How I Built Two Creative Businesses That Generate $5 Million a Year

Hello, art fam! In this episode of the Art + Audience podcast, Stacie pulls back the curtain on the exact productivity rhythm that has helped her grow two thriving creative businesses generating over $5 million a year. Say hello to the STAR Productivity Method—a four-part method that Stacie has leaned on since her humble beginnings in a 1960s ranch-style home in Springdale, Arkansas.

Whether you're an artist with five spare hours a week or a full-time creative entrepreneur, this episode will change how you organize your time, energy, and creative output.

From Side Hustle to CEO

Stacie takes us back to 2011—late nights, toddlers asleep, Etsy shop buzzing with handmade pillows and prints. With only five focused hours a week, she began planting the seeds that would blossom into her company, Gingiber. Today, she runs two multi-million dollar businesses with a team of 20, but her rhythm remains the same. Her secret weapon? The STAR Cycle.

Meet the STAR Method

S – Strategize: Map, dream, study, and focus on what matters most.
T – Think & Create: Design, write, draw, draft—this is where the magic begins.
A – Adapt: Refine, polish, and prepare your work for the world.
R – Reach Out: Launch, share, and gather feedback.

Stacie has themed her work week around this rhythm:

• Monday & Tuesday: Education and CEO mode
  

• Wednesday & Thursday: Art and product design
  

• Friday: “Stacie Day” (coffee shops, vision casting, thrift treasure hunts—yes, please!)
  
  

STAR in Action

This week’s education sprint was a perfect STAR showcase:

• S: A three-hour team summit mapping 2026 launches
  

• T: Building an ideal customer avatar tool and outlining a mini course
  

• A: Beta testing and refining the tool
  

• R: Posting in her mastermind and gathering feedback
  
  

In just 48 hours, she had completed a course and an 8-month education calendar framed out.

Why It Works

• Built-in breaks: You can't polish what hasn't been created.
  

• Adaptable: Whether you're side hustling or full-time, this system scales.
  

• Momentum loop: Every “Reach Out” fuels your next “Strategize.”
  

• Mental clarity: Themed days reduce decision fatigue and task switching.
  
  

Try the STAR Challenge

Pick one project. Block out four sessions on your calendar—one for each STAR phase. Follow the order. No skipping ahead. You’ll be amazed at what you can get done in just one week.

Bonus: Download a free printable STAR worksheet at staciebloomfield.com/blog to help you track your own creative flow.

Pre-Order Alert

Stacie’s new book, The Artist’s Side Hustle, is now available for pre-order and launches November 18th! Order two copies and email your receipts to [email protected] to receive free access to her signature course, Art That Works—a must-have for any artist looking to create marketable, meaningful work.

Got questions about your own art journey? Call the Art + Audience hotline at (479) 966-9561 and Stacie might answer your question in a future episode!

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Art + Audience Podcast and share it with your favorite art friend. Follow Stacie on Instagram @gingiber | @leverageyourart.