Creative Business Spark

Anne LaFollette
  • 5.0 (3)
  • DESIGN

Need help navigating through life after getting laid off from your job or as you approach retirement? Join Anne La Follette, former corporate Vice President, who reinvented herself in her late 50s after getting laid off from a job she loved. Becoming a successful creative entrepreneur from scratch was no easy feat. Anne brings her “can do” attitude and warm heart to support you in achieving your creative dreams at any age. Tune in for practical, step by step advice, whether you’re just dipping your toes into the entrepreneurial waters or you’ve got an established creative business that needs some “spark”. Welcome the The Creative Business Spark podcast where: It’s Never Too Late To Create®.

  1. E54. Create Your Own Fabric Designs in Just 5 Days

    1D AGO

    E54. Create Your Own Fabric Designs in Just 5 Days

    SHOW NOTES: In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my From Doodles to Dollars® Coaching Week to show you exactly how to transform a simple sketch into a professional, repeating pattern. Whether you want to design your own fabric for quilting, create unique wrapping paper, or explore new income streams, I break down the process into simple "baby steps" using Adobe Illustrator. I share my personal journey of reinventing myself in my 60s and explain why you don't need art school or expensive tech to start your own creative business.    👉 What You'll Learn:  The 3 Golden Rules: My specific method for ensuring your patterns tile perfectly every single time with no awkward gaps or overlaps.    Tech Without the Headache: Exactly which three tools you need to get started and how to access a free trial of Adobe Illustrator.   Vector Magic: How to turn a black-and-white doodle into a professional, colorized vector design.    7 Ways to Monetize: A breakdown of real-world opportunities to earn income from your designs, including licensing and print-on-demand.    High-Touch Support: How the live troubleshooting sessions work, where I can open your specific file on screen to help you fix any mistakes.   ➡️ Important Links: Join the From Doodles to Dollars Coaching Week Secure your spot for our upcoming session running April 13 through April 24. This is your final week to join us for just $37!   👉 members.artwithanne.com/doodles    Connect with me: Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art Instagram: @annelafolletteart  YouTube: AnneLaFollette1    What part of the "Doodles to Dollars" process are you most excited to master during the coaching week?

    20 min
  2. 53. 3 Things That Changed When This Watercolor Artist Learned Pattern Design

    MAR 30

    53. 3 Things That Changed When This Watercolor Artist Learned Pattern Design

    Show Notes: A watercolor artist in a 40-person Swedish village used one new skill to turn a single thistle painting into pillows, tea towels, tote bags — and a line of linen dresses. Maria Ahl-Zanier is a watercolor artist living in a tiny village in southern Sweden. She had a thriving creative business — originals, handcrafted products, in-person classes. Then she learned to create repeating patterns. In this episode, I share Maria's journey and the three realities that became possible once she learned how to create repeating pattern designs. If you're a watercolor artist who has ever wondered whether surface pattern design might work for you, lean in!  🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn Why watercolor artists make such a natural leap into pattern design — and what's really holding them back The one mistake artists make when they first try to bring their work into Illustrator (and how Maria avoided it) How a single thistle painting became pillows, tea towels, tote bags, and a line of linen dresses Why learning the steps first — with simple doodles — is what makes everything else possible The unexpected doors that opened for Maria once she expanded beyond originals (including a royal commission) Links & Resources:  Join the Doodles Coaching Week. Get your $10 Early Bird Ticket HERE. ⏰ Important Dates: Early bird price ($10) ends: Saturday, April 4 Regular price ($37) begins: Sunday, April 5 Welcome Party: Sunday evening, April 12 DCW begins: Monday, April 13 Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website: https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

    17 min
  3. 52. Why I'm Practically Giving Away This Training (It’s only $10 Bucks!)

    MAR 23

    52. Why I'm Practically Giving Away This Training (It’s only $10 Bucks!)

    SHOW NOTES: Why does the From Doodles to Dollars® Coaching Week cost just $10? I get real about the intentional philosophy behind the price — and what's actually waiting for you inside. If you've ever wondered whether a $10 course can really be worth your time, this episode is for you. 🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn The honest question one student emailed me about the $10 price — and my full answer What's actually included in From Doodles to Dollars® Coaching Week (hint: it's not a PDF and nothing else) Why I've made the very intentional decision to keep this training this accessible What happens inside the community during the five days — and why the homework is everyone's favorite part The real question to ask yourself before you decide ⏰ Important Dates: Early bird price ($10) ends: Saturday, April 4 Regular price ($37) begins: Sunday, April 5 Welcome Party: Sunday evening, April 12 DCW begins: Monday, April 13 Links & Resources:  Join the Doodles Coaching Week. Get your $10 Early Bird Ticket HERE. Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website: https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

    15 min
  4. 51. I Almost Quit My Creative Business (Here's What Happened)

    MAR 16

    51. I Almost Quit My Creative Business (Here's What Happened)

    Show Notes: Have you ever stood in a fabric store aisle and thought — why can't I ever find exactly what I need? In this episode, I'm sharing the story of a season when I nearly walked away from my creative business entirely — and the one skill that changed everything. We'll talk about the social media treadmill that exhausts so many creative entrepreneurs, the myth that more products equals more income, and the moment I realized that doing one thing really well will always outperform doing everything halfway. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, scattered, or like all your effort just isn't adding up — this one's for you. 🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn The "social media treadmill" and why more content doesn't equal more income What happened when I stopped trying to be everywhere and focused on what actually worked Why a curated product line at a craft fair outperformed everything I had online The fabric dream — how quilters and sewists can finally design the prints they've always wished existed The one foundational skill that unlocks fabric, gift wrap, licensing, craft fair income, and more Links & Resources:  Join the Doodles Coaching Week. Get your $10 Early Bird Ticket HERE. Some of these are affiliate links. I only recommend tools I personally use and love. Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website: https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

