Gold Crown Creative

05/22/2026

she held on. figured it out. built something real.
now she helps you do the same.
brand strategy, content, creative direction, marketing that actually sounds like you.

that’s me by the way. hi.

05/17/2026

Hot take: that’s also your entire marketing strategy. People don’t buy from brands. They buy from people they trust. And trust is built when you stop hiding behind the highlight reel and actually show up real, human, and a little unpolished. Tell your story. Show your face. Be a little messy. That’s what actually converts.

💡 Also if you’re a business owner, save this audio! Fill in the blank: “I don’t know what the key to happiness is, but I’m pretty sure it involves ____” and make it yours. It’s one of the easiest ways to create content that actually feels like you.

P.S. I filmed my bare feet. I hate my feet. You’re welcome. We’re all growing here.🤣

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to the moms, the mother figures, and everyone in the middle of it. 👑

Today’s post is a little more personal. It’s about the two birthstones tucked into the Gold Crown Creative logo, the kids who are always part of my why, and the mom who taught me resilience, creativity, and how to turn a little into something.

Motherhood is often the messy middle.

Learning as we go.
Doing our best.
Becoming along the way.

So today, I’m wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day and reminding you:

Everything is going to be fine.

Keep going. You’re not done yet.

04/29/2026

Looking forward to this year's conference for too many reasons to count (but Arlene Dickinson is #1). Come hang out with me in my breakout workshop session!! Excited to see you!

Kristan Cloney is bringing real talk to the Southwest Business Summit.
The founder of Gold Crown Creative, a small business owner, and the person who's been quietly helping businesses in this region find their voice, Kristan knows what it actually feels like to wear every hat, juggle every responsibility, and still wonder if anyone is paying attention.

Her workshop, Crowned in the Mess, is for the business owner who knows they should be telling their story but hasn't quite figured out how, or hasn't given themselves permission yet. Expect honesty, a few laughs, and simple strategies you can actually use the moment you leave the room.

Hear Kristan on May 28th at the Algonquin Resort in Saint Andrews, NB.
Full delegate passes are $275 and include all keynotes, including Arlene Dickinson, breakout sessions, the kickoff event, and the gala + awards dinner.

🎟️ Secure your seat today. southwestbusinesssummit.ca

02/25/2026

You can wear a pink shirt and still be a jerk!
A pink shirt isn’t an “I’m a good person” costume. It’s a reminder.

Pink Shirt Day matters to me. It always has.
But support isn’t what we wear, it’s how we show up.

I think it’s important that we’re honest about that.
Support is about how we treat people. It’s about being kind even when it’s not easy, being respectful when we’re stressed, and being a safe person even when no one’s watching.

In business, in leadership, online, and in everyday life, we all have a responsibility to model what respect actually looks like.
Kindness isn’t performative. It shows up in the little moments, the hard moments, and the ones no one else sees.

02/24/2026

Canva is not your strategy, it’s just a tool in your toolbox.

Strategy is what creates consistency: clear messaging, repeatable content themes, and a brand kit that speeds up ex*****on. That is the foundation we build in The Crown Brand Build training series.

The Crown Brand Build is a guided, step-by-step training series where we turn your brand and content into a repeatable system you can actually follow.

I’m currently working through this with a cohort of business owners right now, and the next series kicks off in April. 👑✨
Stay tuned!!

02/13/2026

Thank you to .stephen
Our Friday morning training session got an extra surprise. A little candy-gram and Mary’s positive energy, exactly what we needed. 💕

02/09/2026

Valentine’s Day marketing doesn’t have to be “buy this because hearts.” It can be thoughtful, community-first, and actually helpful for your customers.

Here are four angles:
♥️ Product-based: make gifting easy with a “by person” gift guide and bundles that feel like a vibe, not a clearance rack.
♥️ Service-based: package the outcome (the after), keep the offer simple, and add a tiny extra people will talk about.
♥️ Non-profit: invite people into impact with a “Local Love” spotlight or nomination, and consider a business partner to amplify the reach.
♥️ Home-based: lead with connection, small drops, clear stories, and prompts that feel like real conversation.

And yes, a Galentine’s-style in-store moment can be brilliant, not because the event is the moneymaker, but because it puts people in your space, meeting you, and noticing what you offer.

Save & share this with a business owner who needs fresh ideas.

01/30/2026

United, reunited behind the cash counter.
Things look a little different these days…

A couple of my retail era besties. Two girls who were part of my old chapter and last night they showed up to support my workshop in this new one. Full-circle in the best way.

And no… there was no steaming clothes, no outfit-of-the-day planning, no tallying cash drawers, and no organizing debit receipts.
Same counter. Same crew. Different team.
This time, it’s each of us, in our own chapter… cheering for the next one. 🤍

01/30/2026

In my work onboarding businesses and organizations, I’ve learned that progress usually gets stuck for very human reasons. Pressure, overwhelm, and the stories we tell ourselves.

This room was a mix of women in different seasons and roles, and that was the whole point.

We used a bouquet to practice clarity.
Pick the focal flower, your priority.
Not every flower makes the cut.
And you don’t build for five years. You build for this season.

We also slowed down long enough to notice something important. You’ve already made progress, and it counts.
And if your timeline slips, it doesn’t mean you start over. It’s not a restart, it’s a reset. You’re building on what you’ve already learned, and you’re not behind.

Momentum doesn’t come from ambition. It comes from clear, doable steps.
And clarity comes from choosing, not adding.

The tricky part is figuring out those steps when the outside world is yelling “faster” and “more” like it’s the group project leader. Sometimes clarity only shows up when you turn the volume down.

Remember when you could just be interested in something, and that was enough?
I spent an entire summer researching goldenrods as if Encyclopedia Britannica itself was going to be evaluating my final project. 😂 🤓 No posting it on social media. No looking for validation online(I wouldn’t have gotten any). No “should I be doing what she’s doing?”
And I can promise you, nobody was copying me. I was out here in 4th grade doing a goldenrod project and treating like the Met Gala. Pen and poster board runs were a thill.

Back then, you didn’t know what everyone else was doing, and honestly, it was freeing.
Same lesson now. You don’t need more noise. You need more clarity.
Be yourself on purpose. Pick your focal flower. Take the next step.

If you’re craving a reset like this, DM me and I’ll send you info on the next Petals & Priorities when it’s announced.
And to everyone who joined me last night, thank you for showing up and doing the work. 🌸