Quilting on the Side

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In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori discuss effective holiday planning strategies for small businesses, particularly in the quilting industry. They explore the pros and cons of participating in Black Friday sales, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead to maximize profits while maintaining a balance between business and personal life. The conversation highlights the significance of community engagement, sustainable marketing practices, and the necessity of preparing for the new year to ensure ongoing success.

Chapters
00:00 Holiday Planning for Success
03:55 Pros and Cons of Black Friday Sales
10:27 Strategies for Effective Sales
17:22 Creating a Sustainable Sales System
23:57 Focusing on Community and Engagement
27:22 Planning Ahead for the New Year

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Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

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In this powerful episode of Quilting on the Side, Tori and Andi welcome back their favorite coach for quilters, Dara Tomasson, for a timely conversation about mindset, controversy, and emotional resilience in business. Together, they explore how to navigate emotionally charged situations, set healthy boundaries, and separate self-worth from business outcomes - especially in today’s divided social and economic climate (in the US at least!). 

Dara shares why reaching a neutral emotional state leads to clearer decision-making, and how curiosity and inspiration in everyday life can fuel both personal and professional growth. This episode is especially relevant for quilt pattern designers, teachers, and longarm quilters navigating challenges like tariffs, scarcity mindset, and conflicting beliefs while growing a sustainable business.   

Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Mindset in Business
04:09 Reaching a Neutral State for Better Decisions
06:35 Separating Self-Worth from Business Outcomes
11:47 Navigating Emotional Challenges in Business
18:14 Establishing Boundaries in a Divided Society
26:56 Having Difficult Conversations
31:42 Understanding Mental Health in Business
34:44 Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life

Connect with Dara Tomasson:

• On Instagram 
• On her website: https://daratomasson.com/
• Sign up for her free Webinar: How To Work With Your Hormones Instead of Against Them September 17th @ 12pm Pacific Time CLICK HERE

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks and Content?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori discuss the journey of self-publishing, particularly in the quilting community. They share their personal experiences, reflection questions for aspiring authors, and the realities of the publishing process, including financial aspects and marketing strategies. Tori introduces the Self-Publishing Incubator, a program designed to support individuals in their publishing journey with a team of experts.

Want to join the Self-Publishing Incubator? CLICK HERE!

Key Takeaways:

• Self-publishing can be a fulfilling dream for many.
• Reflection questions can help determine if writing a book is right for you.
• Identifying your expertise is crucial for writing a book.
• Passion and curiosity can drive your writing topics.
• People often seek advice from you based on your skills.
• Self-publishing allows for creative control over your content.
• Financial realities of publishing can be challenging but manageable.
• The publishing process requires careful planning and documentation.
• Low-content books can be a viable publishing option.
• Support systems like the Self-Publishing Incubator can facilitate the publishing journey.

Mentioned in the Episode: Published! The Proven Path From Blank Page To 10,000 Copies Sold

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Self-Publishing
14:28 Deciding Between Fiction and Non-Fiction
25:00 The Self-Publishing Experience
28:42 The Journey of Self-Publishing
33:01 Understanding Book Pricing and Profitability
35:35 The Importance of Quality in Publishing
40:02 The Role of Editors in the Publishing Process
44:06 Exploring Low Content Publishing
48:56 Launching the Self-Publishing Incubator

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks and Content?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Business Content?
🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks

🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed 

📌 Follow us on Instagram

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/ 

Support the show

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In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori chat with Jennifer Long of Sew a Story about her journey from a hobbyist quilter to a successful fabric designer and membership founder. Jennifer shares her early experiences with quilting, how she transitioned her passion into a business, and the challenges she faced along the way, including a significant rejection that ultimately led to her growth as a designer. The conversation delves into the importance of crafting connections with children through sewing, the intricate process of fabric design, and the balance between creativity and business. Jennifer emphasizes the value of community and connection in her work, and she shares exciting new projects aimed at fostering creativity in families.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Quilting and Crafting Journey
01:53 Transitioning from Hobby to Business
05:35 Overcoming Rejection in Fabric Design
10:14 Current Business Ventures and Future Plans
19:23 The Importance of Crafting Connections
23:37 The Fabric Design Process Explained
32:13 Balancing Creativity and Business Tasks
38:38 The Circle of Security and Personal Growth
41:08 Prioritizing Opportunities and Energy Management
47:09 Finding Inspiration in Art and Storytelling
51:55 Connecting with the Community and Future Plans

Connect with Jennifer Long:

