The Creative Life of Karen Spencer – Scoobs ‘n’ Lishy

Welcome to the latest instalment of The Creative Life interview series!
The aim of this series is to shine a spotlight on how business owners incorporate their creativity across all aspects of their life, and gives some ‘behind the scenes’ insight into how they started and plan for their business.

Today I’d like to introduce you to Karen Spencer of Scoobs ‘n’ Lishy.

Karen is a mum of three and the creative force behind Scoobs ‘n’ Lishy, where she specialises in making bright and practical essentials for babies and beyond.

Karen Spencer featured in Inner Creative blog The Creative Life of Karen Spencer. innercreative.com.au. Image: Karen Spencer

Karen spencer with her scoobs’n’lishy bibs. Image: Karen spencer

There is more than meets the eye with Karen. Her business of bright baby and children’s goods is just the tip of her creativity outlets and talents. It was so exciting to discover some other hidden gems (but I don’t want to give anything away so you’ll have to read on :-)).

Karen is a true embodiment of her brand – practicality, brightness and happiness. I really appreciated Karen’s pragmatic approach to her creativity and business, especially how she fits it in around raising her family. I loved her ‘roll up your sleeves’ attitude of getting out there and doing something, without making it seem like hard work. If anything gets boring, Karen sees how she can add a sense of fun and enjoyment to whatever she does. So not surprisingly, Karen’s looking forward to launching a new range of colourful hair accessories that will celebrate diverse interests by including things like dinosaurs and trucks, because not all girls like pink sparkly unicorns (although some do, and that’s ok too!).

In this interview you’ll also find out how Karen:

  • avoids making work feel too much like ‘work’, and how being ‘selfish’ helps her break up monotony
  • balances efficiency with being spontaneous and following her interests
  • manages her expectations and gets into the flow
  • deals with risk and has the courage to leap and do what she wants to do.

So if you’re intrigued to learn more, let’s start… Continue reading

What are you going to do from now on? On making a plan…

Given the recent global events you might be wondering ‘What now?’
Yes, times are uncertain. We can never fully guarantee nor predict an outcome – no matter how certain.
But I love this quote that I found by Maria Robinson.
Maria Robinson quote featured in Inner Creative blog 'What are you going to do from now on?"
Sometimes we’re not happy with where we find ourselves in our life or business.

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What’s coming up for Inner Creative – Planning tools and inspiration

2016 is just racing by here! 

 

But there’s still plenty of time to take stock and work out what would bring you the most joy or relief to have completed by the end of this year. And then most importantly, to go ahead and make it happen :-).

 

If you’ve been following me on either Facebook or Instagram, you would have seen some of the work going on behind-the-scenes. You can also get a sneak peek by checking out my new website header above (a bit like the image below).
Inner Creative website header with new and upcoming products
Today I’d like to give you an update on what’s coming up that might help you get your affairs in order or, at the very least, give you a little inspiration :-).

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Creativity tool – Go random to do your problem solving

Are you stuck for ideas at work? Or have a problem you need to solve?
The easiest way to get inspiration for new ideas is to give our brain some new inputs and stimulation.* 
So go out and expose yourself to different places, people and things. And remember that you can take in this new information through any of your five senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell.

You can also create new ideas by combining old ideas in a new or random way.

One of my common approaches is to use metaphors and analogies to see a problem or situation from a different perspective.

Inner Creative Blog -Creativity tool - Be random to do your problem solving - Image: Paul Skorupskas

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The Creative Life of Alli Price – Motivating Mum

Welcome to this month’s instalment of The Creative Life interview series!
Each month shines a spotlight on how business owners incorporate their creativity across all aspects of their life, and gives some ‘behind the scenes’ insight into how they started and plan for their business.

This month I’d like to introduce you to Alli Price of Motivating Mum.

Alli Price runs Motivating Mum and is passionate about helping mums in business, or those starting out, achieve their business dreams. She offers inspiration and education through monthly Biz Mums Clubs, mentoring and affordable business services. Alli also runs an annual Awards and Conference and a charity event, Mummy Mentoring Festival.

Alli Price featured in Inner Creative blog The Creative Life of Alli Price. innercreative.com.au. Image: Kyra Ann Photography

Alli Price of Motivating Mum with her girls. Image: Kyra Ann Photography

It was so inspiring to speak to Alli about how much she loves her business and how creativity is such a fundamental part of running her business. She has a such a grounded down-to-earth attitude to it all, yet still manages to bring a sense of play and fun to everything she touches.

This interview is like having your own private biz mentoring session with Alli. So keep on reading to learn about:

  • How it’s always easier to find the time to do things that you are most passionate about
  • Finding a balance between work, kids and running the house
  • Working out what your customers want to make money
  • What to do when your ideas don’t work or when you get stuck
  • The big mistake that Alli sees people making in their business and the part that fear can play in it
  • And what Alli really thinks about mistakes.

So sit back and enjoy… Continue reading