Madison Phipps on Side Hustling, Print Clubs & Speaking Dreams Out Loud

For many creatives, the dream of running an art business often comes with the challenge of balancing other full-time responsibilities, like a 9 to 5 job or raising a family. The idea of doing it all can feel overwhelming, even impossible. But what if it’s not about doing everything perfectly, but doing what matters most, little by little, in the margins of life?

In this episode of the Art + Audience podcast, Stacie chats with Madison Phipps, a Houston-based artist, mom to a toddler, and full-time professional who has found a way to build a thriving creative side business without burning out. Through thoughtful time management, realistic expectations, and a big heart for community, Madison shows us that running a business doesn’t require a full-time commitment. It just requires full-hearted intention.

Saying Yes Before You’re Ready

Madison didn’t wait for permission to get started; she pitched herself to be on this podcast, despite the doubts. “It was kind of a little leap of faith,” she says. She’s made a habit of asking, “What’s the best that could happen?”, a mantra that’s guided her creative pursuits and encouraged her to take risks, even without a perfect plan.

Whether it was cold-pitching herself to galleries or launching a subscription-based print club, Madison leans into opportunity with optimism and courage. As she puts it, “You might have intentions... but allowing myself to envision the best gives me a roadmap to get there.”

Creating in the Cracks of Time

A mom to a toddler and a full-time employee, Madison creates art during nap times, evenings, and weekends. Limited time has made her more intentional. “Because my time is so limited, it forces me to focus,” she explains. That focus has helped her juggle multiple creative ventures, from consignment artwork to print sales on Etsy and her self-built website.

The Print Club: A Subscription Built on Soul

Madison’s The Print Club is one of the most endearing parts of her creative journey. Priced at $14/month, it delivers a coastal-themed art print to subscribers, complete with a personal note. Her prints are mailed simply with stamps and envelopes, making the club feel like a surprise gift in your mailbox rather than a mass-produced product.

“I niche down my print club to ‘coastal keeps,’ inspired by where I grew up and memories I want to make with my daughter,” she says. While the club isn’t her most profitable venture, it’s a joyful one. “I don’t want mine to grow exponentially big,” Madison shares. “It’s a fun way to connect with my audience.”

Diversifying with Consignment Success

While the print club is all heart, Madison has found her most profitable outlet through consignment sales of her original botanical paintings. After cold-pitching a high-end boutique, Paloma & Co. in Houston, she sold out two collections and is currently working on a third.

Though they take a hefty commission, Madison embraces it: “They have the clientele, they market it, they ship it. And I didn’t have those things in my repertoire yet.” It’s a win-win that allows her to focus on the work while reaching an audience willing to invest in original art.

From TikTok to Tabletop: Making It Work Without a Studio

Madison creates using gouache, often on gallery-wrapped canvases or cold-press watercolor paper, and stores her growing supply stash in shared family spaces. “It’s a sweet season,” she reflects. “I’m pushing my art supplies aside to make breakfast for my daughter; it’s such a snapshot of where I am right now.”

Despite the lack of a dedicated studio, Madison’s authenticity and documentation, particularly on TikTok, have built her a loyal following. “People crave that. The early stages. The honesty,” Stacie observes. “You are setting yourself up incredibly well.”

Words Matter: The Power of Speaking Dreams Out Loud

Throughout the episode, both Madison and Stacie reflect on the power of speaking desires into existence. Whether through faith, journaling, or simply saying it aloud, giving voice to your dreams can shape your path. “Sometimes we talk about all the external things that are keeping us from what we want,” Stacie says. “But what we say about ourselves can open doors or close them.”

Final Thoughts

Madison Phipps is proof that you don’t need to wait until everything’s perfect to start building your creative dream. Whether it’s pitching a podcast, launching a print club, or selling high-end art, her journey is full of courage, clarity, and creativity.

If you're dreaming about starting something, ask yourself Madison’s favorite question: What’s the best that could happen?

Follow Madison, visit madisonphippsstudio.com, or find her on Instagram @madison.phipps.studio and TikTok @madisonphippsstudio.

If this episode resonated, share it with your fellow artists. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Art + Audience Podcast. Follow Stacie on Instagram @gingiber | @leverageyourart. 

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If you have 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!