Can you believe that this is the final episode of season one? It has been such an amazing journey sharing and growing on this journey with you. In this episode, I shared a question I have encountered and navigated a lot and the question is “What is the next step in my creative career?”  I also shared the tactics I have developed over the years to help answer the question whenever it shows up.

Stream & Download TCTLE Office Hours Podcast for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon Music and Spotify!

To connect further with me:
Visit my website:https://www.tctle.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/tctle
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 In this episode of TCTLE Office Hours, I am talking about how to discover and trust your artistic voice. As a designer, I know how susceptible we can be to the voices and styles of successful designers and then we neglect to explore, nurture and evolve our artistic voices. This episode is to share tips that encourage you to keep doing what you like to do, and trust that your personality and signature will naturally come out.

Question answered on the episode:

Do you create for yourself or your target audience?

A: Create work that makes you happy. Creating is so personal, that you don’t want to accidentally get caught up making things you hate just for a dollar. Now, if you run a business, that’s more nuanced. Pay attention to what draws people in but also make sure you balance the stuff that makes money with the stuff that brings you joy. Always remember, there’s an audience for everything. Maybe yours just hasn’t found you yet.

Stream & Download TCTLE Office Hours Podcast for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon Music and Spotify!

To connect further with me:
Visit my website:https://www.tctle.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/tctle
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tctle/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/hellotctle/

My conversation with Product Designer, Kim Alban, was previously recorded before the TCTLE Office Hours Podcast launched in April. However, our conversation was rich, engaging and full of gems that I want to share on the podcast. Kim’s interest in being creative in multiple mediums and her desire to expand her knowledge continually started when she was a little child. We dived into her career journey, how she kept herself motivated along the way, and other topics.

Click here for the full audio-visual experience!

Question answered on the episode:
Who are some of the creatives you're inspired by? 

• @ux.patricia for even delving into the future space and technology. 
• @samanta.ux for her approach to accessibility & her effort to educate designers on it!
• @miguelmakes for his inclusion design lab and the push for inclusive design.

These designers are very inspirational for their pursuits to encourage and remind others that there is plenty under the design umbrella that we need to consider!

What are some resources you'd like to share?
I'd love to share my Notion link as it's a hub of XR resources. I update it as often as I can! If you're into the AR/VR space at all, take part in Meta Research panels to stay up to date with research in the field. Also, some of the folks I mentioned above share their knowledge through carousels on Instagram or have created a lab dedicated to inclusion. Follow them at those handles—you won't be disappointed!

Stream & Download TCTLE Office Hours Podcast for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon Music, and Spotify!

To connect Kim Alban:
Website: https://www.kimalban.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kimalban/

To connect further with me:
Visit my website:https://www.tctle.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/tctle
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tctle/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/hellotctle/

This episode of TCTLE Office Hours is all about money and getting paid as a creative. It can be both stressful and uncomfortable to navigate rates as a creative, but it does not have to be. In this episode, I share tactics, strategies, tips and mindset shifts you need to address questions like “How do I make sure I am getting paid well for my art?” How do I figure out rates?” “How do I advocate for myself in a job?” This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart and I answer these questions and more on this episode.

Question answered on the episode:

What are some resources you'd like to share? 

• CPA Firm: https://countless.io/
• Freelancing Females Rate Sheet: https://www.freelancingfemales.com/rates , 
• Embrace Change Negotiation Calculator for Women of Color:: https://www.embracechange.nyc/calculator

Stream & Download TCTLE Office Hours Podcast for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon Music and Spotify!

To connect further with me:
Visit my website:https://www.tctle.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/tctle
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tctle/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/hellotctle/

 Welcome back to the fourth episode of the TCTLE Office Hours podcast. This episode is for anyone who wants to find their creative groove or is just starting to lean into their creativity and wondering how to handle rejection. Best believe that on the creative journey and in life itself, rejection comes with the territory. I shared my personal experience with rejection (specific to my work as a creative) and how I got through them.

Question answered on the episode:

What's one piece of advice you wish to impart to fellow creatives?
A: Leave your ego at the door, but not your pride. Recognize the difference between the two. Your ego will stop you from taking critiques about your work personally. Your pride will help you speak up if those critiques are in fact, personal.

Stream & Download TCTLE Office Hours Podcast for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon Music, and Spotify!

To connect further with me:
Visit my website:https://www.tctle.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/tctle
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tctle/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/hellotctle/

On the third episode of TCTLE Office Hours, I had the pleasure of chatting with my very first guests, Vanessa Wells and Veronica Wells-Puoane. They are two of the three hosts of Uptown Underground Market, an artisan and author market featuring creations from Black women in Harlem, New York. Over the years, I have had the privilege to learn more about them and their other ventures. Vanessa is a creative and Veronica is a writer and author and they both sell their work independent of their 9 to 5s.

In this episode, we chatted about their various side hustles, the first creative interest they each decided to pursue outside of their regular jobs, and the journey of building a side hustle that gets them paid as Black women.

Question answered on the episode:
Who are some of the creatives you're inspired by? 
What's one piece of advice you wish to impart to fellow creatives? 

What are some resources you'd like to share?
Veronica: Canva is a free tool. It is perfect for anyone doing creative work and/or visually inclined with no experience with Photoshop. If you want to make pretty work that leaves a long-lasting, Canva is a great resource for design work. 

Vanessa: The Nap Ministry is an educational, informational, communal, and liberating platform. It is a beautiful space that helps you feel warm and seen. 

What's one piece of advice you wish to impart to fellow creatives?
Vanessa: To pour as much into yourself as you pour into your craft. Do things just for yourself outside of work and your work will benefit from it.

Stream & Download TCTLE Office Hours Podcast for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon Music, and Spotify!

To connect with Vanessa Wells & Veronica Wells-Puoane:

Instagram

• Uptown Underground Market: https://www.instagram.com/uptownundergroundmarket/
• We Did Say Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/wedidsaypodcast/

Vanessa Wells
Website:

• www.euleli.com
• www.ackeeandokra.com

Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/eulelihouse/
• https://www.instagram.com/ackeeandokra/

Veronica Wells-Puoane
Website:www.nosugarnocreammag.com
Instagram:

• https://www.instagram.com/vdubshrug/
• https://www.instagram.com/nosugarnocreammagazine/

To connect further with me:
Visit my website:https://www.tctle.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/tctle
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tctle/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/hellotctle/

 On the second episode of the TCTLE Office Hours podcast, I shared my personal experience with burnout. I also shared tips and pointers for navigating and preventing burnout, how to manage and balance a creative career with other life responsibilities, and some of the stumbling blocks to avoid to grow a successful creative career.

Question answered on the episode:

What's one piece of advice you wish to impart to fellow creatives?
A: You don’t have to suffer in order to create beautiful work. Sure, bad moments inspire pieces but so do good ones. With such a personal vehicle of expression, you need to refill on the energy you constantly put out. Otherwise, you’ll run out of things to give. Take breaks. Practice self-care. Develop hobbies that you can’t monetize and/or have nothing to do with your work.

Stream & Download TCTLE Office Hours Podcast for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon Music, and Spotify!

To connect further with me:
Visit my website:https://www.tctle.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/tctle
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tctle/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/hellotctle/

On the first episode of the TCTLE Office Hours podcast, I shared more about who I am, why I started TCTLE and my journey, both personal and professional, that shaped my why for the TCTLE Office Hours podcast. I also touched on the challenges many women of color iincluding myself have had to navigate in the design industry including lack of support, the call to assimilate, casual racism and sexism.

Questions answered on the episode:
Make sure to check out the TCTLE Career Guidance Page

Stream & Download TCTLE Office Hours Podcast for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon Music, and Spotify!

To connect further with me:
Visit my website: https://www.tctle.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/tctle
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tctle/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/hellotctle/