Helping business owners, freelancers & other self-employed creatives succeed… and have fun doing it. It can be overwhelming at times, but there’s nothing like the privilege of working for yourself – making your own rules, owning your time, and trusting your instincts to make the right decisions. With short episodes that get straight to the point, this podcast is about the common issues we face in business, along with solutions that work for other creatives like you. Aardvark Girl is a producer, project manager & business specialist with 20+ years of experience managing companies & helping people in creative industries. She helps you get a handle on the business side of things so you can focus on your talent. Let's get to work!
Episodes
Monday Jun 29, 2020
Monday Jun 29, 2020
My name is Amanda and I'm an introvert. Sometimes I feel like I have to open with that and identify myself so people know how I'm going to react in certain situations. But I find that a lot of people have a misconception about what being introverted really means, and can easily underestimate the value of those characteristics, especially in business.
01:08 A major difference between introverts and extroverts has to do with energy and how we're affected by the people around us.
01:30 Sometimes an introvert doesn't appear to be "shy," but that's not what it's about. We can be sociable, but we need time to ourselves to decompress afterward.
01:59 Networking can be particularly difficult as an introvert because we do better one-on-one than in large groups. I stopped going to loud, crowded networking events because they weren't enjoyable or productive for me.
02:42 You have to honor yourself and know when you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and when you need to accept that something isn't right for you.
03:11 At one of those networking events, someone told me I couldn't be a producer because I'm an introvert. When actually, some of my introverted tendencies make me a stronger producer. The power of observation allows me to be keenly aware of what's going on around me, helping me anticipate potential problems. Listening to others instead of always talking helps me connect with others.
04:28 Being quiet and nice are not hindrances. You don't have to be bold and outspoken to be successful. You can be those things and be successful, but the point is you can be introverted, extroverted, or somewhere in between, and be good at what you do.
05:00 Know who you are and own it. Understanding your strengths helps you navigate client relationships better. Sometimes you might choose to compromise, but other times you might realize you're just not the right fit.
05:57 Don't be afraid to have conversations with your clients, vendors, and other people you're working with - let them know how you work and why it benefits them. Just because they pay you doesn't mean they can decide how you should run your business. It all comes back to communication.
06:56 You just have to be who you are. It's the best way to stay authentic to your business and make sure you're connecting with the right people who appreciate you. You can be an awkward introvert and still be successful. You can be a life-of-the-party extrovert, and still be successful. Just be yourself and be successful.
Connect with me through your favorite platform: https://pods.link/aardvarkgirl
Monday Jun 22, 2020
Monday Jun 22, 2020
Trusting your instincts is an important business skill that often gets overlooked. It can be helpful to get input and advice from others, but sometimes you have to quiet that external chatter and look inward for the answers. Sometimes that means going against the common actions and proven methods, and that's okay. Let your gut tell you what's right (and wrong) for you and your business.
00:56 Listening to advice
01:50 Some of the biggest life decisions I've made have been based on gut instinct
03:15 Why I'm glad I didn't take other people's advice
04:07 Trusting your gut when it seems counterintuitive to what you "should" do
05:27 Making decisions that are authentic to you and your business - why I don't use the proven successful method of email marketing
08:41 How do you know when your instincts are telling you to do something?
Connect with me through your favorite platform: https://pods.link/aardvarkgirl
Monday Jun 15, 2020
Monday Jun 15, 2020
My guest is a speaker, coach, and co-host of “The Best Life” podcast – Danny J.
It's a long episode because we cover a lot of important topics:
- the connection between mindset & money
- sharing your personal stories to connect with others
- pushing yourself out of your comfort zone
- the importance of communication & having hard conversations
- releasing judgment, assumptions & resentment
- setting boundaries with clients
- the danger of blaming COVID-19 & the economy
- abundance mindset vs. fixed mindset
- how your ego can hold you back
- being mindful with what you have so you can prepare for the future
- learning to pivot and find opportunities during difficult circumstances
- discipline vs deprivation when it comes to managing money
- reallocating your resources to get what you want
- connecting with your audience as a content creator
- accepting imperfection and just getting started
- choosing your own narrative
02:01 Being confident enough to share your most vulnerable experiences. "If there’s something I don’t want to talk about, that is exactly what I have to talk about."
06:28 Starting the Best Life podcast – it’s scary, but if it helps one person, it’s always worth it.
08:42 Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. “Be the buffalo.”
10:48 Have hard conversations, talk about the things you don’t want to do, put yourself out of your comfort zone. Rip the Band-Aid off.
10:55 Communication. Don’t get resentful about things the other person doesn’t know about.
11:54 Judgment. Assumption. Resentment. These things will destroy any relationship. Is there something in your JAR you need to talk about?
13:36 Freelancers complaining about clients – have you set boundaries & talked to them about it? Don’t ruin a working relationship over a conversation that was never had. Set and manage expectations.
15:49 Blaming the economy or COVID? Everyone's doing it. But don't focus on being a victim of things that are out of your control.
21:21: So much is mindset. Do you have an abundance mindset or a fixed mindset? Are you focused on what you don’t have, or are you looking for different possibilities?
22:17 Check your ego. Tell people what you’re struggling with. Ask for help. Don't let pride hold you back.
23:01 We don’t know the domino effect of what’s happening now and how it might affect you a few years from now. Be faithful and mindful with what you have. Live within, or below, your means.
24:27 COVID-19 happened and a lot of people have lost their jobs. A lot of people will never get that work back again. However, you have skills. You can do something about it. You can come back stronger. There are people who are making so much money right now, who have used this as an opportunity - and so can anyone else. Learn to pivot, and know that your circumstances don’t create your outcome.
25:25 If you’re serious about building a safety net and being financially comfortable… if not financially thriving… you have to make an active choice. And sometimes that comes from sacrifice. But there’s a difference between discipline and deprivation. You’re giving up something for what you want, not to deprive yourself of joy. We need to learn how to control our spending and to be able to create more income, but ultimately it is being intentional with what we actually want our life to be.
28:39 If you want your lifestyle to be different, you have to do something different. Most often, it’s not about making more money, it's just reallocating the resources you have and making an intentional plan.
29:17 How/why Danny created the "Find the Money" project, and “Master Your Money” course.
33:31 Part of being a content creator is really listening to your audience and seeing what they want and what they need and how you can help fill that. Serve in a way that people need and that they’re asking for.
34:48 Sell them what they want, give them what they need. You have to create a bridge from where they are to where they’re going to be. They need to have the same epiphany that you had.
36:24 Sell your program or online course before you create it. Don’t waste your time making it until you know people are going to buy it.
38:39 Perfectionism is the worst enemy of anything. You have to start somewhere. How badly do you actually want it? Work on the solutions instead of the problems.
40:57 Calling out your bullsh*t. No one else can control your thoughts. No one can make you mad unless you choose to be mad. You have to decide who you want to be. We are in control of our own perception.
43:41 How, after 18 years, Danny built a relationship with the daughter she gave up for adoption when she was 15.
47:47 You can’t necessarily always judge a circumstance on what it looks like right now. What seems like the worst thing that ever happened could turn into something amazing.
You can find Danny on social @dannyjdotcom or email danny@dannyj.com
And check out some of her programs at https://www.findthemoneyproject.com and https://www.21dayjournal.com
Connect with me through your favorite platform! https://pods.link/aardvarkgirl
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Monday Jun 08, 2020
When you’re self-employed, you have to be adaptable. There are so many unknowns that come along with running your own business.
And it’s one thing to be prepared – to have a sort of backup plan, to have your savings put aside in case of emergencies, to understand that your business is going to fluctuate throughout the year.
But sometimes, the unexpected happens. And what do you do then?
00:52 Don't get too comfortable
01:39 We're all in this together
02:15 Sit back and wait or be proactive
02:54 Educating your clients about how to adapt
03:32 How offering remote production services has helped me
04:16 The benefit of doing things in new ways
05:03 We don't know what the new normal is going to be
The video version of this podcast is available on my YouTube channel.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for topics, email info@aardvarkgirl.com or find me on social @aardvarkgirl. If you want to work with me, that’s where you’ll find me, too.
Monday Jun 01, 2020
Monday Jun 01, 2020
When you're creative, sometimes you want everything to be perfect. But art isn't perfect. Business isn't perfect. Humans aren't perfect.
And while it's good to have high standards for yourself, seeking perfection can be an excuse that stops us from moving forward. But making mistakes is how we learn, grow, and improve.
Sometimes it's better to do something that isn't perfect than to not do anything at all.
00:42 Why I struggle with making videos
02:08 Accepting my awkwardness
02:58 Making excuses
03:41 Just start.
03:58 When "good enough" is okay to get started
04:27 Authenticity & Personal Branding
05:18 Is the quest for perfection getting in the way of what you want to do?
05:57 Do something.
The video version of this podcast is available on my YouTube channel.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for topics, email info@aardvarkgirl.com or find me on social @aardvarkgirl. If you want to work with me, that’s where you’ll find me, too.
Thank you for being here.
Monday Jun 01, 2020
Monday Jun 01, 2020
“What is the biggest struggle you face while running your business?” When I asked my self-employed creative friends, the most common answer was time management.
In this episode, I share 10 tips for time management (plus two bonus tips at the end). We all feel like we don't have enough time sometimes, but sometimes it's just a matter of knowing where our time is going, where we want it to go, and finding ways to keep ourselves productive.
00:31 Time Tracking
01:29 To Do Lists
02:11 Set Deadlines
02:45 Peak Scheduling
03:47 Remove Distractions
04:20 Time Blocking
06:55 Do it Now
07:19 Put Your Phone Away
08:02 Alarms & Reminders
08:54 Templates
09:18 Take Breaks
09:47 Say No
The video version of this podcast is available on my YouTube channel.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for topics, email info@aardvarkgirl.com or find me on social @aardvarkgirl. If you want to work with me, that’s where you’ll find me, too.
And since I’m just getting starting out here, it would be really helpful if you can take a minute to subscribe, leave a review, and share with your other self-employed creative friends.
Thank you for being here.
Monday Jun 01, 2020
Monday Jun 01, 2020
Introducing Business for Self-Employed Creatives - a video series/podcast with business tips from Amanda McCune aka "Aardvark Girl" - a producer, project manager, and business coach for creatives who is passionate about helping business owners and freelancers succeed.
In this introductory episode, I share my own work experience and qualifications that have gotten me here, where I can share everything I've learned throughout my journey.
1:06 Producer
1:54 Business & Project Manager
4:24 Business Coach for Creatives
8:04 Why I'm Here
The video version of this podcast is available on my YouTube channel.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for topics, email info@aardvarkgirl.com or find me on social @aardvarkgirl. If you want to work with me, that’s where you’ll find me, too.
And since I’m just getting starting out here, it would be really helpful if you can take a minute to subscribe, leave a review, and share with your other self-employed creative friends.
Thank you for being here.