Unleashing Business in Creativity | MMCB Episode 3 w/Feleceia Wilson

In this episode of the "Mind My Creative Business" podcast, Feleceia Wilson, a successful creative entrepreneur, shares her journey and valuable insights for budding entrepreneurs in the creative industry. She discusses her transition from studying musical theater to founding her own boutique communications agency. Her experiences provide crucial advice and inspiration to fellow creatives. Here are the key takeaways:

Introduction and Background

• Feleceia Benton shares her journey from studying musical theater to founding her boutique communications agency.
• She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and guidance from experienced individuals.

Starting the Entrepreneurial Journey

• Feleceia highlights the role of necessity in her journey, as she needed to provide for herself and her child.
• She started as a volunteer, offering her skills and gaining valuable experience.

Navigating the Transition

• Feleceia discusses the pivotal moment when she realized the importance of combining her creative talents with a business-oriented mindset.
• She emphasizes the significance of continually learning and evolving in one's entrepreneurial journey.

Building a Communications Agency

• Feleceia explains the transition from solopreneurship to building a team.
• She provides insights into restructuring contracts to ensure profitability and sustainability.
• The importance of factoring in all expenses, including equipment, licensing, and workspace, is emphasized.

Customizing Services for Clients

• Feleceia describes her agency's approach to tailoring services to each client's specific needs.
• She advises creatives to align clients' needs with their existing processes and skills to ensure a successful partnership.

Measuring Success

• Feleceia outlines various methods to measure the effectiveness of creative work, including gathering client feedback, analyzing analytics, and monitoring revenue.
• She emphasizes the importance of regular evaluation and not being afraid to look at the data.

Parting Thoughts and Mantra

• Feleceia shares parting thoughts and expresses her willingness to return for future episodes.
• The podcast ends with a mantra: "All it takes is intention, consistency, and laser focus to mind my creative business."

Feleceia Benton's journey from a creative background to establishing a thriving communications agency serves as an inspiration for those looking to combine their creative talents with entrepreneurial endeavors. Her insights into contract structuring, client customization, and effective measurement of success provide valuable guidance for creative entrepreneurs. The episode concludes with an empowering mantra for all creatives to embrace in their journey to success.

Welcome to the "Mind My Creative Business" podcast, where creativity meets entrepreneurship in a symphony of success! 🎭🚀 In this episode, we're diving into the riveting journey of Feleceia Benton, a trailblazing creative entrepreneur who has not only harnessed her artistic talents but also transformed them into a thriving boutique communications agency. As an expert in this niche, I believe that sharing her story is invaluable for budding entrepreneurs in the creative industry.

Creator Bio: Feleceia Benton Feleceia Benton is a dynamic entrepreneur, artist, and visionary. Her journey is a testament to the power of creativity combined with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. With a background in musical theater, she defied convention by founding her own boutique communications agency, where she seamlessly blends artistry with business acumen. Her experiences provide crucial advice and inspiration to fellow creatives on their entrepreneurial journeys.

Check out Feleceia's work and connect with her here.

Key Takeaways:

• Nurturing Creative Roots: Feleceia Benton's journey from musical theater to entrepreneurship underscores the importance of staying true to your creative passions while seeking opportunities for growth.
• The Mentorship Magic: Feleceia emphasizes the role of mentors in her journey. Their guidance and wisdom can be a compass, pointing aspiring creatives in the right direction.
• Evolution and Learning: Feleceia's story showcases the necessity of evolving as an entrepreneur. Continual learning and adaptation are key to staying relevant in the dynamic world of creative entrepreneurship.

Feleceia's Entrepreneurial Steps:

1. Starting the Entrepreneurial Journey:

• Feleceia's path to entrepreneurship began out of necessity, driven by the need to provide for herself and her child.
• She started by volunteering her skills, gaining valuable experience, and building her portfolio.

2. Navigating the Transition:

• Feleceia had a pivotal moment when she realized the importance of combining her creative talents with a business-oriented mindset.
• She highlights the significance of continuous learning and adaptation as an entrepreneur.

3. Building a Communications Agency:

• Feleceia shares insights into transitioning from solopreneurship to building a team for her communications agency.
• She stresses the importance of restructuring contracts to ensure profitability and long-term sustainability.
• Feleceia also underscores the need to factor in all expenses, including equipment, licensing, and workspace, in the entrepreneurial journey.

4. Customizing Services for Clients:

• Feleceia's agency thrives by customizing services to meet the unique needs of each client, showcasing the importance of adaptability in creative entrepreneurship.

As someone deeply immersed in the world of creativity and entrepreneurship, my personal advice is to stay true to your artistic vision while also nurturing your business acumen. Learn from mentors and continuously seek opportunities for growth and adaptation. Feleceia Benton's journey is a beacon of inspiration, illustrating that the fusion of creativity and entrepreneurship can lead to remarkable success.

Timestamped Overview:

00:02:00 Husband has 15k degrees, I got 2.

00:05:58 Smart people helped me recognize similarities.

00:10:17 Questioning if graphics and flyers work; team expands.

00:12:54 Hindsight 2020, volunteering led to paid opportunities.

00:15:38 Importance of research and specializing in contracting.

00:19:53 Broadway route offers better life opportunities

00:21:56 Believer in timing, answers exist around you.

00:28:00 Strategic communications company helps tell your story.

00:31:09 Our company has three types of clients. The first type comes to us to manage their events and branding. The second type hires us as their marketing team. The third type needs help with their business strategy.

00:33:56 Quick growth, solo to small team.

00:38:56 Consider platforms, costs, and ownership for pricing.

00:43:19 Listening, understanding, and aligning with client needs.

00:46:36 Evaluate feedback, analyze analytics, track finances.

00:49:04 Verify, analyze, and improve social media performance.