Why Every Creative Entrepreneur Needs to Hear This Conversation
There's something magical about watching Sarah Rowan paint. I discovered this firsthand at a Christmas party where I picked up a brush to join her live painting session and, according to Sarah, "never left." That spontaneous creative moment led to one of the most energetic and practical conversations I've had on Handpicked—one that every creative entrepreneur and sole trader needs to hear.
Sarah embodies the classic entrepreneurial dilemma: she's built something special as a sole operator, creating joy through live painting, workshops, and community events, but like thousands of creative entrepreneurs across Australia, she's asking the million-dollar question: "How can a sole operator scale up without losing that beautiful essence that makes us so special?"
The Time Trap That Catches Every Creative
Sarah's challenge resonates far beyond the art world. Whether you're a graphic designer, consultant, photographer, or workshop facilitator, you've likely hit the same wall: you can only sell your time, and there's only one of you.
As I shared with Sarah, before RedBalloon, I ran a freelance marketing consultancy and experienced this exact feast-or-famine cycle. You're either so busy serving one client that you can't work on growing your business, or you've just finished a project and suddenly find yourself asking, "Now what do I do?"
The solution isn't to work more hours—it's to flip your business model entirely.
From Time-Seller to Product Creator
Sarah has already started this journey brilliantly. She's moved beyond just offering painting services to creating products that can generate income while she sleeps: prints, postcards, stickers, and my personal favourite—her "Days of the Week" native tea towels (including the cheeky "Tits Out Tuesday" featuring a galah). She's also written a book about the creativity cycle.
But here's what I love about Sarah's approach: she's not rushing. She wants "good quality, organic, homegrown products." This patience is crucial for creative entrepreneurs who often feel pressured to scale quickly and lose what made them special in the first place.
The book "Small Giants" that I recommended to Sarah explores exactly this—businesses that choose to be great instead of big, creating beautiful boutique experiences while finding smart ways to extend their reach.
Building Your Platform Before You Need It
When Sarah asked about getting more television exposure to build brand awareness, my advice surprised her: producers need to find you, not the other way around. This happens when you've built a voice and reputation that makes you the obvious choice when media outlets need an expert in your field.
I shared my own journey from starting a simple blog about small business challenges to becoming one of LinkedIn's first content creators in Australia, which eventually led to Shark Tank finding me. The key wasn't chasing media opportunities—it was consistently sharing insights about topics I cared about: small business recognition, creativity in the workplace, and the economic impact of the arts.
For Sarah, this might mean writing about the importance of creativity in our communities, speaking about arts education, or advocating for the therapeutic benefits of creative expression. The platform comes first; the opportunities follow.
The 40-Something Revolution
Perhaps the most refreshing part of our conversation was Sarah's final question. Instead of asking for advice to give her 20-year-old self (the standard podcast question), she asked what I'd tell my 40-year-old self. With seven teenagers between her and her girlfriend, Sarah wanted practical wisdom for the decade she's actually living.
My answer focused on something most entrepreneurs neglect: investing in your health becomes non-negotiable in your 40s. This isn't just about physical fitness—though Sarah's martial arts training with her teenage daughters is brilliant—it's about brain health, nutrition, sleep, and recognizing that you can no longer take your capacity for granted.
In your 40s, you start thinking strategically about your 50s, 60s, and 70s. You realize there's a finite window with the young people in your life. You begin scheduling self-care as rigorously as client meetings because what you invest in your wellbeing now determines your health span for decades to come.
The Community Impact That Matters
What struck me most about Sarah is her commitment to giving back. She regularly visits elderly care homes because "the word keeps spreading that the speed painter will come if you just beg her." She's painting eight water tanks after our call, adding beauty to rural communities across Australia.
This community focus isn't just noble—it's smart business. Sarah's reputation for generosity creates word-of-mouth marketing that no advertising budget could buy. When she eventually gets that broader media platform she's building toward, it won't be about self-promotion; it'll be about amplifying her mission to inspire creativity and bring joy to communities.
Why This Conversation Matters for Every Entrepreneur
Sarah's questions apply whether you're painting murals or running a consulting practice. How do you scale without losing your essence? How do you build a platform that attracts opportunities? How do you balance ambition with wellbeing in your most productive decades?
Her energy is infectious, her questions are spot-on, and her approach to business—prioritizing quality and community impact over rapid growth—offers a refreshing alternative to the "scale fast or die" mentality that dominates entrepreneurship discussions.
Listen to the complete episode to hear Sarah's full story, including her journey from prints to tea towels, her Olympic Games mural that made national news, and why she believes creativity is the key to helping people see themselves differently.
Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, a sole trader in any industry, or someone in their 40s wondering what comes next, this conversation offers practical insights wrapped in genuine joy and authentic ambition.
Follow Handpicked for more conversations with entrepreneurs who are building meaningful businesses on their own terms. New episodes drop every Monday with insights that could change how you approach your next big decision.
Sometimes the best business advice comes from someone holding a paintbrush.
Handpicked with Naomi Simson explores the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of successful entrepreneurs. Each episode delivers practical insights you can implement immediately in your own business journey.
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