Looking for an engaging podcast to listen to while you work in your studio? Need some motivation and perspective for your own entrepreneurial efforts? Check out some of our favorite business podcasts for creatives.

Proof to Product: Targeted especially towards makers in the gift and stationery industry, this podcast interviews business owners who have bootstrapped their way to a successful product-based business. Host Katie Hunt runs Tradeshow Bootcamp, an in-person class that prepares indie business owners for their first time as a tradeshow vendor. The interviews dig into the particular issues of this type of business — cashflow, strategic brand partnerships, and scaling a wholesale business.

How I Built This: A beautifully produced podcast from NPR, with host Guy Raz interviewing founders and CEOs of a wide variety of US brands. With interviews from the founders of Lululemon, Bob’s Red Mill, Lyft, and Drybar, this show offers perspectives from some of the biggest business successes out there.  

Well Made: A podcast from Lumi, maker of custom packaging and shipping supplies, about the future of e-commerce. Interviews with young entrepreneurs about their journey, featuring many conversations with founders and CEOs who didn’t come from a business background.

The Strategy Hour: Abagail Pumphrey and Emylee Williams give actionable strategies and tips to grow your creative business. Episodes cover a wide range of topics, including growing an online audience, email automation, diversifying your products and offers, generating more sales online, social media, outsourcing, affiliate marketing, productivity, systems, and how to treat your passion like the real business it is.

Women at Work: This podcast series from the Harvard Business Review features advice for professional women that’s relevant to women in all industries. Researchers and experts examine some of the most common struggles that women encounter in their professional lives, like communication in the era of mansplaining, leading with authenticity, and closing the wage gap.

Creative Thursday: Marisa Anne Cummings offers her weekly insights into growing a creative career. Featuring thoughtful conversations with creatives and business owners, Marisa’s interviews feel authentic as her guests reveal insights from their experiences as creative business owners. Solo episodes feature pep-talks from Marisa as she guides you through thoughtful analysis of how you can reshape your business and enjoy a fruitful creative career.

Shopify Masters: More on the technical side, Shopify Masters offers practical tips and tricks for online business owners, brought to you by Shopify. Episodes cover territory like creating successful subscription boxes, marketing your online shop on Instagram, and launching new products online.

Creative Pep Talk: A podcast for artists, illustrators, and anyone making a living as a creative. Through his own pep-talks and interviews with other artists, Andy J. Miller offers insights into striking the perfect balance between art and business.

Coffee + Conversation: Katie Saffert is a creative business coach who hosts monthly gatherings for creative entrepreneurs called Coffee + Conversations. These meet-ups offer a space for business owners to chat about their struggles, and build community around their creative offerings. Her new podcast picks up where the event leaves off, interviewing a variety of creative business owners who offer their advice and perspectives on building a fulfilling creative career.

Being Boss: A podcast from “business besties” Emily Thompson and Kathleen Shannon, who offer insights into the routines and tactics of successful creative entrepreneurs. The show alternates between interview episodes with other business owners and business coaches, and “minisodes” that cover topics like creating an employee handbook, instagram tips, and how to get a book deal.

Make/Time Podcast: Make/Time shares conversations about craft, inspiration, and the creative process. Featuring leading makers and thinkers talking about where they came from, what they’re making, and where they’re going next.

Savy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast: Small business retailer Kathy Cruz teaches independent retail business owners how to manage, market and grow their business efficiently and effectively.

Do you have a favorite show for creative entrepreneurs? We’d love to hear your recommendations! Tell us what you’re listening to in the comments.

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Erin Dollar is an artist, surface pattern designer, and founder of Cotton & Flax, a collection of boldly patterned textile home decor that is designed and manufactured in California. Her work has been sold in 100+ retail shops, from indie boutiques, to large mass-market retailers like West Elm, CB2, and Need Supply. By growing her ecommerce business to accommodate wholesale buyers, she has built a sustainable business that generates income year-round, and built a platform for long-term growth. See her webinar, Wholesale for Craft Business, in our archives.