I’ve been working from home for years, and while I absolutely love it, I’ve also had to figure out how to make it work for me.

When I first started, I was so motivated—it felt amazing to do what I love!

But as my life has changed, so have my routines, and I’ve learned a lot about what it really takes to stay inspired and productive.

In this episode, I’m sharing the lessons I’ve learned about working from home, including how to structure your day around your natural rhythm, ways to stay connected when you start feeling isolated, and why taking breaks can actually boost your creativity.

If you work from home (or want to), I hope this episode helps you create a routine that supports both your work and your well-being.

It's true that the surface pattern design market may seem oversaturated with many talented designers and that it could make it more difficult to sell your designs...

But it's also true that more opportunities are available than ever before because of how crowded the market has become -- and in this episode of the Design and Shine podcast, I share exactly how you can find them!

I share tips and strategies that will help you stand out as a professional designer no matter how much competition you encounter.

Listen to this episode to find out:

• The pros and cons of how the surface pattern design market has changed in the time that I've been a professional designer
• Why I believe there are LOTS of opportunities available and that there's never been a better time to start a surface pattern design business!
• What it takes to stand out in the current market - and what is no longer going to cut it
• Why it's important to treat your design work as a business and not a hobby if you want to succeed - and what that mindset shift looks like.

Creating beautiful designs is not enough in 2025...

Your designs the way that you create and run your business need to be elevated to stand out - and I'm here to show you how to do it!

Listen to the full episode to learn how to shift from a hobby designer to a thriving successful surface pattern design business owner!

• The unpredictable nature of industry trends, especially with the shift in technology and the introduction of AI
• Uncertainty in the world (with things like the 2020 global pandemic!)
• Economic downturns and the rising cost of living

• Why diversification reduces risk and future-proofs your design career.
• A variety of income streams to explore, including licensing, direct-to-consumer sales, digital products, teaching, and collaborations.
• How to get started with small, manageable steps toward diversifying your income right away.