Sick of relying on Instagram and it’s increasingly worsening algorithm to drive traffic to your handmade businesses? Ready to tap into one of the fastest-growing marketing platforms on the internet instead? I’m talking Pinterest – and I believe it is one of THE best potential drivers of traffic to your handmade business. Those of you who’ve been in the Thriver Circle for over a year may the Pinterest Challenge from previous years. The Pinterest Challenge helped many of you grow your Pinterest s – and therefore, your website traffic. Pinterest is one of the top drivers of traffic to my own businesses, and if you’re not already using it – or not using it to its full potential – this challenge aims to help you up your Pinterest game, and drive more people to your online store. 🔥This challenge will run for 2 weeks, from June 3rd, 2024! If you find Pinterest overwhelming; you don’t know where to start; or you’ve fallen off the wagon (i.e. out of the habit of using Pinterest regularly) then this challenge will help you! 🔥What is the Pinterest Challenge? Basically – it’s a chance to grow your Pinterest (and therefore traffic to your website!) via a two-week-long challenge in a group setting. The basic gist is that you will spend a minimum of 10 minutes every day working on your Pinterest . And – bonus! – I will also be sharing one Pinterest tip or hack with you each day inside the Thriver Circle forum on Facebook. I’ve got lots of juicy Pinterest suggestions for you! 🔥Ready? Sign up here. If you’re not sure how Pinterest will help you grow your business, check out this week’s podcast, where I share 8 reasons why it might be the right choice for you! You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

