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Is it too late to get your jewelry featured in holiday gift guides? Absolutely not! In this episode of Thrive By Design, I'm joined by award-winning PR strategist Gloria Chou to reveal insider secrets about pitching your jewelry for gift guides – not just for the holidays, but all year round.

“PR at its core is writing a good pitch and sending it to the right person. That's it.” – Gloria Chou

What You'll Learn in This Episode:* [2:15] Why gift guides are a powerful PR tool for jewelry brands * [5:30] The CPR method for crafting the perfect pitch * [12:45] How to find and connect with the right editors * [18:20] Best practices for following up on your pitches * [22:35] Common mistakes to avoid when pitching gift guides * [25:40] How to leverage affiliate links in modern PR * [32:15] Tips for creating relationships with journalists

Why Gift Guides Matter for Your Jewelry BrandGift guides aren't just for the holiday season. They're year-round opportunities to get your jewelry in front of new audiences while building valuable SEO backlinks. According to Gloria, you don't need a massive following or celebrity endorsements to get featured – you just need the right pitch strategy.

The CPR Method for Perfect PitchesGloria shared her proven CPR method for crafting pitches that get responses:

Credibility – Briefly establish your expertise and unique perspective
Point of View – Share 3 key points about your jewelry's relevance
Relevance – Connect your pieces to current trends and seasonal moments

Pro Tips for Pitching Success:* Install Google News alerts for jewelry industry keywords * Follow commerce and shopping editors on Instagram and LinkedIn * Use email tracking software to monitor pitch performance * Include high-quality product photos and clear pricing * Follow up after 5-7 days with fresh angles

Ready to learn more about PR strategies for your jewelry business? Check out my conversation with Gloria Chou on the latest episode of Thrive by Design!

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

xo, Tracy

Connect with Gloria:* Visit gloriachoupr.com * Follow @gloriachoupr on Instagram * Watch her free PR Masterclass at gloriachoupr.com/masterclass

Resources Mentioned:* Help a Reporter Out (HARO) * Mail Track for Gmail * Substack for finding journalist opportunities

Sponsor Spotlight!Ready to transform occasional customers into devoted collectors? Download our free Sales on Repeat private podcast series. This 10-episode training will show you how to build customer loyalty and create a seamless sales machine for your jewelry business.

Get instant access at flourishthriveacademy.com/secretpodcast

Tired of relying solely on in-person shows? Transform your website into a sales machine and double your show sales with our signature online sales program (now a home-study version). Learn step-by-step strategies to:

Grow your email list quickly
Automate your sales process
Master virtual live selling
Turn one-time customers into repeat buyers

Early Black Friday Special: Get 50% off for a limited time!

Learn More at https://flourishthriveacademy.com/TYC

Links in this episode:

Subscribe to my ‘Sales on Repeat' Private Podcast

Train Your Customers to Buy Online: Home Study Version

Buy My Bestselling Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive TikTok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 502: How to Pitch Jewelry Gift Guides – It’s Not Too Late! with Gloria Chou appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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This week marks such an exciting milestone for our Thrive by Design podcast and Flourish & Thrive Academy community – the third anniversary of my book, The Desired Brand Effect!

To celebrate this special occasion, I'm not only sharing the fundamental principles that have helped countless jewelry brands thrive on the podcast but also introducing an exciting new resource: The Desired Sharing Proposition Brand Guidelines template.

Whether you're just starting your jewelry business or pivoting to direct-to-consumer sales, I'm packing this episode with invaluable insights on developing a magnetic brand identity that sets you apart in today's saturated market.

Essential Principles for Building Your Desired BrandAligning Your Values with Your Dream ClientsI've learned that the most powerful jewelry brands are built on a foundation of shared values with their ideal customers.

Through my years of experience, I've found that focusing on five or six core values creates the perfect balance – enough to be meaningful without becoming overwhelming.

When your values authentically align with your audience's, magic happens.

I walk you through exactly how to identify and leverage these “Core Crossover Values” in The Desired Brand Effect Book.

Crafting an Emotionally Resonant Brand StoryHere's a game-changing tip: your brand story isn't just about your journey – it's about making your customers the hero.

When you shift from leading with your credentials to focusing on how your brand transforms lives, you create deeper emotional connections that turn first-time buyers into lifelong collectors.

Need help structuring your story? I've included easy-to-follow templates in my new Desired Sharing Proposition Brand Guidelines.

Creating a Cohesive Visual IdentityYour visual branding must speak the same language as your brand voice. Every element – from your website to your packaging – needs to tell a consistent story. Whether you're luxury or accessible, authenticity is key.

Skip the competitor copying and focus on creating visuals that truly represent your unique essence.

My Brand Guidelines template includes everything you need to define and align your visual elements.

Understanding Emotional Purchase TriggersHere's something I know for sure: jewelry is an inherently emotional purchase, and understanding what drives your customers to buy is crucial for creating desire and demand.

Whether they're seeking connection, protection, self-expression, or status, identifying these emotional triggers allows you to create more compelling marketing messages and products that truly resonate.

I go much deeper into understanding customer psychology and emotional triggers in the Desired Brand Effect Book.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

[02:08] 3-Year Bestselling Book Anniversary + Desired Sharing Proposition Brand Guidelines Announcement
[04:35] Why I wrote the Desired Brand Effect
[06:25] Stand out and create raving fans with your Desired Sharing Proposition – Your USP on
[08:00] Core Crossover Values – Communicate how your business’s core values align with your customers’
[11:47] Accountability – Eliminate excuses and take responsibility for your business’s success
[14:09] Your Brand Story – Making your customers the focus of your story
[15:15] Emotional connection – what makes jewelry customers buy more
[16:07] Visual Identity – how your band creates an experience for your customer
[18:20] Brand Alignment – what separates the brands that work from the brands that don’t
[24:52] Dive Deeper – ways to really get to know your customers and what they are looking for
[28:51] Common branding mistakes to avoid
[29:41] Quick wins you can implement today

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!I'm thrilled to celebrate the third anniversary of The Desired Brand Effect by offering you my brand-new Desired Sharing Proposition Brand Guidelines template at a special launch price of just $47 (regular price coming soon).

I've designed this comprehensive resource to transform the principles from The Desired Brand Effect into a practical, fill-in-the-blank template that helps you create clear, visually appealing brand guidelines. Don't miss this opportunity to create a stronger, more cohesive brand.

Grab your own template today!

Are you ready to transform your jewelry business into a consistent sales machine? I'm so excited to announce my new private podcast series, “Sales on Repeat“! I've packed this exclusive 10-episode series (plus two bonus episodes) with all my community-building secrets that will help you:

Attract high-quality buyers who love your jewelry
Build lasting customer loyalty
Create a seamless online sales machine
Boost your sales with minimal time commitment

And the best part? I'm offering this valuable resource completely FREE!

Subscribe to Sales on Repeat and start transforming your jewelry business today.

Links:

Buy the Desired Sharing Proposition Brand Guidelines.

Subscribe to my ‘Sales on Repeat' Private Podcast

Buy My Bestselling Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive TikTok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 501: Desired Brand Effect Book Turns Three + Your Desired Sharing Proposition appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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500 Episodes!Wow – what a milestone! Whether you’ve been with me from the beginning or joined somewhere along the way – I want to thank you for joining me every week, putting in your earbuds, and going on this adventure together!

To celebrate – this episode is all about reinventing ourselves.

We all grow and go through changes in our lives – and often the most troubling times are the ones that push us through to the next level.

This really hit home for me as I was listening to Amanda Francis, and she said a line I’ll never forget: “Your setback is your comeback.”

In today’s episode – I’ll be exploring what that sentence means to me – and how you can use its wisdom to embrace the hard times in your life and become the person you are meant to be!

I start the episode by revealing that for most of this year – I’ve been melting down. I’ve put on a happy face, and made everything appear normal – but it’s been a mask I’ve been wearing. And it all started 5 years ago…

After I share what happened to me – I reveal more of what’s coming for Flourish & Thrive Academy. I make some major announcements and explain some of the major changes we’ve made and some that are still to come.
Then I talk about the Jewelry Marketing Collective and the many benefits you get for joining. Not only are you locked into the beta price forever and get exclusive bonuses and discounts on our other courses, but you also get 2 group calls a month with our coaches, a monthly challenge and Revenue-Generating-Strategy to go with it, and continually added new resources and materials to support your marketing journey!

There have been 2 major moments in my life where I’ve had a major setback that set the stage for who I am today. The first happened when I was 22, and the second happened by the age of 30. Both were very emotional and traumatic moments in my life that drastically changed its trajectory. You’ll discover what I learned from them, and the questions to ask to help turn setbacks in your life into comebacks.

As a Jewelry Artist – creativity is one of our most important assets. I talk about how creativity comes most often when you don’t schedule it, and what you can do to encourage creativity to blossom.

Our setbacks show us that we are not in alignment, but it takes more than just acknowledgement to make a comeback. It’s important to make a comeback plan composed of the actions you need to take daily that will move you back into alignment again. I share how I made my comeback plan – and give you what you need to think about to build a comeback plan that works for you.

The lessons we learn from our setbacks are critical to our future success. I share an example of a businesswoman I followed who almost lost her business when the pandemic hit, what she felt, and what she did to get through it.

The most important reminder I want to give you is to find a supportive community. It is so important to be able to share the small wins as you make your comeback, and you can learn from others who are in different stages of a similar journey. Our community, the JMC was created as a way for Jewelry Creativies to support each other and celebrate wins together while moving up to the next level.

I want to hear your stories as we make our comebacks together! Connect with me on Instagram and send me your story.

Here’s what’s in this episode:

[0:00] I’m giving you the same process that has helped me make millions
[1:54] Your Setback is Your Comeback + 500 Episodes!!
[3:36] The secret I’ve been hiding for 5 years
[7:36] The future of Flourish & Thrive and what it means for you
[11:50] Join the JMC, get the beta price forever, and receive other exclusive bonuses and discounts
[12:58] 2 personal setbacks that led to who I am today
[16:23] What are your setbacks trying to tell you?
[21:08] Letting creativity bloom in your life
[23:18] Making a comeback plan
[26:14] Leveraging your setback lessons
[28:28] A friendly reminder: find a supportive community
[29:44] Embrace the journey and celebrate with me

Buy Gloci – supports healthy gut and glowing skin

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Are you stressed because the Holidays are almost here but you don’t have the time to sit down and develop a full Holiday Marketing Strategy? Don’t worry, m’dear, I’ve got you! We’ve created a done-for-you Holiday Sales Machine Marketing + Content Bundle that has everything you need for your Holiday Marketing. Just plug in your brand and hit “post”!

You’ll receive:

Notion template for your marketing calendar
90 days of done-for-you social content
90 days of done-for-you email broadcast templates
Training: Holiday Social Media and Content Planning
30 Canva designs for your social media
Gift guide & Line Sheet Canva template
60+ scroll-stopping hooks for social media
Training: How to Plan Your Marketing with Chat GPT guide
Training: More in-depth Increasing your AOV guide
Training: Full Black Friday-Cyber Weekend prep guide

This bundle is valued at $1997, but we’re offering it for only $197.

Get the Holiday Sales Machine Marketing + Holiday Content Bundle

Want to know the 5-step process I’ve used to sell millions worth of Holiday Jewelry sales – and that I teach to the top-tier brands that work with me?
Join me for this free 90-minute masterclass, where I will give you my 5-step playbook.

Limited Time: Watch The Masterclass Now

Links:

Buy Gloci – supports healthy gut and glowing skin

Holiday Sales Machine Marketing + Content Bundle

5-Step Holiday Sales Playbook Masterclass

The Jewelry Marketing Collective: 30-Day Holiday Marketing Strategy Challenge

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive TikTok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 500: Your Setback is Fuel For Your Comeback! appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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“Am I willing to consider that I am the type of person who can be a wildly successful entrepreneur?”

That question is the first step to building the bridge of belief that will take you from who you are now to the woman you want to be.

In today’s episode, Alessia Citro breaks down the process of building Higher-Self Habits starting from building a belief bridge that you can succeed to actualizing that belief using her 5-step Framework for Building Higher-Self Habits.
If you prefer to follow proven frameworks and want to smash your Holiday sales records, then my free 5-Step Holiday Sales Masterclass is also for you. Combine this podcast episode with my free masterclass, and you’ll have everything you need to build the habits that will enable you to reach your Higher Self and have your highest-selling Holiday Season yet.

Alessia starts off by sharing her story of how she was a successful sales closer at first Salesforce, then eventually Google. While she was successful – she realized she was not in alignment and – thanks to the timely advice of a stranger on a plane – she quit her job and became a full-time entrepreneur. This is one wild story that you’ll want to listen to fully to get all the juicy details.

As a fellow Entrepreneur, you understand what Alessia means when she says “when you own your own business, personal development is no longer optional.” Alessia shares how her personal development journey led to her becoming the go-to expert on transformational habits – eventually leading to her writing the book on the subject.

Alessia shares her 5-step process for building Higher Self Habits starting with Awareness. You have to be aware of yourself, your surroundings, and the problem before you can make changes. The final stage Ascension loops back on the first stage – but in a positive cycle always leads up toward your Higher Self. The 3 middle stages are the keys that take you from where you are to where you want to be.

Alessia next talks about limiting negative thoughts. You can never fully get rid of them, but you do have the power to lessen them and create distance. She introduces you to Pam – how Pam’s relation to a 500 million-year-old brain and the 2008 stock crash can help you overcome your negative thoughts.

Alessia talks about building a belief bridge between who you are now and who you believe you can become in the future. She talks about how if you are failing to become the person you want to be – it’s not a problem with yourself but instead with your habits’ designs. Habits are like Jewelry – and it’s important to design them with similar attention and care.

Then we open the floor for Q&A. Alessia answers questions about self-publishing her own book (and eventually audiobook!), how to find balance between chaos and order, vision and integration in business, and what the acronym A.C.T.S has to do with good habit design.

This episode’s rundown:

[49:45] Join the JMC Holiday Sales Challenges
[00:00] Intro
[00:42] 5-Step Holiday Sales Masterclass
[02:03] Introducing Alicia
[04:05] Holiday Content Marketing Bundle
[04:59] From Big Tech Corporate Dropout to Self-Made Entrepreneur
[11:37] Finding Consistency by Developing Habits: Leaving the boom and bust cycle
[13:26] Giving birth to a book: the pregnancy of book writing
[15:46] Reaching your Higher Self: Creating a New Identity
[19:21] A 5-step framework for Building Higher-Self Habits
[22:45] Mitigating Negative Thought Patterns and Maximizing your Potential
[32:01] Being Open to Becoming More
[34:26] Self-Publishing Your Own book
[36:32] Finding balance in business: Creativity, Chaos, Order, and Integration
[43:02] Designing Habits that Work: A.C.T.S
[48:58] Make your own Audiobook

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!If you want to spend more time with your family this Holiday Season, check out our done-for-you Holiday Sales Marketing & Content bundle!

You’ll receive:

Notion template for your marketing calendar
90 days of done-for-you social content
90 days of done-for-you email broadcast templates
Training: Holiday Social Media and Content Planning
30 Canva designs for your social media
Gift guide & Line Sheet Canva template
60+ scroll-stopping hooks for social media
Training: How to Plan Your Marketing with Chat GPT guide
Training: More in-depth Increasing your AOV guide
Training: Full Black Friday-Cyber Weekend prep guide

Get the Holiday Sales Machine Marketing + Holiday Content Bundle

October may be nearly over but the Holiday Sales Season is just beginning!

Which means there’s still time to join the JMC’s Holiday Sales Challenges.

This holiday season in the Jewelry Marketing Collective, we are guiding hundreds of Jewelry Creatives through their Holiday Marketing by giving them our proven Holiday Marketing & Sales Strategy, broken down step-by-step for easy implementation.

If you’re looking for guidance from our coaches and accountability from 100s of other creatives like you, then

Join our Holiday Sales Challenge TODAY!

Links:

Follow Alessia on Instagram!

Buy Alessia’s Book: Higher Self Habits

Holiday Sales Machine Marketing + Content Bundle

5-Step Holiday Sales Playbook Masterclass

The Jewelry Marketing Collective: 30-Day Holiday Marketing Strategy Challenge

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive TikTok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 499: Higher Self Habits with Alessia Citro appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Marketing is hard work. It takes a lot of time and energy to acquire a new customer.

And while we wish every customer would become a repeat customer, many just buy once and are never seen again.

So what if, instead of putting in a lot more work to acquire another customer, you put in a little more to get a newly acquired customer to spend even more with you than they originally planned?

I’m talking about increasing your Average Order Value (AOV).

In today’s episode – I share with you 5 Ways to increase your AOV and make a lot more money with only a bit more work.

I start the episode talking about my big move and why I have a new studio! I also share that there are big changes coming to Flourish and Thrive, so stay tuned for announcements and updates in the next few weeks.
The holidays are upcoming, and this is the time of year when most Jewelry sellers make their biggest sales of the year. So, increasing your Average Order Value can result in big, big gains. This episode is all about sharing human and tactical ways to increase your AOV.

If you want to make sure your holiday marketing goes off without a hitch, let us help with our Holiday Sales Machine Marketing + Content Bundle. You’ll receive:

Notion template for your marketing calendar
90 days of done-for-you social content
90 days of done-for-you email broadcast templates
30 Canva designs for your social media
Gift guide Canva template
60 scroll-stopping hooks for social media
How to Plan Your Marketing with Chat GPT guide
More in-depth Increasing your AOV guide
Full Black Friday-Cyber Weekend prep guide

We're currently running a 50% off FLASH SALE that ends today. So now is the best time to grab this for yourself.

I think you’ll be surprised how very reasonably priced and inexpensive the investment is. We wanted to price it to support as many people as possible.

Next, I give you a sneak peek of next week’s podcast: I’ve been talking with a manifestation coach and she told me “Your setback is your comeback”. I’m currently reinventing myself and my business, and while logically I know she’s right, it sure doesn’t feel that way. If you feel the world is “freaking” weird right now – you’re going to want to tune in next week.

The first strategy for increasing your AOV is bundling products together. I give examples of complementary products and how to use technology to do it for you. I also share how to do it “the human way” by showing you how to reach out personally to your customers and what to say. If you do this strategy correctly, you can realistically expect a 20% increase in your AOV.

The second strategy is to offer a tiered discount – a spend-more-save-more promotion. I give an example of a company that did this particularly well and the specific things they did that made their sales so successful. I also offer alternative options if you don’t have the technology to do this automatically or want to approach it differently.

The third strategy is to leverage personalization and customization. I show you ways you can turn customization into an experience that drives home the value you are adding and lets the customer fall in love with the item before the purchase.

The fourth strategy is all about getting your customers to spend more on behalf of someone else they know. You get the benefits of a referral but with the money now instead of later. I give you ways you probably haven’t thought of to incorporate gift cards and their like using automated processes that increase your AOV for you – even when you’re not working.

The fifth strategy is to add urgency with limited-time offers. I share different ways to release items and add a human experience, both in person and digitally. I also give ways for you to use this strategy in your marketing.

If you’re not sure how to do this, you can grab our Holiday Sales Machine Marketing + Content Bundle where you can find done-for-you templates on everything you’ll need for your Holiday strategy. And if you’d like to join hundreds of other Jewelry creatives and receive accountability and support, the Jewelry Marketing Collective is currently supporting our members in preparing their social media, email marketing, and websites for the upcoming Holiday Season.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Are you looking for accountability and support in your social media, email marketing, and website strategies this Holiday Season?

This October and November in the Jewelry Marketing Collective, we are supporting hundreds of Jewelry Creatives by giving them our proven Holiday Marketing & Sales Strategy, broken down step-by-step for easy implementation.

There’s still time to join, get our proven strategy, and receive accountability and support.

Join our Holiday Sales Challenge TODAY

Links:

Holiday Sales Machine Marketing + Content Bundle

5-Step Holiday Sales Playbook Masterclass

The Jewelry Marketing Collective: 30-Day Holiday Marketing Strategy Challenge

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive TikTok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 498: 5 Ways to Increase Your Order Value During Your Black Friday Promotion appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If I could solve one business problem for you – what would it be?That’s what Chelsea and I offered our latest 2-day live mastermind attendees who paid $1997 to attend. And you’re in luck – because we recorded a full-hour AMA where Chelsea and I solved their biggest business problems.

Get the inside scoop on fellow Jewelry businesses and hear our solutions to their biggest business problems especially, how to navigate their jewelry businesses during tough times.

In this jam-packed hour you’ll hear questions and answers for:

How to make buying from you so easy that your customers can’t help themselves
Give your customers an experience they will remember and come back for again and again
Turn your most loyal customers into brand ambassadors and affiliates
What to automate and outsource – and what to do yourself
And much, much more.

We (Chelsea and I) start the episode by answering an important question: how do I sell ethically to customers who may be struggling financially in this Holiday Season? Chelsea shares how her business was up 400% during the pandemic – and I share how the idea that our customers may not have money usually comes from our (the seller’s) frame of reference. We discuss what we provide our customers that many businesses do not – and that’s why they are willing to pay us even if finances may be a bit tight for them. We also share ways to give back to customers who are struggling.

We talk about the importance of forming relationships with our customers close enough that it almost feels like a friendship (and sometimes it becomes one!). We discuss tactics we do in our businesses (including old-school snail mail) that make our customers feel cared about and unique – and how these important touches often result in repeat sales!

I share a story about what a clothing shop did that led me to spend $1200 unplanned. Their secret? They made it easy for me to buy. I share various strategies and tactics you can do to make it a no-brainer for your customers to buy from you – and the mindset you need to pull this off successfully.

We get a hot question about email marketing: what if I bother my customers and they unsubscribe? We talk about email marketing from the perspective of your customers: why they subscribe, what’s going through their minds when they get your emails, and what causes them to unsubscribe (and sometimes even re-subscribe!). You’ll understand email marketing a lot better once you listen to this section from your customers’ points of view!

It’s important to connect with your customers – repeatedly – after their first purchase. We discuss different technologies and apps you can use to keep track of all your customers’ life events – and how your leadership affects whether and how well this gets done.

One of our students shares an observation that many of her customers have very similar tastes and tend to buy the same sets of items. She asks how she can recommend to others with similar tastes. We answer that there is technology to do this automatically – and give her several solutions for automatic recommendations.

The highest quality source of new customers is usually referrals from old customers. Chelsea is our resident expert on affiliates, ambassadors, and loyalty programs, and she shares who you should accept as affiliates, how to create a win-win for your business and your affiliates, and recommends apps that help you manage loyalty programs automatically. She also shares the #1 thing you should do when starting an affiliate program. I chime in and add which types of customers don’t like to participate in affiliate programs – and what you can do instead to make them feel valued. We also discuss whether or not to discount as part of a loyalty program and alternatives.

Many business owners try to do everything in their business. Not only does this not scale – it leads to burnout. Chelsea and I discuss what parts of your business can only be done by you – and which parts you should automate or outsource. Chelsea also shares how to migrate easily between shopping platforms like Shopify or Etsy, and how to do the same for various email platforms.

In the JMC we are teaching how to market using AI. One of our students who is in the JMC asks if she can use AI to attract her ideal clients. We discuss which AI models are best and when to use them. We also discuss where different types of ideal customers hang out – and how to align your marketing efforts to attract them and keep them from bouncing once you have them.

One of our students asks about the legality of “poaching” direct customers from platforms like Amazon. We talk about platforms' Terms & Conditions and doing due diligence to make sure you don’t get banned or run into other legal troubles. We are not lawyers – so this section is informational and educational only and not legal advice.

Solutions Given:

[00:00] Recapping our latest live mastermind event
[2:09] The JMC: learn Holiday Promotion Strategies and get accountability
[3:08] The 5-Step Holiday Sales Playbook: get the same playbook I use to train my top-tier brands
[04:19, 29:36] Marketing in hard times: how to sell ethically when your customers may be struggling financially
[08:08, 28:16, 48:39] More than just a customer: what to do to make your customers feel special
[10:05, 23:15] Serving your customers: sell more by making it easy
[13:00] Email marketing: what happens if my customers unsubscribe?
[15:50] CRM: how do I keep track of all my customers’ life events (like anniversaries)?
[20:41, 27:33] Automating personalized recommendations: show your customers just what they want to see without spending all your time doing it
[31:05, 54:40] Affiliates, ambassadors, and loyalty programs: how to set up and manage them
[40:23, 47:38] Automating, Outsourcing, and Migrating: which parts of your business you should handle, which parts you should use technology for, and what you should outsource. Also, how to switch from one platform to another with minimal headaches.
[42:30] AI marketing: can I use AI to attract my ideal customers?
[50:57] Legal: Can I “poach” customers from other platforms?
[58:55] Holiday Content Creation Strategy: 30-day marketing & revenue challenges to make this holiday season your highest grossing ever!
[59:37] What’s working right now to give you great results this Holiday Season

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Are you looking for a proven Holiday marketing strategy that will take you to your Holiday sales targets?

RIGHT NOW in the Jewelry Marketing Collective, we are giving our members our proven Holiday Marketing Strategy, broken down step-by-step for easy implementation.

There’s still time to join, get our proven strategy, and meet your holiday sales targets.

Join the 30-Day Holiday Sales Challenge TODAY

Join me for a free masterclass where I give you the 5-step holiday sales playbook I’ve used to make millions of dollars in Jewelry sales and train top-tier brands to grow their holiday sales year over year.

I know there are so many tasks and family distractions constantly demanding your attention from all sides. My playbook will help you clarify which tasks are must-dos to meet your Holiday sales targets and which tasks you should leave aside.

The method in this playbook is so effective that it works outside the Holiday Season! Lindsey 2X her sales in the summer, and Heather has tripled last year’s by Q3!

Save your seat for free – for a limited time.

Links:

5-Step Holiday Sales Playbook Masterclass

The Jewelry Marketing Collective: 30-Day Holiday Marketing Strategy Challenge

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 497: How to Navigate Your Jewelry Business During Tough Times – Holiday Edition appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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I know you’re probably swamped this time of year with the holidays right around the corner.

It’s easy to lose sight of your goals and get distracted – both professionally and personally – with all the distractions this time of year presents us with.

Don’t worry – I’ve got your back!

In today’s Thrive By Design episode – I give you my 5-Step Holiday Planning Process that has helped me make millions of dollars in sales and is what I teach the top-tier brands I coach to help them increase their holiday sales year over year.
I start the episode talking about a brand-new free masterclass I designed based on the method I’m going to share in this episode – but in a lot more depth. If you want to go much deeper with me in planning your holiday sales, check out the masterclass.

Then I talk about the latest mastermind I hosted – and all the amazing people who spoke and took part. I filmed several podcast episodes while I was there – so be on the lookout for some amazing content headed your way soon! If you’re a 6-7-figure business owner and are interested in joining a high-vibe masterclass with me, I tell you how to get in touch with me so you’ll be the first to be informed about future opportunities.

I start talking about the 5-Step Holiday Planning process and how it relates to eating an elephant. Trust me – they are related!

Then I start going through the 5 steps starting with vision. You need to know who you are and where you want to go. I go through examples of different types of people and the most effective places for them to go depending on who they are.

Step 2 is all about developing a strategy that supports your vision. I give examples of common strategies I recommend to Jewelry business owners who are looking to increase their holiday sales.

A strategy won’t get you anywhere on its own. For that you need tactics. I break down a strategy step-by-step to show you how I do it, so you can break down your chosen strategy once you’ve picked it.

Then I talk about one of my favorite topics of all: RGAs or Revenue Generating Activities. RGA’s are tactics, but the key is to execute them, as taking action is the only thing that will take you from where you are now to record-breaking monthly revenue. I share Hannah’s story of how executing RGAs tripled her business in one year and finally brought it up to 6 figures.

The last step is mindset. We all have developed beliefs that limit us and hold us back – and it’s only when we embrace a sales mindset that we finally free ourselves to go out and make money. I talk about Lindsey – a Jewelry creative who decided to let go of her limiting belief that it's impossible to make good money in the rural midwest – who chose to adopt a sales mindset and managed to hit 7 figures.

If you want accountability and step-by-step guidance for putting this 5-step Process into practice, I invite you to join our 30-day Holiday Marketing Challenge in the JMC. You’ll get to learn from and work alongside fellow Jewelry Creatives who are serious about shattering personal sales records as well as guidance from the coaches at F&TA.

This episode’s rundown:

[00:00] Get my 5-step holiday sales playbook masterclass – for free
[04:16] Join my upcoming masterminds for 6-7-figure business owners
[06:19] Develop your holiday content strategy using my 5-step Holiday Planning process
[06:41] Identify your vision and turn it into goals
[08:59] Create a strategy that supports your vision
[10:39] Break down your strategy into tactics
[12:21] Execute your RGAs – Hannah’s story
[14:25] Break free from your limiting beliefs with a sales mindset
[19:21] Going all in: 7-figures in the rural midwest – Lindsey’s Story
[22:27] You’re invited to join the 30-day Holiday Sales Challenge in the JMC

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight! Do you want to:

Unlock more sales
Increase your website traffic
Grow your email list
Build an engaged social media following?

Then the Jewelry Marketing Collective – our sales-focused membership community – is for you!

This month’s challenge is focused on increasing holiday sales. We’ll give you our Holiday Marketing Strategy, broken down step-by-step for easy implementation.

Yes! I want to join the 30-Day Holiday Sales Challenge

Links:

5-Step Holiday Sales Playbook Masterclass

The Jewelry Marketing Collective: 30-Day Holiday Marketing Strategy Challenge

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 496: 5-Step Holiday Planning Process Every Jewelry Brand Needs to Execute Now appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Managing a business can take so much time.Whether you have a team of employees or have to do everything yourself – managing your business probably takes more time than you’d like.

Today’s guest Callan Faulkner is an expert on streamlining businesses' operations to maximize their efficiency and productivity.

And if you put into practice her advice – you’ll find yourself getting back hours if not whole days every week.

I start off the episode introducing Callen – an expert in making businesses efficient. She has spent the last year experimenting with all the different AI models out there and knows which ones to use for which tasks – some of which will surprise you!

We quickly turn to one of the most obvious uses of AI – web search. However, most people are doing AI web search wrong – they talk to AI like they do a Google search. Callen reveals why this is the polar opposite of how you should search with AI – and shares what you should do instead.

Then we switch to content writing. Many business owners have figured out that Chatp GPT writes content like a robot – and is not very effective without a lot of editing. Callen reveals that there is an AI that can write content nearly indistinguishable from human writing – Claude. She reveals how to prompt Claude to write in your business’s tone and create usable content in seconds.

If you’ve ever used AI for research – you know you have to be careful because AI is prone to hallucinations – making up stuff. Enter Perplexity – an AI that cites its sources so you can easily verify everything it says in 1-2 clicks. Callen shares how you can combine Perplexity, Claude, and Chat GPT together to get highly researched, well-written, and cleanly formatted content.

I’m highly interested in using AI for pitching – so I ask Callen how to do that. She kindly shares strategies for how to pitch yourself and your business when you are trying to get positive PR.

A lot of people have a mistaken idea of what “training” AI means. Callen reveals that anyone can train AI and shares how to prompt AI to do just that. You don’t need to be a technical expert to train an AI to be a helpful partner, content writer, and sounding board.

Professional Development is important for any business owner. However, reading tens of books every year can take a lot of time. Thankfully there is an AI that can read up to 50 books of your choice – and answer any questions you have about them or summarize the information about any topic they cover. That AI is Notebook LM – and Callen shares some novel ways to use it to save loads of time.

I reveal that I am taking Callen’s course on AI – and I ask her how others can do the same. She shares how you can enroll in the AI Hacks for Life & Business FREE masterclass she is offering on October 1st.

I wrap up the episode covering big changes coming to F&TA this year – as well as one big update. I’m so excited for what’s coming and am putting in a lot of work behind the scenes to make it awesome!

This episode’s rundown:

[00:00] Intro & introducing Callan Faulkner
[04:35] Using AI to make businesses efficient
[09:26] AI for web search (hint: do the polar OPPOSITE of Google search)
[14:05] Don’t get mistaken for AI: use Claude – the most human-sounding AI model
[16:54] Research with confidence: use Perplexity
[20:01] Write pitches for PR using Claude
[23:24] Why you should spend time training AI (it’s not that hard once you know what “training” really means)
[25:31] Make your own CLIFF notes – Notebook LM – reads your pick of 50 books in seconds
[28:15] The best way to learn AI to streamline your business
[35:26] Latest Updates and Big Changes

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Is your holiday content strategy ready to go?

It may still be September, but the holiday season will be here before you know it – and with it your biggest sales opportunities.

The JMC is hosting a 30-day Holiday Marketing Strategy Challenge for October where we’ll help you:

Effortlessly plan out your content strategy for the holidays
Give you high-converting copy templates specifically made for Jewelry business owners
Show you examples of success so you know what works
We’ll hold you accountable and gamify the process – so you’ll have FUN while doing it

Join the JMC and plan out your Holiday Marketing Strategy with us!

Links:

Save Your Seat for Callan’s FREE AI Masterclass!

The Jewelry Marketing Collective

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 495: How to Use AI Tools to Pitch Holiday Publicity (and a lot more) with Callan Faulkner appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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“I feel like I spend more time on content creation than making Jewelry.”If that line resonated with you – you’re not alone.

Creatives often reach out to me expressing that they want to spend more time working on their Jewelry instead of writing, editing, and producing their own marketing content.

I heard you loud and clear – so I reached out to Phil Vilk, an agency owner who specializes in marketing with User Generated Content – using your customers instead of yourself for content creation.

I start off by asking Phil why he specializes in User Generated Content, and he shares how he didn’t like working with most agencies because they were focused too much on making money and not enough on helping their clients. He eventually discovered how to use User Generated Content to help businesses – and he decided to start his own agency with a focus on helping businesses use their customer’s excitement for their products as content.

Then we get down to business discussing how effective User Generated Content (UGC) is as a marketing strategy (hint: very effective) – and what types of UGC work best.

One strategy for incentivizing reviews is to pay for them. Naturally this gets into questions of ethics and legality, so we spend time talking about that, and how much the incentive should be and what form it should take*.

I love recommending free tools to help business owners just starting out. Phil and I talk about how you can use JotForm to get customer testimonials, display Terms and Conditions to ensure you have the legal right to use them, and even turn reviewers into affiliates!

Another free tool I have for you is my Magnetic Marketing Masterclass, where I show you my system for scaling your jewelry sales to 4 or 5- figure months with high-quality customers who become loyal repeat buyers. You can watch it on demand, anytime you like, and afterwards I’ll also send you my 4-Step Magnetic Marketing Playbook – as my “thank you” to you for watching.

I ask Phil what things make a customer video most effective and he reveals the 7 elements of a good testimonial (including the one element that should never be in a testimonial). We also go over how long a customer video should be, and how to prep a customer to make the best video.

Then we dip into how to edit customer videos and the best tactics for repurposing their videos for social media posts and advertisements. Phil also reveals his point system for “scoring” customer videos and how he uses that score to determine compensation.

Finally – we wrap up the episode discussing how listeners who don’t have the budget to hire an agency can use the strategies we discussed to get started. For listeners who do have the budget – I ask Phil what it’s like to work with him and how you can connect with him.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

[0:00] Latest news and announcements
[03:23] How Phil went from hating agencies to starting one himself
[06:44] What should the customer say to create the best testimonial?
[08:38] The ethics and legality of incentivizing customers for testimonials.
[09:40] How much should you budget to pay for customer reviews?
[12:49] Using JotForm to get the videos, display terms & conditions, and turn reviewers into affiliates
[15:00] The 7 elements of a good customer testimonial (including the 1 thing that should Never be in a testimonial)
[16:54] Optimal length for a user-generated video
[17:41] How do you prep someone to do an unboxing video?
[19:02] Editing testimonial videos & compilations
[22:07] Scoring customer testimonials and determining compensation
[24:05] Advertising strategies if you don’t have the budget to hire an agency
[27:14] What it’s like to work with Phil & how to connect with him

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

*If you choose to pay for reviews or testimonials – it’s important to disclose the incentive. Also – some platforms do not allow any paid reviews – so do your due diligence and research platforms’ terms & conditions before paying for reviews for them. For more information, please see the FTC’s guidelines here.

Sponsor Spotlight!We are retiring Laying the Foundation and this will be our last cohort ever!

If you have been putting off taking LTF until a later day – now’s your last chance to take it and experience this transformational program that has changed the lives and careers of hundreds of Jewelry designers and creatives before you.

If you have any questions, you can ask Tracy directly.

The next time we offer this content – it will be presented in a completely different way and at least 3x the cost – so don’t delay!

Links:

Phil’s website – Creative Launch

Follow Phil on Instagram

Laying the Foundation

FREE Masterclass: 4-Step Magnetic Marketing System

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 494: How to Create User Generated Content Viral Videos With Phil Vilk appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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How much ROI can you get in ONE year by investing in yourself?Today is a very special episode of Thrive By Design – because I have a panel of women who have all become successful Jewelry business owners in their own right.

What they all have in common is that they decided to invest in our Laying The Foundation program, listened to our coaches, worked hard, and achieved amazing results.

I start by asking the panel to tell me their business’s name and what was the biggest mindset shift they had to make to upgrade their business. They answer with varying responses from pricing mindset to discovering their self-worth.

Erin has an amazing story about getting to her first 19k month. I ask Erin to tell it, and she shares how she – from a tiny island in Alaska and with a fisherman husband who is gone most of the time and two very young kids – managed to prioritize her business, develop scalable strategies, and use RGAs to achieve her monthly dreams – and in doing so provide for her family.

Wanda then shares how her business has changed in the past year. For her – it started with getting clarity about who her dream customers were. Then she shares all the things that changed in her business and how her business changed from a disjointed mess to a cohesive operation.

Later in the podcast, Wanda talks about how once she’s finished with LTF she plans to join the JMC – the Jewelry Marketing Collective – whose purpose is to improve your marketing and learn new Revenue Generating Activities through monthly revenue challenges. If you’ve been in business for a while but you feel like you have hit a ceiling, or you just want to grow even faster – the JMC is THE place to go to get “unstuck” and learn new strategies to reach new monthly sales heights.

Check out JMC and join in time for the October 30-Day Holiday Content Planning Challenge

Lara Miller shares how she finally got sick of all her own BS and excuses – and committed to breaking through the block that had held her back for 8 years. She shares how her coach Dawn got her past it – and how now she can justify her pricing with confidence. She finishes by talking about the reasons and emotional hurdles she’s going through with her business’ rebranding.

I then ask Dawn what it was like helping Laura from her side. Dawn shares how she may come across as nice and timid – but when someone needs her help she will drop everything and tell them – honestly and directly – what they need to hear. She reveals what it’s like being a coach and shows a piece of her daily life.

Laura Stamper shares how she invested over $10k this year in her business – and made it all back by the end of Q1. Though she struggles mightily with technology – she learned to outsource and grew her business by over 300% from online sales alone.

Lindsey shares how after she made only $13k – her highest year ever – she decided to support her husband while he quit his job and went back to school. Her faith in herself paid off – and she quickly grew her business and is on track to making six figures just 4 years later. She shares how she went from hating email marketing to becoming a believer in it – and reveals the significant difference it made in one of her highest revenue months ever.

I ask the panel if they had any hesitations about joining Laying the Foundation – and what would they say to someone who is on the fence? I received many varying answers – from “I wasn’t even considering joining LTF” to “I was advised by my business professor to drop out of school and work on my business full time”. As to their advice – no one can say it better than the panelists – but one common theme is that you’ll only get results if you’re willing to put in the work and are open to change.

I wrap up the episode by thanking the panelists for being inspirations and beacons of light.

