Art + Business + Murals

This episode is a little different, and a very personal one.After unexpectedly spending time in hospital and needing to step away from my business for several weeks, I found myself reflecting on something important:What actually makes a creative business sustainable? In this episode, I share what happened during my time away, why I disappeared for a month, and the eight business systems I had built over time that allowed my business to keep moving while I focused on healing and recovery. We talk about:Building financial stability with emergency savingsCreating passive income through digital products and online workshopsThe importance of trust, consistency, and strong client relationshipsWhy systems and organisation matter in a creative businessDiversifying income streamsUnderstanding your own capacity and avoiding overcommitmentBuilding a business that supports your life, not consumes it This episode is an honest reflection on burnout, sustainability,rest, and what it really means to build a creative business that can support you through difficult seasons.And as this is Episode 100, it also marks the end of this seasonof the podcast as I take a short winter break to rest and recover fully.Thank you for being here and supporting Art + Business + Murals over the past 100 episodes. I am incredibly grateful for this community. The upcoming events and links that I mentioned in this episode:Sign up to my mailing list for upcoming competitions, coachingpackages and events: https://www.sculleydesign.com The 31 May Business of Art Community Bank Sunshine Coast x Sarah Sculley FREE workshop: https://bankingthatbenefits.com.au/ The Intro to Stencils Workshop and Art + Business Workshop in my Nambour Studio in July – more info and tickets can be found here: https://www.sculleydesign.com/workshops Open Studios Sunshine Coast information can be found here: https://openstudiossunshinecoast.com.au/ Open Studios Gympie: https://www.gympie.qld.gov.au/Community/Arts-and-Culture/Studio-TrailsOpen Studios Noosa: https://noosaopenstudios.com.au/  ——— Thank you so much for tuning into the Art +Business + Murals PodcastIf you’d like to say ‘hi’ to me, or if you have any podcasttopic ideas or artists you’d like me to interview, please email: [email protected] Please follow along: Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/sculleydesign/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/sculleydesign You Tube // https://www.youtube.com/@SarahSculley/videos Website // https://www.sculleydesign.comFeel free to give this podcast a star rating and ‘follow’ so you are notified when new episodes come out each Monday. Please share it with any creatives in your life.

Have you ever felt jealous of another artist on social media?That sinking feeling when you see someone else's success, opportunities, or growth and suddenly start questioning your own path.In this honest and personal episode, I talk about something many artists feel but rarely admit. Jealousy, comparison, and the fear of being left behind.I share my own recent experiences with feeling threatened by other artists online, and how I worked through those feelings instead of ignoring them or feeling ashamed.In this episode, I talk about:Why jealousy is a normal human emotion, especially in creative industries How social media amplifies comparison and insecurity The hidden message behind jealous feelings Practical strategies to shift jealousy into motivation and growth How to stay focused on your own path instead of someone else's timeline If you have ever compared yourself to another artist and felt discouraged, this episode will help you reframe those feelings and use them as fuel for your own progress.There is room for your work, your voice, and your success. ——— Thank you so much for tuning into the Art + Business + Murals PodcastIf you’d like to say ‘hi’ to me, or if you have any podcast topic ideas or artists you’d like me to interview, please email: [email protected] Please follow along: Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/sculleydesign/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/sculleydesign You Tube // https://www.youtube.com/@SarahSculley/videos Website // https://www.sculleydesign.comFeel free to give this podcast a star rating and ‘follow’ so you are notified when new episodes come out each Monday. Please share it with any creatives in your life.

If you are posting your artwork, improving your skills, and still not getting commission enquiries, this episode is for you.One of the most common frustrations I hear from artists is:"Why am I not getting any commissions?"And the truth is, it is rarely about talent. In this episode, I break down the real reasons artists struggle to get commissioned work and what you can do to change that. We talk about how to move away from guessing and hoping, and instead build a clear offer that solves a real problem for a specific audience.Inside this episode, I cover:·       Why finding a problem to solve is the foundation of getting commissions·       How to refine your offering so people clearly understand what you do·       The importance of finding a niche and standing out in a crowded market·       How to market directly to your target audience instead of using a spray and pray approach·       How customer service and communication impact whether people hire you·       Why momentum matters and how to build it over time If you feel like you are working hard but not seeing results, this episode will help you step back, reassess, and make practical changes that lead to more consistent enquiries.You do not need to be everywhere.You need to be visible in the right places to the right people. Want support building your art business?Inside my Creative Business Group Coaching Program, you will find practical tools including marketing plans, commission contracts, pricing tools, and planning systems designed specifically for artists.  Mentioned in this podacast:Blog post to go with this episode. ——— Thank you so much for tuning into the Art + Business + Murals PodcastIf you’d like to say ‘hi’ to me, or if you have any podcast topic ideas or artists you’d like me to interview, please email: [email protected] Please follow along: Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/sculleydesign/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/sculleydesign You Tube // https://www.youtube.com/@SarahSculley/videos Website // https://www.sculleydesign.comFeel free to give this podcast a star rating and ‘follow’ so you are notified when new episodes come out each Monday. Please share it with any creatives in your life.

Today’s episode is a little different from my usual conversationsabout art, business and murals.In this episode, I’m sharing a very personal story about my recent experience with perimenopause and being diagnosed with ADHD and ASD as an adult woman.Over the past few years I’ve been navigating changes in my energy, focus, nervous system and mental health, while still running a creative business and raising a family. Through this process I’ve been learning more about how hormonal changes, neurodivergence and burnout can intersect for many women in midlife. In this episode I talk about:• My personal experience leading up to diagnosis• Why so many women are diagnosed later in life• Some confronting statistics around women’s mental health in midlife• The tools and habits that have helped stabilise my nervous system• Ways to educate and advocate for yourself if you’re experiencing similar challenges If any part of this conversation resonates with you, pleaseremember you’re not alone, and support is available. Mentioned in this podacast:A downloadable peri-menopause symptom trackerThe Rage against the Vagine PodcastThe Dr Louise Newson PodcastThe Neurodivergent Woman Podcast  ——— Thank you so much for tuning into the Art +Business + Murals PodcastIf you’d like to say ‘hi’ to me, or if you have any podcasttopic ideas or artists you’d like me to interview, please email: [email protected] Please follow along: Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/sculleydesign/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/sculleydesign You Tube // https://www.youtube.com/@SarahSculley/videos Website // https://www.sculleydesign.comFeel free to give this podcast a star ratingand ‘follow’ so you are notified when new episodes come out each Monday. Please share it with any creatives in your life.

Pricing is one of the most common and most emotional struggles in building a sustainable art business. In this episode, I walk you through a practical pricing framework you can actually use. We cover income goals, calculating real costs, paying yourself properly, adding profit, and setting boundaries around commissions, prints and workshops.If you have ever wondered whether you are charging too much or not enough, this episode will help you stop guessing and start pricing with clarity and confidence.  To join the Group Coaching Program for FREE, use the discount code: FIRSTMONTHFREEWhen you sign up to Group Coaching here. ——— Thank you so much for tuning into the Art + Business + Murals PodcastIf you’d like to say ‘hi’ to me, or if you have any podcast topic ideas or artists you’d like me to interview, please email: [email protected] Please follow along: Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/sculleydesign/ Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/sculleydesign You Tube // https://www.youtube.com/@SarahSculley/videos Website // https://www.sculleydesign.comFeel free to give this podcast a star rating and ‘follow’ so you are notified when new episodes come out each Monday. Please share it with any creatives in your life.