Today’s interview is with Michelle Danielson of Grandma Skills and Make Your Mark Labs. Michelle Danielson is a veteran creative who is an expert on selling handmade goods at markets. She opened her handmade product business Grandma Skills® in 2013. After many years of continued success and growth she knew she had something worth sharing. In 2021 she started the education side of her business Make Your Mark Labs which focuses on teaching handmade business owners how to successfully sell at in person markets. Today Michelle shares the progress of her business since 2013 – and how it has evolved and remains a successful business alongside her part-time healthcare job and raising her son – especially in the face of some serious health challenges that led her to re-structure and learn how to delegate aspects of her business. She also shares her top tips for selling in person at markets and shows, including some pitfalls to avoid and clever hacks to make it easier to engage potential customers! You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Get access to my Selling at Markets 101 Online Workshop!Ever thought about selling your work at markets and shows, but don’t know how to get started? In this workshop I’ll take you through the basics you need to think about – things like choosing a market, taking payments, making stock, creating a stall design, and how to sell on the day! Thriver Circle can attend live (May 30, 2024) or watch the workshop recording on demand. Get The Workshop Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now Show Notes Michelle was always creative but didn’t start seriously until after graduating college, when she would craft at home after work. After trying to climb the corporate ladder with little results, Michelle decided to focus her efforts and talents into her craft business and reap the rewards, although she still works in healthcare part time. The business started in 2013, selling at markets which is her ion, and has recently started helping to educate other makers in how to succeed at markets. Michelle is in the United States and has kept her healthcare job so as to continue with health insurance and benefits, but only works part time so she can also stay at home with her son. Following a health incident, it became obvious that Michelle couldn’t continue to do everything herself, so began to delegate parts of the production to others. ‘…I would keep working on the things that made me, me, were profitable, and the things that were uniquely my skill.’ {Michelle} Michelle started out crocheting baby hats, but now does mostly sewing of luxury winter apparel, and some kitchen and baby lines through her brand, Grandma Skills. The brand name is in honour of Michelle’s late grandma, who taught her to crochet and sew. Michelle’s working week was discussed, and how she balances her time. Tending to the business ebbs and flows, depending on Michelle’s health, energy levels, time she needs to spend with her son, etc.  The pull of these conflicting obligations was discussed, as it can be difficult for Michelle to focus on one thing, when she feels like she should be elsewhere and doing something else. This is a part of her life that Michelle is working to improve so that she has a clear idea of her vision and product line, and knows where to spend her time and energy. Jess spoke about how constrictions can be useful in a creative business as it helps makers really prioritise and focus on specific tasks and ideas.  ‘It think it’s nice to have that flexibility, and I think it’s important too for wherever you’re at in the season of life, to honour that season, and be realistic in the time that you have and the goals that you have.’ {Michelle} Jess noted that she sees many makers that have a lot of tension between what they need to do and what they have time to do. Sometimes it is better to stop fighting the constraints, and work around the ebb and flow. Jess and Michelle spoke about the constant need to grow, push forward, hustle, etc. Makers should that they don’t have to put this pressure on themselves and should do what makes them happy. Michelle noted a book that she read called ‘In the Flo’ by Alisa Vitti, and how this impacted her. Jess agreed with this examination of ‘cycles’, and how they can impact women particularly, but also businesses which can follow cycles rather than being always go, go, go. For example, there are busier periods like Christmas, but then there should be quiet times when makers can take a break to recharge and avoid burnout. Markets were discussed as this is Michelle’s specialty, with the biggest challenges being that makers find it hard to focus on one task and instead feel that they need to do everything themselves. Many market stallholders also think that they need to have a grand booth display to start out which simply is not the case. Jess queried how makers should choose the best market to sell at that suits their wares. Michelle stated that makers need to know who they are making their products for, then they can establish where they shop, and which markets they visit. This is why Michelle attends markets because that’s where her people shop. Jess suggested that new makers try all avenues initially, then they can figure out what works for them, and who and where their customers are. Put products out there in the real world and see what happens. Michelle highlighted for makers that there is no success or failure when it comes to markets, there are simply results and lessons that you can use to determine your next move. Pay attention to everything that happens, then you can decide to pivot or change. Michelle commented on pricing, as you cannot price things high without demonstrating the value of that item, and making sure that it is a quality item. ‘This also comes down to branding and how you are showing your business to the world… It takes time to develop a brand and a following, and I find that part of that can be where you sell’ {Jess} Tips for makers selling at markets include:  Doing things prior to the market that ‘fill your cup’, as selling and customer interaction can be draining, especially for introverted people.  Don’t just make products and expect them to sell because they are at the market, think about how you can sell them.  Have a script of 10 or so phrases to help you start a conversation with a buyer, for example compliment them on something.  Know what is unique about your product and how it will benefit the customer. Michelle noted for stallholders that the product line should be clear to customers, so they know what it is that you make, and also what your brand is. Makers should also consider what they wear to attend markets as this is representative of your brand. Top 3 tips: Honour your creative space and protect that.  Stay in your lane, don’t compare yourself to others, but compare to the previous year’s markets and learn from them what went well / not so well, what would you like to try next year.  Networking at markets is important as this can lead to some great outcomes, and friendships.  Do what you enjoy. Jess enquired how makers can work on their self confidence and belief in themselves. It was suggested to choose three things to improve on each year that will boost your confidence. For example, take a course in something that you feel is a weakness in your work.  Further, don’t focus too much on negative . If you need to, fix the problem, and learn from the experience. Otherwise, don’t dwell on this too much as it can affect your confidence. Quote from Michelle is from Romans 12:12: Be joyful in hope, patient in trials, and faithful in prayer. This quote was helpful to Michelle during her health challenges, but it can be applied to a lot of seasons of life.  You can find Michelle’s educational products on Instagram @makeyourmarklabs, and the website: makeyourmarklabs.com You can find Grandma Skills on Instagram, Facebook, website, and Etsy. Michelle also has seven templates available for market stalls including hang tags, care instructions, signage etc. Jess briefly raised QR Codes for customers to access social media, and how these can also be used for mailing lists to encourage people to sign up, but makers should who their customer base is as they may not be savvy with QR Codes.