The panel discussion rundown:

[1:04:31] Invitation to join LTF – and how to contact me with any questions you may have.
[0:00] [News & Announcements / Intro]
[4:58] Meet the Panelists and discover the biggest mindset hurdle they overcame
[17:12] Erin’s journey from $18k a year to $19k in one month
[22:36] Wanda’s business restructuring over the past year and finding clarity about her dream clients
[26:00] Lara Miller – breaking through her block, gaining confidence in her pricing, and rebranding her business
[30:21] Dawn – her side of the story coaching Laura through her block and her philosophy on coaching
[34:45] Laura Stamper – Making back $10k in business investment by end of Q1 – realizing her limitations, outsourcing her weaknesses and playing to her strengths.
[42:33] Lindsey – from $13k / year to six figures in 4 years
[47:35] Panel Question: “Did you have any hesitations about joining Laying the Foundation – and what would you say to someone who is on the fence?”

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!As explained at the end of the podcast and as we’ve been teasing for a few weeks now – we are retiring Laying the Foundation and this will be our last cohort ever!

If you have been putting off taking LTF until a later date – now’s your last chance to take it.

If you have any questions, you can ask Tracy directly.
The next time we offer this content – it will be presented in a completely different way and at least 3x the cost – so don’t delay!

Links:

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 493: How 5 Designers Grew to High Sale Months – Must Listen appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Make this your highest revenue holiday season ever!It may only be September – but the holidays are almost here.

And for Jewelers – this is our busiest time of the year.

Don’t waste the holiday season chasing after clients – instead draw them to you so you can focus on what you do best: crafting amazing Jewelry.

In this episode – I cover how to become a magnetic marketer that attracts your ideal clients using the Desired Brand Effect methodology in my book.

I start off this episode by relaying a common concern from Jewelry creatives who use email marketing and Instagram – but haven’t figured out the “secret sauce” that brings their customers to them.

I cover how I always approach marketing using the Desired Brand Effect methodology that I cover in more detail in my book. The DBE methodology has 3 stages.

The first stage is about desire. I talk about the Desired Sharing Proposition – and what you need to consider to understand your Jewelry customer’s desires. I cover how jewelry is not a need but a want – so customers need to connect with you and your business on a personal level and I share what they are looking for and different options you have for communicating and connecting with them.

I then talk about how to stand out in a saturated market filled with competing Jewelry sellers. It’s not enough just to list the features of the Jewelry you're selling – you need to show how your Jewelry benefits the customer. To give you a better idea of what that means – I go over what benefits I offer my customers and which benefits my head coach Chelsea gives to hers.

The second step is “know thy audience.” And don’t mean just what makes them your ideal customer. There may be several different buying personas that make up your ideal customer – and you need to know what each of them is looking for on a deep level so you can give it to them. What you find here could CHANGE EVERYTHING about how your business works. I walk you through some of the buying personas that buy from me and other types that buy from one of my VIP clients so you know what to start looking for.

Customers aren’t just looking for Jewelry. They are looking for something priceless – whether a treasured memory or an unforgettable experience. For step 3, I show you how to create these with your jewelry and use them in your marketing so you can create magnetic and irresistible messaging.

Different customers hang out on different social media platforms – and their expectations change depending on which platform they are using at the time. For step 4, I talk about Leveraging Multi-Channel Marketing to develop the most effective holiday messaging.

Finally, I talk about the different stages the holiday season breaks into, the different types of buyers for each stage, and what types of offers and collections drive the most sales for each stage.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

[0:00] Latest News and Announcements
[1:25] Introduction: Become a magnetic marketer who draws your ideal clients in
[3:24] Understanding a Jewelry customer’s desire and why you need to connect with them on a personal level
[08:06] Setting your brand apart from your competitors – listing features is not enough and what you should mention instead
[9:52] What you might find out when you go deeper than your ideal client and that could CHANGE EVERYTHING
[14:19] Transform your gemstones into timeless memories and unforgettable experiences
[20:58] Different customers reside on different social platforms – where to go to find the customers you want
[22:09] Take advantage of the different stages of holiday shopping by prepping your offers and collections to match each stage
[25:28] Conclusion: Putting it all together

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Do you feel like your digital content is falling flat? Like – you’re doing all the things you think you should be doing – but it’s not translating into online sales?

I’m going to show you my four-step system that has helped thousands of jewelry business owners tap into their natural creativity and translate it into magnetic marketing that instantly attracts your dream customers who are dying to support your small business – and buy every new product release.

And it’s free for a limited time – all you have to do is save your seat!

Are you ready to turn your side hustle into a real business?

If you’re ready to:

Have predictable sales & income from your jewelry business
Grow your profit margins with strategies that scale
Build sales confidence and sell out of collections when you launch them
Follow a marketing strategy that actually works
Prove to your husband and family that your business is not a silly hobby

Then join our final cohort of Laying the Foundation (LTF). Don’t miss this last chance to experience the transformational program that has changed the lives and businesses of hundreds of Jewelry designers and creatives. And if you want more personalized feedback and 1-1 coaching, you can get the VIP upgrade.

Learn more about Laying the Foundation

Links:

FREE MASTERCLASS: 4-Step Magnetic Marketing System

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 492: 4 Ways to Create More Magnetic Marketing This Holiday Season appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Would you have the courage to change cities to follow your dream?Today’s guest Nicole Fedele – a recent Laying the Foundation graduate – did just that.

Nicole lived in one of the biggest cities in the world – NYC – that has everything an artist could possibly want – and yet she left to find somewhere that would fit her even better.

And in this episode – she shares why she made such a brave choice.

I start off the episode asking Nicole how she found Laying the Foundation. She shares how she worked for 20 years in the corporate world and tried to leave NYC a few times but always got sucked back in. During the pandemic, she realized she did not want the next 20 years to be like the previous 20, so she started making changes in her life.

Before the episode, I stalked Nicole’s Instagram and fell in love with her very unique style. I ask Nicole what creative process she uses that results in such a unique blend of painting and jewelry. Nicole shares how she developed her style – and what she experiences when she finds herself in the “creative zone”.

Nicole uniquely uses metal in her paintings, and I ask her what inspired her to start. Nicole tells how painting and creating Jewelry use very different parts of her mind – and one day she wondered what it would be like to combine the two. So she started experimenting – and her paintings with metal were born.

NYC has a very strong artist community – so I ask Nicole why in the world she wanted to leave it. Nicole explains the reasons she started looking to leave NYC, what she looked for in a new city, and what about her current city attracted her the most.

Nicole is one of our Laying the Foundation VIP students. I ask Nicole why she decided to invest at such a high level, especially as someone so new to her business. Nicole explains how she first found Flourish and Thrive, and what was different about us compared to other courses she had taken that gave her the confidence we had what she was looking for. She then shares the additional factors that confirmed to her she should upgrade to VIP.

Right after signing up, Nicole started questioning whether VIP was worth it. She shares how she saw her Universal Sign and how it reassured her she was making the right choice. And spoiler – she has no regrets.

The VIP upgrade provided 1-1 coaching for the 4 months of Laying the Foundation (LTF). I ask Nicole how the 1-1 coaching helped her. Nicole shares what it was like working 1-1 with her coach Dawn and the differences Dawn made in her progress.

Of course – the reason our students take our courses is for the results they get afterward. I ask Nicole what specific results she got after taking LTF, and Nicole shares how much her mindset has changed and how she approaches finding and charging her dream clients.

Nicole made a business connection through Flourish and Thrive – and I ask her about it. Nicole shares how she connected with Laura Stamper (a previous podcast guest), became friends, and eventually moved to the same city and became part of the same communities.

I wrap up the episode by asking Nicole what she would say to someone who is just starting out or on their business journey about Laying the Foundation. Nicole shares her advice and the reasons why she would specifically recommend LTF for such a person.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

[00:00] Latest News & Announcements
[01:50] Breaking Free: From the Corporate World to Painting
[05:37] Nicole’s Creative Process
[07:27] Painting with Metal
[09:21] The Big Move: Changing cities to find a community
[11:29] All or nothing: Upgrading to VIP
[14:02] Almost backing out – seeing a Sign to continue
[18:51] 1-1 mentorship: receiving clarity & focus
[20:54] Finding & Charging Dream Clients
[22:50] Developing the businesswoman mindset
[23:59] Making a connection and finding a community
[26:47] Nicole’s advice to new business owners about Laying the Foundation

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Your marketing and communications strategy is probably boring.

Now, I know you’re a creative person – that’s why you're in the Jewelry business! But marketing takes different tactics and strategies than making Jewelry.

And it’s free for a limited time – all you have to do is save your seat!

Are you ready to turn your side hustle into a real business?

If you’re ready to:

Have predictable sales & income from your jewelry business
Grow your profit margins with strategies that scale
Build sales confidence and sell out of collections when you launch them
Follow a marketing strategy that actually works
Prove to your husband and family that your business is not a silly hobby

Then join our final cohort of Laying the Foundation (LTF). Don’t miss this last chance to experience the transformational program that has changed the lives and businesses of hundreds of Jewelry designers and creatives. And if you want to jump all-in like Nicole, you can get the VIP upgrade for 1-1 coaching.

Learn more about Laying the Foundation

Links:

Follow Nicole on Instagram!

Nicole’s Website

FREE MASTERCLASS: 4-Step Magnetic Marketing System

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 491: A Brave Move to Follow Her Artistic Dreams With Nicole Fedele appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Talking Jewelry on the Today Show during the Paris OlympicsToday’s Thrive By Design guest Marion Gaude – a French designer – has an amazing story of how she ended up as a surprise guest on one of the US’s top television programs during the Paris Olympics – a story you won’t want to miss.

I start off by introducing Marion Gaude. Now, Marion is actually a student of Flourish & Thrive Academy. She joined us in the Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp, then followed up by taking our flagship course Laying the Foundation. I don’t often get many French students because they are culturally very skeptical – so I’m glad for the chance to ask her why she decided to overcome her cultural skepticism and her thoughts on both the Bootcamp and LTF.

Marion joins us, and I ask her to tell me her story. She relates how she had a love for Jewelry as a child but gave it up. She tried many jobs and eventually opened a business – but felt like she was creating a Golden Prison for herself. After she lost her business in the pandemic, she decided to reconnect with her childhood and rediscovered her passion for jewelry.

Marion’s Jewelry is quite special as most of the gemstones she uses come from India – a place she spends multiple months a year. We talk about sourcing gemstones from other countries, and I connect her with another Jewelry designer who also spends time in India each year.

Marion has unique and beautiful collections, and I ask her where her inspiration comes from. She reveals what inspires her, and the process she uses to turn inspiration into completed collections.

Then – I ask her the question I’ve been dying to ask – how did she manage to get on the Today Show, in France, during the Summer Olympics?!? And – I won’t spoil it here – but it’s an incredible story that you’re going to want to hear involving many famous people and a series of divine coincidences!

Marion partnered with Le Bon Marchet – a high-end French department store coming up on its second century. She tells me how she almost rejected them thinking it was a scam but ended up going into business with them.

Then – I ask about Marion’s experiences with Laying the Foundation – our flagship program at Flourish and Thrive. She reveals why she decided to take the program, what she feels she got out of it, how she justified the investment expense.

The episode wraps as Marion leaves a message for listeners who are looking for some advice, and I remind listeners not to miss your last chance to attend our Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp.

In this episode, we cover:

[0:00] Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp
[1:35] Introducing Marion Gaude
[3:38] Escaping her “Golden Prison” to reconnecting with her childhood
[11:01] Sourcing gemstones from India
[12:52] From Inspiration to Completed Collection
[16:09] Showcasing Jewelry on the Today’s Show during the Olympics
[25:34] Partnering with Le Bon Marchet
[27:21] Why did Marion take Laying the Foundation (LTF)?
[31:11] What was Marion’s favorite part of LTF?
[32:43] How did she justify the investment?
[34:07] Marion’s advice to listeners considering Laying the Foundation.

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!This September 3-6, Flourish and Thrive Academy is hosting our last free Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp. We’re going to show you:

How to create a desired jewelry brand with content that connects, turning visitors into customers
The 3 crucial Brand Positioning factors that will take your jewelry brand from unknown and ignored to wildly successful
How to write and plan compelling social media content using AI in minutes (say goodbye to excruciating content creation)
How to explode your sales by overcoming mindset hurdles that unconsciously keep you thinking small

Don’t miss your last chance to attend this free Bootcamp!

Are you ready to turn your side hustle into a real business?

If you’re ready to:

Have predictable sales & income from your jewelry business
Grow your profit margins with strategies that scale
Build sales confidence and sell out of collections when you launch them
Follow a marketing strategy that actually works
Prove to your husband and family that your business is not a silly hobby

Learn more about Laying the Foundation

Links:

Follow Marion on Instagram!

Check out Marion’s Jewelry Brand Atelier Siméon

Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 490: Going Against Her Culture and Landing a Today Show Segment with Marion Gaude appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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What would you do if you lost everything?That happened to today’s guest Laura Stamper.

In just 3 months – she lost everything. Her husband, her house, and her art studio.

But Laura didn’t let that stop her.

She invested in herself and her business – and her business grew 7xwhen compared with the same quarter as last year.

And she credits the coaches at F&TA for giving her two big pieces of advice that made it possible.

I start the episode asking Laura to share her story with us. She reveals just how much she lost – and we bond over how losses in our lives provided a strong reason to push towards success in our Jewelry businesses.

But Laura didn’t stay down – and she shares the decisions she made to start turning her life around. Laura’s mental fortitude is incredible – and I think you’ll also be inspired by how she kept moving forward and immediately decided to invest in herself.

I confirm that Laura does wholesale – and she makes the case for why her hourly rate is actually higher than doing trade shows even though she’s often only getting paid 50% for what she could sell her pieces for at retail.

Then we start getting into the details of Laura’s remarkable success and business growth over the last year. Laura shares the specific tools and services that she invested in and received an almost 3x ROI from.

I then ask her what she considers the biggest factor to her success – and she replies that it’s emailing to her list. She shares the email strategies that the coaches at Flourish & Thrive Academy shared with her that led to her marketing success while also allowing her to manage her workload.

Laura gives an unprompted shoutout to Chelsea Farmer – the head coach at Flourish and Thrive Academy. I ask Laura what it was like working with the coaches at F&TA and she shares her experiences working with the different coaches and how they used their specific specialities to guide her business growth.

Laura then shares the two biggest changes that the coaching at F&TA made in her business that she credits as major factors to her recent business growth.

I get Laura to give me a detailed breakdown by quarter of her sales growth compared with the same times last year.

Then we finish up with Laura’s advice to you about what you can do to get the same success she’s had.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

[0:00] Latest News and Announcements
[1:43] Who is Laura?
[4:55] How Laura lost everything
[12:07] Overcoming indecision and turning her life around
[16:05] The case for selling wholesale: hourly rate
[19:07] Investing in her business: 3x ROI in just one year
[23:06] The biggest factor to growing her business: email marketing
[27:58] What’s it like working with the coaches at Flourish & Thrive?
[31:57] What are the biggest changes coaching made for your business?
[34:02] Specific sales growth quarter-by-quarter
[35:20] Laura’s advice to YOU

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Are you ready to turn your Jewelry passion into a thriving and profitable business?

Join us September 3-6, 2024 for a free bootcamp – The Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp where you will learn:

How to create a desired jewelry brand with content that connects, turning visitors into customers
The 3 crucial Brand Positioning factors that will take your jewelry brand from unknown and ignored to wildly successful
How to write and plan compelling social media content using AI in minutes (say goodbye to excruciating content creation)

How to explode your sales by overcoming mindset hurdles that unconsciously keep you thinking small

Join the Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp

Laura credits much of her success to Laying the Foundation VIP. This upgrade to our signature program gives you private 1-1 calls with the coaches at Flourish and Thrive while you go through the Laying the Foundation program for even more intimate business analysis and feedback in addition to the group coaching calls that all program members receive. We are launching our last cohort of Laying the Foundation ever on September 12th– so you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity!

Join Laying the Foundation VIP

Links:

Follow Laura Stamper on Instagram!

Laura Stamper’s Website

Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp

Laying the Foundation

Laying the Foundation VIP

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 489: From Hitting Rock Bottom to Her BEST Year Yet with Laura Stamper appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Do you ever feel like the wrong people are buying from you?

Many of my students come to me with a vision of their dream customer.

The problem?

The only people buying their Jewelry are outside their target demographic.

And worse – this misalignment results in low sales.

These students don’t understand why their marketing seems to be attracting the wrong people.

In today’s episode – I cover aligning your marketing so that it attracts your dream client and increases your sales.

I start the episode by revealing some big changes coming soon to Flourish & Thrive Academy!

Then I dive into today's topic to help you identify in detail your dream customer and give you examples of several different types of ideal clients I’ve come across in my business.

Many jewelry designers create jewelry within their ability and that they like, then expect their ideal customers to show up and buy it. I cover why that approach is doomed to fail and why it’s instead essential to create targeted jewelry lines.

Ideal clients are more than just customers. They are people too, and likely share many of your core values and beliefs. I talk about the importance of crafting your brand’s messaging and story so it’s easy to share and highlighting the crossover of your values and theirs.

Social Media is constantly changing, and how many followers you have matters less than how engaged they are. I share what to post in your social media content to drive engagement.

I then give a short but important aside about how to pick models for your brand photography that will resonate with your dream clients (hint: it’s not always about hiring professional models).

I wrap up the episode revealing the mistake most email marketers make and what you could be doing instead to turn your leads into buying customers.

In this episode, I cover:

[0:00] Latest News and Announcements
[5:32] Identifying your ideal client
[14:10] Why most Jewelry lines repel your dream client – and which attract them
[18:16] Aligning your brand’s story & messaging to your ideal customer
[21:27] The social media strategies that discourage engagement – and what to do instead
[26:04] Picking photography models that resonate with your dream customer
[29:05] Email marketing strategies that nurture email leads to conversion

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Are you ready to turn your Jewelry passion into a thriving and profitable business?

Join me September 3-6, 2024 for a free bootcamp – The Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp where you will learn:

How to create a desired jewelry brand with content that connects, turning visitors into customers
The 3 crucial Brand Positioning factors that will take your jewelry brand from unknown and ignored to wildly successful
How to write and plan compelling social media content using AI in minutes (say goodbye to excruciating content creation)

How to explode your sales by overcoming mindset hurdles that unconsciously keep you thinking small

Join the Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp

Links:

Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 488: Why Your Marketing Isn’t Making Sales – It’s not what you think! appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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“Cheap ain’t loyal”

That’s what my friend Ashley Donnel said when I asked her how she justifies charging more for permanent jewelry than her competitors.

In today’s episode, Ashely – owner and founder of The Babe Standard, an accessories business based in Kansas City – shares how offering permanent jewelry can completely change a Jewelry Business Owner’s business model – and lead to higher margins and profits with a relatively low starting investment.

I start out by asking Ashley how she got into selling permanent jewelry. She tells her story of starting out in retail offering accessories and expanding her offerings until she started selling permanent jewelry – which dramatically changed her business.

Then we get into the nitty gritty of selling permanent jewelry.

I ask her what obstacles permanent jewelry sellers will face

In this episode, you’ll learn:

[0:00] Latest News & Announcements
[6:10] Ashley’s Journey to Selling Permanent Jewelry
[11:51] What are the obstacles?
[16:08] Repeat customers & adding value
[19:15] Getting started
[20:03] Marketing permanent jewelry
[20:50] Differentiating yourself
[22:45] Justifying your pricing
[24:10] Offering warranties
[26:30] Getting Positive Online Reviews

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Are you ready to put yourself in a room with powerful people?

We have a few seats left for our mastermind weekend on September 17th and 18th in Scottsdale, Arizona!

If you’re interested in connecting in person with 49 other jewelry business owners and creatives for TWO WHOLE days – as well as learning from exciting speakers including Tracy Matthews, Felicia Romero, Steph Dorworth, Blair Kaplan-Venables, and Chelsea Farmer…

Save yourself one of those seats.

Links:

The Babe Standard

Sunstone Permanent Jewelry Welders

Desired Brand Mastermind Retreat

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Laying the Foundation

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 487: How to Add Permanent Jewelry To Your Business For Holiday With Ashley Donnell appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Putting Yourself in the Room with Powerful PeopleOne of the biggest mistakes I see creatives and business owners make is trying to do everything on their own.

I attribute many of my recent successes to getting in the room with powerful people – networking, learning from, and making friends with other successful business owners.

In today’s episode – I share my key takeaways from a mastermind I attended last week.

I start off by sharing why I went to this mastermind, what I learned from it, and most importantly – who I met.

At Friday night’s dinner – I learned of the importance of stillness, clarity and how they relate to calling in what I want.

The next day – a speaker talked about how opportunities don’t come to business owners who are frazzled all the time. I give an example of how I lost an opportunity just this year because I didn’t have my business in order.

I share a takeaway from Natalie Jill about transformation and the one critical factor that determines if transformation will occur in your life or business.

I then share a lesson I learned from Lindsey Scwartz about the seasons of business and how they relate to common struggles business owners find themselves with.

Next I cover the 6 pillars of wealth – and how the money in your bank account is not one of them.

My final takeaway is from Jamie Kern Lima about not letting the “No’s” keep you from your knowing”.

Putting yourself in a room with powerful people is one of the best ways to unleash your own power – and you’ll surprise yourself with how you can get clarity on an entire year in just a few days.

This episode’s rundown:

[0:00] Latest News & Announcements
[4:15] Getting in the room with powerful people
[14:28] Clarity & Stillness
[16:19]] Unfrazzling your business
[17:44] Deciding to Transform
[20:24] Seasons of Business
[22:39] The 6 Pillars of Wealth
[24:27] Don’t let the “no’s” keep you from knowing
[28:08] The power of being with powerful people

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Are you ready to put yourself in a room with powerful people?

We have a few seats left for our mastermind weekend on September 17th and 18th in Scottsdale, Arizona!

Save yourself one of those seats.

Links:

Desired Brand Mastermind Retreat

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Laying the Foundation

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 486: Key Takeaways From Powerhouse Women + My Mastermind Weekend appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Do you feel like you wear a mask as you go through life?

In today’s Thrive By Design podcast episode, meet Paula Owen – a photographer who has the special ability to see the different masks that people put on…

And help take them off.

She does this in a process she calls – appropriately enough – unmasking.

We start the episode reminiscing about how we met and receive each other’s compliments.

Paula then dives into what is unmasking by using me as an example!

I ask Paula when she first learned about her special gift, and Paula shares how she’s used her ability from childhood until now using many real-life stories.

We discuss Paula’s “spiritual shorthand”, how childhood affects our masks, and the meaning and importance of self-forgiveness.

I then ask Paula to do a quick real-time unmasking of me!

We end the episode talking about the powerful effect unmasking has on photography and how you can schedule your own unmasking & photography with Paula.

In this episode:

[0:00] Latest News & Announcements
[4:00] Introducing Paula
[5:00] How Tracy & Paula met & Unblocking compliments
[7:50] Tracy’s Masks
[12:42] When Paula discovered her gift
[21:14] Spiritual Shorthand
[23:18] Childhood & Self-Forgiveness
[27:05] Tracy’s Real-time Unmasking
[31:21] How Unmaking Changes Photography
[34:43] Unmask Yourself

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Do you feel like you’re busy all day every day – but you’re not sure if what you are doing is going to get you where you want to go? That’s how I used to feel too until I developed my 5-step Jewelry Sales Playbook. I don’t want you to continue feeling that sense of overwhelm and uncertainty – which is why I’m handing over my step-by-step playbook to you for free on this 90-minute 5-step Jewelry Sales Playbook masterclass.
Head on over to flourishthriveacademy.com/salesplaybook/ to watch the masterclass.

This September 17&18 – for 2 whole days – in Scottsdale, Arizona, I will be hosting a Mastermind Retreat on Magnetic Marketing: Create Content That Connects to & Converts Followers into Repeat Buyers. This is a great chance to learn from other creators, meet new friends, and solve your business problems through hotseats and masterminds. Attendance is strictly limited to only 50 people – so don’t wait to sign up.

Links:

Follow Paula on Instagram!

Book a Session with Paula

Free Masterclass: The Five-step Jewelry Sales Playbook

Desired Brand Mastermind Retreat

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Laying the Foundation

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 485: Unmask Yourself With Paula Owen appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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**Reclaim Your Feminine Power, Live Your Cosmic Truth, and Illuminate the World*It’s easy to *get lost in the daily business grind.

Focusing on working as many hours as possible and concentrating solely on sales, profits, and losses.

But isn’t there more to business than that?

In Today’s Thrive By Design Podcast – Jessica Zweig – a successful female business owner and personal branding expert – argues that there is so much more to business than just work, work, work.

Jessica and I connected several years ago and we immediately hit it off. She’s an amazing person and friend – and in the first few minutes of the podcast you get a taste of just how incredible a woman Jessica is and what it’s like to hang out with her in person.

After vibing a bit together, I ask Jessica about her former business, Simply Be. Jessica describes how she built her business by developing systems and a team that eventually didn’t need her anymore – allowing her to sell it on her terms for a great deal. If you ever think one day you might want to sell your business – this is a must listen!

Of course – the main reason I asked Jessica here is because of her new book. And let me just say – the reasons why Jessica wrote it are just as interesting as the book itself. If you’ve ever reached burnout before – you’ll understand exactly where Jessica was and why she made the choices she did.

Then we start getting down to business. Jessica is a very spiritual person – so I ask her about the spiritual principles for leadership she describes in the book. Jessica shares some amazing stories you have to listen to believe – they involve spiritual visitations, a far-away star cluster, and Egyption tombs!

A central pillar of the book is Femininity – part of the title is “reclaim your feminine power” – and I ask her how she sees feminine leadership. She shares her view of the misalignment between the feminine nature and the patriarchal grind of most businesses – and how she wants to help other female businesswomen like herself become more aligned to their nature and surroundings.

Finally – I ask her what her most important takeaway for listeners is. She says that she wants to help her listeners face the deepest sh*t in their lives and help them figure out why they are put here on this planet. If that speaks to you – then don’t wait to give this episode a listen!

This episode’s rundown:

[0:00] Announcements and Introducing Jessica
[5:25] Tracy & Jessica vibe together
[7:28] How Jessica built and sold her business
[14:06] Why Jessica wrote her new book
[18:54] Spiritual Principles for Leadership
[23:45] Your Invitation to unlock your Light
[25:45] Feminine Leadership
[32:34] Your most important takeaway

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Jessica is offering over $3000 of bonuses for free when you buy her book and register on her site. These include 2 group coaching call replays, her Lightworker Toolkit, a ticket to her business and spiritual Global Summit on 8/8/2024, and exclusive access to her all-new branding masterclass “How to Take Your Brand from the 3-D to the 5-D”.

Do you feel like you’re busy all day every day – but you’re not sure if what you are doing is going to get you where you want to go? That’s how I used to feel too until I developed my 5-step Jewelry Sales Playbook. I don’t want you to continue feeling that sense of overwhelm and uncertainty – which is why I’m handing over my step-by-step playbook to you for free on this 90-minute 5-step Jewelry Sales Playbook masterclass.
Head on over to flourishthriveacademy.com/salesplaybook/ to watch it on demand.

Links:

The Light Work Book

Follow Jessica on Instagram!

Free Masterclass: The Five-step Jewelry Sales Playbook

The Jewelry Marketing Collective

Desired Brand Mastermind Retreat

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 484: Light Work in Action: How Spiritual Principles Transform Your Business with Jessica Zweig appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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**Gather Leads Automatically with your IG bio*Your *IG Bio is one of your most powerful tools for raising your brand’s awareness and gathering leads.

Unfortunately, most IG bios are unoptimized and perform poorly.

In today’s Thrive By Design episode- I show you exactly what you need to put in your Instagram Bio to raise awareness of your brand, gather leads, and build trust.

And the best part is – once you’ve set up your IG bio – it works for you 24/7!

In your IG bio – you have the ability to pin certain posts so that they show up at the top of your feed.

You should have 3 pinned posts.

Your first pinned post will introduce yourself. I tell you what questions you should answer to introduce yourself to your ideal customer most effectively. I also tell you which creative you should pair with this post.

Your second pinned post will provide value and generate leads. I give examples of tips your ideal customers will find valuable and how to turn engagement into leads you can continue following up with until you make a sale.

Your third pinned post will build trust. I share what types of content and creatives are most effective for this purpose.

In this episode, I cover:

[0:00] F&TA: Latest News and Upcoming Events
[2:54] Your IG Bio – an often wasted space
[5:14] The 3 pinned posts your IG Bio needs
[5:55] Pinned post #1: Introducing yourself
[10:19] Pinned post #2: Providing value and getting leads
[12:22] Pinned post #3: Building Trust

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Want to challenge yourself to reach record daily sales while surrounded by friends and fellow creators who hold each other accountable and support each other?

To discover how the Jewelry Marketing Collective can take your monthly revenue to record heights, visit flourishthriveacademy.com/jmc/ for more details.

Links:

Free Masterclass: The Five-step Jewelry Sales Playbook

Open for Enrollment: The Jewelry Marketing Collective

Desired Brand Mastermind Retreat

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 483: How to Optimize Your IG Bio Pinned Posts to Grow Your Sales appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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**Standing Out on Etsy in a Saturated Market*If you’ve been selling Jewelry for awhile, *you probably have an opinion on Etsy.

When Etsy comes up in conversation, I often hear comments from “it’s too late to get started” to “it’s all a race to the bottom”.

But special guest Monica Little – a Hand-made product business coach who has sold over $100k on Etsy – has a different message.

She says it is possible to get started today on Etsy, stand out even as a new seller, and sell high-priced items worth hundreds of dollars.

And today she shares with us the same advice she gives her coaching students on how to use Etsy to sell their products:

[0:56] Monica’s story: from 9-5 to successful business owner and later coach
[3:41] Why Etsy is an excellent source of supplementary income
[5:38] Getting started and standing out
[8:22] Avoiding common mistakes
[11:53] Getting found: Product naming
[15:13] Building Trust: Reviews
[17:25] Developing a Profitable Ad Strategy
[24:00] Converting Etsy Shoppers into Loyal Customers

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!If you’d like to unlock the power of following a step-by-step system to: Adopt Better Habits, DOUBLE Sales, and Escape Overwhelm in 30 Days or Less, I want to invite you to my new free masterclass –The 5-Step Jewelry Sales Playbook. I'll be handing over my playbook for free on Tuesday July 30, 4:00 pm PT | 7:00 pm ET. Save your seat and I'll see you there.

Our sales and accountability-focused membership community – The Jewelry Marketing Collective, is finally open for enrollment. Will you be one of the jewelry makers and business owners who get to unlock more sales, attract repeat buyers, increase website traffic, and build an engaged social media following this year? Our first revenue-generating challenge drops August 1st so come on in now.

Links:

Free Masterclass: The Five-step Jewelry Sales Playbook

Open for Enrollment: The Jewelry Marketing Collective

Desired Brand Mastermind Retreat

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 482: How to Use Etsy To Acquire New Customers with Monica Little appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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*Surviving Rising Metal Prices for Jewelry Business OwnersIt’s inescapable – high prices are here to stay. The recent surges in inflation have left us all with higher grocery bills, gas prices, and many other expenses that leave our wallets feeling lighter and our bank accounts lower* than ever before.

And for those of us who work with precious metals – we’ve had it even harder. From having to make Jewelry for MORE than we sold them for to explaining price increases to shocked wannabe repeat customers, the rising price landscape has caught many Jewelry makers unaware.

I have good news for you:

This isn’t the first time this has happened to me. In 2008, I had to close my business because expenses were rising faster than I could adapt. So, when I started my second Jewelry business – I developed strategies to prepare myself in case it happened again.

Well – clearly that time is NOW!

In today’s episode – I share what you can do in your business to not only survive but thrive in today’s highly inflated precious metals market.

In this episode, we go over:

[3:41] How 2008 prepared me for today
[5:30] The economic reasons why precious metals price spike
[11:40] Ways to adjust your prices to account for the rising cost of materials
[13:30] Develop a Customer Communication Plan for use with wholesalers and repeat buyers
[15:47] Diversifying your product line to reduce material costs while keeping value
[17:34] Optimizing your supply chain to secure better deals
[18:31] Elevating your value proposition so customers recognize other sources of value
[19:32] Reducing or removing non-essential business and personal expenses

Listen here!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Want even more strategies for pricing your work for maximum profit? Join me for my NEW masterclass: The 5-Step Jewelry Sales Playbook on Wednesday July 24, 11:00 am PT | 2:00 pm ET.

Our new community – The Jewelry Marketing Collective, is open for early bird enrollment. Lock in your spot in our accountability and sales community for jewelry makers and business owners who want to unlock more sales, attract repeat buyers, increase website traffic, and build an engaged social media following – at a discounted rate before prices go up.

Links:

Free Masterclass: The Five-step Jewelry Sales Playbook

Early Bird Sale: The Jewelry Marketing Collective

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 481: Rising Fine Metal Costs? Here’s How to Handle Pricing! appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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“Fear was running the show – not me”That was the realization I had last week as I went on a journey of self-discovery.

I had been thinking about “expansion” and what the word meant for me and my business.

And as I thought about it – all my deepest fears came welling up to the surface.

I reached out to some people I trusted most – and they came through for me.

They gave me some actionable advice that enabled me to work through the fear – and today I want to share what I learned with you.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

[00:48] Why playing not to lose is keeping you from winning
[1:28] How mindset is crucial to my success – and the success of every famous person I know
[2:19] How “expansion” brought up my deepest and darkest fears – and the advice I got from those closest to me
[4:20] How feeling my greatest fears brought peace and acceptance
[5:20] The 3 stages of fear
[6:34] The 4 steps for overcoming fear – and the first is clarity
[11:54] How undealt with fear is actually running the show – not you

If you’ve ever experienced fear so strong you didn’t know what to do or how to get through it – whether in business or in your personal life…

This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Listen now.

Check out our on-demand masterclass: How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market with a Timeless Jewelry Brand. This is a must-watch for anyone serious about making their mark in the jewelry world. Learn the eye-opening trade secrets to stand out from your competition!

Have you heard about our new community – The Jewelry Marketing Collective? It’s a daily accountability and sales community specifically for jewelry artists, makers, and business owners.

It opens in August and is for Jewelry Business Owners who want to improve their marketing.

Links:

How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market with a Timeless Jewelry Brand Masterclass

Join the Waitlist: The Jewelry Marketing Collective

Download: 101 Ways to Make Daily Jewelry Sales

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 480: The Fear That You’re Avoiding appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Struggling to make daily jewelry sales a reality in your jewelry business? Here’s how to change that.Growing a thriving jewelry brand that has consistent, daily sales as the norm is not rocket science or a mystery. It does take a focus on the right actions daily, though – a focus on revenue-generating sales activities.

If I had to start from scratch (which I have had to do several times in my career), I’d do many things differently.. Recently, I was asked – “What would I do if I had to start over and make daily sales within a 30-day period because I didn’t have time to waste?”

And since I’m thinking of starting a 3rd jewelry company (potentially later this year), I break down exactly what I’d do on today’s podcast.

I literally wrote the book about it: The Desired Brand Effect – How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market with a Timeless Jewelry Brand.

Here’s a preview of the advice I share in today’s episode:

The GOLD in your existing network and how to elegantly turn those connections into customers.
The #1 asset you have as a business owner and how to leverage the “list” to make daily jewelry sales.
How successful jewelry business owners approach sales (and how you can adopt the same positive habits daily)
The missing link in your “sales funnel”—and if you don’t know what that is, then you really need to listen in
My secret weapon aka the ONE thing I wish I wouldn’t have stalled on – finding a coach or mentor
The easiest way to get more done in less time – and I wish I would have done this sooner.

Listen to the show today.

Thank you for listening! We’re celebrating our 12-year anniversary here at Flourish and Thrive Academy. As a thank-you gift, I created – with love – a FREE GUIDE 101 Ways to Make Daily Jewelry Sales in Your Business.

Have you heard about our new community – The Jewelry Marketing Collective? It’s a daily accountability and sales community specifically for jewelry artists, makers, and business owners.

It opens in August and is for Jewelry Business Owners who want to improve their marketing.

Links:

Instagram Live with Chelsea

Download: 101 Ways to Make Daily Jewelry Sales

Join the Waitlist: The Jewelry Marketing Collective

Shopify Free Trial

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 479: Here’s what I would do to make daily sales if I had to start a jewelry business from scratch… appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Hi, Tracy here! Today’s episode is all about using TikTok to sell Jewelry. I interview Susan George from Mediary Marketing, and let me tell you, she’s THE person to go to when talking TikTok Shop.

Susan started out as a professional musician but switched to social media and eventually became a social media brand strategy expert. Right after having a baby, the pandemic hit. But that didn’t stop her! Her husband built her a home studio and she switched from Instagram to TikTok because she loved the community aspect and how it allowed her to make more personal connections with her followers.

When Susan mentions TikTok – people often comment “isn’t that the app with dancing teenagers?” And while that used to be true, TikTok has become a powerhouse that rivals Google for providing information to knowledge seekers and has recently set its sights on competing with Amazon. Susan responds to such comments by describing TikTok as “a virtual QVC in your pocket”.

Susan loves to use her husband’s business success as a powerful example of TikTok’s power. He used to get a lot of questions about his products. Susan urged him to start making videos on TikTok answering those questions and got him to create a TikTok Shop. He started out with just 45 followers, but in less than six months he had made nearly half a million dollars in sales.

I ask Susan about the TikTok controversy. Susan starts out by sharing that TikTok made American small businesses 14 billion dollars last year – far less money in ad spend and higher return than Instagram or Facebook. This made a lot of powerful people really unhappy, but Susan believes TikTok is here to stay and that it will remain a powerful force multiplier for small businesses – including jewelry makers!

Susan shares ways in which TikTok can lower your shipping costs, automatically connect you with influencers who can make the most sales impact, generate a greater return on your ad spend than other platforms, and do the hard work of reducing your competition for you. She reveals TikTok’s goal to help business owners make $1-3 million dollars in sales every month!

This episode is jam-packed with details and strategies you don’t want to miss!

Listen now

xo, Tracy

Sponsor HighlightHave you checked out our on-demand masterclass: How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market with a Timeless Jewelry Brand? It’s an amazing opportunity to learn the secrets of creating a lasting brand that stands the test of time.

Links:

Susan's Instagram

Mediary Marketing website

Mediary Marketing Instagram

The Viral Collection

How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market with a Timeless Jewelry Brand Masterclass

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 478: Everything You Need to Know About TikTok Shop with Susan George appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Discover the Secret to a Cohesive Jewelry BrandHey there, jewelry enthusiasts! I’m thrilled to invite you on an exciting journey into the world of jewelry branding with our latest podcast episode. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your existing brand, this episode is packed with insights that will help you create a cohesive and captivating jewelry brand.

We all know the challenges of standing out in a saturated market. The good news? It’s totally achievable! I wasn’t always a branding expert. In fact, I started out just like many of you—full of creativity but unsure how to translate that into a powerful brand presence.

In this episode, we’ll walk through a checklist to ensure your brand’s visual elements are aligned and captivating.

The Visual Aspect of Your Brand

From the pictures you use to the social media you post, the look of your brand influences how your customers see you.

A Cohesive Collection

Customers look at your branding first to determine whether to look through your collections. If the collections you have don’t match your branding – then the customer is unlikely to stay and will continue looking – elsewhere.

Having a Brand Story

People want more than just jewelry – they want to be a part of something. Every Jewelry brand needs a story that all its customers know.

In this episode- I go into much greater detail about how these 3 items are affecting your sales and use real-world examples to show how successful jewelry brands use these items to increase and maintain consistent sales.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor HighlightCheck out our on-demand masterclass: How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market with a Timeless Jewelry Brand. This newly updated webinar is a must-watch for anyone serious about making their mark in the jewelry world. Learn the eye-opening trade secrets to stand out from your competition!

Links:

How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market with a Timeless Jewelry Brand Masterclass

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 477B: Is Your Jewelry Brand Cohesive? Find Out Today! appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Hey there, jewelry mavens! Tracy Matthews here, live from Newport Beach where I'm celebrating my niece's graduation. This week, I've got something super exciting lined up for you on the Thrive by Design podcast. Last week's episode on “The Energetics of Daily Sales” got such a fantastic response that I decided to dive even deeper into one of the hottest topics in jewelry marketing – connecting with your audience on social media.

Let's face it, online marketing is a whole different ball game compared to face-to-face sales. It's all about building relationships and having meaningful conversations with your dream clients. But how do you start and maintain these conversations, especially on a platform like Instagram? In this episode, I’ll share practical tips and real-world strategies to help you engage with your audience and boost your daily sales.

Understand who your dream clients are

The first takeaway is the importance of truly understanding who your dream clients are. This is something I explore in-depth in my book, The Desired Brand Effect, and our signature program, Laying the Foundation. But here's a sneak peek: knowing your customers' motivations, interests, and daily routines can transform your marketing efforts. So, if you're struggling with sales, it's time to get clear on your messaging and start those conversations that convert.

Optimize your Instagram profile so that you’re speaking to those dream clients.

Your Instagram bio probably includes pieces of information that just take up space – and at worse are repelling your customers. I talk about what pieces of information to remove, and how to maintain a consistent brand image throughout your photos and reels. If you are interested in a free IG Bio Audit – you can enter here for a chance to get yours audited by our team.

Develop a Content Strategy

Your content strategy should be about taking your ideal customer on a journey with your brand. It should not just be random pictures of jewelry or collections. I also discuss a veritable goldmine of content that you are probably sitting on without even realizing it!

As you dive into this week's episode, remember that success in online marketing isn't just about having the right products – it's about creating a connection with your audience.

Sponsor HighlightOur “How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market with a Timeless Jewelry Brand” masterclass is packed with actionable insights that can elevate your brand and set you apart from the competition. You'll learn eye-opening trade secrets that your competitors probably don’t even know. Trust me, this is one masterclass you don’t want to miss!
Register to watch it here.

Links:

How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market with a Timeless Jewelry Brand Masterclass

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 477: How to Connect On Instagram [and Social] With Your Dream Clients appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Hello, beautiful creators!

Today, I want to dive deep into the energetics behind achieving daily sales in your business. This topic is near and dear to my heart because understanding and harnessing this energy has been a game-changer for me and countless other jewelry designers.

The Role of Energy and Alignment

Everything is energy. Everything that you put out there reflects the energy you have inside you. When you align your energy with what you desire – like increasing your daily sales – you will manifest more effectively.

It's not just about having a positive attitude: it's about having clear, visual goals and resonating with them.

Manifestation and Receiving

Manifestation is a powerful tool that goes hand-in-hand with energetics. Receiving is being open and allowing yourself what you want to happen to happen without resisting, fighting, or blocking it.

After you’ve aligned yourself to your goals and opened yourself to what you want happening actually happening – you will notice opportunities opening up that you never saw or considered before.

Taking Action with Confidence

While the previous steps are vital, they must be paired with action. Take bold, confident steps towards your goals. Action is the bridge between your energetic alignment and the tangible results you seek. Without it, your aligned energy remains just potential. Our Jewelry Owners Growth Guide provides practical steps to help you take these bold actions confidently.

Betting on Yourself

It’s important to bet on yourself. Investing in your personal growth and education isn't just an expense; it's a crucial part of your business strategy. By betting on yourself, you build the confidence and knowledge necessary to take your business to the next level. In our course Laying The Foundation, we give you everything you need to know and do to be successful.

Practical Tips to Use Energetics in Your Daily Life

Set daily intentions, visualize your goals, and stay consistent in your actions.

By integrating these practices into your routine, you maintain alignment and keep your energy focused on your desired outcomes.

Community and Collaboration

One of the cornerstones of my philosophy is the importance of community and collaboration. Being part of a supportive community can amplify your energy and help you stay aligned with your goals. At Flourish & Thrive Academy, our focus on community over competition fosters an environment where creative entrepreneurs can thrive together. Our Diamond Insiders community is designed to build and nurture this sense of community.

In Summary

Embrace the energetics behind daily sales by aligning with your essence, being open to receiving, taking action, and betting on yourself.

By investing in personal growth and education and being part of a supportive community, you can manifest the success you desire.

Let’s thrive together!

Sponsor HighlightLinks:

Laying the Foundation

The Jewelry Owners' Growth Guide

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 476: The Energetics of Daily Sales appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Sabrina Nussbaumer is a woman with a hell of a backstory.

She’s also got great bangs, but more importantly, she has handled a crazy number of challenges, and come out the other side with a powerful story to tell.

In 2011, Sabrina was in the depths of an alcohol addiction. She was going to school for fine arts… and blew all her scholarship money at the bar.

Not only did she have to drop out of college and take a job in a hellishly hot factory to make ends meet, but she lost touch with the creative spark that had always filled her.

Working in 90+ degree heat every day convinced her that she needed to turn her life around and set her on the path that would ultimately lead to the creation of her business, SNJD Jewelry.

Today, Sabrina is sober, thriving, and growing a unique silversmithing business.

In this inspiring episode, you’ll hear about…

How Sabrina’s addiction — and a toxic relationship — led her to metal smithing and eventually to jewelry design
How Sabrina started SNJD Jewelry — despite knowing nothing about building a business or creating a cohesive body of work
Why the pandemic turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Sabrina’s new business… and how she has kept her brand afloat despite numerous personal challenges
Why being turned down for the Train Your Customers program turned out to be one of the best things to happen to her
How Sabrina got clear on her branding, content and launch strategy for a new phase in her business…

Plus how Sabrina learned to overcome the ‘icky’ feeling of asking for sales, how she has turned her trauma into momentum, and the results and mantras that keep Sabrina driving forward in her business every day.

This is such a cool transformation story. I’m super happy to be a part of it and I think you’ll love hearing what Sabrina has to share.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Highlight*If you are early in your business and are ready to see the same kind of transformation Sabrina experienced, check out* Laying the Foundation to start bringing consistent and predictable sales into your business.****

Links:

SNJD Boutique

The Halstead Grant

Follow Sabrina on Instagram!

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 475: Overcoming Addiction and a Toxic Relationship to Grow Her Jewelry Business with Sabrina Nussbaumer appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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It’s my birthday! I know I’m incredibly blessed… and that the abundance I have today is the result of some hard lessons I learned a few birthdays ago.

Today, I want to share the most important gift I ever received — the lesson that took me from struggling artist to thriving business owner.

You see, I didn’t start out as the CEO type. I was an artist, and I just wanted to make beautiful pieces. Like many creatives, I didn’t even think about building a system that would make that art sustainable… and so, like many creatives, I ended up broke, panicked and burned out.

Until my accountant (of all people!) made a recommendation that changed everything for me.

In this episode, I share the story of how my life and business transformed into the incredible reality I have today. If I could give every jewelry designer a gift, this lesson would be it.

So tune in to hear me read the first chapter of my book, The Desired Brand Effect, to hear about:

The moment in my first business when I realized I had NO money left over after delivering a $100,000 order (and what happened next)
How the feast and famine cycle develops and why running your own business can leave you so drained
The book that blew my mind about the problems in my business and helped me see how to transform my maker mindset to become the leader of my business
How embracing the chief visionary officer (CVO) role in your own business can drive your sales, inventory, staffing, strategy and success to whole new levels — while nourishing the creativity that got you into this business in the first place
Why CVOs get great at turning dreams into reality while makers often struggle to bring their vision to life
How I went from broke designer to having my work stocked in over 350 stores around the world and celebrities like Halle Berry and Charlize Theron loving on my work

The greatest birthday gift you could give me today is to go and listen to this episode.

My life’s purpose is to help creatives like you to start thriving in their art, and it truly lights me up to hear it when someone starts making a change after hearing this story.

So if you’ve been struggling to make a sustainable living from your jewelry designs, if you’re burned out, scared of your numbers or just know it’s time to take your business to the next level, this one’s for you.

And if you can find the courage to act on what you hear, by the time your own birthday rolls around next year, maybe you’ll be telling an incredible transformation story of your own.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor HighlightIf you love what you heard today, grab yourself a copy of my book: The Desired Brand Effect. It’s packed with insight and hands-on strategies for jewelry designers who want to turn their art into a sustainable living.

And to help you do that, here at Flourish & Thrive Academy we are offering a free Instagram Bio Audit to make sure your IG bio is resonating and representing you and all you do. Click here to apply for a chance to win a free audit!

Links:

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 474: It’s My Birthday! A Dramatic Reading of the First Chapter of My Book appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

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When Lindsey Kirk’s husband came home and told her how much he was struggling at his swing shift factory job, she knew they were at a crossroads.

He was stretched too thin, trying to cover too many roles and shifts… and when his boss told him that all he needed to get paid a whole lot more was a bachelor’s degree, Lindsey knew that in spite of her feeling of panic, it was time to take her jewelry business to the next level.

Lindsey was the only female student in her cohort of the metal smithing program at Gem City College in Illinois, and when she graduated, she and her mom rented a studio space downtown and started selling her pieces.

She worked a part-time job to make the studio work, and after 5 years, they decided to call it a day. Luckily for Lindsey, the pandemic hit right after they closed the store, and she was already all in on building her website when she and her husband decided he should go back to school.

Lindsey has been a fan of Thrive by Design since the podcast launched back in 2015, so it’s incredible to hear from her today. She is a bad-ass implementer and has some amazing insights to share.

In this episode, you’ll hear:* The super fun (and effective) strategy she started during the pandemic to build her connection with her customers * The totally unexpected advice from her community college business teacher that drove her to join the F&TA Laying the Foundation program * The crazy numbers that Lindsey started seeing in her business as soon as she started working through the LTF material * The 3 key concepts from LTF that changed everything for Lindsey’s business (and the mindset shift that has helped her increase her business over 50% in the past year) * The amazing social media campaign that helped Lindsey hit a key goal in her business and how sharing her love of dogs has bonded her community to her even more

We also talk about why the structure of Laying the Foundation was so effective for her, changing the narrative of your inner voice, and the freedom she’s found to build her business on her own terms.

This is such an inspiring episode, and Lindsey doesn’t hold back. She shares some amazing details on how her brand has grown. Even though she always thought her business would take a backseat to her husband’s work, it turned out to be the lifeboat they needed, and it’s only getting better.

Don’t miss this beautiful conversation with Lindsey the Ladysmith.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor HighlightThis episode is sponsored by Laying the Foundation — the only course specifically designed for jewelry designers who want to learn how to grow their business to six figures and beyond.

If you’d like to start seeing results like Lindsey did, go to https://www.flourishthriveacademy.com/ltf/ to learn more about joining the next cohort of this transformational program.

Links:

Follow Lindsey the Ladysmith on Instagram!

Gem City College

Laying the Foundation

Thrive by Design Podcast

Marie Forleo

The Humane Society

Atlanta Texas Area Spay & Neuter Project

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 473: She’s Supporting Her Husband Through School With Her Jewelry Business with Lindsey Kirk appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know I love you. Right?

I really do love you guys, but today I’ve gotta bring some tough love to the conversation.

We’ve got to talk about the state of social media content for jewelry businesses…

Because a lot of jewelry designers are just totally missing the mark here.

It’s boring, pushy, cringe, or some combination of all three.

And I hate having to say that, because it’s not their fault.

Jewelry designers are not trained to be professional marketers! But it’s our job to figure out how to create social media content for our jewelry businesses — just as much as it is to create the jewelry itself.

Here at F&TA we just graduated a new cohort of designers from our Laying the Foundation program, and along with head coach Chelsea, I found that a few people picked up social media marketing really quickly… but most students just don’t feel like it’s their thing, even though they’re super talented designers.

If that’s you, I see you: it can feel daunting to come up with new content all the time and to market yourself when you just want to make beautiful things.

But great content creates your desired brand effect — it attracts ideal, high-quality clients to your business, it makes you stand out in a crowded marketplace, and it helps you sell.

It’s probably the most powerful tool at your disposal if you’re serious about growing your business online.

That’s why I’m hosting a new master class, called How to Stand Out on Social: How to Plan A Month’s Content in An Hour. It’s a super hands-on system to help you build a content plan for your jewelry business, and you can find out more about that in the Sponsor Spotlight at the end of this post.

First though, this week’s episode: I’m sharing 5 do-it-now practical tips for creating content that is going to make your audience fall in love with you and your jewelry.

Here’s what you’ll learn:* How to create a content plan that WORKS and that you can actually stick to * The topics you need to nail down to start getting really consistent with your content * How to make content that works for each specific platform * The single most important factor in creating content that grabs people’s attention (and makes them stick around for the long haul) * The unbeatable way to attract the right customers to your brand

I also share some of the designers who are absolutely nailing it with their content strategy, and break down why their content works so well (hint: it’s all about the emotions baby!).

This topic is so important to the success of every jewelry business, so this episode is extremely practical. I’m giving you real examples of the content to create, when to create it, and how to cut through all the noise on social, so that you can start to take control of your brand online.

You deserve to have a jewelry business that’s thriving online. If you’re still figuring out how to make that happen, make sure you check out today’s episode: 5 Ways to Get Consistent and Stand Out With Social Media Marketing – This Week.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor HighlightI’m hosting a new master class, called How to Stand Out on Social: How to Plan A Month’s Content in An Hour.

It’s an even deeper look at what we cover in today’s episode — I’m going to walk you through a simple step by step process (with visuals!) on how to make money-making social media content that stands out, attracts high-paying customers in a fraction of the time most people spend on it.

If you know that the content and social media strategy for your jewelry business needs some TLC, this one’s for you. Click here to register for the master class: flourishthriveacademy.com/contentworkshop

Links:

Laying the Foundation program

Erin Kandoll’s ‘Dreams Coming True’ video

True Warrior Jewelry

Twyla Dill Designs

Ashley Longshore

Jacqui Aiche

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 472: 5 Ways to Get Consistent and Stand Out With Social Media Marketing – This Week appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When you’re healthy as an entrepreneur and business owner, it shows.

Your energy is on point. You’re focused and in flow. You’re happier, more productive, and more creative. But when our health takes a hit, our business suffers too. When you’re feeling sick or sore, your motivation and clarity take a dive too.

That’s why keeping yourself healthy and vibrant is a huge win when you are designing your jewelry and building your business.

Today, my dear friend Tina Anderson is on the Thrive by Design podcast, sharing her incredible expertise on the gut-brain connection.

Tina is the CEO of Just Thrive, an incredible supplement company that has changed my life.

(I’ll spare you the TMI version, but let’s just say my digestive system is MUCH happier since I started taking their probiotic a few years ago.)

Gut health is not the topic that usually springs to mind when people think about growing their business or optimizing their daily routine… but it has a huge influence behind the scenes on how you feel and perform every day.

That’s why, in this episode, we talk about… * Why gut health is about so much more than getting rid of the uncomfortable symptoms most people think of * Why taking care of your gut health goes way beyond having a happy digestive system and can transform your mood and mental health * How business owners and entrepreneurs can boost their immunity and daily performance by optimizing your gut health * How to figure out if your gut is unhealthy and what to do about it * The baby steps entrepreneurs can take to really support our health

If you’re struggling with brain fog, digestive troubles, fatigue, skin issues, this episode could be a game-changer for you.

Don’t miss this fascinating deep-dive conversation.

xo, Tracy

PS: Tina has generously offered all Thrive by Design listeners 20% off a 90-day bottle of Just Thrive Probiotic and Just Calm. Check out www.flourishthriveacademy.com/justthrive and use the code TBD (as in, Thrive by Design) at checkout.

Sponsor HighlightLinks:

Follow Tina and Just Thrive on Instagram!

Just Thrive

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 471: How Your Health Impacts Your Success with Tina Anderson appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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What are you done with?

To answer this profound question, this week we’ve got a special double-barrel episode release on the Thrive by Design podcast — How to Double Your Sales in Half the Time, and How to Know When You’re Done.

Both episodes are intended to shake you up out of the parts of your life where you’re stuck and know it’s time for a change…

The type of change that HAS to happen when parts of your life have become too painful or too uncomfortable to keep on doing the same things, over and over again. You know… the ‘rock bottom’ moment.

Asking what I was done with in my own ‘rock bottom’ moment back in 2008 started me on the journey to the life and business I have today.

I was 40, and in total shock after the recession crashed my business overnight, taking my confidence with it. The guy I’d been dating for 3 years ghosted me. I went on vacation with two girlfriends to Nicaragua and couldn’t afford to do everything they wanted to do, and then on top of it all I got stung by a stingray at the beach one day.

Ugh.

I’d had enough. I was so done being broke, being taken for granted, being afraid.

On that trip I realized that I had no choice but to start doing things differently.

I invested in coaching with Erika Lyremark at The Daily Whip, who helped me get super clear about what I wanted from my business.

I quit dating people who didn’t truly care about me so I could make space for someone who did.

I stopped taking custom orders from people who were not going to pay me and focused everything on building an online platform for the people who would.

And in a few months, everything was different.

A big part of the change was figuring out how to attract the right customers to buy from my business, and charging at a level that made me feel aligned and abundant.

“What are you done with?” is a powerful question.

I asked it in our Supercharge Your Sales Challenge group last week after our members had spent the previous few days taking bold action to transform their businesses. Maybe you can relate to what they had to say:

I’m done hiding my true self and holding onto what does not serve me — material and mental.
I’m done allowing my husband to control me and my decision, or to reword, done using my husband as an excuse for why I’m not doing what I really want.
I’m done with people-pleasing and making myself smaller for others. I’m done not holding my boundaries, I’m done feeling less-than, I’m done not where I want to be financially.
I’m done being so afraid, not playing full out, playing it safe.
I am done with anxiety, I am done with wasting my time making customs with no deposits for customers who won’t pay. I am done with doing what people always expect me to do.
I am done being shy, not asking for the sale, sending emails.
I’m done with doubting my abilities, with the fear that no one will buy my jewelry.
I’m done with not being able to contribute to my family’s income, I’m done with treating my business as a hobby, I’m done with not seeing myself as a business owner, I’m done waiting for customers to come onto my site on their own… I’m done being scared.

If those feelings seem familiar, I have an invitation for you.

Next week we are launching our last live season of Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online, which is designed for deep transformation when it comes to sales. It is simple, it is easy to execute, and it is perfect for people who have been selling products in person, wholesale, on third party platforms, where you haven’t quite figured out how to get customers to buy from your website.

We are closing enrollment on Monday 29th April, and classes begin Tuesday 30th.

If you’ve been on the fence about applying to TYC, this is your sign.

If you’re done missing time with your family, scrambling to make ends meet, and bending over backwards to make your business work, it’s time to make a change.

Be done with all that.

Check out How to Double Your Sales in Half the Time and How to Tell When You’re Done, then come back and click here to apply to TYC.

Don’t miss it. This is your chance to make a real, lasting change that could be transformational for your life and business.

Sponsor Highlightxr:d:DAFrAr4aZsc:238,j:6193999673546444728,t:24040902Links:

Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online

Erika Lyremark on Instagram

The Daily Whip

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 470 Bonus: How to Know When You’re Done — and What to Do Next appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Today’s show is all about doubling your online sales, with a few simple strategies that always work.

I’m rolling solo today, because I want to talk you through a handful of techniques that can absolutely transform your business. These ideas are not super complicated, they don’t require you to be some kind of tech genius, and best of all, they start working immediately.

But before we get to that, a quick message:

If you’re serious about increasing your sales in a short period of time, I’m here to help you do that. Our Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program (TYC) is going live on April 30th.

TYC is a 12-week sales accelerator. It helps you leverage all of your sales channels and build your revenue by pulling on different aspects of how you sell.

We teach you how to go to the next level with your in-person sales, how to get more people visiting (and buying from!) your website, and how to optimize your marketing funnel with simple strategies that always work (a few of which I am talking about on the show today).

If you want a more leveraged way to spend your weekends than relying on foot traffic at shows or fiddling with your Etsy listing, this program is for you. If you feel burned out and exhausted from spending every weekend doing shows instead of being with your family, you’re in the right place.

We were going to retire the TYC program last year, but we got so many messages from people wanting to do it that we decided to do one more season. Earlybird applications have already closed, but there’s still time to join if you are truly ready to take your business to the next level — click here to find out more.

Now, back to the episode. Can jewelry designers really double their sales online in just a few months? Yes, and it’s not just going from $5000 to $10,000 in a year. I’m talking about going from $50,000 to $100,000, or $150,000 to $300,000.

So — why aren’t more designers doing it?

It’s simple: you have to take the right actions, and most people aren’t taking the right actions.

One student, who will remain nameless, said this after she learned these strategies in one of our programs:

“I could kick myself because I wasn’t collecting email addresses or following up with people after shows, and now I’m going to do $8500 this month from just those basic strategies you taught me.”

It’s not their fault — most jewelry designers just don’t know what to look for when it comes to the easy marketing wins in their business. They don’t market to their audience enough, and they are shy when it comes to sales.

But if you’re focused on being of service, you can get amazing results with the sales strategies we cover today.

(And if you need proof, check out this case study: Alex Camacho went from doing $65,000 in a year to over $40,000 per month because she learned how to take the right actions.)

What we cover in today’s show:* Why you’re going to get yourself in trouble if you’re only relying on social media or Etsy * Two slam-dunk strategies for increasing average order value on your website if you’re selling on a platform like Shopify (and the apps you can use to set them up automatically, even if you’re not super-tech savvy) * One thing you can do to significantly increase the sales coming in from in-person shows (it’s highly personalized and you can customize it in a bunch of creative ways) * How to invite people to buy from you again when they come to you via social media (hint: it works so well because it comes from a place of mindfulness and intention) * How to market to your audience it so it doesn’t feel like you’re bugging people * Using these strategies with retail customers and your wholesale accounts

I also share a selection of email sequences that will get people to take the next action after placing an order with you, finishing abandoned orders and coming back to buy after a long time away.

This episode is packed with practical, hands-on strategies that can start growing your business today. It’s only 27 minutes, too, so you can listen to it on your lunch break and be underway with at least one of these ideas by dinner.

Don’t miss Episode #470: How to Double Your Sales in Half the Time.

And don’t forget — Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online is kicking off (for the last time!) on April 30th! Get your application in as soon as you can if you want to join us for this incredible accelerator.

Xo, Tracy

Sponsor Highlightxr:d:DAFrAr4aZsc:238,j:6193999673546444728,t:24040902Links:

Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program

How One Jewelry Designer Grew Her Sales by 526% and Consistently Sells Out Her Collections

Episode #467: How to Get Loyal Repeat Customers Returning to Buy From Your Website in 90 Days or Less with Chelsea Farmer

Episode #468: How to Leverage In Person Events to Grow Online Sales (and Get 200 New Email + SMS Subscribers in 3 Days) with Alex Boxall

Episode #396: How Live Selling Transformed Her Online Jewelry Sales

Laying the Foundation

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

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Is your jewelry business really just an expensive hobby right now?

If you have to make jewelry, but you also have to make it a viable business, today’s episode of the Thrive by Design podcast is for you.

Erin Kandoll quit her jewelry business just as the pandemic was starting, because she didn’t think it would ever be able to support her family. With her husband at sea 8 months a year, she needed to make sure she and her kids were secure, and her jewelry biz wasn’t doing it.

She sold all her equipment, got rid of her old inventory… and then stumbled upon Thrive by Design. She listened to a bunch of episodes and enrolled in our Laying the Foundation program.

She started seeing results so fast that she progressed into the Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program (which, by the way, is reopening on April 30th), and 18 months later, her business was on track to do triple the revenue she’d had the year before.

In this incredible episode, Erin shares:* The one simple step she implemented as soon as the program started that kickstarted her new sales journey * The insane sales number that got her super psyched for the next chapter of her jewelry business (and to join TYC) * How living in a tiny island community gave Erin the push she needed to expanded her customer base * How Erin prices her jewelry (and why she can charge over four figures for a single piece these days) * The key foundational issues that artists run into when they start building their business… that leave them feeling like they’re always broke (and how you can overcome them) * How Erin’s frustration with the social platforms drove her to make a huge decision to invest in her business

Erin is an open book, and she doesn’t hold back in this episode.

She shares the innovative ideas that are bringing more customers to her business specifically (instead of any other designer), the one thing Tracy teaches that has had the biggest impact on Erin’s business (and life in general), and the roles she is ready to hire for now that her business has taken off so much.

We also talk about the fun intro challenge we give TYC students to make back the cost of the program in the first week, using inventory and skills they already have, the trait Tracy believes is the true key to success in running a jewelry business (hint: it’s not talent!), and how Erin’s self-worth has evolved as a result of growing her business.

I love, love, love this episode. Erin is such an inspiration and I know you’re going to get some incredible insights and ideas into what’s possible from hearing her story.

Don’t miss Encore Episode #422 of Thrive by Design with Erin Kandoll.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor HighlightFollow Erin on Instagram!

F&TA Bootcamp

Laying the Foundation

Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Encore Episode #422: She’s On Track to Triple Her Sales This Year… Here’s How She Did It! appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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There are times in your jewelry business where you might have to take a hard pivot to get what you really want. That’s where Antoinette Elizabeth found herself last year, and today on Episode #469 of the Thrive by Design podcast, she shares how she navigated that incredibly tough crossroads in her business.

For years, Antoinette Elizabeth ran Your PRANA, a thriving mineral gallery in New Zealand. She and her team fossicked for stones all over New Zealand, designing unique pieces and doing traditional carvings with what nature gave them.

But when a huge storm cut off tourism to Antoinette’s location, she knew she had to make a change if her business was going to survive.

She found our Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program, and in just a few short months, everything had changed.

In this unique episode, Antoinette shares:* The conversation with the TYC coaches that gave her the confidence to try selling online and through wholesale * The single event that added over 100 contacts to her email list * How she sold out ALL her products within the first two hours of a three-day show and then pivoted the ongoing demand into a crazy pre-order list * Getting her pieces into airports, art galleries and councils even though her process doesn’t follow a specific timeline * Why Antoinette switched website platforms and why she loves working on Shopify * The crucial marketing strategies that are driving Antoinette’s online success

And there’s more (you know I love to go deep with my podcast guests): how Antoinette decided that TYC was right for her (and not “just another coaching program”), and the inner shift that made her decide to turn down her dream retail location after moving online.

We also talk about building her confidence with pricing and negotiating with wholesale customers, and how Antoinette is now showing up in her business every day more authentically, more creatively and with more calm.

With the incredible results Antoinette got from TYC, we knew we had to have more of her in our world.

That’s why she’s going to be one of the student mentors on the program when it kicks off again on April 23rd. Yep — she’s going to be there to support our students who are making the shift towards selling online, getting out of the grind of live events, and figuring out how to thrive by design in their own business.

If you know already that TYC would change everything for you, like it did for Antoinette, earlybird applications are open now, with a discount available AND a bonus 1-on-1 coaching call with one of our other coaches if you apply and pay in full before the early bird deadline (April 15th). Click here to check it out — this is an awesome opportunity to save yourself a bunch of money while training your customers to buy from you online over and over and over again.

And if you want a taste of what to expect from the program, our free Supercharge Your Sales Challenge kicks off on April 15th. We’ll be challenging you to get into action and start making money in real time. If that sounds like the kind of push you need right now, you can sign up at www.flourishthriveacademy.com/supercharge.

Don’t miss this beautiful episode. It’s full of joy and I’m so psyched to share Antoinette’s journey with you.

Xo, Tracy

Sponsor Highlightxr:d:DAFrAr4aZsc:238,j:6193999673546444728,t:24040902Links:

Follow Antoinette on Instagram!
Your PRANA

Supercharge Your Online Sales Challenge

Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online

Apply For Early Bird Enrollment to Train Your Customers To Buy Online

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 469: How Shifting Focus Increased Her Cash Flow and Growth with Antoinette Elizabeth appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When was the last time you added 50, 100 or 200 new subscribers to your email list?

It might not be intuitive, but every festival, trunk show and trade show you sell at is a goldmine for growing your online sales.

And if you have no idea how you would pull those kinds of numbers at a live event, buckle up. Today’s episode is a re-release, because it’s just too damn good to forget.

Alex Boxall, from Alex Kathlyn Accessories, is a graduate from our last Train Your Customers to Buy From You Online program. Today on Thrive by Design she shares some of the incredible results she’s seeing in her business after implementing what she learned.

Here’s the scoop on what we cover in this episode:* Why Alex had to turn pro with her jewelry hobby, and how she came back from a 3-year hiatus after the pandemic * How driving through snow storms finally pushed her to take the online side of her business seriously * The lessons that blew Alex’s mind in the Train Your Customer program, and the crazy results she’s getting from implementing them, like… * Having so many people at her next live event that people had to come back the second day because her booth was too packed the first day… * How she added 200 people to both her email list and her SMS list… * The must-have new offer that sold over 150 units… * Why her sales were up 191% compared to the same event a year earlier… * And how she’s following up with her new subscribers to make sure they become committed online shoppers.

If all that’s not enough for you, there’s more.

Alex shares how TYC coach Andrea helped her figure out what to do with her 700,000 monthly views on Pinterest, the big personal transformation she experienced during TYC, and how she finally figured out the magic strategy for growing her business (and what it is!).

I don’t know about you, but I could listen to stories like this all day. It’s incredible what just a few tweaks to your in-person sales strategy can do for your online business, and that’s why we are opening the Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program again in just a few weeks.

Are you ready to see the same kind of results that Alex is getting? Early bird applications are open now, with a discount available AND a bonus 1-on-1 coaching call with one of our coaches if you apply and pay in full before the early bird deadline (April 15th). Click here to check it out — this is an awesome opportunity to save yourself a bunch of money while training your customers to buy from you online over and over and over again.

And if you’re not sure if TYC is right for you just yet, check out the Supercharge Your Online Sales Challenge. We’re going to be challenging you to get into action and start making money in real time. It starts April 15th (and it’s free!), so click here to get on the waitlist: www.flourishthriveacademy.com/supercharge.

Don’t miss this episode. If you’re serious about growing your subscriber list, boosting your sales and getting out of the live event grind, this one’s for you.

xo,

Tracy

Sponsor HighlightLinks:

Follow Alex on Instagram

Alex Kathlyn Accessories Website

Join Us for Train Your Customers to Buy Online

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 468: How to Leverage In Person Events to Grow Online Sales (and Get 200 New Email + SMS Subscribers in 3 Days) appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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What would life be like if 80% of your customers came back to buy from your website again… and again… and again?

It might sound crazy, but it’s possible! This week on the show we have our Head Coach, the fabulous Chelsea Farmer of HorseFeathers Gifts, here to teach you exactly how she does it.

Chelsea is our top online sales trainer who will be leading the upcoming Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online Program (kicking off on April 23rd), where she will be teaching a whole module on brand loyalty, full of strategies to keep customers coming back every time you release a new collection.

One of the craziest moments I’ve ever had in the Flourish & Thrive Academy is watching a video of Chelsea’s screen during the launch of one her collections. Her entire inventory sold out in 5 minutes (to the tune of $20,000)… this lady knows how to get people excited about a new drop, and on today’s episode, she’s sharing a few of her secrets with us.

Here’s a sneak peek of what we cover:* Chelsea’s favorite thing about Flourish & Thrive Academy challenges (more sales, anybody??) and why she loves coaching the FTA programs * How her jewelry business was featured on Fox News, at the Oscars and all the things within her first year * Why return customer rate is a key number in your jewelry business, and why focusing on this area can create a huge community of ‘true fans’ desperate to buy every time you drop a new collection * Why repeat customers are more important than new customers * 4 key strategies Chelsea uses to build a thriving community around her brand that keep people coming back * Chelsea’s best advice for fixing your customer return rate (hint: it’s not offering discounts!). This is a huge deal if you find selling in person really easy but haven’t figured out how to make that come across online yet * Why automations and systematic follow-ups gets a whole module in the TYC course that can increase online sales by up to 45% * Opening up the communication channels with new customers and how to train people to talk to you and connect with your brand and that you care about their input (which also boosts your brand with the internet gods) * How Chelsea sells out collections by designing for specific customers from her loyal fan base (and how you can become super confident doing the same by nailing down a few key parts of your brand)

We also talk about the make or break tactic that determines whether people come back to shop with you again (creating the same experience in person and online), how to handle complaints from unhappy customers, and Chelsea’s famous ‘scavenger hunt’ strategy for keeping her marketing fun.

This episode is a must-listen – it’s packed with actionable strategies that could transform your business for good.

If you’re fired up thinking about doubling your return customer rate, make sure you sign up for our free Supercharge Your Online Sales Challenge. We’re going to be challenging you to get into action and start making money in real time. It starts April 8th, so click here to get on the waitlist: www.flourishthriveacademy.com/supercharge.

This will give you a little taste of what Chelsea and our other amazing coaches will be teaching in the Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program, which is starting on April 23rd, 2024.

Earlybird applications are open now, with a discount available AND a bonus 1-on-1 coaching call with Chelsea or one of our other coaches if you apply and pay in full before the early bird deadline (April 8th). Click here to check it out — this is an awesome opportunity to save yourself a bunch of money while training your customers to buy from you online over and over and over again.

Join us to learn the insider secrets to creating unbeatable brand loyalty and a thriving community around your jewelry business!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor HighlightFollow Chelsea on Instagram!

HorseFeathers Gifts

‘1000 True Fans’ by Kevin Kelly

Supercharge Your Online Sales Challenge

Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online

Apply For Early Bird Enrollment to Train Your Customers To Buy Online

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 467: How to Get Loyal Repeat Customers Returning to Buy From Your Website in 90 Days or Less appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Want the best 2024 strategies to drive more traffic to your website and sell more online?

I’m sharing a bunch of super valuable data and statistics with you that prove how powerful online sales still are when growing your jewelry company (and that show you where to focus your efforts).

I also walk you through how to holistically think about all of the different online sales channels available today and how to uplevel your marketing and visibility with some crazy-effective tactics!

Join me to learn how to build a multi-omnichannel brand that sparks more sales and repeat customers!

Here’s a sneak peek of what I cover:

What You Need to Check EverydayThere’s a platform in particular that you need to monitor constantly for customer interaction, and failing to do so could result in people not buying from your brand again. Tune in to listen to a story I share about an amazing brand that I won’t buy from again because of this. I tell you the easiest way to set up a system that ensures this won’t happen to you!

How to Increase Your Conversion Rate up to 30% I dive into how to enable people to find you in a variety of different ways when they’re searching for your product. This is perfect for an in-person shopper who isn’t ready to buy yet or they run out of time, but who can still check out that product on your website later on. Likewise, if they find your product online and want to try it on in person they can visit your shop! This works wonders for increasing the lifetime value of your customer!

Using AI to Enhance Sales and Customer ServiceWhether you love or hate AI, it can be an incredibly useful tool when it comes to taking the hard labor out of parts of your business that were once a manual process! I uncover how to use AI for your marketing to increase conversions on your social media, guide buyers to get to the next step of the buying process, build your email list, resolve customer service issues, and so much more!

Grab Your Free Email List-Growing Guide We’re giving away an email list-building guide – Subscribed! 11 Ways to Grow Your Email List With High Paying Jewelry Buyers (Using Free Social Media)! It gives you easy strategies to get people from your social channel onto your email list so you can stop relying on an algorithm and create more impact and opportunities for sales.

Work With Us and Train Your Customers to Buy From You OnlineCommitted to growing your business using proven strategies that work? Apply For Early Bird Enrollment to Train Your Customers To Buy Online! (The first 10 people who join get $500 off, plus a 1:1 collection review and audit!)

Here’s a Quick Overview of Episode 466: Want the best 2024 strategies to drive more traffic to your website and sell more online?

I talk about:

What you need to monitor constantly (so you don’t lose sales)
How to increase your conversion rate up to 30%
Using AI to enhance sales and customer service
More of the most effective ways to skyrocket sales!

Join me to learn how to build a multi-omnichannel brand that sparks more sales and repeat customers!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Subscribed! 11 Ways to Grow Your Email List With High Paying Jewelry Buyers (Using Free Social Media)

Apply For Early Bird Enrollment to Train Your Customers To Buy Online

Learn More About Train Your Customers To Buy From You Online

The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 466: What’s Working in 2024 to Increase Your Website Traffic appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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How do you life-proof, recession-proof, and algorithm-proof your jewelry business?

Raise your hand if you’re overly reliant on Instagram or Facebook to make sales, and you notice anytime the algorithm shifts or something changes that you see a dip in sales.

If that’s the case, it’s time to think a little bit differently about these platforms. We don’t own our followers on Instagram or Facebook, and at any given moment we could lose access to all of those people.

I tell you how to use these platforms to grow your business strategically, instead of putting your business in jeopardy!

Join me for a quick and dirty episode about 3 lessons from last week’s Instagram and Facebook crash and how to take your power back starting today with active marketing strategies!

You Don’t Own Access to Your FollowersI dive into the strategies you should be utilizing on social media to bring your followers off of the platform and onto your website or email list! Because you don’t own your business when access can be taken away from you or denied at any given time.

Get out of Your Comfort Zone And Email PeopleYou need to be emailing your audience. I dive into everything from what you need to set up and what you should be doing to drive sales to your website while you're sleeping. There are tons of automations you can implement to increase your sales with ease! (Plus, I tell you what to do if you’re sending emails that aren’t making you money.)

Train Customers to Buy From You OnlineTune in to learn how to give past customers a reason to shop from you online again. There are so many fun programs, strategies, and platforms to build a website audience that’s full of repeat customers (and if you’re not using them you’re wasting your time and energy)!

11 Simple Strategies You Can Implement TodayGrab my 100% free list-building guide – Subscribed! 11 Ways to Grow Your Email List With High Paying Jewelry Buyers (Using Free Social Media). It will give you simple strategies to skyrocket your email list!

Here’s a Quick Overview of Episode 465: How do you life-proof, recession-proof, and algorithm-proof your jewelry business?

Raise your hand if you’re overly reliant on Instagram or Facebook to make sales, and you notice anytime the algorithm shifts or something changes that you see a dip in sales.

I tell you how to use these platforms to grow your business strategically, instead of putting your business in jeopardy!

I talk about:

Driving sales to your website in your sleep
Training your customers to buy from you online
Why you need to give customers a reason to shop from you online or you’re wasting your time and energy
More strategies to ensure your business isn’t “fragile”!

Join me for a quick and dirty episode about 3 lessons from last week’s Instagram and Facebook crash and how to take your power back starting today with active marketing strategies!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Subscribed! 11 Ways to Grow Your Email List With High Paying Jewelry Buyers (Using Free Social Media)

Apply For Early Bird Enrollment to Train Your Customers To Buy Online

The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 465: 3 Lessons From Instagram and Facebook Crash Last Week appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Do you know how to use packaging to increase your product’s perceived value and bring customers back again and again?

To make more money and attract more customers, you need a strong brand – and a strong brand is centered around strong packaging design!

I interview Kelley Kempe who is the branding and packaging genius behind Hidden Path Creative – a graphic design studio supporting product-based businesses with packaging designs that genuinely represent their brand identity.

Join us to learn how to elevate your packaging with storytelling and sustainability to attract more of your dream clients!

Why Packaging Influences 72% of People to BuyKelley talks about how people judge a product based on the package, and whether we realize it or not, why every time we see packaging it affects our buying decision. Tune in to learn more about the fascinating thought process of consumers equating the quality of the product to the quality of the packaging!

How to Create an Unforgettable Unboxing ExperienceEvery layer of your packaging speaks to your brand’s story, especially when it comes to shipping. Everything from your packaging materials to your packaging design and how much you elevate or simplify builds up to the experience and the surprise. Discover everything from what the outside of your shipping should look like to ensure your product’s security to how to create a magical unboxing experience that makes customers feel valued.

How to Create Recognition and MemorabilityKelley uncovers the key to knowing you have great packaging. Even though it takes time to build brand recognition, if you create amazing packaging, it will work to always remind them of your brand. When you invest in packaging, you’re investing in building brand awareness and future sales because the more somebody sees your brand, the more top of mind you become.

