Turning Your Passion Into Business: A Podcast Series by Maeve-Ann Hanlon

Turning your Passion Into Business is a podcast series by founder of Mimi by The Sea, Maeve-Ann Hanlon. The podcast explores motivating tips for staying creative.
Our business is passionate about showcasing creative talent. The purpose of our podcast is to support creators and their craft, to empower through art and craft and inform about the possibilities that art presents. 
Maeve-Ann invites artists and curators to discuss their own stories and give advice to creators hoping to make a business out of their passion. 
LISTEN TO ALL EPISODES
Episode 1:
In this episode, Maeve-Ann talks to Pauline Davis of Mist and Moss Ireland owner and creator of the Mist and Moss hand-made candle range. Pauline is inspired by her local environs and shares her passion for "getting outside". She explains how this motivates her to come up with new aromas such as "Sea Lavender", "Wild Rambling" and "Soft Day".Hear about the Old Donard Lodge, the Shell House, and Wild Strawberry Trees in the Mournes!
Pauline is a big advocate of self-care, daydreaming, and the importance of rest - "when I rest I get more things done". Mist and Moss Ireland have achieved a Gold Accreditation Certificate for Innovation from Innovate NI. Pauline is appreciative of the support for local artisan producers from independent retailers in the Mournes
Episode 2: 
In this episode, Maeve Ann is in conversation with Annie Sloan, the original Chalk Paint creator. Mimi by The Sea is one of 1500 stockists of Annie’s Chalk Paint and one of ten stockists in Northern Ireland.
Hear about what inspired Annie to start her business, how she set about combining colors from artists' paint with different materials in the search for quick-drying paint. She explains how she always has sketchbooks at hand - "nothing ever stays the same" as being an entrepreneur is not for everyone and you are slightly living on the edge! Annie records her Wednesday Live session on Instagram and acknowledges that posting regularly on this channel has been closely linked to the growth of her business in the last two years.
There's no point in being an artist in the Attic! People aren't walking past your shop window as they used to, so your shop window is Instagram.
Annie recommends posting at least twice a day. Pinterest is now coming back so this is worth giving due attention to. Annie lives in Oxford, shares her Scots/Irish ancestry - her Great Grandfather John Sloan born in 1815 was from Co. Down. Annie is committed to selling through independent retailers and has launched a new range of wall paints.
Episode 3:
In this episode Maeve-ann speaks with Rhea Hanlon freelance artist and illustrator of Rhea Hanlon Art and Lost Lines. 
Listen to tips from a 'true' creative who has developed her work organically over time starting out to help 'escapism' to now selling in shops throughout Northern Ireland. Rhea enjoys building narratives through her lost lines range and creating her work through strong imagination and building energy.
Her creations come from personal experience and the feelings of enjoyment evoked by her nature, environment and experiences. Whilst she is private in her creative process and her work is personal she gets into a place of deep work and flow and loves film music for atmosphere. Maeve-ann and Rhea talk about their work with lost lines and Wild Atlantic Surf Company, where Rhea uses characters and builds fun narratives in her commission work.
Rhea has clear business direction and has created a lot in the last 18 months. Her key takeaways are 'Don't put yourself in a box' and 'Use your creativity to be an outlet for your own expression and freedom.'
Episode 4: 
In this episode Maeve-Ann talks to Rachel Devlin, artist and illustrator, owner of www.watercoloursky.com. Rachel talks about the early influences on her career and her passion for sustainability.
Her mantra is "work hard and be kind", and look for "progress not perfection" and she encourages more artists to share what they do. Rachel has a stand at St. George's Market in Belfast every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month and her work is for sale at Mimi by The Sea Home and Gift Shop in Newcastle, Co. Down
LISTEN TO ALL EPISODES