Gift Biz Unwrapped | Women Entrepreneurs | Bakers, Crafters, Makers | Startup

Did you ever think of starting a business - maybe a lemonade stand when you were little? I think it's almost a "rite of passage" as a kid - dipping a toe into making money yourself. Sometimes it sparks a dream for the future that unfortunately slips away as we start "adulting" and overthinking things. Today, you're hearing from two very young entrepreneurs who didn’t even know how to make their product before they decided to partner up and go into business. Hear how much fun Paisley and Riley are having as they create, discover, and grow their small business. It comes through in their voices how exciting it is to see what comes next and how eager they are to experiment and learn what works best. But make no mistake. There’s learning for us here, too. The girls take us through step by step how they decided on key elements of their plan ... the name of the business what products they’d offer product validation to ensure they’d have sales creating a plan for production and shipping plus developing

Making a customer feel special is where it’s at. Think about your experience from the customer end. Most of the time when you buy something, in a retail shop for sure but also online, it’s a one and done transaction. You make the purchase, get a thank you or a confirmation of the order being received … and that’s it. No further communication and if there is any – it’s probably a bounceback discount to place another order. Don’t get me wrong that additional discount is great – but it’s very sterile and transaction oriented. There’s no connection being formed between you and that business. Any sales after that are going to be initiated by you (the customer) IF you feel so great about the product that you want more, or you remember that company name when it’s time to buy a gift. Think now of yourself as a business owner - that’s leaving a lot up to chance. What if, you could control this interaction in a better way? How about changing the sale from being solely a business transaction into a warm friendly inter

Have you ever wondered how to start an Etsy printables shop? Wonder no more because in this episode we're diving into how to create a new revenue stream for your business with digital downloads. Selling printables and digital downloads is one business model that is very compatible with the life of a busy mom or fitting in a side gig. If you haven’t started your business yet, or are looking to expand on what you’re currently selling but not add to your backend shipping tasks, this may be the perfect option for you. It’s enticing, that’s for sure. Julie’s Etsy shop, The Swag Element, started as a side hustle and now earns her $1,000+ per month selling printable products for bachelorette parties, useful templates, and other digital downloads. Success speaks volumes and these Etsy results prompted another opportunity. While on maternity leave, Julie co-founded Gold City Ventures, which is a company that helps women start side hustles like hers selling printables and digital downloads on Etsy. Over 3,000 stud

Little did I know then but 12 years old, I created my first process. It was a system to run through each and every holiday season to ensure all gifts were purchased, wrapped and ready. This was prompted due to a disaster I share in the podcast. Over the years, it’s been perfected to include the more “adult” elements of gift giving and holiday planning. And it’s been a life-saver that I’d like to share it with you today. You may not think this is very business-related – as are most of the topics we cover here on the podcast … but it really is. I’m sure you’ve heard about the value of having processes and systems in your business so things run smoothly. Even if you haven’t, I bet you have them set up without even knowing it. When you make your products, you follow a certain step by step process. Same with filling orders and a number of other tasks you do that are necessary for your business to function properly. You may just not have them formalized and written down. When you have a structured process, proje

You've heard of branding and marketing and sales. But have you heard of micro-weirding? Well, buckle up because that's what we're diving into today. Have you ever stopped to think about how you decide where you’re going to spend your money? Yes, a special eye-catching graphic or creative reel may lead you to discover a new brand. But more than likely, this weekend you’re checking out the deals from companies you already know and support. How did that happen? How did they get on your favorite list? And even more importantly, how can you get on other people’s favorite list? It happens through a strategy called Micro-weirding. Spoiler alert – it is like concocting a potion that magnetically attracts sales. Yep – you definitely want to make your business Micro-Weird. Denise is CEO and co-founder of The S3 Agency, a creative agency specializing in Brand Elevation. She’s worked with clients like BMW of North America and Eight O'Clock Coffee. A self-proclaimed "battler of boring branding," Denise believes tha

Welcome to Gift Biz Unwrapped, the twice weekly show that brings you inspiration and direction on how to start and grow your handmade product business. I’m your host, Sue Monhait, CEO of Gift Biz Unwrapped where we offer all sorts of support materials over on the website of the same name. On Saturdays, I feature a guest who shares their experience and insights as a handmade product creator who is now monetizing their craft. Or I bring on a service provider who gives tips and strategies based on their area of expertise. I follow this up on Wednesday with a solo episode to cover topics you’re telling me are important in the world of handmade. I’m excited for you to join me in listening to these episodes and remember to tell your friends who would be interested in small product business development that they too can listen, for free in any podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify … even ask Alexa! You can also access the show on your computer from the website or our YouTube channel. Now go dive in and kn

Way back in 1997, this new arena called social media arrived on the digital landscape. Since that time, social media has been a fast and active playground with new platforms emerging, others dying and still others growing and morphing into versions that barely look like their original selves. They rise and fall in popularity and target audiences change too. Think of what happened with Facebook - once being for the younger generations who have mostly now abandoned ship for Instagram. And still other social media formats get outright copied like Reels which of course rivals Tic Tok. And that’s not all. IG offers new features but only to certain accounts FB changes it’s page layout causing confusion that requires us to relearn the app Privacy issues are forcing significant changes Facebook and IG go dark for 6 hours – everyone panics Social media is pretty much synomyous with change. That’s a great thing for people who teach us how to use all the various platforms, but not so great when we’re trying to pl

