Smart Creative Women with Monica Lee

I have Ashley Brooke with me today! She is the owner and smart girl behind her brand Ashley Brooke Designs, a brand with a mission to make your everyday just a lit bit more fancy. She is a beauty and I loved the authentic conversation on what prompted  her to start her brand.  (hint: job loss and a desk right next to her dad's) As much as she loved worked next to her father, she wanted to carve something out for her self, and she did! She peppers  her social media (100k+ on her instagram) with just the right amount of bling and inspiration, which is no easy fete!  Ashley makes it look effortless, tune into today and listen to the in's and out's of her brand (some of it is comical and I simply adore her outlook on it all!)

This topic is so near and dear to my heart! Styling your brand! If you know me, I believe we all have innate style within us and so talking to Fiona about applying it to you brand is right up my alley! In fact, as a creative I believe we are required to bring an EXTRA dose of style to our businesses and lives. Fortunately, Fiona Humberstone is here to help! Drawing on her background  from developing brands for companies worldwide, Fiona Humberstone’s beautifully designed coffee table book, ‘How To Style Your Brand’ is a one-of-a-kind design bible for business owners. Packed with more than 60 inspirational examples of brand identities, her book is a comprehensive workbook on how to do it right! And just incase you want a MORE hands on approach Fiona conducts in-person workshops as well (in fact we got on so famously, we may have a little collaboration up our sleeves this spring!) In this chat, we talk about  how she made the LEAP  and committed to writ

I hope you love Stasia as much as I do. Her energy is infectious and her story blew me away! This is a must listen! Stasia has such great though s about how who you are in the outside reflecting who you are in the inside and she learned a good part of that lesson from her daughter. Her daughter has taught her (and blown her away) so many times on what it really means to have insides and outsides match up. You simply HAVE to tune in and hear this story because I have a feeling Stasia's story is going to be in Oprah (if Oprah still had her own show, you know what I mean!)  This duo have such a great tale to tell and Stasia is telling it via social media with the hashtag #styledbymychild, you can follow her here. ALSO, in this interview she talks about what she covers in Stasia's  Style School coming up in Oct and I was impressed! It really sounds like it could be very enlightening. I know who much it means to me to FINALLY find my right wardr

Hey!!! It is my birthday and I have stuff to say.... Look...new Art Prints! You can see them for sale here along with a super "it's-my-party-sale" over at XO, Monica Lee!  How did what I find out what I love to create the most? Tune in to this episode, I talk about style, finding mine getting over myself and my hang ups about whether other people liked it and  about you doing the same! It's short, it's fun lots of good stuff. Sorry for the short post, I gotta go eat some birthday cake!!

...and it happened to be found at her DAY job! This such a fabulous story of having the tenacity to find your voice, your groove, and your outlet. Meet Kathy Weller, she has a rockin' good story! Many of you might relate to her story, working a day job hoping to make it full time on your creative work, trying to get everything to click into place. Tune in and see how Kathy's  visual story telling ability snapped right place when she took a good look around her cubicle! I love this episode, because I love Kathy!! She is a ray of sunshine and it is so so nice to see her art getting licensed on one product after another! 

...a little self love, that is. Here is a quick podcast about "comfort zones." I found myself in a conversation with my son that made me question myself on what it means to truly be "in love" with myself, with what I create and even with my name! Tune in to this sort podcast and see what he said that left me wondering if I was playing a game of false humility or if I have finally gotten comfortable in my own skin.  It's a process to truly admire yourself and I know I am a work in progress for sure.  What about you? Are you able to list all the characteristics that you LOVE about your self comfortably or are you a deer caught in headlights when the question comes your way?   

