And, I’m thrilled you’re here.
(Like fifteen cartwheels in a row kind of thrilled. Can you tell I was a varsity cheerleader?)
Before we get into me, here’s what I know about you:
+ Glancing at your to-do list of writing product descriptions, taking photos for Instagram, updating your Facebook page and writing your next blog post gives you the same nauseous feeling as when you inhale an entire bag of ‘share size’ Skittles. #sugarbelly
+ You wonder if you’ll ever really figure out who your target market is and how to get your products in front of them. (Hint: It doesn’t take a celebrity sex tape or a million dollar marketing budget. Promise.)
+ The word “marketing” gives you that icky feeling that you get when your aunt who’s drenched in old lady perfume hugs you 15 seconds longer than normal.
+ The idea of setting up a sales funnel induces stress hives.
+ You wish a fairy godmother could take over writing all your sales copy, setting up your website, formatting your blog posts and updating your social media pages.
+ The introverted side of yourself reaches for a gallon of rocky road every time you consider going to a networking event alone.
If that sounds at all familiar, you’re in the right place.
Welcome, friend.
Pull up a chair and pour yourself a cup of herbal tea.
Welcome, friend.
Pull up a chair and pour yourself a cup of herbal tea.
Welcome, friend.
Pull up a chair and pour yourself a cup of herbal tea.
Here are 12 things you should know about Blacksburg Belle and myself:
1) I’M A CREATIVE BUSINESS CONSULTANT
1) I’M A CREATIVE BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Wondering what that means? Here’s my definition:
Creative Business Consultant (noun):
A person who helps creative entrepreneurs build the businesses of their dreams around the lives they crave to live.
Synonyms include:
Writer, Watercolor Lover, Photography-Dabbler, Devoted Doggie Momma
Wondering what that means? Here’s my definition:
Creative Business Consultant (noun):
A person who helps creative entrepreneurs build the businesses of their dreams around the lives they crave to live.
Synonyms include:
Writer, Watercolor Lover, Photography-Dabbler, Devoted Doggie Momma
Wondering what that means? Here’s my definition:
Creative Business Consultant (noun):
A person who helps creative entrepreneurs build the businesses of their dreams around the lives they crave to live.
Synonyms include:
Writer, Watercolor Lover, Photography-Dabbler, Devoted Doggie Momma
I’m like your Paris Geller with a smidgen of Hermione business consultant.
I’m a no-nonsense, tell it like it is kinda girl (with more compassion than Paris). I adore reading and learning, and I’m a self-diagnosed over-achiever. I don’t have time for excuse makers or laziness and I attack every task with intensity.
Yes, I live in Blacksburg, Virginia. Go Hokies!
I got my bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and my husband grew up in Blacksburg. We love this area and hope to raise our children here one day.
If you live in the area (or are visiting the area) and hope to grab coffee and chat, I’m unfortunately not available. The best way to “hang out” with me is to join my membership group, Sunday Society: Chats, Tea and Fishtail Braids, where I regularly hop on live calls every month. It’s kinda like a grownup slumber party—so much fun!
Yes, I live in Blacksburg, Virginia. Go Hokies!
I got my bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and my husband grew up in Blacksburg. We love this area and hope to raise our children here one day.
If you live in the area (or are visiting the area) and hope to grab coffee and chat, I’m unfortunately not available. The best way to “hang out” with me is to join my membership group, Sunday Society: Chats, Tea and Fishtail Braids, where I regularly hop on live calls every month. It’s kinda like a grownup slumber party—so much fun!
I’m all about building a successful business around your dream life.
What’s the point of running a business if you don’t have time for that hot yoga class, to read your kids a bedtime story (or five) or take a day off for an Anthropologie shopping spree?
I don’t believe that you have to give up having a life to run a thriving business.
I wake up when my body wants to get up. I take a long lunch break to cook and eat lunch with my husband. I spend time on my hobbies. I cuddle my dogs while reading the latest young adult novel.
I’m all about building a successful business around your dream life.
What’s the point of running a business if you don’t have time for that hot yoga class, to read your kids a bedtime story (or five) or take a day off for an Anthropologie shopping spree?
I don’t believe that you have to give up having a life to run a thriving business.
I wake up when my body wants to get up. I take a long lunch break to cook and eat lunch with my husband. I spend time on my hobbies. I cuddle my dogs while reading the latest young adult novel.
And, I still make a lot of money. It’s possible!
And, I still make a lot of money. It’s possible!
I’m all about building a successful business around your dream life.
