An Inspired Chat with James Carter of London

James Carter shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi James, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
I think the biggest misunderstanding about Creative Flair is that people see it as just another art platform or portfolio site. From the outside it can look like a place to upload work or read articles, but what I’m actually building is a community-driven ecosystem designed to empower creatives. It’s a space where artists can get paid for their writing, find real opportunities, access practical resources, and connect with each other in a supportive environment.

For me, Creative Flair has always been about breaking down that feeling of isolation artists can have, the sense that you’re hustling alone. The new direction we’re taking puts community at the heart of everything, so that members aren’t just showcasing their work; they’re learning, collaborating, and earning from their creativity too.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m James Carter, I’m an artist, author and all-round creative troublemaker. I grew up in Australia, now I live in London with a head full of ideas and have somehow ended up interviwing over 600 creative people, and building whatever I can to better the creative community, at my core I’m someone who can’t sit still and loves creating things that make life better for other creatives.

I built Creative Flair because, honestly, I know how lonely and confusing the art world can feel. When I was starting out, I would’ve loved a place where you could learn the ropes, find genuine opportunities, get paid for sharing your ideas, and not feel like you’re shouting into the void. So I decided to make that space myself.

Creative Flair started as me interviewing artists at fairs and blogging their stories; it’s now becoming a full community. People can download practical templates, swap experiences, find gigs, and actually earn from their creativity. Everything we’re rolling out, from the new resource library to the opportunities hub, is built from my own frustrations and dreams as an artist.

I want Creative Flair to be a place where creatives feel supported, inspired and a little less alone… and if we can share a laugh or two while we’re at it, even better.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that’s shaped me most has been a mix of two things: the environment my parents created for me growing up and my relationship with my partner, Carla-Marie.

I was homeschooled, and my parents were incredibly supportive. They gave me the space to explore, be curious and try things without fear of looking silly, which, looking back, is probably why I’m comfortable jumping between being an artist and an entrepreneur now. That kind of encouragement gives you a quiet confidence you don’t even realise you’re developing at the time. I truly developed the skill of learning to fail fast but learn faster so I can always improve.

And then there’s Carla-Marie. She’s been a huge influence on me in adulthood. We’ve travelled together, pushed each other out of our comfort zones and she’s constantly challenging me to think bigger but also stay grounded. Between the foundation my parents gave me and the partnership I have with her, I’ve learnt that support isn’t just nice to have, it’s the thing that lets you actually take risks and build something meaningful. Creative Flair is really an extension of that lesson: a community built to give creatives the same kind of backing I was lucky enough to have.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. There was a point where I really wondered if I should just shut Creative Flair down. Google launched its new AI search tool and almost overnight our click-through traffic dropped by about 83%. We’d spent years building up that visibility, so watching it evaporate was a gut punch.

But that moment forced me to stop and rethink everything. Instead of chasing algorithms, I asked myself why I built Creative Flair in the first place, it was never just a content site; it was meant to be a home for creatives. So I started shifting the model back to its roots: building a membership-driven community, focusing on resources that genuinely help artists in every aspect of their careers, and making sure people feel supported and not just ‘sold to.’

It’s been tough, but in hindsight it’s the best thing that could have happened. It reminded me that resilience and adaptation are part of the creative process too. And now I feel more excited about Creative Flair’s future than I have in years.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d say the public version of me is definitely me, but it’s me with the volume turned up. The energy, the passion for art and helping creatives, the humour… all of that is real. But like any creative who spends time on stage or online, people mostly see the highlights: the interviews, the launches, the new ideas.

What they don’t always see is the quieter side of me, the long nights working alone on a new project, the moments of self-doubt, or even just the normal everyday life I share with Carla-Marie and my family. Those parts matter just as much because they’re where a lot of my ideas come from.

I often meet people who recognise me, or I meet up with creatives at gallery showings, and a recurring theme does seem to be that people always comment on how much energy I have and how I’m exactly what I seem to be on camera, which always makes me happy.

So yes, the public version is the real me, it’s just not the whole story. The ‘off-camera’ James is a bit more reflective, a bit messier, and probably drinking another coffee while sketching out the next crazy idea for Creative Flair.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I’ve come to understand just how much of a creative career isn’t about talent. Most people think it’s 90% skill and 10% luck, but in reality it’s about persistence, relationships, self-belief and having the right support at the right moment.

Because I was homeschooled and grew up in such a supportive environment, I got an early glimpse of what happens when someone believes in you. Later, travelling with Carla and meeting artists at fairs showed me that a lot of brilliant creatives don’t lack ability, they lack access, guidance and a community that has their back.

That’s what underpins everything I’m building with Creative Flair: the deep understanding that creativity flourishes in networks, not in isolation. If we can make that kind of support normal, more artists will actually get to build the lives and careers they’re capable of, not just the ones the system allows.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.creativeflair.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativeflairhq/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@creativeflairhq