Join Us to Grow to 6-Figures and BeyondIf you need a solid branding foundation in your biz and are ready to attract repeat buyers who pay you what you’re worth, this is your invite to join Laying The Foundation! Learn how to have predictable sales and sell out of collections when you launch them!

Talk With My TeamIf you want to learn more about elevating your brand, increasing your perceived value, and taking your jewelry business to the next level, here’s your invitation to Book a free Discovery Call!

Here’s a Quick Overview of Episode 464: Do you know how to use packaging to increase your product’s perceived value and bring customers back again and again?

To make more money and attract more customers, you need a strong brand – and a strong brand is centered around strong packaging design!

We talk about:

Why 72% of people buy because of packaging
Creating recognition and memorability with an unforgettable unboxing experience
Building brand awareness on a budget
More amazing tips to use your product’s packaging as a sales tool!

Join us to learn how to elevate your packaging with storytelling and sustainability to attract more of your dream clients!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Hidden Path Creative’s Website

Hidden Path Creative’s Instagram

The Ultimate Product Party

Laying The Foundation

Book a free Discovery Call

The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post Episode 464: How to Increase Your Perceived Value With Packaging Design appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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How do you know that you’re using your strengths and challenges and those of the people you bring into your company to support your business’ growth and success?

If you’ve ever wondered how the people you surround yourself with can optimize your growth instead of hinder it, then you need to use this assessment!

I interview Enneagram expert Hillarie Kay – a results-driven trainer, entrepreneur, and speaker who uses the Enneagram to support business owners in building teams that thrive.

She focuses on helping entrepreneurs achieve incredible transformations and understand their growth cycle and burnout cycle so they become unstoppable.

Join us to learn how the Enneagram provides invaluable insight into how you best operate and how to utilize it to build a team that’s a well-oiled machine around your business!

Let’s dive in!

Deep Diving Inside Yourself to Work Out KinksThe Enneagram is so valuable and different from other assessments because it tells you the “why” behind the “what”. Unlike other assessments that tell you what you already know about yourself, this one helps you analyze what’s inside you and brings to light the day-to-day movements in you.

Tune in to learn more about all 9 types and which one registers with you the most. This amazing growth tool helps you uncover what cycle you’re in or entering so that you can always be a step ahead of the game.

Creating Your Dream TeamHillarie uncovers the incredible value the Enneagram provides when it comes to building a team around your needs, struggles, and business!

Don’t miss hearing how she uses this assessment to hone in on what types of people you work best with, how to fill different positions to create seamless structure, and more gold on who to surround yourself with to build ease and flow in your processes!

Ditching Burnout and Decision FatigueThe Enneagram is a system that contains tools and connection points that serve as your helpers and resources. It helps you understand when you need to reassess and redirect and also when you’re heading in the right direction and are in a growth spurt!

Hillarie also walks us through the coolest process – using the Enneagram to understand how and why you’re experiencing decision fatigue! Tune in to hear an eye-opening chat about integrating head, heart, and body and how this process opens your eyes to what’s really going on with you!

Ready to Play a Bigger Game? Want to get into the inner circle and mastermind of like-minded jewelry business owners who are up to BIG things? Apply to our Momentum Program– the highest level expert coaching for high-impact jewelry business owners ready to increase visibility and scale sales!

Let’s Connect on a Call!Want insight from my team on the next steps to taking your jewelry business to the next level? Book a Discovery Call! We’ll identify where you’re at in your biz and how we can empower you to get even better results!

Here’s a Quick Overview of Episode 463: How do you know that you’re using your strengths and challenges and those of the people you bring into your company to support your business’ growth and success?

If you’ve ever wondered how the people you surround yourself with can optimize your growth instead of hinder it, then you need to use this assessment!

I interview Enneagram expert Hillarie Kay – a results-driven trainer, entrepreneur, and speaker who uses the Enneagram to support business owners in building teams that thrive.

We talk about:

Deep diving inside yourself to work out kinks
Creating your dream team
Ditching burnout and decision fatigue
More ways this assessment will bring you ease and flow!

She focuses on helping entrepreneurs achieve incredible transformations and understand their growth cycle and burnout cycle so they become unstoppable.

Join us to learn how the Enneagram provides invaluable insight into how you best operate and how to utilize it to build a team that’s a well-oiled machine around your business!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Momentum

Book a Discovery Call

The Art of Growth’s Free Enneagram Test

The Enneagram Insitute’s RHETI Test

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The Desired Brand Effect

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Learn how to use our free challenges and bootcamps to skyrocket your success. In today’s episode, I chatted with Ellie – an artist who’s shown up to every single challenge and bootcamp that we’ve done this year. She’s a shining example of a business owner who’s committed to showing up for herself, her business and…

The post Episode 431: How a Free Bootcamp Transformed a TBI Survivor’s Business with Danielle Burkett appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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click here to download the transcriptDifferent Ways to Increase Your Exposure and Visibility So That More People Find Your Jewelry Brand.

In my latest episode, I address a question that I always get asked – “How do I have more random people find my stuff?”

With the holidays around the corner, it’s vital to understand how to grow a profitable business. We cover 7 different ways to effectively increase your visibility and attract a bigger audience.

So if you want more people to find your brand, make sure that you don’t miss today’s episode!

Here’s the tip of the iceberg of juicy tips that we touch on. You’ll want to start implementing as soon as possible so that you can attract more dream customers before the holidays hit!

I promise that if you consistently commit to these methods, they’ll do wonders for expanding your business and helping people who want to buy from you find you!

Let’s get started!

Up Your Social Media SavvinessSocial media, as I’m sure you know, is one of the places that people go to first to get visibility on their brand because it’s a free tool! However, if you’re frustrated by its algorithms – I get it, and we cover a few ways to “hack them”.

It’s really important to be consistent about showing up for your audience! Shout outs to customers, live events, and treating the platform like you’re making connections with other people are a few excellent ways. When you go above and beyond in building connections and community, your brand’s exposure on social media ignites and amplifies.

Branch Out With Brand to Brand Collaborations Brand partnerships can be incredibly powerful. You can do everything from leveraging each other’s email lists, creating content on each other’s blogs, and much more. There’s countless opportunities for valuable partnerships that lead to ongoing cross-pollination.

Forming collaborations with other brands can look like so many different things. One type of collaboration is to partner with parallel brands. For example, if you’re a yoga jewelry brand, amazing parallel brands to partner with could be a yoga clothing company!

Media and Publicity Will do Marvels Media and publicity can do wonders for your jewelry business and is a great way to start because the more media you get, the more validity you get.

We chat about some of the best ways to approach this. I always recommend starting locally! Not only is it much easier to get exposure in local publications first, but it’s also much easier to become a big celebrity in a small pond! Local newspapers and tv stations are always looking for local artists and people that they can feature – right before the holidays!

Tune in for more tips, get your pitching going, and let’s do this!

xo, Tracy

Here’s a Quick Overview of Episode 430:[6:44] How to get even more of your content in front of people on social media
[9:23] How to open the door to amazing exposure with brand to brand partnerships.
[11:43] How to optimize media and publicity to grow visibility and validity

[13:38] Four more specific strategies to get in front of more people and gain traction

If you’re ready to magnetize a bigger audience, here’s 7 different ways to increase your visibility and exposure.

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s vital to understand how to grow a profitable business.

So if you want to gain exposure fast and help more dream customers find your brand, make sure that you don’t miss today’s episode!

Start implementing these as soon as possible!

xo, Tracy

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“Tracy, how do I market to people who can afford my high end jewelry offering?” This question comes up so much because it can be so frustrating. On today’s podcast, we’re covering tons of tips on how to effectively market your high end jewelry to your target audience. Yumna has a very expensive and beautiful…

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“Tracy, how do I know if I have to market to more than one dream client?” In my “ Supercharge Your Sales Challenge: Ask Me Anything” session, Emmy, an artist and business owner, asked this question because she started out by making clay, but then evolved into making jewelry and other gifting products. She raises…

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“Tracy, how in the world do you market to more than one ideal client avatar without getting overwhelmed?” I get this question often. So on today’s podcast, we're diving into this topic – how to effectively market to two separate audiences under one brand and one website. Angeli Yara, a talented jewelry maker who not…

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Erin Kandoll first discovered her passion for jewelry making after experiencing a deeply traumatizing life event. ““I found solace in the gentle glow of silver and the dance of a torch. Turning to jewelry making became my refuge, a way to navigate through the depths of grief and find healing. Little did I realize how…

The post After Experiencing Deep Trauma and Quitting Her Business, This Designer Rediscovered Her Passion and is on Track to Triple Her Sales This Year appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you’ve been wondering how best to use AI to improve your connections and content creation, you’re going to love this podcast episode. You’ll meet Blair Kaplan Venables, the founder of Blair Kaplan Communications and the Global Resilience Project. Back in 2008, when she was only 23 years old, Blair took a bold step and…

The post Episode 426: AI and Social Media: 5 Things You Need to Try with Blair Kaplan Venables appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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What’s more inspiring than a jewelry designer, overcoming adversity and crushing her online sales and business dreams and goals? How about 4 designers achieving massive success in just 90-days! Each of these designers has a distinctly unique brand, and they joined us for TYC with a common goal… to get the support and trainings to…

The post EP425: How 4 Designers Hit BIG Goals in Just 90 Days appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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In this captivating episode of the Thrive by Design podcast I sat down with the brilliant jewelry designer, Alex Boxall, the creative force behind Alex Kathlyn Accessories. Join us as we explore Alex's inspiring journey, from childhood creativity to building her online business and embracing newfound confidence. Rediscovering Her Passion and Navigating Challenges Alex's love…

The post EP424: How to Leverage In Person Events to Grow Online Sales (and Get 200 New Email + SMS Subscribers in 3 Days) appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Have you ever been stuck in a creative funk with your jewelry business? As creative entrepreneurs, we all go through rough patches where we feel overwhelmed and burnt out in our jewelry businesses. It happens to the best of us, even when there's no apparent reason behind it. Today on podcast Episode 423, I've got…

The post EP423: Transforming Your Creative Funk Into Your Best Year Ever with Donnette Roberts appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Have you ever found yourself at rock bottom, ready to give up on your jewelry business, and questioning whether your passion for creating beautiful pieces is destined to remain just an expensive hobby? Erin Kandoll of Twisted Ginger Jewelry, has a story to prove that the journey to success often begins in the darkest moments.…

The post EP422: She’s on Track to Triple Her Sales This Year – Here’s How She Did It! with Erin Kandoll appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Today, I've got an incredible story to share with you – a journey of dreams, creativity, and unyielding determination. Meet Rael Cohen, the amazing artist behind spiritually inspired jewelry, and let her tale of manifestation and success inspire you! It all started when Rael Cohen was a young girl. From a young age, Rael was…

The post How One Designer Uses the Power of Intention and Manifestation to Achieve Massive Success appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Do you ever wonder if it's possible to manifest your dream business and create the life you truly desire? Well, let me tell you, it's absolutely within your reach!I recently had an eye-opening conversation on the Thrive by Design podcast with the amazing Rael Cohen of Rael Cohen Jewelry, who also happens to be a…

The post EP421: The Power of Intention + Massive Action Helped This Jewelry Designer Sell $17K in Just 3 Days appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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We've seen quite the rollercoaster ride over the past couple of years. The pandemic brought a digital revolution, with more and more businesses shifting their focus online. But finally, people are back to in-person shows and festivals, which is amazing. But here's the thing – if you're someone who's looking to create a thriving, leveraged…

The post EP420: 5 Ways to Increase Instagram Engagement Without Running Ads appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Threads are all the buzz lately! 100 million new users join in just the first week, which is crazy! You have to ask yourself (because who really needs yet another social media platform): The jury is still out, but for now, I’d say give it a try and just have fun experimenting. Will Threads replace…

The post EP419: New Social App Update: Instagram’s Threads App appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you've ever been hard on yourself, I have a special invitation just for you. In the latest episode of the Thrive by Design podcast, I had an inspiring conversation with Kristina Mand-Lahkiani, author of the empowering book, Becoming Flawesome. Kristina is also the co-founder of Mindvalley, the renowned personal development platform. Together, we explored…

The post EP418: You’re Perfectly Flawesome with Kristina Mand-Lahkiani appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When you started your journey as a jewelry maker, you probably didn't anticipate the need to become a professional marketer as well. But here's the reality: if you're not actively marketing, it can be challenging to grow your business and engage your target audience. Today we’re celebrating the 11th Anniversary of Flourish & Thrive and…

The post EP417: 3 Ways to Simplify Your Marketing Every Month appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Ready to leverage the power of social media platforms like Instagram to supercharge your email list growth? Don't worry, I won't leave you hanging if Instagram isn't your cup of tea—I've got a couple of other ideas up my sleeve too! Imagine the possibilities… social media has the incredible ability to connect you with people…

The post EP416: 11 FREE Ways to Build an Email List for Your Jewelry Business Using Social Media appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Are you tired of the nine-to-five grind? Do you yearn for the freedom and fulfillment that comes with running your own business? If you've ever considered quitting your day job to pursue your jewelry business full time, then you're in for a treat. In Episode 415 of the Thrive by Design podcast I’m interviewing Amy…

The post EP415: How to Prepare to Give Your Two Weeks Notice with Amy Porterfield appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Growing up in a dysfunctional environment with an alcoholic mother, ADHD, drug abuse, foster care, and prison, best-selling author of Buy Back Your Time, Dan Martell, has an incredible and inspirational story not to be missed. Despite feeling broken, Dan’s life took a positive turn when a prison guard named Brian expressed belief in him… …

The post EP414: Grow Your Jewelry Business 3x Faster When You Buy Back Your Time with Dan Martell appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Can you feel that? It's the warm embrace of summer wrapping around us, bringing a welcome slowdown for most jewelry business owners unless you're one of the amazing souls bustling away at art shows and festivals. Either way, now's the perfect time to kick back, relax, and dive into some captivating summer reads before the…

The post EP413: Summer Reading List For Jewelry Business Owners – 2023 Edition appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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“If you are an entrepreneur, solopreneur, jewelry-preneur, mommy-preneur, anything-preneur, find the words and the hutzpah to make your business a total expression of your personality. Because that’s how you essentially get paid…and that, to me, is the holy grail of […] expressing yourself and getting paid for it.” If you don’t already know Laura (ummm…hello?),…

The post EP412: Meet Your New Favorite Summer Read – Tough Titties by Laura Belgray appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Emery and Opalby Amanda and Tiffany ReisSCALING A HANDMADE JEWELRY BUSINESS TO 7- FIGURES CAN BE CHALLENGING. BUT IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT GUIDANCE, TOOLS, AND GUIDANCE, YOUR BUSINESS CAN GROW QUICKLY, EVEN WITHOUT HIRING A MASSIVE TEAM OR GETTING INVESTORS IN YOUR COMPANY.How It BeganAmanda and Tiffany Reis have been making jewelry ever since they were little kids. Their first business was making and selling friendship bracelets to all the other kids on the block.

In her 20s, Amanda continued making jewelry to raise money for breast cancer – a cause she was very passionate about. That's when she started selling her jewelry on Etsy. The sisters slowly added pieces to their collection as their Etsy business expanded. Before they knew it, Amanda and Tiffany officially launched their jewelry company.

The name “Emery and Opal” was chosen by the Reis sisters to symbolize their bond and the influence of their beloved grandmother. Emery represents the emerald, the birthstone for May, while Opal signifies their grandmother's birthstone, associated with April. According to the sisters, their grandmother's spirit is the driving force behind their success. She always inspired them to be strong, independent, and resourceful. As a result, they adopt their “can-do attitude,” which has served them well along their journey to scale their handmade jewelry company.

Amanda and Tiffany Reis of Emery and OpalMany creatives believe that growing a handmade jewelry company is HARD and too COMPETITIVE. Although the Reis sisters didn't let that dissuade them. They created the Desired Brand Effect in their business, put in the work to grow their business, and before too long, Emery and Opal grew to a 6-figure business.

Shop 100% empowering and inclusive jewelry at emeryandopal.comSHOP EMERY AND OPAL

Their ChallengesGrowing a 6-figure brand is a dream for many handmade jewelry companies. Still, instead of having the FREEDOM they desired and longed for, their business became a cause of stress, exhaustion, and tired-aching hands from fulfilling the influx of orders.

THE STRUGGLE WAS REAL FOR THE REIS SISTERS, AND THEY KNEW THEY NEEDED TO SHIFT THEIR APPROACH AND SHOW UP DIFFERENTLY IF THEY WANTED TO GROW TO A MILLION DOLLARS IN SALES.Tiffany and Amanda knew that their current approach to their business was keeping them stuck, and their goal of a 7-figure company seemed like a distant dream. As hard as they tried, they struggled to break through their profit plateau.

“WE WERE STUCK AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL”Then problems began to unravel!

Challenge #1: Shrinking Profit Margins As their business expanded, so did their costs. Avoiding the numbers and their P & L was no longer working, but like many makers, they needed to learn how to use the numbers to grow their business and make better decisions. They also needed to properly manage their jewelry inventory and struggled with pricing their products. As their sales were scaling, their profits were shrinking.

*Challenge #2: Limited Production CapacityAs their sales grew, they scrambled to fulfill orders because of their limited capacity as* a two-person team. There was only So much they could produce without getting some outside support.

Challenge #3: Missed Sales Opportunities At the same time, they were missing out on many sales because they could only produce “so” much doing everything themselves. They wouldn't be able to hit their 7-figure goal if they continued doing everything the same way.

*Challenge #4: Poor Hiring DecisionsEventually, they tried hiring some jewelry makers to help with production so that they could keep up with all of the orders they were getting. But unfortunately, they needed to learn how to vet and train these key hires*, which added to their stress and overwhelm instead of helping them become more efficient.

**Challenge #5: Single Point of Failure* Since they were primarily selling on Etsy, they were constantly worried about sudden platform changes that they couldn't control, like increased fees, algorithm changes, and site glitches. They were VERY concerned *when Etsy went offline, which resulted in zero sales for days. Their business could fail overnight if they lost Etsy as a selling platform.

*Challenge #6: Overwhelmed and Burned Out*Because their business was inefficient, their hands ached, they felt scattered, and they lacked the focus and clarity to move forward. Things were snowballing into chaos, and they needed help.

Amanda and Tiffany realized their dream of scaling their business to 7-figures was causing them to feel extremely overwhelmed, creating big headaches and more aching hands. They knew that without the proper support and mentorship, they would never break through their profit plateau.

Sun and Moon Embroidered Round Case by Emery and OpalLeaning into the strong-willed and inspiring energy of their grandmother and biggest cheerleader, Tiffany and Amanda decided to get some help.

They had participated in some Flourish & Thrive Academy's programs, like Laying the Foundation and the Diamond Insiders.

They wanted a more individualized, customized coaching and mentorship approach, so they joined the Momentum Program.In the program, they received expert, customized coaching for their jewelry business to streamline and structure their jewelry business for scale, diversify their sales strategy, and become better leaders and business owners so that they could multiply their efforts.

They were ready to get their life back without sacrificing profitability, impact, or growth!

How They Grew Their Jewelry Business to Reach Their Goal*Seperate Their Roles Between Visionary | Marketing and Operations | Intergration*Previously, both Tiffany and Amanda were working in all of the departments. They got a lot more done using Tracy's advice to sit in distinct seats and roles for the company. Amanda became the Visionary and Director of Marketing, and Tiffany became the Integrator and Director of Operations. Without the redundancies in their tasks, things started to fall into place, they found the right groove, and their business felt the positive impact immediately.

Add a birthstone with any Emery and Opal purchase.
*Executed 90-Day Strategic Business Planning*Planning is the CORE of the Momentum program, and by using our 90-day strategic planning framework, they built a solid growth plan for their business. In addition, their plan was easy to follow because it was broken down into yearly, monthly, and weekly steps.

*Creating a Simple-to-Follow Marketing Calendar*By working with our coaches on content planning, they were able to have their marketing calendar planned out a year in advance to make posting on social and sending out emails to market their website (instead of just relying on Etsy) easy. Amanda fondly recalls…

“The call(s) with (coach) Ana about content planning completely changed the way we planned our content. We were able to do the whole year in a week, like so many things.”

**Used Their Financial Statements to Make Better Business Decisions****They also went granular on evaluating their P&L statement to make better business decisions. The coaches showed them how to assess their statements, which key factors to look for, and how to move forward to hit their goals successfully. By accurately tracking their inventory, they were able to get bulk discounts on supplies, eliminate redundant buying decisions, and pocket more profit. Tiffany said…

“We had this huge Excel sheet that listed all of our products from Etsy and our website. We evaluated how each product did last year? Was it up or down? And that helped us determine what materials we should buy.”

**Changed Their Pricing Strategy**With clarity, they also realized how “affordable” pricing hurt their handmade jewelry business, as reflected in their end-of-the-year P&L statements. After an in-depth pricing analysis with our coaches, they raised their prices to align with the value they deliver. As a result, their profitability and revenue increased without producing more products. Tiffany says…

“I think raising our prices was hard for us to do. We were super nervous about it yet, but in the end, it was the right thing to do. And it benefited us for sure.”

**Hired and Trained a Small Team**With a better approach and the tools they needed to properly vet, hire, train, and manage their team, things were lining up. They have a small team comprising two part-time shipping people, two full-time production makers, and a social media manager. Having the right people in the right seats has been a game-changer for the Reis sisters.

**Diversified Revenue Streams to a Branded Website and Wholesale**Round Pressed Flower Necklace by Emery and OpalSince they knew having their eggs in just the Etsy basket was not a good idea, the Reis sisters invested in building and marketing their website instead of waiting for Etsy sales to roll in. With the support of the Momentum coaches, they're now selling to more wholesale accounts. Because everything is covered, they don't need to hire a different coach for each business model. Slowly but surely, their website became a significant revenue source for their business, and their wholesale accounts started growing.

They found clarity and focused on the right things because they were willing to change, apply what they learned quickly, and methodically execute their plans for 7-figure growth.

Emery and Opal's ResultsTiffany and Amanda worked diligently to grow their business from 6 to 7 figures in a year with the right mentorship, coaching, strategy, and approach.

Now let's talk about the results…

Result #1: Scaled Their Sales from 6 to 7 Figures in a YearThe compounding effects of operating their business by the numbers, motivating and inspiring their team to be more productive, and following their plans allowed them to grow much more quickly than they ever expected.

Result #2: Increase Their Profit MarginsAs their sales grew, they increased their profit margins by increasing their prices, managing their inventory better, and streamlining their team functions to reduce redundancies in this business. Running a more efficient business has a massive impact on their profit margins.

Result #3: Tiffany Was Able to Take Time Off To Have a BabyOne of the core urgencies in streamlining their operation was allowing Tiffany to be a mom and a business owner. Creating better operation efficiencies set her up to take time off without the business falling apart.

Result #4: Removed Their Blind Spots to Work ON the Business, Not Just In the BusinessAs a business owner, sometimes we don't know what we don't know. By having a sounding board and a team of expert coaches, they got the insights they needed that were previously blind spots. With that, they started seeing the bigger picture and turned that big-picture vision into a plan, hired the right people, and expanded their business into additional revenue streams.
Amanda says…

“THE COACHING HAS BEEN AMAZING. THE [COACHES] HAVE OPENED OUR EYES TO SEE THE BUSINESS AS A BIG PICTURE. THEY'VE SOLVED EVERY LITTLE ISSUE THAT WE'VE HAD. THEY'VE JUST MADE EVERYTHING MORE CLEAR!”

Growing a handmade jewelry business can be challenging without the right strategy, structure, and support. However, when you do it right, you build a financially secure company, which gives you the freedom of entrepreneurship, and supports your creative side.

“WE CHOSE THE MOMENTUM PROGRAM BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN A LONGTIME STUDENT OF FLOURISH & THRIVE. THE PROGRAMS WERE PIVOTAL FOR OUR INITIAL GROWTH AS A JEWELRY BUSINESS.MOMENTUM FELT LIKE THE NATURAL NEXT STEP [AFTER LAYING THE FOUNDATION]. WE KNEW THE PERSONALIZED COACHING AND MENTORSHIP WOULD BE INCREDIBLY HELPFUL FOR OUR GROWING BUSINESS.”

If you're ready to scale your jewelry business, we'd love to help you grow in the Momentum Program or one of our other growth programs.Thank you so much for taking the time to read these case studies! I hope you feel inspired and energized! Scan this page for a few ways that we can help you grow your business – fast!

Listen to Emery and Opal’s Story on the Thrive by Design Podcast

LISTEN NOWListen to Acid Queen Jewelry on the Thrive by Design Podcast

LISTEN NOWListen to Lita Sea Glass on the Thrive by Design Podcast

LISTEN NOWWondering how our programs can help you scale based on where you are in business right now?Book a “no pressure” FREE Strategy Audit with our jewelry business experts.

We’ll help you gain clarity on where your business is going, uncover any challenges and roadblocks and help you map a clear path forward for growth.

You’ll walk away with a roadmap for growth for the next 3 to 6 months.

BOOK A FREE STRATEGY AUDITThe post How Two Sisters Built a Million Dollar Handmade Jewelry Business Without a Massive Team or Investment Capital appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Click here to download the show notesOne of the reasons jewelry business founders get so exhausted and feel frustrated during a slow season is that they're focused on a lack of sales instead of shifting their focus to how they can make the most of the slow summer months to grow their businesses.

Whether summer is your busy season or a slower period, there are plenty of ways to continue to grow your business and maintain a healthy mindset.

5 tips to maximize your slower months for greater impact and efficiency in your business1. Catch up on learning:

Use this time to dive into those online courses you've been meaning to take.

If you've already taken a course, revisit the material or join a new program like Momentum or Laying the Foundation.
Binge your favorite podcasts and catch up on your stack of business books
Most importantly, implement what you learn
Work on those big projects:

No more procrastinating! Focus on tasks you've been putting off that will improve your business efficiency.

Develop systems and create standardized procedures
Document your production manual so you can train an assistant
Hire a team member or automate processes to streamline your operations
Work on your marketing:

Take the opportunity to strategize your marketing campaigns for the upcoming holiday season.

Evaluate and optimize your email sequences
Switch to a new email service provider or CRM if needed
Design and implement a new lead magnet pdf or quiz
Prepare for the holiday season:

Set up your 90-day strategic plan for the fourth quarter.

Design new collections in advance
Start creating inventory for holiday shows and website sales
Map out your plans for in-person shows and special promotions
Take a well-deserved break:

Don't forget to take some time off for yourself, even if you can't go on a fancy vacation.

Treat yourself to a staycation
Relax, work on your mindset, and recharge your energy.
Slow down and recharge to avoid burnout and stay motivated for the busy holiday season.

Here’s a quick overview of Episode 411:[0:00] Five ways to use the slow summer months

[6:12] Catch up on learning and reading

[9:53] Automate processes and create systems

[12:07] Prepare for the holiday season

[14:29] Treat yourself to a staycation

Maximize your slower months for future growthThe best course of action for the slow summer months, or whenever business is slow for you, is to take action with intention. Sitting and stressing is not the best use of your time.

So instead, listen to Episode #411 and catch up on learning, work on important projects, plan your marketing, prepare for the holidays, and take a break. These actions will set you up for success and growth in your business.

I hope you enjoy this episode, jam-packed with things you can do right now to maximize your time.

Xo,

Tracy

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Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

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Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP411: Creating a Clear Vision for the Future of Your Jewelry Business appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Acid Queen Jewelryby Alex CamachoHow Alex scaled her jewelry business and sold out collections within 15 minutesAlex Camacho of Acid Queen Jewelry in Idlewild, CA.
I’d like to introduce you to one of our superstar jewelry designers, Alex Camacho of Acid Queen Jewelry in Idlewild, CA.

Alex specializes in making one-of-a-kind jewelry collections that go live every month, and her business has skyrocketed since she joined our jewelry design business mastermind program, Momentum.

Alex’s jewelry business couldn’t break through her income plateau.When Alex Camacho started designing in her makeshift studio, surrounded by bones, chains, and charms, she wanted to create jewelry that empowers the wearer to live authentically throughout their day. Her aesthetic was developed early on, which helped her grow a big social media following even in the early days.

Now I’ve got to tell you, Alex is a real go-getter. She wasn’t in dire straits when she joined Momentum. On the contrary, she was doing pretty well. She was making roughly $65K in revenue a year.

But she wasn’t satisfied with staying where she was.

Alex struggled to grow her jewelry business as a solo business owner. Building a business solo has a lot of limitations and challenges. When we first met Alex, she wanted to grow a 6 figure lifestyle business and keep it small.

As someone who started her business on Instagram, she wanted to get ahead of the trend to find a different way to market her business online. She was doing some in-person shows and wholesale, which were good, but her introverted nature called her to build her brand in a way that didn't require foot traffic or luck.

Alex Camacho of Acid Queen JewelryShop 14k gold collection, Ascension by Acid Queen JewelrySHOP ACID QUEEN JEWELRYSo let's dive into what Alex was challenged with.Challenge #1: Reliant on Instagram to Make Sales and the Algorithms Were ChangingHer primary sales strategy was selling via Instagram. To supplement her Instagram sales, she had a few wholesale accounts and craft | art shows that she participated in.

Alex had been on Instagram since the early days of the platform. She had a TON of luck posting and selling her products shortly after putting them on her feed or in stories. But, because she's a smart marketer, she started to see the algorithm shift and knew that her strategy had to change if she wanted to continue growing.

As growing a following became more challenging, so did growing her sales or getting people to see her posts. Alex knew she needed a better-converting website to help get lurkers to make sales.

Challenge #2: Struggled Selling Through Her Ready-to-Wear CollectionWhen Alex first came to us, she was having trouble selling out her ready-to-wear collection.

As a hybrid One-of-a-Kind Designer who also sold ready-to-wear collections, Alex had a groove that she followed. Post her OOAKs and sold out before the month was over, and the new collection dropped.

The problem was that it was exhausting to always be making new pieces to make sales. Her mission was to sell her repeatable pieces and have in stock inventory that could be sold all year round.

Unfortunately, this ready-to-wear collection wasn't selling well, and she didn't understand why. Her most loyal customers had already purchased what they wanted, and she wasn’t getting new customers consistently.

Challenge #3: Limited Her Growth Capacity as a Solo MakerAmbitious and driven are two words that describe Alex. With that being said, she didn't want to grow a big team at all. When she came to us, she did everything in her business without any additional support outside of her caster. She could see how this was limiting her capacity to grow for the long term.

“I was doing a lot of research,” Alex said, “and I felt like my only options may be going into a showroom or trying to hire another consultant. And nothing really felt right.”

– Alex Camacho

Alex knew she needed some outside mentoring to help her grow and scale her jewelry business. On a quest to get some support to grow her business from $65K to $100K that year, Alex found herself on a free masterclass hosted by Flourish & Thrive Academy to help her Supercharge Her Online Sales.

VENUS RING – TOURMALATED QUARTZ- 14K GOLD

“I really just needed something to help me navigate how I could actually make my jewelry business more profitable without working harder these waters and move forward,” she said, and Momentum was it.

She booked a Strategy Audit to chat with our Jewelry Business Expert. As a result, she decided that she was an excellent fit for the Momentum Program, and over the next few years, her business scaled VERY quickly, not just to her original goal of $100K but to over $420K in just a few short years.

Alex increased her jewelry business revenue by 69% in only 6 months.So within Momentum, we worked with Alex on four key areas: Building out her brand story, so people connected with the WHY behind her business; * Optimizing her website, to turn visitors into customers; * Increasing her audience through social media, email marketing, and strategic advertising; * Putting systems in place so she could move faster, produce more jewelry & make more sales without working harder*

When she entered Momentum, Alex had set a goal to increase her revenue by 10%. But six months after starting, Alex grew her business from a projected $65K year to $110K. Her second year in Momentum, she ended up grossing over $150K.

Then, 2020 rolled around.That was a rough year for everyone, even Alex.

“At first… I was just pulling stuff out of my studio and just selling whatever I could, to be honest. Like, it was crazy.” She told me. “But then, once we got back on track, I was able to really harness my community.”

Using strategies taught at Flourish & Thrive community, Alex learned to get comfortable on camera and leveraged virtual events and strategic marketing to continue growing her business, even during the pandemic.

By the end of 2020, Alex made $330,000 in sales. More than double what she had made the year before!

“I owe that to a lot of what I learned about branding and being on video and putting yourself out there, and really being like, the person who's guiding your brand.”

7 simple marketing tips Alex used to sell out her jewelry collections.Crystal Drop Necklace // Garden Quartz + Chrysocolla In many ways, Alex already had the natural talent to grow as a jewelry business owner. She was artistic and creative, driven, resourceful, and motivated. The bones of a successful brand were already there. She just needed guidance, structure, and support to uncover blind spots.

With the support of our expert coaches and the Momentum Community, she made the following business upgrades over 3.5 years (but saw significant results in just 5 months)…

Optimized Her Website Many makers don’t understand how to measure the success of a high-converting website and need to learn that they might be repelling instead of converting their website visitors into customers.

We offered her a website conversion audit that showed her some gaps in her messaging and User Experience that helped her increase her conversion rate on the most important pages.

We also audited important website assets like her maker video and gave suggestions for copy. Alex has the imagery nailed down and has done an amazing job creating a visually appealing brand for her dream customers.

Created a Robust Marketing Strategy Outside of Social MediaSince Alex saw the writing on the wall with Instagram – low organic reach and engagement – she knew she had to build her “owned marketing” audience. So instead of just selling on Instagram, she used the platform to grow her VIP email list and prioritized them when she launched new collections and products.

She got into a regular email marketing cadence to promote her one-of-a-kind drops. She marketed to her email list in between drops to sell her ready-to-wear collection. As a result, her VIP List was always the first to know about new items and special offers.

She learned to set up automated sales and marketing funnels, aka automated email sequences, that nurture and build engagement on autopilot. Through email marketing and automated email campaigns, Alex started selling out of her collections quickly, sometimes within just 15 minutes of a collection drop.

Her customers are now trained to shop as soon as her emails land in their inbox. Her May collection sold out within ten minutes.

Started Advertising on Social ChannelsThe social media game had changed, which meant you've got to pay to play. Alex didn't start running ads right away until she had her “owned marketing” dialed in and her website optimized for conversions. These two factors were critical in the success of her advertising strategy.

Next, Alex concentrated on amplifying her business by running more strategic ads, which has connected her with a much bigger customer base. She expanded her audience so much that she completely sold out of her ready-to-wear collection––which was one of her goals when she joined Momentum.

@acidqueenjewelry on InstagramEven better, Alex sold out of her one-of-a-kind monthly collections in March and April––which were both $25K months––within an hour of sending out emails to let her audience know about the new collections. (She actually had customers new to her circle who were upset that they didn’t get a chance to buy her latest pieces!)

Created Massive Brand LoyaltyPart of Alex's Strategy was to create brand loyalty and repeat customers so that she doesn't have to constantly search for new customers. Instead, she incentivized VIPs to join her email list and purchase more than once. As a result, her die-hard fan base combined with Urgency Marketing led to her collections selling out in 1 day, then 1 hour, then 15 minutes at times.

Documented Her Production + Marketing Processes@acidqueenjewelry on InstagramAs the business grew, she knew that she would need to bring on support in the form of production and marketing help. She learned how to document her way of doing things to optimize her business functions and train team members.

Alex knew that she didn't want a big team, but she knew that there were parts of her process that weren't necessary for her to do herself. So she decided to get production and assembly support who could work on cleaning her castings and assembling the products – mainly the repetitive labor she was not required to do.

Hired a Production Assistant and a Marketing VAEven though Alex is a brilliant marketer and learned a lot of ways to create urgency with email and social media, she knew that if she tried to do all of the marketing herself, things would fall through the cracks. It's great to have intention, but time is a real thing.

So Alex spent time documenting her marketing processes and the strategies she learned in Momentum to train her new Marketing VA. As a result, her VA has been able to plan her marketing calendar, write and design emails, and support her social media efforts. This allowed her business to scale because she was able to clone herself.

The best part is that her VA was only part-time and remote, so she has her working as needed, which helps her create a much more profitable business.

Optimized What WorkedFinding winning strategies is AWESOME, so Alex knew that she could always do better with tech, automation, and systems when she was doing something well.

She learned how to document, delegate and automate to scale her business. Every time she launched a new collection, she evaluated and improved her strategy to make the process flow better and more efficiently. These micro-adjustments helped her increase her productivity and profitability as a multi-6-figure business owner with a tiny team.

Being diligent pays off because Alex grew her brand significantly in a short period of time and continued to grow every single year since then.

Where Alex Camacho is nowAlex doesn’t necessarily want to grow her business into a huge empire––she’s building her business so she can enjoy life on her terms.

For her, it’s all about living the lifestyle she always wanted, doing things like hiking two hours a day, taking a month off every year to travel, and of course, designing jewelry.

As they say, the proof is in the pudding!

Since she started Momentum, Alex had her dream wedding, took a month off for her honeymoon, bought her forever house, and reduced her work hours to only 5-6 hours a day. (And yes, she does go hiking two hours every day, just as she dreamed of!)

“[Momentum] was a large investment for me at the time, but I had a gut feeling that it would pay off,” Alex told me.“I think that my mindset and the way I feel as a human are different. I’m less stressed about money, and I’m able to live a lifestyle that I want to live and spend money on things I want to do without having to worry about it.”

How could Momentum revolutionize your business?Apply for a Strategy Audit todayInterested in hearing more from Alex?Check out the Thrive By Design Podcast Episode #201: “How to Launch One of a Kind Collections and Sell Out in Less than a Month” where she was my guest!

LISTEN NOWThe post How One Jewelry Designer Grew Her Sales by 526% and Consistently Sells Out Her Collections appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Click here to download the show notesWhether you crave a simple or extravagant lifestyle, it's essential to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. When you take the time to visualize your goals and how you want to feel in all aspects of life, you’ll be empowered to create the success you want.

The Pitfalls of Lacking Vision in Your Jewelry BusinessOne common mistake designers make when growing their jewelry business is neglecting to establish a clear vision. Instead, they get caught up in making and selling when they need to pay more attention to the importance of strategic planning.

Too often designers miss this critical step, and that’s when the their growth slows or even comes to a screeching halt.

Even if you feel unsure about your vision, or if it changes (it probably will), it's essential to start somewhere with what you know and work towards defining your path.

The Power of a Clear VisionHaving a clear vision for your jewelry business is incredibly valuable for several reasons:

It enhances effective communication with your audience, allowing you to articulate your mission or purpose, which can drive sales.
A well-defined vision motivates and engages your team, fostering their commitment to your collective goals.
A clear vision ignites your motivation and excitement, which fuels your business's growth and success.

In Podcast Episode 410, I’ll walk you through an exercise to help you create a powerful vision for your jewelry business…

Start to envision the life and business you desire by asking yourself the following questions…

What are your Business Goals? Consider company culture, support systems, impact on the world, customer base, revenue, and profitability.
What are your Personal Goals? Think about health, relationships, social life, vacations, and lifestyle.
Is spirituality a Priority? Do you incorporate mindfulness practices like journaling, meditation, breathwork, and stress management.
How are your Finances? Consider your income, savings, profit margins, and investment opportunities that will help your money grow.
And much more…

Putting Your Vision into ActionCreating a vision for your jewelry business can be a transformative process. It allows you to align your goals and beliefs, communicate effectively, motivate your team, and, most importantly, get excited about your future. And it all starts with getting crystal clear about your ideal life.

Here’s a quick overview of Episode 410:[0:00] Get clear on what your vision is

[2:02] A goal without a plan is just a dream

[5:33] Questions to ask yourself about your goals

[7:33] Stress management and mindfulness

[11:14] Write a narrative around your vision

[13:21] Create a vision for your business

I think you’ll find this episode incredibly eye-opening for identifying where you might be stuck, whether you’ve hit a business plateau, and how to move past it to have the business you’ve always dreamed of.

A strong vision can inspire growth and transformation. The process should be inspiring, so embrace it and let your vision guide you toward success.

I hope you enjoy this powerful episode!

Xo,

Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight![Momentum Graphic]

Links:

Book a Discovery Call to learn about our Momentum Program

Book: Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

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Lita Sea Glassby Carla GarroSMART JEWELRY ENTREPRENEURS KNOW THEY AREN’T GREAT AT ALL PARTS OF THE BUSINESS. SO, WHEN YOU FIND A COUNTERPART THAT BALANCES YOUR STRENGTHS AND FILLS IN YOUR WEAKNESSES, IT’S LIKE “ROCKET FUEL” FOR YOUR BUSINESSHow It BeganCarla Garro has been making jewelry her entire life. She started her jewelry company at 17 when she jumped on the jewelry home party bandwagon. After experiencing success on the home party circuit, the logical next step was to open up a jewelry retail store in Rhode Island. She sold unique jewelry and accessories at her brick-and-mortar location, and the Lita Sea Glass Jewelry line was born. Fortunately, her retail store was very successful, and in her best year ever, she decided to shift course.

In 2009, before online selling began to trend, she took a risk, closed her retail store, and launched LitaSeaGlassJewelry.com. She saw a trend and wanted to focus more on the parts of the business she loved, selling and making her beautiful jewelry. When her daughter was born in 2012, she found having an online business worked great for her as a single mom. She aimed to build her company so that her business could fully support herself and her daughter. That really changed my mindset.

Carla Garro of Lita Sea GlassEventually, the business evolved into an omnichannel brand where Carla now sells her sea glass designs to retail stores and online – through live selling events and e-commerce.

Shop 100% authentic sea glass jewelry at litaseaglassjewelry.comSHOP LITA SEA GLASS

Her ChallengesEven though Carla is a badass, like many creatives, growing a small and agile company had its challenges. Plus, she’s a creator and visionary at heart, so the business part for her was never any fun! But, most importantly, Carla is a single mom with no additional financial support. She needed her business to be structured so that she could care for her daughter and support her financially.

Challenge #1: Lack of Business Structure When Carla came to Flourish & Thrive, she claimed that she lacked structure in her business. Like many artists, she loved creating jewelry, connecting with the audience, and selling her products. But, on the contrary, building business systems, managing her operations, and structuring her back-end technology were not her forte. She needed to solve this problem if she wanted to keep growing, or else her business would need to be more organized to scale. By understanding her limitations, she knew she needed help.

Challenge #2: Lacked Clarity and Focus for Marketing DirectionAlthough she was an early adopter of selling on her website and Etsy, she knew there was so much more she could do to grow her business. In her words, she says she was all over the place regarding online selling. She wanted to focus on just a few strategies that would create a lasting impact on her online sales and help her move her Etsy audience to her website. Relying too much on Etsy was starting to feel risky for Carla, so she wanted to build a solid business with a direct line to her customers.

Challenge #3: Had a Weakness in Operations, Delegation, and Team ManagementWhen Carla started her business, she knew she loved selling and making jewelry. However, training, managing, and leading a team were not her strong suits; quite frankly, she didn’t enjoy this part of the business. Yet, as her business grew, she needed more support from a team. The company she loved started feeling like a chore when she had to balance wearing so many hats every day. She became a bottleneck to her growth. Even worse, she spent most of her precious time sorting sea glass for new designs, which was an essential part of her production process but not the best use of her time. Even though she KNEW that she needed to delegate this part, it became VERY challenging because “no one could sort the sea glass as well as she could.”

Challenge #4: Mindset of SuccessA challenge for many creative business owners is their point of view and perspective. That can be limiting if you’ve only experienced their way of doing business. And Carla realized that her limited viewpoint about her business and how she needed to show up on it was probably holding her back. When she acknowledged that awareness, she started seeking mentorship and support.

Aqua Smooth Pastel Sea Glass Crab Necklace by Lita Sea GlassAwareness is the first step to change, leading to long-term growth when you’re smart about it. Carla saw that early on and realized it was time to start looking for mentorship and outside eyes on her business. That’s when Carla saw an ad on Facebook from Flourish & Thrive Academy. She had been feeling overwhelmed and unfocused and didn’t know how to move past her current conundrum.

That’s when she joined us for Train Your Customers to Buy Online and later joined Momentum, and Private Consulting.

Here's How Carla Grew Her Business*Hired Her Second in Command Inside the Company*Sometimes what you're looking for is right in front of you. For example, after taking our suggestion to hire an “Integrator” or Operations Lead, Carla seriously started looking around. When she recognized that her part-time shipping manager had some serious raw talent, she took note. Sam was excellent at all of the parts of the business that Carla struggled with, like the technology and software, managing and training team members, documenting systems and processes, and basically anything that had to do with operations. Plus, they got along incredibly.

“Our ‘Aqua Oasis' studio, as we refer to it due to the natural light, soothing aqua color, and nautical theme is filled with a happy team of skilled craftsmen and women, who are passionate about the jewelry we create.” – Carla Garro
Carla slowly started promoting Sam to a more significant role. After implementing my suggestion of having Sam manage the team, Carla felt tremendous relief, knowing she could save her creative energy to work on strategy, sales, and product development. Most importantly, Sam is really good at all of the areas of business that Carla struggles with, so they make a great team.

*Developed SOPs and Team Training Materials to Delegate and Hire Team Members*When you start your business, it's normal to be the doer of everything. After we pointed out that Carla was taking on tasks in her business that were not the best use of her time, she knew something had to change. But it took a lot of work to delegate specific tasks like the sea glass sorting and particular production design and management tasks that required a keen eye. Carla leaned into our delegation strategies to get low-leveraged tasks off her plate and to think through her system of how she designs, sorts, and makes things. Together, they started building a team based on the tasks that Carla wanted to get off her plate to free up time to work on business development and sales.

Plus, when a core team member left suddenly for medical reasons, and another was fired for not being a culture or company fit, the duo was stretched thin. With our advice and support, Carla and Sam created training materials, standard operating procedures, and systems to train team members in all parts of the production and making process. This allowed them to hire a production manager, assistant designer, and a sea glass sorter to take hours of daily work off Carla's plate. Additionally, documenting and updating these materials as they go allows them to train new employees without reinventing the wheel.

Taking this calculated and strategic approach to hiring and training a team has paid off because Carla and Sam can spend more time growing the business and working on it instead of in the business.

**Doubled Down on Live Selling – *Which Transformed Her Sales**Taking this calculated and strategic approach to hiring and training a team *has paid off because Carla and Sam can spend more time growing the business and working on it instead of in the business.

She's had over 350 people attend her quarterly “live” virtual trunks shows. Her weekly “What's New Wednesday” live events are 45 minutes of new product features. During her live selling events, Carla regularly “sells out” of her products because of her raving fans of sea glass collectors. Another benefit to weekly lives is the community aspect she's built. Her fans take their lunch break, leave work, and sometimes “fight” over the pieces they want. Carla mentioned one of her customers has purchased more than 30+ pieces in just a few months.

**Found Additional Manufacturing Solutions**One of the ways that Carla has increased her profitability has been her approach to making the product. Lita Sea Glass is produced in–house, locally, and overseas. Unfortunately, earlier in the year, Carla had a setback with a shipment from one of her manufacturers – the box was tampered with, and the product was missing upon delivery. For a brand like Carla's, this was devastating because she knew her numbers would be affected with no product to sell.

Simply Organic Sea Glass Ring by Lita Sea GlassWe put our heads together and introduced her to a new manufacturing solution so she could double down on her manufacturing capabilities. She knows that if she has the product in her studio, she can quickly sell it. So the introduction helped her diversify her production capacity because if she had the jewelry in hand, she could sell her pieces quickly.

**Upgraded Her Mindset, Which Allowed Her To Focus On What's Important**The most significant upgrade for Carla was her approach to and her mindset around her business. When she first came to us, she operated out of a “maker mindset” instead of a success mindset. When you start showing up differently for your business by working ON your business instead of just IN your business – everything changes quickly.

This internal mindset shift created more focus for Carla to work on the areas of her business that would help her reach her goals. Her previously “scattered” approach was inefficient and wasted time and resources on non-important projects. More focus increased efficiency, which directly impacted the company's bottom line.

“I feel like my company as a whole [..] it's so much different than where I was mentally, emotionally and definitely physically [my physical surroundings] then when I started……I achieved a lot more structure [and] organization. And a different mindset and way of thinking. I've been able to pull myself “out of the business” a lot more and really be able to focus on doing the things that I love [the most] as an entrepreneur. […] Like coming up with all the ideas and being the Creative Visionary (as Tracy likes to say) of the company.“

I achieved a lot more structure [and] organization. And a different mindset and way of thinking. I've been able to pull myself “out of the business” a lot more and really be able to focus on doing the things that I love [the most] as an entrepreneur. […] Like coming up with all the ideas and being the Creative Visionary (as Tracy likes to say) of the company.”

The ResultsResult #1: Nearly Doubled Her Sales From $400K to $750K In 2 Years With On Track Projected Earnings of $900K In 3 YearsOnce a jewelry business hits the mid-six figure mark, scaling and growing quickly becomes a LOT harder and growth is typically slower if the founder doesn’t get out of her own way. Making the structural changes, focusing on the marketing initiatives that matter, and bringing on the right team members, including her Operations Manager, Sam, significantly changed how quickly Lita Sea Glass could grow.

Keep in mind, it took Carla 8 years to grow from $0 to $400K so nearlyb doubling sales in two years is HUGE. Her numbers are remarkable and I suspect that in a few more years, she may double again.

Result #2: Bought Her First HomeAt the beginning of this case study, I shared that Carla has been raising her daughter solo since she was born. It was very important that she create a good life and home for her daughter. Over the past few years, she was able to save enough money from the profit of her business to buy her first home.

This was a HUGE milestone for Carla who has been working hard for years to provide a great life for her daughter.

Result #3: Freedom to Raise and Spend Time With Her Daughter Hiring a leadership position and team members has made it possible for her to spend significant time with her daughter from an early age. Many people who start a business end up making a job for themselves. Being able to pick her daughter up or meet her at the school bus every day is very important for Carla. By optimizing her business, she doesn’t need to be there every second of every day for the business to grow. It doensn’t technically need her to scale to the next level anymore.

Result #4: Creatively Aligned With Her Skillset and GoalsOut of balance creative founders often find themselves resenting their business over time. Carla was able to find a way to get back into her flow and get creatively aligned with the help of Sam, her operator. Having a sounding board and understanding what a great working relationship looks like has helped Lita Sea Glass scale quickly.

Carla thoroughly enjoys showing up for her business every day because she gets to do the parts of her business that she loves. She feels creatively inspired and that’s everything! I’ve interviewed Carla (and Sam) for the Thrive by Design podcast several times and love hearing their stories of growth.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read these case studies! I hope you feel inspired and energized! Scan this page for a few ways that we can help you grow your business – fast!

Listen to Emery and Opal’s Story on the Thrive by Design Podcast

LISTEN NOWListen to Acid Queen Jewelry on the Thrive by Design Podcast

LISTEN NOWListen to Lita Sea Glass on the Thrive by Design Podcast

LISTEN NOWWould you like help growing your jewelry business to 6+ or 7+ figures?BOOK A FREE STRATEGY AUDITDuring the audit we’ll take a look at your current strategy, help you create a clear Vision to reach your goals, and give you a roadmap to implement for the next 3 to 6 months.

If it seems like a good fit, we’ll share how we an help you in our programs.

The post How One Jewelry Maker Changed Her Mindset For Growth To Scale Her Sales From $400k To $750k [With On Track Projected Earnings Of $900k] appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Click here to download the show notesOne of the biggest mistakes I see a lot of jewelry business owners make, and business owners in general, is not taking the time to plan and document a vision of what they're trying to create.

Without a vision, plan, or roadmap, it’s nearly impossible to get where you’re going and achieve those big goals that lead to success.

Jewelry Business Success Starts with a VisionRegardless of your business vision, whether it’s scaling to a thriving multiple 7 figure company, growing a $100,000 per year business, or simply building something that supports you and your family and pays you well, you must apply 3 crucial steps to achieve your vision.

Sadly, I’ve experienced this scenario all too often…

A designer comes to me, burnt out, frustrated, and experiencing what I call a profit plateau. Their once-successful business starts to backslide. They’re working harder and harder, trying to achieve the same level of success but not getting the same result.

They’re ready to burn it all down. It’s a problem, but there is a solution.

3 Steps that Are Crucial to Scaling Your Jewelry BusinessThis episode of the Thrive by Design podcast will help you understand how to grow and scale to the next level, even if…

…you're at scale already

…you already have an amazing, thriving business

…you aren't at scale yet, but you’re trying to create more ease and flow in your business

In Podcast Episode 409, I’ll reveal the 3 crucial steps every jewelry business owner needs to scale, including…* Why having a vision supported by proper planning is crucial to scaling your jewelry business * How deciding what’s important to you helps you grow, scale, and remain profitable * Why systems, tools, and automation are necessary to create more efficiency * What things to systematize for maximum impact and profitability * When and what positions to outsource or hire for to support your vision * How to lead and train your team to help them succeed and thrive * Why coaching and mentorship are essential to lasting business success * And so much more…

*“If you want to scale your business, you’re going to have to lean on other people at some point. Mentors, coaches, or someone to get you the right support for your vision.”*

Creative founders are often the biggest bottleneck in their businesses because they care so much. Operating your business in a vacuum is going to be your downfall because we all have blind spots, but this episode will help you avoid this common pitfall.

Here’s a quick overview of Episode 409:[0:00] How to create a vision of what you want

[1:41] The crucial steps to take when scaling

[14:31] Step One: Proper planning

[17:21] Step Two: Developing systems

[26:00] Step Three: Support, outsourcing, and hiring

[30:43] Leading your team

I think you’ll find this episode incredibly eye-opening for identifying where you might be stuck, whether you’ve hit a business plateau, and how you can move past it to have the business you’ve always dreamed of.

Enjoy!

Xo,

Tracy

Links:

An Inside Look at a 7-Figure Jewelry Brand Masterclass

Book a Discovery Call to learn about our Momentum Program

Book: Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold

The Ultimate Social Media + Marketing VA Hiring Template

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP409: The 3 Crucial Steps to Scaling a Jewelry Business appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Click here to download the show notesIf you’ve hit a growth plateau in your business, there’s a good chance it’s time to hire your second in command. I’ve seen designers in our Flourish and Thrive community experience these plateaus, which keeps them from moving forward.

They know they “should” be hiring, but they put it off because they’re unsure how to hire a great team member or which activities to let a number two take ownership of.

This is a common stumbling block which is why I’m so excited to have Carla Garro and Sam Wunschell of Lita Seaglass on the Thrive by Design podcast. They generously shared how working as a team has helped the company double in size and revenue.

How a Second in Command Supports a Creative VisionaryI’ve been coaching Carla for a while and have witnessed her business growth over the past several years. When Carla realized she needed someone to support her in doing things outside her zone of genius, she realized that Sam, already on her team, had all the qualities for the role of operations manager.

Carla hired Sam 4-years ago as a packager but, over time, realized Sam had strong qualities better suited elsewhere in the business. For instance, Sam is very tech-savvy and can move quickly between different tasks without losing her flow.

Sam is also extremely resourceful, precisely what a visionary like Carla needed to continue growing Lita Seaglass.

Your Operations Manager Compliments your Zone of GeniusCarla was looking to set up systems requiring a tech-savvy mind, which she admits is outside her zone of genius. She’d noticed that Sam was excellent in many different areas beyond packaging, so when Sam offered, “After I finished all my other stuff, could I take a crack at it?” Carla said, “Why don't you just make that part of your role?”

As a creative, Carla knew she needed help setting up the back-end systems for the different jobs inside the business, so moving Sam into the role of operations manager was a natural evolution.

Communication is Key to a Successful Business RelationshipCommunication has been the key to the duo’s success. When something is not moving smoothly in the business, Carla and Sam talk about it. Carla communicates her ideal outcome, and then the two come up with some options together. Their respect for each other’s strengths and weaknesses creates a successful business relationship.

“I highly recommend everybody gets a Sam.”

Creative visionaries are great starters and finishers. It’s the middle part where they sometimes struggle with bringing an idea or a new product to fruition. But with a number two, like Sam, who loves the middle part, things get done.

Clear communication is one of the best things Carla and Sam have established, which is why they can work so well together.

Doubling Your Business with the Right SupportSince Sam has stepped into the number two role, the Lita Seaglass team has doubled in size from four to nine, and revenue has also doubled. “The things that we're able to do, and the way that we're able to do them, just is so much better.”

As Carla shared in this episode, it took a few years to get to this point. She and Sam worked hard on developing the structure for systems and SOPs. Now that it's set up, everything moves faster and more smoothly. The future looks bright for Lita Seaglass!

In Podcast Episode 408, we go in-depth about hiring the right team for growth…* Making sure that you know your strengths so that you can hire people who complement you * Hiring a second in command who is the polar opposite of the creative visionary * Keeping an open mind about what you want and how you like to communicate to find the right person for each role * Training your team to self-direct and to feel confident in making decisions without worrying about making mistakes * And so much more…

“It's really important for me, as the leader of the company, to allow everybody that space in their role to make a mistake so that then we can teach how to handle it and how to move forward.”

In this episode, Carla and Sam talk openly about their relationship, how it’s evolved over the years, and how it’s been essential to the growth of Lita Seaglass Jewelry.

Here’s a quick overview of Episode 408:[0:00] How to hire a great team member

[6:45] Sam and Carl’s distinct roles in the business

[11:43] How Sam trains the team

[13:58] Hiring the right person for the role

[23:15] Empowering your employees

[26:26] How the business has grown

You’ll find incredible value from this episode around hiring your number two or any other role inside your business. It makes all the difference in the world when you have someone who can just take direction and run with it!

Enjoy!

Xo,

Tracy

Links:

Lita Seaglass Jewelry

Lita Seaglass Instagram

Momentum Program

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

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There was a time when I was happy to stick my head in the sand when it came to business finances, P&L statements, and balance sheets. That didn’t bode well for me, as I eventually declared bankruptcy for my first business.

While I wouldn’t wish my experience on anyone, I did learn (the hard way) the importance of looking at and understanding my numbers.

That’s why I’m so excited to have Melissa Houston on the Thrive by Design podcast today. Melissa is one of our Momentum coaches, the founder of She Means Profit, and the author of the new book Cash Confident. She teaches business owners how to ditch all their money stories to become cash confident and grow a profitable business.

Start with a Positive Money MindsetI hear this all the time from the designers in our Flourish and Thrive community “Tracy, numbers scare me,” or “I don’t want to look at my numbers.” I can tell you from experience, that not paying closer attention to my numbers contributed to my business bankruptcy.

This is why Melissa’s 5-step framework for creating a successful profitable business starts with your money mindset.

“Mindset is a muscle that works out. It's just like any other muscle, you train it, and it will perform better for you.”As a certified financial advisor and CPA, Melissa spotted a huge gap in understanding between the advice accountants tell their small business owner clients, and what the small business owners understand.

This gap in understanding is what lead Melissa to start her business, create her 5-Step Framework, and write her new book Cash Confidence so that she could help more people understand and interpret the advice and create more profit.

The 5-Step Financial Framework for a Profitable BusinessBy looking at your numbers and making informed business decisions, you’ll continue to grow, year over year, and most importantly you’ll be able to pay yourself a big wage. Afterall, you work hard and deserve to get paid for what you do!

Melissa’s 5-step Financial Framework includes money mindset, understanding your financial statements, creating a business financial plan, monitoring your results, and managing your cash flow.

But what’s at the heart of everything she teaches is how to safeguard your business so that you ensure that you're going to be in business for the long term.

In Podcast Episode 407, Melissa shares the 5-Step Framework and also…* How our money stories are emotionally charged * Why the fear of money is deeply rooted but also irrational * How to run your business profitably by understanding your financial statements * Why monthly and yearly planning is so essential * The smartest way to invest in your business * And much more!

“If you want to have a financially viable business, then you have to get to know your numbers.”In this episode, Melissa is going to help you understand why your numbers are so important and also how to get a good understanding of what your relationship is with money.

Here’s a quick overview of this episode:[5:34] The five-step framework for creating a successful business.

[11:18] Tools for people struggling with money mindset.

[15:37] Managing your cash flow.

[18:41] The Profit First Method vs. Paying Yourself

[25:19] The importance of having a financial plan.

I think you’ll find so much valuable information in this episode, to help you conquer your fears around money and, in Melissa’s words, “have the courage to dream big for your business and claim those bigger financial goals.”

Enjoy!

Xo,

Tracy

Links:

Cash Confident Book

Free Money Course

www.shemeansprofit.com

Momentum Program

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP407: How to Feel Cash Confident in Your Jewelry Business appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When you're just starting and building a business on a shoestring, you’re probably doing everything yourself. But as your business grows, it can get overwhelming to continue doing all the things.

How will you know when it’s time to hire? * You’ll Experience a profit or growth plateau. * Your business might start backsliding. * You start to suffer from the side effects of burnout.

I’ve seen this happen typically around the 150k to 200k revenue mark with jewelry designers that have been successful so far. Their collections are selling well, they’re getting good quality website traffic, and overall they’re crushing it in business.

Except they’re stressed out and on the verge of burnout.

You’ll Reach a Point Where you can't Grow without Outside Support Often I find designers and makers are resistant to hiring for a variety of reasons like…

They don't want to have a big team
They enjoy making the jewelry and don’t want to outsource it
They think, “it’s just easier to do it myself.”

I’ve seen this pattern many times, but eventually, if you want to grow your jewelry business, you’re going to need additional support.

So, if you’re resistant to hiring a team member or if you've been struggling with how to lead and train your existing team, then you'll love this episode!

How to Hire and Grow a Team that Supports You and Your VisionWhether you’re hiring a virtual assistant, an operations manager, or someone to help with production or shipping, this episode will give you so much clarity.

Most importantly, when you have people who buy into your vision and are excited to support your business, you’ll be amazed at how fast your business can thrive and grow.

The Ultimate Hiring TemplateI’ve also got an amazing free download for you that goes with this episode. It's called The Ultimate Marketing and Social Media VA Hiring Template for Jewelry Business Owners.

It includes a step-by-step guide, checklist, and a sample job description that you can edit to fit your specific needs. You're going to love it.

In Podcast Episode 406, I share the nine steps to successfully hiring an awesome team member including… How to define that role and what needs to be delegated * Determining the low-leverage tasks outside of your zone of genius * Understanding what things only* you can (and should) be doing * How to write a job description and vet top talent * Onboarding and training your new team member * And so much more…

You’re going to get so much useful information and actionable tips in this episode!

And if you’re looking for more support throughout the hiring process, I invite you to join us for our upcoming Momentum Program, where we'll teach the whole hiring process, top to bottom. I’ll show you exactly how we do it at Flourish & Thrive Academy, and how we've gotten great candidates.

Here’s a quick overview of this episode:[1:45] Resistance to hiring virtual assistants

[3:48] The importance of hiring the right people

[8:08] Writing a job description

[11:39] How to vet and test the top talent

[14:22] Hiring the right person for the job

[22:21] Holding your team accountable

I hope this episode is helpful in hiring your first or next team member. If you are thinking about hiring someone and you'd like some support, be sure to download the hiring template. I think you’ll love it!

Xo,

Tracy

Links:

Book a Discovery Call to Learn About our Momentum Program

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

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The Big Leap author Gay Hendricks says…

If you haven’t risen to the level of success you’re trying to achieve, it’s because of your limiting beliefs about yourself—truth bomb.

And I’ll add, from my experience, that if you’re using the same strategies that got you to this point, wherever you are right now in business, to get you to the next level, your business will struggle and stagnate.

But, when you step into your role as the leader of your company and start to work on your business instead of just in it, that’s where the magic happens. When you learn to lead, and surround yourself with a stellar team, your company will start to flourish.

What got you here is not going to get you there.Even when you’ve had success in your business, you’ll need to adapt your strategy to get you to the next level. Growth requires plenty of introspection and getting out of the weeds to hire top talent and lead your team.

“It can be challenging for us to see outside of that little microcosm of our business and to understand what it's going to take to get to the next level.”

Step into the role of leader and break through that glass ceiling.When you accept that you cannot possibly continue to do everything yourself and you begin to put top-level talent into support positions within your company, that’s when true growth starts to happen.

It’s more than a mindset shift too…

Getting your SOPs in order, knowing your KPIs, setting and tracking goals, and leading your team to understand and support your vision is the key to growth and the ability to scale.

In Podcast Episode 405, I talk about…* What it actually takes to grow from $100,000 to $500,000 and beyond * When it’s time to start hiring and what positions to hire for * Building a team that’s aligned with your vision * How the growth of your company depends on you as a leader * Why accountability among leadership and your team is so critical * Plus, a vulnerable personal story…

Here’s a quick overview of this episode…[4:28] How Flourish and Thrive can help you with your goals.

[7:22] The importance of leadership and burnout.

[9:50] Taking responsibility for the hard things.

[15:09] What it takes to scale your business.

[20:50] The importance of having a team.

[26:02] Getting clear on your team’s strengths.

I hope this episode inspires you to grow your company to your next level of success!

Xo,

Tracy

Links:

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP405: How to Focus Your Time When To Scale Your Business from 100K to 500K to 1M appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Why Having a Resourceful Success Mindset is Crucial to Growing a Thriving Jewelry BusinessAs a business owner of multiple 6 and 7 figure businesses, I’ve learned many lessons over the years, but this one thing has been key to my growth, resilience, and survival…

Being resourceful.

Case in point: just when you’ve streamlined your processes, or nailed some new piece of tech, things change! And probably more than once if you’re in business for more than a minute.

I recently interviewed Alexandra Camacho from Acid Queen Jewelry for the podcast, and she was talking about how Instagram, which she’d relied on to grow her business to multiple 6-figures, has changed and how she had to pivot. Because Alex has always had a resourceful mindset, and she’s discovered new ways to continue selling online and growing her business.

“The number one trait of a successful entrepreneur and business owner is operating out of a resourceful success mindset.”

As things change, and they absolutely will, you have 2 choices as a business owner…

You can say to yourself, “That won't work for me,” or “That’s not how I’ve always done things.”

Or you can think differently about how you approach your online sales and show up with a mindset open to learning.

In this episode, I talk about: What we learned about pivoting and resourcefulness from the Great Recession in 2008 * How one of my favorite brands Eliza Page, is rocking it online, utilizing multiple sales channels to keep her customers coming back for more * Why having a resourceful success mindset is key to recession-proofing your business * And more…*

Here’s a quick overview of this episode…> [1:24] The importance of having a resourceful success mindset and the number one trait of a successful entrepreneur

[2:58] The Great Recession and what we learned about online selling

[4:34] How Eliza Page uses multiple strategies to crush her online sales

[6:18] Leveraging all social media traffic to grow online

[7:56] How one student sold out of her product just from one Pinterest pin

[9:03] The importance of keeping an open mind to see what’s going to work

Get comfy, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy!

xo, Tracy

Links:

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP404: What’s the Objective? How Your Online Strategy Grows Your Entire Jewelry Biz appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Is Instagram still a viable marketing channel for your jewelry business?Great question which comes on the heels of a maker movement happening on Instagram right now.

Here’s the short of the long: a jewelry maker announced on Instagram that she was closing her business because the “Instagram-algorithm” was not showing her posts to her followers.

The video went viral and started a movement of frustrated makers “begging” Instagram to change their algorithm back to how it was 5 years ago.

My guest today, Alexandra Camacho, and I understand your frustration with Instagram and want to assure you that begging IG to change is not a very good use of your time.

Instead, it’s time to diversify how you market your jewelry business.

During EP#403: Instagram is Dead? How to Diversify Your Jewelry Marketing Strategy,we chat about the following…* What you need to know about the Instagram Algorithm in 2023 * The modus operandi of Instagram’s holding company, Meta * Why being an IG hater is just a waste of time and energy – and what to do instead * How to create a jewelry business that thrive even when Instagram algorithms change * Multiple tips on using Instagram to your advantage for long term growth * And More…

Enjoy this awesome episode and think differently about your jewelry marketing!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Follow Alexandra on Instagram!

Acid Queen Jewelry Website

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP403: Instagram is Dead? How to Diversify Your Jewelry Marketing Strategy appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Q: How do I grow my jewelry sales on my website?A: Growing your online jewelry business sales is part strategy, part consistency, and part daily practice. One of my favorite things to do is to answer your burning questions!

That’s why from time to time, I do an Ask Me Anything Q&A and today’s topic replay is all things online sales.

Listen to episode #402 of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to Ask Me Anything Q&A – Online Sales Edition

During this episode, I answer questions like…* How to handle instagram Shopping vs. website shopping? * Which advertising platforms should I run ads on? * How do you scale a jewelry business? * What’s a reasonable return policy? * How should a “handmade” jewelry maker explain that there’s a team making your jewelry? * And so much more.

I hope you love my insights in this episode! And if you’d like some support growing your online sales, join us for the Train Your Customers to Buy Online Program and get the training, accountability, and feedback you need to grow this year!.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Train Your Customers to Buy Online Program

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

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If you’ve been struggling to grow your online sales using your website as a sales tool, you’ll love today’s episode!Last week, I hosted a panel of makers who shared how they grew their jewelry businesses, online,

Every story of growth is different AND every designer is at a different level of success. The designers featured have customized designs, handmade jewelry, metal clay jewelry, fine jewelry and more.

So if you’d like to get more warm traffic and convert more customers from social media, email, sms, and more, listen in today.

During today’s panel episode, you’ll hear how… Joel increased her sales by 30% over last year and maps out her year far in advance * Morgan gained confidence and increase her customer base by 20% and website traffic by 11% in just 6 months * Kari took a leap of faith that forever changed her business during her re-launch * Ulka doubled her 5-figure January sales by leveraging a social strategy (and made more than most people make in a year) * Kim leveraged her in person shows to make more online* * And a lot more inspiring goodness

All of the makers featured today are graduates of our most recent cohort of the Train Your Customers to Buy Online Sales Accelerator.

If you’d like to grow your online sales by 30% or more using your website as a sales tool – within the next 3 months – then get your TYC application in now. The next cohort starts April 18th.

Cheers to your success online!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Apply to The Train Your Customers to Buy Online Program

Ulka Rocks on Instagram

Draw the Line Jewelry on Instagram

Darshan Sacred Jewelry on Instagram

Skinny Dip Jewelry on Instagram
Loveable on Instagram

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP401: How They Did It – Online Sales Panel appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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How one designer recovered from EXTREME Burnout and got her creativity back by doing this one thing!
Do you ever find yourself feeling creatively numb? Perhaps that numbness is a result of burnout in your jewelry business?

Burnout is a REAL and dangerous thing for a jewelry business owner because your creativity is the key driver of your business success.

If you've experienced this for yourself, just know you are not alone. In fact, I shared my story of burnout recently on the podcast and it’s NOT fun at all.

That's why I'm so excited to share an inspiring story with you today about Morgan McGoff, the talented designer behind Skinny Dip jewelry.

The Struggle with BurnoutMorgan, like many artists, isn't motivated solely by money. So when she found herself feeling creatively lost and numb, it was incredibly difficult for her to stay engaged with her business. Fortunately, Morgan took a leap of faith and followed a strategy that not only reinvigorated her passion and creativity but also led to an impressive online sales growth of 26%.

The Turning PointMorgan shared her journey of overcoming burnout and reigniting her creativity in episode #400 of the Thrive by Design podcast.

In this eye-opening conversation, she revealed…

How she came up with the name Skinny Dip and her journey as an artist
The truth behind her motivation and how to grow a business when not being money motivated
The one thing that helped her bounce back from burnout and achieve remarkable growth in her jewelry business.
How accountability and leaning in to the things she could control
Why she leaned into community when she really wanted to hide
The leap to invest in herself and her business and how that helped her grow her online sales by 26%, orders by 20%, and website traffic by 11% in just 12 weeks
And so much more

Remember, creativity is your most potent asset in growing a successful jewelry business. If it's drained, you'll struggle to thrive.

If you're looking to boost your creativity and experience a ripple effect of increased traffic, orders, and sales, just like Morgan did, you'll absolutely love this episode.

A Special Offer for You

Morgan also shared on the show how joining our Train Your Customers to Buy Online Program changed her life.

If you need a dose of inspiration, focused training to expand your audience and grow your sales, and a way to feel creatively inspired again, this program is perfect for you.

Submit your application today and grab a bonus website audit valued at $497 when you join by 3/31. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to reignite your passion and grow your jewelry business!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Apply to the Train Your Customers To Buy Online Program

Follow Skinny Dip Jewelry on Instagram!

Skinny Dip Jewelry Website

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP400: From Extreme Burnout to Creatively Inspired with Morgan McGoff appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Have you ever felt stuck in the same place for a LONG time?

Or maybe you say that you want something to change or be different but you aren’t taking the actions to change for yourself.

I’m not here to call you out [well maybe a little] but more so to HELP you overcome the biggest bottleneck to your business growth – YOU.

If things aren’t growing for you, listen to today’s short and sweet episode…

If you need support getting unstuck, enlist the help of a coach, community, or program that will help you solve the problem you’re struggling with.We can see what you can’t see clearly!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Join Train Your Customers to Buy From You Online

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP399: Your Business Will Only Grow As Much as You Grow appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Calling all Shopahoolics and Bright Shiny Object Lovers! This podcast is for YOU!

What if you could transform your LOVE of pretty things and shopping into a thriving jewelry business? When I first met my guest on the show today, Ulka Wilson of Ulka Rocks, she proudly announced that she was a shopaholic (even as she was collecting a lot of inventory behind the scenes).

Ulka is a graduate of our Train Your Customers to Buy From You Online Program which is open for enrollment.

On today’s episode of Thrive by Design, she shares how she has transformed her passion for shopping and designing for herself into a multi-6 figure business shopping and designing for others.

It’s a unique business model and lots to learn from!

Here’s what we chat about during today’s episode… Ulka’s journey from corporate to retiring into her second career as a full time jewelry business owner * How she’s translated a love of shopping into a dream jewelry business model * Her process for navigating multiple customers on a buying and designing trip * Fun ways that she keeps up excitement for her brand with all the marketing tools available * How she doubled her sales goal even when she was extremely sick on her last buying trip * How she honed in a dream client* and what that did for her business long term * And more…

Ulka is such a rockstar and was so fun to interview. Enjoy this episode!

Finally, learn more about growing your online jewelry sales – and turn your bright shiny object, shopaholic syndrome into a thriving business.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Join the Train Your Customers to Buy Online Program

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP398: From Shopaholic to Personal Shopping + Custom Jewelry Design with Ulka Wilson appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Are you a jewelry business owner struggling to make sales online?

You’ve put up a beautiful website and you’re marketing on social media. Perhaps you’re even sending out some emails here and there but for some reason you just can’t seem to make predictable online sales?

Growing your jewelry website sales takes a strategic approach that’s part tactics, part creativity, and part consistency.If you’d like to grow your online jewelry sales and train your customers to buy from you online, you likely need to understand why some online sales strategies fail – and how to fix them!

Listen to this short episode where I dive into common mistakes that stunt online sales growth.

In this episode, I cover…* Why discernment is just as important as a digital marketing strategy * The BIG mistakes a lot of jewelry biz owners make that hinder their online sales growth * How to increase your website traffic without fancy marketing funnels * How previous success in a different sales channel can hinder online sales * And so much more..

I hope this helps you make more online sales this year. If you really want to go deeper on these concepts, join me for a free masterclass I’m hosting HERE.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!

Links:

Train Your Customers To Buy Online Program

FREE Class: The 5 Mistakes Even Smart Jewelry Biz Owners Make That Are Killing Their Sales

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP397: Why Many Online Sales Strategies Fail appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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There’s a lot that goes into growing your jewelry sales – online. One thing is for sure, Live Selling is a great way to create “community” around your brand, get more website traffic, and scale your growth.I am passionate about helping jewelry business owners grow their businesses and create multiple streams of revenue. In my experience, I see a lot of jewelry makers who thrive selling in person or to stores but they can’t seem to translate that in person experience or success into e-commerce sales.

So they throw their hands up, give up, and think: selling online is not for me!It’s important to know that training your customers to buy from you online is NOT super hard but it does take a strategy, consistency (most of you are impatient – yo), and an ability to replicate an in person experience – online.

Which brings me to today’s episode of Thrive by Design, I get to interview Carla Garro, a long time client of mine who is CRUSHING it in her niche with online selling.

Carla is the founder of Lita Sea Glass and has been “Live Selling” for the past several years after she learned the strategy in our program: Train Your Customers to Buy Online.

She sells out of collections every week and can barely keep her jewelry in stock. Listen in to hear how she does it.

Here’s what we chat about…

Her journey into finding her Desired Brand Effect and cornering an untapped unpopular market to make it “in-demand”
How Carla navigates running a very successful business being a single mom and running a team of five people
Steps she took to transition from selling in a brick and mortar to online and wholesale
How she’s built an insane following of dedicated buyers who show up every week to buy her jewelry
Impressive insights into creating community with live selling – yes 350 people show up at times
How she keeps a “beginner’s mind” when it comes to growing her business online
And so much more

Carla is a bad-ass and I want you to be too! She started this process in our TYC Program. If you’d like to get on the waitlist or apply, GO HERE for more details.

xo, Tracy

Links:

Follow Lita Sea Glass on Instagram!

Lita Sea Glass Jewelry Website

Join the Supercharge Your Online Sales Challenge

Apply to the Train Your Customers to Buy Online Program

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP396: How Live Selling Transformed Her Online Jewelry Sales appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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One of the biggest challenges many jewelry business owners face is planning and hosting a successful promotion for a collection launch, a holiday, or even just selling out of their products.

You know why? They don’t take the time out to plan their next online sales promotion because they’re busy with their in person shows, they’re overwhelmed by marketing, or they don’t know HOW to plan a successful online promotion.

There are 3 rules for planning your next jewelry promotion on your website. If you follow these, your online sales will grow!Today, I recorded a short and sweet episode to get you planning and promoting your next launch like a boss and training your customers to buy from you online.

Listen to today’s episode…

Download show notes here

Here’s what I discussed…* The Biggest Organizational Tool You’re Probably Missing Out On * Why Email Marketing (and SMS) the Right Way Will Change Your Results * How to Get Sales Long After Your Event is Over * And more…

These tips are great for all sorts of jewelry companies who are selling online. Good Luck!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Join the Supercharge Your Online Sales Challenge

Apply for Train Your Customers to Buy From You Online

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP395: 3 Rules for Planning Your Next Online Sales Promotion appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Did you know that 95% of all SMS (aka text) messages are opened, read and responded to within 3 minutes?

If you think about this when it comes to marketing your jewelry website, this is EXCITING information. You know why?

Because, when a subscriber opens up your message, the chances that they’ll click through to your website are so much higher than email marketing.

The data tells us that 19% of people click through on average to an SMS message as opposed to just 3% in an email (via smscomparison.com).

That’s why SMS marketing is one of the most powerful and effective forms of marketing for ecommerce and online sales for a jewelry company when done right.If that’s the case, then why aren’t you doing more SMS marketing? If you’ve been wanting to get into SMS marketing for your own business, you’ll love this episode.

Today, on the show I interviewed Taylor Frame, one of the co-founders of Focus Funnels.

He’s a super smart (and super fun) marketer. I originally met Taylor in a business group and we won the Good Times Award – aka the fun people award – at an event in November.

He’ll also be teaching a small group of makers all about SMS Marketing Strategy in our Train Your Customers to Buy From You Online Program this Spring.

During this episode, Taylor shares What's Working Now: SMS Marketing For The Jewelry Industry plus an exciting use case study of jewelry brands that he’s working with.

