Ep 177: Building Real Community Beyond Followers

In Episode 177 of Paper Talk, Quynh Nguyen, Jessie Chui, and Sara Kim open up about what it truly means to build community as artists. While follower counts and viral videos can feel validating, they share why authentic connections, through workshops, newsletters, stories, and everyday conversations, are what sustain and grow a creative business.

“Viral videos are great, but they don’t necessarily attract the most loyal followers. It’s the repeat names I see in my sales that remind me of true community.” - Jessie

You’ll hear Sara’s perspective on how her most meaningful opportunities came directly from workshop students, Jessie’s reflections on balancing different audiences and maintaining authenticity, and Quynh’s stories of unexpected collaborations that blossomed from in-person connections.

“Community is when you give special attention to the person—through real DMs, emails, or conversations—that’s where I see the people who become students and buyers.” - Sara

Together, they explore how community shapes not only business but also personal fulfillment. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn social media followers into real supporters, or how to nurture a group of people who truly understand your work, this episode is for you.

“Our community feels like our children. We want to give them tools to grow stronger and avoid the mistakes we made.” - Quynh