In each episode of the Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show, you’ll find great ideas for launching, managing, and evolving your indie yarn-related business, and tips for keeping yourself creative, productive, and sane. Share the unique joys and challenges of being an indie in the yarn industry, whether you’re a crochet or knitting author, blogger, designer, maker, podcaster, publisher, teacher, or tech editor; a yarn dyer or spinner; or the owner of any other indie business based around yarn. Topics include marketing, social media, pricing, negotiating with vendors and clients, balancing family/personal life or other jobs with your indie yarn craft business, working from home, authenticity, staying creative, dealing with customers, juggling different roles to create different income streams, collaborating with independent contractors, the solopreneur lifestyle, trade shows, selling online and monetizing your website or blog, building a community of fans, and more. Hosted by Marie Segares, s
Stacey Trock is the owner of FreshStitches. After a technical failure during our interview at The National NeedleArts Association summer show in June, we talked over Skype about the success of her kit club and why she is switching to digital subscriptions. We also discussed how and why she's diversified her income and her perspective on pacing her business growth, customer service, social media, and more.
About Stacey Trock Stacey Trock, the owner of FreshStitches, recently relocated to Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. Stacey started her business in 2008 selling crochet amigurumi patterns as PDFs and has since expanded her business and diversified her income.This episode was inspired by a question Delisa Carnegie, the yarn dyer behind Apocalypse Friday, asked in the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Delisa wanted to hear from someone who had a subscription club, and since Stacey's club was the most successful one I knew about, I reached out to her. (Since the original request for an interview in the spring, Stacey has actually ended her kit club. You can read more about that and watch the video where she explains this to her audience here. Her new digital Ami Club is opening soon.)
Stacey shared her perspectives on several important business topics in this interview, including:
Stacey also answers questions from Delisa at Apocalypse Friday, Angie Doherty at Hooked by Angel, Carmen Nuland at A Simple Homestead, Angela Plunkett at Little Monkeys Design, and Anita Bose Natarajan from NitaB&NishaN.
Listen to the podcast for more discussion from me and Stacey.
If you enjoyed this episodeThe Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in November, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
Kim Russo is the yarn dyer behind Kim Dyes Yarn. We met at The National NeedleArts Association summer show in June, and later I spent some time talking to Kim, who shared how her business has transformed over the past 10 years, how she transitioned her fully online business to one that includes face-to-face elements, and her approach to time management.
About Kim Russo Kim Russo, owner of Kim Dyes Yarn, lives in Virginia. She is obsessed with gorgeous colors, the way colors look when mixed and matched with each other, and how to achieve the next great idea in her head. She is a life long learner and her work reflects her continuing determination to keep learning about dyeing and color and fibers. Kim also loves baking, cooking, her family, and the Gilmore Girls. Kim Dyes Yarn uses a variety of dyeing techniques on quality yarns and spinning fibers including gradient dyes, semisolids, variegated yarns, and mini skeins sets. You can also follow Kim on Facebook and Instagram. About the EpisodeIn this episode, I chat with Kim about her business and we cover many topics including:
Kim also closes the interview by sharing some words of wisdom for shy creative business owners. Listen to the podcast for more discussion from me and Kim.
If you enjoyed this episode
The Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in October, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
Dedri Uys is the crochet designer, blogger, author, and teacher behind LookAtWhatIMade. I spent some time talking to Dedri and she was incredibly open and generous in sharing how she is able to work a full time job, be a devoted wife and mother, and still find energy and inspiration for her crochet business.
About Dedri UysDedri Uys is the crochet blogger, designer and teacher behind LookAtWhatIMade. She is best known as the designer of Sophie's Universe, a stunning continuous square crochet blanket pattern available as a free, 18-part crochet-a-long. She is the author of Amamani Puzzle Balls and the coordinator/author of Big Hook Rag Crochet. Dedri is also a Scheepjes blogger and recently returned from her native South Africa, where she taught several crochet classes as part of a tour organized by BeInspired.Love. Dedri "believes that crochet is more than just a craft. It is a lifesaving panacea, a necessary creative outlet, a calming tool and a rewarding passion."