Download show notes here

During this episode, we talk about…* Why SMS Marketing is such and important part of a jewelry marketing strategy * The phases of the customer journey and timing of SMS messages in your sales funnel * How to add value instead of “selling” all of the time * Simple actionable tips that he uses to crush it for his jewelry business clients * Where you should be sending SMS traffic to on your jewelry website * Plus, real results from one of Taylor’s Jewelry clients who went from 3K to 100K a month in sales in just one year * And so much more

Listen in to today’s episode about SMS marketing and your jewelry business. Excited to hear what you think!

Also, your ratings and reviews help us grow the podcast in a BIG way to reach more jewelry business owners. If you wouldn’t mind taking one minute to rate and review the show on your favorite platform HERE, Your positive rating helps me keep this show going every week for FREE!

I’d love to hear what you think!

xo, Tracy

Links:

Follow Taylor Frame on Linked In

Learn more about SMS Marketing with Focus Funnels

Join the Supercharge Your Online Sales Challenge

Apply to the Train Your Customers to Buy From You Online Program

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP394: What’s Working Now: SMS Marketing For The Jewelry Industry appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Marketing is the gasoline that fuels the sales engine in your jewelry business. It’s one of the most important revenue generating activities a business owner can spend time on.

A lot of creative types #dislike marketing so instead of leaning in, they either blow it off or do it poorly which means their sales suffer, OR they want to hire someone to do it for them.

The BIG problem I often see is that a jewelry business owner decides to hire a marketing assistant and it ends up not working out! You know why?

If you want to hire a marketing assistant for your jewelry business, you need to give them proper training for the role.On today’s short episode of the Thrive by Design Podcast, I share some simple tips to get your marketing assistant trained up the right way.

In today’s episode, I chat about …* The big mistake jewelry business owners make when they want to hire a new team member * A variety of different ways to train your new jewelry marketing assistant * Why you as a business owner needs to understand the marketing if you want your marketing assistant to succeed * And much more…

I hope this short episode was helpful to you! Good luck.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

We’re Hiring An Operations Manager

Join us for Supercharge Your Jewelry Online Sales Challenge

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP393: We’re hiring! Plus, Tips For Training a Marketing Assistant appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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One of the best moves I ever made as a jewelry designer was scaling down my jewelry business to focus only on fine, custom jewelry for private clients.

The reason WHY I love it so much is because you can make so much more money per piece when you’re delivering an experience for someone.

It took me some time to get it going but when I did amazing things happened – the referrals from google, my previous customers, and social media started flooding in.

To this day, I barely need to market my jewelry business anymore to make multi-six figures a year working no more than 5 hours a week on the business.

If you've been considering upleveling your design game and launching or improving your current custom + fine jewelry offer, you’ll love today’s podcast

I’m breaking down some of the key things I set in motion to show you how to grow your custom jewelry business this year.

Listen to EP392: How to Grow Your Custom Jewelry Business in 2023.

During This Episode I Chat About…

How I get consistent referrals from Google (with content I posted years ago)
The one “ASSET” on my website that helps me get customers to fill out my inquiry form and pay double their budget
My networking tip that has landed more clients than paid ads ever could
The process I use to get previous clients referring their friends and designing new pieces every season
And so much more!

I hope this episode inspires you to grow your custom + fine jewelry business this year!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!

Links:

Apply for the Custom Jewelry Accelerator

Jewelry Business Owner’s Growth Guide

Laying the Foundation

Book a Discovery Call

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP392: How to Grow Your Custom Jewelry Business in 2023 appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When I was starting out as a private jeweler, I would get so frustrated because I had people calling me with a Walmart budget who had “Harry Winston” taste.

About 12.5 years ago, I really needed the moolah so I took on a client that couldn’t afford to work with me.

Even though I really needed the sale, I regretted it the entire time. You know why? Because not only did she have VERY little money to invest, she was very challenging to work with.

She nickel and dimed me on everything then kicked the can down the road on payment. And ultimately complained about the entire process at the end. The problem was she wasn’t properly pre-qualified to work with me so I said yes out of desperation.

If you’ve ever experienced something like this with your fine + custom jewerly business, I recorded a quick podcast episode that might help you out…

There are 3 really important questions that you need on your website’s custom inquiry form if you want to increase the quality of clients that you get.Listen to the full episode!

Download the show notes here

If you just want to glance at the custom jewelry form tips, here they are…

Question #1: What is your budget?
Question #2: Who is the piece being designed for?
Question #3: What are 5 Words that describe this person?

When you ask the right questions upfront and you aren’t afraid to turn people down, you’ll attract a much higher caliber of customer for the long term.xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!

Links:

Apply for the Custom Jewelry Accelerator

Jewelry Business Owner’s Growth Guide

Laying the Foundation

Book a Discovery Call

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP391: 3 Questions You Need on Your Custom Jewelry Forms to Close More Prospects appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Do you design custom fine jewelry?

Are you a private jewelry designer who works only with private commissioned clients?

Are you thinking about adding a custom jewelry option to your fine jewelry website?

If you’re designing fine jewelry or high-end jewelry like engagement rings, wedding bands, heirloom redesign, or private commissions, here’s how to grow a waitlist of clients using your website!

Today, I share my process for building a successful custom fine jewelry business with no retail location or brick and mortar studio space.

If you’re working with private jewelry clients, take on heirloom jewelry redesign projects, or design special occasion pieces like engagement rings and wedding bands, your website can be a powerful tool to get you new leads and clients if you know how to optimize your website.Fine jewelry websites require certain elements to develop trust with people who can’t walk into a retail location. If you’re ready to optimize your fine jewelry website to get more traffic to your virtual storefront..

Listen to Episode 390 of Thrive by Design where I discuss: 5 Ways to Increase Your Website (Online) Sales Conversions for Fine + Custom Jewelry

Download the show notes here

During today’s episode I share: The ONE thing you need on your contact page to build more trust. * The massive missed opportunity that many private jewelers don’t consider when it comes to local clientele. * The MOST important page on a custom website that you need to make the sale before your sales conversation. * How to pre-vet prospects before you ever talk to them* – this is gold. * And so much more..

I’m so excited for you!

I’ve grown my customer base without marketing just by leaning into these website conversion strategies for fine jewelry brands.Enjoy and look forward to watching your fine + custom jewelry business thrive.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Jewelry Business Owner’s Growth Guide

Laying the Foundation

Book a Discovery Call

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP390: 5 Ways to Increase Your Online Sales Conversions for Fine + Custom Jewelry appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Are you completely overwhelmed or baffled by how to use social media like Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok for your jewelry business?

If that’s a HECK Yes, well you’re going to love this episode.

While social media can be a very important part of a digital marketing strategy for a jewelry business, it’s not 100% necessary for all types of brands.

Today on this short episode of Thrive by Design, I answer the question (along with Coach Chelsea): Can I Grow My Jewelry Business Without Social Media?

Listen in on today’s episode…

Download the show notes here

Can I ask you a quick favor?If you’re enjoying the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.

Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform
Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”
Share your favorite insights and inspirations

If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.

xo, Tracy

Links:

Jewelry Business Owner’s Growth Guide

Laying the Foundation

Book a Discovery Call

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP389: Can I Grow My Jewelry Business Without Social Media? appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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I am still coming down from the HIGH of the Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp! What about YOU?

On the show today, I did a quick and dirty recap of some of my favorite parts of the bootcamp today and some of my key takeaways including…

My vision to help 1000 jewelry business owners grow or add an additional 100K to their sales or a number that’s meaningful to them.
Key bootcamp metrics and takeaways from the group
The cliff’s notes of the key takeaways from the 60 to 90 minute teaching sessions every day
Plus, aha moments and our favorite parts of bootcamp.

Listen to episode #388 of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp Recap

Download the show notes here

Just for fun, I want to share a bootcamp win here!

We’d love to stay connected with you long after the bootcamp is over. Here are a few ways that we can do that… Join the Thrive by Design FREE Facebook Group for Jewelry Biz Owners * Let’s connect on Instagram: Follow Tracy Matthews on Instagram and Follow Flourish & Thrive Academy on Instagram * Buy my 7 x Best Selling Business Book for Jewelry Business Owners: The Desired Brand Effect* * And of course, I release new podcast episodes weekly! SUBSCRIBE HERE

Looking forward to watching your business grow this year!

xo, Tracy

Links:

Jewelry Business Owner’s Growth Guide

Laying the Foundation

Book a Discovery Call

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Subscribe on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP388: Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp Recap appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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We just wrapped up the Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp and it was AMAZING! We welcomed 172 (and counting) jewelry business owners into our Laying the Foundation Program.

During the bootcamp, I got this question several times…

How much should I be paying myself as a jewelry designer | maker?That’s why today, I’m sharing a snippet from our Ask Me Anything Q&A. The answer to this one question is not an easy one because most jewelry business owners approach paying themselves in the completely WRONG way.

What you pay yourself is directly related to your pricing but more than likely, not in the way you think.
Dive into today’s episode EP387: How Much Should I Pay Myself As a Jewelry Designer

Download the show notes here

The mindset and psychology behind your pricing is really powerful and an important factor to paying yourself.

During the episode, I break down…* Why most makers think about paying themselves in the wrong way (and it’s keeping them broke) * How to price and incorporate the right labor fees into your jewelry * The ONE metric you need to know in your jewelry business to pay yourself WELL * The “hourly” conundrum and mindset around your role in your company * And a lot more…

I hope this episode helps you understand more about how to price your jewelry, pay yourself well, and make more doing what you love!

xo, Tracy

Links:

Join Laying the Foundation

Book a Discovery Call

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP387: How Much Should I be Paying Myself as A Jewelry Designer? appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Everyone looks at the cost of a book, coach, or program.

Nobody considers the cost of being in the same place 1 year from now.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you may have heard my story about hiring my first coach-sultant, Phil. For years, I’d struggle to figure things out in my business.

Because I’m determined, I built my first business on trial and error with a huge opportunity cost. My business operations were chaotic. I was getting into deeper debt (part of my excuse for not hiring a consultant). And I kept saying – “I wish someone would tell me exactly what to do (for XYZ problem).”

But I kept putting off hiring a coach or consultant because of the “price-tag” which I now KNOW was an investment in myself.

Eventually I hired Phil. At the time, my business had just been thrown into the vortex of a terrible economic crash. Even though I really couldn’t “afford” the investment, I needed help so badly. So I committed to a HUGE financial commitment back then (2008) and figured out a way to make the $1500 a month investment work.

I was desperate at the time. And while hiring a coach when you’re a the point of desperation can be fine, it’s better to hire someone when you’re in a space where you can actually implement what you learn.

So, if you’ve been considering coaching for your jewelry business, you may be wondering things like..

When is the right time to hire a coach or take a coaching program?
Is my business too new for coaching?
Am I too experienced to hire a coach?
Can I actually afford to hire a coach?
What kind of coaching is right for me now?

Let’s chat…

I get DMs all of the time about jewelry business coaching and today I answer all of these questions on today’s podcast.

If you’re wondering if coaching, consulting, or taking a group coaching program is a good fit for you, you’ll love EP386: When is the Right Time to Get Coaching For Your Jewelry Business?

Download the show notes here

Is Coaching or a Coaching Program Right for YOU?Is there ever the right time to get coaching? The short answer is, YES. One on one coaching might not be the best based on your stage of business or what you’re willing to invest, or it might be perfect. We explore timing, how to stay results focused, and how to use coaching to move a lot faster.

How Do I Fit in Coaching or a Program If I’m Already Super Busy?One of the keys to making coaching work is actually doing the work. So fitting it in can seem impossible if you feel overwhelmed already. But here’s the thing. If you commit to making time and scheduling the time to do the work, you’d be surprised at how much time you can make for important things.

How Do I Learn a Course if I Have a Unique Learning Style?Everyone consumes information differently. On the show I share how to get the most out of a coaching program based on your unique learning style.

Most people wouldn’t even flinch at investing 10’s of thousands of dollars a year to go to a University program that might never give them life or business skills. They end up in debt that they’re paying off for years. Think of investing in business coaching as a fast track to achieving what you want in your jewelry business a lot faster.

If you’d like my help with that, check out our jewelry business coaching and programs page or book a discovery call with my team to discuss your business needs.

xo, Tracy

Links:

Join Laying the Foundation

Book a Concierge Call for LTF

Book a Discovery Call to Explore Coaching Options

Explore Our Jewelry Business Coaching Programs

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP386: When is the Right Time to Get Coaching For Your Jewelry Business appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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It takes a lot of courage to walk away from an abusive relationship. So, when your jewelry business is part of the reason that you’re able to get out, heal and move forward…

Well, that’s a true WHY for going all in on it!

On the podcast today, I interviewed a very courageous woman, Claire Steckel of Skolland Jewelry.

She took a bet on herself to go all in on her jewelry business to quit her job, leave an abusive relationship, and lean into her strengths as a maker.

Today’s episode is vulnerable and inspiring so if you’ve needed the courage to go all in…

Listen to today’s episode #385 Her Jewelry Business Became a Safe Haven From an Abusive Relationship

Download the show notes here

DESIGN INFLUENCES + SIGNATURE STYLEShe shares her muses and design inspirations that led to a mix of influences that helped her create a signature style. If you’re inspired by a lot of different aspects, you’ll love this.

HER BUSINESS AS A SAFE HAVENWhen her relationship with an abusive partner was encompassing her life, she used her jewelry business as a safe haven for change. She got out of the relationship (this is vulnerable for her to share publicly) and quit her job so that she could go all in on her business.

GROWING EVEN WHEN SHE’S NOT GOOD AT MARKETING?Claire’s business grew online by 500% in 6 months and she proclaims that she isn’t good at marketing. Listen in to hear how she started getting repeat customers and growing her online sales despite this.

Listen to the full interview for more about Claire’s Journey!

If you are in an abusive relationship or are in need of help, please call the domestic violence hotline at 800.799.SAFE.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Skolland Jewelry Website

FollowClaire on Instagram

Take my FREE Masterclass How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market With a Timeless Jewelry Brand

Join the Laying the Foundation Program

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP385: Her Jewelry Business Became a Safe Haven From an Abusive Relationship appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Imagine it’s 6 months from now and you have a website that’s making sales from people you didn’t know, collections that are sold out, and an increase in overall sales by 30%.

If you’re a maker who’s starting your business in retirement,, I think you’d feel pretty good, right?

That’s what happened when Rina Lubin decided to be open to the signs to be ready to be ready to be ready (nod to Abraham Hicks)…

…so that when the teacher showed up, she was ready to learn and change.

On today’s episode of Thrive by Design, Rina shares her journey from retiring from her job as a physical therapist to building a lifestyle jewelry business in her next chapter.

Her story is incredibly inspiring, so listen in..

Download the show notes here

She shares…

How she motivated herself in the early stages of her jewelry business
The transition that helped her get random strangers buying from her website
The internal shifts that happened to be ready to invest in her business acumen
How these shifts resulted in a 20-30% increase in sales in just 6 months

MOTIVATIONAs a busy maker who was doing it all herself with limited time, Rina shares how she motivated herself in the early stages of her jewelry business. She also discusses her motivation to trust that she was ready to invest in herself and her business with a proven business and branding program for jewelry makers.

TRANSITIONING INTO RETIREMENTAfter retiring from her physical therapy career, Rina knew it was time to go all in on her jewelry business. She had no intention of building a 6-figure business, but she did want to make enough to support her retirement and feel a sense of accomplishment along the way. Listen for some of her insights as she made this transition.

RANDOM STRANGERS BUYING ON HER WEBSITEOne of Rina’s biggest wins was finally getting her website to attract random strangers, and that she did. By following our website blueprint, she started selling out of her collections and had people she didn’t know buying from her website! And her sales grew 30% in just 6 months.

Listen to the entire episode and discover HOW she did it.

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Rina’s Website Pure Whimsy Jewelry
Pure Whimsy Jewelry Instagram

Laying the Foundation

Get a Shopify Website

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP384: Growing a Jewelry Business in Retirement with Rina Lubin appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you have one of those “soul-sucking” day jobs with no opportunity for growth….

Or you just want to be inspired by another jewelry maker doing big things…

You’ll love this story!

Whenever I hear a good “I-quit-my-full-time-job-to-pursue-my-jewelry-biz” story, I have to learn more – especially when that designer doubled her online sales and now has 23 wholesale accounts – in just a year.

Pretty mind-blowing and exciting at the same time!

Meet Rosie Harris of Joie Designs. I interviewed her on the Thrive by Design Podcast about her phenomenal growth over this last year.

Download the show notes here

During this inspiring episode, we chat about…

Her journey into doing her jewelry business full time to leave her soul-sucking job
How she overcame her fears to cold email stores (and land lots of accounts).
What she did to double her website sales last year (before and after photos included)
Why following a roadmap grew her business faster this year than any year previously
Suggestions for jewelry makers who want to turn a side hustle into a full-time lifestyle business

Rosie wrapped the episode by sharing: “If you saw the progress I've made, it's phenomenal. That progress feeds my confidence to go forward into my next set of goals.”Her progress came from following our step-by-step business building roadmap in the Laying the Foundation Program after she joined at this time last year.

Are you ready to grow your business like Rosie’s this year? If that’s a HECK, Yes, we’re here to help.

xo, Tracy

P.S. One of Rosie’s key motivators in growing her business last year was taking the Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp. We’re hosting our next round on January 23rd to 27th, 2023.

Save your seat for FREE.

Sponsor Highlight

Links:

Follow Joie Designs on Instagram

Joie Designs Website

Laying the Foundation

Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Tracy Matthews Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP383: From Soul-Sucking Day Job to 23 Wholesale Accounts in 1 Year with Rosie Harris appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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I have a theory – a lot of people prefer to suffer than break up with a toxic habit.

I’m embarrassingly guilty of this…

A few weeks ago, I broke up with a very bad old habit that snuck up on me→ acting like a victim.

I’m embarrassed to admit it! It was affecting my business, my relationship with Jason, and my leadership.

Even though I knew I had to change or things were going to get a lot worse – I procrastinated and waited until the pain was too great NOT to change.

It’s amazing what happens when you decide and commit to necessary endings. It’s just a few weeks later and everything has turned around in my life.

If you’re someone who’s ready to release toxic behavior out of your life, listen to my podcast today where I walk you through a 5 step process to release and shake things up.

I hope it helps you make a major breakthrough this year!

Listen to episode #382 of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to How to Shake Things Up to Get the Business You Want in 2023.

STOP IT! BREAK THE CYCLEPart of shaking things up is getting rid of the bad habits that are holding you back. They don’t define you if you can see that they aren’t YOU. It’s time for something a lot better to level up your jewelry business game.

PRUNE THE WEEDSIs your business (or you) holding onto deadweight? Out with the old and in with the new. Clear the clutter and baggage. Be brave and have the conversations and necessary endings that are no longer serving you or your business.

FILL IN THE KNOWLEDGE GAPSWhere do you need support in your blind spots? Where are your knowledge gaps? There is no shame in asking for help to move a lot faster!

Listen for the rest of my tips on shaking things up to have the best year ever!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Jewelry Business Owner’s Growth Guide

Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp

Laying the Foundation Program

Momentum Growth Accelerator Coaching Program

Apply for a Free Strategy Audit

Episode147 What it really takes to make a $50K salary as a jewelry designer

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish and Thrive Facebook

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP382: How to Shake Things Up To Get The Business You Want in 2023 appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Mindset! It’s such a powerful tool for success and necessary for any jewelry business owner to reach their goals.

Mindset is especially important for people who want to make at a minimum $100K in annual sales as a jewelry maker or designer.

I’ve noticed that after mentoring thousands of people with their business that there’s a lot of shame and avoidance around the topic of creating financial success and security – and using their jewelry business as a vehicle for wealth creation.

Which got me thinking, why aren’t more women and creatives making what they really desire or deserve.

On the podcast today, I share my vision for helping jewelry business owners cross the 100K in revenue mark in 2023.

And I’ve decided that I want to commit to empowering a larger group of women (and men) to overcome the hurdles that hold you back from creating financial success for yourself.

If you’re ready to play big or go home…. Listen to today’s episode.

Here's a little more about today's episode…

WHY EARNING MORE IS BETTER FOR SOCIETY AS A WHOLEGet clear on what you truly desire from all angles. Why do you desire to make money from your jewelry business? Understand the underlying motivations that support your vision. I’m sure it’s not about just being wealthy. It’s about what financial security provides.

SIMPLE STRATEGIES THAT SUPPORT BIGGER EARNING POTENTIALIt’s not enough just to be clear on the what and the why of your financial goals. What’s more important is to understand what is preventing you from doing it on your own. The usual suspect in stunting financial growth is the mind. Let’s get to the bottom of why you;re in your own way.

EASY WAYS TO GET SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR GROWTHAccountability, structure, and support are the keys to reaching your goals. Follow a proven system then back that up with accountability from a coach or your peers so that you actually do what you say you want.

(And if you want my support in this, happy to help. Book a Discovery Call and let’s explore the options of how our jewelry business coaching can help you grow).

Leave the OLD and STAGNANT in 2022 and let’s ring in the New Year with positive vibes together. We’ve got you!

xo, Tracy

Sponsor Spotlight!Links:

Jewelry Business Owner’s Growth Guide

Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp

Laying the Foundation Program

Momentum Growth Accelerator Coaching Program

Apply for a Free Strategy Audit

Episode147 What it really takes to make a $50K salary as a jewelry designer

Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish and Thrive Facebook

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP381: How to Make Bold Moves By Overcoming Mindset Hurdles in 2023 appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Paying taxes is a necessary part of running your jewelry business and a great indicator of the profitability of your jewelry company. But let’s face it – no one likes paying taxes and there are legal ways to reduce your tax liability this year.

Reducing your tax liability can feel impossible, especially this late into December. These tips are simple, actionable steps that you can take right now before January hits.

If you’re asking yourself…

How do I pay less tax with my jewelry business and take home more?I’ve dialed in 9 different ways that you can reduce your tax liability that are simple, actionable steps to take right now before January hits.

Is reducing your taxes a priority for 2022? Listen for all my tips here…

Download the show notes here

GATHER YOUR RECEIPTSKeeping track of all of your expenses is going to help with end of the year accounting. This way, you can make smart money decisions going into the new year. So take some time, and find those receipts and invoices of your expenses this past year.

PAY VENDORS EARLYGet your marketing wants and needs organized for the new year. Know what you are trying to do in the new year. Plan, and make moves to get those things ready and wait for 2023!

INVEST IN YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESSTake a look at your business. What does it need? That can be a wide range of things. As long as those items add value or growth to your business, you may be able to write them off for 2022.

The key to taxes is knowing what you have paid for and what you are planning on paying for. Keep yourself organized, hire a good accountant. and save your hard earned money.

Listen to today’s entire episode of Thrive by Design for tips to help you reduce your taxes for 2022! Please check with your accountant before implementing any of these tips on your own.

xo, Tracy
Sponsor Spotlight!

Links

Apply for a Free Discovery Call

Flourish & Thrive Instagram

Flourish and Thrive Facebook

Flourish & Thrive Tik Tok

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP380: 9 Ways to Reduce Your Taxes for Your Jewelry Business in 2022 appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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It’s common for people to play small when it comes to going after their larger-than-life dreams!.

What if I told you that mindset is the only reason big goals are impossible?

That was the case with Twyla Dill, a rockstar jewelry maker in Seattle, WA and graduate of our Momentum Program. She creates beautiful handmade pieces that combine fine crochet work and metal pieces – they’re gorgeous!

As a growth seeking being she decided to do something far far out of her comfort zone. She set a CRAZY goal for herself to sell $100K of her $500K in inventory in just 55 days.

That target was huge for her especially because she was planning on leaving her kiosk at Pikes Place Market in Seattle (where she’d sold for years) to sell primarily online.

Wanna know how she did it? Listen to the full story here…

Download the show notes here

Here's the high level. She was..

ConfidentTwyla was not afraid to go for her goal and ask for what she wanted. By having the confidence to share her goal with her community, she got “buy-in” from her customers and followers. People were cheering her along every step of the way.

Consistent With Her ActionsShe kept going even when it felt awkward or redundant. She showed up for her email list and social media followers and just kept sharing her progress and her story. That got serious engagement and people who wanted to help her hit the target.

Willing to Get UncomfortableEven though it felt awkward, she kept pushing herself outside of her comfort zone. When fear popped up, she just did it anyway. She asked for what she wanted and she actually got it. Imagine that!

Anyone can set a big goal and achieve it – even YOU! So put on your big girl panties and let’s do this

Listen to today’s episode of Thrive by Design for the more in depth conversion and some of the tactics Twyla used to reach her goal.

xo, Tracy

Links:

Twyla Dill Designs Website

Follow Twyla on Instagram!

Follow Twyla on Tik Tok

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The post EP 379: How She Sold 100K of Her Jewelry in 55 Days With Confidence and Gumption appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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You hear a lot about meditation, journaling, sleep and all those things that reduce stress. They’re great and you should keep doing those.

But today I’m going to talk about a quick and simple exercise. It’s super helpful in de-stressing and getting focused. In fact, it’s helped me calm my monkey mind and I’ve never felt clearer after doing this.

So listen to today’s Tuesday Tip because it’s going to help you tremendously, especially this holiday rush.

See, I’ve been meditating but it wasn’t really doing much for me because I was feeling super stressed.

And if you’ve listened to my previous podcast episode, I shared the story about how I was on a downward spiral over the last couple of months. And one of the things that helped me out of my funk was this simple breathwork exercise.

Some of the exercises I talked about in this episode are alternate nostril breathing and breathing through a straw.

So listen to this Tuesday Tip and let go of your anxiety in just a few minutes.

xo, Tracy

Links:

Zach Rehder Breathwork

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Momentum

Free Discovery Call

EP376: Simple Ways to Express and Embody Gratitude (Even When Things Are HARD)

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We’re in the thick of the holiday season right now and this is when the most sales usually happen. And if you’re trying to reach new customers, using paid ads is a great way to reach more people who don’t know your brand yet.

But when you have a small business and you don’t have $5,000 to test on ads or pay marketing agencies, then these 3 platforms are your best bet.

These overlooked website traffic sources will help you get more new customers and provide longevity for your ad efforts.

Download the show notes here

Google I feel like a lot of businesses forget about using Google My Business account and Google Performance Max account

If you have a physical store or a studio space, you can hook up your website to Google My Business to get local reviews and rank in local searches. That way, when someone is looking for a jewelry brand in your town, your business will pop up in their search.

On the other hand, Google Performance Max is perfect for retargeting your website to visitors and ranking for keywords, especially in your local area. And the brilliance of this is that it helps position you to be on the top page and get more traction for your business.

Lead MagnetsThese can be styling guides, a quiz, downloadable resources, and lots of different things.

But the key to making lead magnets effective is having an effective email sequence on your backend. Of course, you also have to pay attention to measure your results, like your open rate and click-through rates. That way, you’ll be able to know what to tweak, so you’ll get the most of your ad spend.

PinterestThis might be one of the most under-utilized and overlooked strategies, but one of the biggest traffic drivers.

Pinterest is designed as a shopping platform. It is made for E-commerce, and hooking it up to your website helps you rank on Google. And when your content gets indexed, they tend to run for a period of time, so that even if your advertised product is sold out, you're still getting traffic to your website.

So make sure Pinterest is plugged into your website so people can share your content and products.

Of course, there are some nuances when using these platforms to drive traffic to your website, and I did a deep dive into these strategies in this podcast.

So make sure to listen to this episode and find out how to get the most cost-effective way and get the maximum effect for your ads effort for your jewelry business.

Enjoy!

xo, Tracy

Links:

Traffic on Fire Accelerator

EP 373: What’s Working Now on FB and Instagram Ads For Paid Ads

Momentum Program

Laying the Foundation Program

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Slide Into My DMs

Facebook

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The post EP378: 3 Overlooked Website Traffic Sources to Grow Your Online Sales appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you're not getting the results you want in business, the number one thing that is standing in your way is your mindset.

The way you think about yourself and your business, whether you’re conscious of it or not, has a huge impact on your success.

I’ve worked with thousands of designers over the years, and all of them have the same goal: create financial freedom by scaling their business.

Some of them give up.

Some of them get stuck.

Some of them scale to the millions.

So what can we learn from those million dollar makers?

When you stretch yourself, amazing things happen.I used to teach yoga, back in the day, and I would always tell my students, “fake it ‘til you make it.”

See, sometimes students would come in and get a little irritated because I was teaching advanced arm balancing techniques, and they’d be like, “Why are you pushing us this hard in a level 2 Vinyasa class?”

But I did it because I knew that after a few classes, they’d be amazed to find out what they’re capable of.

The same thing goes for your business, m’dear. When you stretch yourself, amazing things happen.

Don’t let your beliefs hold you back.What I learned from this teaching experience is that sometimes, when we’re confronted by a new problem, we decide that we can’t solve it before we even try.

I know I’ve felt that way before.

When you don’t believe in yourself, your capabilities as a business owner, and your capacity for growth, you’ll be easily deterred by the roadblocks that every business owner faces.

Reframe failures as learning opportunities.Failure will not set you back as far as the fear of failure will.

When you fail, it’s an opportunity to stretch. You come out the other side a stronger business owner.

When you’re controlled by a fear of failure, you never let yourself try in the first place.

Running a business naturally comes with some high highs and low lows. Don’t be disheartened. Remember, you’ll always have a community to fall back on here at Flourish & Thrive Academy.

xo, Tracy

Fast Cash Strategies Mini Course

Shopify Free Trial

Free Strategy Audit

Slide Into My DMs

Laying The Foundation

Momentum Program

The Desired Brand Effect

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

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The post Tuesday Tip: Million Dollar Maker Mindset appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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I was talking to our Diamond Insiders Coach, Dawn, about why some business owners give up on their dreams. She said something that got me thinking. “A lot of people are not committed to their business in the way where they’re willing to actually do what it takes to be successful.” You could be a…

The post EP377: The 3 Core Habits of a Highly Successful Maker appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Today, I want to talk about a quick tip to increase your average order value as a small business owner. This is something I talk about a lot here on Thrive By Design (I even mentioned it in last week’s Tuesday Tip!), but I cannot overstate just how amazing it can be. It’s something I…

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In honor of Thanksgiving, I’m going to get a little more personal than usual today. I’m going to share some vulnerable stories from my own life, and the strategies that help me embody gratitude to get through some of my hardest moments. I was inspired to record this episode because so many people have been…

The post EP376: Simple Ways to Express and Embody Gratitude (Even When Things Are HARD) appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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I recently got a message from a lovely designer in our community, and it went something like this: “Oh my gosh, I sent out nine messages and made $2,400, and the sales are still coming in!” Now, let me ask you, what would an extra $2,400 do for your business this holiday season? I think…

The post Tuesday Tip: 3 Hidden Profit Centers in Your Jewelry Business appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Have you ever dreamed of opening your own brick and mortar jewelry business? This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer Gandia, founder of Greenwich St. Jewelers. Jennifer owns the family business with her sister and their parents. While she always loved jewelry, she was hesitant at first to step into the family biz.…

The post EP 375: The New Age of Brick and Mortar Retail with Jennifer Gandia appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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I’m dropping into your earbuds this week to give you a short and sweet tip to keep you motivated and rollin’ into this holiday season like it’s nobody’s business. It’s the end of the year, and I’ve been hearing from a lot of designers who feel disheartened about their annual sales numbers. Whether you’re in…

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This week I am so excited to interview the founders of New York City Jewelry Week, Bella Neyman, J.B. Jones, and their creative partner, Alain Simic. This is the one annual event that I never miss. It’s happening SOON from November 14-20. This year’s theme? “Joy and Human Connection.” In this episode, you’ll learn all…

The post EP 374: Joy and Human Connection NYC Jewelry Week appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you want to start running ads for your jewelry business on a low budget, then you’re going to discover the simplest way in this episode. Here’s a quick glance at this episode… DIY tips and opportunity to run ads for your jewelry business without breaking the bank How to drive your followers from Facebook,…

The post Tuesday Tip: The Simple Advertising Strategy That Anyone Can Pull Off for Holiday appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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You might be wondering what works for Facebook and Instagram advertising. If that’s you, and if you're not sure if you should be running paid ads, then you’re going to love today’s episode. I interviewed Nicole Diedrich, founder of Diedrich Marketing Strategies. She caught me up to speed on the kinds of paid advertising strategies…

The post EP 373: What’s Working Now on FB and Instagram Ads For Paid Ads appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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The reality of growing a 7-figure business may be a little different than you think. That’s because every time you up-level your business, you have to make a lot of new changes. The strategies that will take you from $0 to $100,000 aren’t the same as the ones that will take you from $100,000 to…

The post EP 372: 3 Steps to Grow Your Business to 7-Figures appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When you’re building a brand, you want to appear like you’re a 6-figure brand, even if you’re not. What I mean is, you want people to take you seriously. Think of your website as your brand’s first impression. If you’re getting traffic but still struggling to make online sales, it might be time to take…

The post EP371: The Top 3 Things You Need on Your Website for Better Sales Conversion appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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There is an automated marketing sequence that can help you increase your sales, sometimes up to 35-44%! That’s right, I’m talking about an abandoned cart sequence. An abandoned cart sequence is a series of 2-3 marketing emails or SMS texts that get sent out automatically when someone puts a product in their cart, then leaves…

The post EP370: The Automated Email Series That Boosts Sales for the Holidays appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you’re feeling unsure about your jewelry business, this one’s for you. A lovely designer recently sent me a DM asking, “Do I fight for my jewelry business, or do I close it?” I wanted to talk about it, because it’s something I really struggled with many years ago. For those of you who don’t…

The post EP369: Do I fight for it? Or close my jewelry business? appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you’re a business owner with a really small marketing budget, you’re probably wondering, “How do I grow beyond my friends and family network?” Someone recently asked this question in one of our Laying The Foundation Q&A sessions, and I know she’s not the only one who has this problem. Most people get their business…

The post EP368: How To Market Beyond Your Network With A Small Marketing Budget appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When I was first starting out as a jewelry designer, I got rejected a lot. It’s an inevitable part of starting a jewelry business. You get a lot of NO’s before you start hearing YES. Still, it hurts. So I wanted to get to the bottom of it. I learned over time to use rejection…

The post Bonus Episode: Tuesday Tip: Standing Out With Your Collection appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you’re struggling to establish a consistent cycle of sales in your business, you have to start thinking through the entire sales cycle. It’s unfortunately super common for jewelry designers to get stuck in what I call a “sales plateau” in the early years of their business. This is often the make-or-break point for many…

The post Bonus Episode: How to Always Have a Cycle of Sales Coming Into Your Business appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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People who successfully build thriving businesses have a completely different mindset from people who struggle continuously to see growth. I’ve talked to thousands of independent jewelry designers in our programs at Flourish & Thrive, and it’s only reinforced the fact that your sales will never grow beyond what you believe is true about yourself and…

The post EP367: Why Your Sales Will Never Grow Beyond Your Mindset appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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How do you create growth during an economic downturn? That is the question of the hour. Well, if you're concerned about your jewelry business and how to survive the looming recession, you are going to really be inspired by my guest today, Quay Flom. She is a partner in a company called Yellowbird Fine Arts…

The post EP366: A Thriving Jewelry Store in an Economic Downturn? appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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“How do I know if it’s time to shut down my business?” This is a scary question for small business owners, so when I saw it in my DMs, it gave me pause. A lot of jewelry designers struggle with this. You started something that you’re so passionate about, and you’ve poured your heart into…

The post EP365: How to Recover From Burnout and Get Back Into the Swing of Things appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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As a creative visionaries, we’re not wired to be managers. We’re wired to be leaders. Because we’re so passionate about what we do, we end to be more emotional in the way we run our business. So when the topic of leadership comes up, especially when you’re trying to build a team for your small…

The post EP364: Conscious Leadership and the Future of Work with Sarah Hawley first appeared on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

The post EP364: Conscious Leadership and the Future of Work with Sarah Hawley appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Stop making your marketing harder than it needs to be. Over the years, I’ve seen sooo many jewelry designers way overcomplicate their small business marketing strategy. They dump money into ads, create complex marketing funnels, and wonder why they’re not seeing a return on investment. Sure, that can be effective when you do it right.…

The post Online Sales: The Easy Way vs. The Hard Way first appeared on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

The post Online Sales: The Easy Way vs. The Hard Way appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Raise your hand if you’re a procrastinator. ✋ Don’t be shy, I’m raising my hand, too. We are rolling fast toward the biggest sales season for independent jewelry designers: the holidays. I’m here to tell you, from one procrastinator to another, how getting your marketing calendar in order now has a direct correlation to your…

The post EP363: How Getting Your Marketing Calendar in Order has a Direct Correlation to Sales first appeared on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

The post EP363: How Getting Your Marketing Calendar in Order has a Direct Correlation to Sales appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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What if you could grow your Instagram following from 2,500 to 26,000 followers in six months all from the comfort of your own couch? I know it sounds too good to be true, but that’s what one of our Momentum students, Claire Mannheimer, did. Her brand, Adorn to Rise, blew up on Instagram using what…

The post EP362: The Lazy Reels Strategy That Grew Her Audience to 26K and Doubled Her Online Sales with Claire Mannheimer first appeared on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

The post EP362: The Lazy Reels Strategy That Grew Her Audience to 26K and Doubled Her Online Sales with Claire Mannheimer appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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On July 5th, 2012, we turned on our first website and shared our mission to revolutionize the jewelry industry by helping jewelry makers create financial security for themselves by doing something they loved. Flourish & Thrive Academy started as an idea to make jewelry consulting, coaching and mentorship affordable. One-on-one Consulting can be extremely cost…

The post 10 Lessons from 10 Years Helping Designers and Makers Build Successful Jewelry Businesses first appeared on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

The post 10 Lessons from 10 Years Helping Designers and Makers Build Successful Jewelry Businesses appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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One of the most powerful ways that I developed sales confidence as a jewelry maker and as a business owner was going through QVC’s sales training to sell my products live on air. When I was first invited to sell on QVC, I had already been in business for almost nine years. I thought I…

The post EP361: Live Selling: How to Increase Your Online and In-Person Sales Conversions by Adopting the Strategies of QVC & HSN with Lisa Elizondo first appeared on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

The post EP361: Live Selling: How to Increase Your Online and In-Person Sales Conversions by Adopting the Strategies of QVC & HSN with Lisa Elizondo appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Back in 2012, I had an idea that was developed in a dingy jazz club over cocktails with my friend and jewelry consultant, Robin Kramer. My vision was to bring business coaching to start up brands who couldn’t afford to hire a consultant. The jewelry industry was tight-lipped back then and no other jewelry designers…

The post EP360: The Future of Jewelry 10 Year Anniversary Episode with Tracy Matthews and Robin Kramer first appeared on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

The post EP360: The Future of Jewelry 10 Year Anniversary Episode with Tracy Matthews and Robin Kramer appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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People don’t just wake up and decide to buy something. They need time to think about a purchase and get excited for a new product. So, if you want to get more visibility for your upcoming collection launch or holiday sales, you must have a pre-launch strategy. Not sure what a pre-launch strategy is? Keep…

The post EP359: Holiday Sales Visibility; How Visibility Relates to More Sales (yep, even in a product-based business) with Brenna McGowan appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Having an Etsy shop is not the same thing as having a jewelry business. I’m not trying to be harsh here, m’dear. Lots of designers get their start on Etsy, and it can be a great platform for growing your brand – if you use it strategically. The problem with third-party platforms like Etsy is…

The post EP358: How to Build Your Email List Using Etsy appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When you feel uncertain, overwhelmed, and stuck in a downward spiral, you’re not operating from a place of power. I wanted to record a bonus episode for you this week, m’dear. While I’ve been batching podcast content well in advance, some things have come up in our lovely community here at Flourish & Thrive Academy…

The post How to Deal With Inflation and Uncertainty (and Still Have a Thriving Jewelry Business) appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Guest post from my friend and PR pro Nora Wolf of Wolf Craft, an á la carte PR shop for creative businesses. I asked Nora to write this post for jewelry business owners interested in pitching their work to holiday gift guides. 1: Consumers spend the most around the holidays The holidays are the biggest…

The post 5 Reasons Why Holiday Gift Guides are the Holy Grail of Jewelry PR and How You Can Tap Into Them appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Create an Ecommerce Website for Your Jewelry Business It doesn’t matter if you’re selling handmade jewelry, fine jewelry, custom jewelry, ceramics, or other creative products. One thing is for sure, your business must have a robust online presence. It’s how your independent jewelry business will survive and thrive in this “new normal.” Even if…

The post 5 Tips to Supercharge Your Online Jewelry Sales appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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In trying to convince my dad why taking a job as a head designer at a $400 MM jewelry company was a bad idea… I found clarity and certainty that I should play full out for my own jewelry business. I could still vividly recall the event like it was yesterday… My jewelry business had…

The post Why Father’s Day Reminds Me of The Day I Bet on Myself and My Jewelry Business appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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“You’re gonna go into debt to learn how to make beaded necklaces?!” That’s how Stephenie Denault’s stepmother reacted when she told her family she’d decided to study jewelry making. Stephenie’s family assumed she’d never amount to much in life because of her dyslexia and ADD. Stephenie was determined to prove them wrong. Despite the total…

The post How This Artisan Jewelry Maker Grew Her Business to 6 Figures by Serving Comic-Con Fans appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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During the summer months, most independent jewelry designers fall into one of two camps: Either summer is your slowest season and you’re focused on prepping for holiday sales… OR, you sell summer-focused jewelry and your busy season is just beginning. Whatever your situation may be, Q3 is right around the corner and it’s the perfect…

The post EP357: 5 Steps to More Online Sales This Summer appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you’re a jewelry designer dreaming of quitting your corporate job to focus on your business, you probably have a lot of questions. How can I increase my sales enough to support myself? How do I prepare for such a drastic transition? How will I know when it’s the right time to quit my job?…

The post EP356: From Lilly Pulitzer to Solo Startup: How One Designer Left Corporate to Pursue Her Passion with Jane Paradis appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Amanda and Tiffany Reis have been making jewelry ever since they were little kids and selling friendship bracelets to all the other kids on the block. In her 20’s, Amanda used her jewelry-making skill to raise money for breast cancer – a cause she was very passionate about. She sold her jewelry on Etsy then…

The post From Stuck and Not Knowing What to Do to Hitting Million-Dollar Sales for Their Handmade Jewelry Business appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Quay Flom has always loved jewelry, but various metal allergies prevented her from wearing most mainstream pieces. So, she did what only a true creative visionary would do: she started making her own. She came to realize her natural talent for the craft when people kept stopping her to ask, “OMG, where did you get…

The post This Couple Quit Their Jobs To Start A Jewelry Business – Now They Have 18 Months To 4x Their Sales appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Getting publicity for your jewelry brand is a crucial element of a robust marketing strategy, and the holiday season is the most important time to do it. The top publications have a very long lead time for their holiday content. If you want to take advantage of opportunities to get your products featured in holiday…

The post EP355: Holiday Publicity Push: PR Success Tips for Jewelry and Product Businesses with Nora Wolf appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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From barely scraping by to supporting her family full-time, this designer grew her jewelry side-hustle to a 6-figure business in only 5 years. Quay Flom has always loved jewelry, but various metal allergies prevented her from wearing most mainstream pieces. So, she did what only a true creative visionary would do: she started making her…

The post Her Jewelry Business Brought Her Family Out of Poverty: How This Designer Scaled to 6-Figures in Only 5 Years appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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With kids at home, bills to pay, and a demanding full-time job, it might feel impossible to start a jewelry business on the side. But if this designer can make it work, so can you. When Candace Eve Padro was 13 years old, she watched quirky fashion designer Betsey Johnson do the splits on the…

The post The Secret To Starting A Jewelry Business On The Side While Working A Full-Time Job appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Some people think professional jewelry business coaching is only for beginners, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for Susan Collick. In 2017, Susan Collick’s jewelry business, Daisy Chains, had just turned 15-years-old. It was hard to believe it had been that long, because Susan knew she had hardly scratched the surface of her…

The post It’s Never Too Late: How This Busy Mom Turned Her “Side-Hustle” of 15 Years Into A Full-Time Jewelry Business appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When you start a successful side hustle, there comes a point where you have to decide if you want to keep it that way or take the leap and turn it into a full-time business that pays the bills. Marissa Hess is ready to take the leap. Marissa is one of the incredible students in…

The post EP354: How Do I Deal With the Uncertainty of Shifting My Biz From a Side Hustle to One That Pays the Bills with Marissa Hess appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Creative jewelry designers often struggle with structure – but sometimes that’s exactly what you need for your business to thrive.m algorithm is working against you? It’s been seven years since Joel Ingwaldson left the corporate world to pursue her jewelry business, Darshan Sacred Jewelry, full-time. It all started with a health scare that kept her…

The post Structure Didn’t Limit This Jewelry Designer’s Creativity – It Allowed Her Business to Thrive appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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This is a very special episode, m’dear. For one, I’m going to break down some cutting-edge market research that could be the key to blowing up your online following. And, more importantly, we’re entering birthday season here at Flourish & Thrive Academy! Our 10 year company anniversary is coming up in July, and my birthday…

The post EP353: How to Use Consumer Buying Trends in Your Marketing in 2022 appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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As an independent jewelry brand, storytelling is going to be one of your most powerful tools. It can help you connect with customers and stand out from the competition. But telling a good story isn't always easy. In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Siobhan Maher, an expert jewelry storyteller. She’s a…

The post EP352: How to Tell Your Story So That You Attract the Right Customers with Siobhan Maher appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Courage is not the absence of fear — it is doing what you have to do (like pricing your jewelry right) as a brand owner even if you’re dead scared. And when you overcome your fear by facing life’s uncertainties, you can truly find clarity and thrive as an artist. That’s exactly what happened to…

The post EP351: Live Coaching: How Do I Get Over The Fear of Raising My Prices with Manda Wylde appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When I started my first jewelry company, I would have done anything to have someone tell me what to do, give me the lowdown on industry secrets, and mentor me. I was ambitious and ready to quit my full-time job to create the entrepreneur life for myself. Having weekends with my husband and time to…

The post EP350: 9 Things I Wish I Would’ve Known in the Beginning Stages of My Jewelry Company appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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In a sea of choices, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd. This is especially true in the world of jewelry, where there are countless brands and designers all vying for attention. If you want people to see the value in your pieces, it's essential to be able to communicate your story…

The post EP349: ETSY! Boycott the Platform or Use it as a Tool for Growth? appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Here’s one thing I learned in almost a decade of helping jewelry designers at Flourish and Thrive: personal success depends on one thing— YOU. Your success largely depends on how consistent you are in showing up and how strategic you are in taking steps to reach your goals. Sure, programs like Laying The Foundation and…

The post EP348: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself If Your Jewelry Sales Aren’t Growing appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Does it ever feel like the Instagram algorithm is working against you? You’re not the only one. While some people experienced massive growth on the Gram lately, some jewelry business owners and content creators are feeling frustrated because they’ve seen a rapid fall in stories, reels, photos, and video engagement. And if you're using the…

The post Instagram Algorithm Update: How It Can Help Jewelry Businesses appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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I’m sure you’d agree with me when I say that business is not all profit and revenue. Right? There are challenges we all face from time to time. And one of the external struggles business owners face periodically is massive inflation almost every 10 years. The inflation we’re facing now is caused by the war…

The post EP347: How to Stay Focused When the World is Falling Apart appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Have you curated aesthetic photos of your jewelry products online but aren’t making the sale that you expected? Maybe you’re missing out on a very powerful tool. It is a tool that is often overlooked but can bring in consistent sales at one glance. I’m talking about Copywriting. As a jewelry business owner, knowing how…

The post EP346: Stop the Scroll with Better Headlines and Hooks with Reese Spykerman appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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So you’ve been trying to grow your jewelry business for a while now to show those who didn’t believe that you can make money out of your creativity that they’re wrong. You see others do it. And it seems like everyone makes it look so easy. But for some reason, success keeps eluding you. Everytime…

The post EP345 How ONE Geeky Maker Doubled Her Business to $265K by Doing Less appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Many people think that you need a massive team and a complicated business to build a million-dollar company. But what many fail to realize is that if you simplify and streamline your growing company, you can achieve a million-dollar business, even in the handmade jewelry niche. Just like our Momentum students, Tiffany and Amanda of…

The post EP344 How Emery and Opal Grew Their Handmade Jewelry Business to a Million Dollars appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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If you want to increase the odds of survival of your jewelry business, you need to learn how to manage your business finances. In today's episode, I interviewed Melissa Houston, a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) of over 20 years and founder of the Fractional CFO Agency.

She helps successful business owners increase profit margins so they can keep more money for themselves and increase net worth.

Melissa has done some training for our community, and we're excited to bring her on as a coach for our top-tier Momentum Program to help our students grow their jewelry or product-based business from $100K and beyond.

It's her passion to help entrepreneurs and business owners understand their business numbers.

So, if you want to increase your business profit and put more cash into your pocket, listen to the full episode below.

Download the show notes here

Here are some tips Melissa mentioned to help you with your jewelry or product-based business:

Start With A Solid Money Mindset Everybody has a money story, and money is probably the most emotionally charged topic that could be holding you back in your business.

If you have reservations or issues with money, you will resist growth. This could manifest in many ways. It could be a fear of looking at the numbers, seeing it as a failure, and an overall roadblock to your goals.

Have a Financial Plan Make it simple. Look at revenue and at every product being sold. Break it down per product, cost of goods sold, and the overhead of your business. Then look at your business's overall profit margin.

Most importantly, include how much taxes you'll pay on that profit.

A financial plan is essentially a 12-month forecast for your business, so you'll get to create the process to arrive at your desired operating revenue.

Break Down How Much Profit Each of Your Product is Making Many product-based entrepreneurs have no idea what their profit margin per product is. They think they're making money because the products are best sellers. But when they look at the numbers, they realize they're not making money at all.

Keep your Profit Margins Tight Before Growing Your Business Not all growth is created equal. When your jewelry business is experiencing fast growth, many expenses are on the front end, so you don't get the money back into the company until the sale is complete.

If you get caught in sudden economic shifts like a pandemic or recessions where commodities (gold, silver, etc.) shoot up, you could go bankrupt.

Remember that expenses also come with your sales growth, so keep your profit margins consistent as you're growing your business.

Beware of Costs that Comes With Expansion If you're growing your business and you're heading into large numbers, chances are you're either going to have to invest in some manufacturing, get your own space or expand your team. Bring all these factors together. Understand how much you need to sell to break even and at what point you'll reach profit. And then you'll know how much money is required to do these expansions.

Pay Yourself First When creating that financial plan for your business, make sure you include yourself. You cannot survive without paying yourself.

That said, you do not make do with what's leftover, nor should you consider yourself as an hourly wage earner.

You are the CEO of your company. So, only after you've paid yourself do you get to calculate profits.

Build A Cash Reserve You need to keep some of your profit in your business for rainy days because whether you like it or not, business is cyclical. Your cash reserves could be your lifeline in tough situations like recessions or pandemics.

Finally, when the time comes that you've found your sweet spot and you no longer need to reinvest to grow, you need to start building your wealth.

Melissa further added, “Everybody can make a lot of money, but not everybody will be wealthy… Take the extra money… and reinvest it.”

And of course, it's important to get involved with your company numbers.

“Nobody will care about your business as much as you do, so never give that financial power away,” says Melissa.

So if you want to grow your business into a multiple 6 or 7 figure business, listen to my full interview with Melissa Houston above.
You can also register for my Masterclass: An Inside Look at A 7+ Figure Jewelry Brand. I’ll talk about what 7-figure jewelry businesses do to grow big profit margins and how you can implement the same practices (for immediate results).

xo, Tracy

Links:

Follow Melissa on Instagram!

Melissa Houston CPA

Masterclass: An Inside Look at A 7+ Figure Jewelry Brand

Momentum Program

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP343 Create A Simple Plan for Financial Growth appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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When hiring people, bring in leaders who are ready to support and help you instead of people who are doers. Although there’s a place for both types of people in any organization, it’s ideal to look for people with leadership qualities for your core team.

This will allow you to focus on your zone of genius while they get things done and turn your visions and ideas into reality.

There are other helpful factors that can help you effortlessly and consistently grow your jewelry business. You'll know about them in my free Masterclass: An Inside Look at a 7 Figure Jewelry Brand.

In the meantime, I’ll talk in-depth about leadership and hiring techniques in this episode.

Download the show notes here

As the visionary or primary leader of your business, your purpose is to create the vision for your brand, build excitement, give direction, and establish your company’s culture. After all, you are the face of your business to the outside world.

With that being said, you would need people with leadership qualities who will manage your team and be responsible in turning your visions into reality. For this to happen, they will need to give orders, coach, review, and give feedback to the rest of the team members to achieve the necessary goals.

Oftentimes, the managers are also the ones who need to deliver the bad news. Having the right managers will make it easier for you to motivate and inspire your team while keeping everyone in line.

Assessing Leadership Skills In order for your business organization to succeed, you wouldn’t want everyone to be the same as you. You want people who will complement your strengths; thus, it's crucial to discover your team members’ strengths and weaknesses.

You can use powerful assessment tools like Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, Wealth Dynamics, and Kolbe personality tests.

I've taken these tests myself, where I found that I'm an ENFP (Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeler, and Perceptive) in my Myers-Briggs and a 7 in my Enneagram. It means I am the type of person who needs to find passion in everything. And business has to be fun because once it gets boring, I start to check out or burn out.

These assessments gave me clarity when I was trying to save my business back in 2008, and I have implemented them into my organization since.

Once you understand the motivation (fun, passion, stability, security, etc.) or main drivers of an individual, it will be easier for you to know who to look for when hiring.

This personality assessment is beneficial when hiring your core team because you will be pushing down accountability and responsibility to these people to ensure things get done.

Now, let’s dive in to the three key hires for your jewelry brand’s core team.

Operations Manager For a million dollar revenue company, you’ll need someone who will make sure your business operations are running smoothly. These may include HR, administrative work, customer service, bookkeeping, and other necessary office work.

An operations manager will be responsible for overseeing all these parts of your business.

Marketing Manager You’ll also need someone who will handle all accounts regarding sales. This will include social media, email marketing, content strategy, publicity, and other digital or analog promotions or marketing strategies.

This person will be responsible for generating the necessary sales for your business.

Production Manager If you love designing or creating pieces, this person will help ease your burden and take the administrative work off your plate so you can focus on what you enjoy doing the most.

They will oversee quality control, develop systems for production, create production bibles or contents for your production staff, do all of your ordering, manage inventory, supplies, shipping, and manage your production team.

Production managers are responsible for ensuring your costs are reduced, and your jewelry business is running at optimum.

Other Important Things to Consider Now all these three key hires need to have strong time management skills, great attention to detail, and strong follow-through.

This is not to say that you can expect them to know what to do when you hire them. You will still need to train, coach, and give them feedback to learn your way of doing things and assimilate into your company culture.

That’s why it is essential that you start documenting your business processes and systems, including branding perspective and voice of the customer, as early as possible.

That way, it will be easier for you to lead and support your managers. You’ll also be able to set strong boundaries when everyone is clear about their roles and knowledgeable about your business processes and systems.

It takes time to have the right people who'll fit into your company's culture, mission, and vision.

But, you'll eventually learn and find the right ones who'll fill in the gaps, complement your strengths, do the things you don't love doing and are good at it. They will then ultimately help you enjoy growing your jewelry business to $100K and beyond, just like our Momentum Elevate community.

Get the full story about these crucial roles in your jewelry business by listening to the full podcast episode.

Then join me in my Masterclass: An Inside Look at a 7 Figure Jewelry Brand to discover how to mobilize your managers to help you effortlessly grow your business.

xo, Tracy

Links:

Momentum Elevate

Masterclass: An Inside Look at a 7 Figure Jewelry Brand

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP342 3 Key Hires You Need to Scale to 7-Figures appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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“If you want to grow your business, but what you're currently doing isn't working… then the only path to growth is change.” Last February 3rd, we officially wrapped up our EPIC Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp. We had such a blast, and many members have been raving about the event.

So in today’s episode, I’m giving you a recap and sharing the key takeaways that will be helpful for your jewelry business.

Download the show notes here

We played full out in this year’s Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp, where around 6,000 people joined us for the event.

The Events On Day 1, we talked in-depth about identifying the core crossover values that mattered to you as a business owner and to your dream clients.

Then on Day 2, we did a deep dive into IG Reels and social media strategies to get engagement and inspire your customers to take the next step.

And on Day 3, we gave powerful exercises and training about success mindset and flipping your beliefs so you can achieve your vision of success as a jewelry business owner.

Fun Contests We also had entertaining contests with exciting prizes during the Bootcamp.

We had the Sharing Contest, which was all about sharing the Bootcamp event with your circle of friends. The five random winners received a signed copy of my best-selling book, The Desired Brand Effect.

There’s also the Collection Review Contest. Participants had to take a screenshot of their collection and tell us why they wanted their collection reviewed. We picked three random winners then Lisa, Head of Coaching and Programs, and I gave comprehensive feedback about their jewelry pieces and website.

We also had the Homework Completion Contest. Our Social Media Maven, Shelby, and I rewarded the three lucky winners with a complete Social Media Teardown. We gave tips and tactics to help them increase their engagement and followers.

Then there’s the Most Engaged Member Contest. The winner received a complete photography bundle that included a lighting kit, tripod, and replica surface backdrops.

Finally, we capped the Bootcamp with an amazing Masterclass called the Top Five Traits of a 6 Figure Jewelry Brand.

In this Masterclass, I talked about how 6 figure brands adopt different winning behaviors and habits. I also gave a sneak peek about what it takes to be a 6 figure jewelry business.

Key Takeaways We shared a lot of lessons and valuable skills during this short period of time.

We helped participants understand the motivations of why customers buy. Tackled branding, messaging, website, brand loyalty, and repeat sales.

We also talked about trending features and social media techniques for maximum impact and engagement.

Gave our techniques in time management and productivity using the 3×3 method. Even shared the strategies on setting tangible goals and how to achieve them.

We also talked about financials to help participants understand the necessary business foundations for their jewelry brand.

Many people confess that they had so much more confidence to make changes in their business and themselves after attending The Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp.

They mentioned that they became aware of bad old habits, identified mental blocks, and realized how mindset matters.

Many were also motivated and said that the Bootcamp was a kick in the pants that they needed.

What’s Next There were a lot of aha moments, not just to our attendees but also for my team and me.

We had a great time sharing lessons and stories with such an enthusiastic crowd. So I want to thank all of you who joined me for the Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp and for those who continued to join us in the Laying the Foundation program.

Listen to the full episode above to get the full details and takeaways of our Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp recap.

And if you’re one of those who wanted to join our LTF program but you’re still wondering if it’s the right program for you, we’d love to help and support you.

Head over to flourishandthriveacademy.com/strategy and apply for a quick Free Strategy Audit.

We’ll help you find out which program is a good fit for you and how we can help you and your business.

xo, Tracy

Links:

Strategy Audit

The Desired Brand Effect Book

The Desired Brand Effect Book Chapter 1

Laying the Foundation

EP326: Perceived Value is an Inside Job with Allyson Hayes

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

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Set Up Your Product Photography to Create Desire and Optimize Your Sales If you’ve never really paid much attention to how you photograph your jewelry, consider this your crash course in photography basics every small business owner should know. Set Yourself Up for Success I’m a huge advocate for doing things right. It’s all over my messaging, my ethos in life, and the reason I started Flourish & Thrive Academy in the first place. If you know me, you already know how much importance I place on what your business needs to succeed.

We’ve put together some greattemplates for the fundamental assets every ecommerce business needs. If you take advantage of these resources, you’ll be leagues ahead of all the business owners who are just guessing.

Before you jump into photography, don’t overlook the vital areas of your biz that need to be set in order to get the most out of stellar product photos.

You’re ready to optimize your photos if…

You’ve put time into building your website – you know where and how to sell your product.
You’ve meticulously curated your brand image.
You’ve planned your marketing campaign for the products. You’re proud of the collection you’ve put together. It’s high impact, and, frankly, fabulous.
You know how you’re going to woo your dream client with your designs, and you’re preparing for a great season of connecting with your customers and raking in sales.

Your Visual Assets Create Desire But… even when you do all these things, sometimes sales still don’t pan out the way you want them too. Sometimes it can feel like everything’s static.

Your conversion rate is low, and the bounce rate to your site is high – your prospects lose interest pretty quickly, and it’s obvious that your product’s not having the impact you hoped for.

I’m gonna share something with you that took me years to learn: often the answer to a complicated problem is much simpler than you think.

Before you grab at radical solutions, or start to believe that you’re not good enough as a designer, take a step back and look at your brand from a customer’s point of view.

Ask yourself: does your photography communicate the true value of your jewelry?

Your product photography can have a major impact on the first impression you create for your potential customers. The result can make or break your brand image.

Pay Attention to the Small Details, M’dear. Yes, it’s crucial to get product photography right.

There’s no need to stress yourself out over this. You definitely don’t need cutting-edge equipment or expensive props in order to achieve product photos that wow your customers. More on that later.

First, you need to understand the effect product photography has on a potential buyer.

The Message Your Brand Sends to the Consumer Your brand photographs are a key element of your brand assets, which set the tone for what your customers can expect from you.

Effective brand assets:

Keep you top of mind in the industry.
Stand as a visual representation of your brand.
Encompass everything you use to promote your business, including your images, photography, line sheets, and catalogs.

When you get this right, you will have a cohesive brand that your audience can recognize and connect with.

The 3 Categories of Brand Photography There are three different types of brand photography, and each has a place in your business. What counts is knowing when and where to use each type to convey a consistent message to your audience and influence people to buy from you.

Product Photography Your product photography should be simple and consistent. Just a high quality photo of your product on a plain white background, well lit to showcase the details. It’s best to capture multiple angles and close-ups.

Use these photos on your website product pages and wholesale linesheets.

Model Photography Model photography is a step above plain product photography, as it showcases your jewelry worn on models. However, the main focus of the shot should still be on your jewelry.

Model shots are great to feature after your product shots on your product page. They also make for great social media content.

Lifestyle Photography Lifestyle photography is less about showcasing the details of your jewelry and more about helping your audience envision themselves wearing it. These tend to be the most creative and “artsy” of the three photography types.

There are no strict rules for lifestyle shots, and they help to communicate the overall vibe of your brand. Lifestyle photography is perfect for lookbooks, social media, and the main pages of your website.

Now that we’ve covered your visual assets, your messaging, and the 3 types of brand photography, let’s dive into the nitty gritty photography specifications that will make your photos pop.

The Basic Equipment You Need to Take Great Photos Nothing kills a potential buyer’s interest like low-res, unprofessional product photography. It can make your jewelry look cheap and poorly made, even when it’s not.

As I said before, you really don’t need any fancy equipment to achieve professional product photos. In fact, most recent smartphone cameras could probably make the cut. But if you want to take it a step beyond, investing in a decent camera will really elevate your photography to the next level.

With this in mind, you’re probably wondering what you need to get started.

Your Camera Your product images are likely to be small to conform to online image standards.

Try to avoid using compact or point-and-shoot cameras – you can’t get the kind of picture quality product photography requires.

A mid-level DSLR camera is enough to give you the quality you’re after.

There may be a bit of a learning curve at first, but take the time to do research and practice. You’ll be amazed how quickly your skills and confidence can improve with just a little dedication.

Your Camera Lens When it comes to photographing tiny products, like jewelry, pros recommend purchasing a macro lens with a focal length of 60 mm.

Kit lenses, typically between 18mm and 55mm (wide angle, short zoom), aren’t ideal for really small objects. They’re better suited to lifestyle photography, like capturing jewelry models in specific settings.

The 60mm macro lens is a standard lens that produces an image at half life size magnification, or 0.5x. Although it’s tempting to get creative, you’ll want your product to appear as accurate as possible to the viewer.

If your budget allows, consider purchasing a macro lens with a 1:1 (life-size) representative capacity.

Your lens is the most technical purchase you’ll make, but don’t let these fancy terms fool you. Taking stunning product photography is very doable as a beginner photographer.

Your Tripod A good quality tripod is a sound investment, and one you shouldn’t overlook.

The reason so many people struggle to get good shots of their jewelry is because even a slight tremor can cause blurry, unfocused images.

A tripod will allow you to angle your shot and lock it once you’ve found the perfect angle, ensuring a still, focused photo every time.

The most daunting issue for most amateur photographers, apart from getting the right equipment, has to be lighting. A number of lighting mistakes can render your image unusable. Proper lighting is especially important for online businesses – it’s so important that platforms like Amazon and Ebay actually reject jewelry product images with too much shadow.

Practical Tips for Choosing the Ideal Lighting Set Up Handy Lighting Solutions for a Quick Fix Natural Light: you don’t want to take photos with the sun directly on your product – position your product close to a filtered natural light source, like a window.

Harsh sunlight will create shadows and reflections.You should also avoid taking photos using your flash – it’ll have the same effect.

Paste a white paper over the window pane to diffuse the light if it’s too direct

Photograph using a White Background: jewelry is generally small and compact, so you won’t need to string sheets across an entire wall to get a clean background.

A piece of matte white paper can serve as an effective backdrop with no reflection.

Colored backgrounds tend to affect the colors of the actual product, which is a disaster when clients want to see the true color of the metal or the stones.

Busts: Use white jewelry busts to hang your necklaces, or cover the bust in white material.

If you don’t have one on hand, you can always make two slits in a piece of strong cardboard and hang a pendant from it as a quick fix.

Technical Lighting Solutions Select the Correct Aperture: your camera aperture dictates how light enters the lens. If your aperture’s too large, your photo will appear out of focus.

Photograph using Aperture Priority, which you’ll find on your camera dial as ‘A’ or ‘AV’ and select an aperture of f11 or f16.

A smaller aperture will produce a clear, detailed photograph, which is exactly what you’re after.

Quick Lighting Setups: you might want to consider a portable setup for small products, like jewelry, that you’re able to assemble in a matter of seconds. They come with a built-in light box and a handy turntable to achieve the best angles.

These days, it’s not necessary to have all the bells and whistles – umbrellas, light boxes, and strobes. There are a number of compact solutions available on the market to help you achieve the best results without breaking the bank.

Gifting the Creator in Your Life – Resources Dracast Ring Light

Affordable Ubeesize Ring Light

Affordable Table Top Ring Light

Emart Light Box

Amazon Basics Foldable Photo Studio

60-inch Lightweight Tripod

50-inch Travel Tripod

OrangeMonkey Foldio3comes highly recommended as a flash lighting set up solution and is available to purchase on Amazon for $359

If you’re ambitious to scale your business, or start your design journey in a saturated market, join our Laying the Foundation Program here at Flourish and Thrive Academy.

In the 12-week program, I cover everything from the right mindset to how to price your product. You’ll learn the strategies you need to generate consistent, reliable sales online.

“My social media following is up by at least 75%, it's been incredible. And I've already surpassed my entire last year's sales!”

PEGGY HOUCHIN
PEGGY HOUCHIN JEWELRY

Join me and my wonderful, knowledgeable coaches as we take you on a journey to success.

Although it is designed as a 12-week program, every student gets lifetime access so you can complete the modules on your own time and at your own pace.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION ROCKS. IT’S A GAME CHANGER.

The post Taking Amazing Photos of Your Jewelry appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

Amazon Basics 50-inch Lightweight Camera Mount Tripod Stand With Bag

UBeesize 10" Selfie Ring Light with 50" Extendable Tripod Stand & Flexible Phone Holder for Live Stream/Makeup/YouTube Video

Amazon Basics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag

Amazon Basics Portable Foldable Photo Studio Box with LED Light - 25 x 30 x 25 Inches

Upgrade Emart 14" x 16" Photography Table Top Light Box 104 LED Portable Photo Studio Shooting Tent

LED Ring Light 10" with Tripod Stand & Phone Holder for Live Streaming & YouTube Video, Dimmable Desk Makeup Ring Light for Photography, Shooting with 3 Light Modes & 10 Brightness Level

Foldio3 Full Set | 25" Portable Foldable Product Photo Lightning Studio with 360 Smart Turntable | ORANGEMONKIE

Dracast Halo Bi-Color 180 Ring Led Light, Black (DRRNG180B)

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“I have a couple of tips when you land a podcast or TV feature. Get your message and your sound bites under wraps. If you don’t even know your message or your company, or you don’t have your branding down pat, you have to stop. You have to really work on that.” – Kim Rittberg, Founder of Henry Street Media

Kim Rittberg is a branding consultant, content strategist, and on-camera media coach. She has 15 years of experience in journalism, marketing, and branding at Netflix, People, Pop Sugar, Us Weekly, Fox News, and Inside Edition. She’s also done branded content for Bloomingdales, P&G, Essie, Kia, and more.

Kim formulates and crafts customized communication and content strategy plans that drive engagement and revenue. The finished product is a perfect mix of video, photo, and digital content that is creative, innovative, and thumb-stopping.

In fact her videos have been viewed more than 500 million times, and Kim is someone we refer to as a media ‘unicorn’, having been an executive across TV, Digital Video, and podcasts.

And in this week’s episode, Kim will be sharing tips and spilling her secrets about how you can be awesome on and off camera in interviews for your jewelry brand.

Download the show notes here

Content Creation “One of my biggest tips in terms of content creation is being hyper-focused,” says Kim.

She added that you don’t have to do everything because resources will always be limited. Even major media companies have limited resources and have had to say no to many celebrities because they didn’t have the staff to shoot or edit the materials.

In the interview, Kim also gave examples of what you need to focus on as a jewelry company.

Great Pitch Kim said, “Make sure that if you’re pitching to a TV or video or podcast outlet, you absolutely need to put yourself on video.”

Thousands of people have pitched to Kim, and she emphasized that producers cannot book you if they know how you look and sound.

Kim also mentioned the different types of stories you can feature about yourself so they will get to know you and your jewelry better.

That said, you have to hear Kim’s example about this eco-friendly jewelry, which really caught my attention.

Kim also said that you should give producers different angles so they are not restricted with materials that will work best for your brand.

And of course, your email should look good, free of typos, and concise because you need to capture their attention given their limited time.

How to look Natural in Interviews “I always recommend to people to over-prepare, so when you’re on, you seem really natural,” says Kim.

Kim also gave steps and examples of things you should prepare and understand, even way before making a video. These things are crucial so that the audience will understand and become your customers.

You’d also want to hear what makes Kim get warmed-up and feel relaxed so she could feel more natural before interviews.

Social Media “Start making content, start showing up on camera, and start bringing people into your journey. They are going to connect more with you as a brand when they know your story or when they know who you are,” says Kim.

And I totally agree with her. Anything that you pitch to a TV station or another editor could be created as content for your own channel or social media.

You don’t even have to wait to be covered in national or local publications because you can use your ideas (or ideas with your staff). In effect, you can create your own media outlet.

Kim also talks about some tools you could use, especially if you’re on a budget.

How to Improve “You’re always getting better. Your pitch next year is going to look better than this year. Your pitch in two years is gonna look even better. So don’t be harsh on yourself,” says Kim.

Kim also suggests that you keep learning, take classes or hire someone to help you with PR, even if it’s not an agency.

And of course, I agree that you should continuously learn and invest in yourself and your jewelry business.

Remember, you’re in it for the long run. You’d want to have a thriving and timeless jewelry brand.

That said, listen to the podcast episode above to learn all the valuable tips, examples, and techniques from Kim Rittberg on how you can leverage media outlets and social media to make your jewelry brand flourish.

xo, Tracy

Links:

Follow Kim Rittberg on Instagram!

Kim Rittberg

The Desired Brand Effect

Laying the Foundation

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP340 How to Be Awesome on Camera in Interviews with Kim Rittberg appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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“You’re not selling a product. You’re selling a lifestyle. You’re selling a movement. You’re selling the real feeling why people buy from you.” This is one of the insightful lessons you’ll learn from our podcast guest, Monica Sharma-Patnekar.

She has a Master’s in Business and has over 16 years of experience in this space. She works in brand management, global marketing strategy, consulting with Fortune 500 companies like Google, scale-up tech, SaaS, and digital agencies that work with e-commerce businesses.

Monica helps them better communicate and connect with their real audience for predictable sales.

And in this episode, we’ll help you dial in the key motivators and understand why people buy jewelry from you.

Monica gives in-depth examples so you can sell more on benefits instead of product features so that you will stand out in a saturated market as a timeless brand.

Download the show notes here

Start with Your Customer “If you don’t know who you’re speaking to, how are you going to sell your products?”

Monica has sage advice about getting to know your customer. She says it’s as simple as picking up the phone and having a chat with them. It beats anything else that you can do, and you’ll get to know them on a deeper level. Especially for lifestyle products because you’re fulfilling a desire compared to technical products which are solving some problems.

Monica added that “we actually bring people in on emotions, but we urge them to buy on facts.”

She also talked about the research done by a Harvard professor where it was found that 95% of customer purchases are subconscious.

As per Monica, “So we buy on feelings, and we’re unable to voice what that is. So when you ask somebody, they’re not gonna want to tell you, they’ll give you all the logical reasons. They’re not lying. It’s just hard to voice that right.”

What to Ask Your Customers So what do you ask your customers if it’s hard for them to voice out their emotions?

Monica suggests speaking to customers to get to know them instead of inventing them in your mind and making hypotheses of who they are. Monica gave examples of what to ask and how these questions fall into categories.

She said there are four types of questions you need to ask them. These are what she calls the 4 Ds: Demographics, Desire, Do, and Delight. These questions ensure that you’re covering the factual stuff that’s going on in your customer’s life.

The Customer Benefit Ladder Monica uses this tool a lot with her clients, which allows them to make that shift from being completely product features focused to evoking emotions with their brand.

She also talked about the different levels of benefits: practical benefits, functional benefits, emotional benefits, societal benefits, and transformational benefits.

Monica gave in-depth examples of translating your messaging and content into benefits in this interview instead of just talking about product features.

Why Should I Buy From You?” Monica emphasized remembering the question, “Why should I buy from you?”

And that you should be able to answer for your audience in whatever you’re doing. You can do this by combining your product benefits with your differentiation or what makes it unique.

She says it shifts away from pure problem focus because it doesn’t always have to be about the problems or negativity, especially for jewelry products.

She said you could talk about the positive things and what people go through in their journey in life. Like jewelry being a keepsake, it’s not about the problem they face, and there is no need to be solved.

It’s about capturing who they were and how that jewelry was a piece of them during that special moment.

You are Not Your Own Customer Monica has talked to many clients who say they are their own customers. But she wants to emphasize that “you are not your own customer, because nobody is going to be exactly like you.”

She said, “you can start with an idea that you have, and that is great. There’s nothing wrong with that. But once you’re really running the business, and you want to grow it and you want to move out of being just a hobby, you have to find who you’re really speaking to. Who that person really is because they’re never going to be just like you.”

Monica gave valuable insights and concrete examples on how you could sell more using the benefits ladder and delivering the right messaging about your product.

Listen to the podcast episode above to hear Monica’s full interview and discover how to sell more in your jewelry business.

xo, Tracy

Links

Follow Monika Sharma-Patnekar on Instagram!

Business with Monica

The Desired Brand Effect

Momentum Coaching Program

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP339 How to Create a Benefits Ladder to Sell More This Year appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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One of the biggest reasons that creative businesses fail is because they aren’t structured and they don’t have a systematic way to grow their company. And even though they might have gotten some success and sales traction just doing all the things and putting themselves out there. What ends up happening is eventually they end backtracking because they don’t have the internal structure in their business to set themselves up for success.

So if you are struggling as a creative to get more traction in your business with your jewelry brand or your product business, you are going to love this interview with Joel Ingwaldson.

Download the show notes here

The Veteran Joel has been in the jewelry industry for over 25 years. She worked in different aspects of the jewelry industry, from managing retail stores, a bridal store and learning all the back end of manufacturing, designing, and connecting with retail customers.

She was the area manager for Pomellato where she worked for the president of MaxMara United States. Her career took off while she dug in and sunk deep into the corporate world.

Joel is very experienced in selling, growing, and developing the sales team. She has tried different aspects like diamond wholesaling, cash and carry shows and has given shows around the country for various companies.

Leaving Corporate She traveled a lot and did everything at a fast pace in the corporate world until she had a health scare.

Joel had a very clean lifestyle, so she knew that what she was suffering from was not a physical thing but more like an emotional thing.

She needed alignment because somewhere in her life was off.

She tried to figure out what it was and began her healing journey.

Rediscovery So, Joel took time off from work because of surgeries, but she rediscovered jewelry designing again in the process.

She started putting things together and contacted people she knew in manufacturing.

Joel also had a new iPhone during this time, so she took pictures of her pieces and posted them. She was surprised people were asking about her jewelry pieces, and before she knew it, she started her own jewelry brand.

Challenges Joel had pure excitement in her first three years. She was doing her own thing, making her own money and crushing it!

But slowly, her business started to dwindle, and she realized she was running it like the Wild Wild West.

She had no structure or foundation to sustain it and was just shooting from her hip all the time.

She became tired, and when COVID hit, her business was almost taken down because she was mostly doing pop-ups and in-person events.

Joel was humbled, and she knew she wanted to have a sustainable business and a laid-out plan.

She initially ignored Flourish and Thrive because she thought she knew what she was doing.

But after COVID, she couldn’t access her dream clients, and her website was not performing.

She was frustrated and was clueless about what she needed to do.

Scoop the Cream and Implement When Joel finally enrolled in Laying the Foundation (LTF) and accessed the Diamond Insider’s (DI) community, she just zipped it up, listened to all modules, and scooped the cream.

Joel said there was too much information, and she couldn’t take it all in.

So whatever resonated, she’d scoop it, implement, scoop again and implement.

She finally found a structure for her jewelry business through LTF. She also learned how to make quarterly goals and implement them properly. She learned to slow down, reel things in, let them sink in, and clearly see what she wanted.

She took small bites of information, scooped the cream, and plugged them into her business.

Impact Through LTF, the DI community, and the coaches, Joel found support, and she says it is priceless.

She also enjoyed lifting other team members and bouncing ideas off within the community and her coaches. She’s no longer trying to figure it all out on her own.

Eventually, Joel’s business went from being bootstrapped to an increase of 308% for the year, and her website sales were up 54% for the year. She’s also passed her stretch goal a lot faster, and she’s now growing her signature collection.

Joel says she is experienced and knows a lot about the jewelry industry, but she’s still growing and learning.

Joel feels there is so much to learn, and she will just let time and space catch up.

Listen to the full episode above to hear Joel’s inspiring journey from corporate leader to full-time jewelry entrepreneur. Discover how she scoops the cream from the torrent of information and then implements them effectively to her business.

xo, Tracy

Links

Follow Joel on Instagram!

Darshan Sacred Jewelry

Top 5 Traits of a 6-Figure Jewelry Brand Masterclass

Laying the Foundation Program

The Desired Brand Effect

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

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“I have so many more options now to grow the business that I wouldn’t have before. So if you want to take it seriously, I would definitely make an investment in yourself and in your business.” If you are someone who wants to transition from your career or have a full-time job or a full-time mom, just trying to make time to get your business off the ground, then this podcast is for you.

Download the show notes here

Blue Hair and Tattoos Candice grew up in Queens in New York and thought no other city could match New York.

At 13, she saw Betsey Johnson’s fashion show, and she was mind blown. She got inspired by Betsey’s crazy hair, clothes, jewelry and had fun seeing her do cartwheels on the runway.

She enjoyed it so much she wanted blue hair and tattoos someday.

