The Create & Thrive Podcast

 

This episode (and next week’s!) are aimed at handmade business owners who’ve been around for a while – because once business is growing, you’ll start coming up against a whole new set of challenges.

If you’re still new to handmade business, don’t skip these eps, though! While the tips might not yet be relevant to you, they might help you avoid some common pitfalls in the future, and set you up with good habits that will stand you in good stead as your business grows.

This ep got long – so I split it into two parts! Tips 1-5 this week, and tips 6-10 next week.

If you have any tips for fellow established sellers, share them with us in the comments below!

 

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* I often focus on people transitioning from hobby to business – this episode is for those who have been running their businesses for a while.

* 1. Streamline your order processing.

* This will save you time and stress, as if you have a rock-solid system in place, you won’t make mistakes (like sending the wrong order to the wrong person!).

* I share our system in this post.

* 2. Reduce & simplify your inventory.

* When you’ve been in business a while, you often have ‘old’ products that might not fit with the direction your business has taken.

* It’s scary to let go, but it can be a huge weight off, and can actually result in MORE sales as your shop is more cohesive, professional, and easier to navigate for your customers.

* 3. Get strategic with social media.

* It’s time to stop wasting time and faffing about on social media.

* Pick 2 to focus on, and do them really, really well!

* 4. Hire help!

* You will eventually hit the upper limit of what you can do on your own.

* If you want to grow, you need to get help – either in your business, or in other parts of your life, so you have the time to focus on growth.

* 5. Schedule breaks.

* This is crucial to avoid burnout and maintain your passion and enthusiasm.

* Work breaks into every day, or focus on having a chunk of time off each week, with longer breaks when you can.

* Stay tuned next week for the second 5 tips!

* P.S. I introduce something pretty epic I’m working on for you at the end of this episode…

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

 

This episode (and next week’s!) are aimed at handmade business owners who’ve been around for a while – because once business is growing, you’ll start coming up against a whole new set of challenges.

If you’re still new to handmade business, don’t skip these eps, though! While the tips might not yet be relevant to you, they might help you avoid some common pitfalls in the future, and set you up with good habits that will stand you in good stead as your business grows.

This ep got long – so I split it into two parts! Tips 1-5 this week, and tips 6-10 next week.

If you have any tips for fellow established sellers, share them with us in the comments below!

 

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* I often focus on people transitioning from hobby to business – this episode is for those who have been running their businesses for a while.

* 1. Streamline your order processing.

* This will save you time and stress, as if you have a rock-solid system in place, you won’t make mistakes (like sending the wrong order to the wrong person!).

* I share our system in this post.

* 2. Reduce & simplify your inventory.

* When you’ve been in business a while, you often have ‘old’ products that might not fit with the direction your business has taken.

* It’s scary to let go, but it can be a huge weight off, and can actually result in MORE sales as your shop is more cohesive, professional, and easier to navigate for your customers.

* 3. Get strategic with social media.

* It’s time to stop wasting time and faffing about on social media.

* Pick 2 to focus on, and do them really, really well!

* 4. Hire help!

* You will eventually hit the upper limit of what you can do on your own.

* If you want to grow, you need to get help – either in your business, or in other parts of your life, so you have the time to focus on growth.

* 5. Schedule breaks.

* This is crucial to avoid burnout and maintain your passion and enthusiasm.

* Work breaks into every day, or focus on having a chunk of time off each week, with longer breaks when you can.

* Stay tuned next week for the second 5 tips!

* P.S. I introduce something pretty epic I’m working on for you at the end of this episode…

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

It is not healthy to strive for perfection. If we think everything has to be ‘perfect’ for us to start, we are likely to let ourselves down as perfection is and will always be an unattainable goal.

Many people have problems dealing with the idea of perfection and it can often scare us into not doing anything at all! This fear stops us from starting so many things – from starting our business, launching a new product, putting that instagram post up, telling people about what we do… and the list continues.

Perfection is not something you can hold onto – though you may experience a perfect moment, it is never lasting. And aiming for perfection will always fail – it’s better to aim for excellence (or even, sometimes, good-enough!).

So – how can we overcome this roadblock of perfectionism in our lives and businesses?

Instead of getting caught in this trap of feeling like what you do is never good enough, listen to this episode, as I give you some insight into how to view what you do in a healthier, happier, and more attainable manner. I talk about what it really takes to be successful – and it has nothing to do with being perfect!

I also share some very personal moments from my own life recently, which brought this lesson home to me via the juxtaposition of happiness and loss.

 

 

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* It can be so easy to get caught up in the idea of perfection.

* The idea of something being perfect is an illusion.

* The idea of perfection can really hold us back from achievements.

