Welcome to a special episode of the Minding My Creative Business

podcast, where we’re celebrating the end of an incredible Season 4 with a

live recap! Join your hosts, ShySpeaks and Ron "iRonic" Lee Jr., as

they reflect on four seasons and over 33 episodes of inspiring

conversations, candid challenges, and major wins in the world of

creative entrepreneurship.

In this episode, we revisit some of our favorite moments and insights

from a diverse lineup of creative trailblazers—including salon owners,

DJs, media moguls, choreographers, PR pros, and more. Whether you’re a

veteran creativepreneur or just starting on your business journey,

discover the gems our guests dropped about niching down, scaling with

systems, finding mentorship, building teams, leveraging associations,

collaborating across industries, and embracing self-development.

Tune in for key takeaways, practical strategies, and a whole lot of love

for this thriving community of movers, makers, and visionaries. Plus,

if you’re joining us live, you’ll have a chance to interact, ask

questions, and become part of the creative conversation. Let’s recap,

grow, and get ready to level up for Season 5—because all it takes is

laser focus, consistency, and intention to mind your creative business!

Time Stamped Overview:

00:00 Perseverance Through Podcast Seasons

09:07 Streamlining Business Processes Efficiently

13:38 The Importance of a CPA

18:01 Michigan Black Business Association Shoutout

22:30 Empowering Teams: Scaling Success

29:59 "Passion and Career Alignment"

32:19 Magazine Sales Strategy Revealed

38:33 Media Growth through Collaboration

42:38 Boost Sales with Social Media Management

49:30 Job Form Features Mini Podcast

54:23 Stay Connected with Simple Gestures

01:00:53 "Boosting Restaurant Sales Tactics"

01:05:48 Join Our Creative Entrepreneur Community

01:08:23 "Locate My Creative Business"

Links & Resources:

[Business Funding] (https://www.creditsavnt.com) - Get your creative

business funded through Credit Savant.

[Creativepreneur Gear] (https://www.whatstheirony.com) - Get your

creative entrepreneur apparel from What's the Irony.

If you want to connect with Faith or explore her services, check out The

Divine Creators Co. on Instagram.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Minding My Creative

Business Podcast! We hope you found valuable insights and strategies to

apply to your own creative journey. If you enjoyed this episode, please

rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Stay tuned for more

enriching discussions and expert advice in our upcoming episodes. Keep

creating and stay inspired!

THE CREATIVE’S CORNER NEWSLETTER 📫 Gain monthly access to motivational

tips & practical steps that will shift the way you think and operate

in business - in 5 minutes or less. Sign up: MMCBPodcast.com

LISTEN TO THE SHOW https://feeds.captivate.fm/mmcbpodcast/

GET IN TOUCH

🌍 Our website: www.mmcbpodcast.com

🌍 Work with us: hello@mmcbpodcast.com

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY 📡

Facebook: / / / mindingmycreativebusiness

📸 Instagram: / / / mindingmycreativebusiness

ABOUT US We’re Ron & ShySpeaks, two music industry creators marching

to the tune of entrepreneurship. Our goal is to help our creative peers

keep in step by taking them behind the brands of some of wildly

successful creative entrepreneurs. Our interview-styled podcast

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Welcome back to Minding My Creative Business, the go-to podcast for creative entrepreneurs ready to level up their strategy, structure, and self-development. In this episode, hosts Ron “iRonic” Lee Jr. and ShySpeaks shine a spotlight on a side of creative business that doesn’t get nearly enough love: event curation—with a twist of culinary arts.

We’re joined by Eric Grayson, Dallas native, event promoter-turned-creative-director, and co-owner of The Five Bistro, a thriving hub known not just for its delicious Southern comfort cuisine, but for curating unique, immersive experiences every night of the week. Eric shares the secrets behind transforming a local bistro into a creative powerhouse, where great food meets great vibes and every night tells a different story.

From building a diverse, loyal audience and leveraging data for strategic marketing, to the financial realities and team dynamics of successful event curation, you’ll hear real-world insights on profit-sharing, scaling niche events, and creating revenue streams beyond ticket sales. Eric drops actionable gems for anyone in the restaurant, arts, or event world—plus, he reveals how creative collaboration and evolving with technology (hello, AI and POV marketing!) are changing the game for entrepreneurs.

Whether you’re a fellow creative, aspiring event curator, or just trying to mind your own creative business, this episode is packed with strategies, inspiration, and a few laughs you won’t want to miss. Let’s dive in!

