Laura Simms is one amazing lady!  An artist herself, she now helps other creative people confront their deep desires and hone possibilities.  She’s a blogger, coach, and writer who was nice enough to share some advice with us.  You’ll definitely want to check out her website!

In case people don’t know about you and your amazing business, would you mind sharing what you do?

Sure. I help purpose-driven entrepreneurs discover their unique value and communicate that in a fun and profitable way. Think clarity + service + style = cash. I specialize in the foundations of creative business: who you are, what you do, why you do it, how you serve, who you serve, and why they should care. I like to call myself a “biz illuminatrix” because my goal is for you and your biz to glow from the inside out.

You worked as an actress for 10 years before discovering it wasn’t an ‘adventure’ anymore.  Do you find many creatives have this feeling after several years of working for themselves?

I don’t think it has to do with being a creative or working for yourself. For me it was a values shift that had more to do with my stage of life. Every one knows about the mid-life crisis and the quarter-life crisis. But I’ve talked to a lot of early 30’s folks who experience a significant shift. It’s not really a crisis, but there’s a sense of, “Oh crap, I don’t want to live like I did in my 20’s/does what I’m doing matter?/life just got real.” I call it a change in my “why,” and that leads to a big change in my “how.”

Do you have any tips for creatives struggling with burnout?

Have you been reading my blog? lol…I just wrote a post about that a couple weeks ago. Burnout is real and should be respected. Let yourself off the hook. Let yourself be imperfect and disappoint people. When the well is dry, getting it filled back up is the highest priority. My favorite remedy is to say no to all new commitments, events, and opportunities until I regain my energy.

Did you ever imagine you would one day be helping so many women live their dreams?

Well…no. Never saw this career coming. But I have to say, some of the most rewarding things in my life have been the ones I didn’t anticipate.

Laura Simms not only blogs and coaches about how to take risks and move up in your creative business, she’s written a book that shares how to create a Roadmap to Action and propel yourself into success.