The Create & Thrive Podcast

The Create & Thrive Podcast

By Jess Van DenBusinessEntrepreneurship
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The Create & Thrive Podcast episodes

  • [111] Handmade Business is Hard Work

     

    Handmade business is hard work.

     

    It takes a lot of time. A lot of work. A lot of learning. And a LOT of patience.

    There are no shortcuts. There are no magic bullets. There is no way to circumvent doing the work.

    There are no ‘secrets’ to success.

    Success is not guaranteed. However… if you have determination, discipline, a willingness to grow and change, and a solid belief that you have a product people want, your chances of success are high.

    They’re even higher if you find a mentor and colleagues from whom you can learn.

    In this episode I discuss the reality of handmade business – and that while it IS hard work, it’s worth the effort to build something that you can help you to be in control of your own creativity and income.

     

     

    Quotes and Highlights from this Episode:
    • Handmade business is hard work.
    • Being realistic with your expectations means you’re more likely to achieve success.
    • You have to determine what your own definition of success is – and work towards that.
    • No-one can tell you the 100% bulletproof method to succeed. If they claim they can, steer clear.
    • Others can act as guides, support, cheerleaders.
    • It is up to YOU to have the dedication, determination, and discipline to do the work.
    • You have the power to make it happen.
    • You CAN figure it out.
    • When you’re starting out, there’s no point putting more time into making more and more products if: 1. You’re not making the right things, and 2. No-one is actually SEEING them.
    • Be prepared to spend around 80% of your time on the business, and 20% actually making in the first year or two.
    • If you want guidance and support, join us in the Thriver Circle. Membership is open July 4-6 2017.

      •  

      Download or listen to this episode.

      http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/111_Handmade_Business_Is_Hard_Work.mp3

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

       

      26 min
    • [110] Business Intensive with Judy Carlson of Boulder Creek Soapworks

       

      Today I’m drawing aside the curtain and taking you behind the scenes to share with you one aspect of Thriver Circle community membership – namely, the monthly Business Intensives I run for members.

       

      Since the Circle started I’ve been doing 1-2 of these Business Intensives every month during our live calls. It’s an opportunity for members to put themselves forward for some one-to-one time with me (something I don’t offer outside of the Circle and my courses) – and with input and support from other members of the Circle, too. Each participant fills out a questionnaire, and we spend around 1/2 an hour with them on some key elements of their business.

      When I was planning my podcasts recently, I thought that you might enjoy hearing what one of these Business Intensives is like! So, I reached out to a past Business Intensive participant – Judy of Boulder Creek Soapworks – and she happily agreed that I could share her BI with you here on the pod.

      I hope you enjoy this episode – we covered a lot of ground – and had a lot of laughs! – and if you have any questions about Business Intensives, or comments on this ep, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

      If you decide you’d love the chance to do a BI with me, make sure you don’t miss the next membership window for Thriver Circle membership – which is July 4-6, 2017. Check out the brand spanking NEW Thriver Circle website here for all the details!

       

       

      Quotes & Highlights from this Episode

       

      • Judy Carlson runs Boulder Creek Soapworks and has been making and selling soap online since 2012
      • Judy’s main goals for the next 6 months are to increase sales, evaluate wholesale and consignment markets and explore subscription boxes to achieve steady income.
      • Do the maths on how much you need to sell to achieve the amount you want to earn!
      • ‘We need to know what the numbers are so we know what we are aiming for.’ {Jess}
      • Products with low price points are more difficult to turn a profit so look at sale options outside of selling single products.
      • Alternative sale options include selling in bulk, bundles or sample sets.
      • Lower price point options can provide entry opportunities for new customers.
      • When looking at consignment and wholesale options, research and decide what you are happy with in terms of the split and be clear and firm with your payment terms.
      • ‘It’s really important to have terms and conditions in place for what you are providing.’ {Jess}
      • Create a positive morning routine – Commit to something small to start with and build from there!
      • ‘I have an hour tracker app to keep track of hours worked.’ {Judy}
      • Decide on your unique selling point and determine your ideal customer!
      • ‘Your ideal customer does not cover all of your customers but you will generally find over time there is a certain demographic of people that will come back and continue to buy from you.’ {Jess}
      • Ask yourself, does your marketing and branding speak to your ideal customer?
      • Finally, businesses take time to grow – you can grow them faster by putting more time and effort into them but know your situation and what suits you when moving from full-time employment into your full-time business!
      • Past Podcast mentioned: Ep 16: How to Change your Life by Changing your Morning Routine

        •  

        Download or Listen to this Episode

         

        http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/110_Business_Intensive_with_Judy_Carlson.mp3

         

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

        40 min
      • [109] The Digital Tools I Use to Run my Businesses – 2017 Edition

         

        Do you ever wonder what digital tools and software other people use to run their businesses?

        I do – and I get asked about various and sundry software solutions a lot, too. So, this week, I decided to do a big round-up of all the digital tools & software I use to run my own handmade business – and Create & Thrive, as well.

        I discuss what I use and why in detail in this episode – covering social media tools, website design, shopping carts, time management, photo editing and graphic design, file storage, audio & video recording and editing, outsourcing, book-keeping… and more!

        Take a peek behind the scenes of my businesses, and see how I keep everything running (mostly) smoothly!

        P.S. While finishing these shownotes, I realised I left one or two things out of the ep. I’m sure more will come to mind, so I’ll update the links below if that happens!

        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:

           

          FYI if I have (R) next to a link, this means it is a referral or affiliate link. This means that if you click that link and sign up to the service, I get some form of reward. If you’d prefer to avoid that, just google it.) I am only listing and recommending tools and software that I use myself and would recommend to others wholeheartedly.

           

          Digital Tools/Software I use to run all my online businesses:

          • My main social media are Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I used to love and use Twitter a lot (not so active on there now) and I have a Google Plus account. I’m also starting to use YouTube more.
          • Handmade sales venues: Etsy (R) (I’ve also sold on Hatch.co, Dawanda, madeit).
          • My own websites are created with WordPress self-hosted, and I’m currently transitioning to Divi Theme (R)(and lots of plugins – I’ve used a free theme called Pinboard previously on some sites).
          • My web host is Dreamhost (R). I’ve been with them for over 10 years and have always been happy with their service.
          • My current shopping cart on my e-commerce website is Ecwid, but I’m moving to WooCommerce.
          • I use E-junkie & Paypal to sell my C&T courses, ebooks etc.
          • I use Trello to keep track of my work and life, and I also use the Cal app on my android phone as my appointment-keeper (as well as some paper in my office – a whole-year wall planner and a weekly desk planner).
          • I use focusbooster on my computer when I really need to get stuff done – it’s a pomodoro-style app. I schedule work periods of 45 min and rest periods of 15 min each hour.
          • I use Canva for all my graphic design.
          • I use Picasa (now transitioned to Google Photos) for most of my product image editing.
          • I use GIMP for any image editing I can’t do with Picasa or Canva (it’s sorta like a free version of Photoshop – and it’s open-source).
          • I use Snapseed on my phone to edit photos on the fly – especially for Instagram.
          • Insta Downloader is the app I use to repost another person’s Instagram post. It has awful ads, but it works!
          • I use Grum on my desktop to schedule up my Instagram posts once a week.
          • I use Dropbox to store all my business photos and documents so I can access them from any of my devices.
          • I use Google Docs for some of my business docs, too.
          • I currently use Xero accounting software for my book-keeping.
          • I forgot to mention my mailing list software! I use Mailchimp (R).

            •  

            For Create & Thrive Specifically:

            • I use Skype for all my podcast interviews.
            • To record them, I use Amolto Call Recorder.
            • I record my solo shows and do all my podcast editing in Audacity.
            • For Thriver Circle calls, as well as calls for my courses, I use Instantteliseminar.
            • I still use Windows Movie Maker to edit my videos.
            • I use screen-recording software called Screencast-O-Matic to record my workshops for the Thriver Circle.
            • I am currently using Airtasker to get my podcast summaries written.

              •  

              Download or Listen to this Episode

               

              http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/109_Digital_Tools_I_Use_for_my_Business_2017.mp3

               

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

              34 min
            • [108] Stop Trying to do Everything at Once

               

              Do you feel overwhelmed by the process of growing your business? Do you feel like you have to be doing everything right now… and consequently scattered and unsure if you’re on the right track?

              I’ve been there. And this week, I’m coming from that place a little bit further along the path to tell you that you need to stop trying to do it all at once.

              After 9 years running my handmade business, as well as a few other businesses along the way, I know that it’s impossible to stay on top of all of the things all of the time.

              If you’re trying to learn and do too many things at once to grow your biz, you’ll be stretched far too thin and be mentally scattered – and this can lead to you giving up altogether because everything just seems ‘too much’.

              The key to long-term success is giving yourself permission to stop trying to ‘do it all now’ and to, instead, start being more strategic and patient with your business growth.

               

               

              Quotes and Highlights from this Episode:
              • Stop trying to do everything all at one time and start focusing on the things that matter.
              • “If you are trying to do everything all at the same time, all you’re doing really is setting yourself up for a burnout. And if you reach that point, you risk giving it all up for good, because you turn something that you loved into something that you now loathe.”
              • Your first couple of years as a startup, you will work a lot, but it is not sustainable forever.
              • Downtime is normal, don’t feel bad for taking downtime when you need it.
              • “Business is a marathon, not a sprint, if you sprint too much at the beginning, you’re going to collapse.” Think long term instead of short term.
              • You are going to make mistakes. Learn patience not just with your business development, but also with your personal development.
              • Give yourself permission to figure it out eventually, not all at one time.
              • Make sure to create a business that suits your lifestyle and personality. You cannot be working 24/7, you have to look after yourself as well.
              • Working towards creating a business that suits you is far more sustainable than doing everything at once.
              • Don’t get lazy, get strategic. “80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts”
              • Work out where your customers are coming from, work out what you enjoy and what you don’t enjoy in your business.
              • “Delegate or implode under the strain.” You only have some much time, space and effort to be able to give before you crumble.
              • There comes a point where you can only grow so far if you are dealing with everything yourself.
              • Going from one order a day to multiple orders a day can be tricky (Jess tells a story about when she first started up and blogging daily but slowly the blogging was not as frequent).
              • “Doing one thing really exceptionally well is better than doing ten things in a mediocre fashion.”
              • Pick the one or two things in an area of your business and focus on doing those things really well. Picking key tasks will allow you to grow a business to support the lifestyle that you want.
              • Do something because through your research, you have decided that it’s the best choice for you.
              • You need to let go of some things and reach out for help when you need it.
              • Get smart and focus on the actual parts of your business that will help you grow.

                •  

                Download or Listen to this Episode

                 

                http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/108_Stop_Trying_to_do_Everything_at_Once.mp3

                 

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

                32 min
              • [105] Should You Start a Second Shop?

                 
                Have you ever wondered if you should start a second shop?
                Maybe you’ve started a new craft. Maybe you’ve started making work that is vastly different to your current product lines. Or maybe you want to start selling different types of products all together.
                So – when is starting a second shop – which is, basically, a second business – the right choice? And when should you just integrate your new work into your existing business?
                I see this question pop up all the time – so I thought it was time to address it in a podcast ep.
                In this episode I discuss how I’ve approached this very thing myself – multiple times! – and why I made the decision to run multiple businesses, rather than just squish everything together.
                I also give you a few questions to consider that will hopefully help you make the right decision for you if and when this question arises.
                 
                 

                 
                Quotes and Highlights from this Episode:

                * Do your multiple product lines have enough in common to exist under the same brand?
                * Can they be ‘branded’ together – i.e. photography style, target customer etc. Or are they too different?
                * I’ve started multiple businesses numerous times because I didn’t want to dilute my brands – but it’s a LOT more work to run multiple businesses. So be sure.
                * Ask yourself the following questions:
                * Does my new idea have anything in common with my existing brand?
                * Will incorporating my new idea into my existing brand compliment and improve my brand/shop overall, or dilute it? 
                * Do I have the time/energy to manage two separate brands/shops?
                * You want your business to be known for doing one thing well. Don’t fall into the trap of being a ‘little bit of everything’ brand.

                 
                 
                Download or Listen to this Episode
                 
                 
                You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
                23 min
              • [104] Developing Your Signature Style with Caitlin from Ink & Spindle

                 
                In the first years of your business it can sometimes feel like you are yet to find your signature style. Sometimes, this is just something that needs to be developed over time – and you’ll know it when you find it.
                One business that has done this beautifully is Ink & Spindle.
                Caitlin Klooger is one half of the Ink & Spindle team who run their Aussie-inspired eco fabric screen-printing business from their studio in Melbourne. All of their fabric is hand-printed by them in their studio – and they sell their fabric by the metre, as well as selling homewares and custom window blinds.
                In this episode I chat with Caitlin from Ink & Spindle about what inspires her, how the business works, and how it all began.
                 

                 
                Quotes and Highlights from this Episode:

                * Caitlin and her business partner Lara run a screen printing business in Melbourne.
                * She studied interior design and landscape architecture but started her own textile business from home when she met Lara.
                * They are inspired largely by plants and nature using this as a base of the design process.
                * Ink & Spindle have an eco feel and ethos using organic and ethically sourced materials.
                * There always comes struggles with running a creative business and juggling family is one of them.
                * ‘Business and life are so intertwined’ {Jess}
                * There is a focus on online sales and customer service as well as wholesale and interior design.
                * Instagram is the favourite marketing tool in the Ink & Spindle studio as it is image focused.
                * Ink & Spindle has developed and grown naturally as Caitlin and Lara’s skills and confidence developed and grew.
                * You can find Ink & Spindle on their website or facebook.

                 
                Download or Listen to This Episode
                You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher)
                36 min

              About The Create & Thrive Podcast

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