major at the graduate level with an economics background, Charles has built his career at the intersection of ideas and implementation — working with large companies to help them not just think about innovation, but actually do something with it. He is the author of Design Your Good Life and has spoken, written, and built communities around the belief that the best ideas are only as good as the action they inspire. He and Alejo first connected at Plywood Connects in Atlanta. Let’s Connect on Socials Alejo Porras IG: http://instagram.com/alejoporrasart/ LI: http://linkedin.com/in/alejoporras/ STACK: Learn more about Alejo and his business: Website: http://www.alejoporrasart.com Connect with Charles T. Lee Web: https://www.designyourgoodlife.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/charlestlee/ Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlestlee/?isSelfProfile=false Yt: https://www.youtube.com/@charlestlee Books by Charles T. Lee Browse all of Charles’s books on Amazon: → https://www.amazon.com/stores/Charles-T.-Lee/author/B005MW0KJW?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=298fa7b9-77d6-43d6-9bed-c457e2cd4fbd * Design Your Good Life by Charles T. Lee (the book featured in this episode) Pull the Thread Heroes quoted or referenced in this episode: * Dave Gibbons (mentor; Charles writes about him in his book) * Seth Godin (gave Charles early advice to “build a tribe”) * Scott Belsky (founder of Behance/Adobe; attended Charles’s early community dinners) * Malcolm Gladwell (Alejo references: “there are no boring people, just uninterested ones”) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alejoporrasart.substack.com

    Why creatives have too many ideas (and how to finally act on one) || Feat. Charles T. Lee || Ep.016

  3. Sep 15

    Still stuttering at sales calls? Watch this || Feat. Andy Cabistan || Ep.015

    On this episode’s menu of the Fresh Ideas Podcast, Alejo Porras chats with longtime friend and behavioral science enthusiast Andy Cabistan to unpack something most creatives never think to study: why people actually make decisions — and how understanding that changes everything about the way you sell. Andy has spent over a decade in enterprise sales and negotiation, working across textiles and tech, and at the center of his approach is a deceptively simple idea: if you understand the narrative someone is telling themselves, you can meet them there — and from that place, build the kind of trust that makes closing feel less like persuasion and more like a natural next step. This episode is for the creative professional who knows they’re talented but still finds sales conversations uncomfortable, who underprices out of fear, or who has lost a hot lead and couldn’t figure out why. Andy breaks down the behavioral science behind it all — from the questions that open people up, to the research that builds confidence before you even dial in, to the project-management move that keeps deals from dying in silence. If you’ve ever thought “I’m good at what I do, I just hate selling it” — this is the episode your business needs. On this episode’s menu: * What behavioral economics actually is — and why combining psychology, sociology, and data changes how you read every client conversation * The two signals that matter most in any sales conversation: a real problem and a compelling event * Why asking “tell me more” beats most scripted sales questions — and how curiosity creates the trust that earns you the deal * Narrative alignment: how to meet a prospect in their worldview and move toward a shared story instead of pitching at them * How to put a number on subjective value — the technique that turns “I want people to feel excited” into a measurable business case * The research routine that builds genuine confidence before you ever say hello * Mutual action plans: how becoming the project manager of your deal stops it from disappearing after a great call * Happy ears syndrome — why assuming a hot lead is a closed deal is the most expensive mistake in creative business About the Guest Andy Cabistan is a behavioral science enthusiast and enterprise sales professional with over a decade of experience in negotiation across tech and textiles. He studied economics as an undergraduate and earned his graduate degree in communications — a combination that shaped his belief that the most effective selling is rooted in empathy, curiosity, and a deep understanding of how people make decisions. Andy started his career in entrepreneurship, working with companies on psychometric tools and team dynamics, before moving into enterprise software sales. He and Alejo have been close friends for over a decade. Let’s Connect on Socials Alejo Porras IG: http://instagram.com/alejoporrasart/ LI: http://linkedin.com/in/alejoporras/ STACK: Learn more about Alejo and his business: Website: http://www.alejoporrasart.com Connect with Andy Cabistan LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-cabistan/ Books Referenced in This Episode * The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns * The Four Conversations by Blair Enns * The Coaching Habit Pull the Thread Heroes quoted or referenced in this episode: * Blair Enns * Steve Jobs (referenced for the “reality distortion” concept) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alejoporrasart.substack.com

  4. Sep 8

    Sell and Price Like a Creative Expert | Feat. Blair Enns | Ep014

    On this episode’s menu of the Fresh Ideas Podcast, Alejo Porras chats with Blair Enns — author of The Win Without Pitching Manifesto and The Four Conversations — to explore one of the most expensive mistakes creative professionals make: showing up to client relationships as a vendor instead of an expert. If you’ve ever had a client tell you what to do, when to do it, and how to do it — and felt powerless to push back — this episode is the conversation you didn’t know you needed. Blair has spent 25 years studying how creative firms sell, price, and position themselves, and his conclusion is clear: the problem isn’t your talent. It’s how you’re showing up before the work even begins. This episode covers the full arc of expert positioning — from when to specialize (and when NOT to), to how power shifts inside a client relationship over time, to the three-option proposal structure that changes what a client is even willing to pay. Blair also introduces the formula that governs every sales conversation: your power is a function of your desirability being greater than your own desire for the client. And he explains why problem-solving alone is no longer enough — and what it looks like when creatives lead transformation instead. This episode is especially relevant for solopreneurs, freelancers, and small creative firm owners who are tired of being treated as an interchangeable resource and are ready to command the respect — and the fees — that match their expertise. On this episode’s menu: * When to specialize and when breadth beats depth — why niching down too early can cost you more than you think * Why your power and profit margin with any client naturally decline over time — and the 3-to-4-year strategy for staying at the top of that curve * The three-option proposal: how a high-anchor offer pushes clients to think bigger than the project they came in with * Desire vs. desirability — the formula that determines who holds power in a sale, and how to stop giving yours away * Why solving problems isn’t enough and what it means to sell transformation instead * Productizing vs. customizing — the real trade-off, and why going fully packaged too soon can limit both your creativity and your growth * The “lab offer” concept: how fully custom engagements become your product innovation engine About the Guest Blair Enns is a sales and pricing advisor to creative firms and the founder of Win Without Pitching — a training and consulting practice built on the belief that creative professionals should sell from the position of the expert, not the vendor. He is the author of The Win Without Pitching Manifesto and The Four Conversations, and the co-host of the Two Bobs podcast alongside David C Baker. Blair has spent 25 years helping creative business owners reframe how they sell, price, and position their expertise. He lives in a remote mountain village where he also runs his business alongside his wife and two of his four children. Let’s Connect on Socials Alejo Porras IG: http://instagram.com/alejoporrasart/ LI: http://linkedin.com/in/alejoporras/ STACK: Learn more about Alejo and his business: Website: http://www.alejoporrasart.com Connect with Blair Enns Web: https://www.winwithoutpitching.com/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairenns/ Podcast (Two Bobs): https://2bobs.com/ Books Recommended in This Episode * The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns * The Four Conversations by Blair Enns * The End of Average by Todd Rose * The Experience Economy by Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore * The Transformation Economy by Joe Pine * The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon & Brent Adamson Pull the Thread Heroes quoted or referenced in this episode: * Dan Sullivan * David C Baker * Ron Baker * Joe Pine * Chris Do This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alejoporrasart.substack.com

  5. Sep 1 ·  Bonus

    Fresh Ideas | Snack Episode on Influence, Passion, and History w/ Daniel Priestley

    On this episode’s menu of the Fresh Ideas Podcast, host Alejo Porras has a brief conversation with entrepreneur, author, and speaker Daniel Priestley to take a bite on big topics. On this episode’s menu: * The algorithm has changed, and that’s good news for graphic recorders. * What it really means to be passionate. * The way Daniel defines his work and family roles. * We’re living in a revolution. Recognizing this “moment” and making the best of it. * What it means that “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.” ABOUT THE GUEST Daniel Priestley is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and business strategist known for helping entrepreneurs build valuable businesses and become recognized as industry leaders. His work focuses on entrepreneurship, business growth, positioning, and the changing nature of work. He is the author of Key Person of Influence, Oversubscribed, and 24 Assets, and has built and advised businesses across multiple industries. In this conversation, Daniel brings a historical perspective to the transformation happening today — drawing parallels between the Industrial Revolution and the transition into our increasingly digital economy. LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Alejo Porras IG: http://instagram.com/alejoporrasart/ LI: http://linkedin.com/in/alejoporras/ STACK: LEARN MORE ABOUT ALEJO AND HIS BUSINESS: Website: http://www.alejoporrasart.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alejoporrasart.substack.com

    Fresh Ideas | Snack Episode on Influence, Passion, and History w/ Daniel Priestley

  6. Apr 29

    Why You Should Stop Judging And Start Reflecting - Part 2 | Feat. Andy J. Pizza | Ep013

    On this episode’s menu of the Fresh Ideas Podcast, host Alejo Porras continues his conversation with illustrator, author, and Creative Pep Talk host Andy J. Pizza — diving deeper into creativity, meaning, and the way we interpret the world. In Part 2, the conversation opens with a simple but powerful idea: most people approach life and art through a binary lens — good or bad, right or wrong. But what if the real value comes from reflection instead of judgment? Andy introduces a different way of engaging with creativity, storytelling, and even life itself — one that moves beyond criticism and into curiosity, meaning, and awareness. This episode explores how storytelling shapes our perception of reality, why we need both play and discernment, and how meaning isn’t something we find — it’s something we actively create through the stories we choose to engage with. On this episode’s menu: * Why binary thinking kills creativity * Reflecting vs criticizing (and why it changes everything) * How to know when you’re in “editor mode” vs “play mode” * Why storytelling is essential to making sense of life * The balance between “sugar” (entertainment) and “medicine” (meaning) * How stories shape your identity, decisions, and worldview * Why you need to engage with stories, not just consume them Books recommended in this episode: * Whole Brain Living → https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Brain-Living-Anatomy-Characters/dp/1401961983 * The Master and His Emissary → https://www.amazon.com/Master-His-Emissary-Divided-Western/dp/0300188374 Pull the thread Heroes quoted or referenced in this episode: * James Baldwin → * Tim Ferriss → https://davestuartjr.com/what-would-this-look-like-if-it-were-simple/ * Jonathan Stark → https://www.theagentsofchange.com/jonathan-stark * James Hillman → https://www.noomii.com/articles/134-the-acorn-theory * Jim Henson → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Henson * Cookie Monster → https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/monster-cereals-oral-history * Miss Piggy → * Jill Bolte Taylor → https://www.sloww.co/whole-brain-living/ * Niels Bohr → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complementarity_(physics) * Joseph Campbell → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hero_with_a_Thousand_Faces * Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi → https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061339202 * Norman Rockwell → https://www.nrm.org/collections-2/art-norman-rockwell/ * Wes Anderson * Led Zeppelin → * Carl Jung * Beowulf → https://faculty.gordonstate.edu/cperkowski/1501/Beowulf.pdf * Frieza (Dragon Ball) → LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Alejo Porras IG: http://instagram.com/alejoporrasart/ LI: http://linkedin.com/in/alejoporras/ Website: http://www.alejoporrasart.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alejoporrasart.substack.com

  7. Apr 22

    This One Thing Makes You A Better Creative - Part 1 | Feat. Andy J. Pizza | Ep012

    On this episode’s menu of the Fresh Ideas Podcast, host Alejo Porras sits down with illustrator, author, and Creative Pep Talk host Andy J. Pizza to explore a powerful shift in the creative journey: moving from constant “leveling up” to actually enjoying the process. In the opening moments, Andy challenges a common belief among creatives — that success comes from pushing harder, doing more, and chasing the next level. Instead, he introduces a different approach: asking “what would this look like if it was fun?” This conversation dives deep into creativity as both play and strategy, how to reconnect with your natural creative instincts, and why many creatives lose their joy as they grow. It’s a refreshing and honest look at what it really means to build a creative life that feels as good as it performs. On this episode’s menu: * Why “leveling up” can actually make your work worse * The difference between exploratory and strategic creativity * How to reconnect with your natural creative flow * Why fun is not a distraction, but a creative advantage * How storytelling helps you find meaning in your work * Naming the invisible and making abstract ideas tangible Books recommended in this episode: * Whole Brain Living → https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Brain-Living-Anatomy-Characters/dp/1401961983 * The Master and His Emissary → https://www.amazon.com/Master-His-Emissary-Divided-Western/dp/0300188374 Pull the thread Heroes quoted or referenced in this episode: * James Baldwin → I do not dream of labor * Tim Ferriss → https://davestuartjr.com/what-would-this-look-like-if-it-were-simple/ * Jonathan Stark → https://www.theagentsofchange.com/jonathan-stark * James Hillman → https://www.noomii.com/articles/134-the-acorn-theory * Jim Henson → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Henson * Cookie Monster (origin example) → https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/monster-cereals-oral-history * Miss Piggy → Watch this. * Joe (Jill) Bolte Taylor → https://www.sloww.co/whole-brain-living/ * Niels Bohr → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complementarity_(physics) * Joseph Campbell → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hero_with_a_Thousand_Faces * Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi → https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061339202 * Norman Rockwell → https://www.nrm.org/collections-2/art-norman-rockwell/ * Wes Anderson * Led Zeppelin →“Immigrant Song” * Carl Jung → Archetypes * Beowulf → https://faculty.gordonstate.edu/cperkowski/1501/Beowulf.pdf * Frieza (Dragon Ball) → Battle with Goku LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Alejo Porras IG: http://instagram.com/alejoporrasart/ LI: http://linkedin.com/in/alejoporras/ Website: http://www.alejoporrasart.com Andy J Pizza Pre order his upcoming book → http://invisiblethings.co Website → https://www.andyjpizza.com podcast → https://www.creativepeptalk.com/episodes/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alejoporrasart.substack.com

