Ep 174: Season 7 Finale - Small Steps, Big Changes

Each season of the Paper Talk Podcast holds a special place in our hearts, but Season 7 felt like a turning point. It reminded us that growth doesn’t have to be loud. It can be slow and quiet, a series of steady, intentional steps that shift us in ways we don’t always notice right away. And it reminded us that when we share our goals with others (and when we say them out loud) something begins to shift.

As we close out this season, we want to invite you to pause with us. Pour a cup of tea, take a breath, and ask yourself: What’s your goal this summer?

 

Small Steps, Big Changes

So many of us wait for big breakthroughs, grand pivots, or clear signs. But the truth is, powerful change often begins with something small: a conversation, a tiny decision, a moment of clarity.

 

“These little steps that you're deciding right now, they're gonna be big. You might not see it right now, but you will.” - Quynh

 

We saw it firsthand in our Mastermind community. Members taught their first workshops, launched shows, shifted their pricing models to better support global audiences, and leaned into the kind of growth that doesn’t always get a headline, but transforms everything behind the scenes.

Those moments matter. And they’re proof that the steps you're taking today are already moving you forward even if their full shape hasn’t yet revealed itself.

 

Why We Believe in Accountability

One theme ran strong through Season 7: accountability.

When we share our goals out loud, we give them shape. We allow others to witness our commitment and invite support when things get messy. That’s why the Mastermind has become such a cornerstone of our community. It’s a container where creative entrepreneurs can declare what they want to build and know that someone will lovingly check in and cheer them forward.

For Jessie, accountability looked like getting clearer on her messaging and splitting her Instagram into two accounts, one for her art, one for her teaching. It also meant tackling ads and marketing systems she’d once avoided.

 

“Setting goals is incredibly important. That’s why the Mastermind is so good. We force you to set goals and tell us what happened to them.” - Jessie

 

For Sara, it was finally making time to overhaul her website, even though it wasn’t urgent or income-generating. The support of the group gave her the nudge to move from someday to now.

 

The Magic of Community

This season also reminded us how essential community is, especially for creatives navigating uncertain terrain.

For Sara, seeing Mastermind members e