There are times for change. It happens in business and life overall and opens the path for new experiences and advancement. Today I want to share with you such a change. This is the last episode of the Gift Biz Unwrapped podcast. Over these last 8 years and 545 episodes, we’ve covered every topic currently out there that applies to starting and growing a handmade product business. We’ve heard from amazing expert guests who didn’t hold back with their knowledge and expertise. We’ve also heard the experiences of small business owners just like you in all phases of development. Startups and established businesses alike have valuable stories to share. Lessons to learn from or points that bring us back to the basics that often get lost over years in business. All this guidance is still accessible to you anytime … which is one of the beauties of podcasts. I’m proud of the library of content that’s been created here. Most of it is evergreen, meaning it stays relevant over time. That was my goal from the start - to build up this resource bank of knowledge for you. In this episode, I review everything available to you and how to access it all as you move forward. I want to thank you for being a listener. Maybe you’ve just recently found this show, or you’ve been listening for years – I want you to know how much I appreciate and feel honored that you chose to spend time with me. You may be a coaching client, have purchased products from me, are part of The Breeze, or are a casual listener I’ve never met. No matter our level of connection, I am thankful for you. And now, be safe and well, and I hope to interact with you again outside of the Gift Biz Unwrapped Podcast. Bye for now. Resources for Growth of  Your Handmade Biz

• 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE)
• Start with Confidence
• Networking Ninja
• Content for Makers
• Inspired! Daily Planner
• Makers MBA
• Directory Of Podcast Topics

Connect With Sue GBU Instagram | Sue's Instagram | Biscotti's Instagram Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us!...

I’ve heard it said that the answers you seek in life are only as good as the questions you ask. Because so much goes on in our heads, sometimes our thoughts are trying to answer the wrong questions. Or you get in a brain spin and ideas go round and round randomly without even attempting to answer a specific question. To make some sense of this random thought behavior, I decided to put together sets of questions to ask that will help reflect on your handmade product business journey. Some won’t apply to you at all, some you’ve got covered and some may poke at you and perhaps make you uneasy. The best way to work through this is to listen to the entire podcast first. Then go back and write down the questions that resonate with you the most or the ones that you know deserve some time to ponder. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Gift Biz Unwrapped Podcast Resource List Inspired! Daily Planner 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like...

By now, you've probably noticed the uptick in people talking about the importance of email marketing. That's because (dare I say it?) email is even more important than social media! In fact, email is your key to predictable and growing monthly sales. It’s one thing to understand the importance of email in theory but another to know how to use it to your advantage in your business. Thankfully, today’s guests are going to shed light on this with concrete direction on the “what” and “how." Plus - my huge pet peeve - Laura and Adam answer the question about whether you should sell in each and every email you send. I’ll tell you the answer right now … No … and Yes! Laura and Adam founded and have co-directed Pink Leopard, an eCommerce growth acceleration agency, for the last 8 years. They're driven and passionate about getting under the skin of eCommerce businesses, helping them grow to 7 & 8 figures. Laura also has her own eCommerce store. She understands every aspect of running a successful online store since she’s been in the trenches with her clients. Laura and Adam focus on sharing their knowledge on how to grow via paid ads and email marketing. As a thought leader in creating advertising strategies for eCommerce brands, Adam takes time to understand the individual requirements and direction of each business to be able to make custom recommendations for their clients. Together they are passionate about building a people-focused agency that attracts, retains, and cultivates the best talent to ensure client satisfaction. Email Marketing Strategies  To Increase Sales In this episode, you'll learn ...

• How to grow your email list.
• 4 communication flows you should have in place.
• Where to find ideas for email content.
• What to do after your email is sent.
• How to map out a 6 or 12-month email calendar.
• The key to client retention.
• How to get people to sign up for your list.
• What to do before every campaign.
• And yes - even more.

Listen to this full conversation to get email marketing strategies that increase sales so you can get started right away!  Resources Mentioned

• GBU Topic Directory
• Inspired! Daily Planner

Laura & Adam's Contact Links Website | Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin (Laura) |Linkedin (Adam) Join Our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community Become a Member of Gift Biz Breeze If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you automatically get the next episode downloaded for your convenience. Click on your preferred platform...

Understanding the 5 Gift Biz Growth Stages will be a huge source of insight into where you are in your business journey and why you might be struggling right now as you try and grow.

You'll easily identify which stage you're in as I describe each one. The magic here is that you'll also learn exactly what steps to take to move from one stage to another.

No more chasing shiny objects or trying to do "all the things" at one time! Easy does it, step by step, from one stage to another. You get to take a deep breath and enjoy the process versus feeling like you're always behind.

What's In This Bash Party?

• Free training on the 5 Gift Biz Growth Stages plus action steps you can take for each to help you grow
• Q&A with Bash attendees
• Showcases - attendees share their upcoming events, unique collaborations, and discount promo codes! << Tune in to grab these deals! 

Listen to this Bash episode now to learn the 5 Gift Biz Growth Stages and hear all the Showcases!

Resources Mentioned:

• Content for Makers
• Gift Biz Unwrapped Merchandise Shop

Interested in being part of the next Bash Party?

See upcoming Gift Biz Bash parties and grab your spot today! Don't delay - spaces are limited.

Join Our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community

Become a Member of Gift Biz Breeze

If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you automatically get the next episode downloaded for your convenience. Click on your preferred platform below to get started.

Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

Thank you so much! Sue

“No” feels terrible. It’s a rejection. And who likes to be rejected? Most likely your reaction to the word “no” is to shut down. You feel defeat with whatever possibilities the “no” shut out. And to protect yourself, you give up on the person who made you feel bad and you move on to other people or activities. What if I told you there’s a way to use this “no” to your advantage? There is! Here’s how to settle down your emotions so responses to selling your products doesn’t feel like such a rollercoaster. And then – what to do in these situations that could turn a permanent “no” to a future “yes” as a strategy to grow your sales. Be part of the newest Gift Biz Opportunity! The Gift Biz Bash offers you the chance to get added visibility for your business - for free. Who can't use that?! But seats are limited. To see the dates and times and to grab your spot, go through the link above. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This...

Amy had a solid Amazon business. It was growing and expanding, as is the dream for all our businesses. But guess what? She didn’t enjoy it anymore. Nothing was wrong, it just didn’t light her up like it once did. So – time for a change. That’s what this episode is all about - reigniting your handmade business passion. And what we can learn from the journey Amy took to discover what was next for her. Spoiler alert! It wasn’t a smooth jump from one thing to another. But it was definitely worth it. Her passion and energy is back! We get into:

• How Amy started and scaled two successful businesses in e-commerce over 10 years
• The transition out of both businesses in search of something new.
• Pivoting to something that brings you joy and allows you to bring out your talent
• How to know if this kind of change and transformation is right for you.

Listen in to hear what gets her out of bed in the morning now and Amy's new life as a furniture artist, thrift-a-holic & mom of two. Resources Mentioned

• Ep 191 - Why Amazon Over eBay
• Save your seat for the next FREE Gift Biz Bash!

Amy's Contact Links Website | Instagram Join Our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community Become a Member of Gift Biz Breeze If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you automatically get the next episode downloaded for your convenience. Click on your preferred platform below to get started. Also, if you'd like to do me a huge favor - please leave a review. It helps other creators like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify Thank you so much! Sue Know someone who needs to hear this episode? Click a button below to share it!

Would you categorize yourself as a procrastinator? When I think about people I know, I can see how they do lean one way or another. On the extremes, there’s the excessive planner. Someone who has everything buttoned up way before a due date. And then there’s the “get it done at the last minute” style. I fall fully on the plan-ahead side. I like to eliminate as many surprises and rush jobs as possible. But of course, we come in all shapes and sizes as they say. I’m not saying one is better than another. However, there are definite times when, not only is it okay, but you should ignore your natural tendencies and do things differently. We talk about how to know which way to go in today's show. Be part of the newest Gift Biz Opportunity! The Gift Biz Bash offers you the chance to get added visibility for your business - for free. Who can't use that?! But seats are limited. To see the dates and times and to grab your spot, go through the link above. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here:

What if you didn't have to dread tax season? Unfortunately, putting on a blindfold doesn't help. But the small business tax prep tips in this episode absolutely will. I get it. Right after that deadline passes, you want to forget about taxes until it comes around again next year. But the reality is - it’s going to show up again whether you like it or not. So why not be prepared and make the process as easy and smooth as you can? Small Business Tax Prep Tips For Handmade Products Our expert today walks us through the steps you can implement now so that your tax filing experience is less painful next time. We cover ...

• Who should be part of your financial team (+ why they're so important!)
• Specific actions to take every month
• Common mistakes to avoid
• The best tools to use for
• Tips to reduce taxes as you become more profitable
• How to take the dread out of tax prep

Whether you’re a newbie in business or a seasoned pro, I think you’ll pick up a tip or two to ensure tax filing sanity next time around. Tune in now for small business tax prep tips that will make tax time so much easier! Danielle Hayden is a reformed corporate CFO who is on a mission to help rule-breaking female entrepreneurs understand their numbers so they can gain the confidence needed to create sustainable profits. After spending more than 10 years in the boardroom, Danielle is now in her sweet spot as the CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. where she helps business owners with bookkeeping, financial analysis, education, and as the author of the Profit Planner book series. When Danielle isn’t crunching numbers on her clients’ behalf or crafting the next iteration of the Profit Planner, you can find her hanging with her two kids as she inspires them to lead their fullest lives and doing almost every fitness-related activity ranging from Spartan races to pilates. There are so many tips to help make small business tax prep for your handmade product business easier. Listen now to get them all.  Resources Mentioned

• Join the next Gift Biz Bash - Free!
• Ep 361 - How your business income should impact your personal life
• QuickBooks software
• Genius Scan app (for scanning receipts)

Danielle's Contact Links Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter |Linkedin Join Our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community Become a Member of Gift Biz Breeze If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you automatically get the next episode downloaded for your convenience. Click on your preferred platform below to get started. Also, if you'd like

Makers of all sorts are leaning into this up and coming sales strategy because it provides a solution to one of the biggest challenges you have as a handmade creator – limited production time. Even if you hire people to help you in certain facets of your business, there is a ceiling to how much you can make without taking the leap to factory production – which I know is a major turnoff to most of you. Enter in this perfect solution. One that allows you to scale your business while retaining and actually enhancing, your position as an expert in your field. I’m talking about offering workshops. Guided trainings where the result is the attendee learns the techniques and completes a project using their newfound skill. We’re going to go deeper into ways you can do this here. But first let’s address the obvious advantage. You teach a class one-to-many in a live face-to-face setting or even more online where your attendee count is unlimited. There is no cap on your earning potential as there is when selling your physical handmade products. Be part of the newest Gift Biz Opportunity! The Gift Biz Bash offers you the chance to get added visibility for your business - for free. Who can't use that?! But seats are limited. To see the dates and times and to grab your spot, go through the link above. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of...

Today we're covering 3 specific Pinterest strategies you can use right now to market your handmade products. We dive into Interest Targeting, Idea Pins, and Promoted Pins. And true to form, Cali has some amazing Ninja tips coming your away with regard to these features - and Pinterest overall. Cali is a Pinterest Marketing Strategist and owner of The Halcyon Hive - a marketing agency that helps female-led creative businesses leverage Pinterest as a powerful marketing platform. She'll help you grow your business by getting new subscribers, sales, and leads through an optimized Pinterest funnel. Consider this Part 2 – an extension of sorts from Episode #354 that aired in January of this year. In this prior podcast, Cali gave us a current look at the Pinterest platform and the role it can play for your business – very different from social media platforms. I encourage you to go back and listen to that. But as we were talking, it became clear there were other enhanced opportunities offered on Pinterest that needed more time to do them justice. So that’s what we’re going to get into here. A Pinterest 2.0 if you will. How Pinterest Is Different From Other Platforms

• What sets Pinterest apart from other social media platforms is that it's a search and discovery tool.
• The platform has evolved to be able to provide a full-funnel solution. There are more shopping opportunities on Pinterest.  More businesses are uploading their catalog so people can go from this search and discovery and inspiration phase all the way to the final checkout.
• Pinterest looks at the content that you're saving and interacting with and will adapt to that. And this is where the algorithm comes in.  You're constantly seeing what you're interested in. Pinterest is tagging our account, boards, and pins with interests.

Pinterest Strategies For Handmade Business Pinterest Interest Targeting:

• Use keywords that people would be searching,
• Start by creating boards using the interest words <-- listen for all the details on this
• If you right-click on a board or pin and open it in an incognito tab (a private browser), it will actually show you the interests that it's being tagged to. <-- PRO TRICK! 

Listen to this full conversation for tons more tips & tricks on using Pinterest! Pinterest Idea Pins:

• Ideal pins are the newest pin format and they are taking over Pinterest.
• Create Idea pins that inspire people to take action. Some of the things you can create
  • step-by-step guides
  • DIY projects
  • recipes
  • recorded videos
  
  
• Features unique to Idea pins:
  • Customize fonts, colors, music - similar to Instagram stories
  • If your products are on Pinterest, you can tag them
  • Tag other accounts
  • You can tag up to 10 Topics (aka Interests) - use all 10
  • A bit longer than regular pins (Canva has the templates)
  • Cannot be scheduled via Tailwind
  • No links - Ideal pins are not clickable (but when people engage with them, they will see more of your other content so definitely worth your time)
  
  
• Because they're new, Pinterest wants to feature Idea pins. That means they will get more engagement and impressions in a shorter period of time right now.

“Not easy” times can happen at any stage in your handmade product business journey – it’s not only reserved for newbies. And I’m here today to reset your thinking when you’re working through rough patches. These are times to be celebrated! They actually offer you great opportunity. I’m not going to give you the pep talk here about how you can overcome everything – even tho you can. I’m also not going to get all strategic giving you steps to get past these “not easy” times. That’s not the point of this episode. The point is for you to think differently about what these challenges offer you AND why they are a great thing. Be part of the newest Gift Biz Opportunity! The Gift Biz Bash offers you the chance to get added visibility for your business - for free. Who can't use that?! But seats are limited. To see the dates and times and to grab your spot, go through the link above. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast

What does pivoting in business really mean? It's all about responding to market changes and what you want your business to be. Marshmallow MBA has taken its share of twists and turns. That’s something to remember as you’re starting out. You won’t “land it” right out of the gate. It takes experimentation and adjustments based on what your market shows you to get it right. For Amy, it was narrowing in on the ideal customer, adjusting products to fit their needs, and rebranding so it all aligns. Amy’s career path to the confectionery industry is as non-traditional as the handcrafted marshmallows coming out of the MarshmallowMBA kitchens. After a 20+ career as a government consultant, Amy founded MarshmallowMBA in 2016 (more about that in episode 80). MarshmallowMBA is a woman-owned small business handcrafting gourmet marshmallows in more than a hundred flavors for retail and wholesale customers. Its products are available in 28 states across the US and Canada through more than 150 independent retailers and its e-commerce shop. Amy continually seeks to push the boundaries of candy beyond its identity as a snack food. In July 2021, the Bee Kind marshmallow collection (a lifestyle confection based on locally sourced honey and natural herbs) earned MarshmallowMBA the Best Innovation Award from Retail Confectioners International. Growth Insights From Pivoting In Business

• Pay attention to what the market needs and adjust your product line as needed.
• Focus on your strategy and the product.
• Show up in different places or portals to test where your product will sell more.
• Don't waste time or money on a trademark until you KNOW there’s a market for your product.
• Sometimes less is more - reducing the number of flavors helped us sell more.
• Your brand should reflect the quality of your product.
• Be open to change, especially with rebranding.
• Consider different packaging options (make sure it reflects your brand colors)
• Who do you WANT your customers to be? Do what will attract those people.
• Your logo should fit your future vision for your business.
• If you decide to join a wholesale portal (such as Faire), understand the specifications for photos and information so you get the best results.
• Adjust pricing if you list on an online wholesale portal so you don't take a loss. <-- IMPORTANT TIP - tune in to get all the details!
• Consider offering seasonal product lines and offer pre-ordering to accommodate customers.

So many insights about growing and pivoting a business in this episode. Listen in to hear them all! Resources Mentioned

• Join me for the first Gift Biz Bash! TONIGHT AT 7PM! (it's FREE!)
• Amazon Smile program

Amy's Contact Links

At what point in your business do you turn from a hobbyist to a pro? And why does this even matter? In today’s show I give an example of a maker’s journey, at what point they become a specialist (or pro) and most importantly, what actions to take to incorporate this into your business for added visibility and sales. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast  

Being likeable. Sometimes that’s all you need to make a sale. And if you describe yourself as an introvert, this is a reason to push past this self-limiting label. Because you have no chance of being likeable if someone doesn’t have the ability to get to know you. 95% of buying decisions are made based on emotion. Neuroscience confirms it. Given this, why do we focus so much on talking about all the specifics of our products if we haven’t even been asked? Why not just be friendly and welcoming when you meet someone in your booth for the first time? That takes a lot of pressure off, doesn’t it? Remember that going to craft shows is a form of entertainment for those attending. Let’s talk about how to use this to your advantage. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Gift Biz Unwrapped Episode Reference Center Inspired! Daily Planner 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here:

Have you ever wondered how to approach product creation? In this episode, you'll hear how my guest Rachael went from idea all the way to finished product and promotion. And there's so much to learn from her story. We all know how much strength and power women possess. It's all around us yet we often diminish that trait when it comes to ourselves. Rachael is on a mission to change that through the creation of a product that reinforces, for each of us, that we too have these traits and can do great things within our world. It's called 'Messages From Her' and you'll hear what it is and the full product creation story from initial idea through development and promotion to the upcoming event of being able to see it in real life. Rachael is a Colorado-based writer, designer, and entrepreneur who holds a BA in Communication Design and Ethical Business. She has used these skills to help solo entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies develop ethical business strategies, improve design and presentation, and increase clarity, market placement, & profits. She is currently launching her first book and card deck called, Messages From Her. A Product Creation Story You'll Be Inspired By

• There are so many doubts that you can have in the creative process. Just stay true to your creativity.
• Be inspired and empowered by learning about the lives of women who made a difference in the world.
• Role models are really powerful. Looking up to people who we admire and learning from them is so healthy
• Celebrate the women in your life for what they've done because they're also showing you what's really possible.
• Come up with ideas and bring them to life. Bring that creative project into the world.
• If you plan to work with a factory overseas for product development, consistency of communication is very important. Consider the following:
  • How are they communicating with you?
  • Do they respond within a reasonable amount of time?
  • Are they excited about the work?
  
  
• Work with people who have amazing customer service and are excited to make the product with you.
• Find a factory that feels like they're partnering with you in moving your project forward.
• Test projects are a great idea to help you evaluate if it’s a fit to hire people to work with you. <-- Pro tip!
• Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform. You've made something that you love and you show it to people who may contribute to your campaign. In exchange, they usually get your product for that contribution, and their money goes towards bringing the first production run of your product to life.
• Empower people in the process of bringing your project to life

There's so much more about Rachael's product creation story in this episode. Listen to the full conversation to hear it all! Resources Mentioned

• Save your seat for the first Gift Biz Bash  (April 7, 2022)
• Upwork.com - Rachael's recommended source to find good freelancers
• Kickstarter.com - crowdfunding platform

In this episode I give you 5 tips to get your listening skills up to par. Listening is a skill that seems so elementary but is often completely ignored. The next time you’re engaged in a conversation, observe your own behavior to check in on your listening skills. Sure, you may be hearing what someone says, but are you really listening? Unfortunately, what often happens is we’re so busy figuring out what we want to say next that we miss subtle cues that, if not taken into account in your response, affect the entire interaction. Not listening leaves the person talking feeling misunderstood and not valued. If this is a potential customer, you just lost the sale. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast  

What's the trick of how to go from idea to business? My guest today shares her business journey that illustrates what it takes to make that happen. Naa Ardua helps crafters learn how to use digital art to make handmade craft projects for their families and friends. While living in France as an ex-pat mom, she started making digital illustrations as a way to use her artistic skills and be creative every day. She saw that she could reach people with her art and help fellow artists, crafters, and small businesses with their projects. So she started creating SVG designs and selling them online. She now has over 10,000 sales in her Etsy shop. All of while still working a 9-to-5 job. Now she runs her business as a full-time mompreneur, doing school pick-ups and drop-offs and running a household from abroad. How To Go From Idea To Business One Step At A Time

• Be your own biggest cheerleader.
• Take action. Take the steps little by little even if it seems impossible at the beginning. <-- So powerful!
• Put yourself out there.
• There are times when we need a little bit of help, so reach out to different people.
• Have the right products that people wanted to buy and learn how to get them in front of your ideal audience.
• Listen to feedback from potential customers.
• Learn how different platforms work and see which one fits for you.
• Know what your customers want to hear and how you can help them.
• Pinterest is a great way to get traffic to your shop or blog.
• With the idea pins on Pinterest, you can link affiliate links to them. You get followers with them, which actually lead people to come back to your main Pinterest page. It gets you more visibility that way.

Tune in for so much more about how to go from idea to business! Resources Mentioned

• What are Pinterest Idea Pins?

Naa Ardua's Contact Links Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Pinterest Join Our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community Become a Member of Gift Biz Breeze If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you automatically get the next episode downloaded for your convenience. Click on your preferred platform below to get started. Also, if you'd like to do me a huge favor - please leave a review. It helps other creators like you find the show and build

The key to super charge your productivity lies in one simple 5-letter word.

L-I-S-T-S!

I bet you’ve heard the term Operating Procedures. In essence, each Operating Procedure is a list of documented activities to perform any function within your business. They are particularly beneficial if a task is repetitive. That way you don’t have to remember all the steps and in what order. Just follow the list.

Imagine how useful it can be when you bring on employees. They can follow the same system you’ve already created. Easy and a great way to minimize errors too!

Mentioned in this show is the FREE VIDEO training on productivity that is part of the Inspired! Daily Planner process. You can apply this to any planner you currently use or even start with a blank journal!

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 right here.

Thanks for listening!

Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz

5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE)

Start with Confidence

Networking Ninja

Content for Makers

Inspired! Daily Planner

Makers MBA

Check out the Merch Shop

Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here.

Join our community of handmade product makers

Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us!

Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks!

It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast

 

Lack of a financial mindset is a very common block experienced by small business owners like us. And usually, nobody wants to talk about it - even though it can make or break the business. Well, buckle up because that's the topic of today's show. You may gain some insight into yourself as we dive into the 5 reasons we tend to avoid numbers – our business financials that is. And that leads us to another big topic this is usually left out of financial conversations; how your business numbers transfer over to affect your personal life. Obviously, there’s the income you make from your business for living expenses … but it’s more than that. Taking control and planning out your complete financial strategy, no matter how large or small the numbers are you are working with, can enrich your life more than you can even imagine. As a money management and mindset coach, Erinn empowers female entrepreneurs to design a business that is not just profitable but actually grows their personal wealth. Born with an entrepreneurial spirit, Erinn cut her chops by scaling her photography business to over six figures in under two years, affording her the capital to begin funding the real estate empire she and her husband now run. Ever passionate about supporting women as they uncover their own potential and earning power, Erinn works with female business owners to not just scale their business but to use it as a means for building personal wealth. When she’s not working with clients or finding her next investment property, Erinn can likely be found vacationing around the world and spending quality time with friends, her husband and daughter, Ava. Strengthening Your Financial Mindset

• Get really clear on the pricing of your products. Your hourly rate isn't just about making the product. It's also the materials and all the work you do to make, market, and sell the product.
• Do not underprice yourself. Put the right price tag on your time.
• If it feels weird to make money from something you love doing, remember - isn't that the point?
• Understand your money journey. Ditch the scarcity mindset. Develop your worth around money. Be confident to raise your rate.
• Be conscious and strategic in making your business impact your personal life.
• Understand your numbers. Create projections and analyze your numbers. Have strategic ways to allocate money to increase profitability and revenue. Figure out how to pay yourself a consistent salary. <-- Tune in for more on this important topic!
• Part of knowing your numbers is knowing your tax numbers. Know exactly how much you need to set aside for taxes.
• Have a spreadsheet to input your revenue and your expenses. That would make it easy to see how much you have for profit. Revenue minus expenses equal your profit.
• You need to be the CFO of your personal life, not just your business.
• Understand your money goals and how your money will be used.
• Have six different bank accounts for personal and for business. One of those is your tax account. Every month based on the profitability of your company, set aside that money right away into your tax business account.

5 Different Areas To Create Long-Term Goals

1. Pay down debt
2. Create bigger savings
3. Generosity
4. Investment
5. Lifestyle improvement.

5 Reasons We Avoid Numbers

1. "Not a numbers person"
...

Today we’re talking about the value of a fleeting moment how it’s a strategic way to create anticipation and desire for your products. Instead of having the same offerings month after month (except for holiday designs – that’s obvious) why not strategically plan limited time offers into your business? 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast  

Running a for-profit business with a social cause isn't for everyone. But if the idea resonates with you, this show will give you some things to think about. Get ready to hear a story about a maker whose deep-seated impact goes way beyond her product. You’re going to hear Jennifer’s business development story and how and why she’s incorporated a health initiative overlay to a level I’ve not seen before. We get into the difference between truly integrating a social entity into the mission of your business versus raising money for a cause you hold dear. Both are important, of course, but different. Being true to yourself and your life, and taking your reality to help change someone else’s experience now. And even better, using your handmade product as the pathway to do so. Jennifer had always wanted to create a successful creative business. And she’s done just that! Within the last five years, she’s married her love of art and design with a social give-back business model to launch MARNIE & MICHAEL. Jennifer and her team design and make leather bags and accessories with 15% of profits going towards their own mental health initiation. Building A For-Profit Business With A Social Cause

• If you want to have a cause for your business, there has to be a very strong personal reason why you're choosing that social entity or that social cause.
• When your reasons are personal, your story will resonate with your audience.
• Be vulnerable especially if it's a subject you're passionate about and is going to be a big part of your brand. It's important to be open and transparent about your experience.
• Understand your product is not for everyone. Find your market, niche, and community and focus on that sweet spot.
• It’s impossible to grow the company if everything is made by you. You need people to produce the product. It's still a handmade product, even if it's not YOU making it. <-- Super important to understand this! 
• Get a full picture of who you may be hiring. Have a try-out time to see you you’re a fit. Bring in people who are so eager to learn and open to the whole process.
• The WHY is more important to the business than the product. The messaging of what we represent, what we stand for, and what we do is crucial.
• At least 60-70% of our sales come to us because of our cause.
• The amount we donate is included in our pricing upfront so that it's a clear-cut action.
• Our business plan includes brick & mortar, direct to consumer, and wholesale.
• Hiring can be tough. Referrals from people you trust or other business owners in your area often work out best.
• Make sure your hiring vetting process is tight. Don't skip checking references. Do a testing period before fully hiring.

Listen to the full conversation for more inspiration and tips about building a for-profit business with social cause! Resources Mentioned

• Tips & Talk #2 - 4 Time-Saving Strategies To Curate Social Media Pictures
• Content for Makers

Jennifer's Contact Links

I heard something a long time ago, during my corporate days, and it’s one of those statements that holds true over time. “Don’t tell people you have great customer service, show them.” It’s too easy to talk about a level of care and service you offer your customers. Let’s face it, everyone does that. But actually following through on it is where the majority of businesses fail. They talk one thing and do another. It’s surprising because having top-notch customer service, in the majority of cases, doesn’t add to the costs of running a business. Going the extra mile and adding in special touches is more a matter of planning and implementing a process than anything else. Most businesses pay very little attention to this. So why should you? Repeat business – that’s why. I want you to think about your customer service? Not what you say but what you’re really doing? I break this review into 2 categories. That’s what we talk about in today’s show. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast  

If you've ever wondered, "Do I need a website for my small business?" - today's show is for you. Your website is the headquarters of your business – even if you don’t have a brick-and-mortar shop. It’s the cog off of which everything else for your business connects and expands. It wasn’t like this in years past. But now, an online presence is essential. And make no mistake about it – your own website is what you should strive for. It's great to have a shop on Etsy or sell through Amazon. But long term, you want your own self-controlled site for the most stable business structure. So, today we’re talking in depth about websites. Including the most important first question to answer before you even go one step further. Chase Clymer is the Co-founder at Electric Eye where he and his team create Shopify-powered sales machines from strategic design, development, and marketing decisions. He’s also the host of Honest eCommerce, a weekly podcast that provides online store owners with honest, actionable advice to increase their sales and grow their business. The Answer To, "Do I Need A Website For My Small Business?"

• The biggest eCommerce challenge is finding product/market fit. Just opening a shop does not mean you have a viable business.
• Find out if the market wants to buy your product. Your product must solve your ideal customer's problem or fulfill their desire.
• Validating your product is crucial. Until you confirm that strangers will give you money for your product you have not validated your product.
• You have a business when that product is selling and paying your bills.
• The market share you could get from selling a validated product online is massive.
• If your goal is to increase your sales on your home base, you need to make a reason for people to go to your website.
• It’s easier when your product resonates with your audience.
• Keep your navigation simple. The only things on the topline navigation should be the things that make you money.
• If your site doesn't allow me to get to the product I need as fast as I want to, I'll go to another website.
• Performance is crucial. The faster your website is, the higher your conversion rate is.
• Use an off-the-shelf theme for Shopify unless you're making $1m or more. Once you pass that milestone, it will be worth the investment for a custom theme.
• Don't trust themes that aren't on the Shopify theme store!

Listen to the full conversation for more answers to do I need a website for my small business! More Ideas To Market Your Handmade Product Business

• Explore other avenues for marketing. Don't have all your eggs in one basket.
• Utilize other marketplaces (like Etsy and Amazon) to make more sales plus drive traffic to your website.
• Market to your customer in a way that they want to hear from you.
• Sending text messages is more personal and it's also noticeable. Keep the frequency lower on SMS vs email. <- Tune in to get much more detail on text marketing!
• Automations are crucial in eCommerce so you can send your custom-tailored messages specific to their unique customer journey.
• People are curious about who makes the products. Your about page should tell your story and why you're unique.
• Get the word out about...

In my messy “catch all” drawer, guess what I found? A key. But … a key to what? Usually, I have an identifier of some sort. Not this time. So now what do I do? If I knew what the key went with, it would be really valuable. But holding it in its current state - without knowing where it goes, it’s useless. That struck me as such a powerful thing. In my hand was this single key that, with one important piece of information, could easily open the right door/box/treasure chest. Simple, done within seconds, and without another thought because access with the key is so effortless. But if you reach a door and don’t have the key, you’re stuck and can’t go any further. Or you have to waste a lot of time looking for the key, calling a locksmith or breaking down the door. Something easy that usually requires very little thought, turns into a big chore. All because of one little key. This is what happens in business too. I see women every day working so hard – trying to open doors without having the right key – and getting discouraged because sales aren’t coming in and they can’t understand why. They’re missing the keys – that’s why! If the idea of starting a business by selling your handmade products has been on your mind for a while - now would be a great time to take action! The attraction for handmade products along with the focus on supporting small business is at an all time high! Makers MBA gives you step by step guidance and support to start your handmade business and provides all the keys to growing a business where currently sales are less than you’d like. Think of this program as a lifetime resource on “how to” and “what’s next” for every stage of your business. Once you’re in, you have access forever including all updates and enhancements to the trainings. It doesn’t provide just one missing key. It’s an entire chain of the keys you need to open all the doors at every stage as your business opens, grows and adjusts to current times. This year I’m doing things completely differently in terms of offering the program. The content is all the same, but the timing, the pricing and the rollout are all different. AND it’s FAST – so if you think this may be for you, go HERE to read through the details. You can also reach out to me at sue@suemonhait.com if you have questions or would like to talk about your specific situation and if it’s a fit. But as I said, act fast. The doors close in just a few days – Feb 26 to be exact. No time to waste or you’ll miss it. Makers MBA – what you need to get your handmade products out to the world, and make money at it too. I’m offering you the only key you need. Will you accept it and open the door to your future?Join my FREE Gift Biz Breeze FB Community where you’ll have the chance to learn and hang out with other inspirational makers just like you. If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you automatically get the next episode downloaded for your convenience. Click on your preferred platform below to get started. Also, if you’d like to do me a huge favor – please leave a review. It helps other creators like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast   Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence

If you're looking for your first (or new) home for your eCommerce website - you need to tune in, because this episode is just for you! Today we’re talking about a new eCommerce platform ONLY for handmade creators that offers options not available anywhere else. I say they’re new but they have solid experience under their belt from the last two years of startup and growth. So, what should pique your interest? First, Jon is serious about keeping this marketplace only for true handmade creators. Nobody slips in who’s producing from a factory or justifies “handmade” when in truth it isn’t. The goimagine Marketplace is affordable, provides you direct access and ownership of your customers’ contact information, and promises to stay focused on makers! Almost too good to be true, right? Well, I’ll one up even what I’ve said here. You know you should have a website of your own, too – perhaps in addition to another outside-owned eCommerce site like Etsy or Amazon? One with your own domain name, smooth setup and control, and reliable functionality? Goimagine has the solution for this too. All in one place. Jon Lincoln is the founder of goimagine, the handmade marketplace that’s donating 100% of profits to help children in need. This new marketplace concept is following in the footsteps of other great companies such as Newman's Own and Patagonia by building philanthropy into the fabric of the business. Since launching in 2020, goimagine has attracted thousands of makers & artists throughout the United States supporting their mission to create a more caring economy through handmade. This year, goimagine is adopting a shared ownership model where the vendors on the marketplace are given ownership in the company including voting rights and board representation. It’s with the support of the maker community that goimagine continues to grow and they feel it’s only right the makers are given a ‘seat at the table’ when decisions are being made. Discover This Alternative To Etsy

• The healthy way to grow your business.
• What is actually the true power of a marketplace?
• The thing you must know about your customers.
• How to differentiate yourself from other brands.
• The secrets to supporting and marketing your product.
• What you need to have in mind when you look at places where to sell.
• Why it's so important to have your own URL.
• And tons more!

You need to listen to this full conversation and hear all about this intriguing alternative to Etsy PLUS get tips and insights for selling online! Resources Mentioned

• GBU Topics Directory
• Inspired! Daily Planner

Jon's Contact Links Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Join Our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community

Thinking about starting over at 50 as an entrepreneur or anything else? It's actually more and more common but nobody talks about it. So, let's talk about it.  Because as women who’ve reached middle age, we have so much to offer to others and ourselves. Midlife is a time when we analyze how we want to live the second half of our lives. AND decide what’s really important. It's an opportunity to release the expectations that in the past we felt we needed to live up to and now do things for ourselves. Whether that means starting a second career or picking up a past interest or new activity you’ve always wondered about. In this episode, we talk about how now is your time! How to reconnect with ourselves and get re-introduced to our passions. You’ll also hear about the concept of No Zero Days and the details of this very important stage in our life – the Maven Years. And whether you’ve reached your Maven Years yet or not, this is one of the most powerful episodes I’ve ever created to serve you. It can empower you if you’re at this point, or prepare you if it’s in your future. As women, regardless of our life stage, we can stand tall and proud. Jennifer Arthurton is the creator and founder of Old Chicks Know Sh*t, a community designed to inspire and support midlife women in chasing their dreams and creating their kick-ass next chapter. Jennifer is an empowerment coach, podcast host, writer, and speaker. Having made her own midlife course correction, she is a passionate advocate of the inherent power and knowledge that women possess at a time when they often feel overlooked and doubt themselves most. Starting Over At 50 As An Entrepreneur (Or Anything Else)

• No Zero  Days = Take the tiniest possible step every day that will take you in the direction you want. Little steps add up to massive things.
• Spend some time going inwards. Get connected with yourself.
• Be intentional and focus on your authentic beliefs.
• Figure out what’s important to you and what legacy you want to leave.
• Never fall into that trap of questioning your value in the world.
• Carve time out for yourself. Spend time doing something you love.
• Your purpose is to find joy and excitement.
• Help others step into their power.
• Do whatever you want or need to do to feel good about yourself and connect with yourself.
• Stand in the fact that you are a strong, vibrant, smart, kick-ass woman. Ground yourself in that and don't take on what comes in from the outside world.

