EP182: Building a Resilient Creative Business Through Trade Wars and Chaos

The And She Looked Up Podcast

Recording this week's episode felt like a moving target! I recorded it on Feb 8th and the news moves so fast that it was hard to keep up. I'm sure you'll notice a few things in here that have since changed.

Having said that, this week's episode was born out of the launch of a trade war Canadians didn't ask for. The threats of tariffs and, frankly, annexation, have made this a very scary time for all Canadians. But with things in so much flux I decided to make this a more general episode. I share some strategies creative entrepreneurs in the arts can employ to build resilience against global chaos as well as helping you have a clearer understanding of how any kind of tariff can impact your business. We'll go over the three keys you need to focus on in the back end of your business as well as the importance of adapting your marketing tactics and creating greater financial stability for yourself.

This is a great episode for creatives who...
⭐️ need to understand the potential impact of tariffs on their creative businesses
⭐️ need to review their pricing strategies for long term sustainability during a trade war
⭐️ are looking for ways to stabilize their expenses and cost of materials
⭐️ want to lean into values based marketing (and being Canadian) during this time
⭐️ need to think about diversifying revenue and trying to ensure as much financial stability as possible

OTHER HELPFUL EPISODES:

• EP154: Makers, Artists & Creatives: Here's How to Find Your Customers
• EP110: Navigating Economic Uncertainty While Running a Creative Business
• EP098: Aligning Your Values with Your Business
• EP082: Budget & Hybring Pricing Models for Creatives
• EP081: Premium Pricing Models for Your Creative Business

You can find Melissa at finelimedesigns.com, finelimeillustrations.com or on Instagram @finelimedesigns.

You can connect with the podcast on:

• Instagram at @andshelookedup
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Tik Tok at @AndSheLookedUp

For a list of all available episodes, please visit:
And She Looked Up Creative Hour Podcast
Each week The And She Looked Up Podcast sits down with inspiring Canadian women who create for a living. We talk about their creative journeys and their best business tips, as well as the creative and business mindset issues all creative entrepreneurs struggle with. This podcast is for Canadian artists, makers and creators who want to find a way to make a living doing what they love.
Your host, Melissa Hartfiel (@finelimedesigns), left a 20 year career in corporate retail and has been happily self-employed as a working creative since 2010. She's a graphic designer, writer and illustrator as well as the co-founder of a multi-six figure a year business in the digital content space. She resides just outside of Vancouver, BC.

Chapters

1. Resilient Creative Businesses in Uncertain Times (00:00:00)

2. Creative Business Pricing and Tariffs (00:14:42)

3. Reviewing Business Expenses for Efficiency (00:25:32)

4. Promoting 'Made in Canada' Businesses (00:33:14)

5. Expanding Marketing and Revenue Streams (00:39:24)

6. Emergency Fund and Backup Plans (00:50:51)