Interviews with artists about their careers, how they grew their audiences, and the biggest "uh-oh" decision they've ever made (and how they recovered from it).
Ep. 20: Mixing Family & Business: The Story of Gingiber’s Growth with Angie Classen
In this special season finale, Stacie sits down with someone very close to her heart—her sister, Angie Classen. Many people know Stacie as the face of Gingiber and Learn with Stacie Bloomfield, but behind the scenes, Angie is an essential part of the team. Together, they share the journey of working as sisters, growing a thriving art business, and the lessons they've learned about trust, resilience, and navigating the challenges of running a company with family. This heartfelt conversation is filled with wisdom for creatives looking to build sustainable businesses—especially those who may be hesitant to ask for help or delegate. If you've ever wondered what it’s like to mix family and business, this episode is full of honest insights, personal stories, and valuable takeaways. Today on Art + Audience: Season One Finale: Stacie reflects on the journey of this podcast and why taking seasonal breaks is important for creative growth. Meet Angie Classen: Stacie introduces her sister, Angie, who plays a critical role in the business. They share how their careers unexpectedly became intertwined. The Importance of Asking for Help: Many creatives hesitate to delegate. Angie highlights how Stacie's ability to invite others into her business helped scale Gingiber into a seven-figure brand. Balancing Strengths: Stacie and Angie have complementary skills—Stacie’s quick decision-making and creative energy meet Angie’s methodical approach and organizational strengths. Together, they make the perfect team. Navigating Conflict and Growth: Family businesses come with unique challenges, but open communication, trust, and knowing when to push through difficulties have been key to their success. Scaling Gingiber: How Stacie took a big swing by trusting Angie to take on a leadership role in product management—despite conventional business advice warning against family in leadership. Making Space for Others: The power of hiring team members who bring new talents to the table, and how letting go of control creates space for even greater success. Sisterhood & Support: Beyond business, Stacie and Angie share how their bond has deepened over time, creating a foundation of support in both work and life. The Power of Creative Community: Why finding “pace setters” in business—whether a sister or a mastermind group—is essential for growth. Connect with Stacie Bloomfield: Subscribe, Rate and Review: Art + Audience Podcast Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart Facebook: @ShopGingiber Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561
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Ep. 19: Behind the Booth: Lessons from the Atlanta Trade Show
In this special episode, Stacie records live from the bustling Atlanta Market alongside her team members Amanda and Jessica. They share behind-the-scenes insights into preparing for a wholesale trade show, the highs and lows of the event, and what it takes to pull off a successful booth. From budgeting tips to unexpected hiccups, this episode offers a raw and informative look at the trade show experience and why it’s worth the investment for artists and entrepreneurs. Today on Art + Audience: Trade Show 101: Stacie and Amanda explain what wholesale trade shows are, why Atlanta Market is a must-attend event, and the months of preparation that go into participating. Budget Breakdown: Amanda walks through the costs of attending, including booth fees, travel, lodging, and materials, emphasizing that while expensive, it’s a valuable marketing investment. Hiccups and Hustle: From a canceled IKEA order to a gas-leaking Airbnb, the team recounts the challenges they faced during setup and how they pivoted to overcome them. The Power of Touch: Why trade shows are crucial for showcasing products in person and getting valuable customer feedback. Expanding the Gingiber Line: Jessica shares insights on product development, including the introduction of table runners and napkins, and how customer requests are shaping future designs. Building Relationships: Stacie reflects on the joy of meeting buyers, licensing contacts, and fans in person—a reminder of the power of connection in a digital world. Resource: Atlanta Trade Show booth tour video: Coming soon! Connect with Stacie Bloomfield: Subscribe, Rate and Review: Art + Audience Podcast Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart Facebook: @ShopGingiber Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561
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Ep. 18: I Bought a 100+ Year Old Church—Here’s the Wild Story Behind It