Dedri lives in London with her husband, 3 sons, and a cat. Four days a week, she's a radiotherapist at Charing Cross Hospital. You can also follow Dedri on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Ravelry | Twitter About the EpisodeIn this episode, I chat with Dedri about her business and we cover many topics including:
Dedri also closes the show with 3 things she wishes she knew when she started her business. Listen to the podcast for more discussion from me and Dedri.
If you enjoyed this episodeThe Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in September, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
Jennifer Dickerson is the crochet and knitting designer, blogger, author, and YouTuber behind Fiber Flux. I had the chance to chat with Jennifer about how she got started with video and grew her YouTube channel to over 125,000 followers in less than two years. In this interview, she shares her practical tips for working with video, building a YouTube channel, time management, working for free, and monetizing your blog and videos.
About Jennifer DickersonJennifer Dickerson is the crochet and knitting designer, blogger, and YouTuber behind Fiber Flux. In addition to her blog, she launched the Fiber Flux YouTube channel about two years ago and has grown to 125,626 followers as of this writing. Jennifer is the author of Mini Flower Loom Crafts and has another book forthcoming. You can also follow Jennifer on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Ravelry | Twitter
About the interviewIn this episode, I interview Jennifer about getting started with video and growing a YouTube channel, but we also chatted about other aspects of her creative business.
Some of the topics we discussed about video included:
We also talked about other aspects of Jennifer's business, including how Jennifer...
Listen to the podcast for more discussion from me and Jennifer.
If you enjoyed this episode
The Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in August, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
Heather Solos is a director at Feedblitz. I met Heather at the 2016 Snap! conference and we later had a Skype chat about best practices for growing, maintaining, and monetizing your email list.
About Heather Solos and FeedblitzHeather Solos started blogging in 2004 and became a professional blogger in 2006. She joined FeedBlitz, an RSS and email marketing company, in 2012 where she built the customer service team. She’s now a director at Feedblitz and swims in a sea of email, marketing, and best practices. When she comes up for air, she works for Home-Ec101.com, a site that earned her the blogger dream, a book deal in 2011.
Heather is raising four kids, a dog, and a hedgehog with her fiancé in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. She runs on spite, caffeine, and wine and recently picked up a crochet hook in an attempt to resist checking her phone in the evenings. She now has more washcloths than dishes.
About the interviewIn this episode, I talk to Heather about her own experiences with email lists as a blogger and what she has seen through her work at Feedblitz. (If you're new to the topic of email marketing, you may want to list to Episode 55: Email Marketing 101: Or, Why and How to Set Up an Email List for Your Creative Business.)
Some of the topics we discussed included:
Listen to the podcast for more from Heather about best practices in email marketing for creative businesses. I also share my experience using with the Feedblitz "test drive" and the service.
If you enjoyed this episode
The Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in July, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
I answer questions about teaching crafts and self-publishing as I wrap up the virtual tour for my new book, Make Money Teaching Crochet.
About this episodeIn this episode, I share the edited audio of a Facebook Live event I hosted earlier in the week where I answered questions from listeners about teaching crafts and self-publishing. Thanks to Rosalba Bassora, Novella Bobo from MadebyNovella, Patrice Walker from Yarn Over, Pull Through, Rachel McKinney from 100 Creations, and MG Camacho from Booktalk 'n More for sharing questions beforehand!
I reference a lot of different resources, which you can learn more about by following these links:
The Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in July, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
Leslie Albertson is the director of marketing at Mixbook. I had the chance to get to know Mixbook in person at the 2016 Snap! conference and was later introduced to Leslie. We scheduled a Skype interview to talk about the best ways to present your creative business to potential sponsors and collaborators, following up after networking events, and more.
About Leslie Albertson and MixbookMixbook's mission is to help you share and relive life's most important memories through its custom photo products. As director of marketing, Leslie brings her passion as a storyteller to Mixbook's content, community, and customer retention programs across it's portfolio of brands- Mixbook.com, Montage, and Mosaic Photo Books. Her past roles have included driving strategic partnerships with brands including Samsung, Verizon Wireless, and the NFL.
Mixbook was founded by Inc 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs from UC Berkeley, and has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, TechCrunch, The Verge, Washington Post, New York Times and many other global media outlets.
About the interviewIn this episode, I talk to Leslie about Mixbook's products and brands, networking at in-person events, follow up, and branding your creative business.
Some of the topics we discussed included:
Listen to the podcast for more from Leslie about branding your business and working with brands. I also share my experience using Montage for a portfolio.
If you enjoyed this episodeThe Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in June, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
I kick off the virtual book tour for Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students by talking about how teaching has helped to grow my yarn-related business and earn me a stable side income. I also share more information about the book and self-publishing.
About this episodeIn this episode, I talk about Make Money Teaching Crochet, including...
You may also want to check out when I was interviewed by Priscilla on Crocheter's Connection.
Follow the virtual tour!Check out the rest of the stops on the tour to read reviews, guest posts, and interviews (and for more chances to win a copy).
The Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in June, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
Alexis Middleton is the crochet designer and craft blogger behind Persia Lou. I had the chance to meet her in person at the 2016 Snap! conference and we later scheduled a Skype interview to talk about the panel workshop, Generate and Pitch Ideas Like a Boss.
About Alexis MiddletonAlexis is a work-at-home mother of three and a lifelong crafter. She learned to crochet from her great grandmother as a child but put down the hook until a few years ago. She started her blog, Persia Lou, as a place to share her crochet projects and it has since expanded to include other crafts and home decor projects, too.
You can learn more about Alexis by visiting Persia Lou. You can also follow Alexis online on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Ravelry | Twitter | YouTube
About the interviewIn this episode, I talk to Alexis about her panel workshop at Snap!, Generate and Pitch Ideas Like a Boss. (Her co-presenters were Colleen from Lemon Thistle and Sarah from Confetti Sunshine.) Alexis also answers listener questions from Angela at Little Monkeys Designs and Carmen from A Simple Homestead.
Some of the topics we discussed included:
Listen to the podcast for more from Alexis about growing your blog and creative business.
If you enjoyed this episodeThe Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in June, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
Erica Dietz from 5 Little Monsters had been blogging for less than a year when she started working with sponsors. We chatted at the 2016 Snap! conference about blogging, taking risks, how to work with sponsors, and more.
About EricaErica Dietz is the crochet, sewing, embroidery, and craft blogger behind 5 Little Monsters. She shares designs and tutorials on her blog. Erica is also a stay-at-home mom to (you guessed it) 5 children.
You can learn more about Erica by visiting 5 Little Monsters. You can also follow her online on Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Ravelry | Twitter
About the interviewIn this episode, I talk with Erica about a variety of topics, including the evolution of her business, how she started working with brands and sponsors, her tips for making connections at conferences, stepping out of your comfort zone, and the importance of follow up. She also shares an inspiring call to action at the end!
If you enjoyed this episode
The Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in May, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
If you're like most home-based business owners, you're bootstrapping your business and keeping costs low with a DIY approach. In this episode, I interview author, speaker, and digital entrepreneur, Lorraine C. Ladish, about how she bootstrapped her business. We also discuss when to invest and spend in your business, taking risks, taking care of yourself, and more.
About Lorraine Lorraine C. Ladish is a bilingual author of more than 15 books, and a writer, editor, speaker, and digital entrepreneur. Lorraine is the founder and CEO of Viva Fifty!, a bilingual online community that celebrates being 50+. Lorraine is a contributing writer for NBC News, Huffington Post, AARP, BabyCenter, and Mom.me. You can learn more about Lorraine by visiting her website and VivaFifty! You can also follow her online on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter About the interviewIn this episode, I talk with Lorraine about a variety of topics, including the evolution of her own business, taking risks and gaining confidence, bootstrapping vs. working with investors, staying true to yourself and your mission, and knowing when to spend on your business. Lorraine also talks about defining success and setting goals for your business, writing a book, and how her yoga practice keeps her pain free and reduces the stress of being an entrepreneur.
If you enjoyed this episode
The Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in April, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).
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