Listen to the full conversation for so much more about how to change your mindset about aging and starting over at 50 as an entrepreneur or anything else! Maven Years:

• Maven = An expert with knowledge and wisdom to share.
• The Maven Years are the 30-40 years between the end of the "motherhood" phase before you reach the "crone" stage.
• We have knowledge. We have wisdom. But we're still young enough to use that to actually change the world.
• Mavenhood is about coming back to yourself, coming back to your truest nature. And figuring out what you want to do.  What legacy do you want to leave? What's the mark you want to leave behind? It's really a mindset switch.

Tune in to this inspiring episode to change the way you think of who you are and what you're capable of! Resources Mentioned

• Join the

Let me cut to the chase. I’m not a betting girl but if I was, I think I’d win this wager. I’m placing my bet that YOU are full of BS. And not only that. I’m here to convince you that you should be showing that you’re full of BS to your community too. I’ve got you totally confused right now. Yes? I heard this BS statement from Ally Love … my favorite Peloton spin instructor. The reason I connect with her is she’s grounded in her thinking, clearly loves and seeks out the fun in life, has morals that align with mine … and tells it like it is. When she told me (and my virtual spin class) that we were full of BS, my first instinct was to say – not me. I mean I know others who are but I don’t see it in myself. As we continued spinning and Ally continued talking, I spun faster – breathed harder and when I was done – stood prouder – because she convinced me that I AM full of BS. And that’s what I’d like to pass on to you right now. I want you to believe that you are also, from the soles of your feet to the top of your head, full of BS. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here:

Do you struggle with how much should you price your product? It's a question we all struggle with. If you’re not sure if you’re pricing your product properly … or already know you aren’t but haven’t reset your prices (which of course means higher) - then you definitely want to stick around and listen closely today. We cover is why NOW is the perfect time to get your pricing in line. And you'll learn how to get this done and off your “I know I need to do this list” once and for all. We cover other business growth points too. Think back … you started your business for freedom and flexibility, right? Can you say you have that now? My guess is not. I think this is the biggest myth about running your own business. The reality for most is that the opposite happens and we have less freedom and are tied down to our business if we’re not careful. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be this way. Racheal is on a mission to end entrepreneurial poverty for women. Over the last 10 years, she’s helped thousands of female entrepreneurs design predictably profitable businesses without the hustle and burnout that doing “all the things” inevitably provokes. Her passion is supporting savvy, soulful women as they implement the strategy, systems, and support structure that will uncomplicate their business so they can work less and live more. How Much Should You Price Your Product?

• In the product world - profit margin is really important.
• The #1 pricing mistake product-based business owners make is not building your own labor and time into the price. <-- Listen in for more details on this!
• Be very aware of how long it takes for each individual product to be produced and then give the dollar amount to that. Then, if you hire someone else, it's already built into the price.
• Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Really think about what they value the most and focus on that. <-- Tune in for more on this!
• Once you determine what your correct price should be, it may take a little time to shift to it. There are a few ways to do it:
  • Most people make this a much bigger deal than it is. For most, you can just change the price on your website or catalog and 98% of your customers won't say anything.
  • To reward loyal customers, give them an opportunity to buy before you raise the price. These sales often go very well and result in a good bump in revenue.
  • If you need to increase the price by 30%-50%, you can slowly stair-step the price up over time rather than doing it all at once.
  
  
• Remember - most people who buy handmade items are NOT super price sensitive. So, the people who comment on price or ask for discounts are not your ideal client. Focus on people who value the time, energy, and craftsmanship that goes into creating handmade products. <-- Pro tip!
• Other pricing issues to consider. If you offer free shipping, that comes off the top of your price. Eliminating free shipping will instantly increase the price you charge.
• If you haven't raised your price at least 10% since last year, you're losing money due to the cost of inflation.
• Internally, look at your cost of goods. Can you reduce the cost per item by purchasing supplies in bulk? Or finding alternative materials that cost less?
• Now may be the right time to raise your price because prices are going up everywhere. 

Listen to the whole conversation for more about how much should you price your product! How To Get Time Back As A Handmade Business Owner

• Step into the CEO role. Be the

Do you feel like your life has become way too complicated? There are so many decisions to make, issues to consider, chores to get done, activities and doctor appointments to schedule AND all the tasks associated with your business. As adults we make 35,000 decisions a day! Couple this with Decision Fatigue - per psychiatrist Dr. MacLean “the idea that after making many decisions, your ability to make more and more decisions over the course of a day becomes worse.” So, we’ve got lots of decisions to make each day and the quality of our choices goes down as the day advances. How can you use this information to serve you best for both your personal and business dealings? That’s what we cover in today’s show. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast  

Do you ever wonder how people get ideas for the creative business or career they have today? In this case – how did my guest today go from thinking she’d be a professional ballet dancer and end up as a writer, editor, and recipe developer in the baking industry? It definitely wasn’t a straight line. Nor are most journeys. But in AnnMarie's story, I think you’ll be inspired and maybe even see parallels to the twists and turns you’re taking … and be motivated by the potential of where your path will lead you. Here’s a fabulous example of how you can extend your love of a handmade product above and beyond making and selling. I’m talking about applying the skills and knowledge you’ve developed with a handmade skill and using it for a career in the same industry - but from another angle. AnnMarie is the Managing Editor at American Cake Decorating Magazine. She’s also a pastry chef and food content creator focused on the sweet side of life: baking! After graduating from the Institute of Culinary Education, she spent more than a decade as a freelance baker and cake decorator before returning to school to focus on media. She earned her master’s degree in food studies from New York University and began her writing career with Pastry Arts Magazine. She is a cofounder, an editor, and a recipe developer for Pastry at Home, as well as a freelance writer for other food media outlets as well. Ideas For Creative Business & Careers

• Take the journey to hone in on who you really are.
• Accept the risk of putting yourself out there so people can accept who you are.
• There is absolutely nothing wrong with keeping your side hustle a side hustle. It’s also okay to make your side hustle a full-time career.
• Don’t stop learning. It opens new opportunities for growth and success.
• Take classes to improve your skills. There’s always something new things that you can learn out there.
• Sometimes you just need to look at the people in your life for help.
• Stay motivated to constantly search for what’s next that would make you fulfilled in life.
• Pick out one thing that is worth pursuing.

Resources Mentioned

• Free classes at HandmadeHealsTheWorld.com
• Connected! 2022 Social Media Scheduler

AnnMarie's Contact Links Website | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin Join Our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community Become a Member of Gift Biz Breeze If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you automatically get the next episode downloaded for your convenience. Click on your preferred platform below to get started. Also, if you'd like to do me a huge favor - please leave a review. It helps other creators like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here:

Today let’s have a heart-to-heart conversation about competition. Yes, this breath-stopping, gut-wrenching topic. None of us get a pass from experiencing our physical and emotional responses when the subject of a competitor comes up. Just like others, you probably compare the quality and prices of your products, your social media following counts, and the many other unconfirmed stories you make up about all the ways they are more skilled, knowledgeable, or personable than you are. Listen in for the 3 choices you have when it comes to competition and your handmade product business. Then I give you 3 ways to insulate your business from a competitive action by planning ahead and having a strategy in place to deal with it. Bonus – this plan strengthens your business overall and helps you attract customers too! 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast  

What is the most dreaded - but most important - activity in your business? Most of us would say, selling. Wouldn't it be great if that could just go away rather than constantly worrying about how to make more sales? Well, it can in a way. Obviously, you need to show your products so people can buy them. But guess what? The act of selling can be transitioned into an enjoyable activity that brings forth a purchase. Today, you’re going to hear why your current actions don't work – even though you put in hours and hours of effort. Plus, how to switch it up so acquiring new customers aligns with natural human behavior. You're about to learn how to make it all so much more comfortable so your sales come in easier than you could ever believe. Jeremy is the Chairman of 7th Level, a top-ranked global sales training company. As Jeremy says, “The single most effective way to sell anything to anyone in 2021, is to be a problem finder and a problem solver... NOT a product pusher. Jeremy’s unique brand of sales training pioneers the use of behavioral science and human psychology. He is the host of the podcast, Closers are Losers, and is co-author of a new book, The New Model of Selling to an Unsellable Generation. How To Make More Sales In 2022

• People who are successful commit to learning the right skills that will make them successful. Nobody is just born with the ability to succeed.
• If you don't develop the right communication skills with your potential customers, you're never going to get to where you want to be.  Learn advanced skills that work with human behavior. That will get your prospects chasing you down wanting to do business with you because they view you as the expert in your field.
• ABD of selling → Always Be Disarming. Because the moment your prospect feels you're just trying to sell them, they emotionally shut down. Be more calm and relaxed.
• Ask the right questions
  • That actually triggers their brain to become curious, where they want to engage with and open up to you because you might have something that's very important to them.
  • Commitment questions that get them to commit to taking the next steps to purchase what you're offering to solve their problems.
  
