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E10: Finding the Confidence to Share and Sell Your Creations · The Creative Jugglejoy Podcast

• 0:04
  Kaylie Edwards: Hey everyone, welcome back to the Creative Juggle Joy podcast.
• 0:08
  Kaylie Edwards: It's your host, Kayle Edwards.
• 0:10
  Kaylie Edwards: Today I'm diving deep into a topic that we all grapple with finding the confidence to put your work out there and actually sell it.
• 0:20
  Kaylie Edwards: Let's be real, the fear of sharing our creations can be a right pain in the backside, and it doesn't matter what age you are.
• 0:30
  Kaylie Edwards: Those pesky doubts can creep in and make you feel like you're just not cut out for this whole creative entrepreneur thing.
• 0:39
  Kaylie Edwards: But fear not, I'll share some actionable steps you can take to overcome that imposter syndrome and put yourself out there.
• 0:48
  Kaylie Edwards: Trust me, I've been there.
• 0:52
  Kaylie Edwards: Spoiler alert it's not as scary as it seems.
• 0:56
  Kaylie Edwards: Well, most of the time.
• 0:58
  Kaylie Edwards: Fear of sharing, first off, let's talk about that fear of sharing your work.
• 1:03
  Kaylie Edwards: I mean, who hasn't felt the urge to hide their creations under the bed, like it's some kind of embarrassing secret, or throw a sheet over your canvas?
• 1:14
  Kaylie Edwards: When I first started my candle business, I had this ridiculous fear of judgment.
• 1:20
  Kaylie Edwards: What if nobody liked my scents?
• 1:22
  Kaylie Edwards: What if they thought my labels were hideous?
• 1:25
  Kaylie Edwards: What if they didn't like my business name?
• 1:28
  Kaylie Edwards: I vividly remember launching my first collection and being so anxious that I could barely sleep the night before.
• 1:36
  Kaylie Edwards: But here's the kicker Most of the time, the fears we create in our own heads are worse than the reality.
• 1:47
  Kaylie Edwards: So how do we combat that?
• 1:48
  Kaylie Edwards: One acknowledge the fear.
• 1:53
  Kaylie Edwards: The first step is admitting that the fear exists.
• 1:57
  Kaylie Edwards: It's like that friend who shows up uninvited to your party.
• 2:01
  Kaylie Edwards: Acknowledge them and then kick them out.
• 2:04
  Kaylie Edwards: Okay, maybe not literally, but you get the point.
• 2:15
  Kaylie Edwards: Two flip the script.
• 2:15
  Kaylie Edwards: Instead of thinking, what if they don't like it?
• 2:17
  Kaylie Edwards: What if they don't want to buy my creation, try asking yourself, what if they love it?
• 2:22
  Kaylie Edwards: What if they want to buy it and then want to buy one of your other paintings or one of your other sculptures?
• 2:31
  Kaylie Edwards: It's a game changer.
• 2:32
  Kaylie Edwards: Flip the script, change that negative thought into a positive.
• 2:40
  Kaylie Edwards: Dealing with negativity.
• 2:45
  Kaylie Edwards: Now let's touch on this topic.
• 2:49
  Kaylie Edwards: That's a bit more serious Negativity from family and friends.
• 2:54
  Kaylie Edwards: It's a bit different than with strangers.
• 2:56
  Kaylie Edwards: With strangers, you can leave, you can, you know, you don't have to stick around.
• 3:01
  Kaylie Edwards: It's a bit different when it's your family or your friends.
• 3:09
  Kaylie Edwards: If you've ever felt that sting of unhelpful comments or outright scepticism from your loved ones, you're not alone.
• 3:16
  Kaylie Edwards: It can be especially tough for women and women of ethnic backgrounds who are trying to navigate the creative paths in this world that often doesn't make it easy.
• 3:27
  Kaylie Edwards: Or even just trying to get into business, for instance, I faced my fair share of discrimination in the workplace just for being a woman, and sometimes that just looked like just negative comment.
• 3:43
  Kaylie Edwards: And let me tell you, those experiences have shaped how I approach my creativity and decision making.
• 3:52
  Kaylie Edwards: So what can you do when your support system feels like a support problem, one you could set boundaries.
• 4:04
  Kaylie Edwards: It's crucial to set boundaries with those negative voices in your life.
• 4:09
  Kaylie Edwards: If aunt maggie can't stop telling you how impractical your dreams are and that you should be getting a job and you should be finding yourself a career, or you should be staying at home and just looking after your kid, maybe it's time for a little space and limit how much they actually have a say in your life.
• 4:31
  Kaylie Edwards: I know it's difficult.
• 4:34
  Kaylie Edwards: There's people in my life that I've had to kind of push a bit away and spend a little bit less time with them.
• 4:45
  Kaylie Edwards: Or when they start making negative comments, I have to walk away from the conversation.
• 4:52
  Kaylie Edwards: Unfortunately, it's life, and sometimes you just have to do that.
• 4:59
  Kaylie Edwards: Two find your tribe.
• 5:01
  Kaylie Edwards: Surround yourself with supportive people who get it.
• 5:05
  Kaylie Edwards: Find your tribe.
• 5:09
  Kaylie Edwards: Surround yourself with supportive people who get it.
• 5:10
  Kaylie Edwards: Join creative groups or forums where you can share your experiences and celebrate your wins together, no matter how small.
• 5:14
  Kaylie Edwards: I have so many groups that I'm a part of.
• 5:21
  Kaylie Edwards: Some of them, obviously, I don't actually do anything really with, but I do have ones that I attend regularly, like my local women in business group.
• 5:30
  Kaylie Edwards: That is one that I've started this year well beginning of the year and it's been a game changer for me.
• 5:39
  Kaylie Edwards: I've had so much support from that and I support others as well in that group and I've made some really great friends and when I'm having a really bad day I'll message them.
• 5:54
  Kaylie Edwards: The same goes for Delores.
• 5:58
  Kaylie Edwards: I'm in her community and just looking at inspiration from artists and students that she has had a hand in.
• 6:07
  Kaylie Edwards: I just love watching that and watching people grow from her side.
• 6:14
  Kaylie Edwards: Another one you can do is find an artist buddy or an accountability partner.
• 6:24
  Kaylie Edwards: Having someone to bounce ideas off can work wonders.
• 6:28
  Kaylie Edwards: A creative buddy or even just a business friend can help you chat it out and keep your spirits up when you're having a really bad day.
• 6:41
  Kaylie Edwards: Seek a mentor or a coach.
• 6:42
  Kaylie Edwards: I can't stress this enough.
• 6:43
  Kaylie Edwards: Finding a mentor or a coach I can't stress this enough finding a mentor or coach has been invaluable for me.
• 6:48
  Kaylie Edwards: Carrie Green has been a mentor of mine for years, basically since 2018, and let me tell you, sometimes, when I'm having a really shitty day, I pop on one of her podcast episodes on YouTube or on Spotify.
• 7:04
  Kaylie Edwards: I just relate so much to her.
• 7:07
  Kaylie Edwards: It's like she's speaking my language and she says bloody a lot and, to be fair, I do that quite a lot as well and just sometimes her mannerisms it just reminds me of me.
• 7:18
  Kaylie Edwards: Maybe it's because she doesn't live that far away, but I've never met her.
• 7:22
  Kaylie Edwards: Just hope everyone's's clear on that.
• 7:25
  Kaylie Edwards: I would love to meet Carrie Green, but yeah, and of course, Delores is also a mentor of mine.
• 7:33
  Kaylie Edwards: It's all about surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people who inspire you or you aspire to be like.
• 7:41
  Kaylie Edwards: It's finding and surrounding yourself with people who are more of a positive influence on yourself.
• 7:51
  Kaylie Edwards: I can't remember what the quote is directly, but it's something like you are the sum of the five people you spend most time with.
• 8:00
  Kaylie Edwards: So if you're spending most of your time with five people who are mostly negative, then you're going to start being negative or it'll start affecting you in a negative way and you won't grow.
• 8:15
  Kaylie Edwards: So surround yourself with successful people, people who are able to lift you up, overcoming imposter syndrome.
• 8:29
  Kaylie Edwards: Wow, imposter syndrome this is, yeah, one that I struggle with.
• 8:33
  Kaylie Edwards: I still do today.
• 8:35
  Kaylie Edwards: It's like that annoying party crasher who shows up uninvited to every single event.
• 8:40
  Kaylie Edwards: You know, the one who makes you question every little thing you do, following you around and picking at things.
