The Create & Thrive Podcast

By Jess Van DenBusiness Entrepreneurship

The Create & Thrive Podcast episodes

February 14, 2019[176] Overplanning vs. Underplanning: How to Balance the Pros & Cons
Are you the type of person who must have a detailed plan before you begin – or do you prefer to just start and go with the flow?
Overplanners are great at making stuff happen… but they can also be a bit too rigid, missing out on unexpected opportunities. They can also suffer from analysis paralysis – where nothing ever gets done because the plan isn’t perfect.
Underplanners are great at thinking on their feet, fitting work in around unexpected obstacles, and dreaming up creative schemes. But sometimes they can be too distracted and scatterbrained, and either take way longer than necessary to get stuff done… or just never get it done at all.
Both approaches have their pros and cons, and in this episode of the Create & Thrive Podcast I’ll be talking about overplanners and underplanners – and how you can try to negate the negative aspects of each planning approach.
Support the show
You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below.

Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc.
In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business.
You can also:
Leave a review on the C&T FB page.
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Join the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. You’ll also get access to an extra members-only episode every month.
Quotes and highlights from this episode:
Overplanner
Pros:
Greater productivity
Time for self-care + less stress if it’s scheduled in
A plan for when things go wrong/ for where you want to go
Systems that reduce mental load/allow outsourcing
A feeling of being in control
Cons:
Analysis paralysis
Missing opportunities due to rigidity
Taking on too many responsibilities/other people’s problems
Sticking to something that’s not working longer than you should
Underplanner
Pros:
Going with the flow – spontaneity and flexibility
Focus on the now, rather than the ‘what ifs’
Freedom – to do what you want, when, and follow whims
Cons:
Lack of progress due to lack of focus
Not planning for when things go wrong/ lack of contingency plan
Stress due to overwhelm (putting out fires)
Some strategies
Build deliberate ‘white space’ into your calendar to allow for spontaneity + dealing with unexpected issues (don’t over-schedule yourself).
Reward yourself – make planning pleasant rather than painful.
Practice spontaneity – if you’re rigid, practice going with the flow.
Set a goal and a date to achieve it.
See a plan as a guideline, rather than a rulebook.
27 min
February 07, 2019[175] The Journey to Create a Brand that Stands Out with Catherine Hildner
At what point do you stop going it alone, and invest in help to grow your business?
In this episode, my guest, Catherine Hildner from Kitty Meow Boutique, shares her journey to craft the business she’d dreamt of.
We discuss her business journey, including her recent decision to invest in a coach, a photographer and a website developer to help her re-vamp her brand.
We also discuss the importance of working on your business instead of always working in your business – taking the time to look at the big picture.
And we discuss dealing with difficult customers – and ways you can prevent and manage difficult customer service situations.
Support the show
You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below.

Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc.
In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business.
You can also:
Leave a review on the C&T FB page.
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Join the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. You’ll also get access to an extra members-only episode every month.
Highlights and quotes from this episode:
“I just love the feeling of creating something that brings someone so much joy.” {Catherine}
Developing a signature style and easily identifiable branding took Catherine several years.
“One thing I love about business is you never stop learning – you’ve got to keep moving forward.” {Jess}
Catherine’s business grew organically over time. This year she worked on solidifying long term planning, branding development and relaunched her website.
“For makers who start with a side business, we’re so focused on the small elements of it that looking at the big picture can fall by the wayside.” {Jess}
“Realising I was spending way too much time working in my business not on my business is when things really started to change.” {Catherine}
Catherine invested in her business during this phase with a coach, a photographer and a website developer to bring her vision into life.
“If you can’t get excited about your business and have passion when a customer contacts you to make an order then what are you doing in this business?” {Catherine}
Jess recommends Bernadette Jiwa’s The Fortune Cookie Principal for fostering relationships and communication with customers.
Catherine shares anecdotes about times she has managed challenging customer interactions.
“If you make a mistake you have to own it, apologise, do everything you can to make it better and learn from it and move on while implementing the lessons you learnt.” {Jess}
This situation can be stressful but it’s a way to strengthen your policies and become more confident win what’s okay and not okay in your business.
“You can ‘fire’ a client if they are not a good fit for you or you don’t think you can serve them in the way they want to be served.” {Jess}
Your routine will look different in times of stress and unexpected life events.
Check out Catherine’s business on her website – Kitty Meow Boutique.
45 min
January 31, 2019[174] Growing a Business via Customer-Led Product Development with Jacinta Taylor
Like many of us, Jacinta’s business started when she couldn’t buy something she wanted – so she figured out how to make it.
Fast-forward a number of years later, and she’s developed a successful niche business making products out of laminated cotton.
One fascinting element of Jacinta’s business development has been the way she’s focussed on customer-driven product development. That is – listening to her community, and creating products that they want, rather than creating products and then finding a market for them.
We talk about the importance of listening to and learning from our customers, and how you can leverage that knowledge to give people what they’re looking for.
Support the show
You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below.

Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc.
In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business.
You can also:
Leave a review on the C&T FB page.
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Join the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. You’ll also get access to an extra members-only episode every month.
Quotes and highlights from this episode:
Jacinta’s business originated when she couldn’t find a washable high chair mat and sourced fabric to make her own. When she shared this on Facebook lots of people requested one and her business grew from there.
“We all have the same problems – if you have a problem there’s a chance that there are a lot of other people who need a solution to this problem.” {Jacinta}
Jacinta listened to customer comments, feedback and requests to create new products that solved problems for others.
“Sometimes we gloss over messages on social media but there can be real gold in these.” {Jess}
“Once three paying customers you don’t know directly are happy to buy it this is going to be a product that will work.” {Jacinta}
Jacinta values markets as this allows her to connect with customers and gather feedback and ideas. She rotates through lots of markets and engages with smaller regional areas.
She wholesales selectively which creates an intermediary to audiences she may not generally connect to.
“Not everyone will like you but they may like your product.” {Jacinta}
Jacinta expanded her business in 2018 to hire a staff member to assist with production and social media.
To best use her time, Jacinta uses a weekly plan where she sets goals and breaks tasks down.
“A mistake a lot of people makes is they overestimate how much they can get done in a week.” {Jess}
Lower your expectations on what can get done in a week and become comfortable with the idea that you will never have a blank slate on your business to do list.
Jess discusses the Urgent/Important task management matrix.
Visit Jacinta’s business: Laminated Cotton Shop.
40 min
January 24, 2019[173] What Do I Send to my Email List? {Premium Episode}
Is email marketing part of your strategy for 2019?
If you have a business that lends itself to cultivating customers who buy from you again and again, then I strongly suggest email marketing should be a vital part of your marketing strategy.
There are so many benefits to email marketing – not only do you get direct access to potential customers, but people are much more likely to buy from an email than they are to buy via social media. I’m not going to go into all the reasons why (as I cover this in the Intro to Mailing Lists Workshop over in the Thriver Circle) but here are a few quick numbers for you:
77% of people prefer email as a place to recieve promotional messages, versus 4% who prefer Facebook
91% of people use email daily versus 57% who use Facebook
66% of people have made a purchase from an email vs 20% who’ve made one from Facebook. (source)
In short: email marketing works.
But… what do you send to your subscribers?
In this episode I outline a whole raft of things you might like to send – and why.

>>Become a member of the Thriver Circle and listen to the full episode.<<

Listen to the Intro:
Support the show
You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below.

Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc.
In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business.
You can also:
Leave a review on the C&T FB page.
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Join the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. You’ll also get access to an extra members-only episode every month.
3 min
January 17, 2019[172] How PR can Help you Grow a Niche Handmade Business with Aidan Mackinnon
There are so many ways we can market our handmade business – and different methods will work more effectively depending on your business model.
For Aidan Mackinnon of Cut Throat Knives, PR has been, by far, the most successful marketing avenue.
In this episode, we discuss why this is, as well as chatting about various other lessons Aidan has learnt since he turned his knife-making hobby into a successful boutique business – with a couple of employees and a loyal customer base.
Support the show
You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below.

Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc.
In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business.
You can also:
Leave a review on the C&T FB page.
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Join the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. You’ll also get access to an extra members-only episode every month.
Quotes and highlights from this episode:
Aidan’s journey started with a knife making class and spent six months in his workshop building up his skill level and learning techniques.
“Running your own business becomes all consuming – it’s positive because it allows you to build your business in the way it should be built but it’s negative because it has detrimental effects on all other parts of your life.” {Aidan}
Aidan’s products feature a core range, collectable items and custom items with varying price points.
Paid advertising hasn’t worked well for Aidan’s Cut Throat Knives so public relations is the focus of their marketing approach.
“I would rather spend $2000 of my time on writing a better press release and getting my story out there than spending it on advertising dollars.” {Aidan}
Cut Throat Knives reaches out to media contacts every two or three months to get the word out and build relationships.
“Those of us who haven’t had formal training in our craft can often fall into the imposter syndrome trap and therefore not feel comfortable talking about what you do and not feel good enough.” {Jess}
Cut Throat Knives in primarily online but visits a small number of markets each year. Customers will often take time to consider a knife and will purchase a piece 6 or 12 months later.
“You can be a really disorganised sole trader and do fine. As soon as you start employing other people that goes out the window.” {Aidan}
Figure out where your strength lies and outsource your weaknesses to other people.
“Collaboration over competition – there is no reason why there is not enough customers for everybody.” {Jess}
Aidan’s top tip for creative entrepreneurs: “be kind to yourself because you are going to be making a lot of errors.”
Check out Aidan’s business – Cut Throat Knives
51 min
January 10, 2019[171] 8 Reasons why your Traffic isn’t Converting to Sales
Usually, we focus on getting more traffic to our handmade shops online.
However – have you ever thought about your conversion rate?
Out of the traffic you get through your virtual door – how many of those potential customers become actual customers?
In today’s episode, I’m going to be sharing 8 possible reasons why your shop is struggling to convert those visitors into customers.
If you’ve ever asked yourself ‘I’m getting all these visitors, but no-one is buying… why?’ – then this episode is for you.
If you’ve never calculated your conversion rate before, there’s a handy formula further down – make sure to check out what YOUR conversion rate currently is – and see if it’s something you need to work on improving.
Support the show
You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below.
Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc.
In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business.
You can also:
Leave a review on the C&T FB page.
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Join the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. You’ll also get access to an extra members-only episode every month.
Quotes and highlights from this episode:
First – know your conversion rate. If you’re seeing less than 2 percent and your conversion ask isn’t significant, you’re likely facing a conversion problem
(Number of sales you get per month / number of visitors to your site per month) x 100 = your conversion rate as a percentage
Bad photography/lacking photography (size, in situ)
Descriptions that lack crucial detail (not answering common objections/questions)
Overly complex checkout process
Website is difficult to navigate/poorly designed
Lack of trust (not having https for example, no reviews, no real name)
You aren’t marketing to the right people (ideal customer)
Mismatch between price and perceived value
Choice paralysis (too many options)
27 min
January 04, 2019[170] How to take product photos with your smartphone (iPhone or Android) with Chaitra Radhakrishna
So you want to take amazing product photos of your handmade goods, but you don’t have a DSLR.
Can you use your trusty iPhone or Android Smartphone to take Etsy-worthy photos?
The answer is ‘yes, absolutely’ and here to tell you exactly how to do it today’s guest, Chaitra Radhakrishna.
She is the founder of Pinkpot, a design and photography studio for creative handmade businesses.
She thrives on helping makers and product sellers grow their shop sales, revenue and impact through strategic, conversion-focused website design and product photography.
We had an in-depth discussion about all the apps, tricks, and outside-the-camera strategies to make sure you can create stellar product photos for your online shop with just your smartphone!
Listen below…
Support the show
You can make a secure donation (of the amount of your choice) via the Paypal button below.
Each donation helps cover the cost of hosting, show-note writing, research, interviewing, recording, editing, etc. etc.
In short – it helps to cover the time and financial costs of putting together a free weekly show to help you grow your handmade business.
You can also:
Leave a review on the C&T FB page.
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Join the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. You’ll also get access to an extra members-only episode every month.

