Business Development and Planning for Makers
We often talk about not relying on Etsy for everything here... and this lesson reaches beyond this. It's easy to put all our eggs into one basket, especially when that basket seems to be given so much to us and so easily! Today #ahasmembers Chris & Andy talk about how hiccups like this in their business have made them stronger. Plus they share ways to get "unstuck" in their business.
Makers Using Instagram as a Sales Tool
The Instagram algorithm has us all scratching our heads a bit. Which is why we are taking with a few #ahasmembers about how they are using Instagram to better their business. Every platform has to be adapted to every business. Hopefully these stories will give you a few ideas for how they can be adapted to yours.
The Biggest Packaging Mistakes Shopkeepers See
Landing the wholesale account is just the beginning. Actually having people buy your product off the shelf is quite another. And packaging plays a vital role in that. It is even a reason some shops won't pick up your product-- even if they love it! So we talked with an #ahasmember retailer about what packaging mistakes they are often seeing. Read on.
Productivity Tools for Makers with Katie Nolan of Katie Nolan Creative
The gift and the curse of owning your own business is being able to decide when and how you work. While it can be freeing, it also completely falls on you how much gets done and when. Have you ever felt like you could be more productive but don't know how?
Today I'm excited to share with you #ahasmember Katie Nolan's (of Katie Nolan Creative and Tick Tock Press) favorite productivity tools and systems to help you use your time more effectively and getting more done each day. These are resources she uses in her own successful maker business!
A Retailer Shares their Perspective: Take Heart Boutique
Ever want to peek inside the mind of a retailer? We are bringing you an interview today with Austin's very own super stylish and handmade-supporting boutique Take Heart! Proprietress Nina Gordon has curated a thoughtful and intentional shop that many makers are eager to get into. How can you impress her and shops like hers? Read on!
My Year in Making: Staci of Crafty Staci
This is our last week for The State of Making: An Online Summit! It has been a phenomenal time and if you missed any of it, the replays are up... but only if you register! Make sure you don't miss the last two sessions, too.
With this summit, we are featuring the stories of maker and their years leading up to the summit. Today's post looks at the year for maker and #ahasmember Staci of Crafti Staci. She's learned a lot about niching, timing and listening to what the numbers say. Enjoy!
My Year in Making: Angela of Wit & Pepper
Did you join us at all last week The State of Making: An Online Summit? We are one week down and have two more to go, starting again this Thursday. Make sure you don't missing a session. You can read all about it here.
With this summit, we are featuring the stories of maker and their years leading up to the summit. Today's post looks at the year for maker and #ahasmember Angela of Wit & Pepper. She took the leap to do bigger shows this year and hear how that paid off.
My Year in Making: Amy of Monster Dance Designs
Did you join us at all last week The State of Making: An Online Summit? We are one week down and have two more to go. Make sure you don't missing a session. You can read all about it here.
With this summit, we are featuring the stories of maker and their years leading up to the summit. Today's post looks at the year for maker and #ahasmember Amy of Monster Dance Designs. Amy is a multi-talented artist who has made shrewd and strategic decisions about her business to make it sustainable.
My Year in Making: Susan of For Pete's Sake Pottery
Ever feel like it's hard to know if your business is "normal" or not? If other businesses experienced the year in a similar way to you? Or maybe you have a hard time zooming out to get a big picture perspective.
If that's you at all, then we've created The State of Making: An Online Summit just for you (and the thousands of others like you ;))! It's a multi-day event that will feature experts and other makers sharing their perspective on the year in making and what lies ahead for the holidays.
Interested? You can read all about it here.
We are featuring the stories of maker and their years leading up to the summit. Today's post looks at the year for maker and #ahasmember Susan of For Pete's Sake Pottery. We look at the growth and the changes she's made and where she's headed for 2017.
My Year in Making: Carolyn of The Wishing Elephant
Growth looks different for everyone and sometimes our "holiday" seasons do too. For #ahasmember Carolyn of The Wishing Elephant, her adorable kids' costumes make her very busy leading up to Halloween. She had a few pivotal moments this year and she shares them with us. You can also read more about her and her amazing business in this post from a few months ago.
My Year in Making: Jae of Benjamin Soap Co.
Ever feel like it's hard to know if your business is "normal" or not? If other businesses experienced the year in a similar way to you? Or maybe you have a hard time zooming out to get a big picture perspective.
If that's you at all, then we've created The State of Making: An Online Summit just for you (and the thousands of others like you ;))! It's a multi-day event that will feature experts and other makers sharing their perspective on the year in making and what lies ahead for the holidays.
Interested? You can sign up here to be alerted about all the details.
We are featuring the stories of maker and their years leading up to the summit. Today's post looks at the year for maker and #ahasmember Jae of Jae Benjamin Soap. She's seen a lot of transformation in the two short years since she started. And she's doing her best to keep up with the rapidly growing business.
My Year in Making: Sarah of Once Again Sam
Ever feel like it's hard to know if your business is "normal" or not? If other businesses experienced the year in a similar way to you? Or maybe you have a hard time zooming out to get a big picture perspective.
If that's you at all, then we've created The State of Making: An Online Summit just for you (and the thousands of others like you ;))! It's a multi-day event that will feature experts and other makers sharing their perspective on the year in making and what lies ahead for the holidays.
Interested? You can sign up here to be alerted about all the details.
Today's post is to help you understand how the year in making was for other handmade artists. It's part of an ongoing series we are doing now through the end of September. After reading, I would love to know about your year in making in the comments!
From Craft to Commerce: The Life and Stages of a Creative Business
At our very first San Francisco Chapter meeting I met Vince of Vincie Bags-- and I know longer worried that we would find good people who cared about craft as part to help our new chapter flourish!
Vince is the kind of person who has honed his years of experience into generous wisdom and also hilarious insights. He is truly a craftsman and gives back unselfishly to his local maker community. I'm excited that he's sharing with us today how he has come to understand the steps of a successful creative business and ways to keep the cycle of "always learning" in your business.
Escaping the Hobby Business Mindset with Meg of Bumblewood Soaps
Because our jobs are born out of passion and things we love doing without getting paid, the hobbyiest (or jobbyiest-- you are getting money but you aren't really *making* money for your business) is almost built in to our business. Which is why at some point, most of realize "Hey! That's not how a BUSINESS would do that" and have to course correct in some way.
I'm excited to share with you #ahasmember Meg of Bumblewood Soaps who had a very enlightening experience about what she REALLY thought about her business. Read on to find out how she corrected this.
Does Getting Featured on Etsy or Buzzfeed Matter?
Building Better Collaborations: Montrose Leather Works
#ahasmember and owner of Montrose Leather Works, Jeric Arpon discovered early in his maker career how fostering clear communication can build better collaborations. Through a less than ideal experience, he developed a simple process that has helped him stay true to his brand and engage only in collaborations that will be mutually beneficial. He shares his experience with us today.