Have you ever wished you could somehow redo your life without all the challenges that you had to overcome? The reality is, even if we wish for it, nobody signed an agreement with us that all our days will be smooth and happy. Not one person on earth gets that luxury ( although some lives are easier than others, no doubt ). Today, we're talking about why we shouldn't wish away the challenges of our life. Why? Because that’s how we got to where we are today. Instead, let's learn ways to manage and...
Dec 31, 2022•54 min•Ep. 403
Starting a business is often compared to having another child. You’re responsible for its vitality and the one who sets the vision, plans the strategy and has the final vote on all the decisions. The life of your business is in your hands. Have you ever thought about it this way? And along with that, are you treating your business as a responsible guardian? Just as you do everything (in your control) to ensure your son or daughter doesn’t go off track, you should be doing the same for your compa...
Dec 28, 2022•10 min
It's Christmas Eve! And I always love to give you something extra special for the holidays. In years past, we've had some Christmas stories from author Heidi Swain, an explanation for holiday traditions that might surprise you, a popular Christmas poem ( revised by yours truly ) to reflect small handmade businesses, and some other fun spins for the holidays, as well. Check out my list of favorites below if you'd like to go back and take a listen. This year, I decided to do something that's still...
Dec 24, 2022•53 min•Ep. 402
I have a story for you about a friend I met years ago through the Chamber of Commerce. You’ll be as surprised as I was when I tell you. After this event I'm going to share with you, Alan could have kept looking back and wondering what his life would have been like if he’d made a different choice. Did he? Nope! Alan demonstrates 3 solid life lessons based on his experience and where he is today. Good things for us all to reflect on and learning to take into our futures. Resources Mentioned in thi...
Dec 21, 2022•9 min
I'm sure you've seen an influencer on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube share a product, and then their fans all rush out and buy it. Imagine how that would feel if it were YOUR product being shared! That's what today's episode is all about - how you can multiply the power of word of mouth by working with an established influencer. Yash is the founder of SARAL - a tool for eCommerce brands that makes finding, managing, and monetizing influencers simple. He's an engineer by training, but a marketer at...
Dec 17, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 401
Whether you are a first time listener or have been with me from the very beginning, the amount of content here can be overwhelming. How do you find an episode you heard a while back and now want to revisit? Or what if you’re after a specific topic that didn’t apply when it first aired but now makes sense to integrate into your business plan? I've got solutions to both of these situations for you. Which lead me to thinking, about how you can get the most out of listening to my podcast overall. Tu...
Dec 14, 2022•7 min
Would you love to get your products into local or regional shops and boutiques? Or do you dream of bigger wholesale opportunities? Either way, exhibiting at a trade show brings you face-to-face with buyers who are looking for new brands to feature in their stores. But what's involved? How do trade shows actually work? Jim is here to answer these questions. Jim Cermak is a trade show trainer and consultant who helps businesses make more money at their shows and events. He’s also the host of the T...
Dec 10, 2022•55 min•Ep. 400
Negotiating is a valuable skill to have. It’s made strongest when you think about and plan for it ahead of time. By having strategies and pre thought through actions in your back pocket, you won’t give away the house or feel taken advantage of. Instead, you can lead the conversation, offer options that fit the situation and stay in control - cool, confident and collected. You’ll find yourself negotiating mostly around 3 things. Price, Freebies or Add-ons and Returns. Let’s talk about options to ...
Dec 07, 2022•13 min
Have you ever considered how wholesale can fit into your current business plan? Today's show is going to help you decide if selling wholesale is the right choice for your handmade business. You may think it isn't right for you, but once you listen to this show - you might discover it's not as out of your reach as you thought! Katie Hunt is the founder of Proof to Product, a podcast host, business strategist, and community builder for product-based business owners. She brings experience, educatio...
Dec 03, 2022•50 min•Ep. 399
Expect this to happen after you start. And you’re not alone, it happens to everyone. What am I talking about? Heidi who started making wedding accessories and now sells holiday ornaments and diy kits boutiques. Sheila who started a gift basket business out of her house and now owns a building that includes a home goods retail shop in addition to her gifting business. Amy who began selling marshmallows directly to consumers only to find wholesale was really where it’s at for her. The truth is, yo...
