If you’re running a business—or dreaming of starting one—there’s one thing that can make or break your success: solving a real problem.

In this episode, I’m diving into why identifying the specific problem your business solves is so powerful, and how it shapes everything from your marketing to your products. We’ll talk about:

• Why a “nice idea” isn’t enough

• How to figure out the actual problem you solve (hint: it might not be what you think)

• What happens when you get crystal clear on your audience’s pain points

• Simple ways to test if your offer is truly meeting a need

Whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck in your current offer, this episode will help you get back to the root of what makes a business thrive: solving a problem people actually care about.

🎧 Tune in and let’s uncover the heart of your business together.

LINKS:FloDesk – Try my email marketing platform and save 50% off your first year! Kajabi – Looking for a platform to create and sell courses or a membership? Try Kajabi with my affiliate link here, and I will share my free Kajabi course, on how to use Kajabi to set up your courses and/or membership.

👉 Be sure to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! It helps more creative entrepreneurs find the show, and get great guests for you to enjoy!

Have business questions? You’re not alone! In this episode, I’m sharing the most essential business tips that will help you streamline, grow, and succeed.

✅ Solve a problem – The foundation of a successful business starts with identifying and addressing a real need. ✅ Focus on ONE product – Selling multiple things at once can be overwhelming. Start with one strong offer. ✅ Create quality content that captures interest – I’ll share strategies on how to create content that truly engages your audience. ✅ Build an email list – Social media is great, but you need to bring your audience off the platform and into your own space.

No matter what stage of business you’re in, it’s always a good idea to pause, evaluate, and ensure you’re focusing your time and energy where it makes the biggest impact.

📩 FloDesk – My go-to email marketing platform! Use code QUILTERSCANDY to save 50% off your first year.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review for the Craft to Career Podcast! Your feedback helps more entrepreneurs like you grow their dream business.

Got a business question? Email me at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you!

If you've ever struggled with saying yes to new opportunities, this episode is for you! Tune in to hear how Christina Lee, of Sweet Potato Quilts, leans into her passions while balancing a busy, fulfilling creative life.

📢 Listen now and get inspired to embrace your own creative journey!

Links From This Episode:

Sweet Potato Quilts Website - CLICK HEREFloDesk – Try my email marketing platform and save 50% off your first year! Kajabi – Looking for a platform to create and sell courses or a membership? Try Kajabi with my affiliate link here, and I will share my free Kajabi course, on how to use Kajabi to set up your courses and/or membership. 👉 Be sure to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! It helps more creative entrepreneurs find the show, and get great guests for you to enjoy!

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a creative passion into a thriving business? In this episode, I chat with Mike from Legit Kits, a Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) company that was recently featured on Shark Tank!

Mike shares his journey—from balancing his day job to scaling his FPP business and landing a spot on national television. He offers invaluable insights into growing a creative business, overcoming challenges, and staying true to your vision.

We dive into: ✨ Mike’s career outside of quilting and how it influences his business ✨ The evolution of Legit Kits and what’s driven its success ✨ Behind-the-scenes of Shark Tank—what the experience was really like ✨ Practical tips for creatives looking to build and expand their own businesses ✨ The mindset shifts that helped Mike push past obstacles and keep growing

Mike is real, down-to-earth, and full of motivation for entrepreneurs and makers alike. Whether you're just starting or looking for fresh inspiration, this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss!

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to take your creative business to the next level!

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Legit Kits Website
• Follow Mike on Instagram
• Watch the Shark Tank Episode
• FloDesk - Try my email marketing platform and save 50% off your first year!
• Kajabi - Looking for a platform to create and sell courses or a membership? Try Kajabi with my affiliate link jere, and I will share my free Kajabi course, on how to use Kajabi to set up your courses and/or membership.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! It helps more creative entrepreneurs find the show.

Struggling to keep your goals? In this episode, we'll break down the SMART goal method and share practical tips to help you set and achieve goals that stick. Stop comparing your progress to others and start making small, sustainable changes that lead to big results.

