I'm joined by Lee-Sean Huang and Giulia Donatello from AIGA to explore the future of creative careers. We dig into why community matters more than ever, the opportunities that come from conferences, and the shifts happening with freelancing, agency life, and AI. Whether you're just starting out or you're seasoned in the design world, this conversation is packed with insights for building a sustainable and connected career.

✨ Special Giveaway Alert! ✨
Share this episode on Instagram by Friday, October 3. Tag @dianadaviscreative and @aigadesign, and include your biggest takeaway from the episode. You'll be entered to win two free tickets to the AIGA Design Conference in LA, October 9–11. 🎟 Conference details here.

👉 Winners will be announced on Saturday, October 4.

• The free resources AIGA provides for designers at all stages

• Why community is essential for creative professionals

• The networking magic of conferences

• Freelancing vs. agency life — and what you learn from both

• The evolving impact of AI on design and creativity

• Building a portfolio that opens doors

• Why authenticity in networking matters

• How participating in events can fuel inspiration

• Translating creative ideas into real results

🎨 AIGA Design Conference — October 9–11 in Los Angeles. Learn more here.

💡 1:1 Coaching — Private coaching to get clarity, strategy, and aligned action in your creative business. Apply here

🌈 HUMAN: The Personal Brand Accelerator — A self-paced program to help you build a magnetic, aligned brand that feels like you. Go at your own pace while unlocking major clarity. Learn more

🛝 Recess for Creatives — The community playground where collaboration and connection fuel your business. Two live calls a month and an amazing crew of creatives. Join here

☎️ Follow me on Instagram @dianadaviscreative for behind-the-scenes and creative biz inspo.

This one's emotional, raw, and a big moment in my journey. And we recorded it on the 999 portal! I sit down with Candace to talk about transformation, intuition, and the powerful, sometimes painful, process of letting go.

We unpack in LIVE TIME my decision to close Camp Clarity, what it means to listen to your intuition even when it's scary, and why community is the backbone of growth. We also dive into the role of the inner critic, the magic of the divine collective, and the way tarot can reveal clarity when you're standing at a crossroads.

This is an episode about vulnerability, evolution, and embracing creativity as a non-negotiable. If you've ever been in the messy middle of change, this conversation is for you.

She also gives us a live group reading. Don't miss it.

Sign up for Candace's Private Pod, Energy here!

• My emotional journey and recent quantum leap

• The significance of ending Camp Clarity

• Why community and connection matter so deeply

• Transformation as hard but necessary work

• The inner critic — as both challenge and teacher

• How to trust intuition when making big decisions

• The concept of a divine collective for guidance and support

• Tarot insights for clarity and direction

• Why non-negotiables fuel joy and focus

• Creativity as a divine obligation

⛺️ Camp Clarity has its final round running now — a three-month journey to clarity, clients, and cash. Come join us for the finale.

🛝 Recess for Creatives is our playground for community and connection — with two calls a month and an incredible group of creatives who get it.

☎️ Follow me on Instagram @dianadaviscreative for daily behind-the-scenes, inspiration, and updates.

I get vulnerable and real about the messy side of entrepreneurship — the parts we don't see on Instagram. From debt and negative months to burnout and the emotional rollercoaster of running a creative business, I'm sharing my behind-the-scenes truth and why I believe these struggles need to be normalized.

This isn't about chasing shiny revenue numbers. It's about redefining success, letting go of shame, and realizing you're not broken if business feels hard sometimes. This episode is for every creative entrepreneur who's ever thought: "Am I the only one going through this?"

• Why I almost didn't record this episode (and why it matters)

• Whether success is only about money (spoiler: it's not)

• Debt and why it's not the big bad monster it's made out to be

• Permission to have a negative month in business

• The emotional toll entrepreneurship takes on your mental health

• Why artists and creatives often feel undeserving of success

• The importance of normalizing struggle in our industry

• Asking the real question: Can I be excited about it all?

