In this episode, Hollei Anne Hayes, a talented surface designer and mom who’s mastered the art of balancing business and creativity shares how she turned her passion for design into a thriving career, moving from posting on Instagram to working with top clients in the art licensing world. She gets real about her early struggles and how taking a proactive approach—like cold pitching and building connections—helped her grow her business.

Hollei also dives into her love for teaching other creatives the ropes. She’s created a free mini-course on mood boards and has a new 8-week program in the works to guide surface designers from inspiration to marketable collections. We talk about the importance of mockups, building a portfolio that resonates with buyers, and why strategic marketing beats relying on algorithms.

Whether you’re an artist, a small business owner, or just looking to make your work stand out, this episode is packed with actionable tips and encouragement to help you take your creative career to the next level.

Highlights

• Hollei’s Career Journey: How she transitioned from sharing her art on Instagram to building a thriving surface design business.
• Cold Pitching Tips: Strategies for reaching out to companies and art agents without feeling “salesy.”
• Educational Offerings: Hollei’s free mini-course on creating mood boards and her upcoming 8-week program for surface designers.
• Visual Storytelling: The importance of using mockups to showcase your designs and attract clients.
• Motherhood and Creativity: Balancing and running a business with raising her kids.
• Marketing Smarts: Why relying solely on social media algorithms isn’t enough and how to take a more strategic approach.
• Building a Portfolio: Creating product-first artwork that appeals to buyers and tells a compelling story.
• Networking in the Industry: The role of industry events and personal connections in growing your creative business.

Connect with Hollei Anne Hayes online:

• Website
• Instagram

Connect with Kate Christy:

• Website
• Website (Podcast)
• Instagram (Podcast)
• Instagram