The Create & Thrive Podcast

By Jess Van DenBusiness Entrepreneurship

The Create & Thrive Podcast episodes

November 29, 2018SS18 – Set up Good Systems with Marina Darlow
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’ve got an epic interview for you this week!
My guest – Marina Darlow – is a systems expert & productivity geek.
An engineer by training, she helps impact-driven entrepreneurs to get 10-20 more productive hours a week, stop leaking money, and prevent stress-fuel breakdowns.
In this episode we discuss why systems matter, how they can help you become more creative, and outline a number of examples specific to makers.

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 & highlights from this episode:
Business systems are there to support you so when unexpected things happen your business does not fall apart.
“Good systems are what allows most people the space to create without other things infringing on it” {Marina}
Systems create clear boundaries in your work processes and allow you to divert your energy to important tasks with a greater focus.
Jess recommends the book Getting Things Done by David Allen.
Establish how you work best and build systems to protect and support this creative time.
Schedule your creative blocks for when you are most productive and have the most energy and consider this on a daily, weekly and monthly scale.
Marina recommends the book Deep Work by Cal Newport.
The energy required to switch between tasks can be significant. Schedule the time for this transition into your systems.
Utilise the power of ritual to start and finish work and manage transitions. This can be something very small such as packing your tools away or getting a cup of tea.
“Systems make you more resilient” {Marina}
Utilise systems to manage your time through calendars and reminders.
Establish systems around money to remove anxiety. Establish systems for payments, custom orders, invoicing and budgets. And make sure you check in on these regularly!
“You can actually find joy, excitement and motivation in tracking your money” {Jess}
Streamline your communications with systems to manage your materials, suppliers, marketing and team.
Communication templates are an invaluable system that saves time, energy and money.
“Have meetings with yourself and assess the elements of your business – if you never stop and do that you can never make progress on improving your systems and processes of business” {Jess}
Jess recommends the book The Story of Telling by Bernadette Jiwa.
Start setting up your systems with one small step. Avoid getting overwhelmed by focusing on the next small task, complete it, celebrate, and repeat the process.
If you are stuck on which system to start first, visit Marina’s website for her tips and take her free mini-course.
Loved this episode? Marina’s podcast Systems Meet Humanity features me as a guest.
55 min
November 19, 2018SS18 – Grow your Side Hustle with Chris Guillebeau
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!

In this episode I talk with the master of the Side Hustle – my friend Chris Guillebeau.
Chris has been running one side hustle after the other his whole adult life. These days, amongst other things, he’s a well-known author, blogger, and the host of the Side Hustle podcast.
I met Chris at a Problogger conference many years ago – and in fact, a conversation with him at that conference was one of the key moments that helped me decide to start Create & Thrive!
So it’s quite poetic that I am now welcoming him as a guest on the show to talk about business, life, and the power of having a side hustle.
Don’t miss this episode – Chris is full of awesome wisdom and knowledge from the thousands of small business owners he’s talked to, interviewed, and worked with in his career.

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 from this episode:
You don’t have to quite your day job to launch a creative business.
There is value in building security before leaving your day job to start your side hustle full-time.
“There is nothing wrong with keeping the day job and slowly building this business on the side” {Jess}
A day job will allow you to try different things and experiment rather than putting too much pressure on your new venture.
“Be willing to take action even when they are no guarantees” {Chris}
Your first side hustle may not where you ultimately end up. Don’t be afraid to ty new ideas and discard those that don’t work or feel like a good fit.
Chris shares a story for his first side hustle.
When selling your goods promote the benefits of your product before the features.
“What emotional need does this purchase meet for someone?”{Chris}
Everyone is capable of starting a side hustle – if you don’t have all the skills required you can learn these.
“You don’t have to pick the content or topic that you are most passionate about. You can just be excited about learning how to do this (building a business)” {Chris}
Investors and starting capital are not essential to start a business.
“You don’t have to live your life the way others expect” {Chris}
Find Chris online here.
Check out the Side Hustle School and book!
34 min
November 06, 2018 [168] Check out my NEW podcast – The Business of Making!

So, I’ve been working on a secret project… you may have seen me mention it on social.
The time has come to let you in on it!
I’m so excited to introduce you to my NEW podcast… and I’m not doing it alone.
I’m launching The Business of Making Podcast with my friends and co-hosts Mikaela Danvers of The Makers Collective & Deborah Engelmajer of Tizzit (and the Maker’s Biz Summit).
(Before you worry, no, the Create & Thrive Podcast isn’t going anywhere – you’ll just have 2 chances each week to listen to me chat about all things handmade business!)
Each week, Mik, Deb & I will bring you an episode where we chat about what it REALLY takes to run a successful handmade business. No BS, no sugar-coating – just the honest, nitty-gritty reality of the challenges (and joys!) that handmade business entails.
And… just a little hint… but this is just the beginning. We have a few bigger plans percolating – but you’ll have to wait until next year to find out more about that!
Today, we’ve got 3 episodes for you – click below to listen in to each of them.
Oh! And make sure to join our FREE Facebook community, too!

