Welcome to Episode 100 of the Create & Thrive Podcast!
And it’s double celebrations, because it’s not only the 100th episode, but also the 2nd birthday of the podcast this week.
*throws confetti*
To celebrate the 100th episode, I decided to look back over the last 2 years of episodes, as well as ruminate on my (almost) 9 years running my own handmade business.
To wit, I have recorded what my best friend would call a ‘real talk’ episode – where I lay down 10 (sometimes hard) truths about running a handmade business.
In short:
Is it hard work? Yes.
Is it worth it? Heck yes!
I hope you find this episode heartening and grounding. It’s been a joy to produce this podcast for you over the last 2 years, and I look forward to bringing you a new episode each week into the future!
Almost 9,000 people listened to the show in March (2017), with over 13,000 downloads – which, compared to previous months, shows me that more and more of you are discovering the podcast and enjoying what I have to share with you.
So – thank YOU for being here, and I hope you continue to enjoy every episode I bring your way!
Jess x
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:
- 1. Everything will take longer than you think it will
- Website, photos, social media posts, growth of your biz – absolutely everything!
- Give yourself twice as much time as you think each task will take.
- For more on this make sure you listen to Episode 30 – 5 Time Management Hacks You Should Try Today.
- 2. You can’t compete on price – so find something else that makes you stand out
- ‘If you are competing on price you are treating yourself like a commodity’ {Jess}
- You need to make people fall in love with what you do.
- You need to find your unique selling point to make you stand out from the crowd.
- ‘Not competing on price but because what you make is so special that nobody else does it: that’s when you will find success’ {Jess}
- For more on this make sure you listen to Episode 53 – Why You Need to Find Your Micro Niche.
- 3. You WILL have unhappy customers
- It will happen at some point along your way so you must be prepared.
- If you have done your best, it is probably not your fault but you need to be equipped to handle it with grace.
- For more on this make sure you listen to Episode 3 – How to Provide Outstanding Online Customer Service and Episode 82 – How to Deal with Unhappy Customers.
- 4. There will be days/weeks when you fall out of love with your biz/lose your passion
- Don’t panic – this is normal and happens to most of us.
- Accept the creative cycle and learn to work with the ups and downs.
- ‘Take the time to recharge yourself and re-energise’ {Jess}
- For more on this make sure you listen to Episode 81 – How to Overcome Creative Block with Christina Lowry and Episode 99 – Making Friends with the Tyranny of Never Being Finished.
- 5. No less than 50% of your time will be spend on non-making tasks
- This will be especially apparent in the beginning stages of your business.
- You need to invest so much time into all of the business tasks to create your business.
- For more on this make sure you listen to Episode 62 – Making the Transition from Hobbyist to Business Owner.
- 6. There is a wall that you will hit – and you have to decide if you’re happy to stay inside it, or break out to grow. If you don’t want to grow, that’s okay, too!
- There will come a point where you will hit a wall where you cannot do any more than you already are.
- You have to decide if you are happy to stay inside the wall or break it down and grow outside of it.
- You can always bring help into the business or outsource tasks.
- ‘You don’t always have to grow’ {Jess}
- For more on this make sure you listen to Episode 97 – How to Expand Your Business with Poppy Treffry.
- 7. You can’t do it alone
- Even if you are a one person show you still need others for help and advice.
- Don’t be afraid to seek out guidance or ask for help when you need it.
- Find your community and it will be a huge help both practically and emotionally.
- For more on this make sure you listen to Episode 77 – How to Run an Effective Business Partnership with Nicole and Delilah from Dear Handmade Life.
- 8. Working for yourself is better (and more secure!) than working for someone else
- When you work for yourself you have so much more control and security than you do when you are at the mercy of a boss and a job.
- If you can figure it all out – and it can be so awesome and empowering working for yourself.
- For more on this make sure you listen to Episode 63 – What’s Your Definition of Success?
- 9. You will doubt yourself, be scared, and wonder if it’s worth it (spoiler, so does everyone else!)
- ‘It is perfectly normal to feel self doubt, to feel fear, to have these moments of existential crisis’ {Jess}
- Don’t ever let self doubt and fear stop you.
- Always remember, what is the worst that could happen?
- For more on this make sure you listen to Episode 31 – Kirsten Devitt on Creativity and Confidence and Episode 58 – Why Perfection is a Dangerous Illusion.
- 10. There is no right way to anything – only your way
- ‘I believe in evidence and autonomy’ {Jess}
- Listen to advice, but remember it’s just that – advice based on one person’s experience. Trust your own experience. Do what works for you and your biz.
- For more on this make sure you listen to Episode 46 – The Power of Being True to You in Business with Jill from For Strange Women.
