Indie Roller Podcast: Recent Episodes
indieroller
The Indie Roller podcast peeks into the everyday lives of Indie Biz owners. We’ll explore a myriad of myths, truths and secrets to empower you to play by your own rules.
I'm taking an extended break from podcasting to pursue a different direction in my marketing which involves a deeper level of community and connection for myself and YOU whether you're a Joyful Seller or in the wider online Indie Roller community.
If you'd like to know more, join my mailing list HERE and you'll be the first to know all the exciting deets and once we're up and running receive invitations to join in the creative selling fun.
Until then, you have 43 incredible episodes to dive into at anytime you require some inspo with your marketing and selling plus today's very special final episode.
Our success panel of 3 Joyful Selling for Creative Professional program members includes a small batch skincare and soap maker, a designer/maker of vegan accessories and a lino cut artist.
We dive into the specifics of the thought work that has made an incredible difference to all of their businesses with actionable ways they are creating more cash.
ENROLMENT IS OPEN
Join us inside the Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals program between 7th and 13th June 2023.
At 10am on Wednesday 7th I'll be holding my signature workshop teaching our process and answering any question you have. If you miss the live, you'll be able to watch the replay on the Indie Roller website for 7 days.
Find out more HERE.
I know you feel overwhelmed quite a bit and part of that is because of all the creativity that's bursting through your veins which you want to release to the world. How amazing!
Yet, if you want to run a sustainable business that creates customers and sales then please channel some of this awesome creative energy into the other areas that you might be labelling 'boring'.
Today I remind you of the Joyful Selling basics because anchoring into these 3 stages like a wonderful cycle will support you to build a balanced business that is supported by your unique creative flair.
Plus, a special announcement on today's episode!
Join the mailing list HERE.
In today’s episode I offer a 3 step process to audit your Instagram content over the past 7 or 30 days.
The steps:
1, Quantity
2, Quality
3, Expectation
Once audited you will have a series of specific actionable tasks to get on with to work towards creating the revenue you want to create with your social media marketing.
You can utilise these steps as an end of the month evaluation process that helps you decide what to do differently next month.
Pausing to reflect with an effective framework like this will help guide your actions as a creative professional who sells their work.
Enjoy!
OPEN ENROLMENT IS COMING
Join us inside the Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals program between 7th and 13th June 2023. At 10am on Wednesday 7th I'll be holding my signature workshop teaching our process and answering any question you have. Sign up for the free workshop on my email list HERE.
Today we focus on selling.
I share with you an overarching mindset shift that will impact the words you write and the visuals you share that will hugely improve your ability to sell your work.
Rather than asking yourself ‘what do I need to do?’ or saying to yourself ‘I don’t know what to do’ you get the opportunity to ask yourself ‘What do THEY need right now?’
The trick is to redirect your brain away from YOU and over to THEM.
THEM being your audience and your customers.
I walk you through 10 mega useful prompts:
1, What do they need to hear today so that making their purchase is obvious?
2, What don’t they know about my best selling product?
3, I wonder if they’re worried about when the product will arrive, I’m going to walk them through exactly what happens after they’ve pressed the buy button.
4, They might not realise how easy it is to style/wear/put up/
5, Do they know this is what I actually sell and that it’s available right now?
6, Some of them might prefer to buy from me in person so I’m going to let them know where I’ll be selling at in-person events.
7, I’m going to let them know how they can customise/personalise their products today.
8, They might be finding it difficult to pick a colour so today I’m going to talk through the colour options and describe the shades and what they work well with.
9, Sizing is a tough one online so I’m going to help them visualise the sizes in the most useful way.
10, I think some of my people are _______-loveres - I’m going to talk directly to them today to show them everything I have that features __________.
Enjoy serving your people to an impeccable standard and see the sales flow in.
OPEN ENROLMENT IS COMING
Join us inside the Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals program between 7th and 13th June 2023. At 10am on Wednesday 7th I'll be holding my signature workshop teaching our process and answering any question you have. Sign up for the free workshop on my email list HERE.
In May, Joyful Selling member, artist and dance instructor, Sam Bratby is inviting us Rollers into her Kitchen Dance Club on Instagram to learn a series of micro-movements to boost up with whilst we work.
On today’s episode we decide to record one of our meetings on Zoom as we decide how to approach our social media collaboration, why it’s important to both of us and how to make it logistically work on social media.
If you enjoy a peek behind the scenes of creative business life and collaboration you’ll enjoy being a fly on the wall for this one.
I know what it feels like to wear a lot of hats in creative entrepreneurship and feel like the head that’s wearing the hat has too much in it. Most of my members join us with a flavour of this happening so I help them empty it all out for focus and clarity.
You’ve probably heard of journaling and maybe even Thought Downloading which is the term coined by the coaching school I trained at.
Basically, it’s writing down the thoughts in your head as a way of releasing them from your brain and giving them some space and light to be seen and dealt with on purpose.
As perfectionists and/or people pleasers we can get stuck in our heads about getting the words out of our heads so today’s episode is going to show you there is no perfect way of doing it whilst offering useful guidelines to pick and choose from.
You’ll learn:
1, Thoughts are not facts. They are optional sentences where you are trying to make meaning of your life and keep yourself safe.
2, Writing down thoughts bring them more into your awareness so you can consciously choose or create the ones you want to take direction from.
3, You don’t have to act on every thought in your head.
4, Being in conversation with the thoughts in your head via writing on the page is how you can change your relationship with conditioned beliefs that don’t serve you in the here and now.
WANNA EXPERIENCE COACHING WITH ME?
I'm running a free group coaching session to my email list in May - you're not on screen and can ask Qs anonymously too in the Q&A box. Sign up HERE and you'll be the first to know when it's happening. I don't offer replays for these to create the most comfortable environment as possible for people who haven't experienced coaching before.
What type of relationship do you currently have with the numbers in your business?
The two main groups of numbers are your sales and revenue figures and your social media and selling platform numbers.
What thoughts are you having right now when you think about these sets of numbers in your business and how do this thoughts make you feel?
What I’ve noticed is that so many of us humans have a dysfunctional relationship with the numbers because of how we relate to them.
In this episode I walk through the 3 phases of dysfunction:
1, Head in the sand phase.
2, Disappointed and discouraged phase.
3, Frustrated and confused phase.
Then you will learn how to ask different questions about the data in your business so you can move through these phases and into a more empowered role.
WANNA EXPERIENCE COACHING WITH ME?
I'm running a free group coaching session to my email list in May - you're not on screen and can ask Qs anonymously too in the Q&A box. Sign up HERE and you'll be the first to know when it's happening. I don't offer replays for these to create the most comfortable environment as possible for people who haven't experienced coaching before.
If you sometimes think you don’t know what you’re doing or you think that nothing is working in your marketing and selling then I have a simple business tool for you today.
Now, when I say ‘simple’ it’s because it’s straight-forward with 3 steps to follow yet I’ve found creative professionals don’t do it because it may feel tedious.
Yet it’s this 60 minutes of tedious work once a month that can show you that you DO know what you’re doing and what IS working so you can do more of it.
The business tool is: evaluation.
Doesn’t sound all that fun does it!
So in today’s new episode of the #JoyfulSelling podcast I offer it to you in a jazzier way which is thinking about it like a pizza party.
A monthly pizza party in your creative business where you get to divide up the big pie of 2023 into separate monthly slices to make it more digestible.
Rather than letting each month roll on without really being sure where the money is coming from and letting stories about not having enough time and people not buying right now be the reason you’re not creating the cash you want - you get to take responsibility for it instead.
Taking responsibility for creating the sales is where you want to be, trust me.
It means that changing your current result is within your power which means the actions you take matter.
And all that action can easily be forgotten or misremembered over time so writing it down helps you know what you’re doing so you can make necessary tweaks.
WANNA EXPERIENCE COACHING WITH ME?
I'm running a free group coaching session to my email list in May - you're not on screen and can ask Qs anonymously too in the Q&A box. Sign up HERE and you'll be the first to know when it's happening. I don't offer replays for these to create the most comfortable environment as possible for people who haven't experienced coaching before.
Are you acknowledging the actions you’re taking and celebrating all the wins in your business?
Probably not, because we’re not taught how to effectively do this and why it’s so important.
In today’s episode I share why withholding acknowledgement from yourself or waiting to/forgetting to celebrate is fuelling the reasons you think you’re not a proper business owner.
What you will discover:
- Why setting a revenue goal gives you the opportunity to celebrate.
- 3 ways to acknowledge what you’re doing to create a culture of celebration.
- Generating the emotion of celebration to fuel action taking.
- Understanding you’re the person that created success and you can do it again.
I've been thinking a lot recently about how we break free from our default binary thinking when marketing and selling.
Binary thinking helps us feel a sense of certainty because there are only two options: on/off.
Yet it restricts our thinking and doesn’t allow space for our true creative selves.