Laurie Caffery grew up in Boone, North Carolina, a small town surrounded by the peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Encouraged by her creative parents – a painter mom and a custom home designer and builder dad, Laurie spent her childhood enthusiastically exploring different mediums, primarily painting and drawing. Laurie received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in ceramics in 2014. Her artwork is exhibited and collected nationally and internationally. Currently, Laurie continues to create her narrative-driven, decorative ceramics from her home studio in Asheville, North Carolina alongside her husband, son and dogs. In this episode we talk about her creative education & journey – and how illustrating on clay happened by accident! We discuss how she’s grown a successful independent business – and how that’s enabled her to charge what her work is worth, and grow a following of people who love to collect her work. Laurie is launching her latest collection the day after this goes live, check out her work right here – lauriecaffery.com You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now Show Notes ● Laurie started working with ceramics in high school, but this was more of a hobby, and illustrating her main creative focus. While at college, ceramics became more of a serious interest and eventually became Laurie’s career choice in 2016. ● Laurie’s mother, Debbie Arnold, is an artist, and her father a bespoke home builder so Laurie grew up in a very artistic environment. Here she naturally excelled in illustrating and painting, and with a shy, introverted personality, it was assumed that she too would choose a career within the creative arts. ● Laurie discussed how she came to switch to ceramics as her medium during a college wheel-throwing course. She found the media incredibly challenging and was determined to better understand it. Ceramics is an art form based more on muscle memory, skill, and the products you use, than artistic talent and really keeps you engaged. ● Laurie has an added layer to her ceramics which is illustration of her products. This was something she fell into at a time when she was teaching ceramics and a scholarship came up for a course at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, one of the best craft schools in the United States. The only course available was illustration of ceramics which Laurie almost declined, but she did go, and the course changed everything. ● During college, there was pressure to create more sculptural and academic works even though Laurie’s interest was in functional ceramics. Therefore, when she began working in ceramics again, she had no particular style and was able to start from scratch. ‘Part of the draw with functional ceramics was that I could figure out how to do it myself… from creating the piece, to marketing, to selling the piece on my own without relying on galleries.’ {Laurie} ● Laurie started out selling at craft fairs, and moved to 40% online, 60% consignment, wholesale, etc. When the pandemic happened, craft markets and galleries were shut down so Laurie switched to selling only online, though recently she has taken on some wholesale work with a gallery. ● Marketing was discussed. Laurie uses Instagram for 95% of her marketing, and DMs (Direct Messages) have made a huge difference in this process. ‘It has been so wonderful to truly build authentic relationships with my customers… we have become friends and they have become my cheerleaders.’ {Laurie} ● While Laurie has a modest follower count, this is not that important; it’s more important to have organic growth and have authentic relationships with her customers. ● Email lists have also proved successful for Laurie’s business as a way to directly reach out to her client base. ● As a ceramicist, Laurie has the benefit of a client base of collectors, and therefore markets her work differently to someone who relies on single sales. Laurie needs clients who value her work, who know who she is as a person, and who know the quality and time taken to create her work so that they will pay fairly for her products. This is because ceramics are generally deemed to have low value. Laurie originally sold through Etsy and this was a great platform to start off with, however Etsy retains customer email addresses which isn’t ideal if you are wanting to customers directly. ● Instagram was discussed as this is a constantly changing platform and requires regular posting of a range of different formats, e.g. Carousels, reels, etc. ● Laurie has four releases per year, and her designs change depending on the season. She currently doesn’t have capacity to sell all year round due to her studio size. ● Work life balance was raised as Laurie has always struggled with workaholism, but since having her son, she has had to reevaluate how she works to allow time for her family. Laurie’s husband is a huge part of the success of Laurie’s business, helping to construct her studio, taking on childcare duties, etc. ● The creative process was discussed. Laurie has a list of themes that she wishes to explore and whittles this down to the theme of the new release. ● Laurie spoke about a spreadsheet she uses to track sales, income, expenses, and individual items. The constraints of this spreadsheet and list is important to Laurie as it helps her focus on the creative process and make it more fun. ● The biggest challenge for Laurie has been motherhood; while it has been wonderful it has also been difficult adjusting the business. ● The biggest highlight has been her online store as this has met exactly with her goals and grown to be a sustainable business. ● The future for Laurie’s business was discussed. She has achieved what she wanted with her online sales, however would like to have more ease and stability, and take more regular weekends off with her family without worrying about the business. ● Jess noted that it’s good for other makers to see that it’s ok to stay a small business; you don’t need to grow beyond where you feel comfortable and fulfilled. ● Advice from Laurie to other makers is don’t underestimate marketing. There is a fine balance between marketing your products whilst also focusing on good craftsmanship at the same time. ● Quote: Choose discomfort over resentment, Brené Brown. For Laurie, this means saying no to things that you don’t want to do, rather than agreeing and being resentful. This is important to Laurie at this stage in her business as it protects her peace and her time. You can find Laurie on Instagram, lauriecaffery.clay and on her website, lauriecaffery.com