⛺️ Camp Clarity kicks off September 18 — This is my 3-month live group program for creatives ready to get clients, build clarity, and make cash in their business—with no blueprints required. Apply here!

🛝 Recess for Creatives is the community playground where you'll find connection, collaboration, and support. Two live calls a month + a whole network of creatives who get it. Join the playground!

☎️ Follow me on Instagram @dianadaviscreative for more behind-the-scenes and daily business real-talk.

✅ Success isn't only about revenue
✅ Debt doesn't define your worth or your business
✅ You're allowed to have a negative month
✅ Artists are allowed to be successful
✅ Entrepreneurship takes an emotional toll — and that's normal
✅ Struggle doesn't mean you're failing — it means you're human
✅ Sometimes the messiest moments bring the clearest answers

00:00 – Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity
07:39 – Redefining Success Beyond Financial Metrics
10:34 – Navigating Debt and Business Challenges
13:41 – The Emotional Toll of Entrepreneurship
16:58 – Normalizing Business Struggles and Failures
19:46 – The Artist's Dilemma: Success vs. Authenticity

Some episodes feel like a warm, soul-honest hug—and this one with Jera is exactly that.

Jera is a social media strategist, content creator, and real-deal creative who's walked the wild path from fitness influencer to brand-builder and business owner. In this convo, we talk about what it really means to build a personal brand while staying true to yourself—especially in a space that can reward performative over personal. She opens up about separating your self from your business, how social trends shape our creativity, and the importance of setting boundaries in a career that lives on your phone.

We also go deep on her transition into this next season—becoming a mother, shifting her pace, and dreaming up a future that includes more art, more slowness, and more joy. There's plenty in here about growth, grit, and the identity shifts that come with doing the thing differently.

Whether you're craving a biz pivot, feel disconnected from your audience, or you're just ready to make your online presence feel more like you, this one's a must-listen.

✅ Vulnerability in business isn't weakness—it's your superpower.
✅ It's okay to outgrow the version of yourself your audience first met.
✅ Authenticity > algorithms. Every. Single. Time.
✅ Boundaries are sacred—especially when your business is also your face.
✅ You get to change your mind and start fresh.
✅ Not all growth is visible—and not all success is measured in likes.
✅ Art, presence, and play are valid forms of productivity.
✅ The journey is allowed to evolve as you do.

Ways to Plug In

⛺️ Camp Clarity kicks off September 18th — we strip away the noise, get you clear on your story, your offers, your marketing, and your money — so you can finally run a thriving business that feels as creative and fun as the work you do. Apply here.

🛝 Recess is the creative community you've been looking for. Try it for 3 months for $55/month. You can sit with us.

☎️ Follow me on Instagram @dianadaviscreative for more behind-the-scenes

In this episode.

I get personal and raw as I share the behind-the-scenes of navigating a recent breakup—and how it's rippled through my life, mental health, and business. This isn't just about relationships. It's about the messy, beautiful recalibration that happens when you let go of something (or someone) that isn't aligned—and finally make space for something better. This is for anyone who's felt like their personal life is bleeding into their work and wondered if that's... actually a gift.

We talk about:

• What grief and business have in common

• The emotional toll of breakups (and why they hit so hard when you're a biz owner)

• Why giving yourself grace is a strategy

• The power of recalibrating your desires after heartbreak

• Letting go of connections so new ones can find you

• Setting boundaries with yourself (not just other people)

• Avoidance patterns and the sneaky ways they block growth

• How life's messiest moments can lead to the clearest business decisions

Ways to plug in

🧭 Camp Clarity kicks off again this September — This is the signature program for creatives ready to get clients, build clarity, and make cash in their business—with no blueprints required.

🛝 The Recess 30-Day Social Media Challenge is happening now inside The Playground — Come play, get visible, and sell your work without it feeling like a chore.

