Interview: Illustrator Bianka Behrami and Master Photographer Kate Brunch | Founders of the Creative Community

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing illustrator Bianka Behrami and photographer Kate Brunch. Both are versatile creatives with over 20 years of experience in the industry. However, this interview took a different turn. Instead of focusing on their individual creative fields, we delved into the creative community they founded earlier this spring.

They share how the idea came about, the surprises along the way, and how this community has become a home for so many creatives.

Oh, and by the way – the community is completely free! It’s a welcoming space for all kinds of creative fields, where professionals, seasoned hobbyists, and beginners come together harmoniously to support one another.

How did you meet?

Kate: We've both been self-employed for many years, and we first met through an online coaching program. We connected more deeply during Zoom events and quickly realised we had a lot to talk about and shared a lot in common. Then last year, I visited Bianka in Saxon Switzerland, simply to catch up and go hiking together. That was a real challenge for me, as Bianka practically hikes professionally. What really bonded us, though, was the "Mammoth March" in Berlin on 3rd November 2023. It was 30km, and we set ourselves a time limit. Those last few kilometres were tough! Bianka was walking ahead of me at a fast pace, and I should mention she's almost twice my height. I just focused on her feet and tried to keep up—and yes, I made it. We've stayed in regular contact ever since.

How did the idea for your creative community come about, and what inspired you to start it?

Kate: We learned about the new platform "Skool" through our coaching last year. Without knowing it, we both had the idea of starting a community in the back of our minds. I’m a photographer, but I never wanted to set up a photography community. The theme of creativity was much more interesting to me. I launched my podcast in September 2023, and I’ve been working with creatives from all kinds of fields for over 20 years. So I know just how valuable exchange is in this space. Organizing something like that offline in Berlin would have been too time-consuming for me. At some point, the thought hit me: “Why not start a community together?” And, of course, I immediately thought of Bianka.

Bianka: Since I signed up for Skool, I’d had the idea of starting my own community a few times, but I kept dismissing it. I was only thinking of a community for illustrators, not one that speaks to all creatives. I loved the idea of creating a platform far from the negative atmosphere of social media—a place where people could connect without fear of negative judgement. We all know those trolls and know-it-alls who pop up just when you least need them. When Kate brought up the idea, I didn’t hesitate for a moment. It was a great opportunity to explore and experiment with this new platform together. And Kate’s idea of building it for people across all professional and hobby creative fields, for anyone who creates in some way, made perfect sense to me.

Were there any challenges in founding and building the community?

Kate: We knew we got along well, but did we also share the same goals? Could we agree on how we wanted to build the community? What are our values? There were these and many other questions to clarify first. I needed a lot of trust from Bianka because only one of us could officially register the community, meaning all rights and access would rest with that person. Then there was time management, as we both have our own businesses that take up a lot of time. I think it really helped that we stayed in constant contact and were open with each other.

Bianka: The platform itself has limitations in terms of categories, membership payments, currency, and even payment providers. We keep running into unexpected restrictions, but there’s really no real alternative to Skool—at least not at the moment. One major challenge, which is still ongoing, is communicating why we need another platform people have to sign up for. We use all sorts of formats to highlight the benefits our community offers. Especially when you’re just starting and essentially building from scratch, you need a good approach for those first members. The whole project stands or falls with them. And then there’s the time factor—it’s easy to underestimate just how much time goes into this.

The community has been around since 14th March 2024. Was there anything that surprised you, something you didn’t expect?

Kate: What surprised me most was how quickly we were able to build trust and create a real "safe place" where everyone feels comfortable. I first noticed it when we discussed the theme "Abundance or Scarcity (or why are you creative?)". You wrote that post, dear Lea, and I was amazed by the genuine, honest responses and how deeply we got to see into each other's lives. It really moved me. Then there’s the warm feedback and support. We’ve gathered people who are so closely connected that we even set up a chat corner where they greet each other with a "Good morning" almost every day. Yet everyone’s open and welcomes newcomers with warmth.

Bianka: I was surprised by the level of activity in the community and how openly people interact. The active members quickly embraced this space as their community and actively contributed to its growth. Because of this activity, we rose quickly in the rankings. Now there are around 20,000 communities, and we’re in the top 10% worldwide. That’s something we can be very proud of—not many communities make it this far.

How does the community impact you personally and your creativity?

Kate: I find myself reflecting on things much more, allowing myself to embrace my own creativity and try new things. I remember what I once wanted to achieve, and the people in the community remind me of that every day. They also give me the energy and patience to keep developing my ideas for the community, to stay committed, and to keep exploring new paths.

Bianka: I’ve found a renewed enthusiasm for sharing personal work, joining challenges, and stepping out of my comfort zone. Engaging with the topics that come up in the community has been enriching, sometimes even helping me see things from a new perspective. And the supportive atmosphere really boosts confidence, too.

How does your creative community differ from other creative communities, like those on Facebook?

Kate: I don’t have that much experience with other communities. I once joined a Facebook group for photography for about two weeks, and honestly, that was enough. I found that people tended to defend their own opinions almost aggressively. That’s not the case with every group, of course. The second group was for Etsy sellers, and the interaction there was nice, but activity dropped off quickly, including for me. I just didn’t have the time to keep up, so I eventually lost interest. It also felt quite cluttered; posts were hard to find, or there were so many that I couldn’t keep track. It rarely felt like a real community supporting one another but more like a stage for self-promotion.

