Welcome back to the Creative on the Grind podcast! In this episode, your host, DeAndra Jalisa, shares her personal journey and practical steps to help creative hobbyists turn their passions into profitable businesses. Whether you’re looking to monetize a side hustle or transition into a full-time business owner, DeAndra breaks down the mindset shifts, strategies, and action steps you need to take to turn your creative hobby into a thriving business.

She also shares real-life examples of successful entrepreneurs who started small and scaled their businesses through validation and determination. Get ready to dive in and learn the essential foundations to transform your hobby into a thriving business that you love!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction & DeAndra’s Personal Story

• DeAndra shares how she turned her side hustle, Party Shop Avenue, into a six-figure balloon business.
• Discusses the importance of trying different hobbies to see what sticks and aligns with your revenue goals.
• She emphasizes finding a niche that differentiates your business from the competition.

Step 1: Shift Your Mindset from Hobbyist to Business Owner

• Hobbyist Mindset: Just for fun, no pressure to make money.
• Business Owner Mindset: Strategic, income-driven, and goal-oriented.
• Action Tip: Create a daily affirmation like, “I am building a business that provides value to others through my creativity.”
• Focus on showing up every day as if you’re already successful—“fake it till you make it.”

Step 2: Validate Your Creative Idea as a Business

• Before investing money, validate that your business idea is viable.
• Three-Step Validation Plan:

1. Conduct Market Research: Analyze competitors, find market gaps, and see if there’s demand.
2. Define Your Niche: Narrow down your audience and identify your unique selling proposition (USP).
3. Analyze Demand: Check if the product/service is in high demand and if there’s room to innovate.

• Real-Life Example: Sara Blakely’s Spanx—Started with footless pantyhose and refined her product based on feedback, turning it into a billion-dollar brand.

Step 3: Craft a Simple Offer to Monetize Your Creativity

• Start with ONE offer (product or service) and focus on mastering it before expanding.
• Consider the cost, time, and unique value when pricing your product/service.
• Action Tip: Present your offer professionally, even if it’s your first.
• DeAndra’s Example: Focused solely on balloon installations initially, then gradually added backdrops, florals, and other services.

Step 4: Market Your Business & Build a Community

• Share your journey and be authentic—people love to support underdog stories and watch businesses evolve.
• Use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest to showcase your work.
• Action Tip: Post your creative process twice a week and engage with every comment to build a loyal community.
• Personal Example: DeAndra shares how people followed her journey from being a hairstylist to a luxury balloon designer and now a business coach.

Closing & Final Thoughts

• Summary: Shift your mindset, validate your idea, create a simple offer, and market your business.
• Don’t overthink—just start! Everything else (like business registration and fancy websites) can come later.
• Action Tip: Pick one step from this episode and take action this week.
• Follow the podcast and connect with DeAndra on social media @DeAndraJalisa and @CreativeOnTheGrind.

Episode Resources:

• Free Workbook: Find Your Niche Workbook – Download this workbook to identify your niche and start building your creative business.
• Connect with DeAndra:
• Instagram: @DeAndraJalisa
• Instagram: @CreativeOnTheGrind

Join the Creative on the Grind Community:

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to share it with a friend who’s looking to turn their creative hobby into a business. Follow the podcast for more insights, and as always, stay creative and stay on the grind!

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