The Creative Business Community Podcast
Hosted by Erin Madeley, the CBC podcast is all about giving creative business owners a platform to share their stories, insights, and lessons learned. Each episode dives into the realities of running a creative business, uncovering both the inspiring successes and the challenges behind the scenes.
Alongside guest interviews, the podcast tackles common misconceptions in business—breaking them down with practical advice and clear answers to help creative entrepreneurs make informed decisions. The goal is to provide listeners with both relatable experiences and actionable takeaways they can apply in their own businesses.
At its heart, the podcast reflects the Creative Business Community’s mission: to empower and support creative entrepreneurs by fostering collaboration, learning, and growth. It’s a space to nurture creativity, encourage business excellence, and build a sustainable community where business owners feel equipped, inspired, and connected.
Season One: Episode One
Welcome to the very first episode of the Creative Business Community Podcast! Meet your hosts, learn what we are all about and join us to help grow your creative business.
Erin and Ronnie kick off the inaugural episode of the **Creative Business Community (CBC) Podcast**, explaining why they’re passionate about helping makers, designers, artists and small‑business owners thrive. Erin recounts almost ten years of running her business, consulting under the Erin Madeley banner, buying Perth Upmarket and re‑branding the consultancy to MarketLife. Ronnie shares her shift from a decade‑long legal career to market‑staff work, scrapbooking, Instagram growth and now a working in the social‑media and content‑creation role of MarketLife.
Both agree that many creatives launch products without the essential business know‑how. They have the passion and the product, but lack the fundamentals of finance, marketing and systems. CBC will plug that gap with weekly topics such as SEO optimisation, Instagram Reels, and website building, plus in‑person workshops, recorded sessions, downloadable guides and a podcast that doubles as blog content to help creatives thrive.
They also flag the unique challenges of mixing friendship, family and work, stressing the need for clear boundaries while championing a “community‑over‑competition” ethos. CBC aims to create a supportive hub where creative entrepreneurs can learn, collaborate and build financially viable ventures.
Season One: Episode Two
If you’re a creative‑entrepreneur who feels overwhelmed by social media, this episode is for you. Erin Madeley and social‑media expert Ronnie break down a simple, four‑hour‑a‑week plan that anyone can follow.
What you’ll learn in minutes:
Pick just two platforms: choose the ones where your audience hangs out (Instagram for most, TikTok for younger folks, Facebook for older shoppers).
Post twice a week: one Reel to attract new people, one carousel/post to keep current followers engaged.
Hook your Reel fast: grab attention in the first 3 seconds with a visual or a quick line.
Do a daily story: 5‑minute raw, behind‑the‑scenes clip that boosts clicks and conversation.
Spend 10 minutes a day engaging: like, comment, and scroll on other accounts to show the algorithm you’re a real person.
Use smart captions & locations: write SEO‑friendly text instead of loading up on hashtags, and tag your city or market.
Batch & schedule: two hours each week can create a month’s worth of content using Instagram’s built‑in scheduler or Meta Business tools..
Season One: Episode Three
This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin welcomes Amy, the candle maker and workshop host behind Cherry Blossom Candle & Co.
Amy shares how a tough season with postpartum depression led her to candle making, and how she pivoted from selling products at markets to creating intimate, mindful workshops that prioritise connection, calm and community.
We dive into navigating anxiety and self-doubt, setting boundaries and embracing self-care, plus practical tips on selling experiences, showing up authentically on socials, listening to feedback and leveraging platforms like ClassBento.
You’ll also hear how one raw, unplanned moment became a turning point for her business, and why smaller, lounge-room-style classes are her secret sauce.
Season One: Episode Four
Practical cheat codes for creative small businesses. Erin Madeley and co-host Ronnie share the habits, tools, and systems that keep things running smoothly - without burnout or bloat.
Daily creative reset to prevent burnout (and what to do when your hobby becomes your job).
People-first operations: genuine check-ins, fair pay, zero tolerance for bad behavior, and simple community hubs (Facebook groups, mailing lists) that build loyalty.
Tools that punch above their price: Monday.com for documented workflows and Loomley for affordable social scheduling.
