creative canadians

Gail Taylor left behind a successful career as an investment advisor to go all in with music - in her 50s! Now, as a Canadian songwriter, author, keynote speaker and entrepreneur, she's a passionate advocate for the power of music to inspire change.  Her new book, Curve Balls, is coming to shelves soon thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $10K.

In this episode, Gail shares her remarkable story and her tips for using Kickstarter. We talk about her journey from her early years using drugs as a form of escape, to becoming a successful investment advisor and then her pivot to music. She shares the behind the scenes of the Nashville music industry, how she uses music to help others, and the ins and outs of launching a creative project on Kickstarter.

This is a great episode for creatives who...

• feel a big change is out of reach
• are curious about getting their own music made
• have thought about using crowd-funding to launch their own creative projects
• are always curious for ways they can turn their creativity into multiple revenue streams
• would like to use their creative skills to foster positive change for others

This episode is brought to you by our Premium Subscriber Community on Patreon and Buzzsprout

For a summary of this episode and all the links mentioned please visit:
Episode151: Creative Canadian: Songwriter and Author Gail Taylor

You can find Gail at gailtaylormusic.com as well as @gailtaylormusic on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and TikTok. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.

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.

In this repeat episode from last January, Raj Thandhi, the Creative Director and owner of  Pink Chai Media as well as the blogger behind Pink Chai Living joins Melissa  to talk about choosing a word of the year and why this has been such a beneficial exercise for both of them over the years - in their businesses and their personal lives.

This episode is brought to you by Fine Lime Designs Illustrations

This is a great episode for anyone who:

• has thought about choosing a word of the year but hasn't made the plunge (it's not too late for this year!)
• already follows this practice and wants to hear about what others do and how they do it
• is wondering what all this "word of the year" stuff is!

You can find Raj at her food and lifestyle website Pink Chai Living or on Instagram at @pinkchai (where she's very active in her IG stories!)

For a summary of this episode and all the links mentioned please visit:
Episode 89: Creative Canadian Raj Thandhi

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.

As we head into summer and close out season 3 of the podcast, Heather Travis puts her formidable interview skills to the test as we discuss death row meals, defending our studios in a zombie apocalypse, the slow quality erosion of our favourite sneakers, how every woman has a story that needs to be told, how other people's passion can light you up and music... all the music. We also make a lot of pop culture references!

This episode is brought to you by Fine Lime Designs Illustrations

This is a great episode for creatives who:

• just want to chill out for an hour and hopefully have some giggles while getting to know the quirkier sides of Heather and Melissa

For a summary of this episode and all the links mentioned please visit:
Episode 111: The One With Unusual Questions

You can find Melissa at finelimedesigns.com or on Instagram @mhchipmunk.
You can find Heather at heatherlynnetravis.com or on Instagram @heathertravis.

You can connect with the podcast  on:

• Instagram at @andshelookedup 
• Facebook 
• YouTube 

For a list of all available episodes, please visit:
And She Looked Up Creative Hour Podcast

And She Looked Up was born from belief that creating for a living takes a special kind of person: one part artist and one part businessperson.

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 (

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.

Setting boundaries in your creative business (and your life) are key to ensuring you're happy, successful and mentally and physically well. We talk about the key areas to look to and the questions to ask when you're determining what your boundaries are!

This episode is brought to you by Fine Lime Designs Illustrations

This is a great episode for creatives who:

• are feeling like everything is chaotic in their business and their life
• feel like they're never getting anything accomplished or moving forward
• are constantly saying yes at the expense of things that are important to them
• are struggling with feelings of burnout or overwhelm
• aren't living the life they thought they would be when they went to work for themselves
• fear saying no
• are people pleasers

For a summary of this episode and all the links mentioned please visit:
Episode 109: Setting Boundaries For Your Creative Business

You can find Melissa at finelimedesigns.com or on Instagram @mhchipmunk.
You can find Heather at heatherlynnetravis.com or on Instagram @heathertravis.

You can connect with the podcast  on:

• Instagram at @andshelookedup 
• Facebook 
• YouTube 

For a list of all available episodes, please visit:
And She Looked Up Creative Hour Podcast

And She Looked Up was born from belief that creating for a living takes a special kind of person: one part artist and one part businessperson.

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

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.

We all have moments where we want to throw in the towel with our creative businesses but how do you know when it's really time to move on? And how do you navigate all the fears that come with that? And what do you do with your business when it's time? My original co-host Lisa Bolton is back this week and we talk all about knowing when it's time to let go, move on or pivot.

This episode is great for anyone who:

• has a nagging feeling that they're no longer fulfilled by what their creative business does
• suspects it's probably time to move on or pivot but is struggling with fear of change, fear of losing their identity, fear of losing an income or fear of "what's next?"
• is ready to move on but has no idea what to do next (and has a lot of fears around that question mark)
• is ready to move on but has no idea what to do with their current business

For a summary of this episode and all the links mentioned please visit:
Episode 106: When Is it Time to Move On From Your Creative Business?

You can find Melissa at finelimedesigns.com or on Instagram @mhchipmunk.
You can find Lisa at lisadawnbolton.com or on Instagram @lisadawnbolton

You can connect with the podcast  on:

• Instagram at @andshelookedup 
• Facebook 
• YouTube 

For a list of all available episodes, please visit:
And She Looked Up Creative Hour Podcast

And She Looked Up was born from belief that creating for a living takes a special kind of person: one part artist and one part businessperson.

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

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.

Creative burnout can have a direct impact on your mental health and your ability to earn a living as a working creative. This week, we have an honest conversation about creative burnout, how you can protect yourself from it and what to do when you find yourself in the midst of it.

This episode is brought to you by Fine Lime Designs Illustrations

This is a great episode for creatives who:

• isn't sure if they're feeling burnt out and wants to understand what to look for
• struggles with periodic episodes of creative burnout
• is feeling burnt out and isn't sure what to do next
• is looking for tools to prevent future burnout

For a summary of this episode and all the links mentioned please visit:
Episode 105: Creative Burnout

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

You can connect with the podcast  on:

• Instagram at @andshelookedup 
• Facebook 
• YouTube 

For a list of all available episodes, please visit:
And She Looked Up Creative Hour Podcast

And She Looked Up was born from belief that creating for a living takes a special kind of person: one part artist and one part businessperson.

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 (@mhchipmunk), left a 20 year career in corporate retail and has been happily self-employed as a working creative for 12 years. She's a graphic designer, an illus

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.

Are you ready to quit your day job and take your creative business full time? Or maybe you have a creative business already but you're ready to try something new. Then this episode is for you!

This episode is brought to you by Fine Lime Designs Illustrations

This is a great episode for anyone who:

• who is thinking of turning their creative hobby into a business
• who has a side business and is wondering if now is the right time to take the next step
• who has a successful creative business but is starting to wonder if it's time to do something new.

For a summary of this episode and all the links mentioned please visit:
Episode 85: So... You Want to Quit Your Day Job

You can also connect with us on:

• Instagram at @andshelookedup 
• Facebook 
• YouTube 

For a list of all available episodes, please visit:
And She Looked Up Creative Hour Podcast

And She Looked Up was born from belief that creating for a living takes a special kind of person: one part artist and one part businessperson.

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, left a 20 year career in corporate retail and has been happily self-employed as a working creative for 12 years. She's a graphic designer, an illustrator and a multi-six figure a year entrepreneur in the digital content space. She resides just outside of Vancouver, BC.

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.

As the busiest season of the year for creative businesses approaches we talk about how to make time for self-care - and what self-care really is (it's not just a massage or spa appointment)! Hit the ground running and make this holiday season your best with a body and mind that are up to the challenges. And schedule in some downtime for the new year to rest and recuperate.

This episode is great for all creatives, regardless of whether Q4 is your busy season. Learn 6 key components of managing your health and well being. We also talk about some self-care options for those of you who find some of the more talked about self-care options (like spa visits or massages) stressful. And we talk about why sometimes full on adulting like meal prep, going to the dentist and getting insurance can be a form of self-care!

For a summary of this episode and all the links mentioned, please visit:
Episode 77: Self Care for Creative Entrepreneurs

For a list of all available episodes, please visit:
And She Looked Up Creative Hour Podcast

And She Looked Up was born from belief that creating for a living takes a special kind of person: one part artist and one part businessperson.

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, left a 20 year career in corporate retail and has been happily self-employed as a working creative for 12 years. She's a graphic designer, an illustrator and a multi-six figure a year entrepreneur in the digital content space. She resides just outside of Vancouver, BC.

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.

As creative business owners, our creativity is our livelihood - which means it's so important we take steps to protect it.  Lawyer Andrea Henry of Henry Business Law joins us in this episode to talk about how you can take steps to protect your creative business and your intellectual property including what you can do yourself and where you should get a lawyer to help you (and how to find a lawyer that gets you and your business!)

For a summary of this episode and all the links mentioned, please visit:
Episode 75: Protecting Your Creative Work

For a list of all available episodes, please visit:
And She Looked Up Creative Hour Podcast

And She Looked Up was born from belief that creating for a living takes a special kind of person: one part artist and one part businessperson. Some days the artist gets to be in charge, and some days, it’s the businessperson.  And sometimes that can create tension! But tension can be a really good thing - from it comes new ideas, inspiration, and growth. 

When you run a creative business you need to keep your “inspiration well” full, your mind and body healthy and your business brain sharp. You also need friends and a community that understand what your days are like. 

That’s why And She Looked Up was created - to create a space for Canadian female artists, creatives and makers to come together and share our ideas and stories while growing our creative businesses! Your host Melissa Hartfiel is a designer, illustrator, writer, and photographer with a penchant for vibrant colour. She’s owns three businesses and has been a self-employed creative since 2010. She resides just outside of Vancouver, Canada. 

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.

Lawyer Andrea Henry of Henry Business Law joins us this week to talk about how you can take steps to protect your creative business and your intellectual property including what you can do yourself and where you should get a lawyer to help you (and how to find a lawyer that gets you and your business!)

For a summary of this episode and all the links mentioned, please visit:
Episode 49: Protecting What You Create with Lawyer Andrea Henry

For a list of all available episodes, please visit:
And She Looked Up Creative Hour Podcast

And She Looked Up was born from belief that creating for a living takes a special kind of person: one part artist and one part businessperson. Some days the artist gets to be in charge, and some days, it’s the businessperson.  And sometimes that can create tension! But tension can be a really good thing - from it comes new ideas, inspiration, and growth. 

When you run a creative business you need to keep your “inspiration well” full, your mind and body healthy and your business brain sharp. You also need friends and a community that understand what your days are like. 

That’s why And She Looked Up was created - to create a space for Canadian female artists, creatives and makers to come together and share our ideas and stories while growing our creative businesses! Your host Melissa Hartfiel is a designer, illustrator, writer, and photographer with a penchant for vibrant colour. She’s owns three businesses and has been a self-employed creative since 2010. She resides just outside of Vancouver, Canada. 

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.