🎤 Our free masterclass, WORTH, is live on July 25th — We're talking about what's really blocking your creative biz income (and how to shift from crickets to cashflow this week).

🧘‍♀️ Our first-ever IRL Recess event is happening in LA on August 17th in collab with One Down Dog — FLOW & CONNECT. You in?

☎️ Follow me on Instagram @dianadaviscreative for more behind-the-scenes

Key Episode Takeaways
✅ Give yourself grace when life hits hard
✅ Your personal growth will shape your business (whether you like it or not)
✅ Boundaries with yourself are powerful healing tools
✅ Grieving is not weakness—it's recalibration
✅ Avoidance holds you back more than failure ever could
✅ Letting go creates space for aligned opportunities
✅ Your desires are worth honoring
✅ You don't have to compartmentalize to be successful

Episode Chapters
00:00 – Navigating Breakups and Personal Growth
07:47 – The Interconnection of Life and Business
16:08 – Lessons from Relationships and Grief
24:05 – Recalibration and Moving Forward

In this episode.

I sit down with creative entrepreneur and retail shop owner Kelly Geiman to explore what it really takes to open a brick-and-mortar biz in the age of algorithms. From a fashion career in New York to founding Union in Venice, California, Kelly's story is full of heart, hustle, and human moments. We talk about community, creativity, trusting your gut—and what happens when you build a business that feels like art.

We talk about:

The transition from fashion to entrepreneurship
How to run a retail shop without losing your mind (or your soul)
Why community is everything—especially during hard seasons
The behind-the-scenes of owning a physical space
How to use social media without letting it run your life
The power of storytelling through curation
And what it really means to lead with authenticity

Plus, I share more about HUMAN: The Personal Brand Accelerator—starting May 1st. If you're tired of the algorithm hamster wheel and ready to build a business rooted in you, this is for you. (Details inside the episode!)

Ways to plug in
🌈 HUMAN starts May 1st — This is the program to build a personal brand that magnetizes clients without chasing trends. DM me "HUMAN" on Instagram to join for $347 before the price goes up.

🛝 Recess is the best place on the internet. Try it out for 3 months for just $165.

☎️ Follow Diana on Instagram here.

Key Episode Takeaways
✅ Owning a shop is about more than sales—it's about story
✅ Community can carry you through the toughest seasons
✅ Your business should reflect who you are, not just what you do
✅ Social media doesn't need to feel performative
✅ Intuition is a strategy (and a damn good one)
✅ Creative curation can build connection and loyalty
✅ There's no one-size-fits-all path to success
✅ You get to design a business that feels like home

Episode Chapters
00:00 – Meet Kelly & the story behind Union
07:41 – Community support through hard times
10:43 – From fashion industry to entrepreneurship
16:42 – The real side of owning a retail shop
23:59 – Manifesting the perfect retail space
29:38 – Making intuitive business decisions
35:47 – The power of gut instincts
36:51 – Creating a space that tells a story
45:01 – Navigating retail logistics + overhead
51:00 – Using social media with authenticity
54:53 – Lightning round: Inspirations, dreams, and what's next

Time for another solo episode, and this one's for anyone feeling like the algorithm is sucking the soul out of your business. We're talking about the power of real-life connection—yes, actual face-to-face conversations—and how meeting people offline might just be the most underrated business move you can make. I'm sharing how one long walk led me to a whole new creative circle (and actual opportunities), plus why intuition and in-person energy can't be replicated on the internet.

This one's full of juicy updates, mindset shifts, and reminders that your dream clients and collaborators might not be scrolling—they might be sitting across from you at a matcha cafe. Let's dive into why connection, community, and following the breadcrumbs matter more than ever.

🏕️ Camp Clarity is now open for enrollment! But we cap the number of spots to keep an intimate group. Feeling ready to finally have the business of your dreams? Join here!

🛝 Recess is the best place on the internet. Try it out for 3 months for just $165.

