<![CDATA[The Artrepreneur Diaries]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/theartrepreneurdiaries Hello friends! I'm Ash, and I'm here hosting TAD!

The Artrepreneur Diaries is more than just a podcast—it’s a guide for creative individuals navigating the transition from student to professional, freelancer, or entrepreneur. It’s designed to be both inspirational and actionable, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a career in creative industries.

At its core, The Artrepreneur Diaries is about:

Authenticity – Honest, real conversations about the struggles and successes of building a career.

Creativity – Focused on professionals who challenge traditional career paths.

Entrepreneurship – Spotlighting individuals who have built something from the ground up.

Community – Encouraging collaboration, networking, and resource-sharing among listeners.

So follow along and learn together with me on this creative journey!

]]> RSS.com 2026.401.141116 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:30:29 GMT en 6cf350a5-d9c8-5478-b9d5-00992ef2dcef https://media.rss.com/theartrepreneurdiaries/20250219_060246_b21def51f85c90c0ba48fc3766b1f07f.png The Artrepreneur Diaries https://rss.com/podcasts/theartrepreneurdiaries yes Ashley Maese Ashley Maese false episodic podcast <![CDATA[NYC, Dance & the Power of Community]]> In this episode, I sit down with Kensie Keele, a professional dancer who shares her journey from a small town in North Carolina to the fast-paced world of New York City. We talk about what it really takes to pursue dance as a career, the power of creative community, and how finding your people can change everything. From training at the CLI Conservatory to performing in NYC, Kenzie opens up about confidence, collaboration, and staying grounded in the hustle.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to TAD

03:03 Kensie Keele: A Journey into Dance

06:03 The Leap to New York City

08:54 Training at CLI Conservatory

12:09 Finding Confidence in Dance

14:55 Joining Akompany: A New Chapter

18:01 The Importance of Community

20:58 First Performance in NYC

24:10 Exploring Commercial Dance

26:47 The Power of Creative Collaboration

29:51 Creative Influences and Toolbox

32:46 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/theartrepreneurdiaries/1987488 dfadcf4a-1f8b-4b8e-a168-6d6459209464 1961 full 1 1 7 7 false Tue, 15 Apr 2025 01:59:23 GMT <![CDATA[Music for Healing, Collaboration, and Building Community]]> In this episode of TAD, I sit down with Nicole, an artist, songwriter, and entrepreneur who left the corporate world to pursue her creative passions. We dive into the power of music as a tool for healing, the magic that happens through collaboration, and the importance of building a supportive creative community.

Nicole opens up about her journey from poetry to songwriting, the challenges of sustaining a creative career, and what it truly means to live authentically as an artist. We also discuss overcoming burnout, discovering your creative voice, and the everyday practices that fuel inspiration. Plus, she shares her vision for SK, the creative community she’s cultivating.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to TAD

01:27 Introducing Nicole: The Corporate Turned Artist

02:44 Defining the Entrepreneurial Artist

04:28 The Evolution of Swartkat Studios

06:34 The Importance of Collaboration in Art

08:16 From Poetry to Songwriting

10:21 The Healing Power of Music

12:14 Authentic Creative Living

14:29 Practicing Songwriting and Singing

17:09 The Collaboration Process in Music

20:44 Challenges in the Artistic Journey

23:34 Overcoming Burnout as a Creative

25:40 Advice for Aspiring Creatives

29:05 Creative MVPs and Inspirations

31:35 Essential Tools for Creativity

33:13 Future Aspirations for SK

35:31 Connecting with Nicole

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/theartrepreneurdiaries/1972587 d63ed5ed-7274-492f-8436-2f717af2584c 1998 full 1 1 6 6 false Fri, 04 Apr 2025 07:08:48 GMT <![CDATA[Cultural Transitions & Storytelling: Jana Tolmie's Film Journey]]> In this episode, I chat with filmmaker Jana Tolmi about her journey from South Africa to Canada to Paris and how these cultural transitions have shaped her creative perspective. We dive into storytelling, casting, networking, and the importance of embracing uncertainty in the film industry. If you're a filmmaker or creative looking for inspiration, this one's for you!

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Artrepreneur Diaries

01:01 Jana's Journey: From South Africa to Paris

04:12 Cultural Transitions: Adjusting to New Environments

10:45 Exploring Film: Jana's Experiences in Paris

14:09 The Influence of Culture on Storytelling

18:40 Casting: Bringing Stories to Life

20:46 Networking and Breaking into the Industry

23:34 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

25:28 Embracing Uncertainty in the Next Chapter

27:23 Creative Inspirations and Resources

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/theartrepreneurdiaries/1969428 0b2736aa-06c4-47f0-84d7-e3d1abe3ea21 1755 full 1 1 5 5 false Wed, 02 Apr 2025 06:42:17 GMT <![CDATA[Acting, Filmmaking, and the Power of Storytelling]]> In this episode of TAD, I sit down with actress, writer, and founder of See Beyond Studios, DebbieAnn. We dive into her journey into acting and filmmaking, how motherhood has shaped her creative path, and her mission to create more opportunities for diverse voices in the industry. DebbieAnn shares the challenges and triumphs of breaking into Hollywood, the power of theater in storytelling, and the business side of being a creative entrepreneur. We also discuss her latest project, It Takes Ah Village, and she offers invaluable advice on networking, scriptwriting, and financial planning for creative ventures. If you're looking for insight on balancing creativity, business, and self-belief, this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss!

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Creativity and the Guest

01:12Debbie Ann's Journey into Acting and Filmmaking

04:33The Impact of Motherhood on Creative Pursuits

07:05The Power of Theater and Performance

10:28Representation in the Creative Industry

15:00Creating C Beyond Studios and Its Mission

16:59Debbie Ann's TV Show: It Takes a Village

21:08Breaking into the Entertainment Industry

22:35Finding Financial Support for Creative Projects

24:25The Importance of a Great Script

28:03Networking and Collaboration in the Creative Industry

30:27Learning the Craft: Understanding Film Production

33:27Balancing Business and Creativity

35:58Advice for Aspiring Creatives

39:32Future Projects and Focus on Acting

41:34Creative Inspirations and Tools for Success

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/theartrepreneurdiaries/1958779 164ce17d-5015-40f4-9e97-ceee90712076 2689 full 1 1 4 4 false Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:13:54 GMT <![CDATA[Finding Healing: From Therapy to Pottery]]> Join us in this episode of TAD as Melissa, owner of Lemon Balm Ceramics, discusses her journey of grief and how she turned it into a meaningful business.

We discuss the transformative power of art, the cathartic process of creating, and the journey of transitioning from a mental health career to a creative business. Melissa shares her experiences with grief and burnout and the importance of maintaining passion and integrity in her work. The conversation highlights the significance of finding creative outlets for emotional expression and the challenges of pricing art.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to TAD

00:57 Art as a Tool for Healing

05:07 The Journey of Melissa: From Mental Health to Pottery

09:37 Finding Catharsis in Creativity

14:17 Navigating the Transition to a Creative Career

19:08 The Emotional Impact of Creating Meaningful Art

22:17 Maintaining Passion and Integrity in Business

24:20 Curating a Creative Community

31:20 Navigating the Market Landscape

35:34 Building Relationships Over Marketing

40:58 Taking the First Steps in Creativity

45:01 Lessons Learned Along the Journey

47:44 Celebrating Community and Support

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/theartrepreneurdiaries/1949407 b933c0a4-b799-4b95-ab62-9812ccf58967 2981 full 1 1 3 3 false Thu, 20 Mar 2025 05:49:22 GMT <![CDATA[Capturing Love: The Journey of a Wedding Photographer]]> In this episode of TAD, we explore the joy and art of capturing love with wedding photographer Amy Susnjara. We discuss the journey of turning a passion for photography into a successful business, the importance of storytelling in capturing moments, and the challenges faced in pricing and marketing. Amy shares her experiences, insights on learning and growth, and the significance of connecting with clients to create authentic and memorable photography.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Artrepreneur Diaries

01:47 The Art of Photography: Capturing Love

02:14 Amy's Journey: From Passion to Profession

04:07 Learning and Growth in Photography

07:55 Defining Photography Style and Storytelling

12:03 Memorable Shoots: Connecting with Clients

14:54 Diverse Photography Niches

17:09 Navigating Business Challenges in Photography

20:27 Building a Portfolio from Scratch

22:46 Balancing Art and Business

25:05 Marketing Strategies in a Competitive Industry

25:32 Building a Client Base Through Authentic Connections

30:00 The Power of Social Media and SEO in Marketing

35:49 Navigating Challenges in Wedding Photography

40:57 Advice for Aspiring Photographers

46:04 Finding Inspiration and Tools for Success

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/theartrepreneurdiaries/1921911 581e8dad-df3b-444a-9bd4-85c78e663558 2544 full 1 1 2 2 false Wed, 05 Mar 2025 05:39:58 GMT <![CDATA[Welcome to the Artrepreneur Diaries]]> Welcome to TAD! I'm so excited to kick off this journey with you. Stick around to see all the cool things coming...

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Artrepreneur Diaries

01:17 Ashley’s Creative Journey and Background

03:10 Defining the Creative Entrepreneur

04:11 Wake-Up Moments and Reality Checks

05:53 Expectations for the Podcast

08:39 Personal Insights and Community Engagement

12:01 Advice for Creative Growth

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/theartrepreneurdiaries/1914882 b93522a4-fe6c-4ac3-bd2f-787d6e7bb61d 919 full 1 1 1 1 false Wed, 26 Feb 2025 03:55:16 GMT