We recently connected with Diana Liu and have shared our conversation below.

Diana, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I wish I had started my creative career a lot sooner, especially on social media. Back then, I didn’t realize that social media could be such a powerful platform not just for sharing art, but for building a career. I used to think it was just a place to post for fun, not something that could lead to real opportunities or income. I didn’t know that so many artists were getting freelance work, selling products, or growing entire businesses through their online presence. If I had known earlier, I probably would’ve taken it more seriously and started building a community around my work much sooner. But I think that realization came with time and experience. Now I’m trying to make the most of it by being more consistent and intentional with how I share and connect online.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi! I’m Diana, an artist and storyteller with a background in animation and illustration. I originally studied to become an illustrator, but after seeing the emotional power of visual storytelling through animation, I completely fell in love with it. That shift led me to transfer schools and dive headfirst into storyboarding, which eventually brought me to amazing opportunities like internships at Pixar and DreamWorks.

Now, I’m building a creative business that blends all the things I love: teaching, storytelling, and making art that connects with people. I sell stickers and prints through my shop, and I also create content on YouTube where I share my artistic journey, talk honestly about struggles in the industry, and hopefully make people feel a little less alone in their own paths.

One of my favorite parts of what I do is helping others, whether that’s through personalized feedback, sharing what I’ve learned, or just making art that feels comforting, funny, or relatable. I work with both kids and aspiring artists to teach fundamentals, build confidence, and encourage creativity. My goal is to make art that tells stories, sparks joy, and makes people feel seen.

If you’re a fellow creative, an art lover, or someone who just enjoys a good story, I’d love to connect. My brand is all about finding magic in the everyday.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Two creators who have really shaped the way I think about creative entrepreneurship are Ali Abdaal and Kallaway. Ali’s approach to building a business around content creation is incredibly thoughtful. He emphasizes consistency, systems, and making things that provide real value, all while maintaining a sense of joy and curiosity. Watching his videos helped me understand that you can be both creative and strategic, and that building something sustainable doesn’t mean sacrificing your passion or burning out.

Kallaway, on the other hand, brings together everything I’ve heard of regarding content creation. He discusses how to create valuable videos by understanding your audience and identifying a single audience avatar. His concept of the Triangle of Consistency emphasized the importance of reliable content, messaging, and engagement to build trust.

But above all, being a creative entrepreneur isn’t about having it all figured out, but about learning as you go, showing up consistently, and building something authentic to you.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to connect with others through my work. Art is such a powerful form of self-expression, and when people resonate with something I’ve created, it feels like a shared experience. It’s incredibly fulfilling when my work helps someone feel the same way I do, or even helps them realize something about themselves. It’s that connection, that understanding, that makes creating so meaningful.

What truly excites me is knowing that my art can help people in some way. It’s not just about expressing myself, but about using my creativity to make others feel seen, heard, and appreciated. The impact my work can have on someone else’s life, whether it’s through reflection, inspiration, or even just a smile, is what makes being an artist so rewarding for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://liudianaart.etsy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liudianaart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liudianaart/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@liudianaart