I didn't realize my business (and life) needed this

I'm not going to sugarcoat it—

The last six months have been some of the toughest I've faced.

Ben and I managed to get Maker Division up and running like a well-oiled machine in record time. And during that same stretch, my father passed away, I got shingles (zero stars, would not recommend), and I’ve been clawing my way back to feeling like myself—creatively, physically, emotionally.

I’m not 100% yet. But I’m getting there.

And the biggest thing that’s helped?

Community.

It sounds simple. Obvious, even. But for someone who’s been working from home for years and moved to a new city where I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t realize just how much I needed it. Until I actively started rebuilding it.

Here are three things I’ve done lately that have helped me feel connected again—and honestly, more human:

1. Connect IRL with my people

I had a business trip to Arizona in April, and on a whim, I invited any nearby Maker Division members to meet up for a tiki drink. Suzanna Bunch, Richard Haynie, Zach Duncan, and Zach’s +1, Ana, rolled through—and it was a blast. (Turns out we all love the band Tool—bonus bonding moment.)

Meeting people in real life, people I’ve been talking to online for months, hit different. It was grounding, energizing, and made me realize: we need more of this. (Hint: Ben and I are already scheming something. See below.)

2. Join a new business community

The reason I was in Arizona? I joined the Creative Hive Mastermind with Stacie Bloomfield of Gingiber. I’ve been craving a shift with Gold Sheep Design—from client services to a true creative studio with licensing, products, and art at the center. And now I’m learning alongside some of the most inspiring women in the creative business world.

It's kind of like what I'm doing inside Maker Division for our members, but now I'm the one getting the support.

We’re sharing strategies, supporting each other’s growth, and scaling together. I’m giving them everything I know about education, and they’re showing me what’s possible with art as the foundation. It’s exactly the kind of exchange I didn’t know I was missing. (And yes, I’m already excited for our fall retreat—even though I hate traveling, so that says a lot.)

Here's a couple snaps from my trip- all of these people are amazing!

3. Make local friends (who have nothing to do with business)

This one’s been a game-changer. I joined a local friend matchmaking service (yes, that’s a thing!) and it’s connected me with incredible women who are in similar stages of life as me—and actually love living in Vegas.

Now I have friends I meet for breakfast, go to Derby parties with, have deep convos over bourbon with, and even a new axe-throwing buddy (she loves Tool too). None of it is about business. And that’s the point.

After years of burnout and overworking myself into illness, these weekly hangs have been a reset button. They remind me that life exists outside of the business. And honestly? That balance is helping me feel more whole again.

So yeah. Community has been the medicine.

And this week, we’re bringing that community energy to The Division Dispatch.

Let’s dive in.

Manufacture Awesome

Course Recommendation

Thinking about manufacturing your own products? I sure am! That's where my friend, Rebecca Jane Woolbright's Manufacture Awesome course comes in. She knows everything there is to know about manufacturing domestically and overseas (she's even got the scoop on tariffs and how to problem solve). Even better, she's running her live bootcamp starting this week to give you all the support you need. I'll be there and it would be so fun to learn alongside you!

Enroll Now

Learn with Mandy

Free Course

Coming in hot from another friend of mine, Mandy Corcoran is offering a free course on using ChatGPT to figure out your unique value as an art studio and how you can align what you are selling to your ideal customers and clients. And did I mention it's FREE?

Enroll Now

Freestyle Script

New Workshop

One of the best ways I've built community over the last few years has been through Ken Barber's live lettering workshops. Not only are they the #1 way I've developed my skills in such a short period of time, I've met some really incredible lettering artists who I now consider part of my creative community. Ken's got a brand new workshop happening May 17. I'll be there and hope to see some of you as well!

get your ticket

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

Our Division members are awesome.

And Stacy Hsu is a prime example.

Stacy is not only one of our showcase winners for 2024 (meaning her work is the bee's knees of craftsmanship), but she is also building her studio her way.

She's working on personal projects inspired by her love of wildlife and botanicals, pitching her work for both client commissions and licensing collaborations, selling her own products, and working local art markets in Seattle.

Add on top of that, she is so giving inside the community, providing feedback and cheering others on.

Oh- she also recently landed her first five-figure client commission from the work she's doing inside Maker Division and we couldn't be happier for her! It's members like Stacy that make me love what I do every day.

Stacy Hsu

Maker Division Win

I completed the Capabilities Deck from module 3, and used it to pitch to publishers who focus on nature-related titles. From my first week of pitching, a publisher got back to me with a project illustrating a series of nature books! I will start out with 3 books with them starting this summer.

Read more