Overcoming Business Challenges for Creative Professionals: Lessons and Strategies from ‘The Conquering Creative’ Author, William Warren

by Jeff Bond

I'm the Co-Founder of Chat With Leaders Media and People First Elevation Team, where my team and I help values-driven businesses create content that strengthens relationships, fuels engagement, and drives high-performing cultures. We partner with communications, marketing, and people teams to produce thought-leadership podcasts, executive messaging, and event content. My team and I also work with leaders to transform company meetings into culture-defining moments—ensuring they align teams, elevate key voices, and inspire action. As a board member of Conscious Capitalism Atlanta, I advocate for business as a force for good. Outside of work, I’m passionate about faith, family, and using influence to create lasting impact.

In this episode, Jeff Bond interviews William Warren, author of “The Conquering Creative,” and Owner of The Sketch Effect, about his experience transitioning from a creative hobbyist to a successful business owner. William shares the key steps he took to turn his creative skills into a sellable product, offering advice for other creatives who want to make the same transition. He emphasizes the importance of finding the intersection between what you’re naturally good at, passionate about, and what the market needs. William also discusses the mindset shifts and practical skills that creatives need to develop in order to be successful in both their craft and the business of their craft. The main takeaway of the book is that the business side of creative work is not as hard as you might think, and William breaks down ways to shift your thinking, actions, and outcomes to achieve success. Tune in to learn how to overcome business challenges as a creative professional.