Sometimes, business ownership isn't all sunshine and roses. Today we're talking about what happens when you've girlbossed for so long that you can't possibly girlboss ANY LONGER. May is Mental Health Awareness month, so I'm bringing you some episodes to help remind you that there's nothing wrong with a little pausing, contemplation, and focusing inward. So if you're feeling like turning off the alarm, rolling over and hiding back under the covers when it comes to running your business, this episode is FOR YOU!

In this episode:

• Blayre shares how she's had to mentally (and physically) rearrange her expectations and priorities for 2024 after a VERY slow booking season and some big life changes
• Commiseration for the wedding vendors, what the heck the Engagement Gap is, and how you're DEF not the only one experiencing low bookings (and it likely isn't your fault either!!!)
• How to find contentment when things are hard, and what to do with a lull in business or a lack of work
• Recognizing growth when what you thought you wanted has shifted

ALSO, MENTOR SESSIONS ARE HERE!

Maybe you've been wanting a extra set of eyes to look at your socials, branding, or website. Maybe you need help starting an LLC or discussing logistics about an in-home kitchen, finding your brand voice, or breaking into the wedding industry. Or maybe you've just been wanting to sit down and pick Blayre's brain! Now is your chance! Book a free 15-20 minute discovery call here and fill out the inquiry form, then we'll chat about what it is you want to work on specifically! Can't wait to meet you!

Support the Pod

• Follow on Instagram or visit our website
• Check out Blayre's biz instagram or website

If at first you don't succeed... Learn from that shit and keep going!!!!! In today's guest episode, we get to chat with a true Macaron Princess. Crystal Arvelo is no stranger to making things work (I mean, she chose one of the hardest confections in French Pastry, taught herself how to bake them in the middle of the pandemmy, and started a business selling them locally AND Nationwide).

We're talking about:

• Client transparency and the art of pivoting when things aren't working
• The story of how Crystal had to close her brick and mortar shop in order to find a better location to serve her customers
• How to market depending on your own unique business model
• Not being afraid to just START, but also being smart about business choices and how to learn from your failures and mistakes (hint: failure isn't bad!)

Stay up-to-date with Crystal and the exciting future of Colorful Macarons: Follow them on Instagram Follow them on Facebook Check out their Website Stay up to date with the pod! Follow WMPod on Instagram or visit the podcast website Follow Blayre on Instagram or check out the Flouretta Sweet Website Join the Whisktakers Society!

We're back back back again! It's first episode of Season 2 and this one has ALL of the information, facts, figures, and fun stuff for people who enjoy research.

In this episode we're diving into the strange, beautiful and dangerous world of AI Art. I bet many of you have seen AI images creeping into client inquiry forms and infiltrating your Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds. While they may seem like something straight out of a fairytale, do you really know HOW these images are generated and the ripple effect that generation has on art, culture, and society as a whole? Well buckle up, because you're about to find out!

We'll discuss:

• What AI art is and how it's created
• Some examples of AI Art models that you may be familiar with
• The negative impacts these models have on us as creatives AND the society as a whole
• How to protect YOUR art and IP that has been shared online and in the public domain
• How to spot AI art and what we can do when we're faced with these images when they pop up in our corner of the industry

ALSO, BIG NEWS!

In the beginning of the episode I introduced the new community extension of the podcast- The Whisktakers Society! This is a place for bakers, cakers, sweet creatives, and small business owners alike to interact, uplift, and support one another. If you've got a question, want to share a win or something new happening in your business, then what better way to ask or celebrate than with your peers!

To join us, click this link!

Other links discussed in the episode: AI Vs. Artists: The Biggest Art Heist in History (YouTube Video) Sasha Luccioni's Ted Talk on AI Art's Impacts on Society (Youtube Video) Hugging Face- Ethical AI Community for Coders News Article discussing the Artist's Database being used to sue Midjourney Database of Artists used to train Midjourney AI Spawning AI- Data Governance for AI Spawning AI- Opt Out Extension for a web browser Have I Been Trained- Check to see if your work has been used to train AI models here University of Chicago- Nightshade and Glaze programs Is it AI- website that allows you to verify if a photo is/is not AI

To Further Connect with us:

• Follow the podcast On Instagram
• Visit the WMPod Website
• Follow Blayre On Instagram
• Visit the Flouretta Sweet Website
• Leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts