Podcast · Arts & Books

Creative Business Spark

by Anne LaFollette · English · Arts & Books

Need help navigating through life after getting laid off from your job or as you approach retirement? Join Anne La Follette, former corporate Vice President, who reinvented herself in her late 50s after getting laid off from a job she loved. Becoming a successful creative entrepreneur from scrat

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 15 min
Latest: 12 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026 · 7 min

E75 Why I'm Not Very Good At Taking A Break

SHOW NOTES: I’m not very good at taking a break. After a big project or launch, my first instinct is usually to dive straight into the numbers, figure out what worked, and start thinking about the next thing. In this episode, I’m sharing why slowing down doesn’t come naturally to me, what actually helps me reset, and why I’m starting to think that rest doesn’t always mean doing nothing. Sometimes it simply means creating enough distance from your normal routine to come back to yourself. 👉 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: ✨ Why my first instinct after a big project is to analyze everything instead of rest…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

5 Oct 2026 · 10 min
E74 I Don't Always Try To Figure It Out Alone
SHOW NOTES: If there’s something I really want to get good at, I usually don’t try to figure out every single part of it by myself. In this episode, I’m sharing three very different learning experiences—from tennis, to becoming fluent in French, to building an online business—that taught me the value of learning from people who already know the path. Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is stop wandering, find the right teacher, and let them help you move forward faster. 👉 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: ✨ Why practicing with someone better than you can help you find the rhythm you can’t reach on your…
28 Sep 2026 · 6 min
E73 Confidence Comes After You Begin
SHOW NOTES: If you’ve been waiting to feel more confident before you start something creative, this episode is for you. I’m sharing why confidence usually doesn’t come first—it grows from the small pieces of evidence you collect when you try, learn, make mistakes, and keep going. You don’t have to feel completely ready. Sometimes you just need enough courage to take the very next step. 👉 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: ✨ Why confidence often comes after you begin—not before ✨ How small creative wins become evidence that you really can do this ✨ Why giving yourself permission to be a beginner changes…
21 Sep 2026 · 14 min
E72 What You'll Experience During Doodles Coaching Week
SHOW NOTES: If you’ve been curious about surface pattern design but still aren’t quite sure what a repeating pattern is—or what it would actually feel like to learn how to make one—this episode is for you. I’m showing you exactly what you can expect inside Doodles Coaching Week , from the short live lessons and same-day replays to the step-by-step written guides and community support. I learned Adobe Illustrator myself in my late 50s, so I know how overwhelming it can look when you first open it. That’s exactly why I’ve designed this experience to make learning feel clear, supported and…
14 Sep 2026 · 12 min
E71 What Happens After You Create Your First Repeating Pattern
SHOW NOTES: Your first repeating pattern doesn’t need to be a masterpiece. In fact, that’s not really the point. In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when you take that first tiny step into surface pattern design, even if you have no idea where to start and technology feels intimidating. Your first pattern is proof that you can learn something new, take it one baby step at a time, and do something that once felt completely out of reach. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your own designs on fabric but wondered whether Illustrator might be too hard, this episode is for you. 👉 WHAT…
7 Sep 2026 · 12 min
E70 Why Another Random Tutorial Won't Solve That
SHOW NOTES: Have you ever opened YouTube looking for help with surface pattern design—and ended up with twelve tabs open about Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator, and several completely different ways to make a pattern? You may learn something from every tutorial, but you’re still no closer to seeing your own designs on fabric. In this episode, I’m sharing why random tutorials can leave you feeling even more overwhelmed—and why the problem isn’t your ability. What you need isn’t more disconnected information. You need a clear path that shows you what to learn, what can wait, and how all the…
31 Aug 2026 · 12 min
E69. Three Shifts That Help You Find Time for Your Creativity
SHOW NOTES: Judy spent more than twenty years sewing beautiful things for everyone she loved, all while quietly dreaming of seeing her own designs on fabric. She just never made room for that dream, until one shift changed everything. In this episode, I share Judy's story and walk you through three small shifts that make room for your creativity, even in the middle of a very full and busy life. None of them require more hours in your day. If you've ever told yourself you'd get to your creativity "someday," this one is for you. 👉 What You'll Learn: Why "I don't have time" is often standing in…
