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  • Julie Ellison (she/her) is an agriculture, travel & outdoor lifestyle photographer and filmmaker based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

    Julie has 15 years of storytelling experience, helping commercial and editorial clients engage their communities with photo and video content that has meaning and impact.

    With guiding principles of sustainability and regenerative practices, her favorite stories reveal the intimate connection between humans and nature.


    We chat about:

    Julie's early work, from college to her role as editor of Climbing Magazine Transitioning to freelance and commercial work The changing landscape of journalism and content creation Making room for both passion and practicality Diversifying income streams across different creative arts Julie's tips for freelancers to pitch editors

    Connect with Julie:

    Website: www.julieellison.com IG: instagram.com/_julie_ellison YouTube: youtube.com/_julie_ellison LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/julie-ellison-367b705a

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast!

    Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

  • Think of your least favorite client right now.

    What would it take to make you excited to work with them? Or maybe nothing could?

    Let's talk about:

    How to train a client to be a better fit for the ways you like to work. How to approach the potential to expand services with a client. How to professionally fire a client if you're truly ready to part ways.

    Train, expand, or fire: Let's talk about how to audit your client roster.

    Then, actually DO IT with the Client Matrix Tool!

    With this tool, you'll grade your current client roster against the factors that are most important to you so you can make key decisions about whether you should fire a client, train your client, or expand working with a client.

    Get the Client Matrix Tool here: https://justawildthought.podia.com/ideal-client-matrix

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast!

    Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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  • Chris Pew (he/him) is a co-founder and the CEO of snowsports apparel company TREW Gear.

    In addition to the CEO responsibilities of a small business, Chris is also in charge of designing, developing, and sourcing their apparel and accessories.

    TREW Gear is known for their backcountry oriented skiing and snowboarding bibs, and to my knowledge is one of the only companies that has plus size models available to their female identifying customers.


    We chat about:

    The advantages of lacking corporate experience when starting a business Outdoor industry challenges companies like TREW face Developing mutually beneficial relationships with freelancers and creatives TREW's focus on "human-centered innovation" in apparel Inclusive sizing in outdoor apparel The cyclical nature of the outdoor industry budgeting Strategies for freelancers to better understand brand needs and pitch effectively Performance marketing vs. brand marketing and how freelancers can collaborate

    LAST CALL to join the Money Clarity program's Q4 cohort!

    This is the only money course you'll ever need as a freelancer.

    Address your money mindset and financial practices head-on, while getting accountability and resources to help you reach your financial goals.

    We have live coaching calls every month plus lifetime access to the six sections of the course. We even have a certified accountant join in one module to give you the ins and outs of the financial system!

    Learn about the Money Clarity Program at https://www.justawildthought.com/money.

    Connect with TREW:

    Website: https://trewgear.com

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast!

    Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

  • Freelancers ask me all the time: How do I land new clients?

    We could chat about that all day, but one thing is true for all freelancers:

    We need to understand the Client Acquisition Cycle.

    On this episode, I share about:

    How trust is a top factor in whether or not you'll get hired How long it can really take to go from talking to working together Putting yourself in a potential client's shoes A few resources to check out, plus my upcoming Freelance Client Accelerator group program

    The Freelancer Client Accelerator begins on October 2nd!

    Over four weeks, we'll build out your strategy and systems for outreach so that you can find more steadiness and confidence in finding new work.

    What you'll take away from the program:

    A perfect positioning statement to distinguish yourself as a go-to freelancer An understanding of exactly what's needed for somebody to trust you enough to hire you A personal outreach strategy to implement consistently without dreading it An outline on how to run effective pitch phone calls with potential clients

    Curious? Check out all the info at justawildthought.com/accelerator.

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast!

    Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Dez Magelssen is the founder of Alpine Ridge Accounting, where she helps women-led, service-based business owners get a grip on their finances so they can stress less and enjoy more of what they love. Dez has over a decade of accounting experience and is based in Bozeman, MT, though you can work with her remotely.

    Dez is also a collaborator on the Money Clarity Course for freelancers! We teamed up to offer a module in the course specifically around freelance business money management, including legal entities, tax filing, bookkeeping, and more.


