Work–life balance is a myth for many creative small business owners; here’s how to build a realistic work–life blend. Erin and Ronnie share straightforward tactics for boundaries, time, support and mental health.

This week on the Creative Business Community podcast, Erin and Ronnie unpack the myth of work–life balance and lean into a healthier work–life blend for creatives, parents and anyone juggling a small business with, well, life. Erin shares how her routine has evolved over a decade in business—from late-night office stints and firm school-hours boundaries to bringing in help, weathering COVID, then navigating burnout and chronic illness. They speak candidly about privilege and support networks, and offer practical strategies if you’re flying solo: get clear on your why, set boundaries clients respect, track and audit your time, create simple switch-off rituals, and build a personal support crew. You’ll hear how to communicate at home (do you need solutions or space to vent?), involve your kids in decisions, and why you truly can’t pour from an empty cup.

Creative Business Spotlight: Suk Workwear. You can find them on:

Instagram: @sukworksear Facebook: @sukworkwear Website: https://sukworkwear.com.au/

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, hosts Erin Madeley and Ronnie Motroni chat about the powerful link between creativity and mental health. In a world of fast-paced living and doom scrolling, we explore how making with your hands slows you down, boosts dopamine, lowers stress, and helps you drop into that restorative “flow” state. From pottery, knitting and scrapbooking to makeup, gardening, cooking, Lego and even rearranging your furniture, they unpack why creativity is for everyone—not just “arty” types—and why the process matters far more than a perfect end result.

You’ll hear:

• Practical ways to swap your phone for a short, creative moment
• How boredom and repetition build neuroplasticity and better problem-solving
• Gentle permission to start small, not finish every project, and keep some things just for you
• Tips on finding community—DIY craft clubs, workshops, online groups
• Budget-friendly supplies from op shops and Kmart
• Personal stories of burnout, recovery and using creativity as a genuine antidote to stress

Tune in for science-backed insights, real talk and easy habits to help you feel calmer, more present and more inspired—one small creative act at a time.

TED Talk on How Boredom Can Lead to Your Most Brilliant Ideas with Manoush Zomorodi: https://youtu.be/c73Q8oQmwzo?si=lbkM-oGkois-w975

This week's Creative Business Spotlight: Fremantle Pottery Instagram: @fremantlepottery Stocked at Common Ground Collective in Fremantle

This week on the Creative Business Community Podcast, Erin sits down with Tracey, founder of Margaret River Made — a natural skincare and haircare brand born in Margaret River and now based in Perth. Tracey shares how a love of plants, sustainability and wellness took her from soap-making to salon-quality shampoo and conditioner bars, including a chemo-friendly formula created for a friend, and an anti-dandruff bar that transformed her own scalp health.

We dive into what it takes to build a values-led brand: choosing effective, nature-inspired ingredients, why pH matters for skin and scalp, proteins that protect colour (hello, quinoa), and the blend of botanicals and green chemistry behind her products. Tracey opens up about navigating her husband’s life-changing accident, scaling production without losing soul, and the moment she stepped away from wholesale to obsess over an exceptional direct-to-customer experience. Expect candid lessons on branding, markets, websites, team-building, and the number-one rule: don’t give up.

By the end, you’ll have practical, no-fluff takeaways on choosing smarter ingredients, protecting coloured hair with bars, simplifying sustainable packaging, and crafting an unboxing experience that keeps customers coming back. If you’re keen to build a values-first brand without burning out, this one’s for you. Press play and let’s dive in.

Creative Business Spotlight: The Mulberry Pig. You can find them on:

Instagram: @the_mulberry_pig Facebook: @mulberry_pig Website: https://themulberrypig.com/