Quotes and highlights from this episode:
You can definitely use your phone to take photographs that are good enough for your shop.
Not all phone cameras are equal – check your specifications.
Two great apps to turn your phone camera into a DSLR are:
Pro Camera
Camera +
Also – Camera FV-5
“If you are just using the automatic mode the whole purpose of using a DSLR is negated” {Chaitra}
F/Stop defines the focus of your photos. A lower F/Stop (1.2-1.8) creates a crisp focal point in the foreground with the background blurred.
ISO assists with exposure and lighting if your photos. Increase the ISO on cloudy days (400-800) and for brighter days use a lower setting (200).
Be aware if you increase the ISO too far your images will be grainy.
White balance ensures your colours show correctly. Use natural lighting (or a good artificial lighting set) where possible and avoid having any other electric lights on as these create a colour cast.
“No amount of editing can fix a poor-quality photo” {Chaitra}
Combat shaky hands and keep your product photos crisp by using a tripod.
There are two main styles of photos you will need for your business – studio and lifestyle.
Studio shots are the image you will use in your store. Keep these images as simple as possible.
Lifestyle shots show customers how they can use your product in their lives. These images can include props that support your product in the picture.
“Save yourself a lot of time and workflow by editing your photos on your phone” {Chaitra}
Snapseedis a great app to edit phone photos with.
Tools to explore in Snapseed include Tune Image, Brush and Healing.
Avoid using zoom on your phone photos as it decreases the resolution of your photos.
Use the camera on the back of your phone for product shots as the front camera resolution is lower.
Clip lenses: Ollo.
Get Chaitra’s free product photography course!
When you sell online, you simply cannot afford to have anything less than stellar photos of your work.
The Create & Thrive Guide to Product Photography has been written for the beginner-to-intermediate product photographer.
Written by a professional photographer, specifically for makers with little photography experience, this e-book will teach you all you need to know to get started on your product photography journey.
Find out more...
51 min
December 18, 2018SS18 – Magnetic Marketing with Shannon Bush
Welcome to the Create & Thrive Podcast Summer Series, where I replay the highlights from the show in 2018.
If you’re a long-term listener, and you’re looking for fresh content – why not check out my NEW show – The Business of Making?
Also! In this ep I announce the return of my free mini-couse – Look Back Move Forward – which will be kicking off on January 1st!
Click here to find out more and sign up for this FREE mini-course!

Does your marketing copy sometimes just feel a bit… blah?
Like – you’re not quite sure what to say to really explain how awesome your product actually is?
In this episode, you’ll learn a key tactic that will make your product descriptions SO much more powerful and persuasive – and it’s called the benefit statement.
My guest today is Shannon Bush, who has been working with businesses of all shapes and sizes for over 10 years, helping them overhaul their messaging and grow their reach.
In this episode, we talk about her concept of magnetic, or ‘lean in’ marketing – how to draw people to you rather than pushing them away with shouty marketing tactics – and we go in-depth on the process of crafting a benefit statement for your products and business.
So get your notebook ready, and prepare to create powerful product descriptions that will tap into the wants and needs of your ideal customer, and get you more sales!
(P.S. I totally used Shannon’s tactic to write that last sentence…)

Love the show? You can show your support by:
Leaving a review on the C&T FB page.
Leaving a review on iTunes.
Donating a few dollars towards the costs of producing the pod.
Joining the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible

Quotes and Highlights in this episode:
You are never done with business – there are always new things to learn and try.
Magnetic marketing is about finding your own magnetism and creating an approach that is genuine to who you are.
Aim to create the “lean in effect” where people want to engage with you, find out more about your products and are drawn to you and your story.
Take the extra time and effort to connect with your customers and build a relationship.
“People buy from people – remember the human element” {Shannon}
Your marketing helps people understand what you sell and why they should select you rather than others in the same field.
Jess recommends the book “The Fortune Cookie Principle” by Bernadette Jiwa
“The descriptions of what you sell are critical” {Shannon}
Each of your products has a why. Consider why you started making, why you chose those components, why you designed your product this way.
“People do invest based on that perceived benefit” {Shannon}
When writing product descriptions outlines its features and then outline the benefits. This is wordier but it provides customers with why they need this product in their lives.
“Just because you are making something that doesn’t have a practical purpose doesn’t mean that people don’t need it in their lives” {Jess}
Use the language customers are leaving in reviews for your products to help shape your benefits text.
Linking statements are the words between the list of features and the list of benefits that provide extra dynamism. Examples include “so you can”, “allowing you to” and “reminding you that”.
With descriptions, remember to speak to the person directly and use “I” and “you” not “we” and “they”.
Magnetic marketing can feel very easy because you get to be “you”. Be genuine, build relationships and keep it real.
46 min
December 11, 2018SS18 – Being Boss with Emily Thompson
Welcome to the Create & Thrive Podcast Summer Series, where I replay the highlights from the show in 2018.
If you’re a long-term listener, and you’re looking for fresh content – why not check out my NEW show – The Business of Making?
Also! In this ep I announce the return of my free mini-couse – Look Back Move Forward – which will be kicking off on January 1st!
Click here to find out more and sign up for this FREE mini-course!