Rebecca Haas has been an independent jeweller for over 20 years. She has a small jewelry design studio based in idyllic Southern Vermont. Each unique piece is handcrafted with skill and care by Rebecca in her hilltop studio from ethically sourced metals. Rebecca makes simple, nature inspired jewelry with bold yet delicate lines. Her work is designed to fit seamlessly into your life, and skillfully crafted with the strength to be worn and enjoyed every day. Her aesthetic is understated yet refined, creating a look that is elegant and timeless. In today’s episode she shares how her business has grown and evolved over the years, and how/where she sells and markets her work – without Etsy. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now Show Notes   After taking a gap year between school and college, Rebecca lived in Mexico for 6 months and this is where she first learned to make jewellery. Rebecca graduated from college in 2000, and went straight into making jewellery, taking on two part time apprenticeships, covering very different styles of jewellery: one beaded work, the other a high-end jeweller. This also showed Rebecca two different business models. One of the jewellers that Rebecca was apprenticed to offered her a shelf to sell her own items on consignment out of a store in Brooklyn. Rebecca was approached by a showroom who would take a line of jewellery and take it to different shows for sale. This was before Instagram, digital photos were difficult, and everything had to be physically printed to take to the shows. Rebecca would then receive faxed orders. Eventually Rebecca had her own studio where she would create seasonal collections, and the showroom would maintain the customer relationships and take a cut of sales. This meant however, that Rebecca was not making any money so left the showroom and relocated to Vermont. In 2008, with the recession in the United States, many stores that Rebecca had worked with were struggling or closed down. Rebecca invested time in learning how to take good pictures of her work so she could reinvent her business and post on Instagram or sell directly from her website. However, this approach was not cost effective or profitable.  ‘… I knew if I stopped, it would be really hard to start (the business) again. So, what can I do? I’m just going to say yes to everything, this is going to be my year of yes.’ {Rebecca} This meant the business model was much less defined, but it gave Rebecca an idea of what would work for the business: one third from the website, one third from wholesale, and one third from craft shows. The current economic climate was discussed as this is a noticeable issue since the boom of the Covid years. Jess queried how Rebecca’s minimalist style developed.  ‘I like things to have a little bit of wonkiness to them which allows every piece to be a little bit different…this makes it feel a little bit more personal… I try and find a balance between minimalism and natural elements… little mountainscapes and things that are very Vermont-y.’ {Rebecca} Other selling platforms were discussed, including Etsy which Rebecca used early on but found this a negative experience. The website is her preferred method as this gave her more control over the brand and the look, and you can tell your story the way you want to. Jess agreed that there are negatives involved with Etsy that many makers are not aware of. Rebecca spoke about her marketing strategy. There is a large focus on Instagram as this has resulted in many new customers, however Rebecca mainly utilises this platform, and her attendance at craft shows, to drive traffic to her website. Rebecca also spends time around customer service, good communication, prompt supply of orders, nice packaging, etc. as this often leads to repeat customers. An email list is also important to stay in touch with customers. Jess queried how Rebecca gets customers on her mailing list. Rebecca’s website has a pop-up window for new visits to the site which includes an incentive for ing the email list. She also takes details from customers for the email list when at craft shows. Jess suggested that another method for email lists would be to offer a discount for g up, and then using a simple QR code to give them access, rather than using paper forms. Rebecca discussed her work life balance, and how she learned to become protective of her family time. This is important as it helps her to stay creative and inspired with her work, and it is beneficial to her wellbeing. Jess noted that there is a lot of creative energy that goes into a handmade business, and not just creating the products. There is also producing marketing posts, photography of products, etc. The challenges of running a handmade business were discussed. The work is never finished as things are always changing, whether that is the sales platforms, marketing platforms, economic climate, people’s taste etc.  The importance of taking time out and resting was spoken about. For Rebecca, hiring a studio manager has given her more mental energy to plan, design, and focus on the creative side of the business. For Jess, this involves monthly planning days, and an annual planning retreat to help her keep her momentum going. Rebecca has two quotes: One on her wall is ‘Work hard to be nice to people.’ And her other quote is ‘Do the work’. This saying is important to Rebecca when she gets lost in tasks or is overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to start, just sit down, think about one thing at a time and do some work. Making the product can often be a calming process. ‘If it was your hobby and now it’s becoming your business, it changes your relationship with the craft… you’re not just making purely for your own enjoyment or purely for fun anymore, there’s another layer on top of that. For some people that enhances it and for some people that destroys it.’ {Jess} You can find Rebecca on her website, rebeccahaas.com, and on Instagram, @rebeccahaas.

