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How to Build a Thriving Creative Business: In-Depth Lessons from Miriam Schulman
In this episode, host Josh Elledge sits down with Miriam Schulman, founder and CEO of Schulman Art and The Inspiration Place, to unpack the essential principles behind building a profitable and sustainable creative business. Miriam—also the author of the HarperCollins book Art, Inc.—shares her expertise on storytelling, branding, pricing, audience-building, and the mindset needed to overcome creative resistance. Her unique blend of artistic mastery and business strategy provides a powerful roadmap for any creator looking to turn passion into profit.
The Power of Myth-Making in Creative Business
Miriam introduces the concept of myth-making—drawing inspiration from Greek mythology—as the foundation of compelling branding for creative entrepreneurs. She explains that just as ancient heroes hired bards to tell their stories, modern creatives must proactively shape and share their own narratives to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Storytelling isn’t self-indulgence; it’s strategy.
In the conversation, Miriam breaks down the five pillars of creative business success: production, pricing, prospecting, promotion, and productivity. She details how each pillar supports business growth and provides clear, actionable practices artists can incorporate immediately. From setting a consistent creation schedule to building an email list that actually converts, Miriam offers step-by-step advice grounded in her own business experience.
Finally, she addresses the mindset challenges that hold creatives back—especially fear of failure, perfectionism, and the myth of “selling out.” Miriam emphasizes that discomfort is part of the creative journey. The more talented a person is, the better they often become at talking themselves out of action. Her reminders to “show up even when it’s hard” and to treat creative work like a professional commitment resonate as core lessons for any business-minded artist.
About Miriam Schulman
Miriam Schulman is a creative entrepreneur, artist, and the founder of The Inspiration Place, where she teaches artists how to build thriving businesses through marketing systems, pricing strategies, and mindset tools. She is also the author of Art, Inc.—a HarperCollins guidebook for creative professionals—and host of the popular Inspiration Place Podcast. Connect with her on LinkedIn or explore her programs at SchulmanArt.com.
About The Inspiration Place
The Inspiration Place is Miriam’s educational platform dedicated to helping artists and creative entrepreneurs grow profitable, sustainable businesses. Through online courses, coaching, community support, and the Inspiration Place Podcast, artists learn practical skills for marketing, selling, pricing, and increasing their visibility. Learn more at SchulmanArt.com.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Key Episode Highlights
- Why artists must become the “bard of their own story”
- The five pillars of creative business success
- How to price your work with confidence
- Why email marketing outperforms social media
- How mindset blocks sabotage creative entrepreneurs
- The myth of “selling out” and why creatives must embrace commerce
- Why showing up consistently matters more than perfection
Conclusion
Miriam Schulman’s approach to creative entrepreneurship blends timeless storytelling with modern business strategy, giving artists a clear path to earning a sustainable income from their work. Her insights remind creatives that success comes from consistency, visibility, and the courage to embrace both creativity and commerce. Whether you are just starting or scaling your creative brand, the pillars shared in this episode offer a powerful framework for long-term growth.
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