Have you heard of the Being Boss podcast? If so, you’ll know my guest today – one half of the BB duo – Emily Thompson.
If not, you’re in for a treat.
In this episode, I interview Emily about what it means to be the boss of your business and your life.
We cover a lot of juicy mindset topics, and we discuss Emily & Kathleen’s new book – Being Boss.
I loved talking with Emily, and I hope you get a lot out of this episode!

Love the show? You can show your support by:
Leaving a review on the C&T FB page.
Leaving a review on iTunes.
Donating a few dollars towards the costs of producing the pod.
Joining the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible

Quotes and Highlights in this episode:
Emily started with her first business at age 18 and her career has shifted and changed many times since then.
It is very unlikely that you are going to find the things you are going to do for the rest of your life early on.
Confidence is a muscle – the more you work it the stronger it gets.
“Find the ways to remind yourself that you are awesome at what you’re doing or you will figure it out along the way.” {Emily}
Being stuck in fear will not allow you to lead a fulfilling life and work.
“Confidence is something you will have to practise and you will always have to practise.” {Emily}
Look for proof in your past experiences of times the thing that scared you worked out.
Take a breather from the problem – get some perspective and change gears and then come back with fresh eyes.
Entrepreneurs are making it up and figuring it out as they go along.
“We are all experimenting. You have to be willing to do the experiments and take the risks.” {Jess}
The more you try the more you will fail – get comfortable with failure to allow you try new ways and new things.
When things are no longer fulfilling in your business it is time to let consider what you need to change to get back to fulfillment.
“There are times when a dream job is no longer dreamy.” {Emily}
Systems and process are very important to business it is important to leave space to be creative.
“You can systemise yourself into a rut where you don’t have the space to allow your creative juices to be flowing.” {Emily}
Find out more about Emily, the podcast, and the Being Boss book here.
39 min
December 04, 2018SS18 – How Max & Me Became a Smashing Success with Stacey Howard
Welcome to the Create & Thrive Podcast Summer Series, where I replay the highlights from the show in 2018.
If you’re a long-term listener, and you’re looking for fresh content – why not check out my NEW show – The Business of Making?
Also! In this ep I announce the return of my free mini-couse – Look Back Move Forward – which will be kicking off on January 1st!
Click here to find out more and sign up for this FREE mini-course!

I’m so excited to share this episode with you!
I invited today’s guest – Stacey Howard – on the show to share her business journey – because I’ve been watching her progress since she took my Set Up Shop course back in 2013.
Since then, she’s built a 6-figure handmade business – all while having and raising her 2 kids.
Stacey is a brilliant example of how hard work, dedication, and tenacity can pay off, and she has SO much wisdom to share with you today.
Enjoy this episode!

Love the show? You can show your support by:
Leaving a review on the C&T FB page.
Leaving a review on iTunes.
Donating a few dollars towards the costs of producing the pod.
Joining the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible

Quotes and Highlights in this episode:
Stacey’s business focus has shifted and refined over the years.
“My business evolved by following what my customers actually needed and what they were actually looking for” {Stacey}
By minimising one of a kind items, Stacey was able to free up significant amounts of time, energy and stock to focus on other aspects of growing her business.
Different products perform well in different spaces. Stacey’s postage stamp jewellery performed well at markets but were slower to sell online whereas her customisable cufflinks and jewellery perform best online.
The turning point in Stacey’s business was a large pricing restructure that included free postage as part of the price increase.
“If you have more higher priced items you will sell more of your mid-point items” {Stacey}
Increasing the prices of your products can be difficult but it is important to remember you are not necessarily your target market.
Give your new pricing structure time to bed down. It will take a little while to see results.
Provide your mailing list with advance notice of your price increase to build and sustain good will.
“You are making a beautiful product – don’t undersell yourself” {Stacey}
“Nobody is paying anywhere as much attention to your business as you are” {Jess}
The driver and source of your sales may shift and change over the years.
“You have to keep learning because if you don’t you will be left behind” {Stacey}
Consider outsourcing aspects of your life to free up time for you to work on your business.
“What activity (to outsource) will bring you the best return on investment?” {Jess}
Stacey’s tip for markets is to put your phone down and engage with each person who comes to your stall. They may not buy from this time but you are building a brand.
See Stacey’s work on her website: Max & Me Designs
52 min

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