This conversation with Emma Veiga-Malta is a powerful exploration of creative business, mindset resilience, and redefining success through presence. With 23 years of experience as a creative mentor, artist, and founder of the Creative Business Hub, Emma brings both artistic depth and business strategy together in a way that feels grounded, generous, and emotionally intelligent.
What began as an art career in Geneva has evolved into a global mentoring and design business, one built from necessity, creativity, and unwavering commitment to growth. Emma’s story offers real insight into what it means to live through financial collapse, start over, and still show up with intention, passion, and clarity.
EPISODE 17: Listen using the player below, or click the links to your fave platform to subscribe and listen over there:
Rebuilding Mindset After Crisis
A decade ago, a financial crisis shifted everything. The loss of financial stability forced a deep reset, not just in business, but in mindset. Emma shares how it became necessary to curate what was being consumed: books, media, conversations, environments. Everything that entered the mental space had to support healing and forward momentum.
This intentional curation became the foundation for rebuilding confidence. From that place, Emma began learning again. She immersed herself in business education, slowly regaining clarity and stepping back into aligned action. The transformation didn’t happen through force, it happened through intentionality.
- Rebuilding mindset after a crisis begins with filtering what is allowed into the mind and energy field
- Letting go of reactive media and negative conversations creates space for clarity and focus
Business learning becomes more effective when the nervous system is calm and open - Confidence is not about never falling, it’s about learning how to stand again
- Curating emotional and energetic environments builds long-term resilience
This level of intentionality isn’t reserved for emergencies. It’s a practice that supports ongoing mental health and business clarity.
The Importance of Structure for Creative Minds
Structure is not the opposite of creativity, it is its container. Emma speaks about how routines, rituals, and daily bookends allow more spaciousness in between. A favourite tea mug in the morning. Reading at night. Movement, walking, or time outside during the day. These are not just habits. They are anchors for creativity.
Too often, creatives are told that chaos is part of the process. But that belief limits what’s possible. Emma’s approach shows that structure can support more expansive thinking. Systems don’t diminish inspiration, they hold it. They allow for creative energy to rise and move without burning out or losing direction.
Getting Paid as a Creative
Money is often the final hurdle in creative business. There’s a deeply ingrained belief, culturally and collectively, that artists must sacrifice financial stability in order to create freely. Emma challenges this directly. She emphasises that asking to be paid is not greedy, it’s respectful. Not just to the work, but to the creative field as a whole.
The shift from hobby to business begins when creatives acknowledge their worth and claim space as professionals. That shift isn’t just strategic, it’s energetic. It changes how offers are shared, how boundaries are held, and how clients are drawn in.
Final Reflections
Emma’s story reflects a truth many creatives need to hear: success doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from showing up. Again and again. Even when things fall apart. Even when confidence fades. Even when fear is loud.
Showing up is not always glamorous, but it is powerful. It rebuilds trust. It strengthens clarity. It invites momentum. And it proves that creativity and business are not opposites. They’re companions on the same path.
*Links are correct at time of publishing. Social Media Links for Emma.
Having a guest on my podcast is always a pleasure.