• 8:48
  Kaylie Edwards: I had my fair share of imposter syndrome while launching my current business.
• 8:53
  Kaylie Edwards: I'd think who am I to sell this?
• 8:57
  Kaylie Edwards: Who am I to teach this?
• 8:58
  Kaylie Edwards: What makes me special?
• 9:01
  Kaylie Edwards: But that's the thing.
• 9:07
  Kaylie Edwards: Imposter syndrome is there to try and keep you safe.
• 9:10
  Kaylie Edwards: It's trying to keep you comfortable and not grow.
• 9:13
  Kaylie Edwards: It's part of our reptilian brain trying to protect us and it doesn't get a say in your life.
• 9:22
  Kaylie Edwards: It shouldn't do when you're trying to build a business, because it will hold you back.
• 9:28
  Kaylie Edwards: I have to tell myself all the time what are you on about?
• 9:32
  Kaylie Edwards: Just leave me alone.
• 9:33
  Kaylie Edwards: I am trying to do this myself and it will work.
• 9:40
  Kaylie Edwards: You know people are going to find my stuff relatable.
• 9:44
  Kaylie Edwards: Some people might not like me, some people might hate me God forbid but it will happen.
• 9:51
  Kaylie Edwards: You know I'm not everybody's cup of tea.
• 9:54
  Kaylie Edwards: I know that very much.
• 9:55
  Kaylie Edwards: So you will find people.
• 9:58
  Kaylie Edwards: You will find your audience and they will love what you do and can relate to you.
• 10:03
  Kaylie Edwards: So, number one embrace your story, your unique journey, your experiences, what makes you unique, are what make your work valuable.
• 10:17
  Kaylie Edwards: Share stories with your audience.
• 10:20
  Kaylie Edwards: It creates a deeper connection and reminds you that you have something special to offer.
• 10:25
  Kaylie Edwards: And reminds you that you have something special to offer.
• 10:28
  Kaylie Edwards: Two affirmations and journaling.
• 10:30
  Kaylie Edwards: Speaking of your story, don't underestimate the power of positive affirmations and journaling.
• 10:37
  Kaylie Edwards: I've had to attend counselling for my past traumas to help me work through things, and let me tell you it's been a journey and I'm still on it now.
• 10:48
  Kaylie Edwards: Sometimes I still have my struggles, but I have coping mechanisms now in place because of things like counselling and speaking it out with people.
• 10:58
  Kaylie Edwards: Now that helps me navigate through all those challenges I face or the horrible thoughts I have come up.
• 11:10
  Kaylie Edwards: Three self-care is key.
• 11:12
  Kaylie Edwards: Yes, I know I don't do it enough, especially after having my son and running my business.
• 11:19
  Kaylie Edwards: My partner would tell you that until the cows come home, but it's vital to take care of yourself, whatever that looks like for you.
• 11:27
  Kaylie Edwards: Sometimes it's just me putting a tv show on that I'm in the middle of, when I'm having a really hard time sitting down, having a cup of tea, a couple of biscuits or, obviously, finding time to paint or play around with a finished designer on the laptop.
• 11:49
  Kaylie Edwards: So final thoughts In closing remember that finding confidence to share and sell your creations is a journey.
• 12:00
  Kaylie Edwards: You're not alone in this, and it's okay to feel scared or unsure.
• 12:04
  Kaylie Edwards: The important thing is to take actionable steps towards overcoming those fears.
• 12:12
  Kaylie Edwards: Don't shut it out.
• 12:14
  Kaylie Edwards: Let the emotions come up and when they do, question them.
• 12:20
  Kaylie Edwards: Is it really a reality?
• 12:23
  Kaylie Edwards: Is it as bad as you think it is?
• 12:25
  Kaylie Edwards: Lean on your community, find supportive friends and don't be afraid to shine your light.
• 12:31
  Kaylie Edwards: And remember every great artist was once an amateur.
• 12:35
  Kaylie Edwards: So don't let fear hold you back from pursuing your passions.
• 12:39
  Kaylie Edwards: Thank you for tuning in today.
• 12:42
  Kaylie Edwards: If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend who might need a little confidence boost too.
• 12:48
  Kaylie Edwards: Until next time, keep creating, keep juggling and, most importantly, keep finding joy in the process.