Timestamped overview:

00:00 Creative Southern Dining Experience

05:10 High-Energy DJ Orchestrates Entertainment

08:07 Empowering Future Leaders

10:58 "Creating a Captivating Vibe"

12:48 Creative Strategies for Customer Spending

17:05 After-Hours Spin Minimum Pricing

21:58 Revamping Business Through Influential Promotion

23:04 Director of Marketing and Management

26:20 Grassroots Festival Promotion in Dallas

31:43 Embrace AI for Marketing Innovation

33:29 "Niche Storytelling with Posh"

37:39 Successful Business Partnerships & Ownership

39:36 Profit Through Creative Collaboration

43:27 Dynamic Ticket Pricing Strategy

47:57 Creative Marketing and Event Experience

51:46 "Embrace Profit Sharing Mentality"

54:45 "Join the Creative Scoring Community"

55:49 "Speak Up and Repeat"

Takeaways:

• Eric Grayson elucidates the significance of food as a mere entry point into an immersive experiential atmosphere, emphasizing culinary excellence as merely the bait for a deeper engagement with patrons.
• The essence of event curation lies in the ability to craft distinct experiences each night, thereby fostering a diverse clientele that returns regularly for varied programming.
• Leveraging data and analytics is pivotal in understanding audience demographics, which can then be utilized for targeted marketing strategies and enhancing customer engagement.
• Creative collaboration amongst team members is essential; however, it is crucial to establish boundaries to prevent depletion of personal resources while nurturing professional relationships.
• Profit-sharing arrangements with collaborators can mitigate upfront costs, allowing for a more sustainable approach to event management and execution.
• Adapting to technological advancements, such as utilizing AI and social media for marketing, is essential for staying competitive in the ever-evolving landscape of event promotion.

Links & Resources:

[Business Funding](https://www.creditsavnt.com) - Get your creative

business funded through Credit Savant.

[Creativepreneur Gear](https://www.whatstheirony.com) - Get your

creative entrepreneur apparel from What's the...

The episode presents a profound exploration of the intricacies of public relations, underscoring the necessity for a nuanced understanding of various psychological and sociological principles to effectively connect with target audiences. The speaker elucidates their personal journey, initially marked by apprehension regarding pricing strategies, stemming from a fear of deterring potential clients. However, a pivotal realization emerged: to cultivate authentic connections with the right clientele, one must be prepared to exclude those who do not align with the brand's core values. This insight reinforces the adage, 'If you market to everyone, you market to no one,' thereby emphasizing the importance of a focused marketing approach.

The conversation transitions to the operational realities faced by a public relations firm, detailing the speaker's evolution from a solo practitioner to a leader of a team. The organic growth of their clientele necessitated the recruitment of skilled individuals to manage increasing demands, illustrating the dynamic nature of the public relations landscape. Furthermore, the discussion highlights the art of media pitching, where tailored pitches, informed by thorough research, significantly enhance the likelihood of securing media placements. The speaker's experiences underscore the importance of developing and maintaining strong relationships within the industry, advocating for a commitment to excellence and strategic networking.

Concluding with a powerful reminder of the significance of community and personal connections within the creative industry, the episode emphasizes that success in public relations transcends mere financial gain. By fostering meaningful relationships and engaging with the community, practitioners can create a lasting impact that extends beyond their professional endeavors. The insights shared throughout the episode offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the complexities inherent in public relations, equipping them with practical strategies to navigate their own creative journeys.

Timestamped overview

00:00 "Interviewing the Versatile Writer"

10:07 Delegation in Freelancing Business

10:44 "Building and Maintaining Relationships"

16:17 Event Sponsorship and Bartering Strategies

23:13 Contract Setup for Team Management

28:39 Bartering Social Media for PR

31:41 "Marketing, PR, Advertising Interconnected"

37:21 Title: Building Media Relationships

Pitch: Strengthening media relationships is essential in today's dynamic

landscape, requiring patience and persistence. While relying on

established contacts is beneficial, forging new connections daily with

journalists is crucial. This involves consistent outreach through emails

and DMs, utilizing platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.

Embrace these modern avenues to connect and cultivate meaningful

relationships within the media industry.

45:21 Freelance Writing for Various Outlets

47:59 "AI's Limitations and Human Necessity"

53:07 Event Planning Essentials

01:00:59 "Join Creative Entrepreneurs Community"

Takeaways:

• The pursuit of wealth is secondary to achieving a comfortable lifestyle and aiding others.
• Understanding the nuances of public relations is essential for successful marketing strategies.
• Turning away unsuitable clients is crucial to finding the right audience for one's services.
• Effective communication requires a mastery of both creative and psychological principles to engage with clients.
• The importance of building and maintaining relationships in public relations cannot be overstated.
• Crisis management in public relations necessitates the ability to respond swiftly and effectively to negative situations.

Links & Resources:

[Business...