  
• Never sell to the need of the prospect. You have to sell to what the real problems are.
• Help them see the problem they have and where they are now compared to where they want to be. When you do, they'll view you as the expert and see you as the one who's going to get them the results they desire.  And they will gladly pay way more money for what you sell.
• Don't be a product pusher. Become a problem finder and problem solver. That means asking the right questions at the right time to get the prospect to see the root cause of the problem and how the problem is actually affecting them.
• People buy from people who they feel can get them the best results. They buy through emotion more than logic.

So much gold in this episode - tune in to hear it all! Know The 3 Modes of Selling

1. Boiler Room Selling Era (the old way)
   • The least persuasive method is when you tell people things or try to push them into doing something.
   • When you talk about having the best product or services or talk bad about your competitors, your prospects actually trust you less.
   • It's not very persuasive at all telling your story because nobody really cares about your story. People care the most about their...

Some makers are wonderfully content with a handmade business that balances nicely with the other priorities in their life. They get fulfillment and happiness in the process of making and never want to grow to the point where they can’t do that anymore. But, let’s say, you’ve decided “YES!” you want to grow your business to the next level. You’re close to or have already reached your limit. Maybe you’re delaying important tasks and even making errors, because you simply can’t keep up. Here are three paths to consider that will get you back on track and set you up to scale your business, bring in more revenue and get your handmade creations in the hands of more people. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast  

I know you’ve been looking forward to more on this topic – Pinterest success! Today, you’re going to hear why Pinterest is still so valuable and how to get the most out of your pins. Including ways to attract the right people - your ideal customer. One thing I’m really enjoying about Pinterest is how very different it is from Facebook or Instagram. It didn’t start out that way, so if you haven’t had an update recently, you’ll find this really interesting. And honestly, it's so refreshing. Plus, how would you answer this question: “Are hashtags appropriate these days for my pins?” Yes or no? Are you sure? Let’s get into the show and find out if you’re right. Cali is the gal behind The Halcyon Hive and is a pin-tastic marketing guru. She helps service providers and product sellers increase traffic, client leads, and sales using Pinterest. It's time you stop crossing your fingers hoping that one of those many pins you posted will go viral and get you the traffic that everyone is talking about. Cali’s going to be our guide today to teach us the strategy and tactics to get those results. How To Achieve Pinterest Success Why bother with Pinterest for your small business?

• Pinterest helps you get more eyes on your website, grow your email list, increase brand awareness, and even make more sales.

Understand how Pinterest is different from Facebook and Instagram.

• Pinterest is a visual search engine, so it's more like Google than social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. People go to Pinterest to search, be inspired, and plan, not to socialize with others.
• Don't worry about your follower count - it's much less important than getting your Pinterest SEO right.
• Pinterest engagement is different from social platforms - it's about clicking, savings, and clicking through to the associated URL. Engagement is important because it tells Pinterest what your pin is about and who to show it to.

What to pin for Pinterest success?

• Use Pinterest Trends to find currently trending search terms. <-- Listen to the convo for details about using Pinterest Trends!
• Check your Pinterest Analytics to see which of your pins were most successful. Use them as inspiration for new pins.
• Create 5-7 pins per destination post (e.g., blog post, product sales pages, etc.). Then check back in a few months to see which ones got the most activity for design and keyword inspiration.
• Include subtle branding on your pins so they stand out from other people.
• No need to repin other peoples' pins anymore. Focus on creating your own fresh content. If you don't have a lot of content to promote, then you can repin pins from other people to flesh out your boards until you have enough of your own.
• Don't bother with hashtags anywhere in your Pinterest activity. They are no longer relevant. <-- PRO TIP - tune in for more detail!
• It's okay to pin the same pin to different boards, but schedule some space between them. For example, pin it to the most relevant board first. Then a week or two later, pin it to another board.
• Know what’s trending to help you plan out content and when to pin things. Look at pins high on these trends searches for design inspiration.

What to do if you change the focus of your Pinterest account?

• Unless the link no longer works, just keep old pins. No need to delete...

It’s here! This is the week of National Bakers Crafters Makers Day – on Friday the 21st to be exact. The ONLY way you wouldn’t know about this already is if you’re brand new here because I’ve been talking about it and there have been activities to participate in all month long. Things like submitting your handmade memories, sharing how your handmade products provide good to others, access to done for you social media posts and stickers - so you can be part of promoting the day, downloading my free gift and more! It’s all outlined, including what I’m talking about today over on the website page covering the event at www.handmadehealstheworld.com. See a full rundown of everything you can do for National Bakers Crafters Makers Day. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast  

We are so lucky in our industry of handmade to have what feels like endless options for face-to face-selling. Today let’s talk about the size of a show and how that can affect your success. You may initially thing that larger shows will bring greater results but that’s not always the case. Both large and small shows are worth considering. Testing is always the only way to know if a show will work for you … but there are things to consider to slant the odds in your favor. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Inspired! Daily Planner Start with Confidence Podcasts about Craft Show Booth Tips Tips & Talk 8 - Craft Show Convo 3 Tips & Talk 9 - Craft Show Convo 4 238 - How to Maximize Sales at Shows 353 - You Think You've Tried Everything Get Free Coaching thru a Gift Biz Boost! A Gift Biz Boost is a free one-on-one strategy session discussion a part of your business you're trying to grow. Maybe it's the first steps to getting started, or how to attract more sales, whatever your current focus is. You'll leave with actionable steps to "boost" you forward. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions,

Are you selling crafts at fairs? Or are you selling online only? I had the chance to talk with a married couple who are experts on selling at markets. Their story is so interesting because they both had this passion as they were growing up – and the combination of their experiences together is really powerful. You’ll see what I mean in a minute. But if you haven’t considered selling crafts at fairs and shows before, it’s something to consider for this year - it might change everything for you. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but even the experts in social media are now changing their messaging and talking a lot more about email and yes, face-to-face selling like what we’re focusing on today. Matt and Layne are husband and wife business partners who started Obsessed With Markets. Layne comes from a retail family so she grew up on the floor of large retail stores and experienced going to markets with her mom and dad. Matt is a welder/fitter by trade who has spent the bulk of his life making, sculpting, and fabricating anything he could get his hands on. His professional life before Obsessed was manufacturing and construction management. They spend their lives now helping makers and artisans understand what steps need to be taken to turn their creative passion into the job they want or the opportunity they want. Selling Crafts At Fairs & Local Markets

• Understand your customers and what their needs are.  Learn how to sell to them properly without being pushy.
• Know basic sales things. It'll change the entire dynamic of how you do things once you start to understand.
• Understand why some products don't sell.  Why isn't it selling? What have you missed? What are you not addressing? What skills can you give to get this product selling?
• Look for the right type of help from people who have actually been in your shoes.
• Learn face-to-face sales. That's what you need to focus on because so much becomes clear about what you're doing, why you're there, and what they want to hear.
• Always consider what your market wants to hear from you. Do your research.
• You don't have to know everything. Delegate tasks so you can prioritize things to grow your business.
• Establish a relationship and ask the right questions.
• Make sure you have a strong niche because that's going to be a big help with your business. It’s something that makes you stand out.

Business Building Insights

• Address problems and issues very quickly. Follow up with solutions and answers.
• You can learn how to do things that are difficult. Be willing to put yourself out there, to fail, and to feel embarrassed. Be open to all those things that go along with learning.
• Look for the right kind of training and guidance when trying to grow your business.
• Move towards what moves you and this will all work out. Believe in yourself and do what you love. Put your heart and soul into it.
• When you do something you love, it just goes exponentially better.
• So much of success comes from just believing in yourself in the first place.
• Embrace failure - over and over. Throwing yourself into the fire is the only way you'll learn.
• You were not made to know everything. Go educate yourself and be willing to outsource.
• Even when you think you've tried everything - you haven't. Look around for new ideas and techniques to try.
• Take a chance on yourself - get help, get training, don't give up.

...

January is a big deal here at Gift Biz Unwrapped because this is the month of National Bakers Crafters Makers Day. Today, I want to explain why I created the day in the first place and its significance. Making handmade products comes from the soul. It’s an investment of time and energy. The results are one of a kind and enrich our lives by surrounding us with beauty and individuality. They provide happiness for both the creator and its recipient – something our world needs and continually seeks … which is what led to our theme this year – Handmade Heals the World. As someone with a passion for handmade, I want you to stand proud behind your creations. Whether for a hobby or as a business, what you bring to our lives is so incredibly special and it’s something worth celebrating! To see all the ways you can join in the celebration of National Bakers Crafters Makers Day, go to handmadehealstheworld.com. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their...