Takeaways from this episode:

• Don’t beat yourself up about seasons: There are times in life when goal setting just isn’t the right season. If that’s where you are, that’s okay!
• Focus on one thing: Choose just ONE goal at a time. Trying to juggle too many can overwhelm you and derail your progress.
• The SMART Goal Method: We’ll break down this proven system that will help you set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

LINKS: Free SMART Goal Tracker

FloDesk - Save 50% off your first year using FloDesk with code QUILTERSCANDY.

Kajabi - Access my free course on how to use Kajabi to create your online courses and memberships.

Have you ever thought about becoming a fabric designer?

For years, that was a dream of mine, but I just couldn’t seem to make it happen. I struggled to learn Adobe Illustrator in a way that made my designs look more polished—like something other than a kindergartner’s doodles! 😅

That all changed when I discovered Bonnie Christine's Immersion Course. It was THE course that completely changed the trajectory of my business—for so many reasons.

Thanks to this course, I not only became a fabric designer, but I also learned how to use Adobe Illustrator effectively and was introduced to an entirely new way of running my business.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to Bonnie Christine, the instructor behind the Immersion Course. She shares the ins and outs of Surface Pattern Design (which, by the way, is so much more than just fabric design!). You’ll also hear her expert tips for success and get a sneak peek at her FREE COURSE that’s available right now.

I’m also offering something super special for those of you who decide to join the Immersion Course through my affiliate link. If you sign up, you’ll get a one-on-one coaching call with me, which I don’t offer anywhere else. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity!

Listen to learn how you can take the first step toward becoming a fabric designer and a successful Surface Pattern Designer.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE (These are affiliate links):

• Bonnie's FREE Course on Surface Pattern Design
• 2025 Immersion Course Enrollment

Do you wonder if it’s really possible to earn money as a quilter or creative entrepreneur? You’re not alone! I recently came across this question in a Facebook group, and the answers shocked me—most people believed you could make a little money, but not a real income.

Well, I’m here to tell you that’s simply not true. Not only do I make a great income as a quilter, but so do many others in this industry—an industry, by the way, that’s worth over a billion dollars and continues to grow every year!

The real question isn’t if you can make money, but how you can do it. In this episode, I break down the tangible steps you need to take to turn your creative passion—whether it’s quilting, sewing, cooking, or art—into a profitable business.

✔ Why the idea that "quilters can't make good money" is a myth ✔ Key steps to start (or grow) your creative business ✔ How to shift your mindset and see the real opportunities in front of you

If you've ever dreamed of making a full-time income (or even just extra cash) doing what you love, this episode is for you!

FloDesk - Save 50% off FloDesk Email Marketing for your first year with code QUILTERSCANDY. Sign up today and start creating emails that your audience actually wants to read!

👉 Loved this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review—it helps more creatives like you find the show!

Now that you've learned about the thoughts holding you back (part one), you are ready to dive into part two, practical tips that will help you reshape your thoughts, navigate challenges, make tough decisions, and seek clarity on your creative journey. 

Learn actionable skills to quiet the thoughts that are hurting your success. Tap into what's called your inner sage. If you feel like the words 'inner sage' sound a little woo, I hear you. I felt the same at first. But don't let that keep you from learning more. Think of the inner sage as your conscience. It's another word for your brain, or your mind.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What is the Inner Sage?

  • Understand the concept of the Inner Sage and how it contrasts with the inner saboteurs. (These come from Shirzad Chamine's Positive Intelligence framework).

• The Five Sage Powers:

  • Explore the 5 powers of your inner sage: 1. Empathize 2. Explore 3. Innovate 4. Navigate 4. Activate.

• How to Recognize and Connect with Your Inner Sage:

  • Simple techniques and practices to silence self-doubt and strengthen your connection to your Inner Sage.

• Real-Life Benefits of the Inner Sage:

  • Examples of how connecting with your Inner Sage can lead to better decision-making, creativity, and resilience in life and business.