    19 min
  5. 50. 7 Ways Creatives Turn Doodles into Income

    MAR 9

    50. 7 Ways Creatives Turn Doodles into Income

    SHOW NOTES Kyle Young sold over $1,000 in products at a church craft fair in just three hours — and she'd only recently started exploring surface pattern design. In this episode, Anne walks through seven real ways creative women are earning income from their simple doodles, featuring nine students from her community who are doing it right now. Whether you're drawn to print-on-demand, licensing, craft fairs, teaching, or something you haven't even considered yet, this episode will show you what's possible.  🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn The 7 income paths available to surface pattern designers (and why most women combine more than one) How Debby McLaughlin went from software project manager to licensed designer with The Textile District Why your imperfect, hand-drawn style is exactly what buyers are looking for right now The subscription and commission models that most creatives overlook, and shouldn't What all 7 paths have in common (hint: they all start with one simple doodle) Links & Resources:   Join the Doodles Coaching Week. Get your $10 Early Bird Ticket HERE. Download Anne's free ebook: Craft a Career You Love in Surface Pattern Design Join The Doodles Digest HERE for weekly creative inspiration.   My Tools & Resources Page Adobe Illustrator Free Trial Kajabi Ecamm Live Some of these are affiliate links. I only recommend tools I personally use and love. Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website: https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

    21 min
  6. 49. Why I Shared So Many Emails Lately. Like A Lot. A Lot

    MAR 2

    49. Why I Shared So Many Emails Lately. Like A Lot. A Lot

    SHOW NOTES: Did you wonder why you received so many emails during Bonnie Christine's Immersion launch? Today I'm pulling back the curtain on affiliate marketing. What it is, how I approach it, and why it can become an important part of your creative business. I break affiliate marketing into three simple buckets and share exactly how I think about recommending tools and programs to my community. Whether you're curious about affiliate marketing for your own business or just want to know why you got so many emails, this episode is for you.  🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn What affiliate marketing is  Why it can become an important part of your creative business Three main types of affiliate marketing, and Why your email list is the foundation of everything Links & Resources: My Tools & Resources Page Adobe Illustrator Free Trial Kajabi Ecamm Live These are my affiliate links. I only recommend tools I personally use and love. Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website: https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

    16 min
  7. 48. Spring Cleaning For Your Mind. Trash 5 Mindset Blocks That Hold You Back

    FEB 23

    48. Spring Cleaning For Your Mind. Trash 5 Mindset Blocks That Hold You Back

    SHOW NOTES What's really standing between you and the creative life you want? It's not your age, your talent, or your tech skills — it's a collection of lies you've been carrying around for years. In this episode, let’s gets honest about the five mindset traps that keep creative women stuck. I share the moment I almost let fear win after getting laid off, and I’ll give you permission to throw those old stories in the trash. It’s spring cleaning for the mind! 🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn: The 5 lies that keep creative women (especially over 50) from pursuing new skills My personal story of getting laid off and being terrified to open Adobe Illustrator Why imposter syndrome is lying to you about your abilities The truth about age and experience being your super power, not a limitation A simple spring cleaning exercise to let go of the belief that's holding you back most Links & Resources: Don’t miss Bonnie’s Immersion program. It’s only offered once a year. Click HERE to enroll through my affiliate link. Click HERE to watch the unboxing video where I show you the A-MA-ING course materials you’ll receive.  Note: I'm a proud affiliate partner for Bonnie's Immersion course. That means I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you, if you enroll through my link.  Let’s Connect! Instagram: @annelafolletteart Website: https://www.annelafolletteart.com/ Facebook: Anne LaFollette Art

    17 min
  8. 47. Is Bonnie Christine's Immersion Program Worth It?

    FEB 16

    47. Is Bonnie Christine's Immersion Program Worth It?

    Show Notes. This year marks my eighth year blocking off my calendar for Bonnie Christine's Surface Design Immersion program, but this year feels completely different. Bonnie has reimagined her signature program from the ground up, and I'm excited to tell you this new approach is exactly what we need right now. In this special podcast episode, I share why this course matters so much—not just for learning surface pattern design, but for reclaiming tangible creativity in our increasingly digital world. UNBOXING VIDEO! Head over to my YouTube channel to watch the video where I unbox the two gorgeous packages that you receive when you enroll. The materials inside are A-MAZ-ING! What You'll Learn in This Episode The Full Circle Philosophy Why Bonnie recorded this new version of Immersion from her garden How the "hands to computer to hands" approach creates meaningful work Understanding the complete creative cycle from inspiration to physical products What's Changed in Immersion 2026 The new documentary-style teaching format Less screen time, more hands-on creation How the course meets the moment we're living in right now Why Surface Pattern Design Matters Now The beautiful return to analog creativity happening globally How our life experience becomes our creative superpower (especially for women over 50) Why hand-crafted design will be more valuable than ever Important Links Click HERE to enroll through my affiliate link Click HERE to watch the unboxing video! * I'm a proud affiliate partner for Bonnie's Immersion course. That means I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you, if you enroll through my link.

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Need help navigating through life after getting laid off from your job or as you approach retirement? Join Anne La Follette, former corporate Vice President, who reinvented herself in her late 50s after getting laid off from a job she loved. Becoming a successful creative entrepreneur from scratch was no easy feat. Anne brings her “can do” attitude and warm heart to support you in achieving your creative dreams at any age. Tune in for practical, step by step advice, whether you’re just dipping your toes into the entrepreneurial waters or you’ve got an established creative business that needs some “spark”. Welcome the The Creative Business Spark podcast where: It’s Never Too Late To Create®.

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