E13: Viola Virtamo

Today on the podcast I’m talking to Ginny Erickson, the paintbrush-wielding creative genius behind one of my all-time favorite small businesses, Erickson Surfaces. Ginny and her team create stunning photography backdrops and shapes that help artists tell stories and have gathered quite a wonderful community together around their products. But as with any success story, Erickson Surfaces didn’t happen overnight, so I’m excited to hear Ginny tell us about the ups and downs in the journey to where she is today. Grab full show notes on moriahsblog.com 

Today on the podcast I’m talking to Michela Ricci, a coffee-slinging, community-building,  forward-thinking entrepreneur who is making moves in Phoenix, Arizona. Michela is the founder of The Early Bird: a mobile coffee bar turned events company that she started to serve the Phoenix area (which was also one of my first customers when I was a baby photographer.) While Covid was a challenge to The Early Bird, Michela is a resilient entrepreneur and emerged with her latest creation: Monsoon Market, an indie food, beverage, and retail shop. Michela is a ray of sunshine and a wonderful human in so many ways, but I'm especially excited to hear her talk more today about building community, creating a stand-out brand, and what it's like to pivot as a passionate entrepreneur. Find full show notes on moriahbrooke.com/podcast 

I have been struggling with the start of the new year to think over my direction for myself. I wanted to talk a bit about the habits and practices that I’m taking into this year while I work on growing my creative skills and finding what is next for me. I think sometimes it’s ok to not totally know what is next for you, but having a consistent practice and things in place to keep you creating momentum as you work towards finding your next venture is the best way to keep yourself growing and inspired. Here are the habits and tools I'm taking into 2022 to be the best creative (and human) that I can be.  ACCESS the full show notes for this episode and download some business-building freebies here: https://moriahbrooke.com/podcast/

Our last episode of 2021 is a Q+A! We talk through contracts, lighting modifiers, inspiration, and what I would tell myself 5 years ago. Grab full show notes and links from the episode on Moriahbrooke.com

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Sara Silm, a freelance journalist and stylist who currently resides in the Béan region of southwestern France. It's hard to sum Sara up in a paragraph because she does and is so much, and has lived many lives on just about every continent throughout her multifaceted career. These days you might know her from her dreamy Instagram account, Chateau Montfort, where you can escape into her stunningly styled images of the French countryside. Her book, How To French Country, gives a glimpse into her styling process and how she creates what can only be described as 'je ne sais quoi'. I don't know if we can even scratch the surface of Sara's creative genius in a podcast interview, but I'm determined to at least try. ACCESS the full show notes for this episode and download some business-building freebies here:https://moriahbrooke.com/podcast/

Today I'm talking with Viola Minerva, a multi-hyphenated creative entrepreneur located in Helsinki, Finland. Art director, photographer, graphic designer and videographer are just a few of the many titles she wears (and wears WELL, might I add.) She's also a published author with multiple books out in the world, including her latest The Nordic Winter Cookbook. Viola is the epitome of an artist and I'm excited for us to get a glimpse behind the curtain into her creative process. ACCESS the full show notes for this episode and download some business-building freebies here: https://moriahbrooke.com/podcast/

Today is a listener Q+A! If you liked this format let me know and we will do some more Q+As on a regular basis :) ACCESS the full show notes for this episode and download some business-building freebies here:https://moriahbrooke.com/podcast/ In this episode you’ll learn: - How I break down a client estimate - How I manage health as an entrepreneur - A little more on my cookbook deal ..And more!

Today I'm talking with Renee Li, a Long Island Based food photographer and videographer. Renee has some of the most immaculate food videos I've seen, and I'm excited for you to get a peek into her process! In this episode you'll learn: Renee's story of starting her business Her top tips for shooting video Her favorite lenses and lighting set-ups for shooting video Renee's plans for 2022 And more! For more on Renee, follow her on Instagram @foodie_renee

Today we're talking all things portfolio websites: why they matter, how to make them effective, and how to check yours to make sure you're setting yourself up to get the jobs that you truly want. **ACCESS the full show notes for this episode and download some business-building freebies here:https://moriahbrooke.com/podcast/** In this episode you’ll learn: Why a strategic website is important for photographers How to evaluate your website content How to curate your portfolio items to catch the eye of your ideal client And more!

Today I'm talking with Ashley Cuoco, a Roanoke Virginia-based based food photographer, stylist, recipe developer, home cook, and mom! Ashley has amassed an impressive list of clientele over the past few years including ALDI, Spice Islands, DeLallo Foods, Sur La Table, Nature's Greens. It all seems perfectly kismet, given that her last name means "cook." Ashley lives to love and serve through food and hospitality, and her love of food and gathering extends to nonprofit work as well. I'm excited to learn more about her career and the current ways in which she's giving back to her community, and I'm sure we'll all walk away inspired after listening to her. For more on Ashley: Blog and Portfolio: http://ashcuoco.com  Instagram: @ashcuoco Roanoke Community Dinner FB Page