The Create & Thrive Podcast

By Jess Van DenBusiness Entrepreneurship

The Create & Thrive Podcast episodes

November 15, 2017[130] When a Hobby Should Stay a Hobby with Amanda Adams
You want to turn your handmade hobby into a business… but, should you?
Is turning your hobby into a business really what you want? Have you thought about what that would mean?
How much time you’ll have to devote to the ‘business’ side of things? How little time you’ll have to actually design and make things?
How taking your relaxing creative hobby and turning it into a business will fundamentally change your relationship with your craft?
In today’s episode I talk to Amanda Adams – the sewasarus behind the successful Bimble & Pimble blog and #bpsewvember Instagram challenge.
She is my dear friend… who makes absolutely no money out of her sewing hobby. And she likes it that way.
Why? Listen in to hear why she’s made the conscious decision to keep her hobby a hobby, and why you might want to do the same.

P.S. This is the final new show of the year! As of next week I’ll be starting the Summer Series: Best of 2017.
See you in 2018! If you want to join me in January for the Handmade Biz Bootcamp (a 3-week course to kick-start your year) make sure to join the Thriver Circle when membership opens soon.

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:
When you start a business your time is redirected into the business rather than the craft.
“It’s vital that you get enjoyment out of the business side of things” {Jess}
With a business the results of your creative pursuits are for someone else rather than for you and yours.
Consider whether there is a market gap for your service or skill set.
What happens to the enjoyment of your business when it becomes your business?
“If you turn all your creativity to profit… it will fundamentally change your relationship with your hobby.” {Jess}
Rather than sell a finished labour intensive product are there ways to sell things related to the product such as patterns or teaching?
There are options is you would like to experiment with starting a business.
If you are on the fence about starting a business consider going into business with someone else to share the load.
Give yourself permission to trial and choose not to continue if it doesn’t work.
“If you love your hobby and want to start a business – give it a crack” {Jess}
Reflect on your core values to help make a decision. Only you will know if this is the best choice for you.
“You don’t have to turn your passion into a business.” {Jess}
But remember: you can always change your mind and try it as a business in the future.
Find Amanda on her blog and instagram.

Download or listen to this episode.
http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/130_when_your_hobby_should_stay_a_hobby_with_amanda_adams.mp3
You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
28 min
November 08, 2017[129] Stop, and Focus on What You’re Grateful For
In one of the last episodes of the year, I want you to take stock of the good – and all the things you’re grateful for in your business journey this year.
This is a short and sweet episode where I ask you to do a gratitude exercise (and look into other practices you can do on a regular basis) to bring into focus the awesome things you have achieved this year.
So often we’re focused on the ‘next thing’, and we forget to really revel in the things we have done well – or the lessons we’ve learnt.

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 in this episode:
Gratitude is the process of being aware of what is good in our lives.
It is important to do this consciously regarding your business.
Creative entrepreneurs often focus on “what’s next”.
Not reflecting on wins can result in a feeling of dissatisfaction.
Gratitude doesn’t always have to be reflecting on fun and positive events – be grateful for lessons learned and how experiences have shaped you and your business.
“We need a little discomfort to move forward”
It is important to celebrate the successes as well.
“Take the time to stop and truly appreciate what you’ve achieved.”
Not sure where to start with gratitude? Begin with the big picture and work towards a more personal level.
The following short journal article on the power of gratitude is well worth a read: Gratitude and Well Being: The Benefits of Appreciation by Randy A. Sansome, M.D. and Lori A. Sansome M.D.
A challenge: spend 10 minutes writing down what you are grateful for that you have achieved in your business this year.

Download or listen to this episode.
http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/129_Stop_and_Focus_on_what_youre_grateful_for.mp3
You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
13 min
November 01, 2017[128] The Fears We All Face
There are so many different fears that we face when starting and growing a business.
You may think you are the only one who feels these things – but you are not. We ALL feel a huge range of fears around fear, success, and many other things.
The key is to feel the fear and do it anyway.

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 in this episode:
There are lots of different fears for the business that can hold us back.
It’s important to acknowledge these fears and push through them.
The Fear of Failure: what if I will never be a success or get to where I want to go?
“What’s the worst that can happen if your dream doesn’t turn into a reality?”
Success takes time – 1, 2 or even 5 years.
The Fear of Success: what happens when I succeed?
Plan ahead for increased workload and outputs early on – consider systems and processes.
The Fear of Making the Wrong Decision: what happens if I make the wrong, or no, choice?
“Thing the thing to know about business is there are no guarantees, there are no right or wrong answers.”
“Business is risky, you have to see it as an experiment.”
“Fail fast, fail often and see it as a learning experience”
The Fear of Theft: what happens if someone copies my work?
Ensure you use due diligence and be prepared in the unlikely chance this happens. Manage it and then move on.
See Podcast Episodes 124 and 126 for more on handmade business legalities.
The Fear of Being Alone: what if I say no to a request?
There is a line between being customer service focused and ensuring your work life is sustainable.
Always under promise and over deliver.
Know your limits and policies are to make decisions easier. Be firm but fair.
Everybody feels these fears. You are not alone.

Download or listen to this episode.

http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/128_the_fears_we_all_face.mp3

You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
20 min
October 25, 2017[127] Self-Leadership with Karen Gunton
Do you ever struggle with the fact that the buck stops with YOU in your business?
Sometimes, especially if we’re not used to being the boss, we can struggle with making decisions. But when you have a business, you need to step up, step into your power, and be a leader – even if you’re only leading yourself.
In this episode, my friend Karen Gunton and I explore this idea of self-leadership, and discuss ways to overcome the challenges we may face along the way.

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:
Self-leadership promotes internal validation and following your own path.
Take ownership of your own creative business journey.
“You have to be your own white knight, your own super woman… It’s up to us to make those decisions” {Jess}
Be prepared to learn skills and lessons time and again.
“The very things that we think that we have figured out on the journey comes back again and again and again” {Karen}
Self-leadership focuses upon the how. How will I do it? What will be my strategy?
“If we don’t have strategies in our tool box for those things (challenges) it is really, really hard to make what we’re doing a success” {Karen}
Grow self-leadership through:
Building awareness. Determine a big challenge you need to strengthen.
Establishing how. Ascertain what concrete steps to you need to take.
Observing and evaluating. Reflect on what happens as you instigate a change plan.
Pick and choose techniques to help you on your self-leadership journey.
There is a time and place to ask for assistance and guidance – cultivate a number of trusted advisors.
Take the time to reflect on yourself and what makes you tick.
Jess and Karen both recommend Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies habit framework.
Clarifying your why is self-leadership. You decide your path and progress.
Karen and Jess discuss different paths to understanding your why.
“If you have a longing for something more… the only person who is going to get you there is you” {Karen}
You don’t need to have all the steps sorted out – just start.
“It’s not a tattoo… you can change, tweak, adapt and grow” {Karen}
Karen Gunton | Book: Lighthouse Revolution (This site/resource is no longer available)
Download or listen to this episode.
http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/127_self_leadership_with_karen_gunton.mp3
You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
37 min
October 17, 2017[126] The Legalities of Handmade Business with Christina Scalera [Part Two]
Listen to Part 1 Here.
In part 2 of my interview with lawyer Christina Scalera, we talk copycatting and branding.
We also discuss the Digital Millennial Copyright Act and how it can help you protect photos of your work.
If you have any legal questions after listening to either of these 2 episodes, please leave them in the comments below!

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.

Quote and highlights from this episode:
When you and another maker have a design that is very similar this falls under copyright.
Copyright infringement focuses upon two elements: access and similarity.
Access refers to previous contact with the design. This can be as little as subscribing to an email list or pinning an image on Pinterest.
Check for similarity between the two designs – if it is uncomfortable for you it is probably uncomfortable for them.
If the access and similarity check reveals someone has unconsciously inspired you take the design down.
“There is nothing wrong with inspiration whether we forget that we are actually being inspired” {Christina}
“If you see someone and you think they have copied you – just let it go and move on” {Jess}
Branding is important – tie your shop listing and designs back to your brand.
“It is easier to protect a brand than all of your designs” {Christina}
Your brand, logo, name, email lists are brand assets that you are building.
The “Digital Millennial Copyright Act” covers product photography. For example if something pops up on Pinterest, as the copyright holder you can request its removal.
If you find unauthorised use of your content try communicating directly with the person first. Keep to the facts, remove emotion and ask that the image/content be taken down.
Jess shares her experience with her content being used without credit or consent.
“Take screenshots of everything that preserves the date and time.” {Christina}
To see where your images are being used use images.google.com
Watermarks are a personal preference – consider how the inclusion impacts on design and the message it conveys about trust to your audience.
Get Christina’s free guide: Legit Profits
And check out her website here: The Contract Shop

Download or listen to this episode.
http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/126_The_Legalities_of_Handmade_Business_with_Christina_Scalera_Part_2.mp3

You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
32 min
October 11, 2017[125] Can I have a successful handmade business without Etsy?
Sometimes, it feels like everyone is on Etsy.
But… can you have a successful handmade business if you aren’t?
I discuss this very question in this week’s episode.
I outline the pros and cons of Etsy, and do the same for having your own, independent, online store.

Download or listen to this episode.

