With over 20 years of experience running creative businesses, your host, Nicole Stevenson knows the joy and the struggles of being your own boss. Join her and her guests for business insights, life lessons and the stories behind their successes and lessons of their missteps so you can work smart, get creative inspiration, live joyfully and feel connected.
Nicole is the CEO and Creative Director of Dear Handmade Life which produces Patchwork Show: Makers Festival and Craftcation Conference as well as a blog, online learning and this podcast.
If you’re a creative misfit or a passionate small business owner, grab a drink and take a seat because you’re exactly where you need to be!
Leveling up and standing out with Lauren Keplinger, small business owner, Etsy shop consultant and mom of four. Lauren and I talk about analyzing and streamlining your business to increase profits an…
Running Your Business Like a CEO with Agency+Team Operations Coach Tatiana O'Hara. Tatiana and I discuss what first steps you can take right now to begin to be the CEO of your business, the roadblock…
Make a Life with Melanie Falick, independent writer, editor, and creative director—and a lifelong maker. Melanie and Nicole talk about Melanie's career in publishing, why making is so vital and valua…
Authenticty & following what makes you come alive with musician, director and educator Kathryn Lounsbery. Kathryn and I talk about that that painful but necessary space between what we want to make a…
Marketing for Creatives with Christina Loff, a marketing strategist. Christina and Nicole talk about Christina's big leap to starting her own business after working at big brands like CreativeLive, M…
Time management, Trauma & Productivity with Naché Snow, a podcaster, online educator, and maker. Naché and Nicole talk about the accident that led Naché to stop caring about what other people thought…
"The Genius Zone with Gay Hendricks, psychologist, author and a leader in the fields of relationship transformation and bodymind transformation for more than 45 years. Gay and Nicole talk about how l…
Creating your purpose with Quinn Tempest, a color-loving business mentor & brand strategist. Quinn and Nicole talk about the distinction between finding and creating your purpose, how to analyze oppo…
Healing your way to a purposeful life with Nakeia Homer, a well-being educator, mental wellness advocate, and author. Nakeia and Nicole talk about Nakeia's powerful story of healing, how trauma that …
Creativity as a Way Through with Lisa Bardot. Lisa and I talk about how drawing helped her through a difficult time, the importance of expressing yourself through creativity, the effect the pandemic …
Building an engaged audience with writer and artist Nica Tanaka of Kwento by Nica. Nica and I talk about creating an emotional connection with your audience, figuring out your ideal of successful gro…
There’s so much I had to learn the hard way because the resources that we have now just didn’t exist when I started. I want you to learn the easy way, gleaning lessons from my missteps and success. T…
Thinking like a CEO with Mentor Mama Bear and Creative Strategist Ana Manzano of Go Forth and Hustle. Ana and I chat about scaling up your business, the grant she won that changed her business, deleg…
With our Camp Dear Handmade Life around the corner, I wanted to share some tips for you to make meaningful connections at virtual events. While we do everything we can to help you grow your community…
Discovering and loving your style with painter and sewist Katie Kortman. Katie and I chat about discovering and embracing your style, dealing with criticism, sourcing inspiration without copying, mot…
In this solo episode I’m sharing four secrets to goal-getting that have helped me make big and small but meaningful transformations in my life and business. I’m also sharing about some highlights of …
Embracing fear with artist and author Meera Lee Patel. Meera and I talk about using fear as a tool & teacher and embracing it, what it’s like to be a first-time mama, living with anxiety and OCD, how…
The Secret I've Been Keeping & 5 Ways to Build Your Brand Through Events (Bonus episode) In this solo episode I’m sharing about the how attending events has impacted my life and business and been my …