DESIGN A CAREER around MULTIPLE PASSIONS with Julie.
I believe you do not have to choose just one path. My talks give audiences the tools to connect their strengths, shape their story, and design work that feels aligned and sustainable.
Upcoming Events
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Building an Entrepreneurial Career: Startup Wildcats Workshop with Julie Bonner
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 5:15–6:15 PM
University of Arizona | Tucson, ArizonaWhat if you didn’t have to choose just one career direction?
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll map your skills, interests, and experiences, uncover connections you may not have noticed, and turn those connections into ideas for new opportunities or career directions. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of what makes your combination of strengths unique and one concrete idea to test next.
Light snacks will be provided.
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Your Creative Ecosystem with Julie Bonner | Phoenix Design Week
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 11:15 AM–12:00 PM
Phoenix Design Week | Phoenix, ArizonaWe spend our days designing brands, products, and experiences for everyone else. But how often do we use that creativity to design something for ourselves? In this workshop, you will create a visual map of your creative ecosystem, identify opportunities already within your reach, and design small experiments that generate real momentum. As you do this, you will share ideas with other designers, form new connections, and find inspiration to develop a creative career that is dynamic, resilient, and all your own.
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What are you designing? A Tucson Creative Mixer
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 5:30–7:30 PM
The Coalition Space | Tucson, ArizonaMeet Tucson’s creative community, share what you’re building, and spark new ideas during PHXDW.
What are you making, designing, or building? Meet the people shaping Tucson’s creative scene. This interactive mixer brings together students, designers, entrepreneurs, makers, and creative professionals for an evening of fresh ideas and connections.
Led by Julie Bonner in collaboration with the University of Arizona’s McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, Startup Wildcats, and Student Made Arizona, the event will feature guided networking and opportunities to share what you’re working on, discover what others are creating, and potentially find your next collaborator.
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
JULIE in ACTION
ENGAGING AUDIENCES
SIGNATURE SPEAKING THEMES
Too Many Interests? Good. Build a Career Out of Them.
In a world that tells us to specialize, this keynote gives permission to integrate. Attendees learn how to harness multiple passions into a cohesive, sustainable career path.
Key Takeaways:
Reframing “too many interests” as an advantage
Identifying themes across skills and passions
Designing income streams that align with identity
Networking for Creatives
Creatives often feel uncomfortable with networking. This keynote reframes it as relationship building with clarity and intention.
Key Takeaways:
In-person networking strategy
Online presence alignment
Building long-term professional relationships
Passion for Profit: Turning Interests into Income
This session shows audiences how to transform creative energy into sustainable income streams.
Key Takeaways:
Identifying monetizable skills
Designing multiple income paths
Building confidence in value creation
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"Julie has a rare ability to balance professionalism with warmth. She is confident and deeply knowledgeable, yet completely approachable and relatable. The presentation was well structured and impeccably paced, filled with meaningful detail and clear, actionable takeaways."
Laura Worthington, Award-Winning Type Designer
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"Attending Julie’s presentation was a game-changer for me. I went in with no real expectations, but left with key insights that I didn’t even know I was missing. These are crucial to advancing my design and entrepreneurial aspirations. Julie reinvigorated my enthusiasm for getting my own brand out there!"
Matt Mann, Graphic Designer
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![Jodie Lewers, Muralist]()
"Julie’s creative, entrepreneurial spirit is truly unmatched. Whether she’s offering thoughtful advice or effortlessly connecting people in a room, she has a natural way of bringing everyone together and making them feel completely at ease. Her presentations are inspiring and full of practical ideas that help you grow and expand your creative talents. She’s a confident, welcoming leader with strong communication skills and a true go-getter mindset.
Jodie Lewers, Muralist
Previous Events
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Designing a Multi-Passion Creative Career
Thursday, July 9, 2026 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Catalyst Creative Collective | Tucson, ArizonaJoin Julie Bonner for an interactive workshop on building a creative life across multiple interests, disciplines, and evolving identities. Presented as part of her Catalyst Creative Collective residency, this session invites artists, designers, and other creatives to reflect on their own paths, explore creative intersections, and consider practical ways to shape more sustainable and meaningful work.
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Last Saturdays at Catalyst: Desert Dwellers en Español
Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Catalyst Creative Collective | Tucson, ArizonaBring the whole family to Julie Bonner’s residency studio for a fun, drop-in art experience inspired by Southwest animals and bilingual storytelling. Guests can explore works in progress for the Spanish edition of her Desert Dwellers Flash Cards and participate in creative hands-on art activities designed for all ages.
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Desert Dwellers en Español: Community Celebration at Catalyst
Thursday, July 31, 2026 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Catalyst Creative Collective | Tucson, ArizonaJoin Julie Bonner and friends for a colorful evening celebrating the final days of her Catalyst Creative Collective residency. Guests are invited to experience Desert Dwellers en Español through artwork, process, and community connection, with a playful spirit rooted in Sonoran wildlife, storytelling, and bilingual creativity.
Let’s Get Started
BOOK JULIE to be a SPEAKER at YOUR EVENT
JULIE MARIE BONNER
With over two decades of experience in design, branding, and innovation, Julie has worked with organizations ranging from startups to established institutions. She currently teaches entrepreneurship and creative strategy, equipping the next generation with both vision and execution skills.
Her work sits at the intersection of creativity, business, and education, and her talks reflect that powerful combination.