24 Aug 2026 · 14 min
E68. The Real Reason Your Doodles Stay Stuck In Your Head
SHOW NOTES: Have you ever bought a course, watched a lesson or two, and then quietly let it slip away? If so, I promise there is nothing wrong with you. In this episode I share the real reason beginners stop before they finish their first pattern, and it has almost nothing to do with talent or willpower. I walk you through the three keys that actually help women cross the finish line, and I tell you about a former student who went from never opening Illustrator to selling her art on products in about two weeks. If your doodles have been stuck in your head for too long, this one is for you. 👉…
17 Aug 2026 · 12 min
E67. How One Simple Doodle Becomes a Real Product
SHOW NOTES: Pauline was once told by a teacher that she had no talent, so she walked away from art for decades. Then she learned to turn her doodles into repeating patterns, and one simple design of her little village became cards, mugs, and tea towels that drew a queue at her local fair. In this episode I share three truths about how one small doodle becomes a real product you can hold, gift, or sell, using the stories of three women who each started with nothing more than a simple drawing. If you have ever looked at your own sketchbook and thought your doodles were too simple to ever…
10 Aug 2026 · 13 min
E66 Five Signs You're More Ready Than You Think
SHOW NOTES: If you've been waiting to feel ready before you start something creative, this episode is for you. I share the reframe that changed everything for me and for thousands of my students: readiness isn't a feeling you wait to arrive. It's a set of quiet signs that are probably already showing up in your life right now. I walk through five of them, from the pull that won't leave you alone to the season quietly making room, and show you why you may be far more ready than you feel to turn your doodles into surface patterns. 👉 What You'll Learn: Why "feeling ready" and "being ready" are…
3 Aug 2026 · 11 min
E65 Three Reasons It's Not Too Late to Learn Illustrator
SHOW NOTES: Kathleen was so scared of the technology that she almost never started. She loves her gadgets, but Adobe Illustrator felt like a wall. Fast forward and her fabric designs have sold at farmers markets as tablecloths, napkins, and bundles for quilters and sewists. In this episode I share the three reasons she went from frozen to selling, and why, if you've ever dreamed of seeing your designs on fabric, you may be closer than you think. This one is for you if you've told yourself you're too old, too behind, or just not tech savvy enough to learn Adobe Illustrator. 👉 What You'll…
27 Jul 2026 · 11 min
E64 Three Truths That Will Change The Way You See Your Doodles
SHOW NOTES: If you've ever looked at your own doodles and quietly decided they aren't good enough, this episode is for you. I share the story of learning tennis with the "wrong hand" and the years I spent believing I simply wasn't talented, until I saw what was actually going on. It's the same thing so many creative women do with their art. Let me walk you through three truths that could completely change what you see when you look at your own work, and I reveal the one learnable skill that actually stands between a simple doodle and a design someone would happily buy. What You’ll Learn: Why…
20 Jul 2026 · 12 min
E63. Overcoming Creative Procrastination: 3 Shifts to Start Today
SHOW NOTES: How long have you been whispering the word someday ? Someday when you have more time, someday when things finally settle down, or someday when you feel just a little bit more creative, confident, or "ready" ? If you are tired of putting your creative dreams on the back burner, this episode is your gentle wake-up call to turn that distant someday into today . I’m sharing three simple, powerful mindset shifts that will help you stop postponing the creative journey that keeps tugging at your heart . We are breaking down the tech barriers, shifting away from creative procrastination,…
13 Jul 2026 · 18 min
E62. What 158 Women Proved Last Week
SHOW NOTES: If you’ve ever opened Adobe Illustrator only to immediately want to close your laptop in sheer panic — this episode is for you . I’m breaking down the incredible momentum from our most recent Doodles cohort to share exactly what 158 creative women just proved about conquering tech anxiety . Learning digital pattern design doesn't have to feel like climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops . This isn't about mastering every complex tool or menu overnight . It’s about showing up steady, putting on your blinders, and letting a step-by-step framework turn your hand-drawn sketches into…
29 Jun 2026 · 18 min
E61. Overcoming Creative Guilt: 3 Permissions to Pursue Your Art
SHOW NOTES: If you have been waiting for someone to hand you a permission slip to finally say yes to your creative dreams, consider this episode your official sign. I’m pulling back the curtain on a quiet morning in my garden to share why choosing to invest time, energy, and resources into your own creativity is never a betrayal of your family—in fact, it is one of the most powerful, lasting generational gifts you could ever give to them . This isn’t about navigating a skill gap; it’s about overcoming the crushing wave of creative guilt that tells us our passions are just "silly little…
