Real Talk with Tian

When I launched, Pattern Grading Made Easy in the fall of 2019, I had no idea, couldn't have imagined what the course would have become… the knitters, crocheters, tech editors, designers I'd meet… and the supporters who's reached out.

In this bonus episode, I'm talking to Bug, the owner of Knitcircus Yarn, her mission of supporting women, and her giving back to the community by sponsoring a spot in PGME.

If you want to hear about her journey to becoming a yarn store owner as a new knitter, her commitment to helping further size-inclusivity, how you can request yarn support for your next design, AND get a sweet coupon code good until April 20, 2020.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now!

In this special bonus episode of the Real Talk with Tian podcast, I'm talking with a very special guest, Marielle Zatar. In this conversation, we get into her design journey and being a knitting teacher in the Middle East, then we jump into why she joined Pattern Grading Made Easy, her results from the 4-week course, and making the investment in her business.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now.

COURSES

Tian Connaughton - Courses

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro!

Live course with community and weekly Q+A - Pattern Grading Made Easy (live)

Self-study at your own pace - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study)

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Tian Connaughton - Coaching

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Hey there, Tian here. I am so excited to share with you this bonus episode of the Real Talk with Tian podcast. We're talking with Rachael Reese about her journey as a homeschooling mama and knitwear designer, and how the course, Pattern Grading Made Easy has given her her time back, from grading a hat pattern taking her a week to now just a few hours.

Keep listening. Real talk starts now.

COURSES

Tian Connaughton - Courses

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro!

Live course with community and weekly Q+A - Pattern Grading Made Easy (live)

Self-study at your own pace - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study)

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Tian Connaughton - Coaching

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Welcome to this bonus episode of the Real Talk with Tian podcast, where we're talking to Jessica Clement. We get into her journey from academia to knitwear design, and why Pattern Grading Made Easy, the course has been so valuable in getting her to the next level in her design journey.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now.

COURSES

Tian Connaughton - Courses

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro!

Live course with community and weekly Q+A - Pattern Grading Made Easy (live)

Self-study at your own pace - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study)

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Tian Connaughton - Coaching

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Designing and running a business can start in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes it's not wanting to follow other's instructions or maybe it's a rejection or two that's led you in a totally different direction than you'd imagined. While your path might be completely different, I want to share with you an amazing designer and coach who's created her own space in her industry.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now!

COURSES

Tian Connaughton - Courses

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro! (self-study) - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study) bit.ly/patterngradingselfstudy

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Tian Connaughton - Coaching

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

You can find Francoise Danoy:

Website: https://www.arohaknits.com/

Instagram: @arohaknits

Book mentioned

You were born for this by Chani Nicholas

There is a time and place for saying yes and in this episode, I'm talking about saying yes to opportunities and my year of yes. A lot of great things came from that year, but I also lost a lot as well and today I'm sharing my experience and all I learned like finding boundaries.

Stay tuned, real talk starts now.

Need help taking that next step? Need clarity on your message to attract your ideal customer? Get the support you need to reach your creative goals.

BOOK

Year of Yes by Shondra Rhimes

COURSES

Tian Connaughton - Courses

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro! (self-study) - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study) bit.ly/patterngradingselfstudy

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Tian Connaughton - Coaching

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

What is the next step on the fiber journey for an obsessed knitter? For many, stitching is enough. Then there are those who want to take the craft to the next level, which is designing. When it comes to designing, there's a lot to consider. There are many questions. So today, we are talking to an amazing knitwear designer who is really making a big splash in the industry, and today, we're going to learn about her journey. Real talk starts now!

Need help taking that next step? Need clarity on your message to attract your ideal customer? Get the support you need to reach your creative goals.

COURSES

Tian Connaughton - Courses

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro! (self-study) - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study) bit.ly/patterngradingselfstudy

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Tian Connaughton - Coaching

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Rebecca McKenzie

https://www.ravelry.com/designers/rebecca-mckenzie

Instagram @Raginpurlwind

Books

The girl on the bridge by James Hayman

Nerds in shining armor by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Today's real talk is about marketing and promotion for creative business owners.

Yes, we're tackling the question I've been getting a lot lately from markers, creatives, and designers just like you. And that question is, 'I'm marketing like mad and I'm still not getting any positive results. What am I doing wrong?'

If this is a question you have, stay tuned. Real talk with Tian starts now!

Need help taking that next step? Need clarity on your message to attract your ideal customer? Get the support you need to reach your creative goals.

COURSES

Tian Connaughton - Courses

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro! (self-study) - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study) bit.ly/patterngradingselfstudy

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Tian Connaughton - Coaching

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

In this episode, we're talking to Sunne Meyer about her creative journey, working with Bluprint, and how Bluprint is working to support independent designers and makers. Want to learn how you can work with Bluprint to get kits created for your knit and crochet designs? Keep listening.

Bluprint website

Find Sunne Meyer Instagram @Sunnelite

BOOKS

Thread of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle by Clare Hunter

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

Need help taking that next step? Need clarity on your message to attract your ideal customer? Get the support you need to reach your creative goals.

COURSES

Tian Connaughton - Courses

Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study)

COACHING

Tian Connaughton - Coaching

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Welcome to Season 2 of the Real Talk With Tian podcast. Yes, we are back with a fresh season of dishing up the dirt on running a creative business.

So, what you expect in Season 2?

In this season, you can expect the real talk you know I bring to help you achieve your goals. Also, in this season, I'm bringing you some interviews. I've had the pleasure over the last few years to meet some amazing people and this season, I'm talking to a few and I'm sharing the conversations with you. I'll do more if you like them.

So, that's what you can expect. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any episode. Share the podcast with 5 of your creative friends that you know need to hear this.

You can reach me on Instagram @TianConnaughton or on my website - TianConnaughton.com

The first episode of Season 2 is dropping soon, so stay tuned for some real talk! Bye for now!

xo

Tian