The Create Freely newsletter

The newsletter for creators who know they're capable of more.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
    Built with Kit

    Meet Christie B

    👋 Ciao — I’m Christie Burmester.
    I’m a Creative Coach, ex-agency designer, and someone who never quite fit the corporate mould.

    If you’re here, you’re probably sizing me up—fair enough. Here’s what you need to know.

    ⚡ What I’ve done

    • 13+ years in design (studios, in-house, agencies)

    • Grew a team at Google as a Design Manager

    • Coached creatives through burnout, career pivots, and launching side projects

    • Mentored teams to run smoother, smarter, and with more joy

    • Built Create Freely—a clubhouse for multi-passionate creatives

    💪 What drives me

    • Helping people stop overthinking and start making stuff.

    • I work best with the ones who have notebooks full of ideas but can’t seem to finish anything. You’re not lazy—you just need structure, care, and the right kind of push.

    • I coach for clarity, creative confidence, and calm momentum. My job is to help you move with intention and delight.

    😵‍💫 What I’ve overcome

    • Burnout, overcommitment, chronic people-pleasing.

    • I’ve worked through the chaos of undiagnosed AuDHD, grown in noisy environments, managed creative teams, and hit a ceiling more than once.

    • I know what it’s like to look successful on paper but feel stuck and exhausted. That’s why I work the way I do now—short weeks, meaningful work, and low-pressure coaching that leaves space for life.

    💥 What I’m great at

    • Spotting your strengths (even when you can’t)

    • Turning chaos into clear action

    • Building creative systems that actually stick

    • Making things fun again

    🙅🏻‍♀️ What I don’t offer

    • A 6-figure overnight system

    • Toxic productivity vibes

    • A strict formula

    • Cookie-cutter advice

    ✨ What inspires me

    • Honest, weird, imperfect work

    • People who give themselves permission to start again

    • Tiny, joyful wins in a sea of overwhelm

    • Helping someone go from “I don’t know if I can” to “I’m already doing it”

    ✏️ Where I work now

    • I’m based in Sydney, working with creatives around the world.

    • I coach 1:1, run design team trainings, and lead creative workshops.

    • I only work 3 days a week—and protect that fiercely. What I offer is simple, intentional, and made to support both your creativity and your capacity.

    🤝 How to work with me

    1:1 coaching for side projects

    Mentoring for design teams

    Creative workshops (online or in-house)

    Membership for 9–5 creatives

    And just in case you were curious if I was a cool kid growing up in the 90s—I was.