☎️ Follow Diana on Instagram here.

Key Episode Takeaways

✅ Your next client might be sitting next to you—don't underestimate IRL energy.

✅ Algorithms can't replace human connection.

✅ You're allowed to change your business model whenever you need to.

✅ Following your intuition often leads to unexpected magic.

✅ In-person collaboration can move the needle faster than a perfect strategy.

✅ Restocking your creative energy is essential, not optional.

✅ Your business gets to feel like recess—it doesn't have to be so serious.

✅ Community is the most powerful (and recession-proof) resource you have.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Settling into New Beginnings

01:50 – The Power of Intuition and Connection

04:40 – Embracing Recess in Business

07:48 – Following the Breadcrumbs of Opportunity

10:08 – The Importance of Community and Collaboration

12:59 – Shifting Business Models for Flexibility

15:26 – Claiming Your Desires and Setting Boundaries

18:10 – The Evolution of Camp Clarity

21:26 – The Journey of Self-Discovery and Growth

‎

Pollen is a podcast for Creative Entrepreneurs—just like you! If you enjoyed this episode of Pollen Podcast, subscribe and help us spread the word by sharing it! Your dream life is there for you to take — and you can help others find lives they can love too.

• Leave a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in to this podcast, we'd appreciate it if you wrote us a review. You can also share it to help other creative entrepreneurs and freelancers.

🚀 Sign up for Jess's FREE DBE Live 3-day event happening March 20th, 25th, + 27th!

In this episode. How do you build a thriving business that actually supports the life you want—without working yourself into the ground?

In this conversation, I sit down with my mentor, Jess Glazer DeRose, to unpack how she went from being a school teacher to running a multi-million dollar coaching business—and why she ultimately shut down a $400K revenue stream to prioritize what really matters.

We talk about:

• The mindset shifts that allowed Jess to scale a business that works for her
• The best and worst investments she's made (and what she learned from them)
• How to navigate the coaching industry's messy landscape with integrity
• Why investing in yourself isn't just about ROI—it's about who you become in the process

Plus, we dive into DBE Live, an event that changed my business forever. If you're ready to step into bigger opportunities, this is where you need to be. (Get all the details inside the episode!)

🏕️ Camp Clarity is now open for enrollment ALWAYS! But we cap the number of spots to keep an intimate group. Feeling ready to finally have the business of your dreams? Hop on the waitlist here.

🛝 Recess is the best place on the internet. Try it out for 3 months for just $165.

☎️ Follow Diana on Instagram here.

✅ Your business should support your life—not the other way around.
✅ Scaling isn't about doing more, it's about doing what actually matters.
✅ Investing in yourself is the fastest way to grow (but not every investment is a good one).
✅ The coaching industry is full of noise—learn how to see through it.
✅ Sometimes, letting go of a revenue stream creates more abundance.
✅ You don't have to have a big team to build a thriving business.
✅ Integrity is the key to long-term success in coaching.
✅ The right community can change everything.

00:00 - Why This Episode is a Must-Listen
02:56 - From School Teacher to Multi-Million Dollar Business Owner
06:05 - The Mindset Shifts That Changed Everything
08:53 - Scaling a Business That Actually Feels Good
12:02 - The Best and Worst Investments Jess Ever Made
14:58 - The Coaching Industry: What You Need to Know Before You Invest
17:51 - Why We Shut Down a $400K Revenue Stream
21:01 - Business, Motherhood, and Finding Balance
24:03 - The Real Reason People Stay Stuck in Their Business
28:34 - The Power of Community in Coaching
29:35 - What to Look for (and Avoid) in a Mentor
31:40 - Marketing, Manipulation, and Selling with Integrity
34:37 - Entrepreneurship in 2024: What's Working Now
37:52 - You Don't Have to Work Harder to Make More Money
48:14 - The Free Event That Can Change Your Business Forever