Standout Creatives: Business, marketing, and creativity tips for solopreneurs launching their ideas

You ever get that gut feeling to do something wild — the kind that makes zero sense on paper but just feels right?

That’s how this Substack Live with Heather Vickery started.

Heather’s a Joy Warrior: coach, retreat host, and professional permission-giver for anyone tired of living by other people’s rules. We talked about what it means to lead with joy, why curating your circle matters, and how trusting your gut can lead you places yo...

I’m switching things up. No more intro or outros.

Just straight into the good stuff — the conversations.

Because honestly? The production side was slowing me down.

And I’ve got too many amazing people to talk to.

This new format means:

• Faster episode releases.
• More creative stories.
• Easier to share on YouTube.

Over the summer, I’ve been deep in three big projects:

• Moving to Costa Rica — adjusting to new rhythms and finding...

What if your next event didn’t have to feel overwhelming? What if it could actually be aligned, intentional—and even profitable?

Heather Black is here to show you how.

She’s the founder of Phoenix Collaborations and has spent 25 years in the event world, helping solopreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits turn events and speaking gigs into meaningful, money-making opportunities.

In this episode, Heather shares her signature S.O.P. ...

What if your next creative breakthrough doesn't come from doing more, but from doing what truly matters?

In this episode, I’m talking directly to you—the creative soul who sometimes wonders

Am I on the right path? Or worse, Am I behind?

Spoiler alert: you’re exactly where you need to be.

We’ll explore what it means to create intentionally, how to stop spinning your wheels, and how to start steering toward the life and work you actuall...

Today is my 40th birthday so I wanted to do something a little different.

I started thinking about what I’m grateful for, so I wanted to bring back the idea of my gratitude journal to celebrate.

Here are 40 things I’m deeply grateful for, broken down into themes that matter the most to me.

Personal Relationships

This is where everything starts.

• My wife, Anita — she’s my favorite person, a creative sounding board, and my bi...

What if the key to unlocking your creativity as a writer wasn't about perfection, but about embracing the messy process, taking risks, and finding support along the way?

Cynthia Morris is a writer, artist, and certified coach who has spent over two decades helping creatives finally get their ideas out of their heads and onto the page. As the founder of Original Impulse, she's guided countless writers to focus, follow through, and fi...

What if success as a creative wasn’t about being the best—but just showing up, experimenting, and giving yourself permission to start messy?

Bob Baker didn’t start out with a perfect plan or a polished resume. He was a former musician and “non-traditional” marketer who slowly found his groove by helping creatives find confidence, consistency, and clarity—without needing to go viral or wait for permission.

This episode originally aire...

What if the key to reigniting your creativity wasn't just talent, but embracing fear, experimentation, and community?

Steven Light, known as SLART, walked away from art for two decades. A single blog post reignited his passion, sparking a journey of artistic self-discovery, personal branding, and creative business growth.

Now, he's sharing the lessons he's learned about self-publishing, collaboration, and balancing art with commerce ...

What if the secret to success in book design isn’t just talent, but community, intention, and breaking through industry barriers?

Dominique Jones is a senior designer at Dutton Penguin Random House and president of Blk + Brwn Book Designers. She turned her passion for graphic design into a powerful movement of representation in the publishing industry.

In this episode, Dominique shares her creative journey, showing how she turned a p...

What if your biggest creative block isn't talent, opportunity, or resources, but the fear of being fully seen?

Brian Perry's journey is a testament to transformation, moving from struggling with depression and feeling like an outsider to becoming a communication coach, singer, and songwriter. Through his music and coaching, he's found a way to bridge creativity and personal growth, while helping others do the same.

His path wasn't li...

What if the secret to building a successful multimedia company wasn’t just talent, but persistence and collaborative storytelling?

Armani Salado and Eric Martinez started Forbidden Origins as a childhood passion project. Through sci-fi storytelling, collaboration, and strategic brand-building, they transformed it into a growing multimedia company spanning books, comics, and potential animated adaptations of The Old Universe.

But succ...

What if the secret to unlocking your best creative work wasn’t more discipline but more play?

Melissa Dinwiddie started her creative journey as a calligrapher and ketubah artist. But she didn’t stop there. By following her curiosity and embracing play, she unlocked new creative paths that she never saw coming. Now, as a corporate creativity consultant, she helps others break free from perfectionism and create with confidence.

With y...

What does it take to stand out as a creative in a rapidly evolving digital world? For filmmaker and creative entrepreneur Kenny Tjay, success has come from constant experimentation, embracing technology, and treating creativity like a business. From his early days in wedding photography to building a digital media brand, Kenny has navigated industry shifts with adaptability and strategic thinking.

In this episode, we dive into the i...

Feeling unseen? Struggling to stand out without burning out? You’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m sharing The Standout Creatives Manifesto—a call to artists, writers, and indie creators who refuse to follow the crowd. This isn’t just a poem. It’s a rallying cry.

Listen in and if it sparks a fire in you, let's connect.

Explore Creativity Parties, tune into The Standout Creatives Podcast, and all my projects at StandoutCreativeBusine...

What transforms a creative passion into a sustainable career? For surface pattern designer Lizzie Clark, the journey started with a love for collage and evolved into a thriving business in licensing and textile design. With years of experience navigating the creative industry, Lizzie has built a business that blends artistry with strategy—proving that with the right approach, creativity can be both fulfilling and financially sustai...

I'm really excited to take you on a journey into the world of storytelling with someone who understands that great writing isn't just about plot, it's about connection. Meet Douglas Weissman, a travel writer and novelist who's turning personal experiences into compelling stories.

But his story? It's not just about writing books. It’s about crafting experiences that stay with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

From ...

Meet Russell Nohelty, the self-publishing maverick who's cracked the code to turning creative passion into a sustainable writing career. With nearly a million dollars raised through crowdfunding and a proven track record of breaking through the noise, Russell offers a step-by-step roadmap to help authors transform their writing from a side hustle into a thriving business.

Conquer Perfectionism

Why Imperfect Writing Wins Ever...

The following is a narrative essay I wrote after my conversation with Bridget Baker.

Fitting in was my survival strategy—until I realized it was suffocating my creative potential.

In high school, I could morph myself into any group. In college, I went to parties even though I hated big groups of people. As an adult, I put on a "professional" face even when all I want to do is have fun.

I thought, If I can just be smooth enough, normal...

I’m thrilled to introduce you to someone who’s redefining the way we think about storytelling, marketing, and connection. Meet Vince Warnock—a neuromarketing expert, 11-time bestselling author, and creative business coach. His story? It’s a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of authentic relationships.

From Adversity to Innovation

Let’s start with something Vince knows deeply: How the hardest moments in your ...