Today's show is about a very important topic that can truly change how you think about your business AND how others perceive you in relation to your business. We're talking about your brand story. Answer honestly here. Do you currently hesitate when asked about your business? Do you stumble over what to say or answer timidly with very little confidence? Why do we do that? I mean, you’re around your products every single day. You should stand proud and speak confidently about what you offer and its value. If you’re not, it’s probably because you’ve never formulated your brand story. Well, guess what? That’s what we’re going to do right now. My guest, Meredith, takes direction from the Brand Story master himself, Donald Miller, to walk you through the steps of how to formulate your story and then where to apply it in your business. What a relief! Never again do you need to be hesitant or timid about sharing your pride and joy. The products you create and the value they provide to those lucky enough to have them. Meredith works with new and seasoned business owners to find the right people who are a perfect fit for their products and services. She does this by helping her clients effectively communicate the value of what they offer through their brand story. Once that’s in place, it can be used on their website, in social media, and even in face-to-face conversations. Meredith believes all good copy starts with a story. And we are going to work on creating yours today! How To Create Your Brand Story

• Your brand story is the story of the value that you deliver to your customer.
• Pick one group for your potential clients and work with them to see if it resonates.
• Focus on how you empathize with the customer and what gives you authority. Whatever reason you feel confident in creating your craft gives you authority.
• Whatever promise that you make to your customers, you would put it in your plan, too.  The process and the promise.
• When you sit down to write your brand story, think of the different ways you will be calling people to come buy from you.
• Create a character transformation statement. That makes it easier when people ask what do you do. Speak with power and confidence because you're representing your business.
• When making your about page, look at your brand story. It's all about the customer. They want to know about you to buy from their perspective.
• Remember to talk about why you empathize with the customer or the product that you're making, what gives you authority and why they should feel comfortable buying from you.

Tune in to the full discussion to learn exactly how to create YOUR brand story and how to use it on your website and more! 7 Steps To Create Your Brand Story

1. Define your ideal customer and describe what they want.
2. Describe your ideal customer's problem that your product solves.
3. Meet the guide. Your ideal customer meets a guide (you). How do you relate to their problem and what makes you the authority?
4. Create a plan. What is the plan for buying from you? And what is the promise you make to your customer?
5. Call them to action. Identify the situations when your customers would buy from you. Think of all the different ways you can call your customers to buy from you.
...

National Bakers Crafters Makers Day and is marked in the National Day Archives as celebrated on January 21. But we’ll be celebrating all month long and you’ll hear a lot more about it as we continue through the month. Today, I want to share with you the development of the theme and the corresponding logo we’re using for NBCMD this year. I think that my experience will give you ideas of how to move through this project if you’re either creating a logo for the first time or updating or completely replacing an existing logo. Now, I’ve done my fair share of logo development in the past. But this time I approached it differently by employing a professional artist. In the process, I learned something that made a huge impression on me that I’m excited to share with you. Plus I walk through the 5 Steps we took in professional image design creation. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast  

Happy New Year 2022! I have a special show for you today, all about the future. In this episode, you'll hear ways to be happier and bring more joy to your days so you can create a new way of being in 2022. My guest La’Vista is the founder and CEO of 31 Marketplace, an agency that helps overworked solopreneurs do what they love without sacrificing themselves and experiencing burnout. She accomplishes this by blending systemization and self-care - topics that she and her guests speak candidly about on her podcast B.O.S.S. Talk. As a burnout survivor herself, La’Vista is leading a movement of entrepreneurs who want more from life than frazzled days and sleepless nights. Her unique approach of blending strategy, implementation, and holding space for moments to breathe helps each client cultivate their own culture of work-life balance. How to Work Hard & Feel Great About Your Life Make Self Care Consistent

• Self-care is crucial because if you aren't in a good position to show up for yourself and your business, even systems you do have in place won't work because you're too exhausted to go through them properly.
• Define for yourself what self-care actually means for you. Don't look at what others consider self-care and feel you have to do it that way or it will just put more stress on yourself.
• Reconnect with the things that bring you joy.  Identify what makes you happy? What lights your fire? Then figure out how to bring more of that into your day-to-day life. <-- Listen to the whole discussion to learn how to find what works for you!
• Don't think of self-care as an item on your to-do list. It's about infusing it into your lifestyle.
• Stay consistent with intentional self-care so you are replenishing yourself on a daily basis.
• How to incorporate self-care:
  1. Define what brings you joy
  2. Identify how you can add more of that into your life
  3. Be intentional about making it happen on a regular basis
  4. Know what your love language is and find ways to leverage that to reinforce yourself in your business <-- Listen to the full convo for more on this!
  
  
• Be consistent about taking care of yourself.

Create Efficient Systems

• Automate things as much as possible. Leverage automation to make the systems in your business as efficient as they can be.
• Documentation in any business is your best friend. It will help you scale that business. People you bring to the team will know what their role is and what they’ll be doing. It cuts down training time.
• Automate collecting testimonials or feedback from your clients. It’s also increased social proof you can use out for your marketing,
• Simple automation ideas to get you started:
  1. Order emails such as receipts and follow-ups Hdo not need to be manually done each time. Use your email marketing system to automate these types of emails.
  2. Offboarding a client - instead of writing a handwritten thank you note, use a service like Handwrytten.
  3. Where else can you create systems to automate repetitive tasks to free up your time and brainpower for other things?
  
  
• Celebrate the progress you make and just keep...

Choosing a theme word that will direct your year. Have you heard of this concept before? It’s similar to the idea of identifying a major goal and then developing tasks and activities underneath that goal with the idea that, once completed – your goal will have been achieved. The difference with an annual word is it goes deeper. There’s usually an emotional element included in your word even though on the surface it looks very business-oriented. I also find selecting an annual word to be very clarifying and calming. It allows for reflection on your performance over the last year and opens up your mind to dream and project what you want in the future. Once you’ve chosen your word, it’s a beacon of sorts to walk towards and a filter to help prioritize all the things you could work on in your business versus what you should work on to get your desired results. I’ll tell you my 2022 word in a minute but first, let me share some of my prior years’ words. This may give you ideas as you consider what your word could be. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here:

Today's show is a bit special ... because it goes live on Christmas day! So I'm doing something a little different with this episode. There are no promotions and only a little bit of learning. How can I not when we have such an expert with us today? Just like last year, Heidi shares an excerpt from her latest book. As well as some behind-the-scenes of her life as an author, her holiday traditions, and even some storytelling tips you can use for your business. Although passionate about writing from an early age, Heidi acquired a degree in literature and flirted briefly with a newspaper career, before plucking up the courage to join a creative writing class and take her literary ambitions seriously. A lover of vintage paraphernalia and the odd bottle of fizz, she now writes feel-good fiction with heart for Simon and Schuster. Her debut novel, The Cherry Tree Café was published in July 2015. And since then she has had a further twelve books published, becoming a Sunday Times Bestseller in 2017. Heidi is currently celebrating the release of her 2021 festive title, Underneath the Christmas Tree, and writing The Summer Fair which will be published next spring. Storytelling Tips From A Published Author

• When it comes to writing and storytelling, make it personal.
• Let people know about the inspiration behind a product that makes it authentic. That will resonate with your audience.
• Don't ignore the senses. If you've got something that smells good or feels good, that's something you really want to highlight.
• Add those little details that make things all the more appealing and inviting.
• Inspiration can come from anywhere.
• Scribble ideas that come to mind that are going to work in different settings.

Listen to the full conversation for storytelling tips, a reading from Heidi's latest book, plus a glimpse into her life as an author!  Resources Mentioned

• Underneath the Christmas Tree by Heidi Swain
• ep 297 Experience a Holiday Story and Peek into the Life of Bestselling Author Heidi Swain
• ep 349 Integrating Our Love of Stories into Your Brand with Chloë Thomas

Heidi's Contact Links Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Join Our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community Become a Member of Gift Biz Breeze If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you automatically get the next episode downloaded for your convenience. Click on your preferred platform below to get started. Also, if you'd like to do me a huge favor - please leave a review. It helps other creators like you find the show and build their businesses

Enjoy my rendition of an old Christmas classic - revised to fit our handmade business community. Enjoy and listen closely, you'll hear some priceless lessons that Amanda, our shop owner, learns from Jolly Old St. Nick. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast  

These days, "storytelling" is a buzzword online. But you may wonder what it's really all about. If so, stick around, because today we're diving into what is storytelling for business. We’re always searching for ways to stand out and be recognized. Particularly when there are probably thousands of others who make a product similar to yours. Here’s a secret … most people approach the visibility issue the wrong way. They try to make their product “better" or price it lower. But that's not the way to go. After all, what does "better" even mean? What people consider better will be different for each person. So how do you pin down better? It’s a stab in the dark and will resonate with some and not others. And dropping your price? That’s diminishing your product quality and skill and ultimately leads to a very sad financial situation. Nope – "better" and lower-priced aren’t the answers. But storytelling? It's a different strategy entirely and can be a real differentiator for you. So, what is storytelling in business, actually?  It’s a no-cost way to endear people to you. To deepen the connection between you and your customers and to give people stories they can pass on to “could-be” customers they know. Think of the season we’re in right now. Holiday stories get told and retold. I bet you have a favorite or two that you read or a movie you watch year after year. It brings back wonderful memories, it’s emotional and meaningful. Now I’m not suggesting you make a holiday story of your business. But you can incorporate the feelings that stories bring, into your brand. When you do this, you become share-worthy and more people discover you. And the more people know about you, the more people buy. So, let's dive into how you can become a storytelling business. That's where my guest, Chloë, comes in. She's a storytelling expert and has been in eCommerce since 2003, meaning there’s barely a part of the eCommerce landscape she’s not involved with. From the start, Chloë’s been solving eCommerce marketing problems. Tiny problems such as where to spend your advertising dollars. And more sophisticated issues such as identifying how to adapt to big opportunities like emotional commerce and storytelling. Chloë is a bestselling Author, International Speaker, and host of the Award-winning eCommerce MasterPlan and Keep Optimising Podcasts. Both of these shows are regularly included in lists of the top eCommerce & marketing podcasts in the world. She’s also one of Scurri’s Top 30 eCommerce Influencers for 2021. What is Storytelling in Business?