• Website: SewaStory.com
• Instagram: @sewastory_jenniferlong
• Facebook: Sew a Story
• Facebook Group: Sew a Story
• YouTube: Sew a Story
• Pattern Club Membership
• Modern Rag Doll Membership

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks and Content?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Business Content?
🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks

🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed 

📌 Follow us on Instagram

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech & https://www.heytori.tech/

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts & https://truebluequilts.com/ 

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

Send us Fan Mail

Summary
In this episode, Andi and Tori celebrate the launch of Season Five, reflecting on their experiences at the H & H event and discussing the importance of recognizing trends in the quilting industry. They explore the concept of 'bed rotting' and its connection to sleep trends, as well as Tori's transition to full-time entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into market research strategies, emphasizing the significance of understanding one's ideal customer and engaging with the community. They wrap up by inviting listeners to join their Patreon for deeper engagement and support.

Don’t miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Takeaways

• Season five marks a significant milestone for the podcast.
• Tori's experience at H & H was more focused and goal-oriented this year.
• Learning to notice trends can enhance marketing strategies.
• The concept of 'bed rotting' reflects a shift in lifestyle and relaxation.
• Tori has transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship, focusing on course design and digital marketing coaching.
• Understanding your ideal customer is crucial for effective marketing.
• Market research can be simple and quick to conduct.
• Engaging with your audience helps identify trends and needs.
• We offer a community on Patreon that offers deeper engagement and support.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Season Five
02:56 Reflections on H & H Event
04:16 Exploring Trends in Quilting
11:30 The Shift Towards Smaller Projects
13:19 Tori's Leap into Full-Time Business
18:27 Understanding Market Research
25:50 Wrapping Up and Community Engagement

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Andi and Tori celebrate the conclusion of Season Four of their podcast, reflecting on the incredible journey they've had with their guests and the insights shared throughout the season. 

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

quilting, podcast, season recap, guest stories, mindset, AI, QuiltCon, economic challenges, community support

Chapters:

00:00 Celebrating Season Four Milestones

02:59 Inspiring Guest Stories

05:50 Mindset Shifts and Business Growth

08:50 Exploring AI in Quilting

11:54 Recap of QuiltCon Experiences

14:56 Navigating Economic Challenges in Quilting

18:03 Community Support and Future Directions

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

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In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori welcome back Dara Tomasson, a life coach for quilters. They discuss the importance of emotional regulation, the shift from weight loss to mindset coaching, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with business pursuits. Dara shares insights on coping strategies, the nature of guilt, and the rewarding aspects of coaching women to improve their lives. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-acceptance, celebrating successes, and the power of choice in managing emotions.

Episode Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Digital Marketing Magic by Tori. Designed to help you create a streamlined system for your digital marketing, DMMC saves you time and energy so you can focus on what you love: being creative. Learn more at Tori’s website: https://www.thequiltpatchbytori.com/dmmc.

Connect with Dara:
Visit daratomasson.com/ to explore her courses, products, and more.
Follow her on Instagram @dara_tomasson for behind-the-scenes and podcast updates.

Mentioned on the Episode: 

Join Dara at  The Quilters Life Summit, happening virtually April 30th through May 2nd! She’ll be teaching classes on perfectionism, over-consuming, and menopause. Tackle your fears and challenges while drawing inspiration from a diverse group of quilters.

Join Dara’s Love Yourself Thin community and embark on a healthier journey alongside members, Andy and Tori! 

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Want More Quilting Content?

🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

life coaching, quilting, emotional regulation, mindset, weight loss, business balance, guilt, coping strategies, motherhood, creativity

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Digital Marketing Magic Community

00:38 Dara Thomason: Life Coach for Quilters

01:51 The Shift from Weight Loss to Mindset Coaching

05:36 Understanding Emotional Regulation and Weight Loss

06:34 Coping Strategies: Avoid, Resist, React, Accept

15:50 Balancing Motherhood and Business

17:06 Deciding to Feel: Understanding Guilt

21:44 Celebrating Success and Embracing Emotions

30:41 The Rewarding Aspects of Coaching

33:16 Upcoming Events and Closing Thoughts

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

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In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and quilting. They discuss the basics of AI, its applications in the quilting community, and the limitations of AI-generated content. The conversation highlights the importance of human creativity in conjunction with AI tools, emphasizing the need for effective prompts to maximize AI's potential. They also touch on the role of images in AI and the future of AI in creative industries, providing insights for quilters and crafters looking to integrate technology into their work. 