You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)

Quotes and highlights from this episode:
Why use Etsy? It is the premier online handmade marketplace, has a massive handmade product search engine, provides buyers with a sense of transaction secruity and will drive customers and revenue to you.
If you have no experience with web design and management, start on Etsy. It makes setting things up simple.
Etsy is a great learning space where to work on your photos, tags, captions and stock.
However, “if you are serious about growing a part-time or fulltime business you should set up your own shop.”
If you are doing large portions of marketing drive your business back to your own shop rather than Etsy.
“The power of using Etsy is they should be driving the traffic for you – that’s the point!”
Etsy is just one of many online marketplaces. Don’t forget Zibbet, Made It, DaWanda, and Not on the High Street.
If you are in the growth phase of your business- get your work on to as many of these platforms as you can manage to drive business to your store.
If you have a huge product range, pick a small sample of work and place that on a wider range of places.
Building your own site allows for more control of look and feel and creates a sense of professionalism.
Setting up a shop without Etsy is possible but does require more work.
Focus upon social media, building a mailing list, selling wholesale and at markets to help build your audience.

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
19 min
October 03, 2017[124] The Legalities of Handmade Business with Christina Scalera [Part One]
Have you ever wondered about the legalities around your handmade business?
Things like trademarks, copyright, insurance…
Can you buy Star Wars fabric and make purses out of it?
Do you need to trademark your business name?
Should you get business insurance?
Can you legally take a quote and sell a print featuring it?
The legalities around handmade business can be super-confusion, and a potential source of stress. I’m very happy to bring you 2 episodes that answer a wide range of your questions about the legal side of handmade business.
My guest this week – and next week – is Christina Scalera, a lawyer from the US who has a lot of experience with the legalities of creative business.
If you have any questions after listening to this episode, please leave them in the comments below!

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:
The earlier you consider legal issues the better off you will be.
Invest in business insurance – this is an important early step in your business.
At some point someone will have a problem with your business and it is important to have the insurance to back you up.
Anything you create from scratch is your intellectual property (aka IP)
Be aware business insurance does not include intellectual property coverage. This is worthwhile to pay the extra for if you can afford it.
If a US based audience is purchasing from you then you are subject to US laws.
“To be on the safe side adopt US rules” {Christina}
With 2017 US copyright law anything from 1923 and earlier is in the public domain.
With 2017 Australian copyright law anything from 1955 and earlier is in the public domain.
These copyright laws relate to anything authored – play, dance, design, quote and similar.
Jess shares an anecdote about an IP issue she faced in the early years of her business.
Understand the Doctrine of First Sale. You can purchase something from someone else and use it as a component in your product as the license has already been paid for. For example, purchasing Pokémon fabric and making a bag to sell in your store.
A good guiding principle is to include in the item title or description that your product is unofficial and ensure there is no confusion.
Avoid using the name of something that could be a trademark.
When choosing a business name do your research. Generic and descriptive names are harder to protect whereas invented names are the easiest.
Trademarks are based on common law use – as long as you have done a clearance search and there is nothing out there is a low level of confusion and infringement.
“The earlier you can use a trademark typically the better – you are bookmarking the date in time that you started using it and selling it” {Christina}
Find our more about Christina over on her website, The Contract Shop.

Download or listen to this episode.

http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/124_the_legalities_of_handmade_business_with_christina_scalera_part_one.mp3
You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
39 min
September 26, 2017[123] The 4 Things Holding you Back from Succeeding [REDUX]
We all face challenges when starting a business – or even further along the track when we are attempting to grow and change.
I know I still get a little bit of fear when I launch a new product, publish a post or start a new project. Even after almost 10 years in business! That feeling never goes away completely, but it does lessen as you do it over and over and over again.
This week I’m bringing you one of the very first episodes I ever created. In it, I discuss 4 things that might be acting as roadblocks on your path to success – and how to face and overcome each one.
Also! Thriver Circle membership is opening for the final time in 2017!
Membership opens 11am Wednesday morning AEST, and closes 11am Saturday morning AEST.
You can find out all about the Circle and join right here – and head on over to this page to find out all the details on the Your Year to Thrive course that you get exclusive access to as a member of the Circle.
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:
‘There were times when I thought, I’m never going to figure anything out’
Having people to talk to – like a mentor or group – is the best place to learn.
The info is out there, it’s really about having a filter.
You CAN break out of the lifestyle you have created for yourself and you can create something different.
There are a lot of time-wasting things we do. Figure out what they are, stop wasting them and let yourself be goal-centered on how you spend those pockets of time.
It’s never been easier than it is now to make money from your creativity.
You need to spend one or the other – you need to spend time or money. You need to decide what you have more of to spend.
The most important thing that holds you back is fear.
Are you being positive or are you telling yourself negative thoughts?
“You can be confident and humble at the same time.”
“You will fail and you will fail a lot and you’ll do it over and over and that is OK.”
Don’t be scared of doing things because you think you won’t be doing it right.
“Just Start”
Whenever you put anything out into the world, it’s scary because you’re putting a little piece of yourself out there for the world to judge.
“Feel the fear and do it anyway”
Focus on the small wins, the little steps you can take to overcoming these things everyday.

Download or listen to this episode.
http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/123_4_things_holding_you_back.mp3
You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
27 min
September 18, 2017[122] How to be a Misfit Entrepreneur with Kate Toon
Do you ever feel like you’re not a ‘real entrepreneur’?
Yeah, me too. And so does my guest this week, Kate Toon – who happens to be the author of How to be a Misfit Entrepreneur.
I met Kate at the Artful Business Conference this year, and promptly invited her to come on the show, because I loved the way she approached ‘being an entrepreneur’.
We have a lot of laughs, and chat about what it means to grow a business YOUR way – and how to own that and be proud of it, rather than feel like you’re somehow not doing it right.

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. (Membership is open on September 27th!)

Quotes and highlights from this episode:
Most of us don’t fit the myth of the yacht owning, hammock lazing, one-hour workday entrepreneur.
Develop your own style of entrepreneurship to fit the lifestyle you want to lead.
Business growth for the sake of growth is not mandatory.
It’s okay to align your goals to personal wants rather than business outcomes.
“We can keep doing what we’re doing and it is okay. We don’t always have to be doing something new or different or exciting to be happy.” {Jess}
Keep expectations of your business growth realistic, avoid comparisons and get on with your own journey.
“Nobody is immune to the feeling of an imposter or not being good enough. Even if from the outside if they look super successful.” {Jess}
There will always be someone doing things better than you – stop focusing on others and focus on building your business.
“Stop consuming and start creating.” {Kate}
Looking for inspiration? Don’t go to your competitors go to your customers.
Criticism and difficult customers are part of the entrepreneurship journey.
Take the high road but you do not have to cave to an unreasonable customer.
Kate recommends The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson.
Develop your business direction with your core values in mind. These will change and grow as you do.
Chase interesting ideas and stray from your path. Some ideas will work and some will crash and burn. Let these ones go.
“The whole point of having a business is getting some satisfaction and enjoyment out of it – not just money and customers.” {Kate}
Time management and organisation is essential – structure your day, keep motivation high, track time and establish tasks.
Kate recommends the Pomodoro technique for time management.
Find out more about Kate and buy her book here.

Download or listen to this episode.
http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/122_How_to_be_a_Misfit_Entrepreneur_with_Kate_Toon.mp3
You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
49 min
September 09, 2017[121] How to Embrace Change
How can we embrace change when change is either scary, or not happening fast enough?
Changes might be imposed upon your business by outside forces.
You may feel like you’ll never succeed because the challenges your biz is facing won’t ever change.
You might even feel internally resistant to having a successful business because it changes how you think about yourself. (Fear of success is a common example of this – who are you to be successful? How will you handle it?)
In this episode I discuss the many ways change can cause frustration and anxiety, and ways we can learn to roll with changes.

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:
Change is inevitable in business as it is in life.
When change isn’t going the way you want it to go – be selective on how you use your energy.
When change from outside of your control happens, try to switch your perspective, look for the silver lining and fold the changes into your business.
“We have limited energy and if we are constantly using that energy that comes at us from the outside world we will exhaust ourselves” {Jess}
When considering a change in your business, find a person/s that you trust, who will provide honest feedback, who understands the situation and doesn’t have a vested interest.
If you don’t have someone, write it down or record yourself and get the ideas out of your head.
Challenge established thought patterns about your business and yourself. Jess shares an anecdote that illustrates this regarding establishing Epheriell.
“Your perception of yourself may have to change and develop in order for you to really embrace this new thing you want to do” {Jess}
When growing a business it can feel like nothing is changing and everything is stuck.
“A lot of people give up because they can’t see a way forward and they can’t see that things will ever get better, evolve or change… They will, they always will” {Jess}
Be consistent and patient in nurturing your business. It is normal for this to take time.
“We can waste a lot of time focusing on the past or the future and neglecting the present and what we can actually achieve in this moment right now”. {Jess}
Focus on what you can do today.
Plan your week/month/year out but always bring it back today. And accept that is what you can do and be proud of what you have done.
If you feel like you are procrastinating, think about how you use your time. Plan the week ahead, identify key tasks, identify tasks you would like to complete and finally tasks thatare a bonus to complete.
Don’t overcommit. Allow sufficient time to complete tasks and allow space for the unexpected.
If you are feeling mentally cluttered do a spring clean – clear out your workspace, rearrange your space, empty your inbox and create a fresh start.

Download or listen to this episode.
http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/121_How_to_Embrace_Change.mp3
You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
30 min

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