Loyalty without discounts: transparency, fast comms, and a frictionless customer journey (mobile-first site, minimal pop-ups, visible email, easy checkout).
Time and decision frameworks: canned replies/templates, smart automation, values-led outsourcing, start-before-perfect, accountability, and a living business plan.
Season One: Episode Five
*Content warning* There is mention of a placenta during this episode as part of an exhibition.
This week on the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin sits down with multi-creative Jana Braddock - visual artist, jewellery maker and Senior Curator at Goolugatup Heathcote. From a small country town in SA to the helm of one of Perth’s most vibrant contemporary art galleries, Jana shares how she carved a career in the arts, the moment she walked away from a comfortable teaching job, and the path that led her into a curating career. You’ll hear her no-nonsense advice on balancing a full-time role with a creative practice — why you need to create even when you’re tired — plus practical ways to embed yourself in the arts community, find mentors, and choose collaboration over competition.
Jana takes us behind the scenes of contemporary installs (including the wildest piece they’ve ever shown), spotlights November’s trio of exhibitions at Goolugatup (including Tilt with Jessee Lee-Johns, a solo by Jess Day and a collaboration between Paul Boye and Ella Valentine), and opens up about her own silversmithing - from stocking local gallery shops to turning holidays into hands-on learning opportunities with makers abroad.
Season One: Episode Six
This episode breaks down the real value of handmade - for you, your community and the planet. We share quick examples, clear benefits and simple actions you can take today.
This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin and Ronnie dive into the handmade difference—why choosing handmade matters for your home, your community and the planet. Kicking off with a sneaky bowl buy and the hunt for the perfect mug, they unpack the emotional stories behind objects, the beauty of the human touch, the local economic ripple effect, and the sustainability wins of buying close to home. They chat markets and maker co-ops, heirloom-quality pieces that outlast fast everything, and practical ways to nurture creativity—think kids’ screen-free making, 3D-printed “Rocktopus” side hustles, and finding calm through craft.
Stick around for simple actions you can take this week: visit a local market, buy handmade, share and tag your makers, and carve out 15 minutes to make something yourself - even if it’s just a quick doodle.
Season One: Episode Seven
This week on the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin and Ronnie are joined by Renee, MarketLife’s marketing and PR coordinator, to unpack what branding really is - and why it’s far more than a logo and a colour palette.
Branding is more than a logo - it’s how your business makes people feel. Erin, Ronnie and Renee break down practical steps to sharpen your brand and stand out online and at markets.
Together they explore the pillars of powerful branding for creative small businesses: getting crystal clear on your values and writing them down, knowing your audience and speaking directly to them, and choosing trends that genuinely align with your brand identity (yep, even when the internet goes all-in on Taylor Swift). They talk about showing up consistently across every touchpoint - from your stall display and packaging to fonts, colours, captions and customer interactions - and why repetition is essential for recognition. You’ll also hear a practical take on when AI helps and when it hurts, how to handle pop culture and political moments through a brand lens, and why searchability, legibility and simple naming conventions matter more than you think.
Season One: Episode Eight
In this episode, Erin Madeley sits down with Perth photographer and educator Tanita Seton who shares how she built a people-first creative business and why she’s leaning into smartphone photography.
After returning to study at TAFE and earning her Advanced Diploma, Tanita has built a career capturing women in business and wellness retreats — before following her gut into teaching photography, especially smartphone skills. She shares what it’s really like to shoot branding sessions versus retreats (think “silent ninja”), how COVID derailed travel and nudged her towards workshops and online delivery, and the milestones that kept her going.
Expect candid lessons on resilience and mental health in business, selling through relationships, tuning out the noise, and practical tips like showing your face in your marketing and asking for better testimonials. Plus, Tanita’s dream collab (smartphone photo travel tours, anyone?) and a Creative Spotlight to wrap things up.
Season One: Episode Nine
This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin is joined by Renee and intern-turned-team-member Kyah to explore how internships can supercharge creative businesses. We dive into mentoring styles that spark confidence and creativity, the real-world pace of marketing beyond uni, and smart ways to use AI without sounding robotic.
