The Create & Thrive Podcast

Sometimes we can get so focussed on the big picture that we forget how far we’ve actually come via the small steps we’ve taken.

In this episode, I talk about the power of focussing on small steps.

My guest today has done just that. She quickly grew her business – and her income! – by focussing on selling via wholesale, rather than online or at markets.

But where do you start? How do you know if you’re pricing correctly? And what’s the best way to approach stores? How to you show them what you’ve got to offer?

There’s a lot to know, and it’s important to keep your relationships with current and potential retailers secure.

Figuring out your pricing to include all those elusive overheads is truly one of the major pieces of the puzzle; along with having a stellar catalogue and knowing how to get your name and products ‘out there’.

Mel is my good friend, and also my co-teacher in the Wholesale Know-How course – available right now!

Click or tap here to find out exactly how our course will show you the steps you need to take to successfully sell your handmade creations to brick & mortar retail stores.

NB: The body of this episode is a replay of Episode 5 of the podcast – I’m bringing it back today because that was 3(!) years ago, and I know many of you would have never listened to it – Mel has some brilliant insights to share, so don’t miss it.

Maybe you have trouble setting working hours and sticking to them… or getting friends and family to respect them.

Do you find yourself checking your email at 11pm and then having to go into work mode because you’ve read an email you feel like you need to answer right now?!

Do you find it hard to get stuff done because people are always interrupting your work time?

Do you get started… then suddenly remember the washing that needs to go on?

There are a lot of things that can get in the way of getting our work done – some of them are in our own minds, and some of them are external… but no matter what, you are the one with the power and responsibility to set boundaries that ensure you get done what you need to get done.

In this episode I outline 10 steps I recommend you follow in order to get your work done in a more calm, productive way!

My own jewellery has been picked up and featured on Buzzfeed, Ring to Perfection, and in many other places, but that wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t put in the work to have eye-catching product photos.

Of course, that’s only part of the story – and my guest today, Danielle Spurge of the Merriweather Council has got plenty of experience and knowledge to share with you on this topic.

She’s been featured in stacks of places, and in this episode she’s sharing her advice on how to leverage your Etsy shop OFF Etsy to get seen and grow your business.

I share a couple of stories from my own businesses to illustrate the point – for example, for my own jewellery business, my mailing list and social media aren’t a big part of my marketing… what?! Yep – and I’ll explain why, and what I do instead.

If you’re unsure of what marketing strategies and avenues would suit you best, this episode will give you some food for thought that will help you get clearer on what will work, and what won’t.

P.S. If you’re not already a Thriver Circle member, the $1/7-day trial offer is still available – but only for 2 more days!

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…)

And so we reach the end of our journey – the final episode of the #MakingItPodcourse!

In this wrap-up I encourage you to reflect on the key takeaways of the last 4 weeks, and work out actionable steps you can take moving forward to improve your business.

Also! I’m giving you the chance to take a peek behind the curtain of the Thriver Circle for just $1!

For a limited time, I’m offering a $1, 7-day trial of the Circle – so if you’ve been thinking about joining the community, you can do so for a steal.

This trial is only available for a limited time, so don’t miss out 🙂

Listen to the Wrap-Up Episode!

Over four weeks in July 2018, I’ll be releasing an episode/lesson of this course every day via the Create & Thrive Podcast (30 in total) on the topics of mindset, money, marketing, and business management.

I’ve created this course specifically for makers – those who create handmade goods to sell.

To create this FREE course, I’ve drawn on my 10 years of experience running my own successful handmade business, coupled with over 5 years of teaching other makers about handmade business right here at Create & Thrive.

I wanted to create something that was actionable and practical for all makers, no matter what stage of business you are at, and that would allow you to dig deep into 4 key aspects of the crafty biz journey.

I hope it helps your handmade business to thrive!

If you want to take your learning to the next level, the course conversation is happening daily over in my private membership community for makers – the Thriver Circle.

You can find out more about the oodles of benefits of membership right here.

Jess x

Tomorrow I’ll have a wrap-up and reflection episode for you – but today, I’ll summarise and elaborate on the lessons this week – all about managing your time, focus, energy, schedule & more.

P.S. Are you on Instagram? Want to join me for a fun photo-a-day challenge in August? Check out the details right here.

Just enter your email below…

[et_bloom_inline optin_id=”optin_8″]

Over four weeks in July 2018, I’ll be releasing an episode/lesson of this course every day via the Create & Thrive Podcast (30 in total) on the topics of mindset, money, marketing, and business management.

I’ve created this course specifically for makers – those who create handmade goods to sell.

To create this FREE course, I’ve drawn on my 10 years of experience running my own successful handmade business, coupled with over 5 years of teaching other makers about handmade business right here at Create & Thrive.

I wanted to create something that was actionable and practical for all makers, no matter what stage of business you are at, and that would allow you to dig deep into 4 key aspects of the crafty biz journey.

I hope it helps your handmade business to thrive!

If you want to take your learning to the next level, the course conversation is happening daily over in my private membership community for makers – the Thriver Circle.

You can find out more about the oodles of benefits of membership right here.

Jess x

In today’s #MakingItPodcourse lesson, I talk schedule management. I share one of my top tips for making sure you don’t over-schedule yourself, discuss the concept of a real ideal day, and share the idea of modifying or planning your schedule around your own natural rhythms or cycles.

P.S. Are you on Instagram? Want to join me for a fun photo-a-day challenge in August? Check out the details right here.

Just enter your email below…

[et_bloom_inline optin_id=”optin_8″]

Over four weeks in July 2018, I’ll be releasing an episode/lesson of this course every day via the Create & Thrive Podcast (30 in total) on the topics of mindset, money, marketing, and business management.

I’ve created this course specifically for makers – those who create handmade goods to sell.

To create this FREE course, I’ve drawn on my 10 years of experience running my own successful handmade business, coupled with over 5 years of teaching other makers about handmade business right here at Create & Thrive.

I wanted to create something that was actionable and practical for all makers, no matter what stage of business you are at, and that would allow you to dig deep into 4 key aspects of the crafty biz journey.

I hope it helps your handmade business to thrive!

If you want to take your learning to the next level, the course conversation is happening daily over in my private membership community for makers – the Thriver Circle.

You can find out more about the oodles of benefits of membership right here.

Jess x

I share a couple of my own systems, and discuss why setting up systems matters – it saves you time, energy (both mental and physical) and ensures you make less mistakes!

Not only that – if you’ve ever thought about outsourcing parts of your business, you need to ensure you have strong, robust systems in place and documented so you can teach someone else how to do things the way you want them done.

P.S. Are you on Instagram? Want to join me for a fun photo-a-day challenge in August? Check out the details right here.

Just enter your email below…

[et_bloom_inline optin_id=”optin_8″]

Over four weeks in July 2018, I’ll be releasing an episode/lesson of this course every day via the Create & Thrive Podcast (30 in total) on the topics of mindset, money, marketing, and business management.

I’ve created this course specifically for makers – those who create handmade goods to sell.

To create this FREE course, I’ve drawn on my 10 years of experience running my own successful handmade business, coupled with over 5 years of teaching other makers about handmade business right here at Create & Thrive.

I wanted to create something that was actionable and practical for all makers, no matter what stage of business you are at, and that would allow you to dig deep into 4 key aspects of the crafty biz journey.

I hope it helps your handmade business to thrive!

If you want to take your learning to the next level, the course conversation is happening daily over in my private membership community for makers – the Thriver Circle.

You can find out more about the oodles of benefits of membership right here.

Jess x