• Transforming Challenges into Opportunities:

  • Learn how to reframe obstacles and setbacks using the Sage Perspective.

Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs and Creatives:

• Tap into your Inner Sage to unlock greater confidence, focus, and purpose in your career.
• Replace negative self-talk with empowering thoughts and actions.
• Create a business and life that aligns with your true values and vision.

Actionable Takeaways:

• A 2-minute practice to quiet your inner saboteurs and tune in to your Inner Sage.
• Questions to ask yourself to activate the Sage Perspective in challenging situations.
• How to incorporate Positive Intelligence practices into your daily routine.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine
• Craft to Career Podcast archives for more episodes on mindset and entrepreneurship
• FloDesk - This episode is brought to you by FloDesk. Use the code QUILTERSCANDY and save 50% off your first year of using this email marketing provider. 

In this insightful episode, Elizabeth Chappell shares the invaluable lessons she learned from her business coach, Lindsey White. These life-changing concepts, inspired by Shirzad Chamine’s Positive Intelligence, reveal how our thoughts can sabotage our success and happiness—and how to regain control.

Elizabeth delves into the 10 mental saboteurs that can undermine entrepreneurs and individuals alike, explaining how to:

• Recognize these saboteurs in your daily life.
• Reduce their power to create more mental clarity and peace.
• Harness the Sage mindset to approach challenges with creativity and positivity.

Whether you're an entrepreneur or simply looking for tools to improve your life, this episode offers practical wisdom and actionable takeaways to help you thrive.

Key Topics Covered:

• What are the 10 saboteurs, and how do they show up in our lives?
• Why recognizing and naming your saboteurs is the first step to disarming them.
• The transformative power of building mental fitness and strengthening your inner Sage.

Tune in for an empowering conversation and start breaking free from the mental barriers holding you back!

Turn your CRAFT into a CAREER!

Did you find this podcast helpful? Find more creative business takeaways, tutorials, courses, plus much more below. 

SHOW NOTES:

Take Shirzad's Test: Take the Saboteur Assessment

https://quilterscandy.com/category/podcast-episodes/

QUILTERS CANDY WEBSITE:

https://quilterscandy.com/

INSTAGRAM:

Craft to Career Podcast @crafttocareer

Quilters Candy @quilters_candy

Running a business is no easy task, but when you add depression into the mix, it can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Craft to Career Podcast, I open up about my personal journey as an entrepreneur living with depression.

Depression looks different for everyone, and I share what it looks like for me. I discuss why I decided to take medication, my experience trying to go off it, and ultimately why I’ve chosen to stay on depression and mood-stabilizing medication.

Sharing such a personal and sensitive topic wasn’t easy, and I questioned whether I should go this deep. But I know there are other business owners who have faced—or are currently facing—similar challenges. You are not alone.

One of the key takeaways from this episode is that you can run a successful business, even while managing depression. I share practical tips that have helped me structure my business to accommodate those times when I feel low. These strategies include:

• Outsourcing tasks to lighten the load.
• Automating processes to keep things running smoothly.
• Prioritizing self-care, even when it feels like there’s no time.

By making adjustments to my workflow and mindset, I’ve found ways to navigate both the demands of entrepreneurship and the challenges of depression.

I want to emphasize that I’m not a doctor, and this episode isn’t about offering medical advice. Instead, it’s a candid account of my personal experience. If you’re dealing with depression or mood disorders, I encourage you to seek help from a qualified medical professional.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of running a business while managing their mental health. My hope is that it helps you feel seen, heard, and supported.

Tune in to this week’s episode of the Craft to Career Podcast for an honest conversation about managing depression while running a business.

You are not alone. You can run a business—even with depression.

Did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts and join the conversation by leaving a comment or review. Let’s support each other on this journey of entrepreneurship and mental health.

SHOW NOTES:

https://quilterscandy.com/category/podcast-episodes/

QUILTERS CANDY WEBSITE:

https://quilterscandy.com/

INSTAGRAM:

Craft to Career Podcast @crafttocareer

Quilters Candy @quilters_candy