Are you wondering what it’s like to be a full-time podcast producer? In today’s episode, I’m kicking off my new series which gives an inside look into my business, Gaffin Creative. I’m sharing my story with entrepreneurship plus my experience with going full-time in the last few years.
Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.
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The Beginning of a Creative Journey
My love for creativity started back in high school when I first picked up a camera. Joining a photography club sparked an interest that later led me to pursue a photography course in college.
By 2011, I was booking weddings while juggling multiple jobs in college. Fast forward to 2013, and I found myself exploring a career in advertising, with dreams of becoming an ad exec in New York City. My first experience with advertising was at a local agency as an intern, leading to my first part-time and then full-time role after college.
Falling in Love with Podcasting
In 2017, while working as a marketing manager for a brand in the photography industry, I worked on my first podcast. Despite initial challenges, I grew to love it, realizing the potential it had for creative entrepreneurship. This inspired my pivot towards podcast production, leading to the official launch of Gaffin Creative’s first podcast client in 2019.
Navigating A New Frontier: Full-time Entrepreneurship
2020 marked a turning point, as global events led to a loss of hours at my full-time job, pushing me toward my side hustles, particularly podcasting, to fill the gap. By the end of the year, with the realization that I had matched my previous income through podcast production, I made the leap to full-time entrepreneurship.
Hiring decisions and team growth became pivotal in this phase. Bringing on interns and my first team podcast editor, Megan, marked the beginning of an expanding team, today comprised of four dedicated members, all working part-time to maintain flexible lives.
Lessons Learned
- Timing is Everything: The skills I developed in previous roles were crucial in building Gaffin Creative. Every step has been instrumental in shaping the business today.
- Perseverance with New Skills: Skills improve with practice. Initially, podcast production was not my forte, but persistence led to proficiency and a thriving business around it.
- The Importance of Clients: Building relationships with grace-giving clients who understand human imperfections fosters a healthy working environment and personal growth.
- Humanizing Connection and Collaboration: Approach every interaction with empathy and understanding, recognizing the humanity in clients, co-workers, and collaborators.
Preparing for More Growth
As 2024 wraps, the focus remains on scaling sustainably and enriching the offer for current team members rather than rapid expansion. The vision is to transition more into a strategic role, enabling me to guide and coach podcasters in making the most of their platforms while maintaining the creative flame that sparked this journey.
A Word of Encouragement
This journey is not a template for everyone; it’s a personal path that led to fulfilling entrepreneurship. If you’re contemplating a similar leap or any new venture, tailor your path to what excites you most. Success is personal; define it for yourself, and pursue what brings you joy.
Time-stamps:
My background in photography and advertising (2:03)
Going full-time in my business (11:59)
What I’ve learned in ten years (15:00)
Education, resources, and mentorship (19:44)
Advice for building a full-time business (21:40)
Where my business goes from here (27:32)
Mentioned in This Episode:
Episode 004 Defining Your Own Success: gaffincreative.com/defining-your-own-success-while-cheering-for-other-women
Laylee Emadi So, Here’s The Thing: layleeemadi.com/category/podcast-episodes
Mic Check Society: gaffincreative.com/mcs
Instagram: instagram.com/hayleegaffin