Former actress Cynthia Jamin has such a great story. She is the owner, designer and chief motivation officer Twirly Girls Designs. She shares her start story and how she grew her business ONLINE! This is a super motivating because Cynthia just taught her self everything. After having two girls, Cynthia became frustrated with show business and decided to quit acting. She says she was tired of auditioning more than she was acting. Man, doesn't life feel like that sometimes?   As the girls got older, Cynthia had trouble finding dresses they wanted to wear.  Either they weren’t colorful enough, or comfortable enough.  Taking matters into her own hands, Cynthia took some sewing lessons.  Her first creation was a reversible twirly dress that was super comfortable.  All the itchy seams were tucked away from their bodies, and the fabrics were vibrant and full of joy.  Soon other moms were asking were they could get one of these twirly dresses for their own girl

This interview is FULL of great ideas and inspiration. I loved Lindsay as soon as I heard her speak on a panel at Alt Summit about PR. I also LOVE her adorable fashion line! Lot 801 is the coolest fashion brand for your mini me (or nephew, niece,  or well, jus about any COOL baby or kid you know!) Lindsay says these clothes appeal  to fashionable moms and little punks alike. I love this thinking! Way to know what you are all about! Its a super soft unisex line of clothing that I wish big kids (like me) could sport all the time! Tune in and hear her talk about prompted Lindsay to start her line, the big decision about quitting her day job AND all the smart cookie ways that she has been doing her own PR for the line. She just might give you permission to be a healthy stalker!

Today I have Boaz David from Human B on the show with me. Boaz helped me turns my idea/dream/bags into a reality! If you tuned into my launch story, you will hear that I hot a point where I was about to through in the towel (ok, there may have been several points!) I found Boaz, a seasoned professional of the fashion industry guided me through the process. We worked together on tech packs and finding a factory that would do the quality work I wanted for the clutches for XO, Monica Lee .  Human B is a company (and marvelous team) of industry professionals who can walk you through developing your own fashion line. Boaz tells his own story of how he got into fashion in Israel and  some important lesson he learned while he was in school. Tune in, learn a few things and get inspired to try to stay true to your vision!

I caught just a snippet of Anne's energetic personality while at an event in NYC and it was an instant spark. Within several minutes on meeting each other (and me showing off fresh off the press clutches) she was dishing out advice suggesting I offer monograming on some of them. Loved the idea just as much as I love a women with IDEAS! Anne has them, and she gets paid for having them! Fabulous job.  We sink deep to trends, one of my favorite subjects and Ann dishes out great stories and advice for artists wanting their work on products! She has such a heart for the work she does, I really see her as a talent spotter and idea lady. The work she is doing at Studio M as the director of product development is unique and commercial. The perfect combo, right?! Tune into listen how the entire process works, from idea, to art spotting, to product development from the manufacturing side of the business!  

Today I have Josephine Kimberling with me! what a gem! She has such a sweet spirit and it shows in what she produces. I think her patterns and portfolio have depth and that she has a keen sense of color and pattern. She claims it came from years of experience as an in house artist. Tune in to this episode and learn why Josephine chose to go out on her own and how she thinks about putting collection together. She shares invaluable advice to new and seasoned artists. I know she is headed for even greater things! 

Today I am interviewing the talented Meagan Morrison from Travel Write Draw. It is always such a treat to connect with someone who's work for have admired for sometime. Everything she does is right up my alley! She is a fashion illustrator with an eye towards the beauty of travel. Yum, right? She makes you want to pack your bags!! She is a highly skilled runway illustrator as well and I just love love that this form of media is making such a strong comeback! Tune in and hear how she got her start, how she grew her instagram following which translated into a  lovely large client base and to hear the advice she gives to someone just starting out. Hint: It's good money advice! She was such a delight to talk to. Talent, fashion, travel...what is not to love about Meagan and what she does?! Follow her instagram feed here and check out her work here.  

Wow! The day is here! I have been working away plotting, planning and just about everything else you can think. XO, Monica Lee is launching today and and I thrilled beyond measure! Today, the tables are turned on me as Jane Hamill from Fashion Brain interviews me on all the in's and out behind my start up and the products themselves. I am so happy to be sharing my journey with YOU, my Smart Creative Women peeps, because without YOU, I simply would not have been able to stay on course to get this all done. I have always felt you in my heart even as I disappeared for periods of time to spend hours googling swivel snap hooks and sourcing zippers! In today's podcast, I am spilling all the highs and lows of manufacturing a product and why I decided to do it! Head over and take a look at everything! When it all came together, I have never felt so creative. I would love, love for you to share it with your friends, it would mean the world to me! XO, Monica Lee

I have a great story for you today! Meet Julia Kelly from JK Expressions. Julia is a digital caricature artist (and a regular caricature artist too!) In fact she went from doodling to trial by fire at a California theme park doing live drawings of people while they waited to delighting audiences at events, conferences and weddings. Tune in to how she started out at $6 an hour to harness her talents at over $200 an hour. Julia shares how she learned that being introverted no excuse to bail on your marketing efforts and what she did to overcome her fear of cold calling. (Hey, I am not shy and even I am not a fan of cold calling!) I have a great story for you today! Meet Julia Kelly from JK Expressions. Julia is a digital caricature artist (and a regular caricature artist too!) In fact she went from doodling to trial by fire at a California theme park doing live drawings of people while they waited to delighting audiences at events, conferences and weddings. Tune in to how she started out at $6 an hour to harnes

My guest today to Jordana Paige who started her bag business right out of college. She needed a bag that could fit her knitting needles and couldn't find one so she made it (as in had it manufactured!) She then went on to service about every knitting store she came across. After filling that niche market she decide to get a big better handbag manufactured. In this interview she talks about working with factories overseas, what her customers have taught her and why it matters that she has her own business. She is a sweetheart and has learned A LOT producing a product! Tune in to today's episode to hear what she has to share!

“It’s a great time to be an artist.” This is not the first time I have said this and it won’t be the last. It’s an even better time to be an artist and a business person. It’s a glorious time to be creative, value your creativity and leverage your smarts especially when you encounter people that think… …artists are not built for business. I have a lot of fun things to share from my trip to NYC, speaking at Surtex and walking the Stationery Show.But first I want to address a prevailing attitude that popped up several times while encountering people who were not artists. I am not sure if this attitude is more prevalent in art licensing since signing a contract with a manufacturer is like signing a mini prenup or because of the mass rush of artists to enter this arena.  It is time to dissect it and as a community correct it. For starters, art licensing can be complicated, this is an area where you do need to untangle a lot of “what if&rs

Stationery! Invitations! Paper! There is something about it that people just don't get tired of. Even though you may not send as much paper as much as you used to, you are thrilled when you get that invite or card in the mail. Today's paper needs to be more special and customized than ever and  Allison from Invitation Consultants  and the newly launched Matrick and Eve sees to just that.  Allison is a great example of early adapting in business and owning what you do! As it turns out, the entire family is involved with this business! Tune and listen to how the De Meulder's are forging their own path in the print and stationery industry. If you are at the national Stationery Show, stop by and hug her and tell her you saw her on Smart Creative Women! They are in booth #2351.

Lots of buzz when a new agent appears on the scene. It reminds me of when Emmy nominees are released. (Not exactly the Oscars,  that involves a lot of designer clothing and most artists I know work in comfy pants) When Jennifer Nelson announced the opening of her art agency, Jennifer Nelson Artists, there was a collective squeal of delight. Everyone wants to know  about her and about the artists she represents. I am always happy to see an good artist/agent marriage. I think when you have a good partner in your corner, you can really flourish. Over a series of long lunches (Jennifer lives close to me) I quickly saw that Jennifer is a terrific partner to her artists. She is smart, knowledgable and full of excitement that bubbles over. I sat down with her in this interview so she could tell what she and her group are all about, how you can excel with or without an agent and the mentoring she is doing for artists beyond her group. Her very busy new agency is

A lot of people come to me asking what they should charge for their work. Whether it is for services, finished art, collaborations, because of social media you might be approached by someone in a different field than you are used to working in, so I thought I would put together a podcast that might help you. This is a mini one on one session  where I explain all the different ways I have been paid for my art (and even for some sponsored posts.) I think the more knowledge you have the better you can evaluate a potential offer. I remember years ago when I heard Penelope Dullaghan talk about putting a proposal together for some jobs, it changed the way I worked completely! At that time, I was just starting out so I was being approached by what I classify as "non art directors" for art. That does not make them bad or poor, in fact I made good money being approached this way, it is just up to you to manage the process.  I plow pretty quickly though all this,  so pay att