    In this episode, we chat about:

    Why and how freelancers should separate business and personal finances Whether to form an LLC or another entity Why to file quarterly taxes Whether there's a difference between expenses and deductions Figuring out what are qualified expenses when it comes to gear and apparel How to pay yourself through your business Saving enough for taxes and how much to anticipate

    and more!

    Enrollment is open for the Money Clarity program's Q4 cohort!

    Most of us never had anybody teach us how to balance books or create a pricing model, and "unpacking money beliefs” probably wasn’t on the agenda either.

    But just like you learned to be safe in the backcountry, take epic photos, or develop your craft, you can learn how to set up a practical and profitable financial foundation.

    Address your money mindset and financial practices head-on, while getting accountability and resources to help you reach your financial goals.

    We have live coaching calls every month plus lifetime access to the six sections of the course. We even have a certified accountant join in one module to give you the ins and outs of the financial system.

    I believe this is the only money course you'll ever need as a freelancer.

    We start October 1st and go through the rest of 2024, so you can kick off 2025 with the clarity and confidence you need to reach your financial goals while freelancing.

    Learn about the Money Clarity Program at https://www.justawildthought.com/money.

    Connect with Dez:

    Website: https://www.alpineridgeaccounting.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dezmagelssen

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dez-magelssen-cfe-cpa-0b00a157

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561921606142

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast!

    Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

  • Alex Showerman (she/her) is a professional mountain biker, advocate, producer, event organizer and brand consultant. In June of 2022, Alex was named one of the top 20 most influential people in the outdoor industry by Outside Business Journal.

    In spring 2024, Alex released her first film, "Coming Home," that touches on the struggle to find your place in action sports or the world as an underrepresented athlete and the joy of finding your community.

    "Coming Home" was featured at Mountain Film Film Fest, won Best Storytelling at iF3 Mountain Bike Film Fest, and took home Most Inspiring Film at the No Man's Land Film Fest.


    In this episode, we chat about:

    Celebrating the addition of women's riders to Red Bull Rampage 2024 Attaining brand support as an athlete Making a business case for creative projects and impactful storytelling Building a supportive community and mentorship network Overcoming personal and professional challenges, including a major injury The critical role of funding in creating films, events, and other creative projects

    and more!

    The Freelancer Client Accelerator is back this October!

    This group program is a four-week dive into everything pitching.

    In weekly 1.5 hour group coaching calls, get help with perfecting your positioning statement and how to communicate your value to your ideal clients.

    You'll have the structure and accountability to build your personalized outreach strategy so that all of your pitching efforts actually pay off, including email templates, tracking, spreadsheets, accountability buddies, referral partners, and different resources.

    Learn about the Accelerator at justawildthought.com/accelerator.

    Connect with Alex:

    Website: https://www.alexshowerman.com/

    Instagram: http://instagram.com/alexshowerman

    Freehub article Alex mentioned by Nicole Formosa

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast!

    Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Cole Heilborn (he/him) is the Creative Director of film production studio Port Side Productions.

    His "company of one plus contractors" helps brands in the outdoor and active lifestyle world tell stories that cut through the clutter on the internet and help marketers achieve their goals.

    Cole is also the host of the Backcountry Marketing Podcast (on which I was a guest on this money episode and this freelancing episode).

    In this episode, we chat about: Cole's journey from video production hobbyist to full-time business owner Pricing philosophy, value-based pricing challenges in video production industry Choosing team members for video projects based on skills and compatibility Expressing your creative value beyond just deliverables Finding clients who already value your work, rather than convincing them The vulnerability behind both creating and selling creative work and pushing through discomfort Avoiding distractions— even learning can be a distraction from creating Prioritizing client relationships and high quality work to succeed in freelancing and more!

    Enrollment is open for the Money Clarity program's Q4 cohort!

    Most of us never had anybody teach us how to balance books or create a pricing model, and "unpacking money beliefs” probably wasn’t on the agenda either.

    But just like you learned to ski, take epic photos, or develop your craft, you can learn how to set up a practical and profitable financial foundation.