What happens when your business evolves? This is a central theme of my interview with Chereen – formerly of Smeeny Beanie Knits, now Smeeny Made Wild. We discuss her beginnings – from making a few beanies to sell at a local store – to now having a full-time business with multiple sales channels, product categories, and marketing strategies. Chereen sells on Etsy, her own website, in shops and at markets – and her product line and offerings have diversified over time. She got her start selling online with the Set Up Shop course (starting Feb 5th, 2024!) – and she has this to say about her experience of the course: “I loved the way the course flowed, and Jess’s teaching style is so effective. Each lesson is thoughtfully curated and is a carefully placed stepping stone to the lessons that follow. I especially LOVED the branding and marketing aspects of the course, and have become obsessed with both since! By the end of the course, I was confidently able to open my shop and have since built and launched my own website with Jess’s teachings in mind. If any part of you is interested in taking this course, don’t hesitate…sign up now!“ If you’d like to set up or overhaul your online shop, check the course out right here. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now Show Notes ●Chereen has appeared on the show previously so this is a check in to see how the business has changed / grown over the past few years. ● The business started as a side hustle in 2017 until Chereen found the Create and Thrive podcast, which helped it go to a full-time endeavour in 2020. ● Formerly Chereen was a chef, working 80+ hours a week, plus the side hustle. She left to work with a farm for more freedom, which eventually led to chef work becoming the side hustle. ● Chereen found it hard to let go of the chef part of her personality, but now only works chef jobs from June to September. ‘Just because you want to go full time with your handmade business, that doesn’t mean that you have to give up other things… like a job that you actually enjoy.’ {Jess} ● If you are a creative person, you probably enjoy multiple creative outlets, and having these different income streams can also help prevent burn out and bring stability. ● The first product Chereen sold on Etsy was a knitting pattern, and she only sold physical items at a local shop on consignment. She sold 12 items for the first season, as well as selling to friends, but the store soon sold out and asked for more of her knitwear. ● The original brand was Smeeny Beanie Knits, using Chereen’s nickname of Smeeny Beanie, but this led to her hats being called Smeeny Beanies by locals. ● Chereen attributes so much of her success to her hometown and the surrounding community. The area is only small, but it has a large ski and tourist population during the snow season, and store sales have led to further online brand recognition. ● After establishing the Etsy shop as also selling physical products, Chereen slowly built up her website, and now sells only knitting patterns on Etsy and physical products on her website. This meant that she no longer had to fulfil orders on multiple streams. ● Chereen noted that during the pandemic it became important (particularly in the US) for online businesses (using Etsy and Instagram etc.) to outline what their social values were, and Chereen leaned into this with her strong values on environmental justice by donating back to not-for-profit organisations. Chereen now donates 1% of her revenue to vetted environmental not-for-profits. ‘My lifestyle has become very much my brand. It slowly evolved from just a business selling handmade knitwear to a lifestyle brand… I became somewhat of a small micro- influencer and brands reached out to do partnerships and things like that.’ {Chereen} ● This led to a change to the brand name, now being Smeeny Made Wild, so that the brand name matches who Chereen is. ● Jess noted that changing of the brand name away from ‘Knits’ also prevents being pigeonholed into only feeling like you can sell knitwear, and nothing else. ‘A lot of people think if I shut this down, or try something new, or pivot… that they have failed in some way… You’re never actually failing; you’re more driving yourself in a direction or towards a direction that is feeding you.’ {Chereen} ● It was discussed that some people are afraid to make the leap to full time with their handmade business, with many people believing that having a regular job is safe due to a wage, health benefits etc. However, Jess and Chereen discussed the benefits of having a handmade business such as fewer related costs like commuting, workwear etc. and having more freedom to take holidays, and spend time with family. ● New products / income streams for Chereen include merchandise. For example, Chereen has designed stickers and collaborated with other artists on these. Other items include trucker hats, tote bags, and items from other makers such as national park notebooks. ● 75% of Chereen’s income comes from knits, 25% from knitting patterns, and a sprinkling from the merchandise items. ● Chereen continues to make all the knitted items herself, though she now has an assistant who helps with tasks like winding yarn, working on a loom, etc. ● Chereen has started a YouTube channel VLOG to show behind the scenes of her business, though this may become an income stream in future. ● Marketing was discussed. Chereen is using Instagram to nurture her current audience and build a community in this space. She is also utilising email lists more regularly, as well as getting customers from her small YouTube channel, Pinterest, and her website. ● Jess has also found email lists to be useful and is making this a focus for this year, using it to post updates, giveaways, etc. ● Chereen noted that a good way to develop content for the email lists is by subscribing to certain influencers and modelling her emails on weekly newsletters, whilst also including the sale of a particular product from her range. ● Jess noted that many sellers who set up during Covid had a skewed view of what online sales should be, given that many more people were shopping online during lockdowns. This, and the difficult economic climate, has had a big impact during 2023. ● Competition has increased significantly. For example, Etsy went from 2M sellers in early 2020 to 9M sellers by the end of 2021. ● New sellers need to understand that it is tough, but if you invest the time, you can make a success of it. ● Chereen noted that, while makers are not large companies with money to spend on marketing, they are the maker of the product so you should sell this to your customers. Customers also appreciate the connection with you as the maker of the product, and as a human being. ● Jess spoke about the individual, well-crafted extra email that she (and Chereen) sends out to each of her customers to make that personal connection with them, whilst also giving them all the details about their order.  ‘If you just follow your creative ions and lean into what fulfils you, you will succeed. Just stick with it, remain consistent and really listen to yourself and your heart because that shows through, and people can tell that you really care about what you’re doing.’ {Chereen} ● The importance of having boundaries and balance in your life was discussed. You don’t have to share everything about yourself online just because you use Instagram, it’s ok to have privacy. ● You can find Chereen on her ‘Smeeny in the Wild’ YouTube channel VLOG, which is mostly studio videos about the business, but sometimes Chereen goes on adventures and shares them on this platform. ● Smeenymadewild.com is Chereen’s website and has lots of information, as well as her shop.