22 Jun 2026 · 17 min
E60. 3 Truths Quilters Discover When They Learn About Surface Pattern Design
SHOW NOTES: If you have ever stood in your favorite fabric store or scrolled endlessly online looking for the perfect print, only to leave empty-handed because it simply didn't exist—this episode is for you. I am pulling back the curtain on a beautiful secret: if you have spent years or decades choosing fabrics for quilts, garments, or sewing projects, you already think exactly like a professional surface pattern designer. This isn't about starting from scratch or spending years in design school . It's about recognizing the master-level design decisions you are already making every single…
15 Jun 2026 · 18 min
E59. 3 Steps to Conquer Adobe Illustrator When Tech Feels Scary
SHOW NOTES: If opening Adobe Illustrator makes your chest tighten, your palms sweaty, or your mind spin with overwhelm—this episode is for you. I’m pulling back the curtain on my own terrifying experience being thrown into a French immersion school as an eight-year-old child to share exactly why learning digital design feels just like learning a brand-new language. This isn’t about mastering 100% of a complex software program in a single week . It’s about showing up steady, giving yourself grace, and using a simple learning strategy to conquer tech intimidation so you can successfully build…
8 Jun 2026 · 19 min
E58. 3 Reasons It's Not Too Late to Start Your Creative Side-Hustle
SHOW NOTES: If you've ever whispered to yourself that you're too old to start something creative, this episode is for you — and I'm not letting you off the hook that easily. I'm sharing my own story of being laid off in my late 50s, and how one box of art supplies from my husband Tom completely changed the direction of this phase of my life. Then I'm backing it all up with real research: three undeniable, data-backed reasons why your window isn't closing. It never was. And it's been waiting for you all along. 👉 What You'll Learn: Why every single year you've lived is a competitive advantage…
1 Jun 2026 · 14 min
E57 She Retired at 60 & Landed Her First Fabric License - Here's How
SHOW NOTES: As a child, she was told to stick to “crafty things”. Fast forward to now. She’s retired and just landed her first fabric licensing deal. Here's exactly how she did it, and how you can too. The rise of AI-generated art has done something unexpected: it's made your hand-drawn designs more valuable than ever. In this episode, I'm sharing the story of my student Debby McLaughlin — a retired software project manager who was told as a child to stick with "crafty things" — and what happened when she decided, in her mid-50s, to find out if that teacher had been right. Spoiler: she…
25 May 2026 · 16 min
E56 Why AI Gives You Generic Answers (and How to Fix It)
SHOW NOTES: If the constant noise around artificial intelligence has you feeling behind, overwhelmed, or like you’ve already missed the boat — this episode is for you. I’m pulling back the curtain on the urgency trap I fell into myself and sharing exactly why creative women like us are more ready for AI than we think. This isn’t about learning 30 tools in 30 days. It’s about showing up steady, getting clear on who you are, and letting AI handle the work that drains you so you have more time for the work that lights you up. 👉 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: ✨ Why the urgency around AI is manufactured —…
18 May 2026 · 13 min
E55. Why 241 Women Didn’t Show Up (And Why You Might Be One of Them)
Show Notes: In this episode, I'm getting honest about something that's hard to admit. Recently, I paid for an in-person mastermind meeting, registered to attend, and I didn't go. Why is this relevant? Last week, 241 women did the same thing to Doodles Coaching Week. Whether you showed up or not, this episode is for every woman who has ever registered for something with real intention and quietly let herself off the hook. I'm sharing the 3 real reasons creative women don't show up for themselves — and one very concrete next step to start breaking that pattern for good. 👉 What You'll Learn:…
6 Apr 2026 · 20 min
E54. Create Your Own Fabric Designs in Just 5 Days
SHOW NOTES: In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my From Doodles to Dollars® Coaching Week to show you exactly how to transform a simple sketch into a professional, repeating pattern. Whether you want to design your own fabric for quilting, create unique wrapping paper, or explore new income streams, I break down the process into simple "baby steps" using Adobe Illustrator. I share my personal journey of reinventing myself in my 60s and explain why you don't need art school or expensive tech to start your own creative business. 👉 What You'll Learn: The 3 Golden Rules : My…
30 Mar 2026 · 17 min
53. 3 Things That Changed When This Watercolor Artist Learned Pattern Design
Show Notes: A watercolor artist in a 40-person Swedish village used one new skill to turn a single thistle painting into pillows, tea towels, tote bags — and a line of linen dresses. Maria Ahl-Zanier is a watercolor artist living in a tiny village in southern Sweden. She had a thriving creative business — originals, handcrafted products, in-person classes. Then she learned to create repeating patterns. In this episode, I share Maria's journey and the three realities that became possible once she learned how to create repeating pattern designs. If you're a watercolor artist who has ever…
