Process The Podcast

Welcome to episode two of Backbone! The four-part mini series where we discuss the financial side of building a business. Today, we get into the structures that sit underneath your business and the tax impacts of each!Whether you’re just starting out, running a side hustle, or transitioning into something more complex, the way your business is set up has real implications for tax, cash flow, and risk. And yet, this is one of the least openly discussed parts of being a founder.So, this week, we have the candid tax conversation that no one seems to be having.In this episode, we cover: • The common business structures available to new and growing business owners • How and when structures tend to change as your business becomes more complex • The tax realities founders often avoid (and why that’s risky) • Our perspective on when to bring in an accountant, bookkeeper, or advisor and what to look for.This episode is brought to you by Notion - and by far one of our favourite tools, Notion Agent. Notion Agent is fundamentally different from typical AI tools. Instead of just suggesting or chatting, it completes tasks end-to-end, turning days of manual work into minutes.It acts like a Notion super user that understands your workspace, your working style, and how you like things done - helping you stay organised, clear, and accountable as you build.Let Notion Agent do the heavy lifting for you at ⁠Notion.⁠

Legendary fashion and celebrity photographer Ben Watts joins Process for a conversation about longevity, instinct, and building a career in one of the most competitive creative industries in the world.From photographing icons like Heath Ledger to navigating the shift from film to digital, Ben opens up about the mindset that has sustained his decades-long career. Why being a great photographer starts with being a good people person, how to develop a recognisable style, and what it really takes to earn trust with world-famous talent.Host Arielle Thomas and Ben dive into the realities of hustling early on, the impact of social media on modern creatives, and why dignity, curiosity, and enjoyment remain at the core of meaningful work.It’s an honest, insightful look at how to stay creatively fulfilled while operating at the highest level.Why being a people person is as important as technical skillHow Ben built trust with A-list talentThe difference between chasing trends and developing a signature styleWhat the transition from film to digital changed foreverHow social media reshaped the photography industryThe role of hustle and adaptability in long creative careersWhy dignity and professionalism still set people apartStaying authentic in a competitive fieldFinding joy in the process—not just the outcomesBecoming the person people want to hire again and againFind Ben on Instagram here. Find Ben's extensive portfolio of work on Art Dept. Find Process the Podcast for the visuals of Ben's work and this episode here. Find your host, Arielle Thomas on Instagram here.

Welcome to Backbone: a four-part mini series all about the financial backbone of building a business, side hustle, or freelance career.We talk endlessly about the exciting parts of building something - the idea, the creativity, the passion, the momentum. But behind the scenes, it’s often the money side that feels confusing, intimidating, or easy to avoid. And more often than not, businesses fail because the financials were ignored.There’s a huge gap in how openly we talk about money as founders. The messy bits. The avoidance. The “I’ll deal with it later” moments. This series is about closing that gap and helping you build confidence with your numbers.Episode one starts with the foundation: accountability. Not outsourcing responsibility, but learning to work alongside experts and developing the mindset that you need to understand what’s happening with the money in your business.In this episode, we cover:What an accountability mindset really meansThe common barriers that stop founders from taking control of their financesHow to shift from pure creativity into commercialPractical, realistic ways to build money check-ins into your routineIf you hear us mention the Money Type Quiz, you can find it here: Money Type QuizAnd if you hear us yapping about finding new communities that support you, we recommend Butter AppThis episode is brought to you by Notion - and by far one of our favourite tools, Notion Agent. Notion Agent is fundamentally different from typical AI tools. Instead of just suggesting or chatting, it completes tasks end-to-end, turning days of manual work into minutes.It acts like a Notion super user that understands your workspace, your working style, and how you like things done - helping you stay organised, clear, and accountable as you build.Let Notion Agent do the heavy lifting for you at ⁠Notion.⁠Find Process the Podcast on Instagram here.Find So Invested on Instagram here. See you next Thursday!

In this episode of Process, host Arielle Thomas sits down with American mindset and confidence coach Brian Siegal to unpack how creatives and entrepreneurs can break free from limiting beliefs, perfectionism, and procrastination, and build a mindset that actually supports growth.Brian shares his deeply personal journey from struggling with obesity and self-doubt to becoming a sought-after coach for creatives, founders, and high performers. Together, Arielle and Brian explore how identity, self-talk, and unconscious narratives shape the way we show up, and how to actively rewrite them.This conversation is both practical and perspective-shifting, offering tools you can apply immediately if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or caught in cycles of overthinking and inaction.Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, founder, or someone craving more confidence and clarity, this episode is a masterclass in mindset coaching, personal growth, and creative self-leadership.How limiting beliefs silently sabotage creative confidence and momentumWhy procrastination is often rooted in fear, not lazinessThe role of self-awareness in personal and professional growthHow Brian reframes mindset challenges with creatives and entrepreneursThe Wheel of Life exercise and how to use it to assess balance and directionWhy accountability and community accelerate creative successHow perfectionism blocks progress — and how to move forward anywayWhat to look for when choosing the right mindset or confidence coachMindset coaching for creativesConfidence-building for entrepreneursOvercoming procrastination and perfectionismPersonal growth and self-beliefReframing limiting beliefsAccountability in the creative processGrowth mindset tools and exercisesThis episode is for:Creative entrepreneurs feeling stuck or self-doubtingFounders navigating fear, burnout, or indecisionAnyone struggling with confidence, procrastination, or perfectionismCreatives looking to build a sustainable, growth-oriented mindset“Why do I know what to do, but still don’t do it?”“How do I stop overthinking and start taking action?”“How can I build confidence without waiting to feel ready?”About BrianBrian Siegal is an American mindset and confidence coach who works with creatives and entrepreneurs to dismantle limiting beliefs, strengthen self-trust, and build clarity-driven momentum. Drawing from his own lived experience of personal transformation, Brian helps high-performing individuals align their inner narrative with the life and work they want to create.About Arielle Process is hosted by Arielle Thomas, exploring the behind-the-scenes thinking, habits, and systems that shape creative success. Each episode breaks down the inner and outer work required to build meaningful careers and lives.

