Are you willing to try something new? And then try it again if you fail? In today's episode, I'm talking to the inspiring Kim Werker, who I think is completely amazing! She is totally my people! She is an unbelievably talented woman who describes herself as a camp counselor for grownups and she thinks we need to aim for creative, messy fun, rather than hoping for perfection. 

This season, my intention is to interview people who are not necessarily in the baking industry, but who have lots of things in common with those of us who are, like photographers, florists, and crafters. These people are creatives who experience similar struggles and successes in their businesses to those that we experience here, in our industry. So I'm really excited to be talking to Kim today, about her life, her work, her website, and the way she inspires people to try new things. Tune in now to find out more!

Kim is a super-guru of the crochet world, and she's also a freelance writer, editor, and speaker. And most interestingly to me,  she's the woman behind the Mighty Ugly website and movement, a website that encourages everyone to try things. (Mighty Ugly is all about celebrating the benefits of failure so that we're not so afraid of doing the big things.) Kim has edited magazines, she's written seven books, she created and then sold an online magazine, she curates online communities, and she teaches her own creative classes. She also used to be a podcaster and currently, she runs an online community for creative adventurers. She's even dabbled in a bit of baking too, so listen in, to find out what Kim has to share with us in today's episode.

Show Highlights:

• Kim tells her story and explains how she ended up with such a varied business.
• Knitters and crocheters are completely different demographics as far as the industry is concerned.
• How Kim's online magazine started out.
• Book royalties have never been a big part of Kim's income.
• Most of Kim's books are now out of print.
• Kim's first book, Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crocheting, is now in its second edition.
• Make It Mighty Ugly was in print for five years and will most likely be going out of print at the end of this year.
• Kim teaches workshops about Mighty Ugly, and it also forms the foundation for most of the writing she does.
• Kim now has multiple income streams and her husband provides her venture capital.
• Kim enjoys doing editing work most of all.
• The choice that Kim faces right now in terms of her revenue stream.
• All about Kim's workshop to help people confront their fears.
• Kim has an ongoing theme in her life, of bringing people together, to go on creative adventures and building something. 
• The pros and cons of social media.
• Doing the best you can right now, in this moment!
• There is so much meaning in gratitude!
• You can try, fail, and try again.
• Coping with burnout and finding balance again.
• How Kim keeps herself inspired to make things every day.

Links and resources:

Book mentioned: Stitch 'n Bitch by Debbie Stoller

Knitty.Com (Online knitting magazine): www.knitty.com

Mighty Ugly Website: www.kimwerker.com 

 

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