    Address your money mindset and financial practices head-on, while getting accountability and resources to help you reach your financial goals.

    We have live coaching calls every month plus lifetime access to the six sections of the course. We even have a certified accountant join in one module to give you the ins and outs of the financial system.

    I believe this is the only money course you'll ever need as a freelancer.

    We start October 1st and go through the rest of 2024, so you can kick off 2025 with the clarity and confidence you need to reach your financial goals while freelancing.

    Learn about the group program here.

    Connect with Cole:

    Website: https://www.portsidepro.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/19087744/admin/feed/posts/

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast!

    Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Not all clients are created equal.

    When I was a new freelancer, I didn't know any better when it came to selecting work that was a great partnership and would often settle for a paycheck or what "potential" I thought working with a client could give me.

    In one particularly difficult case, my client would call me every day to check in even though I had other client work to do and you know- I had a life!

    So, let's talk about how to navigate client selection so you end up with a roster of clients you're genuinely excited about.

    Listen to hear about filtering potential clients through discovery processes, establishing clear expectations with new clients, and professionally declining or managing poor-fit clients.

    Struggling with tough clients right now?

    Check out the "Managing Tough Clients" Workshop recording!

    Ever had a client who pushes your boundaries? Maybe they ask for discounts, try to change your scope, or never respond? This workshop dives into how to both prevent and handle client relationship issues. Learn how to take leadership in your client partnerships.

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast!

    Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Amy Sabreen (she/her) is a director, producer, writer and 3-time Emmy Award winner.

    She’s directed and produced top-rated unscripted television shows as well as award-winning documentary and branded content on 14,000-foot peaks, in the remote Alaskan tundra, below the ocean's surface, and in 17 countries.

    Career highlights include producing NBC’s Primetime Paralympic coverage in Beijing, producing features for NBC Olympics, X Games and a wide array of sports, adventure and socially conscious programming.

    This year, Amy began a new adventure, transitioning from freelance to a full time position as Director, Creative Production for Alterra Mountain Company.

    In this episode, Justine and Amy chat about:

    How Amy turned her first professional opportunity into many more

    The importance of building trust and maintaining relationships with clients

    Asking great questions is better than pretending you know more than you do

    Being nervous means that you care and want to do a great job

    Choosing your criteria for what work to say yes or no to

    The tricky line of being a high performer and trying to avoid overworking

    Working as a woman in a male-dominated industry and the pressure that comes with it

    Freelancers need to follow up with potential clients; people are busy and emails slip through the cracks

    How Amy figures out whether a freelancer is a great fit for a project

    Amy's dad's three questions to ask yourself when you're debating taking a job

    and more!

    Connect with Amy

    Website: https://sabreenmedia.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amysabreen

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast!

    Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Tori Duhaime (she/they) is a photographer and movement artist based in Richmond, Virginia.

    She works in the outdoor industry space as a photographer, marketing professional, program coordinator, and social media specialist. Their workflow and creative approach is heavily informed by her former career in dance as well as the abundant community gained over the course of years and places.

    In addition to capturing others' experiences in motion, Tori is a serial hobbyest from skiing to mountain and gravel cycling, climbing, rafting, hiking, and beyond. She is the co-creator of the Outdoor Adventure Photo Coalition in Richmond.

    In this episode, Justine and Tori chat about:

    Tori's journey from professional dancing to photography and movement art, and how her dance background informs her creative work

    The work of finding a new creative community after a cross-country move

    The rich sense of community in Richmond, VA, especially in cycling

    Building an inclusive community through mutual aid and reciprocity

    Dismantling scarcity mindset in freelancing: we can collaborate instead of compete

    How photography is an opportunity for representation and Tori's creative ways of using her art for inclusion

    Building a group for photographers to collaborate on a deeper level, rather than just taking the perfect shot

    The issues around complaining about people moving to west coast outdoor hubs

    The incredible benefits of east coast outdoor hubs, including Richmond

    How marketing departments need to examine their personal and professional channels for representation

    and more!