Nov 30, 2022•8 min
Have you ever wondered how the dolls you see on store shelves come to be? Today you're going to hear the details behind the story of Little Rebels dolls, how MJ (short for Marjorie) came up with the idea, and everything it took to get to where she is today. Particularly impressive is the detail that MJ put into the look of the dolls and how she committed BIG time to a large retailer, literally inventing a program on the fly while keeping her fingers crossed that it could actually be done. Marjor...
Nov 26, 2022•54 min•Ep. 398
Why am I sharing my favorite daily life things with you? Because I want you to think about yours! I found that once I wrote down this list, I gained even more pleasure in all the activities. I’d say to myself, this is one of the things on my list. How fortunate am I right this minute to be doing what I love? It’s really true that the small things bring the most happiness. The things that make up our day to day minutes as we pass through time. By recognizing what these are for you, you’ll find wa...
Nov 23, 2022•11 min
In this episode, hear an extraordinary story of business development and discover what may be the most creative art technique you've ever heard of! Stephanie's discovery of a unique talent after a long season of caregiving helped bring her out of deep depression and has given her a new career and purpose. She is a self-taught artist and the owner of Canary Artwork, having invented what she’s coined the "Ruach Technique," which uses her breath and acrylic paint to create bold abstracts Along with...
Nov 19, 2022•53 min•Ep. 397
What would it be like if you could own a spot in someone’s mind where, whenever they thought of you, it brought up warm positive feelings. Wouldn’t it be something if you could have this effect on the people you interact with each day in your business? Imagine what it could do for your sales! Resources Mentioned in this Episode Inspired! Daily Planner CONNECT with me here: Website | Facebook | Instagram SUBSCRIBE to the podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify PAY IT FORWARD by leavin...
Nov 16, 2022•9 min
Whether talking or typing, do you use the same words over and over again? I definitely catch myself doing this. They're not bad words but they've become boring with overuse even though they're authentic and heartfelt. The truth is - we can all do better to bring more spice to our messaging. And that's what my guest is here to help us with today! Lucy is a personality-driven copywriter and owner of My Write Hand Woman who specializes in crafting copy for businesses that want to make a mark online...
Nov 12, 2022•53 min•Ep. 396
How many customers you really need to reach your sales goals? Knowing this can help guide your sales activities and reduce the overwhelm that comes with ambiguity - not knowing where you’ll find people to buy your products and leaving things up to chance. This number is also the basis for gaining confidence because you understand and can put in place various ways to get the number of customers you need. As an added bonus, it also may prompt you to relook at your pricing, production, staffing and...
Nov 09, 2022•10 min
Do you wonder whether to use Etsy or Shopify for your handmade business? Guess what? You don't have to choose - you can do both! My guest today shares how she has set up both platforms for her business and is also looking into selling wholesale . Heidi is the owner and designer of all the products offered at Bark Beetle Niceties. She started out with bridal & flower girl accessories and later began making holiday ornaments. These ornaments quickly became her best sellers and it’s now the foc...
Nov 05, 2022•48 min•Ep. 395
Ever wonder why experts recommend so many different ways to get the word out about your business? Can’t you just sell at craft shows and call it a day? Yes, of course you can. As the owner of your business you can do anything you want. But this isn’t how the most successful brands behave. They utilize different methods of reaching out to customers and integrate them together to form an even more powerful approach to communicating and attracting customers. Here’s why. Resources Mentioned in this ...
Nov 02, 2022•6 min
Did you know it costs 5x more to convert a new customer than to get additional orders from a past buyer? And if you can get just 5% of your first-time customers to buy again, it can increase your profits anywhere from 25-95%. These stats say it all - it definitely pays to learn how to turn first-time customers into repeat buyers ! On the show today, you’ll hear about a strategy you most likely haven't heard of before. And best of all - it doesn't cost any money, just your time! Monica is a digit...
Oct 29, 2022•52 min•Ep. 394
There’s more to this email thing than just sending them out regularly. If you haven’t gotten started with email yet, wait no longer. You’re leaving money on the table. Struggling with what to say in your emails? I’ve got you covered there in my Tips & Talk episode #83. Today let’s take email marketing up a notch. I’m going beyond the basics to help you put even more power into your email efforts. Here are 6 ways to up-level your email game. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Inspired! Daily...
