1 - Intro & Resources
IN THIS LESSON: Watch the video for an intro to Kelly’s Bookshelf, pick what you’d like to read, listen, or watch, and use the worksheet to take notes and make a plan on how to apply it to you business.
Kelly’s Bookshelf
These are all my favorite resources I’ve used for my art business; books, podcasts, videos, courses, and a few fun odds and ends. Utilize the worksheet to make a step by step game plan to take what you learn and apply it to your art business.
👇 What you’ll learn in this video
• What is on Kelly’s Bookshelf?
• How to break down what you learn into actionable steps.
🎨 Create and Design - For inspiration, visual thinking, and creative growth
Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work!, Keep Going by Austin Kelon
Book 1 → https://amzn.to/3UTjiKw
Book 2 → https://amzn.to/3MSqXXG
Book 3 → https://amzn.to/4jgRqdy
Audio Trilogy → https://amzn.to/4qfq0aN
Summary: A fast and encouraging read about how to build your own creative voice by learning from everything you love instead of waiting to be original.
Kelly’s Notes: I like the audio trilogy cause I can listen while I draw, but the actual books have a lot of nice graphics. Every golden nugget of information I’ve received from professionals, peers, and instructions shows up in this book. A great way to get outta a rut and into inspiration.
The Art of Zootopia (Disney)
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/48PQOH7
Summary: A behind the scenes look at how a major animated world was designed that shows how professional artists think through environments, cultures, and visual storytelling.
Kelly’s Notes: This is great inspiration for world building and visual development. The research used to create a believable fictional environment is top notch.
📦 Products and Selling - How to turn art into products and get them into shops
Proof to Product’s Paper Camp by Katie Hunt
https://www.prooftoproduct.com/papercamp
Summary: A deep dive wholesale training that walks you through turning handmade or illustrated products into something retail buyers actually want to stock.
Kelly’s Notes: I’m an Alum from the 45th Paper Camp! I find myself going back to the course work every 6 months or so when I experience something new in my business; a great resource to have in my tool kit.
Proof to Product’s LABS by Katie Hunt
https://www.prooftoproductlabs.com/landing
Summary: A small group coaching program that gives you direct feedback and guidance as you build and grow a wholesale focused product business.
Kelly’s Notes: Every month I'm more impressed with what is offered within this community. Everyone is so nice and helpful and gives great feedback and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.
The Product Boss Podcast by Jacqueline Snyder
https://www.theproductboss.com/podcast
Summary: A practical show about pricing, sales, and marketing for small product based businesses trying to grow.
Kelly’s Notes: The coaching call episodes are my favorites. Listening in on these conversations is a great way to learn about the industry and an exercise in figuring out how it can to apply to my business.
Proof to Product’s Podcast by Katie Hunt
https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast
Summary: Weekly interviews and advice focused on growing a product based business with wholesale and sustainable systems.
Kelly’s Notes: Katie is calm, chill, and genuinely helpful, which makes this podcast feel like real support instead of a sales pitch. The advice is complete and useful, not just tiny snippets meant to push you into buying something.
Ecommerce Badassery Podcast by Jessica Totillo Coster
https://ecommercebadassery.com/category/podcast/
Summary: A no nonsense ecommerce podcast that focuses on running an online shop that makes real money without burnout.
Kelly’s Notes: Jessica is a pro at email, and her tips are always really helpful. I’ve enjoyed implementing them throughout many of my businesses.
💼 Business and Money - How to run your art like a real business
Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, 17th Edition (2025)
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/49vlE9d
Summary: The go to reference for fair pricing, contracts, and ethical standards for professional creative work.
Kelly’s Notes: This is the book that lives in my studio all year and then twice a year when I really need it I’m so glad it’s there. It covers pricing and includes great templates like contracts, cease and desist letters, and invoicing.
The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/3DA8Gd0
Summary: A strategy for focusing on your best customers and products so your business grows healthier and more sustainable.
Kelly’s Notes: As artists we like to do everything, and this helps remind me to focus on what is working and not chase every extraneous idea I have.
$100M Offers, $100M Leads, $100M Money Models by Alex Hormozi
Book 1 → https://amzn.to/41SC1t6
Book 2 → https://amzn.to/4qrjZY3
Book 3 → https://amzn.to/3YeIvjc
Book 4 → Future Releae
Summary: A framework for creating offers, leads, and money models that are so valuable people feel excited to buy.
Kelly’s Notes: These books really get my brain going about how to apply the ideas to my own business. It is basically a huge collection of examples that makes me start thinking about how I can use the same strategies in what I do.
Lean Learning by Pat Flynn
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/3YKNYOH
Summary: A guide to turning what you know into online content, courses, and income.
Kelly’s Notes: I think this pairs really well with the book Atomic Habits, and as a planner, it reminded me to not plan out too far in advance and focus on my current task. Which helps a lot with being overwhelmed.
Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/49e9Eb0
Summary: A classic on making your business stand out by being remarkable instead of blending in.
Kelly’s Notes: This helps me think about my marketing techniques and how I can stand out from the crowd, whether that’s online or physical goods.
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/4qtb8oP
Summary: A simple money system that helps you pay yourself and run a profitable business instead of just chasing revenue.
Kelly’s Notes: This was the first real business book I read, and it changed how I run my business. It's a little intense with all the different bank accounts, I do what he says Not too, and use a spreadsheet. lol But I run my life by spreadsheets so it was a pretty easy thing to stick to.
The E Myth by Michael E. Gerber
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/41NqKue
Summary: A book about building systems so your business can grow without everything depending on you.
Kelly’s Notes: A little old school with some of the examples, but the storytelling makes it really relatable and the lessons are super solid.
Fans First by Jesse Cole
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/48Xf4bB
Summary: A book about building a business by putting customer experience and community ahead of traditional marketing.
Kelly’s Notes: I'm living in Savannah, so this was a fun read. But additionally, it is an incredible look at customer service and really reframed how I think about fulfillment in all my businesses. Highly recommend!
Building a Story Brand 2.0 by Donald Miller
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/4qvN3xz
Summary: A method for clarifying your brand message so customers quickly understand what you offer and why it matters.
Kelly’s Notes: I actually read the first version of this and then three days after I finished it, this 2.0 version came out, lol. But it is one of the books that really helped me apply it to my own business because of the worksheets it makes you do as you go. Really insightful, and in depth.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/3KPqGEj
Summary: A practical guide to building small habits that lead to big long term change.
Kelly’s Notes: This is an intense book, but it is very inspirational about making small changes in your life for the better. It appears well with Lean Learning by Pat Flynn.
🎧 Creative Energy - Gentle fuel for focus, motivation, and getting back into the creative flow
Kiki’s Delivery Service Studio Ghibli 1989
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/4jk567B
Summary: A cozy film about burnout and self doubt that reminds you why you fell in love with making things in the first place.
Kelly’s Notes: Probably the number one reason I own a black cat today, but not only does this movie have a great storyline, it gives us a script of how to get through burnout as creatives.
Lofi Girl YouTube Channel
Listen Here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfKfPfyJRdk
Summary: A nonstop stream of calm background music that helps you focus, draw, and get into a steady working rhythm.
Kelly’s Notes: This is an artist staple! Perfect for having something in the background that keeps you plugging along, but not distracting. When I’m not listening to Stawdew, I’m listening to this.
Whisper of the Heart Studio Ghibli 1995
Shop Here → https://amzn.to/4qwZzNu
Summary: A quiet, encouraging story about believing in your creative voice and taking the first steps toward your dreams.
Kelly’s Notes: I love how layered this film is. It shows the quiet sadness every artist feels when something you worked so hard on is not what you hoped, which makes it feel like a really honest look at critique and creative growth.
Stardew Valley Soundtrack (from the video game Stardew Valley)
Listen Here → https://open.spotify.com/album/0swXkrnGm7RP1BIHiqV8Jk?si=A0oq7U5hSCG6aVnJX3bX8Q
Summary: A cozy instrumental soundtrack that makes it easier to relax, focus, and enjoy slow, happy creative work.
Kelly’s Notes: I am the top 885th listener in the world of this soundtrack according to my Spotify Wrapped lol. When I’m not listening to Lofi Girl, I’m listening to this, which apparently is most of the time.