What’s the point of running a business if you don’t have time for that hot yoga class, to read your kids a bedtime story (or five) or take a day off for an Anthropologie shopping spree?
I don’t believe that you have to give up having a life to run a thriving business.
I wake up when my body wants to get up. I take a long lunch break to cook and eat lunch with my husband. I spend time on my hobbies. I cuddle my dogs while reading the latest young adult novel.
And, I still make a lot of money. It’s possible!
While I love helping creative entrepreneurs For free (through my weekly blog posts and hanging out on Facebook Live), I’m running a business.
That means I sell things. (Crazy, right?!?)
If you’re uncomfortable with that, I’m not your gal.
If you’re new to marketing and on a budget, I’ve got exactly what you need.
I wrote a book, Marketing for Creatives, with you in mind. It’s a book for artists, makers and creatives who want everything they need to know to get started with promoting their businesses in one place.
This book is unlike any other marketing book, because it’s written with handmade businesses in mind. Throughout the book, you'll find examples of artists, jewelry designers and more.
If the thought of networking events makes you want to dry heavE But you want to connect with like-minded creatives, you should check out my membership group, Sunday Society: Chats, Tea and Fishtail Braids.
Every month, I jump on to a few live calls to answer your questions, give you feedback on projects you’re working on, and deep dive into some of your struggles. There are monthly challenges that everyone works on together and membership directories that allow you to find other creatives in your niche and where you live.
Ever thought that a summer camp for creative entrepreneurs would be the most fun of all time?
Come hang out with us here.
If you’re looking for more extensive resources, I spend hours delving into topics like blogging, creating digital products, and marketing your business in my CreativeLive Courses:
Some of my proudest achievements include:
+ Adopting a pregnant lab mix and raising two of her pups.
+ Teaching four CreativeLive Courses.
+ Being interviewed for U.S. News and World Report.
+ Giving up cheese—and meat and other dairy products. (Girl, I seriously miss pizza but I’m going on six years strong. That deserves a high five, don’t you think?)
+ Speaking with my biz bestie, Mayi Carles, at Marie Forleo’s conference.
+ Being featured as one of the top inspirational and educational blogs in Where Women Create.
+ Graduating at the top of my class from NYU.
+ Speaking at the first Etsy Success Symposium in my first year of business.
+ Marrying my dream guy. (See #11)
Some of my proudest achievements include:
+ Adopting a pregnant lab mix and raising two of her pups.
+ Teaching four CreativeLive Courses.
+ Being interviewed for U.S. News and World Report.
+ Giving up cheese—and meat and other dairy products. (Girl, I seriously miss pizza but I’m going on six years strong. That deserves a high five, don’t you think?)
+ Speaking with my biz bestie, Mayi Carles, at Marie Forleo’s conference.
+ Being featured as one of the top inspirational and educational blogs in Where Women Create.
+ Graduating at the top of my class from NYU.
+ Speaking at the first Etsy Success Symposium in my first year of business.
+ Marrying my dream guy. (See #11)
If you never want to miss a blog post, make sure you sign up to receive my weekly emails. It’s totally free. YAY!
If you never want to miss a blog post, make sure you sign up to receive my weekly emails. It’s totally free. YAY!
I’m married to my dream guy.
Think Harvey Specter from Suits meets Jess Mariano from Gilmore Girls meets Captain Thorne from The Lunar Chronicles.
He reads my blog religiously, stalks my Facebook page so he can be the first to like my posts, makes me a delicious gluten-free, vegetarian dinner every night and loves me more than I thought a man could love a woman.
He does all that while getting up at 5am every weekday morning to workout and being one of the top 100 trial attorneys in the United States.
I’m always inspired by his competitive nature and motivation.
I’m one lucky wife.
Looking for my professional bio written in the boring 3rd person even though we both know I wrote it? Here it is:
April Bowles-Olin is a writer, creative business consultant, marketing strategist, and photography dabbler. She wants to live in a world where artists and makers adore their blogs, write with confidence and know how to get their unique work in front of people who love it—and scramble for their credit cards because they just ‘have to have it.’ April has taught four CreativeLive courses and has been featured on U.S. News and World Report, Etsy, Design*Sponge, Where Women Create and The Unmistakable Creative. She has worked with thousands of creatives via one-on-one consulting, group coaching and online courses.
When she’s not helping creative entrepreneurs build successful businesses around the lives they crave, you can find her snapping pictures of her three adopted lab mixes, discovering nifty spy tricks while watching Burn Notice with her husband, and reading every young adult novel she comes across without shame.
