Hey Julie Simon

If you’ve ever pieced together your business across Etsy, Squarespace, in-person sales, email, and wholesale inquiries, this episode is for you.

This week, I’m sharing why I outgrew the platforms that helped me get started, how Shopify became the home base for my business, and what I think every product-based business owner should consider when building an online store that actually supports growth.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why outgrowing a platform doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice
• The difference between having places to sell and having a connected business
• Why Shopify works so well for product-based businesses
• How apps, analytics, and integrations can help your business grow
• The role of product photos, video, and descriptions in building trust
• How to make your website work harder by answering customer questions
• Why your website should support your brand, not just your checkout

If you’re building a handmade or product-based business and craving a stronger system, this one is for you.

"A beautiful store gets attention, a strategic store gets conversions, and a strong store gives you room to grow."

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Mary Morris Solomon, the artist and storyteller behind MaryGold Tales, to talk about her path from secret childhood art to building a creative business filled with small-batch stationery, illustrations, paintings, and live event portraits.

Mary shares what it looked like to leave behind a career that no longer felt aligned, start creating during a season of massive change, show up to her first market with a four-foot table and seven card designs, and learn to trust the gut feelings that kept opening the next door.

We also talk about:

• Building a creative business without a rigid plan
• Why in-person markets can create instant connection
• Seeing social media as community, not just content
• Saying yes to opportunities, then knowing when to realign
• Why artists and makers need to understand their numbers
• Building something that feels like you, not someone else

Favorite quote from the episode:
“Don’t chase my dream. Chase yours, and let me clap for you.”

If you’ve ever wondered whether the creative thing you keep quietly making could become something more, this conversation will remind you: start where you are, follow what feels aligned, and let your story unfold.

Connect with Mary:

Website: https://www.marygoldtales.com
Instagram: @marygold.tales

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

Helen didn’t plan to rebuild her business because of a trademark issue - but that’s exactly what happened.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Helen Worthington, the designer and maker behind Three in Kind, to talk about her journey from U.S. Navy jet pilot to creative small business owner. Helen first built CAVU Creations, a brand deeply connected to her aviation background and love of making, but after years in business, she received a letter about a trademark issue that forced her to make a difficult decision: fight it, rename it, or close that chapter and start again.

We talk about what small business owners should understand about naming, trademarks, research, business insurance, and protecting your work - not as legal advice, but as a real, honest story from someone who lived it.

Helen also shares what the early days of selling on Etsy looked like, how she brought her kids into her business and markets, why she eventually wanted to move away from handmade production, and how she created Three in Kind as a brand with more room to grow.

If you’re naming a business, launching a product, building a brand, or wondering what to do when your business needs to pivot, this conversation is such an important reminder: do your research, ask questions, and know that starting over does not mean starting from scratch.

Favorite Quote:
“Sometimes you do not choose the timing of the change, but you still get to choose what comes next.”

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Helen went from U.S. Navy jet pilot to creative small business owner
• The early days of CAVU Creations and selling on Etsy
• What CAVU meant and why the name was so personal to her
• The trademark issue that forced Helen to decide whether to fight, rename, or rebuild
• What small business owners should consider when naming a business or product
• Why business insurance does not always cover the issues you might expect
• How she chose the name Three in Kind and built a brand with more room to grow
• The role her kids played in markets, making, and the heart behind her business
• Why research, community, and asking questions matter so much for makers

Connect with Helen:

Website: https://threeinkind.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threeinkind/

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

In this episode of Hey Julie by Moss Bags, Julie sits down with Rhiannon Troutman, owner of Fringe Boutique in Bellingham, Washington, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the maker and retailer relationship.

Rhiannon shares how Fringe began from her lifelong love of styling, curating, and small business retail, and how she has intentionally created space for local makers from the very beginning. Julie and Rhiannon talk about what boutique owners are really looking for when deciding whether to carry handmade products, and why a “no” from a shop does not mean your product is not good.

They also break down the difference between wholesale and consignment, why pricing matters so much, how branded packaging can help products sell, and what makers should understand before approaching boutiques.

If you are a maker dreaming of getting your products into shops, or a small business owner trying to build thoughtful relationships, this episode is full of practical, honest, and encouraging takeaways.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• How Fringe Boutique got started
• Why Rhiannon has always made space for local makers
• What makes a handmade product a good fit for a boutique
• The difference between wholesale and consignment
• Why pricing is one of the biggest things makers need to understand
• How branded packaging helps products feel more special
• Why a full display can help products sell
• How makers can handle rejection without taking it personally
• Why not every creative hobby needs to become a business
• What healthy maker and retailer relationships can look like

Favorite Quote:

“Don’t be afraid of nos. Show up authentically as you, and the right audience will find you.”

Connect with Rhiannon and Fringe Boutique:

Website: https://wearfringe.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearfringe/
Visit Fringe in downtown Bellingham on the corner of Holly and Commercial Street.

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

In this episode of Hey Julie by Moss Bags, Julie sits down with Teresa Remple, textile artist and founder of Texture Clothing - a brand she officially launched in 2001 after years of selling at festivals and markets.

Teresa shares what it looked like to build a clothing business through farmers markets, wholesale, festivals, and even a brick-and-mortar shop, and how that journey has evolved into the small-batch and custom work she focuses on today. This conversation is full of wisdom about longevity, following your own rhythm, and creating products that carry care, intention, and real heart.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to build a business over decades instead of just seasons, this episode is such a beautiful reminder that meaningful growth doesn’t have to be fast or flashy.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Texture Clothing began and the early festival years
• What Teresa learned from 16 years at the farmers market
• The role of wholesale in growing a product-based business
• Why slow transitions are still valid transitions
• How she shifted from large-scale production to small-batch and custom work
• The emotional value of handmade products and personal connection
• Why follow through matters so much in business
• Getting clear on what’s really written on your heart

Favorite quote:
“May you feel wrapped in love every time you wear this thing.”

Connect with Teresa:
Texture Clothing: www.textureclothing.com
Instagram: Texture Clothing
Craft A Life You Love: https://craftalifeyoulove.com

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Nicole of Headwaters Farm for a conversation about family legacy, flower farming, motherhood, and building a business season by season.

Nicole shares how growing up around her dad’s flower shop shaped her love of flowers, what the early years of building her farm business looked like, and how she found her way through pop-ups, wholesale, and community collaboration. We also talk about consistency, raising kids while growing a business, and the beauty of creating something that truly aligns with your life.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to build something meaningful slowly and with intention, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Nicole

Headwaters Farm: https://www.headwatersfarmwa.com/
Instagram: @headwatersfarm_wa
North Sound Flower Cooperative: 112 Ohio St. Suite 117, Bellingham, WA
Open Wednesdays 9am-12pm

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

If you’re getting ready for your first market, event or pop-up, there are so many little things no one really tells you until you learn them the hard way.

Not just what to pack, but how to set up a booth that actually works. How to make it easy for people to shop. How to think beyond the sales you make that day. And how to prepare for all the little things that can go wrong - from weather to payment issues to forgetting the basics like food, water, or signage.

In this episode, I’m sharing what years of markets and events have taught me about preparing well, creating a booth that feels clear and inviting, and making the most of in-person opportunities - especially if you’re new to pop-ups.

Because a successful market booth is not just one that looks good. It’s one that helps people buy, remember your business, and come back later.

If you’ve ever wondered what actually matters when preparing for an event, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I talk about:

• what to bring to a market or pop-up
• why booth setup matters more than you think
• signage, business cards, and marketing materials
• how to collect emails and grow your list at events
• preparing for selling out or having slower sales
• practical tips that make event days easier

Grab my free Market Prep PDF here →

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

Marijo Martini didn’t build her business overnight - in fact, it took decades.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with the founder of Martini Metal Craft and Martini Mercantile to talk about what it really looks like to build something meaningful over time. From making jewelry while working multiple jobs, and navigating burnout, to finally taking the leap into her own brick-and-mortar shop - Marijo’s story is a powerful reminder that there’s no one “right” timeline.

We talk about the reality of balancing a day job while growing a business, the importance of understanding both your craft and the business behind it, and why building something sustainable often requires patience, pivots, and a whole lot of persistence.

If you’ve ever felt behind, stuck, or unsure of your path, this conversation will remind you: you’re not late - you’re building.

Connect with Marijo:

Website: https://martinimetalcraft.com
Instagram: @martinimetalcraft + @martinimercantile

Visit her shop: Martini Mercantile at 2100 Iron Street, Bellingham, WA

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

In this very first interview on Hey Julie by Moss Bags, Julie sits down with Kira Rainy, founder of Cascadia Jewelry - a brand known for its handcrafted, everyday pieces, including her signature hammered earrings.

Kira shares how her business began with a simple metals class and evolved into a full-time career rooted in markets, community, and doing things her own way. From the early days of selling at art walks to navigating major life changes and going all in on her business, this conversation is an honest look at what it really takes to build something meaningful.

If you’ve ever wondered if your idea could turn into something - or felt like there’s no clear roadmap - this episode will remind you to trust your instincts and create your own path.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• How Cascadia Jewelry started from a single class
• What the early days of selling at markets really looked like
• The role of community in growing a product-based business
• Navigating loss, change, and going all in
• Why there is no one-size-fits-all business blueprint
• The importance of consistency (and local markets!)
• Learning what actually sells—and leaning into it
• Balancing creativity with the realities of running a business

Favorite Quote:

Connect with Kira:
Website: https://cascadiajewelry.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cascadia.jewelry/ 

Find her at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market + local events

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

In this very first episode of Hey Julie by Moss Bags, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how my business began - and what 13 years of building a handmade product-based business has really looked like.

From buying my first sewing machine at 10:30 PM and teaching myself how to sew… to navigating the highs, the hard seasons, and everything in between - this is the story of Moss Bags.

In this episode, I share:
• how I got started (with no real plan)
• the early days of figuring it all out
• the role community played from the very beginning
• the seasons of growth, burnout, and reinvention
• why your “why” matters more than anything

If you’ve ever felt the pull to start something, questioned if you’re qualified, or found yourself in a hard season of business - this episode is for you.

Because building a business isn’t about having it all figured out.
It’s about starting, staying, and being willing to evolve.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love if you shared it with another small business owner.

What We Talked About:
• Starting a handmade business from scratch
• Building a product-based business over 13 years
• Navigating different seasons of business
• The importance of community in entrepreneurship

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com