You’ll hear how the team tackles newsletter fatigue, brainstorms better ideas, and leverages cross‑generational perspectives to reach younger audiences (hello, student happy hour). We unpack practical steps for hosting interns ethically and effectively, from setting clear objectives to building portfolios, plus why going through universities can make placements smoother.
Kyah shares her biggest takeaways, what’s next as she heads into advertising design. Tune in for actionable advice on mentoring, marketing and making the most of internships in a creative business.
Season One: Episode Ten
This week on the Creative Business Community podcast, we’re diving into how to talk about what you do—with confidence, not arrogance.
Struggle to answer “So, what do you do?” without cringing? This episode gives practical ways to talk about your creative business with confidence—without tipping into arrogance.
If you’ve ever stumbled over “So, what do you do?”, felt the pinch of imposter syndrome or Tall Poppy culture, or downplayed your creative work as “just a hobby”, this one’s for you. Erin and Ronnie share simple tips for accepting compliments, a practical way to build your elevator pitch, and tips for tailoring your answer to different audiences — whether you’re at a market, a meeting or a networking event.
We also unpack how to show up online authentically (face, voice or even just hands), why sharing wins — big and small — matters, and where to draw the line between honest transparency and oversharing. You’ll hear real-world examples, mindset reframes, and confidence boosters that help you take up space without feeling salesy.
Tune in for permission to own your expertise—and the tools to talk about it with ease.
Season One: Episode Eleven
This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin sits down with Tracey, founder of Margaret River Made — a natural skincare and haircare brand born in Margaret River and now based in Perth. Tracey shares how a love of plants, sustainability and wellness took her from soap-making to salon-quality shampoo and conditioner bars, including a chemo-friendly formula created for a friend, and an anti-dandruff bar that transformed her own scalp health.
We dive into what it takes to build a values-led brand: choosing effective, nature-inspired ingredients, why pH matters for skin and scalp, proteins that protect colour (hello, quinoa), and the blend of botanicals and green chemistry behind her products. Tracey opens up about navigating her husband’s life-changing accident, scaling production without losing soul, and the moment she stepped away from wholesale to obsess over an exceptional direct-to-customer experience. Expect candid lessons on branding, markets, websites, team-building, and the number-one rule: don’t give up.
By the end, you’ll have practical, no-fluff takeaways on choosing smarter ingredients, protecting coloured hair with bars, simplifying sustainable packaging, and crafting an unboxing experience that keeps customers coming back. If you’re keen to build a values-first brand without burning out, this one’s for you. Press play and let’s dive in.
Season One: Episode Twelve
This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, hosts Erin Madeley and Ronnie Motroni chat about the powerful link between creativity and mental health. In a world of fast-paced living and doom scrolling, we explore how making with your hands slows you down, boosts dopamine, lowers stress, and helps you drop into that restorative “flow” state. From pottery, knitting and scrapbooking to makeup, gardening, cooking, Lego and even rearranging your furniture, they unpack why creativity is for everyone - not just “arty” types—and why the process matters far more than a perfect end result.
You’ll hear:
Practical ways to swap your phone for a short, creative moment
How boredom and repetition build neuroplasticity and better problem-solving
Gentle permission to start small, not finish every project, and keep some things just for you
Tips on finding community—DIY craft clubs, workshops, online groups
Budget-friendly supplies from op shops and Kmart
Personal stories of burnout, recovery and using creativity as a genuine antidote to stress
Season One: Episode Thirteen
Work–life balance is a myth for many creative small business owners; here’s how to build a realistic work–life blend. Erin and Ronnie share straightforward tactics for boundaries, time, support and mental health.
This week on the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin and Ronnie unpack the myth of work–life balance and lean into a healthier work–life blend for creatives, parents and anyone juggling a small business with, well, life. Erin shares how her routine has evolved over a decade in business—from late-night office stints and firm school-hours boundaries to bringing in help, weathering COVID, then navigating burnout and chronic illness. They speak candidly about privilege and support networks, and offer practical strategies if you’re flying solo: get clear on your why, set boundaries clients respect, track and audit your time, create simple switch-off rituals, and build a personal support crew. You’ll hear how to communicate at home (do you need solutions or space to vent?), involve your kids in decisions, and why you truly can’t pour from an empty cup.