* If you are always waiting to reach perfection you will never be happy.

* You should strive for excellence and not perfection.

* ‘Don’t ever think ‘this isn’t perfect, I can’t put it out there’.’ {Jess}

* Some days life just happens and you cannot reach your excellence but remember this is ok.

* There is a constant fear of people discovering you are a fraud – everyone feels this!

* ‘Everybody has the fear of being found out as imperfect and flawed.’ {Jess}

* You are the only one who can push through the fear barrier.

* Things only become easier through experience and when you spend a lot of time doing something.

* Don’t compare yourself to others – we all have a different idea of excellence. Your insides are not comparable to someone else’s outsides.

* It is all about consistency, learning new things, and showing up every day.

* Don’t use perfection as an excuse to fail by never starting.

* ‘Just start it, and build it, and grow it.’ {Jess}

* Remember that you can’t be anywhere but where you are now, in this moment.

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

It is not healthy to strive for perfection. If we think everything has to be ‘perfect’ for us to start, we are likely to let ourselves down as perfection is and will always be an unattainable goal.

Many people have problems dealing with the idea of perfection and it can often scare us into not doing anything at all! This fear stops us from starting so many things – from starting our business, launching a new product, putting that instagram post up, telling people about what we do… and the list continues.

Perfection is not something you can hold onto – though you may experience a perfect moment, it is never lasting. And aiming for perfection will always fail – it’s better to aim for excellence (or even, sometimes, good-enough!).

So – how can we overcome this roadblock of perfectionism in our lives and businesses?

Instead of getting caught in this trap of feeling like what you do is never good enough, listen to this episode, as I give you some insight into how to view what you do in a healthier, happier, and more attainable manner. I talk about what it really takes to be successful – and it has nothing to do with being perfect!

I also share some very personal moments from my own life recently, which brought this lesson home to me via the juxtaposition of happiness and loss.

 

 

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* It can be so easy to get caught up in the idea of perfection.

* The idea of something being perfect is an illusion.

* The idea of perfection can really hold us back from achievements.

* If you are always waiting to reach perfection you will never be happy.

* You should strive for excellence and not perfection.

* ‘Don’t ever think ‘this isn’t perfect, I can’t put it out there’.’ {Jess}

* Some days life just happens and you cannot reach your excellence but remember this is ok.

* There is a constant fear of people discovering you are a fraud – everyone feels this!

* ‘Everybody has the fear of being found out as imperfect and flawed.’ {Jess}

* You are the only one who can push through the fear barrier.

* Things only become easier through experience and when you spend a lot of time doing something.

* Don’t compare yourself to others – we all have a different idea of excellence. Your insides are not comparable to someone else’s outsides.

* It is all about consistency, learning new things, and showing up every day.

* Don’t use perfection as an excuse to fail by never starting.

* ‘Just start it, and build it, and grow it.’ {Jess}

* Remember that you can’t be anywhere but where you are now, in this moment.

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

Running a creative business requires you to be available to your customers and alert to opportunities. Used correctly online resources can take your business to new levels but it can also bury us in a time wasting and stress inducing cycle. This is where a digital sabbatical becomes super important!

Constantly being online, checking, looking and communicating can be unhealthy so it is important to recognise when it is time to take a break from the online world to give your mind space and rest. The hardest part of this is remembering that what you leave will still be there when you get back!

So, if you struggle at times to keep yourself in check, this episode can help you work out how and why to have a digital sabbatical.

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* The purpose of a digital sabbatical is to switch off from the world for a period of time.

* Checking email and social media can very quickly become addictive.

* There is that feeling of ‘I’ll just take a look’ or ‘I’ll just check it quickly’.

* The next step is when you start ‘checking’ but not dealing with those emails or communications.

* This means you are constantly thinking about it.

* It is so easy to have email and social media accounts open all the time and quite often is the last thing to be looked at before sleep.

* ‘Stepping away from this cycle for a few days gave me space to breathe and relax.’ {Jess}

* The book ‘Manage Your Day to Day‘ by 99u is a great resource for learning to get these habits into control.

* One good point in this book is that multitasking is not going to help you. It is simply juggling tasks. You need to focus on one thing at a time in order to be more productive.

* ‘Your’e in a constant state of alertness and it’s disrupting you all the time.’ {Jess}

* A digital sabbatical is about breaking the habit by stopping it for a couple of days.

* You can’t be afraid to take time off.

* Just starting with a weekend so you feel comfortable is a great place to start.

* If you are taking longer and you are concerned about this then just notify people in advance.

* ‘Is it really worth your sanity to be constantly in this state of alertness and stress?.’ {Jess}

* Sometimes a little extra work is required in the lead up to a sabbatical but it is worth it.

* Remember that taking time out also helps us to appreciate how great it is to have these online resources!

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

Running a creative business requires you to be available to your customers and alert to opportunities. Used correctly online resources can take your business to new levels but it can also bury us in a time wasting and stress inducing cycle. This is where a digital sabbatical becomes super important!

Constantly being online, checking, looking and communicating can be unhealthy so it is important to recognise when it is time to take a break from the online world to give your mind space and rest. The hardest part of this is remembering that what you leave will still be there when you get back!

So, if you struggle at times to keep yourself in check, this episode can help you work out how and why to have a digital sabbatical.

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* The purpose of a digital sabbatical is to switch off from the world for a period of time.

* Checking email and social media can very quickly become addictive.

* There is that feeling of ‘I’ll just take a look’ or ‘I’ll just check it quickly’.

* The next step is when you start ‘checking’ but not dealing with those emails or communications.

* This means you are constantly thinking about it.

* It is so easy to have email and social media accounts open all the time and quite often is the last thing to be looked at before sleep.

* ‘Stepping away from this cycle for a few days gave me space to breathe and relax.’ {Jess}

* The book ‘Manage Your Day to Day‘ by 99u is a great resource for learning to get these habits into control.

* One good point in this book is that multitasking is not going to help you. It is simply juggling tasks. You need to focus on one thing at a time in order to be more productive.

* ‘Your’e in a constant state of alertness and it’s disrupting you all the time.’ {Jess}

* A digital sabbatical is about breaking the habit by stopping it for a couple of days.

* You can’t be afraid to take time off.

* Just starting with a weekend so you feel comfortable is a great place to start.

* If you are taking longer and you are concerned about this then just notify people in advance.

* ‘Is it really worth your sanity to be constantly in this state of alertness and stress?.’ {Jess}

* Sometimes a little extra work is required in the lead up to a sabbatical but it is worth it.

* Remember that taking time out also helps us to appreciate how great it is to have these online resources!

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

We all know the path we choose is not always the easiest but it is what we are passionate about. Striving for success through thick and thin is the only way to reach your goal.

If you are in the arena, fighting the obstacles that come your way and celebrating each obstacle that you overcome then you will have a rich and wholesome journey. If you fail at this you will succeed at something else.

So, if you need a little inspiration or a boost of confidence, this episode can help you.

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Are you in the arena?

* Are you daring greatly?

* Are you the one in there, blood sweat and tears working hard, trying even if you fail?

* ‘Whether you succeed or fail is, in the long run, almost irrelevant.’ {Jess}

* Remember that failing is OK as long as you keep striving.

* It is only the people who are in the arena, the people who are striving, who are overcoming pain and obstacles who will succeed.

* Don’t ever listen to naysayers.

* ‘Whatever the obstacle you are dealing with, turn it into a monster and fight it.’ {Jess}

* Be proud of every obstacle you overcome.

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

We all know the path we choose is not always the easiest but it is what we are passionate about. Striving for success through thick and thin is the only way to reach your goal.

If you are in the arena, fighting the obstacles that come your way and celebrating each obstacle that you overcome then you will have a rich and wholesome journey. If you fail at this you will succeed at something else.

So, if you need a little inspiration or a boost of confidence, this episode can help you.

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Are you in the arena?

* Are you daring greatly?

* Are you the one in there, blood sweat and tears working hard, trying even if you fail?

* ‘Whether you succeed or fail is, in the long run, almost irrelevant.’ {Jess}

* Remember that failing is OK as long as you keep striving.

* It is only the people who are in the arena, the people who are striving, who are overcoming pain and obstacles who will succeed.

* Don’t ever listen to naysayers.

* ‘Whatever the obstacle you are dealing with, turn it into a monster and fight it.’ {Jess}

* Be proud of every obstacle you overcome.

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

When we start a business by ourselves we are limited. We only know what we know. As you grow, other people become increasingly important as a resource for your handmade business.

At first we think we think we can figure it all out on our own, but where can you turn when you need the mental, physical or emotional help of others?

Sometimes it’s as simple as finding someone who will tell us that we actually can do what we dream of.

In this episode I share where I get support and help with my businesses (and how much that help has impacted the success of my endeavours). I also outline 8 sources of support that you can turn to, which are fantastic for starting, growing or strengthening your support network.

So, if you’re not sure where you can turn to get help, I hope you find one or more ideas in this episode to help you.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* 1. Family

* Family are usually the first port of call when we need help.

* You are so blessed if you have family with the willingness, time and energy to help you.

* Be thankful to them always if you have them because not everybody does!

* If you don’t have this family support it is important that you find it elsewhere.

* 2. Friends

* Often our friends are our greatest cheerleaders.

