In 2013, after years of establishing her position as one of Australia’s favourite recording artists and live performers, Claire Bowditch realised “the time was right” to help teach creative people about business and business people about creativity.

“Never before in the history of humankind has there been more opportunity for clever, big-hearted people with good ideas to find their audience, make a living and contribute to the greater good while they’re at it,” says Bowditch.

It was from this belief that Big Hearted Business was born – to satisfy businesses hungry for new ways of thinking. “I was tired of seeing excellent, talented, good-hearted people trying and failing to make a living,” admits Bowditch. “I knew there was a way I could help; I’ve been fortunate enough to receive a lot of great advice in my life and I wanted to pay it forward.”

Becoming a big-hearted business takes a lot of thought, planning, dedication and hard work, according to Bowditch. “It also takes the discipline to understand that success in business is about so much more than the bottom line alone.”

On the topic of what hinders Australians running their businesses in potentially more creative and innovative ways, she believes the short answer is “a temporary failure of imagination”.

“Creative-thinking is simply about using alternative methods to come to clever, win-win solutions,” say Bowditch. “You have to keep it alive and remind yourself what you started all of this for.”

During August, as part of the Small Business Festival Victoria, Bowditch will host a series of dinners throughout regional areas. “I’ll be talking about the fact that it’s actually possible to make your living doing something that you enjoy and that contributes to the world – but not without a plan,” explains Bowditch. “I hope to make it extremely practical, useful, and applicable.”

Bowditch’s top tips for harnessing creativity

1. Do ‘creative-super-bursts’ – take three minutes to do something you love or enjoy, then return to the problem at hand.
2. Have a periodic technology ban – turn off your devices and look at people.
3. Read something you loved as a child or some ancient story by Oscar Wilde, Emily Bronte or Rumi to put your worries in a historical context.
4. Get outside and walk.
5. Do a ‘Smiling Mind’ five-minute meditation – a free app that Bowditch is an ambassador for.

Find out more about the Small Business Festival Victoria.