In this reflective and inspiring solo episode, Stacie invites you into her recent journey, which spans creative self-discovery, a transformative trip to Scotland, and an exciting new chapter as she reveals her second big secret. Stacie shares heartfelt lessons about slowing down, rediscovering creativity, and living an artful life—all while balancing the demands of running her art business, Gingiber. Today on Art + Audience: A Transformative Trip to Scotland: Stacie recounts her solo journey, a rare opportunity to connect with herself and focus on her well-being. From long walks and journaling to writing her upcoming book, The Artist’s Side Hustle, she shares how this experience reignited her creativity and energy. Rediscovering Herself Amidst the Noise: The Scotland trip offered Stacie the gift of solitude and introspection, helping her navigate feelings of burnout and reconnect with her authentic self. The Bloom House: Returning from Scotland, Stacie closed on an old church building that she’s affectionately named the Bloom House. She opens up about her vision for this space as a community hub for creatives to gather, connect, and be inspired. Living Artfully and Attracting Your Audience: Stacie explores the power of living a vibrant, creative life and how sharing personal, authentic stories can magnetize an audience. A Call to Action for Artists: Encouraging artists to embrace authenticity, Stacie emphasizes that building a meaningful art career isn’t just about creating; it’s about living creatively and sharing that journey with others. Resource: See a tour of the church Connect with Stacie Bloomfield: Subscribe, Rate and Review: Art + Audience Podcast Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart Facebook: @ShopGingiber Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561
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Ep. 17: Why Your Art Isn’t Selling (and How to Fix It) with Brooke Glaser
In this insightful and inspiring episode, Stacie chats with illustrator Brooke Glaser. Brooke shares her journey from handmade greeting cards to becoming a professional illustrator with her work featured in major retailers like Target. She discusses how failures—like an expensive trade show with no immediate sales—became powerful lessons that propelled her career forward. This episode is packed with practical advice on refining your art, navigating uncertainty, and growing your creative business with intentionality and resilience. Today on Art + Audience: Meet Brooke Glaser: Brooke’s path to becoming a sought-after illustrator and online educator who has empowered over 270,000 artists through her classes. Starting Small: The early days of Brooke’s career selling handmade greeting cards and the challenges of scaling a product-based business. The Expensive Trade Show Failure: What Brooke learned from an unsuccessful trade show and how curation and quality trump quantity in art. Strategic Thinking in Art: How Brooke shifted her mindset to create targeted, meaningful work that resonates with clients and their audiences. Creative Problem Solving: The importance of reworking and reusing art strategically for different opportunities without compromising artistic integrity. Finding Your Flow: Embracing uncertainty and focusing on what truly aligns with your goals and values. Advice for Beginners: Surround yourself with a supportive community and seek constructive feedback to grow as both an artist and entrepreneur. Connect with Brooke Glaser: Instagram: @paperplaygrounds Website: brookeglaser.com Brooke’s free resource for aspiring artists: The Beginner’s Guide to Drawing Anything Connect with Stacie Bloomfield: Subscribe, Rate and Review: Art + Audience Podcast Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart Facebook: @ShopGingiber Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561 Get the free 5-day email course at artlicensingplaybook.com
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Ep. 16: The Secret That’s Taking Me All the Way to Scotland
In this solo episode, Stacie shares an exciting personal milestone—she’s writing a book! Stacie pulls back the curtain on the journey of how her upcoming book, The Artist’s Side Hustle, came to fruition, including moments of serendipity, setbacks, and sheer determination. Reflecting on her creative path, Stacie offers inspiration for artists chasing big dreams, even in the face of self-doubt. Today on Art + Audience: A Major Announcement: Stacie reveals her secret project—The Artist’s Side Hustle, a book to help artists build their creative businesses in the margins of their lives. The Power of Vision Boards: How a Vision Board from 2018 planted the seed for Stacie’s book-writing dreams. Facing Setbacks: Stacie opens up about how her first book, Give Yourself Margin, wasn’t the commercial success she had hoped for—and how that nearly derailed her future publishing aspirations. Doors That Opened Unexpectedly: The serendipitous connections and bold actions that led to her signing with Hay House, with distribution by Penguin Random House. A Scottish Escape for Creative Focus: Why Stacie is flying to Edinburgh to focus on writing, and how this creative retreat ties into her artistic growth. A Reminder to Dream Big: Stacie reflects on overcoming criticism and doubt to chase a dream she once thought impossible. Resources: Vision Board Connect with Stacie Bloomfield: Subscribe, Rate and Review: Art + Audience Podcast Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart Facebook: @ShopGingiber Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561 Get the free 5-day email course at artlicensingplaybook.com
Interviews with artists about their careers, how they grew their audiences, and the biggest "uh-oh" decision they've ever made (and how they recovered from it).
USA