2025 changed me.Not because everything went perfectly, but because it forced me to confront where I was avoiding discomfort, overcomplicating decisions, and staying too close to what felt familiar.In this solo episode, I’m reflecting on the lessons that shaped my business and personal growth over the past year, and how I’m intentionally designing 2026 to be bigger, steadier, and more aligned.I share what it really takes to move from project-based chaos to retainer stability, why accountability is non-negotiable in business relationships, and how building systems (even imperfect ones) can radically reduce decision fatigue and burnout. We talk hiring before you feel “ready,” expanding your thinking globally, and why embarrassment is often the entry price for your next level.This episode is for founders, creatives, and operators who know they’re capable of more, but also know that growth rarely arrives without friction.If you’re standing at the edge of your next chapter, this conversation is an invitation to step forward anyway.If you loved this episode, please leave us a review!You can find us on Instagram: @processthepodcastFind your host Arielle Thomas on Instagram: @arielle.thomasSee you next Tuesday!

In this conversation, art director and still-life photographer Stephanie Somebody shares her journey from interior design to stunning brand visuals for Goop and Aesop. She discusses the evolution of her unique style, balancing shooting and directing, and the thrill of collaboration on set. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of a trusted creative team and how travel fuels her artistic vision. Additionally, she dives into the nuances of storytelling through props, her perfectionist approach, and strategies for attracting clients on Instagram.

In this episode of Process the Podcast, Arielle Thomas sits down with Eleanor Pendleton, founder of Gritty Pretty and now the visionary behind her new brand, Haleau. The girls unpack a thoughtful and open conversation about the evolution of media, the courage to start again, and what it means to create from a place of authenticity.Eleanor reflects on her journey from digital publishing to brand ownership, how building Gritty Pretty shaped her understanding of storytelling, and how that experience inspired a more intentional, skin-first approach to beauty with Haleau. Together, Arielle and Eleanor explore the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and purpose, and the ongoing process of balancing motherhood, business, and self. Eleanor Pendleton articulates what it takes to do what's truely right for you even when others are depending on you. This is a conversation about reinvention, community, and creating beauty that means something, both inside and out.Follow Haleau Beauty on Instagram here.Follow Eleanor on Instagram ⁠here.⁠Check Haleau Beauty’s website here.Follow your host Arielle Thomas on Instagram here.Follow Process the Podcast on Instagram here.See you next Tuesday x

I sat down with Rebecca from Fine Form a few months ago to share my story, and a little more about how I got here. Tune in to listen to this episode of Fine Form! ---This week's guest is Arielle Thomas - filmmaker, social strategist, founder of Cinema Thom, and host of Process: The Podcast.Arielle is electric - in the way she creates, the way she speaks and the way she shows up for her work. She’s built a career on backing herself and carving her own lane: founding Cinema Thom, directing films and campaigns that cut through, and building a podcast that lifts the curtain on creative process with real honesty and heart.In this episode, she shares the values that anchor her, the mindset that keeps her momentum, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Arielle’s confidence and conviction are inspiring - but what makes her stand out is how she pairs ambition with real vulnerability.It’s rare to hear someone talk about their work with this much joy and conviction - it’s contagious. I fist-bumped my way through the whole conversation, and I think you’ll leave this episode feeling the same spark.And if you’re looking for more of Arielle’s perspective, make sure you check out @arielle.thomas and @processthepodcastYou can follow FINE FORM @thisisfineform and Rebecca Jarvie-Gibbs at @rebeccajarviegibbs www.thisisfineform.com 

This week on Process, we sat down with Steven John Clark of Den Holm. It's a conversation about patience, practice, and the quiet discipline of making things well before making them big.Steve reflects on the missteps that come from moving too fast, and the clarity that came from slowing down to solidify his creative foundation. We talk through the power of hands-on education, the importance of working directly with materials, and how craftsmanship, at its core, is about creative manipulation, not just precision.As the conversation unfolds, we explore the early stages of building a team, and the illusion of urgency that ambition can create.  Steve also shares his thoughts on community, and why real engagement, not just marketing, is essential to growing a meaningful brand.This week, Arielle and Mon visited Steve at the Den Holm studio in Melbourne and learned a few things. Keep your eyes peeled!Follow Den Holm on Instagram here.Follow Steve on Instagram ⁠here.⁠Check Den Holm’s Site here.Follow your host Arielle Thomas on Instagram here.Follow Process the Podcast on Instagram here.See you next Tuesday xx

In this solo episode, Arielle pulls back the curtain on what it actually looks like to grow a business without burning out.From navigating ambition to learning the hard way why “slow and steady” isn’t just a cliche, it’s a strategy. She shares the behind-the-scenes of building a team, developing products, and staying aligned with what matters most.This conversation is part personal reflection, part pep talk for anyone trying to scale something meaningful without losing themselves in the process. Arielle also unpacks how podcasting has been more than just a marketing channel, it’s been a tool for connection, clarity, and helping others find their voice. If you’re craving a real talk on what it means to grow with intention (and not just velocity), this one’s for you.Follow Process the Podcast on Instagram here: instagram.com/processthepodcastFollow your host Arielle Thomas on Instagram here: instagram.com/arielle.thomasSee you next Tuesday x