    Connect with Tori

    Website: https://www.toriduhaime.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toriduhaime The Outdoor Adventure Photo Coalition: https://www.instagram.com/outdooradventurephotocoalition/

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • In my first few years as a coach and in all 7 years of my freelance work, I avoided money talk.

    But as time went on, I realized how crucial it is to examine both our relationships with money and how we manage it in order to have a sustainable business and a purposeful life in a capitalist world.

    I got there in part thanks to Rachel Rodgers, a business coach and CEO of Hello7, who helps women and marginalized communities empower themselves financially. Her book "We Should All Be Millionaires" changed everything for me.

    And since I now love diving into money with my clients, this week we're diving into three money tendencies I see often in my clients and how they can hold us back.

    I'll share a tip on how to work through each tendency and how the Money Clarity Course for Freelancers has resources to guide you to a more empowered financial mindset and management practices.

    Listen to hear about:

    Money Avoidance:

    "I don't know anything about money." "It's not polite." "Money is evil." "I can't even think about the state of my finances." The massive cost in avoiding looking at your money and how it takes away from your agency and ability to make informed decisions A tip to learn to become more comfortable with the discomfort around money

    Money Overwhelm:

    "I feel so confused on what I need to do with my money." "I can't tell if this financial advice is valid or right for me." "I have analysis paralysis after going down the Google rabbit hole." How some freelancers are open and willing to talk about and think about money, but get in the weeds with the more tactical, hands-on side of it. A tip to collect data to figure out your current money status and where you're headed.

    Money Complacency:

    "I'm getting by okay, but know I could make better money moves." "I'm not sure if my positioning matches my pricing and wonder what raising my prices would do." "I wish I could prioritize money management but no one is holding me accountable." Your price is costing you: The small choices you make around money affect you in the long run, which can hurt if you're not making informed choices. How to take action and start making empowered money moves in the future.

    The Money Clarity Course for Freelancers Q3 cohort begins July 1, 2024!

    If you resonate with any or multiple of the tendencies I talk about here, you might love the Money Clarity Course this summer.

    It gives you an opportunity to be brave in addressing your money mindset and practices head-on, while providing accountability and resources to help you reach your financial goals.

    I spent years putting together this course and believe it's the only money course you'll ever need as a freelancer.

    We have live coaching calls every month plus lifetime access to the six sections of the course. We even have a certified accountant join in one module to give you the ins and outs of the financial system.

    This entire course is built to help you do the work. I have both the tools and coaching to help you get there. Let's do this.

    Explore the Money Clarity Course

    Resources Mentioned:

    Rachel Rodgers

    Hello Seven

    justawildthought.com/money

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Freelancers: Join us for a 2-hour Intensive on June 27th all about authentic selling to turn a prospective client into a paying client!

    We'll cover how to lead potential client conversations, skill sets and tools available to you in those discussions, and a play by play, ready-to-use template created for you so you have an outline for every client conversation you're going to have moving forward.

    This is a tried and true process that I have developed in co creation with my clients and I'm so excited to share it with you on June 27th. RSVP here.

    Colleen Goldhorn (she/her) is a freelance graphic designer and photographer who lives and breathes all things outdoor adventure.

    She has over a decade of experience working with clients on design, photography, and branding projects, and founded her business with the mission of strategically connecting outdoor brands to their target audience.

    Through her business, Colleen Goldhorn Creative Co., she draws her inspiration from time spent outdoors, and specializes in working with clients who share her love of backpacking, road tripping, and adventure travel.

    In this episode, Justine and Colleen chat about: How a long hike on the Appalachian Trail eventually inspired Colleen to try freelancing The steps Colleen took to move from corporate to full-time freelancing during the pandemic The mindset needed to shift from freelancer to business owner and taking yourself seriously Allowing herself space to work on personal creative projects in addition to work and making time for rest If you're working 9 to 5 as a freelancer, why not take a full time employer job? How Colleen implements a 3-day workweek and the benefits from it Being flexible with the ebb and flow of work in order to balance workload and rest The professionalism that reflects in being very organized, and how Colleen stays organized with client work How Colleen structured her own project management system Being a one-stop shop for clients' creative needs and creating a comprehensive creative strategy Adding strategic steps and measurable metrics in client communications to maximize impact in work together The importance of strategically relating to intended audiences through visuals and copy and more!

