In this episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives, Thato and Naomi, two seasoned creatives, delve into the intricate dynamics of creative collaboration. They draw from their own experiences, sharing candid lessons, real-life anecdotes, and practical advice to empower you in fostering stronger creative partnerships.

You’ll learn:

• How a wedding collaboration led to discovering Aftershoot
• Why contracts matter....even with friends
• How to barter skills for exposure, referrals, or marketing
• Red flags to avoid in creative partnerships
• How to network with purpose while protecting your vision

Whether you’re a freelancer, event planner, DJ, YouTuber, marketer, or solopreneur, this episode is a treasure trove of insights on working smarter together. No matter your creative field, you'll find valuable advice to enhance your collaborative efforts.

Notable Quotes:

“It’s not about what you can get now; it’s about building something that blossoms in the future.” – Thato

“You don’t have to be the best. Just be the best they know.” – Naomi

Insurance may not sound glamorous, but it could be your business's lifeline. In this episode, we sit with commercial insurance broker Don Blizzard to break down the coverage every creative entrepreneur should know about. From protecting your gear and reputation to guarding against lawsuits and cyberattacks, Don explains how the right policy, found with the help of a good broker, can mean the difference between bouncing back or going broke.

We cover:

• What a Certificate of Insurance means
• Why online insurance often leaves creatives exposed
• The must-have policies for photographers, videographers, DJs, and writers
• How to protect yourself against copyright disputes, lost files, and client lawsuits
• Cyber insurance: why it’s exploding and how it protects your clients, too

Whether you’re a freelancer or building a creative agency, this episode is a game-changer. It will revolutionize how you perceive risk in your business and demonstrate why having the right broker matters more than ever.

In this episode of 23 Journeys: A Network for Creatives, we sit down with Josh Butcher, founder of Wolf of Broad Street, to explore how he transformed small networking mixers into Philly’s go-to real estate events. Josh shares his journey from magazine publisher to event strategist, diving deep into how authenticity, niche focus, and creative partnerships fuel his success. This episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

We discuss what makes a networking event impactful, why social media is your secret weapon (if used right), and how creatives can get in and stay in the room with the right people. From the power of showing up with ideas to leveraging your phone contacts like a goldmine, this episode is loaded with practical gems for anyone trying to grow through relationships, events, and strategy. By the end of this episode, you'll clearly understand how to make your networking events more impactful, how to use social media effectively, and how to connect with the right people and stay connected.

Listen in and get inspired to take your next bold step—whether you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or just trying to expand your circle the right way.