212: From Beginner to Pro: The Roadmap No One Talks About
Aug 28, 2025
When Bonnie Christine first dreamed of seeing her artwork on fabric, she was met with a tidal wave of overwhelm. She had no roadmap, no clear next steps—just a big dream and a million scattered tutorials. That confusion cost her 18 months of slow, uncertain progress.
In this episode, Bonnie shares the tool she wishes she had from day one: The Pattern Path, a six-stage roadmap that guides aspiring surface pattern designers from curious beginners to industry icons. Whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck in the “daily scramble,” Bonnie helps you pinpoint exactly where you are and what to focus on next.
She walks through all six stages—Curious, Emerging, Confident, Profitable, Insider, and Icon—offering clear insight into what each one looks like and how to move forward. Bonnie also introduces the power of her "One Thing a Day" philosophy and shares inspiring stories of students who’ve followed this path to build creative, thriving careers at every age and stage.
This episode is both a compass and a boost of confidence. If you’ve been wondering how to turn your passion for design into a profitable, aligned career, this is your starting point.
"When you know the next step, the fog lifts—and momentum takes over."
Key Takeaways
- A clear roadmap replaces overwhelm with momentum.
- The six levels of The Pattern Path provide structure, clarity, and purpose.
- Identifying your current level helps you know exactly what to work on next.
- Daily, consistent progress ("One Thing a Day") can lead to transformational results.
- Creatives of all backgrounds and ages have used this path to launch real, thriving careers.
Recommended Resources
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Review of the week:
LISTENING TREASURE
Listening is a must for anyone dreaming big and following their unique path to a creative life! Prepare to be uplifted, equipped with tools to level up, and feel a little less alone 🌻
— LyricsShouldntDoAllTheTalking
READ THE TRANSCRIPT
Quick Disclosure: This post may include some affiliate links which means that if you click the link to purchase something on this page, it won't cost you more but I may receive a commission for sharing this with you. Which is great, because I was going to share it with you anyway!
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