What are three strategies for business growth that many small businesses ignore? That's right - we're talking about networking, mentorship, and publicity. Today, I have the great fortune of talking with a proven professional in business development. You’re going to hear her story about starting the business as a side gig while working a 9-5 job and attending to four babies. So, for anyone out there who says it can’t be done … let’s rethink that! Lisa shares what her life was like then, how she grew and eventually left her corporate job, and how she continues to expand on her rock-solid gift business. Lisa is the Founder and CEO of The Personal Gift Basket Co., an artisan gifting business based in the St. Charles, MO area. Her company is recognized and praised for creating beautifully designed gifts for clients all over the world. Lisa’s been on several local television stations displaying her gift creations and speaking about the power and benefit of gifting. Her creative gift designs have also been featu

People with high integrity are known as being trustworthy, dependable and someone you can rely on. Living with integrity is important because it can determine the depth of your relationships and the success of your business. When you start showing up as I describe in this episode, you build your integrity muscle. Along with that comes the feeling of achievement and a boost to your self confidence. Not only does the world look brighter and more interesting, YOU are proving to yourself that you have the power to make things happen. Let’s dive deeper into a part of what integrity is and how it can affect your personal life and business results. Join my FREE Gift Biz Breeze FB Community where you'll have the chance to learn and hang out with other inspirational makers just like you. If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe so you automatically get the next episode downloaded for your convenience. Click on your preferred platform below to get started. Also, if you'd like to do me a huge favo

Today we’re discussing emotional branding for small business. In the past, we’ve talked a lot about the visual aspect of your brand. The colors, your logo, signage - even your business name. Now, we’re approaching branding from a different angle. I’m sure you’ve heard Maya Angelou's quote about it not being what you say or what you do but how you make someone feel. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou This softer branding characteristic is missed by many and can be the most powerful thing to get right to attract and retain - not just customers, but raving supportive fans. Maureen grew up in Kenya where entrepreneurship was not the norm. In fact, her mom and dad were the only entrepreneurs she knew. As a little girl, Maureen listened with fascination as they discussed their product strategies around the dinner table almost every night. As she got older, she became acutely aware of the financ

The way to truly grow a business is through repeat customer sales. Think about it. If every single month you had to start fresh to find and convert new prospects into sales – you’d be exerting tremendous amounts of energy just to stay at the same monthly revenue level.By contrast, what if your business ran with this sales model. Month one you bring in 30 sales. The next month, let’s say 10% of your customers purchased again. You received the same number of new customer sales plus the 3 repeat sales … so now you have 33 sales for that month. If you repeat this over the course of a year you’d be bringing in 79 sales a month at the end of the year! And this would snowball and continue to grow over time.Of course your numbers will vary from this example. You may be bringing in more or less than 30 sales a month. And your repeat customer number depends on your product - so it can also be more or less than 10%. Plus there are months when you do shows or other promotional events that bring in more sales. But the the

Is selling handmade items wholesale a good idea for your business? It's not always the right fit. How do you know if it's for you? That's what we'll explore in this episode. Emily Kerr-Finell is the founder at Wholesale In a Box and One Mill School. A seasoned strategist, Emily has helped over 1,000 creative small business owners grow. Her fresh approach to business has been featured in The Oprah Magazine, Forbes, and Entrepreneur Magazine, and The Maker’s Summit. Emily walks us through figuring out if wholesale is right for you and your business. BUSINESS BUILDING INSIGHTS Do the work that you love sustainably. For you to thrive in business, it's crucial that what you have is unique and has a good story.  Your product should be consistent, compelling, interesting, and exciting. Be able to shift to marketing your products on online platforms so you can adapt to different circumstances. Make way for a cohesive experience, regardless of whether somebody is interacting with you online or in person.

You'll regret it if you don't get started now. All three of these things grow richer over time. So the longer you wait, the farther behind you'll be. Plus you're losing valuable assets your business can use to grow!In this world of instant gratification, we've been conditioned to put things off ... because they can be obtained easily when you want them. It's not the case with what I'll be telling you today.Consider yourself warned!CONNECT with me here:Website | Facebook | InstagramSUBSCRIBE to the podcast:Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | SpotifyPAY IT FORWARD by leaving a rating and review.I'd love to hear your comments. Tell me how the show has helped you or a specific guest or point that had an impact. You can do that right here.Thanks for listening!Resources for Growth of Your Handmade Biz5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE)Start with ConfidenceNetworking NinjaContent for MakersInspired! Daily PlannerMakers MBACheck out the Merch ShopGifts for you or your biz friends that w

Every person's business journey is unique. But we can still learn from each other. Our guest today shares handmade business advice from lessons she's learned over her 20 years in the business. Nicole is the CEO and Creative Director of Dear Handmade Life. At 24. she turned her passion into a profession with her handcrafted clothing line called Random Nicole. She started selling at flea markets and backyard craft fairs and has grown it into a thriving, international wholesale business. Nicole's desire to help other creatives pursue their dream business and discover the joy of making led her away from her own handmade business and into teaching, consulting, and running her own workshop studio. This eventually led to co-founding Dear Handmade Life in 2007. Now, she connects, educates, and shortens the learning curve for other creatives by sharing what she's learned through the Dear Handmade Life events, blog, and podcast. BUSINESS BUILDING INSIGHTS The learning curves and even mistakes in your business dev

Unless something drastically changes, we’re headed for toilet paper hoarding again and worse yet – the holiday gifting season is in jeopardy due to the global supply chain crisis. I saw a post going around recently that reads, “The work of local artists is not sitting on cargo ships.” That’s exactly right! This is in sharp contrast with other product sellers who have their product produced through factories … particularly if it’s done overseas. Compounding the issue are labor shortages, the increase in shipping prices AND the slowdown of USPS, FedEx and UPS deliveries. It’s a perfect storm setting up roadblocks right in the path of Santa’s sleigh. Here’s where you come in. As a handmade product maker, you have a unique opportunity to help save the holidays. If you’re sitting on a decent supply of production inventory. By that I mean the elements you use to make your products, like yarn for your shawls, clay for your pottery or beads, wire and closures for your jewelry. Your product production is not affect

I've got a special episode for this week, all about a business with a mission. I can't wait to share how this motivated entrepreneur saw an opportunity to help her community at large and jumped right in. Spotlight Box began in the summer of 2020 when many were becoming more aware of the social issues facing the Black community. People started asking questions: “How can I support Black businesses?” “What should I learn about Black history?” “How do I begin to understand the many social issues facing the Black community?” Kesia created Spotlight Box to provide us with a resource so we can feel more confident in our knowledge and appreciation for Black history. The Spotlight Box is a curated monthly subscription box filled with educational materials and products from entrepreneurs & brands owned by African Americans. It also provides a path so we can support Black-owned businesses. BUSINESS BUILDING INSIGHTS Learn to put yourself in front of the camera. Be confident in putting yourself out ther

The often unasked question. "Will my product sell?" As an experienced maker, all your creations are skillfully crafted and the model of perfection. But you want to know if it will be a top seller before you put in the time and money building up your inventory. So let's address the issue of how to determine if you have a sales winner. CONNECT with me here: Website | Facebook | Instagram SUBSCRIBE to the podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify PAY IT FORWARD by leaving a rating and review. I'd love to hear your comments. Tell me how the show has helped you or a specific guest or point that had an impact. You can do that right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of  Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make the days brighter and add a touch of inspiration and happiness. Enter the shop here. Join our

Okay, creators - it's time to engage your left brain. Because today, we're talking about Google Analytics for small business. But don't worry, my guest today is a master at explaining things in an easy-to-understand way. Chris Mercer, the co-founder of Measurement Marketing, is a sought-after measurement marketing expert. He’s been helping marketers, marketing teams, and agencies plan out what’s important to measure in their marketing, build measurement systems (using Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics), create actionable dashboard reports, and finally use those reports to forecast and optimize their marketing results. Mercer has a knack for teaching and is known for his ability to simplify even the most complex ideas for his audience. He speaks at some of the top conferences in the industry such as Traffic & Conversion, Social Media Marketing World, and Content Jam. BUSINESS BUILDING INSIGHTS Make sure that the conversation you're having is relevant to your users. And the only way to make sure

I think you'll agree that a lot of time is spent on social media. In some cases too much time and it takes away from doing other important projects that will advance your business. The balance is hard to find. Here are four strategies to make taking and resourcing social media photos less time consuming. Imagine having just the right photo at your fingertips without you having to drop everything to make that happen? Here's how! CONNECT with me here: Website | Facebook | Instagram SUBSCRIBE to the podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify PAY IT FORWARD by leaving a rating and review. I'd love to hear your comments. Tell me how the show has helped you or a specific guest or point that had an impact. You can do that right here. Thanks for listening! Resources for Growth of  Your Handmade Biz 5 Rookie Mistakes Webinar (FREE) Start with Confidence Networking Ninja Content for Makers Inspired! Daily Planner Makers MBA Check out the Merch Shop Gifts for you or your biz friends that will make

One thing every small business owner thinks about is how to attract sales. Today's guest shares 5 fun and effective ways she attracts sales to her handmade craft business in a fun way. Tune in to hear her tips and tricks. Sophy is the face behind Miss Paper Craft, a Paper Quilling store, making intricate jewelry, ornaments, and keepsake dolls. She paper quilled as a hobby when she lived in India, making gifts for friends and family. After moving to the US, she noticed that Paper Quilling wasn’t widely known here and saw this as an opportunity. She now shares the paper quilling experience through her jewelry, DIY craft kits, and online classes. Those of you who are regular listeners will remember Sophy from episode #313 which aired last April. A lot of opportunities have come her way in such a short time so I wanted to have her back on to share her newest exciting experiences.   BUSINESS BUILDING INSIGHTS Let people touch and feel the product before they buy because it will add more value to it.