Episode Sponsor: Want to support the podcast and unlock some amazing perks along the way? Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! As a patron, you’ll get exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and special resources to help you grow on your quilting journey. Whether you're just starting out or you've got years under your belt, there’s something in there just for you. Best of all, your support helps keep the podcast going strong—so thank you! Check it out at: https://www.patreon.com/QuiltingontheSide

Mentioned on the Episode: 

The Importance of Authenticity in Quilting and Crafting

ChatGPT Writes a Quilt Block Pattern

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Want More Quilting Content?

🔗  Join Tori's Digital Marketing Coaching for Crafters

🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed

📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter

📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

AI, quilting, ChatGPT, creative processes, technology in crafting, quilting patterns, AI applications, instructional design, digital tools, community engagement, AI, creativity, emotional intelligence, decision-making, digital marketing, SEO, business tools, productivity, technology, innovation

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.

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In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi shares her experiences participating in the Quilted Summit, discussing the benefits of collaboration, presentation styles, and the importance of engaging with an audience. She highlights the lessons learned from the event, including customer service strategies and the significance of follow-up communication. The conversation emphasizes the power of networking and collaboration in the quilting community, encouraging listeners to participate in future summits and to keep their audience engaged post-event.

Episode Sponsor: A huge thank you to our episode sponsor, True Blue Quilts! True Blue Quilts has the ultimate library of modern designs that will spark joy for both the quilter and the recipient. Keep reaching your goals with daily reminders by downloading the monthly wallpaper, in a collection of Canva templates! Jump on over to the shop for your next quilting pattern at Monthly Wallpaper {DIGITAL} - True Blue Quilts.

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

quilting, online summit, presentation, customer service, business growth, collaboration, engagement, feedback, promotion, lessons learned

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Quilting Summits

03:00 Andi's Experience at the Quilted Summit

05:52 Presentation Style and Technical Aspects

09:03 Engagement and Customer Service

11:53 Lessons Learned and Business Growth

15:10 Feedback and Memorable Moments

17:55 Promotion Strategies for Summits

20:56 Post-Summit Engagement and Follow-Up

24:09 Advice for Future Summit Participants

26:59 The Power of Collaboration in Quilting

29:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

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In this episode of Quilting on the Side, hosts Andi and Tori interview Susan Smith, a quilter with a rich family history in quilting. Susan shares her journey from learning to quilt on a treadle machine in a log cabin to turning her passion into a business during the pandemic. She discusses her marketing strategies, particularly the effectiveness of YouTube, and emphasizes the importance of building trust with her audience before selling her courses. Susan also shares insights from organizing a quilting cruise and her plans for future courses and memberships, highlighting the supportive quilting community she cherishes. 

Things we talked about with Susan:

Tune in to Susan's podcast, Measure Twice, Cut Once, for relaxed conversations about the valuable lessons she and her guests have discovered in life, business, and creativity. You can listen to her podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and via RSS Feed.

Episode Sponsor: A huge thank you to our episode sponsor, EQ8! EQ8 is the ultimate quilt design software that helps bring your creative visions to life. With user-friendly tools for designing, planning, and visualizing quilts, EQ8 is perfect for quilters of all levels. Take your quilting projects to the next level by visiting https://bit.ly/quiltingonthesideEQ8.

👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.

Connect with Susan:

Website: Stitched by Susan

Youtube: @StitchedBySusan

Instagram: @stitchedbysusan

Want to Support the Podcast and Unlock Exclusive Perks?

Join our Quilting on the Side Patreon community! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and exclusive resources to help you grow your quilting journey. Plus, your support helps keep the podcast thriving! Click here to join.

Want More Quilting Content?
🔗 Support us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s new book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Sign up for our weekly newsletter
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Podcast Details:

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @thequiltpatchbytori

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Producer:

Devan Robinson @developingwithdevan

Keywords

quilting, business, YouTube, online courses, quilting cruise, marketing strategies, quilting community, entrepreneurship, Susan Smith, quilting techniques

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Quilting on the Side

01:12 Susan's Quilting Journey: From Family Tradition to Business

05:08 Transitioning to a Quilting Business During the Pandemic

10:04 Marketing Strategies: The Power of YouTube

16:14 The Importance of Building Trust Before Selling

21:03 Organizing a Quilting Cruise: A Unique Experience

26:09 Future Plans: Courses and Memberships

31:13 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

🔔 Subscribe to the Quilting on the Side podcast and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.