129: Embracing Play, Creativity & Purpose in Entrepreneurship with Susie deVille and Amanda Kaufman

As an entrepreneur, you should still have play and joy in your life! If you are feeling burnt out or bored with life, this episode is for you!?

In this episode, April is joined by two inspiring coaches and creators, Susie deVille , founder of the Innovation and Creativity Institute, and Amanda Kaufman , founder of The Coach’s Plaza. Together, they explore the transformative power of play, creativity, and embracing our authentic selves in business and life. Susie shares her journey from professional hardship to a thriving creative practice, while Amanda reveals how she brought gamification to her coaching practice to unlock client success.?

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Get access to all the resources mentioned in the interview:

In This Episode:

• Finding Joy in Creativity: Susie DeVille shares her path to rediscovering joy and freedom by integrating art and creativity into her business. She emphasizes that tapping into creativity doesn’t have to be elaborate; small, joyful acts can spark big changes.
• Gamification in Business: Amanda Kauffman shares how she transformed her coaching program by gamifying it—making learning fun and accessible while improving client outcomes. She highlights how structure and play can coexist for greater engagement.
• Practical Steps for Integrating Play: Both Susie and Amanda discuss the importance of incorporating daily practices like journaling, movement, and mindfulness to fuel energy and creativity.
• Standing Up for Your Soul: Discover why reconnecting with your true self can elevate your life and business. When we show up as our authentic selves, we resonate with others in powerful, unexpected ways.

Mic Drop Moments:

"We have to inspire ourselves daily with beauty, art, nature, and the people we love. Just five minutes of this can top off your 'willingness tank' and fuel more creative work." — Susie deVille

"You are the magical marketing elixir; when you connect back to your true self, that's when the market truly hears and sees you." — Susie deVille

"Creativity isn’t only for artists—entrepreneurs create every day. Solving problems takes immense creativity, and when you tap into that, you ignite courage and bold action." — Amanda Kaufman

"Leave the judgment to the critics; while they’re deciding, keep making more art." — Amanda Kaufman

"As entrepreneurs, we think success requires more productivity and discipline, but the real path is often found in the freedom of creativity and play." — April Roberts

Who are Susie deVille and Amanda Kaufman?

Susie deVille is the dynamic Founder & CEO of the Innovation & Creativity Institute, a trailblazing business coach, and an accomplished author and artist. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial success, including the creation and sale of a highly profitable real estate firm, Susie is on a mission to empower individuals to tap into their innate creativity, home in on who they truly are, and unlock their full entrepreneurial potential. Susie combines a rich academic background in anthropology and a master’s degree in entrepreneurship with an ongoing commitment to life-long learning from the world’s leading experts. Since 2005, she has been dedicated to researching innovation and creativity, continuously refining her methods to remain at the forefront of her field. As a human behavior specialist and creative strategist, Susie leverages her expertise to help clients achieve extraordinary goals, build the life and business of their dreams, and weave indelible threads of impact into the social fabric. Her award-winning, must-read book, Buoyant: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free, is available wherever books are sold. You may listen to her inspirational short-form podcast, The Courage to Live a Big Life, on any podcast platform.

Amanda Kaufman is the founder of The Coach's Plaza, has generated over $2 million in revenue, primarily through co-created action coaching and courses. Her journey exemplifies the power of perseverance and authentic connection in the coaching and consulting world. With over 17 years of business consulting experience, Amanda Kaufman shifted her focus to transformative client relationships, overcoming personal challenges like social anxiety and body image issues. She rapidly built a successful entrepreneurial coaching company from a list of just eight names, quitting her corporate job in four months and retiring her husband within nine months.

Resources mentioned:

Amanda’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamandakaufman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChatwithAmandaKaufman/

LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/amandackaufman/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCal10PPHo1S59hQmOLgCF3A

Susie’s Website: https://innovationandcreativityinstitute.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/susiedeville/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susie.deville

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/susie_deville/

X: https://x.com/susiedeville

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealsusiedeville