Subtitle: Don’t make your muse pay your mortgage



Summary: Amanda opens up about a potential diagnosis and her lack of anxiety about it. Katie gives a shout-out to Amy Stewart's latest book, The Tree Collectors (seriously, you need a copy!). Amanda also introduces a new recruit to the Cult of Katie, and Katie reminds everyone that her free 15-minute discovery calls are the perfect opportunity to get FREE answers—just come prepared with questions. Katie reads a hilarious excerpt from Amanda’s August Green Profit article, and they elaborate on why retail signage should be engaging, fun and most certainly NOT dull, along with other things that “STICK.”

Highlights:

Links:

Amy Stewart’s new book - The Tree Collectors

Amanda’s August Green Profit article

Katie’s Last Newsletter

Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Piedmont Feed & Garden Center Instagram post

Piedmont Feed & Garden Center TikTok post

Photos:

Jump on over the The Garden of Words website to see Amanda’s fun signage!



The Stuff at the End

Amanda’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shop.aster.gardens

Katie’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency

Katie’s Personal Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords

Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com

Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com

Subtitle: Don’t go to the second location

Summary: Katie makes a splash by going swimming at the beach for the first time in two years—despite living there! She discusses the joy of seeing how different people interact, unwind, and make use of the beach. Meanwhile, Amanda is planning a Halloween pilgrimage to Disney World because she loves a good dose of immersive magic! They also talk about the importance of not expanding your business too quickly, staying hands-on in your business, and the unspoken covenant between shopper and shop.

Highlights:

Links:

There are no links in this episode

Photos:

There are no photos for this episode

The Stuff at the End

Amanda’s Work Instagram:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/shop.aster.gardens⁠

Katie’s Work Instagram:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency⁠

Katie’s Personal Instagram:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords⁠

Amanda’s Website: ⁠https://kissmyaster.com⁠

Katie’s Website: ⁠https://thegardenofwords.com

Subtitle: There’s more than one way to skin a cat

Summary: Amanda goes shopping (which she RARELY does), and it literally changes her life. They discuss fun ways small businesses can set themselves apart from competitors, customers browsing without purchasing, and how being your own goofy self is finally becoming acceptable (and celebrated). Oh, and have you tried a cold plunge yet? Amanda gives her review!

Highlights:

Links:

Ghoulish Mortals, St. Charles, IL

American Sciences and Surplus

J. Peterman Catalog

Phillip K Dick - author

Photos:

Jump on over to The Garden of Words website to see Amanda in her blow up pool.

The Stuff at the End

Amanda’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shop.aster.gardens

Katie’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency

Katie’s Personal Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords

Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/

Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com

Subtitle: So you wanna write a book?

Summary: Amanda has an awkward encounter with the OTHER Garden Center in town, sparking a discussion about handling communication with people who have differing opinions. They dive into Amanda’s aversion to going with the flow and the challenges of tech not connecting. Oh, and if you are thinking about writing a book you are going to want to listen to this!

Highlights:

Links:

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Books by Amanda Thomsen

Books by Katie Elzer-Peters

Photos:

Jump on over to The Garden of Words website to see Katie’s doodled postcards.

The Stuff at the End

Amanda’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shop.aster.gardens

Katie’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency

Katie’s Personal Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords

Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/

Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/⁠

Subtitle: All Roads Lead to Marketing

Summary: Katie and Amanda discuss how it's never a good idea to make people feel dumb. Amanda also shares her secrets for keeping audiences engaged during speaking engagements—spoiler alert: it involves SLUGS! They discuss how people love an incentive, reversing the trend of local business loss and how you can actually use AI as your hype man.

Highlights:

There are no links or photos for this episode

The Stuff at the End

Amanda’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shop.aster.gardens

Katie’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency

Katie’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords

Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/

Katie’s Website:  https://thegardenofwords.com/

Subtitle: Chew on the Left Side of Your Mouth

Summary: Katie has a surprise road trip from Columbus, OH to Wilmington, NC! They discuss how you CAN learn to chew on the left side of your mouth (otherwise known as changing a habit). They also chat about how to get your sparkle back–and how to realize that you even lost it. Plus, they explore the safe feeling in working at a job you know you are good at and how we all need community. Oh, and did you know the Great Lakes are GREAT? Shhhh. Don't tell anyone.

Highlights:

Links:

Tamarack Rest Stop in West Virginia

Simone Biles Rising on Netflix

Visit The Garden of Words website to see photos of Amanda sideways, Katie's new mug and Katie and her mom at Lake Michigan!

The Stuff at the End

Amanda’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shop.aster.gardens

Katie’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency

Katie’s Personal Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords

Amanda’s Website:  https://kissmyaster.com/

Katie’s Website:  https://thegardenofwords.com/⁠

Subtitle: Plot, Plan & Market

Summary: In this episode, Katie and Amanda chat about how Aster Gardens is more than just a store—it’s an experience and an inspiring adventure! They dive into the lessons learned from mistakes, the tricky art of deciding when/how/if to put items on sale, and the importance of continuing to always put things into your funnel. And what exactly is “oldest daughter energy”? You’ll have to tune in to find out! 

Highlights:

Links:

Video from Kennedy

House Rules post

Gen Z Editing videos

There are no pictures this week.

The Stuff at the End

Amanda’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shop.aster.gardens

Katie’s Work Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency

Katie’s Personal Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords

Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/

Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/

Subtitle: Kindred Spirits and Cockroaches

Summary: Katie surprises Amanda with a visit to her store! They discuss Amanda’s creative idea for encouraging support of independent retailers around Aster Gardens. They also chat about the Peter Principle, mind mapping, closing the stress cycle and the positive impact of getting real with people. Oh, and did we mention that Amanda ordered 100 plastic 🪳 cockroaches? Wanna know why? We know you do! Listen now.

Highlights:

Links:

TikTok Link about Chaos

Locavore Guide Instagram

Blog Post about Closing a Business

The Peter Principle

Burnout book

Podcast Episode on Burnout

Photos:

Jump on over to The Garden of Words website to see Katie’s surprise visit to Amanda’s shop!

The Stuff at the End

Amanda’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shop.aster.gardens

Katie’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency

Katie’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords

Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/

Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/

Subtitle: Change is doable!

Summary: Katie and Amanda discuss ways of capturing new customers and audiences by changing your package/messaging. They talk about the high open rates of "ooops" emails, developing your brand's personality, and why we ALL DESERVE to have pleasure in our lives.

Highlights:

Links:

Planet Money Podcast - “What’s with all the tiny soda cans? And other grocery store mysteries, solved.

Craft Studio

Roper Romp

Total Annarchy Newsletter

Article on the AI Plant Problem



Photos:

Jump on over to The Garden of Words website to see the different doll part planters Katie and Amanda discussed!



The Stuff at the End

Amanda’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shop.aster.gardens

Katie’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency

Katie’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords

Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/

Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/

Subtitle: Small, potent, amazing, dangerous changes

Summary: Katie and Amanda discuss hiring consultants vs. asking your own staff for their suggestions. They talk about the challenges of running a small, women-owned business, people with a scarcity mindset, how not all traffic is good traffic and the patriarchy fest.

Highlights:

Links:

The Demon of Unrest - book by Eric Larson

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Historic Downtown Wilson

Photos:

Jump on over to The Garden of Words website to see some photos of the Whirligigs in Wilson, NC

The Stuff at the End

Amanda’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shop.aster.gardens

Katie’s Work Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency

Katie’s Personal Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords

Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/

Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/