Season One: Episode Fourteen
Erin, Renee and Kyah break down how Gen Z behaves online and what that means for creative businesses. Get practical tactics to reach younger audiences while staying authentic.
This week on the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin is joined by Renee and our resident Gen Z voice, Kyah, to unpack how younger audiences actually show up online—and what that means for your creative business. We dive into platform habits (why Gen Z often prefers Instagram Reels over TikTok, how Facebook fits, and where YouTube sits), why short‑form video and fast hooks matter, and how to reach Gen Z without chasing every trend. Expect practical tips on storytelling that feels human, building trust through in‑person community, and why email marketing still punches well above its weight. We talk owning mistakes (and why that grows loyalty), what the algorithm really rewards, and where AI can help—or hurt—your brand’s authenticity. Plus, we explore generational differences in creative practice and how to keep your content fresh without losing your voice.
Season One: Episode Fifteen
In this episode of the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin chats with artist and workshop leader Emilie Otto, owner of Perth’s House of Hobby. Emilie shares how she went from graphic design to illustration to lounge-room workshops — and then took she the leap to buy an existing business during COVID.
Emilie unpacks the pros and cons of stepping into someone else’s setup, why she moved from a mobile model to a dedicated studio to control the customer experience, and how she balances subcontracted creatives with in-house staff. You’ll hear candid lessons on innovating at the pace of social media, testing new offers (including flops), leading with clear, visual training, and handling feedback without taking it to heart.
Emilie also reveals the power of a razor-sharp customer persona, the realities of rising costs, what to outsource first (hello, insurance broker), and the joy of building creative community. Tune in for practical, heartfelt insights you can apply to your own creative business.
Connect with our guest! Find House of Hobby:
Website: https://www.houseofhobby.net/
Instagram: @houseofhobbyau
Facebook: House of Hobby
TikTok: @houseofhobby
Connect with our guest! Find Emilie Otto Art:
Website: https://emilieotto.com.au/
Instagram: @emilieottoart
Facebook: Emilie Otto Art
YouTube: Emilie Otto Art
Season One: Episode Sixteen
This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, we’re getting real about market stalls. Erin and Ronnie share what actually works - from telling your own audience you’ll be there (don’t just rely on the organiser) to packing smart with a labelled setup and a trusty Market Go Box. Think battery pack and cables, your card reader plus bank details if tap-and-go fails, a mini first-aid kit and weather gear. They even suggest a full test run at home: tape out your stall size, build it once, and pack in the order you’ll set up.
Then it’s all about making your stall do the selling. Add height so people can see over the crowd, keep it clutter-free, style to your brand and make pricing obvious. Sort your lighting — aim for consistent daylight-style and watch those blue gazebos — and plan a layout that flows. Set a clear point of sale, group products sensibly, and keep small high-value items (like jewellery) close and secure.
And remember, you’re part of the display. Dress on-brand, stand up, smile and say hi — don’t hide on your phone! Pack a change of clothes, deodorant and comfy, supportive shoes. Look after yourself: water, sunscreen, snack breaks, and tag in a mate or stall neighbour when you need five. Jot quick notes throughout the day so you know what to tweak next time.
Don't forget to share your stall pics and tips with our community on social media!
Season One: Episode Seventeen
This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin chats with Perth-based bridal designer Sally of Sally Victoria Couture. From market stalls to her first custom wedding gown, Sally shares how a love of beading, corsetry and craftsmanship evolved into a couture brand built for modern brides—and a business designed to flex around life as a mum.
We cover her rebrand to a more scalable, sale-ready identity, why she keeps production in-house for quality and uniqueness, and how she’s expanding with virtual appointments for East Coast brides.
Sally lifts the veil on her process—sketch-to-toile-to-final with six to seven fittings and total transparency - plus the systems that keep creativity and business in balance, from time-blocking to carving out protected “play” time. She talks pricing and worth, defining her ideal client avatar, finding the right mentors, and the pinch-me moment of seeing her gowns on the Brownlow red carpet.