* There will always be those friends that aren’t supportive and usually this is because they simply do not understand.

* Think about your friends skills and abilities as you may be able to source practical help from them.

* It is common for some people to not see how your success is possible until you reach it.

* Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, after all that is what they are there for.

* 3. Local Organisations

* Finding a local organisation is a great thing to do.

* Most cities have craft groups or guilds you can join.

* Craft and business courses are a great way to find like minded people.

* 4. Teams or Forums Online

* Online there are so many teams or forums available that you can ask advice.

* Etsy has teams and forums you can easily follow or join.

* Keep in mind the downsides such as the fact that your posts are public. Competitors and customers can all see this.

* If you need to rant then this is not the platform to do it as lashing out publicly is never a good idea.

* You don’t know the people you will be talking to so remember to tread carefully. You don’t want to attract the negativity of the internet.

* 5. Blogs and Podcasts

* These are places where people share what has worked and what hasn’t.

* Blogs and podcasts are full of lessons learnt.

* Make a list of your favourite blogs or podcasts to follow.

* ‘Make yourself a treasure trove of knowledge.’ {Jess}

* Don’t forget to explore the archives as most advice is still very relevant.

* You need to keep in mind that not all advice will apply to you and don’t fall into the procrastination trap.

* ‘Make sure the doing gets done.’ {Jess}

* 6. Staff

* Sometimes it gets to the point when you can no longer do everything on your own.

* You can either pull back or hire someone to help you.

* Be honest with which tasks are vital but that you don’t enjoy doing.

* Start small to see how it goes and take it from there.

* Don’t let cost or perfectionism hold you back if growth is your goal.

* ‘If you reach your upper limit you need to accept that.’ {Jess}

* 7. Mentors and Coaches

* Most successful people don’t have much time for mentoring.

* ‘The best way to gain a mentor is to gain a friend.’ {Jess}

* Mentorship is built on a relationship and trust.

When we start a business by ourselves we are limited. We only know what we know. As you grow, other people become increasingly important as a resource for your handmade business.

At first we think we think we can figure it all out on our own, but where can you turn when you need the mental, physical or emotional help of others?

Sometimes it’s as simple as finding someone who will tell us that we actually can do what we dream of.

In this episode I share where I get support and help with my businesses (and how much that help has impacted the success of my endeavours). I also outline 8 sources of support that you can turn to, which are fantastic for starting, growing or strengthening your support network.

So, if you’re not sure where you can turn to get help, I hope you find one or more ideas in this episode to help you.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* 1. Family

* Family are usually the first port of call when we need help.

* You are so blessed if you have family with the willingness, time and energy to help you.

* Be thankful to them always if you have them because not everybody does!

* If you don’t have this family support it is important that you find it elsewhere.

* 2. Friends

* Often our friends are our greatest cheerleaders.

* There will always be those friends that aren’t supportive and usually this is because they simply do not understand.

* Think about your friends skills and abilities as you may be able to source practical help from them.

* It is common for some people to not see how your success is possible until you reach it.

* Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, after all that is what they are there for.

* 3. Local Organisations

* Finding a local organisation is a great thing to do.

* Most cities have craft groups or guilds you can join.

* Craft and business courses are a great way to find like minded people.

* 4. Teams or Forums Online

* Online there are so many teams or forums available that you can ask advice.

* Etsy has teams and forums you can easily follow or join.

* Keep in mind the downsides such as the fact that your posts are public. Competitors and customers can all see this.

* If you need to rant then this is not the platform to do it as lashing out publicly is never a good idea.

* You don’t know the people you will be talking to so remember to tread carefully. You don’t want to attract the negativity of the internet.

* 5. Blogs and Podcasts

* These are places where people share what has worked and what hasn’t.

* Blogs and podcasts are full of lessons learnt.

* Make a list of your favourite blogs or podcasts to follow.

* ‘Make yourself a treasure trove of knowledge.’ {Jess}

* Don’t forget to explore the archives as most advice is still very relevant.

* You need to keep in mind that not all advice will apply to you and don’t fall into the procrastination trap.

* ‘Make sure the doing gets done.’ {Jess}

* 6. Staff

* Sometimes it gets to the point when you can no longer do everything on your own.

* You can either pull back or hire someone to help you.

* Be honest with which tasks are vital but that you don’t enjoy doing.

* Start small to see how it goes and take it from there.

* Don’t let cost or perfectionism hold you back if growth is your goal.

* ‘If you reach your upper limit you need to accept that.’ {Jess}

* 7. Mentors and Coaches

* Most successful people don’t have much time for mentoring.

* ‘The best way to gain a mentor is to gain a friend.’ {Jess}

* Mentorship is built on a relationship and trust.