Bianka: I’m in various Facebook groups too, but they tend to revolve around the founder or the individual egos of members. Rarely does a meaningful exchange take place, where even older posts are revisited. This is partly due to the lack of organization. SKOOL has a real advantage here. We see our creative community more like a club where every member can contribute. We also offer live formats, like online Zoom co-working sessions, and are planning offline meetups for next year. We’re very mindful of keeping the community from becoming a platform for self-promotion. It’s all about genuine exchange, not about delivering the best pitch. When you post, respond, or like, it counts as activity and feeds into a kind of score. The higher your score, the more you level up in activity and unlock certain content in the community. We’ll see what other ideas come up in the future. Right now, for instance, members can unlock a mobile wallpaper, access co-working sessions, or download a journal template for the iPad.

How does your community support creatives in their artistic development and networking?

Bianka: The community thrives on its members, and they actively support one another. For example, members share info about events, exhibitions, and competitions, and offer feedback on posted work. As founders, we’re also planning future offline events where people can meet and network in person. We’ve recently added a new “JOBS & COLLABORATIONS” category, specifically for sharing opportunities or finding the right creative for a project.

Kate: From Level 7 onwards, members can also receive more direct support from us. Together, we have an extensive network, and we want to use that to organize expert calls on topics the community is interested in. Members can also get feedback on their work or find inspiration if they’re feeling stuck. Then there are the monthly challenges where everyone can push themselves a bit, and my favourite category, “Successes.” I’m always thrilled when someone achieves something new because, with the community’s support, they dared to step out of their comfort zone and got positive feedback.

How do you integrate new members and make sure they feel welcome?

Kate: First, we send a welcome message, and in the Classroom, there's a video where I explain how the community is structured and go over Skool's features.

Bianka: Our active community members warmly welcome new joiners. We literally take them by the hand. They can reach out to us anytime, post their questions in the community, and if we feel someone’s having a bit of a rough start, we check in to see how we can make their entry smoother. So far, everyone has found their place. Nobody here needs to worry about not being “good enough.”

How do you ensure that the community remains a safe and supportive space for all members?

Kate: We’ve set clear rules for respectful interactions, though, with our members, it’s hardly necessary. Still, we want to make a statement, and we read every post and comment. People don’t have to agree on everything; what matters to us is how discussions are conducted. Bianka and I keep in close contact, so if one of us misses something, the other will catch it. I think that also strengthens trust within the community. Plus, it’s a private group, meaning no one outside can read the posts.

Bianka: Clear rules are essential. We also occasionally post ourselves to promote our community values and guide discussions and the overall spirit in that direction. It’s about growing together, not about individual egos. When someone wants to join, they answer three questions. If it’s clear they’re not a good fit for our community, we decline their request.

What are the key values and principles you promote within the community?

In general: a sense of community, ad-free space, respectful communication, tolerance, respect, and openness.

Kate: Openness, both of heart and mind, is personally essential for me, as it’s what allows new things to emerge and best nurtures creativity.

Bianka: Kindness and tolerance are very important to me in the community. A motto I keep in mind: “If you have nothing good to say, stay quiet.” Nothing fosters creativity more than a positive and supportive environment.

How do you handle conflicts or differing opinions within the community?

Kate: We moderate the community, which means we step in and try to resolve any conflicts with a positive mindset. We start by assuming that someone may have simply expressed themselves poorly. It’s normal and healthy to have differing opinions; it gives us insight into others’ perspectives. Everyone has their own truth, shaped by their unique life experiences. This can also encourage us to question our own values and gain a better understanding of what we stand for and what’s important to us.

Bianka: If a discussion starts to get a bit heated and we notice feelings getting involved, we moderate and try to smooth things over. But, so far, this has rarely been necessary. I always strive to stay as objective as possible, viewing things from a community standpoint rather than from my personal perspective.

What has been your best moment since founding the community?

Kate: Receiving an unprompted thank you and seeing someone dare to do something they wouldn’t have done before. For me, it’s always about the successes of others.

Bianka: Hearing, “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!” and seeing people connect and support each other, even outside the community.

What projects or collaborations are you planning within the community in the near future?

Kate: Two months ago, I could have told you exactly what we had planned. But we've had to adjust. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and we’re still experimenting quite a bit. Introducing a membership fee didn’t work out at all, which could have funded many other things. It seems the value of a community isn’t fully recognised yet. Still, we have a big goal in mind, and we’re both a bit impatient! We’re learning to take each small step without skipping anything. It’s a process where everyone contributes—it’s not just us shaping the community but the members themselves. We simply create the space and think about how best to set it up so that everyone can grow in their own creativity.

Bianka: Skool itself is evolving too, and I’m curious to see what new features might come next year. I don’t want to commit to anything just yet. The past six months have already been quite a ride! But there will definitely be more live Zoom events from me. We’re listening closely to what the community wants. For example, in November, I’ll dive deeper into “drawing perspectives.” And who knows, maybe I’ll take the plunge and create a separate community focused solely on digital illustration. Kate might have her own ideas heading in that direction too...

Dear Lea, thank you so much for the opportunity to be part of your interview series. You were one of our first and most active members and have contributed so much to the community with your posts. You always have kind and supportive words for everyone. Your experience as an artist is an incredibly valuable resource for many, and it’s still a bit of a wonder for us how we found such wonderful people like you.

Dear Kate, dear Bianka, thank you so much! Not only for taking part in my little project here but especially for creating this wonderful space!

Your chance: Be part of my interview series!

If you're an artist or creative - whether in painting, music, literature, or any other art form—and would like to share about your work and creative process, feel free to get in touch with me.

I’m excited to showcase the diversity of creative expression in my interview series and to hear about your perspectives and experiences.

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