Heart, Business, and Community – Stu McLaren – Ep 161

Stu McLaren is a master in building thriving membership communities and harnessing the power of shared interests. He believes fear, rather than lack of resources, holds many creatives back. In this conversation, we discuss how integrating art and business can unlock huge creative potential and help you build connections that drive success.

We talk about overcoming self-doubt, the importance of sharing work regardless of expertise, and the incredible opportunities that come from engaging with a supportive community. Join us as we uncover the magic of building communities around passions, the joy of sharing progress, and the unexpected doors that can open when fear is left behind.

This episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice to move you forward as a creator.

Listen if you are interested in…

• Entrepreneurship thrives on energy and collaboration (5:26)
• Share your progress to inspire those just one step behind you (7:50)
• Success in niche art memberships is fully achievable (16:47)
• How your journey can inspire others (20:05)
• Fear, not lack of preparation, is what hinders progress (24:37)
• Focus on habits and process over outcome—take gradual steps (28:37)
• Regret often follows when artists ignore their true calling (39:05)
• Use contrasts to highlight transformation when describing what you do (45:13)
• The power of uniting shared passions (55:55)

The Transformative Power of Community

By harnessing energy from a collective environment, artists can sustain their creativity more effectively than if they work in isolation. Collaboration and sharing work are not only means of inspiring others but also critical for your own breakthroughs. You can’t wait for your work to reach an arbitrary standard of perfection because this leads to stagnation!

Even beginners can lead and inspire those just starting on their path, creating a community vibe of continuous growth and support. Stu advocates for sharing progress openly to dismantle any unrealistic internal expectations of how good you need to be before engaging with others who share your interests. Whether it’s showcasing early sketches or unfinished projects, sharing provides invaluable insights and motivation for both the creator and the community.

Embrace Vulnerability and Feedback

There is vulnerability in creativity. Creators often second-guess themselves because they’re afraid of criticism, but sharing your work openly leads to constructive feedback and opportunities. Stop listening to negative self-talk and start moving toward your creative goals.

Micro steps forward help you build tiny habits that combat fear-induced paralysis. Taking the smallest possible step toward a goal, like sharing a new project, makes large projects more manageable and less daunting.

Creators should focus on the best-case scenarios that sharing can bring: collaborations, opportunities, and community support. Sharing your work helps you uplevel and has the potential to create unforeseen opportunities.

Take Others on Your Journey

When creators open up and share their work, they invite others into their journey, fostering a sense of community and mutual growth. Communities built around niche interests can transform passions into profitable ventures. Sharing your progress breaks down unrealistic expectations and motivates you, as the creator, and your audience.

Sharing is a two-way street: it provides validation and constructive feedback that propels you forward and inspires others who might be at an earlier stage of their journey. By witnessing the evolution of someone else’s work, beginners can see that mastery is a process, not an end state, encouraging them to take their first steps.

Resources & People Mentioned

• BJ Fogg
• Unlock Your Balloon Twisting Potential with The Twisterhood
• Southern Adoornments Decor Membership
• Bonnie Snowdon’s Ignite Membership 
• Predictable Profits by Stu McLaren 

Connect with Stu McLaren

• Stu McLaren’s Website
• Follow Stu McLaren on Instagram
• Follow Stu McLaren on Facebook
• Follow Stu McLaren on LinkedIn
• Follow Stu McLaren on YouTube

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