Oct 26, 2022•12 min
Do you ever think about what you'll do after you retire? Because (especially if you work a nine-to-five for someone else), that day will eventually come. Today, I talk with Gail Berardo of EveMichael Designs . Gail has been in business for a while at this point, working it around her full-time job. But now that she’s retired, she has more time to build upon what she’s already very successfully started. Her idea of developing a brand on the side with the intent of retiring into something she love...
Oct 22, 2022•49 min•Ep. 393
This one tip will save you an enormous amount of time and your sanity. It will give purpose to your efforts or help you catch yourself if your intended actions aren’t even necessary. This should happen very time you’re about to embark on a new project regardless of its size. It could be huge, like starting your business or small like adding a new social media platform or deciding on a craft show to attend. Listen in to hear what the question is and why it’s so important that it can change everyt...
Oct 19, 2022•8 min
Hashtags. A topic that has been surrounded by a lot of confusion. And if you think you’ve got it all down pat, let me put out there that what you knew to be true even two years ago has all changed today. Ah! The joys of social media . Not to worry. Answers to your hashtag questions and more coming your way right now! What's In This Bash? 1. Free Training: The Latest Scoop On Hashtags In this BASH, we cover: What are hashtags? Why use them? Where to use them? What’s the right number of hashtags t...
Oct 15, 2022•34 min•Ep. 392
My goal in sharing my business startup experience is to get you thinking about what you do or want to do in a whole new way. I share 5 significant things for you to ponder: 1. You don’t need to wait for anyone’s permission to start your business 2. Before you start, think of what you want in a business and consider multiple options before making a final decision. The first thought may not be it! 3. The easiest way to get your first sales are at in-person events. 4. Think about your past experien...
Oct 12, 2022•11 min
One of the things I love about when the season begins to change is you always know what to expect and how to prepare for what's coming next. But what if you could be more predictable with your business, too? Especially when it comes to sales. Imagine your projections being targeted plans instead of hopeful guesses. Sounds good, right? Well, getting you to this point is exactly what we’re talking about today. Specifically, how to set up subscription programs to build in repeat busines s. So that ...
Oct 08, 2022•51 min•Ep. 391
Email serves a different role in your business than your website, blog posts or even social. Its goal is to keep you top of mind with customers to deepen the connection leading to repeat purchases. It’s also a tool to stay in touch with those who find you online or meet you in person. You want to keep communicating with them for a future first purchase. In this episode, I give you 5 overall categories of email topics with examples to get your mind rolling - plus an action plan to put it all in p...
Oct 05, 2022•12 min
Today's topic is one that haunts many a product maker trying to find traction online. That is, after spending so much time and effort getting a website up and functioning, there's no activity and therefore no sales coming from the site. So, if this is a struggle for you, you're in luck! Because we go into detail on how to change the situation and swing your website results in your favor. How To Sell Products Through Your Website (What's a Boost, you ask? See details below ) Today, I talk with We...
Oct 01, 2022•41 min•Ep. 390
What should you write about in your blog when you’re a maker and sell your handmade products? Your blog should compliment your business goals in some way. Attract new customers, inform, educate, answer FAQ’s or share other information your reader will find valuable. Plus, the most important part … it should be SEO friendly. All this ultimately leads a potential customer to trust you and see you as an expert that they’d want to buy from. For current customers, it reinforces their smart decision o...
Sep 28, 2022•11 min
By nature of being a product-based business owner, you WILL be approached to donate to an event or cause at some point. It’s inevitable. And while I know in your heart that you’d like to give to everyone ... as a business owner, you need to balance these requests with sound business choices. In today's show, we dive into this topic so you know whether you should or shouldn't donate when asked. What's In This Bash? 1. Free Training: How To Handle Requests for Product Donations In this BASH, we co...
Sep 24, 2022•40 min•Ep. 389
Let’s talk about why now is the most opportune time to get moving on your business. If you’re just starting – it’s the moment to flip that switch on. And if you’ve stalled out or pressed pause for whatever reason - it’s time to reignite that forward momentum. Here are four reasons why you shouldn’t delay. Some of these situations are fleeting and if you don’t take advantage of them they’ll pass you by. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Start with Confidence Course Sign up for a Gift Biz BOOST ...
Sep 21, 2022•10 min
