Hey there Reader!! π
Recently I've been thinking about my impact - as a person and a small business. With everything happening in the world right now I find myself feeling a bit powerless sometimes, and I was thinking about how to make sure that my choices - however small compared to the people in power - are having a positive impact. Because I can only really control my own choices...but if lots of us make small changes, it can lead to a bigger impact.
And that also made me think about the impact my business has.
Now... lets be REALLY real here, shall we π? I teach people how to use Canva, and help them design better materials for their businesses and brands. I don't save lives daily, I don't invent cures that will alter the course of history π€£.
But you know what? I recently got an email from someone thanking me because my work helped them create materials to drive blood donations. I also had a note from someone asking for my input because they wanted to do the absolute best they could in creating the flyer for their dear friend's funeral. And I got a comment from someone who told me that I made them feel like they could actually learn to be creative again.
I make a difference. And I can guarantee that you make a difference...and we can choose daily how we want to make other people feel in everything we do, including our business.
I may not be able to stop the global bullies picking on people who just want to live their lives, but me and my small business actually makes a positive impact on the lives of real humans by intentionally choosing how we do things.
I guess what I'm trying to say is...Don't underestimate the difference you make. With your business and as a person. I think you would be amazed how many lives you touch just by being authentically you and doing what you do, intentionally.
New & Improved
Last week Canva held their annual 'Canva Create' event. I love how Canva is constantly evolving, and some of the updates they announced will make our lives a LOT easier. (Sadly, I think their overwhelming focus on AI has led them to ignore some of the older tools that are really due some TLC.) Overall thought I think it was a really interesting collection of updates. If you would like a short summary of my take on the announcements, I published a video about it to save your valuable time! π You can check that out here: CANVA CREATE 2025 UPDATES THAT REALLY MATTERβ
It's inside!
This week on Youtube I have hit publish on a very short tutorial that shows you how to create a text 'mask' in Canva - essentially a layer of transparent custom text, that acts as a 'window' or frame for video. Canva does have some letter frames that you can use to hold video, but this can be used for ANY text or font, or even custom shapes to create your own mask. It's SUPER effective for adverts and social, and I really love how it brings simple text to life and grabs attention.
I'd appreciate it if you would check it out, and please drop a comment and let me know what you think:
Meaningful Creations
By now you know I'm a sucker for hand-crafted ceramics. So it would be remiss of me to not introduce you to the founder of Hanato Studio, Hannah Kitchener. Based in Ediburgh, Hannah creates uniques ceramics inspired by nature and Scotland - with a strong Japanese influence.
I really love everything about her work - the gorgeous palette of the clays and glazes she uses, and the fact that her creations have a sense of imperfection about them...even though they are pretty damn perfect to me. And I love the way raw and glazed surfaces come together to almost create landscapes within each creation.
As always, it's the human touch that makes things feel alive, tactile and like they have a meaning to them. And with Hannah that human touch just happens to be VERY skilled too. π
Check out her website or her Instagram - and tell her I sent ya. π
It's a long weekend here, and I hope you get to have a rest too. With all that we are facing in the world, we need to remember to re-charge our own batteries. So please take care of yourself...
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