Creative Courage: The Creative Business Podcast

Most creative founders think their business needs them to survive.

That if they step away, everything will slow down or fall apart.

But what if the opposite is true?

In this episode, I’m joined by Kristy Campbell, Founder of Pink Pony Creative. Kristy has built a social media following of hundreds of thousands.

But what makes this conversation interesting isn’t just what Kristy has built, it’s how she’s been able to step away from the business and keep it growing.

We unpack what happened when Kristy took time away from her business after having a baby and how the business and her following continued to grow without her. We also have a mini coaching session, where I help Kristy uncover some of the hidden patterns and limiting beliefs that hold many creatives back.

If you’ve ever felt like your business depends too much on you, or you feel stuck in ways that you can’t quite explain, this episode will help you see what’s really going on.

Covered in this episode:

Why creative business owners find it so difficult to step away from the delivery.

How Kristy’s business continued to grow while she took time off.

How to maintain a steady stream of content.

What creatives get wrong with social media that limits growth.

The strategy behind Kristy growing an audience of over 300k.

Why following what other successful businesses are doing doesn’t always work.

Identifying the “phantom patterns” influencing your decisions.

And more…

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

 

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Kristy Campbell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-campbell-pinkpony/ 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV

As a creative business owner, it can feel like there’s a lack of opportunities out there.

Like you’ve exhausted all possibilities, or, people “just aren’t buying at the moment”.

But often, the opportunities are there, we’re just not in the right mindset to see them.

We’re in ‘scarcity mode’, rather than ‘opportunity mode’.

And when we’re in scarcity mode, our brain switches to fight or flight. We make defensive decisions and we stop seeing opportunities that are right in front of us.

In this episode, I break down the difference between scarcity mode and opportunity mode, how scarcity damages your sales and creativity and the practical steps you can take to shift your thinking when panic starts creeping in.

Because once you learn to recognise it, you’ll start seeing opportunities showing up everywhere. And you’re more likely to land them when they do.

Covered in this episode:

The difference between “scarcity mode” and “opportunity mode”.

Why scarcity thinking leads to bad business decisions.

How panic harms creativity.

The real reason many creatives stay stuck in a feast and famine cycle.

Techniques to pull yourself out of scarcity mode.

Why more opportunities exist around you than you think.

And more…

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

 

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV

After a serious BASE jumping accident that shattered both his legs, doctors told Sebastian Bates he may never walk again.

During Seb’s 2 years of rehab, he lost 15 of his close friends, leaving him with PTSD and major survivors’ guilt.

This is one of the most fascinating conversations I’ve had on this podcast (back in 2024), so I wanted to share it again for anyone who hasn’t heard it.

After a journey of personal development, Seb is now the founder of Warrior Academy, the largest martial arts academy in the Middle East. Seb teaches thousands of kids worldwide while leading a team of 100. Seb has also built several other six-figure businesses and founded a charitable organisation that’s doing incredible things for disadvantaged children globally.

Seb shares fundamental principles of courage and resilience that are transformative for creative business owners.

If you want to overcome imposter syndrome, develop resilience, and break through the barriers holding their business back, this episode is for you.

Covered in this episode:

How a near-fatal accident shaped Sebastian’s journey.

Why courage is the most critical trait for success and how to get more of it.

Practical exercises to overcome fear and replace anxiety with excitement.

The impact of a scarcity mindset on creativity and how to break free from it.

How to leave your comfort zone without becoming overwhelmed and burnt out.

The biggest mistakes leading to fear-based decision-making and how to avoid them.

The real indicators of success beyond sales figures.

And so much more…

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

LEARN MORE 

Warrior Academy - https://www.warrioracademy.co.uk/ 

The Bates Foundation - https://www.batesfamilyfoundation.org/ 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Sebastian Bates on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-bates-4b70412b/ 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT

Apple Podcasts - 

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Matt_Essam

Your clients are slowly killing your creative business.

Not the market.

Not the algorithm.

I recently ran a poll asking creative business owners what their biggest frustration is. Over 60% said inconsistent income and project flow.

The feast and famine cycle.

But the truth is that this usually isn’t caused by the quality of your work or how much promotion you’re doing. The difference between studios that are constantly busy and those that struggle for work comes down to the way they perceive their clients.

In this episode, I break down the shifts that separates oversubscribed creative businesses from those scrambling for the next project.

If you’re tired of taking on poor-fit projects just to keep cash flowing, and you’d rather build a business where you’re inundated with enquiries, this episode will show you the mindset shifts you need to make.

Covered in this episode:

Why inconsistent income usually isn’t a marketing problem.

The difference between “feast and famine” studios and consistently busy ones.

The two major problems your current client dynamic is creating.

How to spot a toxic client relationship.

When to say no to clients.

What it takes to run a business that gets to pick and choose opportunities.

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

 

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV

Does business feel a bit slow at the moment?

You’ve got the portfolio, but enquiries and referrals aren’t coming in like they used to.

And with AI rapidly evolving, a lot of creatives are asking themselves if things are only going to get worse.

In this episode, I break down the shift I believe every creative business owner needs to make if they want to stay relevant, profitable and in demand over the next 5–10 years.

Most studios aren’t struggling because their work isn’t good enough, they’re struggling because of how they’re positioned. And that positioning is turning them into commodities.

I walk you through the “4 Ps of Power Positioning” that will make you irreplaceable. I’ve seen this work for so many creative business owners. So, if business is feeling slow, or you’re earning less than you should be, this is for you.

Covered in this episode:

Why business feels slow right now.

The positioning mistakes struggling studios are making.

The ‘4 Ps’ that keep businesses relevant and growing.

What AI can’t replace.

Myths around niching.

How to avoid pricing ceilings.

And more…

If you get value from this episode, follow Creative Courage on your favourite podcast app for more transformational content to help you thrive as a creative.

PS: If you want a custom roadmap to grow a creative studio that works for you, rather than the other way around. Click this link - https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/.

 

LEARN MORE 

Work with Matt to grow your agency - https://www.mattessam.co.uk/creative-life-accelerator

CONNECT 

Matt Essam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattessam/ 

LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2LSpLIyYtBLe03JBC8LjvT 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/creative-courage/id1721515799

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcf0CcYK3MtnITQCyGXoVVR-eTu8SEbAV