    This One Thing Makes You A Better Creative - Part 1 | Feat. Andy J. Pizza | Ep012

  8. Feb 11

    Follower count doesn't equal money - Part 2 | Feat. Rob O'Rourke | Ep011

    On this episode’s menu of the Fresh Ideas Podcast, host Alejo Porras continues the conversation with sales funnel strategist Rob O’Rourke to unpack one of the biggest myths in the creative industry: that more followers automatically mean more money. In Part 2, the discussion zooms in on why vanity metrics are misleading, how creators can build profitable businesses without relying on massive audiences, and what actually drives high-quality leads. Rob shares real-world examples from his own experience, explains why DM volume matters more than likes, and breaks down how funnels, positioning, and belief-driven messaging outperform algorithm chasing every time. This episode is essential for creatives who feel stuck chasing reach, posting nonstop, or measuring success by numbers that don’t pay the bills. On this episode’s menu: * Why follower count is the most misleading business metric * How to attract buyers without going viral * The difference between attention and trust * Using funnels to guide leads instead of chasing the algorithm * What high-quality DMs actually signal * How to scale past six figures without burning out ABOUT THE GUEST: Rob O’Rourke is a sales strategist and the founder of ProfitableSkills.com, where he teaches creatives and solo-entrepreneurs how to build sales systems, close high-ticket projects, and scale their income without relying on massive audiences or constant content creation. Known for his precision-based thinking and ability to simplify complex sales psychology, Rob has helped creators and businesses build funnels, improve conversions, and launch programs generating six-figure and multi-six-figure results. Before the online world, Rob worked everywhere from construction engineering to Canadian oil rigs to web design in Colombia — learning firsthand how to adapt, sell, and rebuild from scratch. Today, he blends practical strategy with lived experience to help creatives build businesses that run on clarity rather than chaos. Find Rob at: Instagram • Website • LinkedIn LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram • LinkedIn • Substack • Website • YouTube Side note: When you’re ready, here are someopportunities for you to learn and connect with me this year 2026. Conferences I’ll be speaking at: Designer Boss Summit (February 10-13 • Free • Online)Creative South 26 (April 9-11 • Columbus, GA) I’m speaking AND doing a workshop. Workshops I’m hosting: Unlimited Belief (March 12 • Online )Pro Tactics for sketchnoters (April 28-29 • Köln (Cologne), Germany) (Limited seats) Want more info? check out this document every month so you can stay on the loop This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alejoporrasart.substack.com

    Follower count doesn't equal money - Part 2 | Feat. Rob O'Rourke | Ep011
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About

As creative people we geek to about our craft, but if we want a sustainable practice we must add other ingredients in the mix. Every week Alejo Porras chats with experts to learn their recipes for success, so you can apply them to your creative business. Because artists who pair their craft with business knowledge never starve. So, if you're hungry for inspiration, stories, and tips to thrive as a creative professional, you've come to the right place for food for thought. Enjoy! alejoporrasart.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Alejo Porras
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alejo Porras
  • Show Website
    Fresh Ideas for Creatives