If you’re moving from employment to self-employment, there are some essential money management practices that you need to be aware of right from the get-go. Today I’m going to share a few crucial steps you need to take to ensure you’re setting yourself up for long-term financial success and security as a creative business owner. I’ve been 100% self-employed since 2010, and have followed these practices myself to ensure I meet all my financial obligations – and so I’m saving for retirement, as well! For a more in-depth look at how I actually manage my money day-to-day, please check out this video after watching the video below. And, if you need some guidance getting started with keeping your books, I have a whole workshop on this inside the Thriver Circle. I will also be doing a more in-depth workshop on this topic inside the Circle very soon, so make sure to sign up now so you don’t miss that! You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

Welcome to 2024! If you’re ready to have your best year in business yet, you might like to me for the Handmade Business Boot Camp – starting January 8th! In the Boot Camp, you’ll find clarity, focus, and a make rock-solid plan that will move your business forward! Find out more or sign up now here. In this video & podcast, I’m getting you ready for a new year by reflecting on the past. Taking the time at the turn of a brand-new year to look back over the year just gone, we can find amazing clarity that will illuminate the path to start our journey into the new year with strength and confidence. You can grab your FREE of the 10 Questions here! You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

There are 2 types of handmade products you can sell.  Reproducible and one-of-a-kind (OOAK). Reproducible products are where you make a prototype, and then basically copy it over and over again (this is what I do in my jewellery shop, Epheriell.com). OOAK products are actually unique – you only ever make one that looks like it does, and it can’t be reproduced. I generally encourage my students to sell reproducible products if their focus is online selling – and I outline exactly why that is in today’s video. I’ll also cover all the challenges of selling OOAK items online, and discuss how you can make it more profitable. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

You may be wondering if you should start or continue your business on Etsy in 2024. Today I’m outlining pros and cons when it comes to selling handmade items on Etsy, and I’ll give you my thoughts on whether it’s worth it in 2024. your FREE Etsy Quick-Start Guide here. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

✨ Get 30 Reel Ideas for Makers! FREE .   Makers – do you struggle to come up with ideas for Instagram Reels? Reels are one of the best ways to grow and get seen on Instagram, but it can be exhausting to come up with new ideas for Reels. This week I’m going to share 7 ideas specifically for handmade business owners – all of which you can use without showing your face if you don’t want to be on camera! If you want more ideas, grab the FREE – 30 Reel Ideas for Makers – right here. Also! If you want help to kick-start (or re-start) your marketing with Reels, don’t miss the Reels Challenge inside the Thriver Circle – starts November 20th! The Challenge is a fun way to learn about and practice making Instagram Reels alongside other handmade business owners. Find out more here.  You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

Starting and running a handmade business can be challenging – there is so much to learn and so many balls you have to keep in the air in order to grow your business. Today I’m sharing some common mistakes I’ve seen people make with their handmade businesses in the hope that you can avoid them! You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

If you’ve opened an Etsy shop but are still waiting on your first sale, this is for you! Today, I’ll be sharing 5 steps you need to take in order to get your first sale on the Etsy platform. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

Product photos are KEY to success on Etsy!   Today I want to share my top tips to help you take the best photos you can, so you can stand out from the crowd and get customers clicking on YOUR products! Avoid the common mistakes that most beginner handmade business owners make with their photography… You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

Ever wondered about selling printables or other digital products on Etsy? Today I talk to printables expert Cody Berman, and he gives you the crucial details that will teach you how to use Canva to create printables that will SELL on Etsy! Cody is a digital nomad who quit his corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship full-time. He started selling digital products in 2018 and became hooked after earning $700+ in one week. 💡 Grab your FREE ebook, “The Seasonal Products Secret”. You can also learn more by watching Cody & Julie’s FREE workshop on this topic right here!  You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

Oh boy, when I started on Etsy, I had NO idea what I was doing. So I made aaaaaalllll the mistakes. Terrible photos. Short, useless titles. Underpricing. And so much more. Today, I want to share the main mistakes I made when I started to help you avoid doing the same things with your shop! And, if you’re ready to sell your handmade goods online, but you need help getting started, I hope you me on April 24th for Set Up Shop. It’s my 30-day intensive course that will teach you a fool-proof system to set up an online shop for your handmade goods, and get it right – first time. Over 1,400 makers have used the Set Up Shop system to open their online handmade shops – on Etsy and other platforms! You can find out more and for the course right here. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

You may have heard people say things like…   “Etsy is oversaturated, I’ll never get seen.” “Etsy is full of resellers now, I can’t compete.” “Etsy doesn’t care about its sellers.” “Etsy is horrible for reasons a, b, c, d…” And so on. Basically – there’s a lot of chatter about whether Etsy is still worth trying in 2023. If you’ve thought about starting a handmade business, you’ve probably asked yourself ‘should I sell on Etsy’ (or, perhaps – should I KEEP selling on Etsy)? Today, I’m going to answer that question – or, more accurately, I’m going to help YOU answer this question for yourself. If you’re ready to sell your handmade goods online, but you need help getting started, I hope you me on April 24th for Set Up Shop. It’s my 30-day intensive course that will teach you a fool-proof system to set up an online shop for your handmade goods, and get it right – first time. Over 1,400 makers have used the Set Up Shop system to open their online handmade shops – on Etsy and other platforms! You can find out more and for the course right here. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

If you’re not 100% clear about the future of your business, don’t miss today’s episode! My guest is Katie Hunt, and she’s going to share how you can take the temperature of your business by focussing on 4 key areas: Time Money Heart Impact Katie is the founder of Proof to Product, a podcast host, business strategist and community builder for product-based business owners. Since 2011, Katie has helped thousands of brands get their products on the shelves of retail stores big & small. Her alumni’s products are sold in Target, Nordstrom, Container Store, Starbucks as well as independent boutiques around the world. Katie brings experience, education and a love of learning into her programs. She earned a dual MBA in marketing & finance from Loyola Marymount University and she has over 20 years experience teaching innovative business development and marketing strategies. Her strengths lie in connecting people and bringing ideas to life – brainstorming, making a plan and executing. Katie’s Facebook & Instagram. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now Highlights and quotes from this episode:  Katie worked a corporate job for over 20 years until she decided to create her own handmade stationery for her wedding. Soon after, friends and family began requesting stationery and the business, Kelp Designs, grew from there. Katie not only wanted to sell custom made products, but also pre-made items that could be sold wholesale. 6 months after starting the business, Katie exhibited her products at one of the largest paper goods and stationery trade shows, and it became obvious that many of her colleagues at the trade show were amazing artists, but they struggled with the business side of things such as marketing, billing etc. This led to the creation of Proof to Product to help artists get their products onto store shelves. Jess agreed that it is an endemic problem within the handmade industry that artists and creators struggle with pricing or marketing products, and business aspects. “I have this practice that I teach our clients about taking our business temperature, and it means that we are intentionally taking time and looking at the bigger picture and making strategic decisions about where we want the business to go next.” {Katie} Jess stressed to listeners the importance of taking the time to plan; it makes things so much easier and it allows you to feel in control of things. Katie agreed that it makes decision making easier. If an opportunity presents itself, you can ask yourself if this aligns with the direction you are wanting your business to go, and with the goals you want to achieve. There are four key metrics that Katie runs every decision through: Time involved in the project / opportunity Money i.e. what is the potential profit Heart, energy level of this opportunity. Do you look forward to doing this? What kind of impact is this going to have on you, your business, your clients etc. Jess spoke about making a long term vision for the business, as this can help you relax more, slow down, and see that rest and creativity are just as important as the other ‘businessy’ things that you have to do. For example, Jess takes an annual planning sabbatical when she plans what the year will look like with regards to product launches, events etc. but also creating blocks of time for creativity and design. Katie also takes an annual planning retreat similar to Jess. As well as business items, Katie suggested that makers should first plot out their personal schedule on this planning calendar as this is the priority. Then add on the major events such as trade shows, making time for product releases, including time for product photos, updating the website, etc. Finally, be sure to leave plenty of space to allow for new opportunities that might arise throughout the year. Both Katie and Jess also block out their Fridays to allow for catch up work, meetups. Following Covid, Katie now tries to do short term planning as this gives more flexibility and can allow for a shift in focus if necessary. Makers should that the plan / calendar is not set in stone, it is there for you so that you can come from a place of knowledge, if and when new opportunities arise, and make decisions about what is best for the business. Katie also layers plans for her clients and categorises different aspects of the business. For example, pre-production, production, sales. This helps with not overloading on one side of the business. Things to avoid: Avoid assuming things won’t change, as they always will. Makers therefore need to leave space for change, and be flexible.  Don’t underestimate the time taken to do certain things, and be sure to prioritise.  Not planning is the biggest mistake, and can be as simple as a piece of paper and a calendar. You don’t need fancy software. Katie spoke again about taking the temperature of a business as this is about more than just planning. It includes an assessment of what is working well, not working well, and how we make a shift from this. How do we work smarter and not harder?  ‘It’s not just putting things on a calendar, it’s about putting the right things on a calendar.’ {Katie} Katie reiterated that this is your business so you get to choose the direction, what you say yes or no to, and really lean into that power. You don’t have to do something just because that’s what other people do, you set the rules for your business. Katie can be found at prooftoproduct.com, and her podcast is Proof to Product, available everywhere you listen to podcasts.  There is a great free course available at prooftoproduct.com/resources for those people considering if wholesale is suitable for them. 

Today is an in-depth interview with my friend Jessica Rose of Jeweller’s Academy. She’s just released a wonderful book – ‘Start & Grow a Profitable Jewellery Business‘ – and today, she’s sharing her top 5 tips for INCREASING your profit margin in your jewellery biz! Even if you have a handmade business in another niche, most of what we share today will be invaluable to you, so don’t miss this one. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

I have been selling on Etsy on 2008 (here’s my shop) – but if I was starting a new shop TODAY, this is the exact system I would follow. I have an 8-step system for you to follow to start an Etsy shop from scratch and ensure you set yourself up to GROW your shop this year! You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now

I started my handmade business in 2008, and have been fully self-employed since 2010. Today I’m sharing 10 truths about what it takes to run a handmade business. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… the show You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below. Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc. In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business. You can also: Leave a review on the C&T FB page. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. the Thriver Circle – without the of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. Listen Now