    Sign up for the authentic selling Intensive on June 27th.

    Connect with Colleen

    Website: www.colleengoldhorn.com Instagram: instagram.com/colleengoldhorn_creativeco

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Latasha Greene (she/her) is the owner and head artist of Jitterbug Art Studio. She's originally from Baltimore and currently lives in Denver, CO as a full time outdoor artist.

    Latasha creates bright and engaging imagery that celebrates diversity in the outdoors, illustrates the healing powers of nature, and showcases the importance of conservation.

    Her past clients include Otterbox, Brown Girls Climb, Merrell, Range Magazine, Craghoppers, SNEWS, Access Fund, The North Face and more.

    In this episode, Justine and Latasha chat about: Why Latasha decided to move across the country to dive deeper into art and get out of her comfort zone How she put herself in the right places for opportunities in the outdoor industry to come to her The opportunities that came with connecting with other female artists and entrepreneurs Latasha’s first big project: a hotel mural that spurred future work Why Latasha doesn’t believe in imposter syndrome Resisting gatekeeping, comparison and competition as a business owner Benefits and challenges of building a Patreon membership Diversifying creative work to avoid being boxed into a single form or style Collaborating with brands for social justice causes Breathing life into creative work when she feels burnt out or uninspired Structuring the creative process to be more efficient and less reliant on inspiration The importance of true rest and breaks
    and more!

    Connect with Latasha

    Patreon: www.patreon.com/jitterbug_art Instagram: instagram.com/jitterbug_art Youtube: heyjitterbug_ on youtube Website: www.jitterbugart.com

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • I've worked with freelancers for over 6 years and was a freelancer myself for most of my 20s. On new solo episodes of Creatives in the Wild, I'm sharing wisdom and research I've gained from those experiences, so you can learn tools and strategies to use in your business right away!

    Today, we're diving into the two main elements freelancers need in order to go from side hustle to full time (or to simply find more ease in their business).

    Listen to hear about:

    Being good at your craft, especially in a world of increasing AI The importance of selling and sharing your own perspective and point of view Having your own approach and style to make it easier for clients to work with you Prioritizing personal work as a way to strengthen your skillsets and find more work Protecting yourself against burnout by creating blank space for your inner creative Being good at business: client management, services, and pricing Nobody is born being a great entrepreneur, it's a learned skill Selling a service that offers a purpose and gives an end result to clients Money mindset and how it can shift a hobby into a functioning business Choosing pricing models that suit your personal financial needs Creating safety when deciding to go from side hustle to full time Being comfortable with the discomfort of finding clients Using empathy and listening in order to get jobs Why collecting no's is a good practice How craft and business skills feed into each other How your adventurous spirit can help you run your business Use this episode as a personal pep talk if you're feeling discouraged in freelancing this year!

    Resources mentioned:

    Workshop recordings: https://www.justawildthought.podia.com

    Tools and templates for freelancers: https://justawildthought.com/tools

    Gear Library of free tools: https://justawildthought.com/free-resources

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Kaylee Litle (she/her) is the founder of Kindling Design, a graphic design studio specializing in branding, web, and brand experiences for outdoor-minded companies.

    Through thoughtful design and creative problem solving, Kaylee's Signature Bonfire Brand Process offers clients an in-depth, guided experience through creating a meaningful visual identity that stands out.

    In this episode, Justine and Kaylee chat about: How building relationships and setting consistent expectations are keys to business. Questions to help determine whether a potential client is a good fit for you. How taking charge in the client relationship serves both parties. The importance of having an established process for client work. Question asking as a skill to determine your own needs and those of your clients How Kaylee differentiates being a "creative" vs. a "designer" Understanding yourself, your "why", and your work's "why" A creative way to brainstorm potential new services to offer How transparency is more valuable than money You are your biggest hurdle: Tips for newer freelancers and more!

    Connect with Kaylee

    Website: https://www.kindlingdesignco.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindlingdesign

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Micheli Oliver (she/they) is a filmmaker, photographer and storyteller based in Denver, Colorado. Her work centers her family, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and femme voices to facilitate connection and help folx build strong relationships with the land.

    Micheli works to create safe spaces for honest and joyful storytelling across different creative media and just premiered her debut film "Provide."

    In this episode, Justine and Micheli chat about: - Growing up in Colorado with a passion for hunting, fishing, and camping

    - How being stranded in the middle of Idaho with a new camera led her to photography as a potential career path


    - Challenging the way that media portrays time outdoors; there's no one way to be outside

    - Uniting diverse groups through their love and appreciation of the land

    - Personal values and ethics in creativity, selling, and the outdoor industry

    - Embracing truth and joy in storytelling

    - Projects and people that inspire her like: Jojo The Toad Musical, Max Romey and Alexandra Houchin - The joy and learnings of working with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina

    - The challenges of balancing commercial projects with personal projects and more!

    Connect with Micheli

    Website: https://www.michelioliver.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micheliphoto

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Dawn Rae Knoth (she/her) is a Color Designer + Trend Strategist who has been consulting with brands in the outdoor industry for over 21 years. She works with clients to implement meaningful, functional creative visions that elevate a brand's purpose, positioning, and consumer engagement.

    Dawn Rae loves how her work combines multiple things that excite and fascinate her: art, pattern recognition, math, human behavior, emotional landscapes, curiosity, and science. In her monthly newsletter, Creative Intelligence, she shares insights on color and trend strategy, design, palette creation, and merchandising.

    Outside of work, you will find her bikepacking with her family, trying to get to genius level on the Spelling Bee, and listening to podcasts that unpack the human experience.

    In this episode, Justine and Dawn Rae chat about: - Color strategy and branding in the outdoor industry, which blends science and art

    - Embracing your unique personality and perspective as a freelancer, even if you’re not the absolute best at every single service you offer


    - Working with brands and reaching their goals even with logistical and budget constraints

    - How past work set Dawn Rae up with a big knowledge and experience base to start her own business

    - Leveraging long-term industry relationships and the importance of a wide-view industry perspective

    - Working with clients on a long-term basis: season to season or year after year

    - The emotion, stories, and strategy behind color

    - Building trust with clients through clear processes

    - Maintaining a personal artistic voice through a creative newsletter and more!

    📢 Special announcement: The Money Clarity Course for Freelancers hybrid program starts 4/1/24!

    Go to https://www.justawildthought.com/money to tackle your money demons, beat your blind spots, and learn how to make intentional choices in your business finances. We're using Q2 of 2024 to work through coursework and activities around pricing, selling, financial forecasting, money management and more, and we'll meet for three live coaching sessions. The Money Clarity Course is a holistic experience for long-term money confidence in business. We hope you'll join us this spring!

    Connect with Dawn Rae:

    Website: https://dawnrae.com Creative Intelligence: https://dawnrae.substack.com Business IG: https://www.instagram.com/dawnrae_colors/ Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/dawnraek/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@dawnrae_colors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnrae/

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Jessica Kennedy (she/her) is a website designer and SEO specialist who builds, manages, and optimizes WordPress and Squarespace websites for small business owners.

    She loves working with outdoor-loving folks who are starting a business or looking to improve their online presence. When not working, Jessica is usually dog-walking, camping, or laughing at something absurd on TikTok.

    In this episode, Justine and Jessica chat about: - Always knowing that she'd work for herself someday, but still trying to make a "desk job" work

    - The journey to her current business, including taking a desk job at Yosemite National Park


    - How freelancing makes it easier for Jessica to live and work aligned with her values

    - Balancing creativity with client desires and taking leadership while serving clients

    - Dismantling people-pleasing tendencies

    - The importance of freelancers to create a sense of safety for their clients

    - The value of word of mouth marketing, time with peers, and coaching

    - How Jessica makes intentional decisions in her business and beyond, noticing intuition and truly listening to what she does and doesn't want to do

    - Using structure to add data and science to her intuition in business and more!

    📢 Special announcement: Freelancer Boot Camp starts 3/28!

    Go to https://www.justawildthought.com/freelancer-bootcamp now to learn about this 12 week coaching community designed for aspiring and current freelancers. Together, we'll outline your business vision, reshape your mindset, and get into the nitty gritty to turn your creative pursuit into a fully functioning business.

    Connect with Jessica:

    Website: https://www.jesskenn.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesskenn/

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Iz La Motte (she/her) is an adventure photographer and filmmaker who splits her time between Utah’s Wasatch Range and her off-grid cabin in the woods of Vermont.

    Iz has developed her craft into one that focuses on the human story and its relation to the world. Her passion lies in working with individuals and brands to tell their own impactful stories in a way that feels true to them.

    Her work has been seen in marketing campaigns across the ski industry, in print publications such as Freeskier and Backcountry Magazine, and in the film festival circuit at Mountainfilm and Banff Film Festival.

    In this episode, Justine and Iz chat about: - Iz's career dream at 12 years old (that turned into reality)

    - building a career in film, from "Fuel" to "Advice For Girls"

    - being able to choose whose opinions matter most in your work

    - using risk-taking and feedback for growth and development

    - the importance of money talks, both with clients and with peers in your industry

    - how pricing secrecy can hinder a whole industry

    - balancing paid work with doing your craft for fun, including having days just for personal enjoyment

    - the pressures of seasonality in photography and filmmaking

    - there's no one way to have a creative career, and you can make it fun

    - living in the woods and making it work without wifi or cell service and more!

    📢 Special announcement: Freelancer Boot Camp starts 3/28!

    Go to https://www.justawildthought.com/freelancer-bootcamp now to learn about this 12 week coaching community designed for aspiring and current freelancers. Together, we'll outline your business vision, reshape your mindset, and get into the nitty gritty to turn your creative pursuit into a fully functioning business.

    Connect with Iz:

    Website: https://www.makeplusequal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeplusequal (use #makeplusequal) Article: https://www.outsideonline.com/business-journal/issues/the-20-most-influential-people-in-the-outdoor-industry/

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

  • Andrea Kelly (she/her) is the Founder/CEO/Advisor of Make Plus Equal, an advisory agency that helps outdoor apparel brands serve diverse body types.

    Voted by Outside Business Journal as one of 2022's Twenty Most Influential people in the Outdoor Industry, Andrea has been championing Size Inclusion for over 10 years. Her efforts and expertise not only doubled the revenue for the Inclusive Sizes program at her former employer, but have also positioned her to serve on various industry panels, keynotes, podcasts, and magazine articles.

    By sharing 23+ years of outdoor apparel experience, Andrea educates brands so they can feel confident about driving their business forward, build more inclusive collections, and grow their revenue and market-share by earning the trust of loyal customers who have long awaited this change in the industry.

    In this episode, Justine and Andrea chat about: - having 23 years of experience in the outdoor apparel industry and finding a passion for inclusive sizing

    - shifting from corporate work to consulting

    - being driven by a desire to change an industry from the inside out

    - making the outdoors available to everyone, regardless of size, by providing equal choices for all

    - a recent shift in the marketing and imagery of plus-size athletes that is moving the needle for inclusivity

    - educating brands on how to communicate with plus-size consumers and mitigate barriers to inclusive product development

    - the importance of taking risks and embracing twists and turns over a career, and how that can build confidence

    - Andrea's experience with Justine's Freelancer Boot Camp

    - navigating negative self thoughts when you're self-employed

    - finding purpose through entrepreneurship, despite challenges - taking intentional left turns in a career in order to build skills and credibility

    and more!

    Connect with Andrea:

    Website: https://www.makeplusequal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeplusequal (use #makeplusequal) Article: https://www.outsideonline.com/business-journal/issues/the-20-most-influential-people-in-the-outdoor-industry/

    Connect with Justine:

    Website: https://www.justawildthought.com

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/justawildthought

    Was this episode helpful? Screenshot this and tell a friend to go to justawildthought.com/podcast! Please rate and review Creatives in the Wild on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.