7 min
November 01, 2018[167] Art & Travel with Alice Tams
In this episode, you’ll find out how a joke turned into a micro-niche… and then into a successful full-time business for artist Alice Tams!
Alice sells prints of her iconic birds in hats, as well as doing custom artwork, and currently, painting murals in public spaces as she travels around the world.
In this episode, she shares how her art career evolved from drawing funny pictures for friends into a successful business over a period of 5 years.
We talk working in your pyjamas (and why she’s not a fan); how to grow slowly by re-investing into the business; why word of mouth is so important; and much, much more!

Quotes and highlights from this episode:
“It is really good to have a project, no matter how small it seems, to begin with” {Alice}

Chipping away with a project allows you to really quickly build up a body of work.

As soon as you can separate your work space from your home space.

A change of scenery can help energise, focus and refresh you.

“There is a different energy when you get out of your own space” {Jess}

Alice utilises a fulfilment business to check and packs orders. This allows her to work remotely, spend more time on the creative and travel.

It took five years from Alice’s first sketch to illustrating full time. She started with weekly markets and reinvested all her profits straight back into the business.

At the end of the day word of mouth is a keystone to marketing. Recommendations help build a strong following.

“Everyone makes mistakes, everyone feels really unpopular. They just don’t talk about it that much” {Alice}

It is essential to get your accounts in order no matter how small or large your business is.

“It is better to put your prices up to an amount that is fair for you and have less orders. You’re going to do less work for more money and that makes sense” {Alice}

Carve out time and space for your creativity.

“Your work will stagnate if you are stagnant” {Alice}

Find Alice on her website here.
47 min
October 23, 2018[166] Pricing & Branding with Megan Auman
My friend Megan Auman has been running her eponymous jewellery line for over 12 years. She also, like me, teaches makers how to craft successful businesses.
It was a pleasure to chat with her in this episode – we talked pricing, branding, marketing & more!
We highlight the difference between the ‘one to many’ and ‘1000 true fans’ marketing/business growth strategies; why you don’t need to manufacture problems to sell handmade; and, why social media may just be one of the lowest return-on-investment marketing strategies.
Listen now:

Highlights and quotes from this episode:
The myth of the starving artist mindset is unrealistic.
“Sell for an amount of money to sustain your business and sustain your life” {Megan}
Makers can’t compete on price so we need to compete on other things.
“We are not a commodity and we need to compete on something other than price” {Jess}
“There is a lot of fear around raising prices – you just have to be brave about it” {Megan}
Jess and Megan share anecdotes about their fears of raising prices – and the strong payoffs.
“My most valuable people are the ones that have been on my (mailing) list for years and buy” {Megan}
Consider what marketing strategy will best fit your business:
One to many strategy – one core product with limited repeat customers, get new customers again
One thousand true fans – build a core audience, keep giving them new things
“Some people are going to love my work, some people are going to hate my work, but I’m not going to manufacture a problem just to get those people who don’t love my work to suddenly feel like they need my work” {Megan}
“If you are selling a physical product or object, you should be spending 80% on your photography and 20% on that writing” {Megan}
“You need to have beautiful photos – it is what will stop the scroll when they see a beautiful image” {Jess}
Put some personality in your images and brand them with a consistent photographic style.
Social media is probably the lowest return on investment of your time and energy.
Pinterest marketing and SEO are great ways to direct traffic but don’t forget a blog!
Blogging your content can be easy – take the Instagram image, add some keywords, add a couple of sentences and publish. Then share this information on Pinterest etc.
“A brand is an emotional connection built over time” {Megan}
Make sure every photo you post supports the core emotions your brand is about.
What stories can you tell that help communicate the emotion of using your product.
Find out more about Megan Auman on her website.
42 min
October 19, 2018 [165] 10 Things I’ve Learnt in 10 Years in Business

This month marks my 10-year business anniversary!
I wanted to celebrate the milestone by sharing 10 of the many, many lessons I’ve learnt over my 10 years in business.
From the importance of self-motivation; the natural waxing and waning of enthusiasm and passion; the non-linear march of progress; and the joy of self-direction, I discuss the things about being self-employed that I love – as well as the things that are an endless source of challenge.
I hope you enjoy this look at my own personal business journey, and that you might see some of your own experiences reflected in what I have to share.

39 min
October 12, 2018 [164] Should you Offer Free Shipping: the Pros and Cons {Members Only}
To offer free shipping or to not offer free shipping – that is the question.
More and more handmade sellers seem to be moving towards offering free shipping in their online stores – especially if you sell on Etsy, as they make it easy for a buyer to see in search which items have free shipping, and which don’t.
But – is free shipping something you can realistically offer? Can you make it work for you – or is it going to cost you more headaches and more money?
In this members-only podcast episode, I talk about my own experiment with offering free shipping, as well as a number of pros and cons – both from my own experience, and gleaned from discussion on Facebook with members of the Thriver Circle and the wider Create & Thrive community.
After listening, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic – if you’re a Thriver Circle member, come over to the FB group and share your thoughts using the hashtag #freeshipping.

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

Listen to the Intro:

4 min
October 04, 2018[163] PR: How to Pitch with Brigitte Lyons
Do you wish you could see your handmade creations in your fave magazine? Or maybe get a feature on a podcast?
If so, you need to do some PR – public relations – and get in touch with them!
But how should you go about doing this? What sort of email is most likely to pique their interest and get you the chance to land a feature?
In this episode, I pick the brain of PR expert Brigitte Lyons, as she explains what PR is, and how to use it to spread the word about your business – for free!

Quote and highlights from this episode:
“As you get started with PR try to cultivate a mindset that you have something of value to offer.” {Brigitte}
When you have a product, traditional media is a solid place to start. Print media and online outlets that do regular product round-ups mean you can develop and reuse one pitch. The energy needed is low but the success rate is also low.
“The cost benefit to pitch a podcast and being on the show is so incredibly strong.” {Brigitte}
Have your business gaining momentum then invest time into your PR – use the time to be selling your products at the start.
“PR is not a replacement for sales – it will never fix a sales problem.” {Brigitte}
Make PR part of your marketing project flow.
With your pitch, tell the story of how your work fits into the coverage they already have.
“We don’t need to know your life story to feature you on my blog.” {Jess}
“When you are looking to pitch your PR, look for places that already cover other products that are similar to yours.” {Brigitte}
A good guide for pitch length – “If you have to scroll down it is too long.” {Brigitte}
Do your research to assist with your pitch and look at show notes, read blog posts and examine features.
Avoid your pitch being too short – two sentences is insufficient to get your story across.
Ensure you address your pitch to the person’s correct name!
“For people who are busy or receive lots of pitches you need to stand out.” {Jess}
Limiting it to one follow up enquiry ensures you do not pester the person you are contacting.
If you decide to outsource your PR, look for a person or agency who knows your industry.
Check out Brigitte’s work here!
50 min
September 24, 2018 [162] 7 Reasons to Sell your Craft Online

Do you like the thought of making money while you sleep?
Of not having to make an order till you’ve already been paid?
Or how about having your weekends all to yourself?
All of these reasons – and more – are why I personally LOVE selling my jewellery online.
The invention of the internet has made growing a successful handmade business more accessible, more possible, and more convenient than ever before.
I’ve done it – and it wasn’t even imaginable to me 10 years ago when I started that I could be making a full-time living from selling my handmade jewellery online.
But I am. And I know thousands of other makers and artisans are doing exactly the same.
How are we doing this? By creating enticing, well-functioning, cohesive, and professional online shops to sell our craft all over the world.
Selling your work online has SO many benefits.
In this episode, I outline 7 reasons why you might want to sell your craft online!

If the thought of setting up online is overwhelming… I’ve got you.
I’ve taken over 1,000 makers through my flagship course, Set Up Shop.
Actually, it’s more than a course: Set Up Shop is an integrated system of lessons and projects that will take you from having no knowledge whatsoever about selling online, to knowing everything you need to know in order to get your shop set up right – right from the start.
In the words of Set Up Shop Alumni Karen Lynch: “If you have ever thought you would like to have an online presence, but have lacked the confidence or know how, this is the course for you. If anyone has ever said “Your stuff is great. You should sell online”, and it’s been a dream of yours for too long, you need to make those dreams become a reality and do this course.”

Do you want to learn how to set up your own online craft shop and get it right, first time?
Want access to a proven system that over 1,000 makers have used to set up a stellar online shop?
Check out my flagship course – Set Up Shop
Click Here to Find Out More

25 min
September 19, 2018 [161] The number 1 reason handmade businesses fail (and 3 strategies to overcome it)

I have seen so many handmade business owners flounder and give up, and there is one thing so many of them have in common.
I call it the ‘what, how, when’ problem.
This happens when makers don’t know what to do, how to do it, or when to do it in regards to their business.
You can know the what… but not the how or when. Or maybe you know the when, but not the how… you get the picture!
When you start out, especially if you have zero business experience, there is a HUGE learning curve.
But… how do you know what you don’t know? How do you make sure you’re doing the right things, at the right time, in the right way?
There are 3 strategies you can use to climb the mountain and craft a successful business, and I share them with you – in detail – in this episode.
I also share the BIG special I’m offering on my Set Up Shop course, and why!

1 hr 2 min

About The Create & Thrive Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Learn how to turn your creative hobby into a thriving business with Jess Van Den

Share The Create & Thrive Podcast

Sign up to save your podcasts

The Create & Thrive Podcast

The Create & Thrive Podcast episodes

About The Create & Thrive Podcast

More shows like The Create & Thrive Podcast

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett