My fave reads of 2024 - business/creative edition.

My fave reads of 2024 - business/creative edition.

Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert

Passion Purpose Profit - Fiona Killacky

Anything You Want - Derek Sivers

Steal like an Artist, Austin Kleon

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Transcript

Speaker 2: 0:12

Welcome to Designing Success from Study to Studio. I'm your host, Rhiannon Lee, founder of the Oleandra Finch Design Studio. I've lived the transformation from study to studio and then stripped it bare and wrote down the framework so you don't have to overthink it. In this podcast, you can expect real talk with industry friends, community, connection, and actionable tips to help you conquer whatever's holding you back. Now let's get designing your own success.

Speaker: 0:37

Okay, so we're getting into the holiday season. So I thought I would do something completely different for today's podcast episode. If you know me, you know, I'm obsessed with reading. I certainly was before I had three young children. And I, to be honest, have struggled so much. I don't think I've picked up a physical paper book. I've picked up at least two a year with mad intentions, but I just never can find the ability to hide for long enough for my children to be able to read them. And so I am a big time audio book listener this year alone. I've devoured 96 and yes, I am eyeing off the a hundred by the year's end audio books. And those books all sorts of things. Look, I like to use books for their. true intention, which is escapism. I do like to read a lot of fantasy, a lot of fiction. I'm all over book talk. I do listen to some business books, but I also find when you are in that world all day, every day, it doesn't feel as escape y as it should. So maybe they're not like a huge chunk 96. But today I want to share five game changing reads for your design business. So I'm going to talk to you about a few that I think are must reads in order to improve your design business. Plus I've got a couple of holiday bonuses at the end for when you're lounging on the couch or if you get to go away or overseas this break or you have a glass of wine and just sit by the pool. I've got a few for you at the end that I think you might like. All right, let's get into it. My number one recommendation for interior designers or creatives as a whole is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. This one is for you if fear has been running the show. So if you are feeling like, Oh, who wants to listen to my voice? I don't know if I'm good enough. I'm underqualified. Like all those imposter syndrome things that swirl around your head. Elizabeth Gilbert dives deep into the messy beauty of creativity showing us how to let without letting it take the wheel. It's the ultimate permission slip to create unapologetically, and I was obsessed with it. In fact, I would like to revisit this on my holiday break. The key takeaway, creativity doesn't have to be tortured. It could be joyful. It could be messy. Just, You'll do your best work doing it your way, so you don't have to fit into expectations. And I absolutely loved this book. My second recommendation is Still Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. This is a compact little book. It's one that I have recommended to many private coaching clients when they are in their own heads, when they are worried that they are borrowing too much inspiration or they're not sharing enough originality, I am all about obviously doing things in your own way. But this book, tries to explain how you can be inspired by something and inspiration is everywhere. And not just from that competitor or that direct person around you, but going for a walk, thinking differently, looking to benchmark other industries and then move it into interior design. And how we collect that inspiration that lives everywhere and remix it into something that's uniquely yours, that comes through with your voice loud and clear, that is not just plagiarism. It's a must read if you feel the pressure to be original in your design work, and if that gets in your head sometimes. The key takeaway of this book, everything is technically a remix. Take what resonates, but make sure you make it your own. Number three from me, Passion Purpose Profit by Fiona Kalaki. Fiona is my own business coach and she does have a new book out which I sadly haven't had a minute to listen to but that is top of my holiday reads. This Book is basically business school for creatives without the hefty price tag or boring lectures. Fiona breaks down business strategy into bite sized, approachable steps for those of us who just want to design without drowning in admin. She has a beautiful cadence in her voice. If you listen to her podcast, my daily business, you'll know that she is just such a superstar, a wealth of knowledge, so generous with that knowledge. And I really resonate with Fiona. I always have since she's the very first person that I have followed in the marketing business space and have worked with. I've collaborated with her. I've featured in her mentor group And I just love how much amazing advice is in there it's my number one pick if you're gifting to a business bestie, no matter what the business, I think this is a must read. So the key takeaway from this book, you can build a profitable business without sacrificing your purpose and your why or your sanity. There's just so much to learn from this book. It's a must read from me. Number five, Business Money Magnet by Justine McLean. Money talk can absolutely feel overwhelming. Justine always makes it simple. It's just simple. Her book is full of practical advice on managing your finance. and pricing your services with confidence. She is my money coach. Again, these are all my things, but these people have attracted me into their world because they are the best of the best. And I love how she makes numbers make sense. It just makes sense to me after speaking with her for five minutes. The key takeaway in her book, pricing is power. Knowing your numbers is the first step to charging what you're worth. And this is something I think is really, It's really important for a lot of design businesses. We take inspiration and we're always, sitting down with a beautiful, thick, glossy magazine, but the return on investment from this book is tangible. This is about making 2025 your money making year. All right, let's get into holiday bonus reads for true crime lovers or those that can deal with it. Local woman missing. If you can handle suspense, this book will keep you absolutely hooked. I nearly threw it across the room multiple times. I'm usually really on top of predicting plot twists. This one had me like, so nervous, so unsure, and then shooketh. It's a gripping edge of your seat read, perfect for holiday downtime. And I really want to put back a caveat to the beginning for true crime lovers only. If you read the first couple of chapters and you're like, this is grim. What? I just listened to this girl's interior design business podcast. And now all of a sudden I feel like true crime. These are holiday reads. These are escapism. If you can't handle true crime, don't go there. The second one for fiction fans who don't. like true crime and not into thrillers. The Mother Fault by Kate Mildenhall. Kate and I went to school together, which is super cool. And she's an incredible writer. She has a collection of books, all of which I'm obsessed with. This book is so beautifully written, like everything Kate has written before it. And it's thought provoking, impossible to put down, perfect for those who love like a really immersed reader. emotional story where you are just in that world. So there you have it! My top pics to inspire, educate and entertain you this year from the 96 so far. If you've got any recommendations on what I should do for my final four to round out the year, please DM me on Instagram at oleander underscore end underscore Finch. I would love to hear what you think if you've read something amazing this year that I've missed. I'm always looking for my next favorite read, but until next week, that's a teeny tiny one from me. You'll find the links to each of the books in the show notes, and I'll chat to you on Tuesday. Bye for now.

Speaker 3: 8:01

That wraps up another episode of Designing Success from Study to Studio. Thanks for lending me your ears. Remember, progress over perfection is the key. If you found value in today's episode, go ahead and hit subscribe or share it with a friend. Your feedback means so much to me and it helps me improve, but it also helps this podcast reach more emerging and evolving designers. For your daily dose of design business tips and to get a closer look at what goes on behind the scenes, follow at oleander underscore and underscore finch on Instagram. You'll find tons of resources available at www. oleanderandfinch. com to support you on your journey. Remember, this is your path, your vision, your future, and your business. Now let's get out there and start designing your success.