• As consumer trends and consumer needs have changed, we all now need to take account of storytelling in our businesses. Because it's what consumers want to hear from us.
• Why? Because consumers want more than just the features of your product.
• Storytelling is about getting the humanity of your business, the story of your products, and the goodness of things you're already doing out in front of people.
• It's how you answer your customers' questions about whether they want to buy from you.
• Trust is essential for a successful business and storytelling is an important way to develop trust.
• Using storytelling is a less 'salesy' way to communicate about your offerings.
• Storytelling has its biggest impact early in the customer journey. The impact happens before the customer even interacts with your business.
• Customers should be able to see what's going on in your brand, especially...

How is it that some people get so much accomplished and others struggle to do one simple project? Obviously, there can be extenuating circumstances – like interruptions, emergencies or simply the lack of interest or desire to do whatever project you’re laboring over. But that doesn’t erase the fact that it needs to get done. It just so happens that one of my super powers is productivity. I know it’s one of my strengths, for real, because I’m classified as a “Follow-Through” on the Kolbe Personality Profile. Since I get asked a lot about how I accomplish so much, it might be helpful to share my secret strategy with you. It’s not supposed to be secret, in fact I’ve talked about it before in a couple of my longer podcast episodes. But it can easily get buried as a minor point within a bigger conversation. So today I thought I’d bring it front and center and specifically highlight what I believe to be my single most valuable method of managing through my days to get as much done as possible – even the things I don’t particularly enjoy. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, and learn new things - it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us! Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks! It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here:

This week's show is pretty exciting. As you saw from the title, my guests have participated in 150 in-person shows over just the past 3 years! Given that level of activity, you know they have a ton of experience and a wealth of insights to share. You'll also hear about their unexpected start in business, how they merged into a husband and wife business team, and what they expect in the future. This conversation is jam-packed with great stories to learn from and what can happen if you just start and pave the way forward from there. Grant and Jennifer Anderson are a husband and wife team out of Brownsburg, IN and the owners of Uptown Common. Jennifer started Uptown Common in late 2019 selling macrame products including plant hangers and wall hangings. Grant began adding leather goods to the business booth early in 2020 and shortly after that, they also started selling plants so customers could complete their plant hanger entirely in their shop. Uptown Common travels around the Midwest to artisan markets. To date, they’ve done nearly 150 markets! Grant and Jennifer also hosted their own artisan market for the first time last year which was an exciting undertaking. They leveraged their significant experience as vendors as well as the relationships with other vendors they’ve built since 2019 to make the show one that will continue in 2023 and beyond. Tips From Craft Show Pros In this episode, you'll hear ...

• The value in just starting and going from there.

• What you can learn about being a vendor by visiting craft shows as a shopper

• How to really know if a show was a success for you or not.

• Being flexible and why you need to watch trends to stay relevant.

• How to make connections with your customers.

• Which is more important? The big grand thing that you do well or the little daily tasks?

• How to get your big break.

• The key to keeping your products high quality.

• And so much more!

Tune in now to get tons of valuable tips from craft show pros that you can use for your handmade product business! Resources Mentioned

• GBU Topic Directory

Grant & Jennifer's Contact Links Website | Facebook | Instagram Join Our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community Become a Member of Gift Biz Breeze If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you automatically get the next episode downloaded for your convenience. Click on your preferred platform below to get started. Also, if you'd like to do me a huge favor - please leave a...

Did you ever think of starting a business - maybe a lemonade stand when you were little? I think it's almost a "rite of passage" as a kid - dipping a toe into making money yourself. Sometimes it sparks a dream for the future that unfortunately slips away as we start "adulting" and overthinking things. Today, you're hearing from two very young entrepreneurs who didn’t even know how to make their product before they decided to partner up and go into business. Hear how much fun Paisley and Riley are having as they create, discover, and grow their small business. It comes through in their voices how exciting it is to see what comes next and how eager they are to experiment and learn what works best. But make no mistake. There’s learning for us here, too. The girls take us through step by step how they decided on key elements of their plan ...

• the name of the business
• what products they’d offer
• product validation to ensure they’d have sales
• creating a plan for production and shipping
• plus developing a website and a social media presence.

They even have a signature product already! Paisley and Riley are adorable 9-year-old entrepreneurs and co-owners of Sweet Tooth Cakerie. Two best friends sharing their deliciousness with the world. These Georgia girls met in kindergarten and on the soccer field and are still in the same class! It all started when Paisley told her mom she wanted to be either a dentist or a baker when she grew up. Her mom responded that she had to wait until she was a grown-up to be a dentist but could be a baker now. Paisley loved that idea and recruited Riley to be her partner. Riley shared with her parents she had an interest in becoming a better baker because loves it so much. That got the ball rolling. Riley's mom reached out to Paisley's mom and asked if she could help teach her, and Sweet Tooth Cakerie was born! Lessons For All Of Us From Starting A Business As A Kid

• You don’t need to have a lot of products to offer your customers right away.
• Have people test your products and listen to their feedback to make improvements.
• Planning is the key to getting to your final thing.
• Be very flexible and assign responsibilities to each other.
• Don't be afraid to step up and just try your best. If you have any ideas, just let them out.
• If you want to have a business, don't be afraid to do it. Just do it.
• Never give up even when things start to get hard.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help because it's okay to ask for help. You don't always have to do every single thing on your own.

Resources Mentioned

• Inspired! Daily Planner - save 40% with coupon code SALE for a limited time
• Gift Biz Unwrapped Shop

Paisley and Riley's Contact Links Website | Facebook | Instagram |

Making a customer feel special is where it’s at. Think about your experience from the customer end. Most of the time when you buy something, in a retail shop for sure but also online, it’s a one and done transaction. You make the purchase, get a thank you or a confirmation of the order being received … and that’s it. No further communication and if there is any – it’s probably a bounceback discount to place another order. Don’t get me wrong that additional discount is great – but it’s very sterile and transaction oriented. There’s no connection being formed between you and that business. Any sales after that are going to be initiated by you (the customer) IF you feel so great about the product that you want more, or you remember that company name when it’s time to buy a gift. Think now of yourself as a business owner - that’s leaving a lot up to chance. What if, you could control this interaction in a better way? How about changing the sale from being solely a business transaction into a warm friendly interaction that could lead down the road to a mutually supportive relationship? This is what you do when you make your customer the star. When you add an emotional layer to your customer interactions that make them feel seen, special and important. By prompting these feelings, your customers will move from purchasers to supporters and this leads to long term growth for your business. Let’s talk about how to do this. 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 right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our community of handmade product makers Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of...

Have you ever wondered how to start an Etsy printables shop? Wonder no more because in this episode we're diving into how to create a new revenue stream for your business with digital downloads. Selling printables and digital downloads is one business model that is very compatible with the life of a busy mom or fitting in a side gig. If you haven’t started your business yet, or are looking to expand on what you’re currently selling but not add to your backend shipping tasks, this may be the perfect option for you. It’s enticing, that’s for sure. Julie’s Etsy shop, The Swag Element, started as a side hustle and now earns her $1,000+ per month selling printable products for bachelorette parties, useful templates, and other digital downloads. Success speaks volumes and these Etsy results prompted another opportunity. While on maternity leave, Julie co-founded Gold City Ventures, which is a company that helps women start side hustles like hers selling printables and digital downloads on Etsy. Over 3,000 students have taken Julie’s E-Printables course with her top student earning over $150,000 on Etsy after starting the shop from scratch. How To Start An Etsy Printables Shop

• A digital download or printable is a digital file you make on your computer and your customer can download from Etsy without further action from you.
• If you use Canva’s graphics or fonts, make sure you only use the ones that are okay for commercial use.  <-- Pro tip!
• Find avenues to drive traffic to your Etsy shop.
• If printable fits with your existing business,  it can be a profitable niche.
• Make stuff people want to buy. You can make something beautiful but if it's not popular it won’t sell.
• You don't need to be a great designer to create products that will sell.
• Invest your time in a product that's going to be worth it. Use tools to help you see what's trending and get ideas of what to make for your target audience. Try these:  <-- Pro tip! 
  • Google Trends
  • Pinterest Trends
  • eRank (Etsy tool)
  • Ubersuggest (keyword research)
  
  
• You can buy premade templates for commercial use, customize them and then sell them. This can be a quick and easy way to get some products up in your shop.
• Rather than using the same free clip art everyone else has, buy clip art from other websites to make your stuff more unique.

Listen to the full conversation for all the tips & tricks on how to start an Etsy printables shop for your business! Resources Mentioned

• FREE eBook - The Seasonal Products Secret
• Inspired! Daily Planner - Save 40% with coupon code SALE for a limited time!

Julie's Contact Links Website |