Above all, Betsey inspired her to have her own thing and work for herself.

Candice studied metalsmithing and jewelry design in college at Rochester Institute of Technology. She also started in-person craft shows while a student.

After graduation, she got hired as a product developer for a Korean jewelry company for a short while.

She is now working with Avon for seven years, where she handles Avon’s 40% sterling silver and women’s stainless steel collection.

Launching while the World was Shutting Down In 2018, Candice started taking business and social media courses and started building her website. She also got her first collection together.

By January of 2020, she launched her website. But around March, the world shut down because of the pandemic.

Struggles Candice is pretty much still in the start-up phase of growing her jewelry business. Because she launched during the pandemic, she struggles to get people’s eyes into her work because she didn’t have the opportunity to do in-person shows because of COVID.

She was also having issues with manufacturers. She was getting pieces that had burnt plating, crooked stones, and you could see the glue used. They charged her crazy prices then her manufacturer from Manhattan ghosted her.

Guidance Specifically for Product-Based Business Candice started taking business and social media coaching. Still, she couldn’t find specific coaching for product-based businesses, let alone a jewelry business.

She said she needed guidance on a lot of things like:

How to do wholesale?
How to register her business as an LLC?
How to go about her tax ID number?
The nitty-gritty about managing a business selling online compared to going to shows?
How to make side cash?
How does she turn her jewelry business into her primary source of income?

Mindshift and Finding Answers Candice learned about Flourish and Thrive (FTA) through her dad’s ex-girlfriend in high school, who was impressed by her jewelry pieces. So, she followed FTA for a month. When enrollment for Laying the Foundation Program (LTF) was announced, she immediately signed up.

One of the best things she learned in FTA and LTF is mindset.

Developing the right mindset helped her a lot because she lived in Brooklyn. So she thought her rent was half of her salary, and she did not have enough to set up a studio with a bench and torch. She was also still having problems with manufacturers despite being in the diamond district in Manhattan.

Then she realized the answers to her manufacturing problem had been within her reach all along.

She always thought that New York had the best manufacturers while offshore manufacturers had a bad rep.

But working at Avon debunked this belief as she worked with well-vetted and excellent manufacturers.

So after some time, she finally reached out to them to help her with her business, and they were thrilled and ready to support her.

Community and Accountability Candice is always thinking of what to do next for her business, so she asks everybody in the FTA Diamond Insider’s community when questions arise.

She says everyone jumps on everybody’s questions to help them achieve their goals, and she has made great friends in the community and the weekly calls.

Candice also said that being coached by someone who has their own jewelry business and doing it on a daily basis is really awesome because she’s getting accurate advice from their knowledge and experience.

And because she is at the beginning stage, seeing people sell 6-figures or more a year has inspired her. Some of these 6-figure jewelry owners have also become her accountability partners and share their knowledge with her.

Candice says she loves staying involved in the community.

“I'm a true artist. I’m a very dreamy person, so if I’m left to my own devices nothing will happen, because I’ll just eat, sitting and dreaming up my dreams and never implement anything. I need accountability.”

Structure, Time Management, and Productivity After taking LTF, Candice said she learned how to strategize and preplan.

Now she has legitimate strategies that will bring revenue to her business and a structure where she sets time aside every day to move her business.

She learned time blocking from Dawn (one of the coaches) which has been a big help because her job was very demanding.

She was usually slammed all day, every day. With time blocking, she figured out how to merge her work schedule and lock her time out.

She locks her work calendar, too, so no one puts meetings on her calendar for that time.

Now she has time for her business, which she didn’t have before.
She says, “strategy, planning, and more structure have definitely helped get my mind straight.”

After 6 Months Candice says, “As creatives, we come up with all the ideas. It’s just how to rein it in and implement it that’s what’s needed. It’s definitely been a huge help. Got so much done this year.”

She started in February, then did Diamond Insiders (DI).

Her biggest goal was to cover the invoices from her manufacturers so she’s not paying out of pocket. And she did it.

Before LTF, she didn’t know about the email list and platforms like Klaviyo and Mailchimp. Now, she has 48 more people on her email list.

She also grew her Instagram followers to 60%. By implementing what she learned in her LTF lessons, like networking with other small businesses like sellers of bath products and similar companies.

She’s also monetizing her blog, added Tiktok and Pinterest accounts, and plans to grow them in 2022.

Candice says, “the percentage for my sales is gonna sound crazy. It’s increased 300% from the year before!”

Invest in Yourself and Your Business Candice said, “LTF opened many doors for me… I have so many options now like to grow the business in different avenues that I wouldn’t have done before. So, if you want to take this seriously, I would definitely make an investment in yourself and in your business.”

Listen to the full episode above to hear Candice’s inspiring story about Help and Hope for Start-Ups and Makers with Full-Time Jobs.

xo, Tracy

Links

Follow Candice on Instagram!

Abstracted Reverie

Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp 2022

Laying the Foundation Program

The Desired Brand Effect

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP337: Help and Hope for Start Ups and Makers with Full Time Jobs with Candice Eve Padro appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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“100% invest in yourself and in your business. Whether it’s $100 or a million dollars. Whatever you’re able to afford. Make it happen.” Quay Flom has always been making jewelry since she was a kid. She was fed up with being unable to wear jewelry due to allergies to certain metals, so she created and made things for herself.

Download the show notes here

How It All Started Quay’s journey in the jewelry business began when friends and family began asking about her creations, then convinced her to start selling.

And just like many starting entrepreneurs, she Googled her way on how to run a jewelry business.

That’s how she started her side hustle jewelry business that earns her $5,000 to $8,000 per year.

For years, it remained a side hustle and has helped her and her family get extra income for vacations.

Troubles Ahead But there came a time when drastic changes happened, and extreme measures needed to occur.

Unfortunately, her three grandchildren ended up in the foster care system because their parents couldn’t take care of them.

So she took custody of her grandchildren while still having her two children living with her in her home.

Her household ballooned to 7 people, and at this point, her husband was a stay-at-home dad due to medical reasons.

To make matters worse, she was let go from her job, where she helped pick out the software program that replaced 80% of what she was doing.

Quay became the sole breadwinner for a household of 7 people with only her side hustle to get them by.

Embracing Change Quay subscribed to the Flourish and Thrive Academy email list and has been binging in podcasts for quite some time.

Then in 2017, she finally decided to take a chance and join the free 3-day Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp.

She got into Laying the Foundation (LTF) through scholarship, and she began learning the lessons and modules whole-heartedly.

Stark Realizations When Quay was reading the LTF Pricing module, she broke down and sobbed on the floor.

She learned that she was charging under wholesale cost for her work throughout the years she’s been in her jewelry business.

So for years, she sadly realized, she pretty much had no profit.

Juggling Full Time Job, the Jewelry Business and Family Many things were going on in Quay’s life, but she was determined to make serious and drastic changes for her and her family of seven.

She applied as a full-time Customer Service Support for Flourish and Thrive and continued learning and implementing the lessons from LTF.

Because LTF gives lifetime access to all the modules and resources, Quay revisits her lessons every year and tweaks her business.

Quay implemented LTF lessons throughout her business and into her life, so she started to become strategic in how she approached things.

Plan, Tweak, Implement In LTF she learned the importance of creating and following a plan.

She learned about EOS (Entrepreneur Operation Systems), 90-day sprints, and many helpful books.

LTF helped Quay clarify what she’s trying to create over the next three months and what needs to happen to get stuff done.

It’s also called working in 3s. She implemented this strategy wherein she would have three tasks that she wanted to get done, whether in a quarter, a month, a week, or a day.

By implementing what she learned in LTF and the FTA community, Quay was able to break things down into bite-sized bits, literally.

She understood the importance of annual planning, down to quarterly and weekly planning.

According to Quay, if she didn’t have a plan, she was just tossing all those balls up in the air and probably not getting anything done.

Planning properly kept Quay laser-focused. She knew exactly what needed to get done every month down to the week and down to the day.

She even applied it into her household to have her family as her solid team.

They did stuff for her, like doing the dishes and laundry so she could do more important things.

Time Management One of the strategies Quay implemented was time blocking.

She literally scheduled out almost every minute of her day. She made time for working on her jewelry, for her full-time job, and working with her family.

She implemented the lessons to everything she did, strategically worked on specific projects, and made sure that they got done to move her business forward.

The 75% Rule She also learned about the 75% rule and brain dumps.

Quay placed everything that was going on in her head into spreadsheets. She chose spreadsheets because she loved how she could maneuver things around easily.

She identified what was important for her, and what would bring money into her door at that moment.

And she focused on these tasks that bring money in her door.

Whether it was reaching out in regards to custom orders or filling orders, that was her focus. To bring money in her door, and she had those things done.

Everything else came into place when she had extra time.

Accountability Buddies Through Flourish and Thrive, Quay was surrounded by accountability buddies and amazing mentors.

She was part of one accountability team that met every week. They talked about what they did and celebrated wins and accomplishments.

Quay said it was a huge thing for her because it filled her with the “feel-good juice.”

“I cannot tell you how many times (I think almost every week), Flourish and Thrive Academy and LTF is on my gratitude list for all the opportunities that it has offered me and my family,” Quay said.

And slowly, she was seeing growth.

Dream Client Magnet Through planning, tweaking, and implementing, she dialed in her dream client and started to know and understand who that client was.

She even changed how she spoke to people at in-person events with this knowledge.

Whether it was marketing or in-person events, she made sure it was the right people, so she’s not wasting her time or money.

Now, she drew the right people to her with the right verbiage.

Some people even stayed with her even though her business had made some changes over the last five years.

By implementing what she learned from LTF, Quay now has loyal followers who stayed with her in her journey.

A Marathon, Not a Sprint Before LTF, Quay said she was already making $5,000 to $8,000 in a year for her jewelry business side hustle.

After joining LTF, she tweaked her strategies and prices. In that year, she made almost $14,000, even though she sold less jewelry.

She also went from selling $20 jewelry pieces, and fast forward five years; she now sells some jewelry at more than a thousand dollars apiece.

Quay added she is no longer living from paycheck to paycheck, and she can put money in her savings which she was unable to do before.

She says the savings part was really helpful because she is now more prepared for life.

Be it a car breaking down, floods or blizzards.

And if her family wants to order Domino, they can now easily do that.

Kids want to go to Disney world, no problem.

“I owe it all… everything to what I’ve learned in Flourish and Thrive and Laying the Foundation,” says Quay.

The best part?…

After five years, she was able to buy the gallery where she used to display her jewelry pieces. And she has grown that gallery into multi 6-figure retail chain stores namely:

Yellowbird Fine Art in Grand Marais Minnesota

Yellowbird Arts in Duluth Minnesota

Sprig and Stone Minnesota Renaissance Festival

As per Quay, it doesn’t seem like five years. It’s like yesterday.

“One thing I learned in LTF was that you’re in this for the long game. It’s a marathon, not a sprint… Just wait till I text you (Tracy) and tell you I broke the million dollar mark.”

100% Invest in Yourself and Your Business Quay said, “you wouldn’t think twice about going to college to get yourself some new skills. The same thing goes for Laying the Foundation (LTF) and participating in the Bootcamp.”

Listen to the full episode above to hear Quay’s inspiring story and the journey that has led her to become the 6-figure jewelry business owner today.

Link

Follow Quay on Instagram!

Yellowbird Arts in Duluth Minnesota

Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp 2022

Laying the Foundation Program

The Desired Brand Effect Book

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

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Everything is a percentage of your sales price. So if your costs go up, you have to raise your prices to maintain your margins or cut your expenses somewhere else. In this podcast episode, I'll be interviewing Jason Ayers. He is a mindset coach in our Momentum program, my life partner, and an amazing business coach.

He works with $1MM to $10MM companies to help them optimize and streamline their business to increase their profit margins and live a better life doing what they love.

Download the show notes here

Today, we have a complex and overwhelming topic, and it's about inflation and how that affects your pricing strategy as a jewelry business.

So Jason will help us break it down and simplify it as much as possible.

Just a quick backstory about our topic…

One of my consulting clients has a very successful business and has nearly half a million dollars in sales, but she's making zero money. In fact, she was really struggling to even pay for business license renewal. And she couldn't figure out why, so we dove deep into pricing.

I know pricing is one of the most sensitive topics and one of people's biggest struggles in the jewelry business.

So today, we're going to help you address this head-on.

We explain how you should be pricing your jewelry and how you can feel confident in raising your prices without feeling like you're going to repel your customers.

What is inflation? There are some beliefs that you could be holding on to or operating in the background. And they can turn into your “creativity crushers” or “success crushers.Inflation is essentially a decline in the purchasing power of a given currency over a period of time. So your money buys less over time if there’s inflation.

Let's look at a real quick example.

In the 1980s, one pound of bread cost $0.50. Then in 1990, it was $0.75, and in 2000 it was $1.99. By 2010 that same bread cost $2.99.

So that means something that used to cost $50 in the 1980s cost $300 in 2010.

Now, let's say you're retired and have a fixed income that's not adjusting for inflation. And you have your money sitting in the bank. Your money is going to buy less and less every year if inflation occurs.

This is what a lot of people call a hidden tax. Even though you aren’t cutting a check for it and technically not sending money directly to the government, the government is essentially taking wealth from you through the inflation of the currency.

Now, three factors cause inflation. These are demand-pull, cost-push and built-in inflation.

Demand-Pull Inflation So imagine that there are 100 high-end designer handbags on a limited run sold globally. Are they going to be more expensive or less expensive than if you were to make 10,000 of those?

Of course, they will be more expensive because there's more demand and it's scarce.

That's why in the art world, when an artist is deceased, and if they're famous, you're going to have a bunch of people essentially fighting over their art.

That’s because they're not going to make any more art, and there's a finite quantity of that art. People will pay more to own one of their pieces. So the price goes up merely because the demand goes up.

Cost-Push Inflation Let's say that you are a semi-fine jeweler and silver goes up by 50%. You have to factor that into the sale of your $100 ring.

So say you have a pair of scissors to identify and cut up the factors from the ring.

You'll have to cut off a piece for taxes, cut off a little bit for the labor that went into making it, and a little piece for advertising and another piece for marketing.

So if your costs go up, and you want to put some money back into your pocket, you have to raise your prices.

You have to raise your prices to maintain your margins, or you have to cut your expenses somewhere else.

You might have to become better at marketing, or better at sales, or better at advertising to be able to do things more efficiently in order to offset the increase in cost somewhere else.

Built-In Inflation This is where wages go up because the cost of living has increased.

For example, lately we're seeing fast-food restaurants offering $18 an hour plus a signing bonus. Normally, you wouldn’t see signing bonuses for entry-level jobs.

Whatever it iWe were recently out in California, and I was looking out off the coast of Long Beach pier, and there was a huge line of ships.

There's a supply problem within the United States because the supply is just sitting off the coast. This means we can't buy those things until they get through customs and get put on trucks and trains and everything else and shipped everywhere.

And that creates the demand-pull. Then the supply chain bottleneck is causing a rise in the shipping cost.

Now, we're seeing the cost of materials going up, labor going up, and fewer items going around. Or basically, all three factors that impact inflation.

On top of that, the government has added (printed) about 24% more money by sending checks to aid the economy so that people can afford more goods.

So if you are a producer of goods like a jewelry maker, what are you going to do with your price?

Profit Margin I want you to take a really good look at this, especially at the beginning of the year.

This is an excellent time for you to check with your suppliers and deeply analyze your pricing and costing structure. You have to make sure you are properly pricing your products, or you're going to put yourself in a terrible situation.

This is what happened to my consulting client. She was selling her items for retail and reducing the prices to sell wholesale. So she wasn't getting a proper wholesale margin, which is very important.

If you sell to stores, you need to make sure that you're making the correct markup on those prices. Or else you will go out of business.

And there's a reason for this. When you're selling bigger or volume orders, there are a couple of factors in play.

We buy materials way before we get paid. It might be 30 to 120 days from the time that the order is placed. There's a lag, but you have to buy supplies, pay the manufacturer or the labor to get those orders placed.

Now you might be saying; I take the credit card when I ship the order. But, because of the lag, and if you don't have enough margin, you'll end up in a cash flow deficit, which is really challenging for the business.

You see people who rack up their credit cards to finance their orders, they get lines of credit, and then they end up completely broke because they have no way to pay off those bills. And even though they're selling a lot, their profit margin sucks.

It happened to me in 2008. When the market crashed, gold prices spiked tremendously. But we were pricing goods based on old prices.

I had orders, and you know, like a 90-day window, but during that time they placed the orders, the commodities market completely spiked.

Diamonds were up; gold was up, precious metals and semi-precious stones spiked up, increasing my cost. In fact, I probably shipped some orders that I lost money on, and I didn't even realize it at the time.

That's why you should make sure you get the correct cost of goods sold, whether you are selling for retail, direct to consumer, or selling wholesale.

You can join us for our free live Jewelry Makeover Bootcamp, where we’ll dive deeper into some of the topics we're talking about today.

Perceived Value The other thing that I think is important is understanding perceived value.

The reality is, transactions occur at that point where the buyer feels like they're getting more value than what they're giving you.

I've interviewed Allyson Hayes from Precious Design Elements in my previous podcast episode #326. She is a sterling silver designer and primarily sells at in-person shows. And she couldn't figure out why people were walking into her booth saying her pieces were beautiful but would make a face after asking about the material and looking at the price.

She had been pricing things too low, and they would say something to her like silver can't be this cheap.

So in the middle of the show, she tore all the price tags for her jewelry and increased prices — and sold out every single piece.

Do you know why? It’s because she elevated the perceived value of each piece with what the customers thought the piece should cost.

It's especially true if you've created a bunch of demand around it using The Desired Brand Effect. You create a story around it and this entire brand that they get to be part of and discuss with their friends.

They feel it's worth more than what's in their pocket, and that's the price you're charging.

You're going to give them their ring, and they're going to give you more money, and they're going to tell their friends a great story. They're going to feel like they got a great value.

They're going to give you more money for your ring because they can be part of that great story, tell their friends about it, and they're going to feel like they got a great value.

The high-end luxury goods market creates a lot of demand for their products using perceived value.

You buy their product, and you get an increased status symbol. You feel better when you buy it. There's also this association that it must be better if it's more expensive. They've built status into their product.

Raising Prices and Sales I get it you may be afraid to raise prices and say, I'm going to lose sales or lose overall sales. Or although I might make a little more margin, I'm going to make less overall because I'm going to make fewer sales.

So I want you to consider that maybe if you're getting price resistance, those aren't the right people for you. Those people probably aren't your dream customers and not the people who are necessarily supposed to be buying your jewelry.

I saw this Instagram reel a couple of weeks ago, and it says, “don't tell me that my prices are too high; tell me that it's outside of your budget.”

Because that's really what the case is, and it's not really about you.

But of course, there's a threshold where you might be overpricing your jewelry. You can't charge a million dollars for a silver ring, and no one's going to buy that unless, you know, like Picasso made it.

Confidence is Attractive We all know that confidence is attractive, while insecurity is unattractive.

One of the challenges when you're raising your prices, especially if you're starting, is that people tend to conflate the designer and the design or the creator and the creation.

Maybe you feel like…

If I offer this, and someone rejects it, they're rejecting me. Or…If I increase the price, and they reject it, they're rejecting me.

And I would invite you to consider that you are the creator, but you are not the creation. You create different things.

You interact with the marketplace and put things into the market to see how people react to those. Then you need to make adjustments to the product.

So maybe platinum is more popular than silver or vice versa. The only way you'll know is to put it out there and get feedback.

But sometimes, many people will sit at their bench and try to perfect things, and perfect things. But what they're really doing is avoiding rejection.

So, I would invite you to consider that you are not being rejected.

Someone might object to the price or material, but that's just feedback. Use that to dial in to find where that happy medium is between what the market wants and what you can offer. Find the way to build a lot of desire from the market you want to have.

Don’t Shortchange Yourself And you have to remember that you need to pay yourself a salary. You need to compensate and reward yourself for the work and effort you're putting in. Don't shortchange yourself.

You can say, hey, look, everything's going up because of inflation which means I need to raise my prices.

That said, I also highly encourage you to make that separation between yourself and your products.

And finally, you have to overcome limiting beliefs because your belief systems ultimately shape your external reality.
Listen to the full episode and discover easy to implement marketing strategies to sell more jewelry without creating price resistance.

xo, Tracy

Follow Jason Ayers on Instagram!

Visionary Alignment

Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp 2022

Laying the Foundation Program

The Desired Brand Effect Book

Momentum Coaching Program

Episode #326: Perceived Value is an Inside Job with Allyson Hayes

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

The post EP335: How to Handle Inflation and Pricing Without Creating Price Resistance appeared first on Flourish & Thrive Academy.

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Although the last few years have been pretty heavy, the New Year is always an opportunity to reset, reinvigorate ourselves and set some new intentions to achieve great things. This episode is about owning your power, showing up, and standing in your power in the New Year.

It’s a different situation for each of us. But regardless of where we are in our lives and our business, we can make this powerful shift when we are honest with ourselves and stop blaming other things for our situation.

Download the show notes here

This podcast was inspired by my experience in getting partially sucked into some challenges and drama in my company in the past year and the lessons I’ve learned.

You see, being an entrepreneur and being creative is about carving your own path. It requires you to be brave, be your own person, be your own boss and always break out of the binds or the bounds that keep you small.

This is a constant journey of self-discovery, not a destination.

Personally, last year was a rough year for my company and me. Many things were going on inside the business and causing a lot of problems. I’ve had to let go of a couple of people in my team and work on a very bootstrapped team for a period of time.

And things started infiltrating into everything I did. There were several months where I felt like a victim, I was stressed out all the time, freaking out, having panic attacks, and it was tough to break out of.

Until I realized… Oh, this is just a story and a pattern. I learned that I accepted mediocrity and allowed it to infiltrate into my business, instead of focusing on success.

See, success is an internal game and an individual experience. And it all starts with the beliefs that we were raised with.

When you operate from a success mindset you have the POWER within you to overcome adversity, change your situation at any time and do amazing things to switch your life and business.

And it’s never too late.

So here are some tools and action plans that can help you transcend your current reality so that you can step into your higher self and be the bad-ass that you are meant to be.

Identify the beliefs or stories you tell yourself (or others tell you) that no longer serve you. There are some beliefs that you could be holding on to or operating in the background. And they can turn into your “creativity crushers” or “success crushers.”

Make a list of all these non-serving beliefs you have, and I want you to flip them to create positive affirmations and turn them into something else.

Here are a few negative beliefs and the bad-ass mindset to flip them:

Negative: It’s hard to make money as an artist.

Bad-ass: Making money as an artist is my right. I deserve to make money as an artist.

Negative: If I share my idea, someone will steal it.

Bad-ass: Community and collaboration with other artists help everyone rise up, including me.

Negative: If you’re an artist, you must be starving.

Bad-ass: I’m a thriving artist, and I’m here to show the world my value and get paid for it.

Negative: Creatives aren’t good at business.

Bad-ass: At different stages in business, you’re going to hit many kinds of glass ceilings and be put into different types of boxes. And Creatives are the best people when it comes to breaking glass ceilings and thinking out of the box. So truthfully, Creatives are the best people for business.

Negative: I’m not good enough, talented enough, and have few connections.

Bad-ass: I’m striving for progress, not perfection. This is about the journey, not the destination.

Now, make your own list and repeat them to yourself 25 times in the morning and 25 times in the evening. Record yourself saying it and listen to it because this is a potent exercise you can do this year.

Identify how or where you are operating out of FEAR! If you don’t free yourself and start operating from a growth and success mindset, it becomes really hard to own your power.

Remember, you are the only person who can give away your power.

So start setting boundaries and stop giving away your power to other people while still following the rules.

Identify all these fears one by one and know which ones aren’t working for you.

You see, there are a lot of fears like:

Fear of failure
Fear of rejection
Fear of being an outcast for your opinion
Fear of being called names
Fear of dying
Fear of abandonment
Fear of hurting someone’s feelings

And these fears will trickle into many things in your life and business. So write down a list of all the ways that you’re letting fear eke out into your life and take control over your business.

Then write down ONE thing that scares you and terrifies you that you’re going to try this year.

I’ll give you an easy one – Go ask for a sale from someone.

Write Your Bad-Ass List One of the worst things people do is focus on their weaknesses instead of what they’re really good at.

Personally, I know that my biggest gift is my creativity and ability to create strategies and ideas and help people with their businesses.

My strengths are not figuring out broken systems or tech in my company. So it’s these complex things for me that I always hire out first because they are way over my head.

That said, I know you are amazing at many things, and I want you to acknowledge them right now.

Try this exercise for New Year. Write a form or gratitude list or what I’d like to call your own Bad-ass List.

Write 4 things that you are a bad-ass at every single day, like:

What are your biggest strengths?
What are you naturally talented in business?
What is the thing that makes you an incredible friend or partner?
Why do people want to buy from you?

Visualize What You Want This is the most crucial exercise and could be a game-changer for your New Year.

Visualization can happen in meditation, journal entry, or something that you can continuously do throughout the year.

This exercise can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes a day. And I want you to imagine.

What does my perfect day look like?
As I wake up from bed, what’s happening in those first few moments of the day?
How am I showing up for myself?
How am I showing up for my kids or family?
How am I interacting with my partner? How are we connecting?
What am I doing every day in my business?
What kind of work am I doing?
How much money am I taking home?
How much money am I making?
Am I reaching my goals?
Who are my strategic partners?
What companies do I want to work with?
Who are those people that I feel so aligned with that we’re just doing great things in the world?

Whatever it is, keep visualizing it. I want you to think through this lens because it is a really powerful way for you to get out of your own way and remember who you are.

It’s time to take back your power and own it—Uplevel yourself into a powerful existence where you become the person you always wanted to be.

Because at the end of the day, you are a freakin’ bad-ass!

xo, Tracy

The Desired Brand Effect Book Chapter 1

Laying the Foundation

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In order to live a big full life, you have to have the highs and lows and the full spectrum of emotions to have that full experience. We’re winding down to the last week of the year and I’m really thrilled to play bigger and do something different.

I’ve mentioned this last week, that the past two years have been the best 2 years of my life, but there was also a lot of intensity to them.

Download the show notes here

Although I’ve made a multi-million dollar company, there are things that I’ve done that aren’t necessarily serving me in a way I want to move forward in my life right now.

And I’ll admit that I’ve noticed I’ve been sabotaging myself a few times and caught in comparisonitis mode.

Now, I’m telling you my lessons and experience because I’m a real person. And I think any entrepreneur who says that they don’t struggle is full of sh*t.

So I had to step back to restructure and fix my business and re-evaluate. I had to check myself before I wreck myself.

That’s what this episode is all about. It’s designed to help and remind us to play a little bigger in the new year.

But before we get big, let’s evaluate and find out if we are playing small.

What is playing small? It usually boils down to letting fear be the driver of your decision-making process.

We’ve seen this a lot in the world in the last two years. And obviously, everyone has a different life situation.

But for your jewelry business, ask yourself…

Are you passive and waiting for things to happen to you or instead of going after them?
Are you envious of others when they reach a goal, or do you celebrate with them?
Do you have issues with people sharing or selling their product or service despite delivering a lot of value?
Are you afraid to use your voice or share your story out in the world?
Do you let criticism paralyze you and stop you from moving forward?
Are you settling for mediocrity?
Are you choosing to set smaller goals and playing it safe instead of stretching and reaching different milestones in your business?
Are you saying or wanting something but taking completely counterintuitive actions?

Evaluate yourself and your business. List out and acknowledge these issues and be honest with yourself. Because a lot of times, I don’t think a lot of us are conscious that we’re sabotaging ourselves and letting fear lead us.

Now let me walk you through how to play bigger.

Do Something That Scares The Sh*t Out of You Reach out and set bigger goals. Get in touch with potential partners aligned with your brand's vision but are entirely out of your league.

Talk to influencers, publications, potential partners, or wholesale accounts. You don’t have to be attached to the outcome.

Even if it doesn’t work out, this is just showing the universe that you’re ready for something bigger. Again, don’t get attached with the outcome.

Be Mindful of What You Think, Feel, Do and Say to Yourself and Others Are you stating what you don’t want instead of what you want?

You’re programming your brain to focus on the negative instead of the positive outcome if you are.

You have to stop getting consumed by the things that don’t really matter. Like things that don’t move the needle or make a difference in your life.

Sometimes you could work with 100 people, and 99 are completely satisfied with you and what you do. But then there’s this one person who thinks you did a sh*tty job and you become consumed and totally derailed by it.

Don’t let that get the worst of you.

Stop Trying To Do It All Alone Ask for help. Make sure that you always have a support system around you. That might be a confidant, a friend, or a business coach.

I highly recommend getting yourself a coach and being part of a coaching program or joining a mastermind group for feedback.

At Flourish and Thrive, we have Diamond Insiders or Momentum, depending on where you are on your business.

It could also be attending an event of a like-minded community like Creatives Rule the World retreat.

What’s important is that you surround yourself with credible people you can ask or talk to. People who’ve already done what you’re trying to do, so you’ll know how they’ve done it.

Invest in yourself and up level your skill, and be open to feedback when someone gives you constructive criticism.

Don’t get defensive. Think, “what can I learn from this – instead of immediately saying that won’t work for me.

And finally, I want to remind you it’s also equally important to remove people from your life who are not supportive.

Because when you can focus on the positive stuff, things become a lot easier.

As for me, my vision is to have our marketing initiatives planned out for the year. And have Flourish and Thrive Academy structured properly on how we’re doing our launches and our intakes into our program.

The reason is that I’ve just restructured FTA and our marketing team. So our theme for the year is Marketing.

xo, Tracy

The Desired Brand Effect Book

Laying the Foundation

Momentum Coaching Program

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

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What are the things that I can do to get things aligned so that I’m reaching the kind of targets and goals and all those things that I would like to create in my life… Did you know that there was a Gemini full moon last Saturday night? And apparently this was an ideal time for setting new intentions and leaving behind the baggage that’s no-longer serving you.

Now, I’m a Gemini and I’d love to share with you what I learned from making my release list during this Gemini full moon.

Download the show notes here

But first, let’s go back to my core and the main reason why I’m doing what I’m doing.

My mission is to help you launch your version of what freedom looks like for you. And build a business that is fun, that creates financial security for you and your family and makes profit at the end of the year.

A business that allows you to do things that you love so much that you literally wake up excited about going to work.

Now, in order for me to fulfill my mission, I need clarity on what I’m trying to do and let go of things that are not serving that purpose for the last few years.

And I feel like there’s been a lot of residual powerful energy over the last years, given the pandemic, inflation and political chaos.

Things to Think About After all that chaos and drama, we really need to find the balance of how to get to a place where it’s fully aligned with our vision and on purpose with what we’re doing in our business and in our life.

So here are the things you’d want to think about:

What are the things that you did last year that worked really well for you? (Get really specific on what happened)
What is working really well?
What didn’t work well?
Where are you spending money?

Evaluate Next you have to evaluate what’s important. Everyone is going to have a different evaluation of things.

Like some people crush at sales, while other people just can’t get their foot in the door, but others may be amazing at shows.

Be intentional and evaluate:

What are the things that you actually love doing?
What are the things that you dislike?
Where is the money coming from in your business?
How are you blocking what it is you’re trying to create in your life?
Are you avoiding working at things because they’re hard?
Are the people in your life you’ve kept so long serving you?
Are you being honest with yourself?

Be especially critical in evaluating your Revenue Stream:

What expenses can you reduce?
Do you have ongoing technology expenses that you’re not using?
Are you participating in shows that are expensive to participate in, but you’re not getting the same return on investment?

I want you to think about all the things that aren’t serving you anymore.

What do I want to leave behind? And ask yourself multiple times — What do I want to leave behind?

As for me, I made a promise to myself that I will no longer settle for mediocrity. I’m going to settle for excellence!

As a CEO or visionary of the company, I have to execute and work strategically.

That means I technically have to remove myself from the organizational chart and step back. I have to focus on running the business and not give myself menial tasks and stuff I might have been doing before. I have to step up into the CEO role and work on the higher needs of the business.

And the way to do it is proper planning.

Now, for planning, you can simply have a one page plan or even look up for templates for one page business plans.

It doesn’t have to be long, all you need are:

Have your vision mapped out for the year
Have goals mapped out for the year
Map out your key marketing initiatives
Other big things you need to move forward.

Vision with a Theme Once you have the plan, be clear on what your vision is and your key initiative. It should have a theme which is usually just one word.

The reason is that I’ve just restructured FTA and our marketing team. So our theme for the year is Marketing.

How about you?…

Better yet, let me repeat my most important question….

What do you want to leave behind?

Let that sh*t go, and launch into the New Year with a bang!

xo, Tracy

Momentum Coaching Program

The Desired Brand Effect Book

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

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If you want to create The Desired Brand Effect in your business and have people coming back, you need clarity about your target market. Many first time designers and makers would usually obsess about their product and the pieces that they’re making, first. But seldom do you find creators obsessing about how to serve their target market first, and the product, second.

But for Maggie Kyle and Laura Treganowan of Our Exercise Brand or OXB, they didn’t start their jewelry company wondering who their customer was.

From the onset, it was clear to them that they want to serve the fitness community they are part of.

OXB is a line of Laura and Maggie’s favorite jewelry styles. It’s made safe to sweat in.

Their jewelry is handmade in Denver, Colorado by a team of women who care equally about design, sustainability, and the fitness community.

They advertise, OXB sources high quality hypoallergenic metals (gold filled not gold plated!) that won’t rub off, irritate your skin, and end up in the landfill after a few wears.

No more taking off your favorite accessories for a run or for your weekly hot yoga class!

Their goal is for their pieces to become everyday staples that can last the duration of time.

Finding the Unique Brand Angle

“We didn’t start a jewelry company wondering who our customer was. We knew who our customer was, and we worked from that.”

Maggie K.

Maggie grew up making jewelry with her mom and is the creative and product genius metalsmith. She is an avid yoga practitioner and took up yoga teacher training.

After getting into an injury, she had to take spin classes, and that’s when she met the spinning instructor – Laura, who is also tech and marketing savvy.

When both ladies met, they were so immersed in the fitness industry. Their circle of friends were also fitness enthusiasts, like studio owners, trainers and athletes in Denver.

Maggie loved creating and designing, but hated selling. After getting to know Laura, she finally found the business partner she was looking for.

Their partnership clicked as each of them had their own skill set, which does not interfere in their business process.

Appeal to Everyone and You’ll Appeal to No One

“Stay in your lane… You don’t have to appeal to everybody.”

Maggie K.

OXB started with the fitness community in mind.

Maggie is a huge fan of solid gold jewelry, and she and Laura agreed their products should be specifically useful and beneficial to their community.

They should love to wear it and reflect the sentimental value that would resonate with fitness enthusiasts.

Maggie and Laura fully embraced the fitness world, so they sold their products in fitness studios and the community they were part of.

Increasing Brand Following and a Strong Community

“…people like tracking journeys.”

Maggie K.

During the pandemic, fitness studios had to shut down so OXB started ecommerce.

Maggie and Laura also collaborated with their circle of friends, who were fitness and wellness professionals and studio owners, to help each other out.

They offered gift card to their customers who bought a drop into a studio. And also offered gift cards to support trainers who started their own platforms.

Incidentally, they started their ambassador team through collaborations with friends, trainers, studio owners and the people in their community.

These friends were also genuinely excited and involved in their business growth. Eventually, they extended their reach through word of mouth, DMs and organic following.

Their community embraced them back and their ambassador team boosted their following with them paying for advertising.

Building a Loyal Team

“…the fitness community picked us up.”

Maggie K.

As Maggie puts it, OXB’s ambassador team was a bunch of really sweaty people whom they put their jewelry on.

A year later, the team is stronger and are raving fans. And even after they took down the application from the website, people were still pouring in.

Despite the influx of willing ambassadors, Maggie and Laura opted to choose quality over quantity and stayed true to their core.

OXB was about serving the fitness community, and they wanted a strong connection to the brand, so they remained careful in choosing their ambassadors.

Effective Digital Strategy

“Email list, I think, is the most effective digital strategy always in forever.”

Maggie K.

Maggie and Laura employed automatic flows like post purchase and abandon cart, as well as 3 to 4 email campaigns to engage with their customers.

They believe that having a database of willing customers who want your products is one of the most valuable tool any business can have.

Listen to the full episode above for more tips on how to make the most out of live events for your jewelry brand.

xo, Tracy

Links:

Follow Our Exercise Brand on Instagram!

Follow Our Exercise Store on Instagram!

OXB Sweat Proof Jewelry

Momentum Coaching Program

The Desired Brand Effect Book

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

Facebook

Instagram

Listen on Apple Podcasts!

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*Content warning for:* discussion of sensitive topics like trauma, mental illness, abuse, sexual assault, and suicide. If you or a loved one is struggling, I’ve included some resources in the show notes below.

Sometimes with creativity there can be a roller coaster of emotions, and even mental health issues, that get in the way of your process as an artist. This week we’re talking about mental health for makers. I recently had Dr. Jennifer Tippett on the podcast to talk about trauma and psychedelics.

Today, I’m sitting down with the wonderful life and business coach, Michelle I. Gomez, to talk about mental wealth.

Michelle helps ambitious multi-passionate creators get paid multiple six figures without sacrificing their mental health.

Through her holistic and trauma-sensitive approach to coaching, her clients gain better emotional intelligence to heal in order to create the life, love, and six figure business they love.

She also has an extensive background as an artist and maker herself, so she’s very attuned to the strain that trauma can put on our creative potential.

Her mission is to help artists of all kinds use their stories as fuel for their creativity, not as a draining force.

Click here to download the show notes

Creativity and Mental Health Michelle has coached hundreds of makers who struggle with their relationship to art, creativity and money.

She has found that this is often the result of traumatic experiences at a young age, where the artist was not supported in their zone of genius and creativity.

Traumatic experiences lead to a dysregulated nervous system, Michelle explains, and that can lead to dysfunctional habits and behaviors, often carried over from childhood.

It’s important to note here that our definition of trauma has expanded since the early days of psychology, and it can show up in many forms.

As Michelle describes it, the body’s response to trauma is very similar across all different kinds of people with all different kinds of experiences.

Finding Safety Within Yourself When your body doesn’t feel safe, it reacts with a trauma response, the four most common being fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.

When you experience these responses in your body, Michelle recommends strategies to help you learn how to feel safe.

The first step is to recognize that safety comes from certainty, and certainty can be found within yourself. Even in an unsafe situation, you can find comfort in certainty by coming up with a plan.

It’s no wonder that so many creative business owners become overwhelmed when they don’t have a business plan.

The Path to Healing The goal is not to “cure” yourself of every painful emotion. That’s just unrealistic. We will all god through ups and downs, but you can learn how to better regulate yourself during those highs and lows.

We go through the ups and downs and learn how to better regulate ourselves during those ups and downs and work on our relationship with money and creativity.

The first part of the path to healing is to learn how to feel safe. Work backwards from your goals and create a plan.

The second part is to learn to connect to the present. Michelle recommends a powerful exercise known as the “5-senses check-in.”

When you feel overwhelmed, make note of one thing you can see, smell, taste, touch, and hear. This will help to slow your heart rate, clear your mind, and connect you to the world around you.

Above all else, remember that you are not your trauma, your money, your drive, your results, your wins, your losses, or even your art. You are you. And nothing can take that away.

Listen to the full episode above to hear Michelle’s inspiring story and the journey that has led her to become the life coach she is today.

xo, Tracy

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text Hello to 741741

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Text “START” to 88788 or call 1-800-799-7233 SAMHSA

National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

Links:

Follow Michelle on Instagram!

Mental Wealth Network

Episode #329: Healing Trauma and Mental Health with Jennifer Tippett

Episode #058: How to Spark Ideas for Headlines that Sparkle with Laura Belgray

Momentum Coaching Program

The Desired Brand Effect Book

More Resources for Jewelry Designers

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