Celebration Time! Craft shows are finally coming back and we're all ready to be together and have face-to-face (screenless) conversations again. Whether you've just started your business and are looking for your first sales, or you've just never considered a local consumer show as a way to sell your products, here's how to figure out which show(s) is right for you. Craft shows, farmer's markets, church bazaars, county fairs and flea markets - there are a lot of options! And guess what? There's s...
Apr 15, 2021•20 min
Do you see other people selling their handmade products and wonder how to start a craft business from home yourself? That's what we're diving into today. Sophy is the face behind Miss Paper Craft, a Paper Quilling store, making intricate jewelry, ornaments, and keepsake dolls. She paper quilled as a hobby when she was in India, making gifts for friends and family. After moving to the US, she noticed that Paper Quilling wasn’t widely known here and jumped at the opportunity. Her goal is to share ...
Apr 12, 2021•57 min•Ep. 313
When you start your business, you have dreams of sharing your products with the world ... and also making money. That's where the script flips, doing this to create income versus being a hobby. But how do you know what's possible? I've seen too many makers discouraged by their results because they've pulled a number out of the sky with no concrete plan to achieve it. So what's really possible in the beginning when you are the only one working in your business? Pull out a pen and paper because I ...
Apr 08, 2021•13 min
Petia is a transformation coach who helps women who have been pushed down and have been playing small create a life that is true to them and their soul purpose. Her mission is to help women who are on the path to healing from toxic relationships or unhealed childhood trauma move through their limiting beliefs and internal blocks so they can finally take action on what they want to do and what feels good to them. Petia pairs feminine flow with strategic planning to give entrepreneurs immense clar...
Apr 05, 2021•52 min•Ep. 312
Over time your logo can get stale, look outdated and be in need of a makeover. This does not need to be an overly drawn out process. Just follow these steps and you'll be refreshed in no time! CONNECT with me here: Website | Facebook | Instagram SUBSCRIBE to the podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify PAY IT FORWARD by leaving a rating and review . I'd love to hear your comments. Tell me how the show has helped you or a specific guest or point that had an impact. You can do that righ...
Apr 01, 2021•16 min
You may think that "brand values" are something only big corporations have to worry about. But the reality is staying true to your brand is something every business - no matter how small - should focus on. Today's guest shares how staying true to her brand helped her build a successful and thriving handmade business . Ximena is the hands and heart behind the handwoven creations of Entrelanas Designs. Her love for yarn and textiles began in her early teens when she first started knitting. This le...
Mar 29, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 311
Something happened last week that reminded me of this very important and free way to attract and strengthen relationships. It's free, it comes in all different shapes and sizes ... and it's a true gem. Shoutout to my awesome VA, Michele who is the inspiration behind this episode. Resources I mentioned here are Bomb Bomb and Bonjoro . CONNECT with me here: Website | Facebook | Instagram SUBSCRIBE to the podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify PAY IT FORWARD by leaving a rating and rev...
Mar 25, 2021•14 min
With all the changes in news media over the years, you might wonder ... are press releases still relevant? In this episode, we talk all about press releases and how you can use them for your handmade business. Mickie is an expert at helping small businesses, authors, and startups increase their visibility and credibility. He founded eReleases 22 years ago after realizing that small businesses desperately needed a press release service they can afford. One that gives them access to the media and ...
Mar 22, 2021•59 min•Ep. 310
As a solopreneur this is most likely a question that comes up from time to time. Should I be referring to my business as "We" or "I". Of course, saying "we" (aside from sounding french) makes you appear to be a more established business. More professional, more successful and perhaps shifts the scale in your favor. But does it? You lose out on a big opportunity if you reprepresent yourself as "we" if it's only you. I explain what it is in this episode and also my thoughts on the topic from sever...
Mar 18, 2021•11 min
Don't let the challenges of owning a small business crush your dreams of success. Because today, we're diving into exactly how to have a successful handmade business - step by step. Cassie is the owner of Cassie's Country Cupboard, a small food manufacturing company based in rural West-Central Ohio. Learning to love cooking from a young age, Cassie has held a variety of positions in the food world including short-order cook, quality assurance inspector at a rice cake factory, and summer camp coo...
Mar 15, 2021•56 min•Ep. 309
It goes against all your instincts but offering too wide a variety of products will block your ability to sell your products. As a maker, you love being creative and have the skills to make so many beautiful or delicious things. This is where the problem begins. Listen in to hear why this is a problem and what to do about it. CONNECT with me here: Website | Facebook | Instagram SUBSCRIBE to the podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify PAY IT FORWARD by leaving a rating and review . I'...
Mar 11, 2021•9 min
Do you find the idea of running Facebook ads scary? If so, you're in luck. Because we're getting into how to use Facebook ads effectively for your handmade product business - even if you've never done it before. Shelby is the founder and CEO of Fempire Media, a Facebook and Instagram Ads Agency. She is obsessed with ads and helps women scale their businesses using paid promotion. In addition to running ad campaigns for her clients, Shelby takes interest in empowering female entrepreneurs to set ...
Mar 08, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 308
An integral part of making sales is where you direct your customers to go when they are ready to buy (hint: the ultimate best choice will always be *your* website). So, we're diving into how to build an eCommerce website that gets visitors to buy! Matt Edmundson is a real-world eCommerce entrepreneur and Coach, a digital business guy who has had more failures than successes. It’s just that his successes far outweigh his failures. He’s the creator of the Jam Jar Course and the eCommerce Mastercla...
Mar 01, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 307
Do you struggle with how to talk about your small business? If so, you're not alone. This is something many people struggle with. So today, let's discuss how to tell your brand story with confidence. Dr. Michelle works with brilliant business owners who are shaking things up but having trouble talking about it. She combines the tools of successful social movements with the qualitative research skills she earned in her Communications Ph.D., to help them craft their powerful, captivating message. ...
Feb 22, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 306
The truth is - how we feel about how we look matters. It affects how we show up and our confidence. Today's guest is sharing her best makeup and self-confidence tips to help us show up as our best confident selves. Beverly is a professional makeup artist, beauty expert, and educator specializing in beauty and bridal makeup. To her, makeup is not only art but also a way to express oneself creatively, be it showing off your personality or otherwise. She operates her business from a place of love a...
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 305
The challenges of 2020 have brought some overlooked ideas to the forefront. One of those? Online craft shows. Today, we're diving into exactly what you need to know to be successful with virtual shows - because guess what? They're here to stay. Robert has emerged as one of the most sought after virtual event producers working today. With over 30 years of video production expertise, he helps companies pivot to take their event experiences online. For more than three decades, Robert was an award-w...
Feb 08, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 304
How do you choose which sales platform is best for you? What's the difference between Amazon Handmade vs Etsy? Today, we dive into what makes Amazon Handmade different from the other options for selling. Rachel Johnson Greer is a global business strategist who specializes in helping entrepreneurs increase their internet product sales, curate their brand image online, and avoid catastrophic legal threats. After getting her MBA in international business at Seattle University, she spent nearly a de...
Feb 01, 2021•59 min•Ep. 303
Have you heard of Clubhouse? It's a social networking app that allows you to connect with people you'd never have access to otherwise. Today's guest is here to give us all the answers about what is Clubhouse and what to expect when you join. Jen Lehner is a business coach and digital marketing and systems strategist. She shows entrepreneurs how to build an audience, monetize their expertise online using social media and digital tools, and how to hire and train their perfect match virtual assista...
Jan 25, 2021•59 min•Ep. 302
I am so excited to make a very special announcement today. This week is dedicated to honoring all handmade product creators. AND, it leads up to the first-ever, formally registered National Bakers Crafters Makers Day ! That's right, from now and into the future, every January 21 is officially a recognition day for bakers, crafters, and makers. The Origin of National Bakers Crafters Makers Day This idea came to me back in November. I thought about how you'd scrambled this past year (if you have a...
Jan 18, 2021•11 min•Ep. 301
If you've struggled to build your online audience, today's show is for you. My guest today shares his best tips for how to get Facebook followers for your small business and build an engaged audience of true fans. He is the owner of Artist Marketing Formula, a company that supports artists and other small specialty business owners. David spent years going to art fairs selling his copper and stained glass sculptures. That is, up until a few years ago when he researched how to successfully and con...
Jan 11, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 300
Whether you are just starting your business or looking to grow, today's show is perfect for you! Lauren Schwartz shares a ton of pro tips and tricks on how to get attention online using creative advertising - and more! Lauren describes her business as “a small design studio with a knack for simplicity.” With over 15 years of experience, she serves as a creative director and strategist for e-commerce brands. Her profitable ad campaigns have been used by top brands on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat...
Jan 04, 2021•52 min•Ep. 299
With so many of us working from home this year and as business owners, it's past time to talk about ergonomics! Today's guest shares professional tips for setting up a home office in a way that will help you stay healthy, strong, and productive. Dr. Joella is a Sports Chiropractor and an Injury Prevention Specialist. She has over 27 years of experience treating people with acute and chronic pain due to soft tissue injuries. She has trained and evaluated hundreds, if not thousands, of people in d...
Dec 28, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 298
Get into the holiday spirit with today's light-hearted episode. Enjoy a reading from a special holiday story by Heidi Swain (revolving around a small-town craft market), who also shares her journey to becoming a best-selling author. Although passionate about writing from an early age, Heidi acquired a degree in literature, flirted briefly with a newspaper career, married, and had two children before she plucked up the courage to join a creative writing class and take her literary ambitions serio...
Dec 21, 2020•45 min•Ep. 297
Modern life offers plenty of distractions, but if we want to move forward, we need to focus. If you struggle with focus, overwhelm, and stress, tune in to today's episode for tips to focus on the things that matter - in your business and in life. As a Life Coach, Shaun educates to increase awareness as well as coaches clients to help uncover obstacles that may be causing overwhelm and stress . Certified through The Life Coach School, and the International ADHD Coach Training Center, she helps cl...
Dec 14, 2020•51 min•Ep. 296
Looking for tips on how to start a craft business or grow your existing one? Today's guest shares tips learned along her journey from stay at home mom with two kids to a successful small business owner in just two years. In early 2018, Ari Candles began from a desire to create not just a candle but something that will purify and benefit the atmosphere and air quality of your home. The idea was ignited after burning a candle received as a gift and seeing black residue in her kids' noses after bur...
Dec 07, 2020•47 min•Ep. 295
Understanding exactly how to sell on Pinterest can be tough- especially with all the changes that keep happening. In today's show, get Catherine's best Pinterest tips and tricks for using Pinterest to sell your handmade products. Catherine is the owner and designer of Classic Legacy Custom Gifts. Her business has always been in her home and through the years, Catherine has employed many women to create and help manage her growing enterprise. The Classic Legacy wholesale line has been shown in ma...
Nov 30, 2020•47 min•Ep. 294
Ready or not - the holiday season is here! That's why in today's show, Bobbi is sharing holiday social media ideas you can use NOW to help you bring in more sales this season. Bobbi is the President of Think Big Go Local, a digital marketing firm specializing in social media, web design, and messenger bot creation. She’s passionate about sharing her knowledge with businesses that need an edge over their competitors and a solid strategy for capturing the attention of their desired audience. Bobbi...
Nov 23, 2020•59 min•Ep. 293
All over the country small towns and big cities are making new adjustments to manage through what, hopefully, will be the final round of this 2020 lifestyle. The vaccine is on the way and I think we have every reason to be optimistic about a freer future. But addressing the here and now … what do you do for the holidays? You’ve already been making product in preparation for the shows. Or maybe you have an alternate plan in place yet still feel like you need to be doing more to drive sales this s...
Nov 21, 2020•10 min
There is so much conflicting information about email marketing - do this, do that - don't do either of those things! That's why I've got Gabriella here to share email marketing best practices so we can finally get it right - and much more. Gabriella has worked every angle of email marketing , seen the high price of “not knowing” and the struggle that comes with it. So, she works to free us from these struggles. Gabriella has worked at an email service provider, owned an email service provider, a...
Nov 16, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 292
Some days, running a business feels like, well ... work. But we all dream of building a business we love, even when it's hard. Tune in to hear what my guest did to fall back in love with her business after almost calling it quits. Joyce is the owner of Joyce’s Baskets, a full service Corporate and Personal gifting company that specializes in "Welcome to Florida" gifts for conferences, conventions, and corporate functions or events. The mission at Joyce's Baskets is perfectly captured in their sl...
Nov 09, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 291
