Paper Talk Mastermind Retreat
This past weekend I got to visit Seattle with my Paper Talk Podcast where we hosted an in person mastermind retreat. If you're new here, our Mastermind is where my cohosts Quynh from Pink And Posey, Jessie from Crafted To Bloom and I mentor fellow artists and creative business owners as they build a full time income doing what they love. We usually meet online so members from all over the world can join us but this weekend we got to see some of them in person.
Day One: Welcome dinner
We kicked things off with a huge box of goodies for every member, sponsored by Aleene's, Petals and Pearls Design, and Kai Scissors. I added a little something of my own too while my cohost Quynh ran a catering business before she became a paper artist and she put together a spread that might be the best charcuterie board I've ever seen. I'm a "cheese and crackers on a wooden board" kind of person but Quynh actually cooked, made her own dips and sauces, and turned the whole thing into an experience.
From there, we moved into our first networking event, where our members practiced their elevator pitches and introducing themselves to other local small business owners. Some of them were nervous and honestly, I don't blame them. I'm an introvert too and even after 16 years in business, walking into a room of strangers still isn't easy for me. But it's one of the biggest lessons I've learned running a creative business is that the people you know matter. Networking is a huge component in business so we ended the night with new friendships and a lot to reflect on.
Day Two: Brunch and Real Growth
Day two started with brunch alongside some wonderful people in the wedding industry. This gave our members a second chance at networking and introducing themselves and their art and the difference was night and day. Everyone was more comfortable, more confident, and clearly more themselves. That shift is exactly what we hoped this retreat would create.
This Mastermind was never about teaching people how to make paper flowers or improve their art. Every artist in this group is already incredibly talented. We're happy to help with the art side when it comes up but our real focus is the business side, and building a community that actually supports you. Networking is a huge piece of that because this is the community that will show up for you.
We closed out the day at the dreamiest dahlia farm, The Dahlia House. We wandered the fields, took in the most beautiful blooms, and spent time working on photo and video tips, including how to get comfortable talking to the camera. The dahlias did most of the work for us. It was the perfect place for a group of paper flower artists to be inspired and we walked away with gorgeous photos and plenty of headshots for everyone. We ended the weekend with real conversations, just getting to know each other, and goals for our next mastermind. Meeting in person brought us so much closer and these retreats created memories our online sessions can’t so we hope to do this again.
Watch my full vlog from the retreat where I get to show you all the behind the scenes that went into the retreat and a few updates in my workspace after coming back.
A New Season Is Starting
This retreat was the perfect way to celebrate our Mastermind and now we're gearing up for a brand new season. Registration for the Paper Talk Mastermind is officially open.
This is our guided six-month business program built to help you create a sustainable creative business. It kicks off September 8th with a small group of creatives from all over the world, meeting bi-weekly for live online sessions. You'll get personalized feedback, hot seat coaching, and dedicated time for your business questions, big or small. This is where we dig into the real details of your business and your goals. We guide artists and entrepreneurs through everything from landing brand partnerships to improving your social media to building a full-time income with your art. This is your chance to get direct guidance from mentors who have done the work and are ready to help you do it too.
Ready to join? Head to the Paper Talk Mastermind to claim your spot before it fills up.