Posts by Jessica Abel
How to build an ethical creative business that honors your core values
In this article, you’ll get an activity that will show you how to use your core values to build an ethical creative business that can help make the world a better place. Yes, seriously. Obviously, in this big crazy world, there is a lot that’s out of your control. We all make compromises, a lot…
Read MoreResetting for the New Year: the power of a self-compassionate annual review
I’m about to ask you to do something hard, but before I do, I want to tell you a little story. Last month, I wrapped up the autumn class I teach each year called “Illustration Projects.” The title is vague, I know, but that’s intentional, because the content of the class changes each year. It’s…
Read MoreHow being brave just ONCE brought forth a world of opportunities, and kickstarted a dream creative career
If you have big dreams of starting a creative career… If you can imagine making something awesome and ambitious… …then you can also imagine screwing it all up, being found out as a loser and a fraud, being banned from all future creative career options and endeavors, and being sent to the corner to think…
Read MoreFrom riding the rollercoaster to piloting the plane—how one artist brought joy and financial stability back to her business
Listen to Rauni’s story in her own words: Rauni Higson is a silversmith based in Snowdonia: a picturesque, mountainous region in North Wales. She began her work as a silversmith 25 years ago, and until joining the Autonomous Creative Incubator, focused primarily on commissioned large-scale silver objects, primarily for commemoration or celebration. Rauni explained that…
Read MoreSewist overcomes burnout to stitch together a stronger business model
Listen to Martha’s story in her own words: Production sewing coach, Marty Remsen felt like no matter how much effort she put into her business, she wasn’t seeing tangible results, and started to wonder if maybe she should get a “real” job. She already had a vision for where she wanted her business to go,…
Read MoreFrustrated filmmaker overcomes a crisis of confidence to find rapid success
Listen to Avantika’s story in her own words: As an accomplished filmmaker, Avantika Hari Agrawal has always been full of ideas. She enjoyed the creativity, opportunity, and potential that came with being a successful filmmaker partnering with Netflix and others. But the reality of the filmmaker life meant her dream projects getting stuck in “development…
Read MoreFinding the Venn diagram of the work that pays well and the work you want to do
Listen to Stephanie’s story in her own words: After studying illustration in school, Stephanie Shafer stumbled into working as an art director. Although the job paid well, Stephanie felt frustrated and creatively blocked. “I took that job, but the whole time I felt like I was spending a lot of time making things that nobody…
Read MoreFrom Burnt Out Artist to Joyful Creative Coach: The Power of the “Perfect Fit” Business Model
Listen to Eleanor’s story in her own words: Eleanor Chaney is an artist and educator who has worked as an illustrator, exhibited her prints in shops and galleries, and taught skills-based arts and crafts classes to thousands of people. But as a working artist and teacher, she felt like she had hit an upper limit…
Read MoreAnnouncing 12 new sustainable creative businesses: Time to celebrate! 🎉
I’m so incredibly proud to introduce you to the inaugural cohort of the Autonomous Creative Incubator! We’ve all been working so hard for this day 🐣 Six short months ago, these awesome creatives committed to launching new businesses. Why did they take this major step? Because they all needed to create time, freedom, and autonomy…
Read MoreAre you on the hamster wheel of being overworked and underpaid? How one neurodivergent artist created a path to success
Listen to Deirdre’s story in her own words: When people talk about being “stuck” professionally because of constant overwhelm in their life, Deirdre Colgan Jones understands. Deirdre is a professionally trained artist, architect, and teacher who struggled to make a living doing what she loves. “I was caught in this hamster wheel of doing things…
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