Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction, 
Chad Smith introduces the show and his guest Serena McCann. They talk about how long they have known each other and how proud he is of her DIY blogging journey.

00:03:10 - How Serena got into DIY, 
Serena explains how she got into DIY because she needed to decorate and repair a house she bought without realizing the costs of furnishing. She talks about her love for thrift stores and how she created Thrift Diving, which became her business and platform to teach others how to DIY and create affordable home furnishings.

00:05:56 - Creating the Thrift Diving brand, 
Serena talks about how she came up with the Thrift Diving brand name and domain, and how she taught herself how to refinish furniture and use power tools. She emphasizes the importance of creativity and self-reliance, and how thrift stores have become popular among all economic levels.

00:09:15 - Thrift stores and pricing, 
Serena discusses the issue of thrift stores increasing their prices for donated furniture and how it goes against the original purpose of making affordable furniture available for those in need. She shares her experience with Habitat for Humanity, which uses the profits from their restore to provide affordable housing through zero-interest loans.

00:13:13 - Giving back through volunteering, 
Serena and Chad talk about the importance of giving back to the community through volunteering, and how Serena volunteers with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for those in need. They highlight the value of sweat equity and

00:13:49 - Thrift Stores and For-Profit Organizations, 
Serena discusses the misconception that thrift stores are charitable organizations and highlights that many are for-profit, like Goodwill and Savers. She also shares a story of a secondhand shirt being priced higher than the original brand new shirt.

00:15:57 - Transitioning into a Business, 
Serena talks about how she transitioned her hobby into a business by starting a YouTube channel and using advertisements to monetize her content. She also discusses the importance of building engagement with her audience and increasing her value over time.

00:20:08 - Brand Collaborations and Making Money, 
Serena shares her experience with brand collaborations and how they helped bridge the gap between losing her job and earning her own money. She also talks about how she values her engagement with her audience over the size of her following and how this has allowed her to make more money working for herself than when she worked outside of the home.

00:22:18 - Knowing When to Pursue Thrift Diving, 
Serena shares that receiving her first $4,000 check from a brand collaboration made her realize the potential of thrift diving as a business. She also emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's own value and increasing prices accordingly.

00:26:09 - Engagement Over Size of Following, 
Serena emphasizes the importance of having a loyal and engaged following over a larger, disengaged following. She shares that brands will pay for engagement even if one does not have a large audience and that having a

00:27:54 - Building a Loyal Community, 
Serena discusses the importance of building a loyal community and the value of trust. She also mentions the benefits of having a loyal community when it comes to selling products and attracting brands.

00:28:46 - Struggles with Selling Products, 
Serena admits that she struggles with selling products to her audience and mainly monetizes through working with brands. She explains that she has been wanting to create a power tools course but finds it challenging to put out a product and stand behind it.

00:31:10 - Finding Mentors and Support, 
Serena talks about the importance of having a mastermind group and holding each other accountable. She also mentions the value of coaching and how it has helped other bloggers succeed.

00:34:29 - Balancing Working in the Business and Working on the Business, 
Serena discusses the challenge of balancing working in the business and working on the business. She feels uncomfortable taking time off to focus on creating a product and worries about missing out on other opportunities in the meantime.

00:38:24 - Getting Back to the Basics, 
Serena expresses her desire to get back to the basics of blogging and focus on creating content that comes from the heart rather than merely focusing on how to get more clicks and affiliate links. She wants to rekindle the connection with her audience and tell stories that people can relate to.

00:41:52 - Finding Balance Between Traditional and New Blogging, 
Serena discusses finding a balance between traditional blogging and new trends like TikTok. She emphasizes the importance of repurposing old blog content and maintaining a routine to keep up with changing times.

00:44:14 - The Value of Reading Blogs, 
Serena and Chad discuss the importance of reading blogs and how it can be a valuable part of a morning routine. They also touch on the importance of knowing your audience and catering to their preferences.

00:46:39 - Revamping Your Blog for SEO, 
Serena talks about the importance of maintaining your blog as an asset for passive income. She emphasizes the need to revamp old blog content and follow SEO best practices to keep it relevant and searchable.

00:49:10 - Identifying with a Game of Thrones House, 
Serena and Chad have a playful discussion about which Game of Thrones house they most identify with. Serena chooses House Stark for their honesty, while Chad chooses House Lannister for their shrewdness.

00:50:49 - Where to Find Serena Appiah, 
Serena shares where listeners can find her online, including her website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and podcast. She also invites Chad to be a guest on her podcast.

Official Thrift Diving Blog

Thrift Diving Podcast