23 Mar 2026 · 15 min
52. Why I'm Practically Giving Away This Training (It’s only $10 Bucks!)
SHOW NOTES: Why does the From Doodles to Dollars® Coaching Week cost just $10? I get real about the intentional philosophy behind the price — and what's actually waiting for you inside. If you've ever wondered whether a $10 course can really be worth your time, this episode is for you. 🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn The honest question one student emailed me about the $10 price — and my full answer What's actually included in From Doodles to Dollars® Coaching Week (hint: it's not a PDF and nothing else) Why I've made the very intentional decision to keep this training this accessible What…
16 Mar 2026 · 19 min
51. I Almost Quit My Creative Business (Here's What Happened)
Show Notes: Have you ever stood in a fabric store aisle and thought — why can't I ever find exactly what I need? In this episode, I'm sharing the story of a season when I nearly walked away from my creative business entirely — and the one skill that changed everything. We'll talk about the social media treadmill that exhausts so many creative entrepreneurs, the myth that more products equals more income, and the moment I realized that doing one thing really well will always outperform doing everything halfway. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, scattered, or like all your effort just isn't…
9 Mar 2026 · 21 min
50. 7 Ways Creatives Turn Doodles into Income
SHOW NOTES Kyle Young sold over $1,000 in products at a church craft fair in just three hours — and she'd only recently started exploring surface pattern design. In this episode, Anne walks through seven real ways creative women are earning income from their simple doodles, featuring nine students from her community who are doing it right now. Whether you're drawn to print-on-demand, licensing, craft fairs, teaching, or something you haven't even considered yet, this episode will show you what's possible. 🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn The 7 income paths available to surface pattern…
2 Mar 2026 · 16 min
49. Why I Shared So Many Emails Lately. Like A Lot. A Lot
SHOW NOTES: Did you wonder why you received so many emails during Bonnie Christine's Immersion launch? Today I'm pulling back the curtain on affiliate marketing. What it is, how I approach it, and why it can become an important part of your creative business. I break affiliate marketing into three simple buckets and share exactly how I think about recommending tools and programs to my community. Whether you're curious about affiliate marketing for your own business or just want to know why you got so many emails, this episode is for you. 🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn What affiliate…
23 Feb 2026 · 17 min
48. Spring Cleaning For Your Mind. Trash 5 Mindset Blocks That Hold You Back
SHOW NOTES What's really standing between you and the creative life you want? It's not your age, your talent, or your tech skills — it's a collection of lies you've been carrying around for years. In this episode, let’s gets honest about the five mindset traps that keep creative women stuck. I share the moment I almost let fear win after getting laid off, and I’ll give you permission to throw those old stories in the trash. It’s spring cleaning for the mind! 🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn: The 5 lies that keep creative women (especially over 50) from pursuing new skills My personal story of…
16 Feb 2026 · 22 min
47. Is Bonnie Christine's Immersion Program Worth It?
Show Notes. This year marks my eighth year blocking off my calendar for Bonnie Christine's Surface Design Immersion program, but this year feels completely different. Bonnie has reimagined her signature program from the ground up, and I'm excited to tell you this new approach is exactly what we need right now. In this special podcast episode, I share why this course matters so much—not just for learning surface pattern design, but for reclaiming tangible creativity in our increasingly digital world. UNBOXING VIDEO! Head over to my YouTube channel to watch the video where I unbox the two…
9 Feb 2026 · 18 min
46. Print & Pattern Revival - A FREE Workshop with Bonnie Christine
SHOW NOTES: Eight years ago, I discovered Bonnie Christine and surface pattern design—and it changed everything. Today I'm inviting you to join Bonnie's free Print & Pattern Revival workshop (Feb 11-16) where she'll teach you how to create seamless repeating patterns and understand how the surface design industry really works. No experience needed—just a pencil and paper. This workshop is perfect whether you've grabbed my surface pattern design ebook or my Doodles workbook and want to go deeper, or you're completely new to pattern design. Learn from the GOAT herself! 🔑 In This Episode You’ll…

About Creative Business Spark

Creative Business Spark is a English arts & books podcast from Anne LaFollette. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Anne LaFollette
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 15 min
Latest episode: 12 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1809256515

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