What you will discover:
- How to give yourself more freedom in your marketing and selling
- What to do if you’re worried about too many ideas and not enough time
- Two simple questions to spark your creativity when making money
Enrolment is currently closed.
The Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals Lifetime Program will up for new members again from 7th to 13th June 2023.
Ensure you are on our mailing list HERE so you receive all the deets you need to know to join us with ease and increase your sales in 2023.
This is my first episode about time so I’m taking us on a whistle-stop tour from one of my regular thoughts in 2014 whilst running my subscription box ‘I don’t have enough time’ to a thought that came to me last week when doing my VAT ‘I’ve created time.’
It’s been a bumpy ride of resistance and judgement to get to where I am now AND it’s all been so worth it so I can teach and coach on this topic to help you transform your relationship with time for good.
The bulk of today’s episode is sharing my journey with time blocking my calendar.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
1, Easing judgement is a useful first step.
2, Capture the magic of ideas in the moment and then develop them in allotted time slots.
3, Find your way through flexibility and experimentation.
4, How to be discerning with your tasks to create time.
5, Redefine what freedom means to you.
Enrolment is currently closed.
The Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals Lifetime Program will up for new members again from 7th to 13th June 2023.
Ensure you are on our mailing list HERE so you receive all the deets you need to know to join us with ease and increase your sales in 2023.
During open enrolment each quarter I record one of our most popular episodes which is the Joyful Selling Success Panel.
On the panel today are 3 members of our lifetime program:
Helen from Badger & Bobbins who teaches in-person sewing workshops in Sheffield. Helen shares how she has tripled her revenue in 6 months, sold out her February dressmaking course in December and self-coached when she made a mistake in her business that back in the day she would have spiralled from.
Kim from the Grunge Monkey, a fun and playful fashion label that is 10 years old this year. Kim shares how she allows space for her emotions and self-coaches to tend to her vulnerability around external validation and rejection. She leans on her Business Belief Plan to show herself she doesn't need permission from the outside world to be an artist.
Claire from Shine, a shop in Sale, Greater Manchester that is full of treats. Claire shares how she is proud to be herself in her marketing and selling and how that helped her sell 75 tickets to her Christmas event when the goal was 50. She's embracing different parts of her personality and has realised that different energies are required for different aspects of the job from feeling focused to sit down at the computer to feeling excited when recording reels.
A huge thank you to all three of our brilliant members who are actively working one sign overwhelm, enjoying selling and increasing their sales.
Enrolment is OPEN!
The Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals Lifetime Program is open for new members until 6pm on Monday 13th March 2023.
Enrol HERE.
In today’s episode I talk about opening myself up to an evolving creative business journey that the perfectionist part of my brain tells me is messier than it should be at times.
I look at how my forever business Indie Roller emerged from my previous brand Lucky Dip Club. To make that happen, I put my blinkers on to what was happening on the Internet around me and trusted myself to follow my calling.
Regardless of what product is being sold, I still am and always will be focused on connecting and serving value to my community.
I know that money is the result of value.
Looking to the future, my work is finding the daily courage to speak up with compassion and a fire in my belly.
What if it was OK to be an artist and make a shit load of cash?
Why does society have such a problem with this?
Fundamentally, I believe in creatives earning an incredible living from their artistry and I’m committed to teaching and coaching on this subject.
Open enrolment is coming...
The Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals Lifetime Program is opening up for new members from 7th March to 13th March 2023.
Ensure you are on our mailing list HERE so you receive all the deets you need to know to join us with ease and increase your sales in 2023.
This month I am celebrating a spectacular milestone which is 20 years of creative self-employment.
In this episode I share the moment I committed to working for myself and building a jewellery brand in my mid-20s.
I reflect on a few of the sentences I repeated in my own thought process that propelled me forward as my most authentic self which created hundreds of thousands of pounds in revenue.
I share my desk meltdown and the day I walked away from my first business and what I learnt from that experience.
This is part one of a two-parter looking at the highs and lows of an independent creative career that I wouldn't change in any way.
Enjoy!
Are you currently keeping yourself small in business because you don’t think you can handle disappointment as it might prove you’re not up to the task if you fail?
Unmet expectations are a regular part of running a business especially when learning how to communicate in marketing and selling.
Building your resilience muscle so you can take the action you want to and learn how to treat yourself if it doesn’t go to plan is a super useful business skill.
To dream big and follow through, learn how to:
1, Grow awareness of when you’re taking a swipe at your self-worth.
2, How to have your own back.
3, Tweak and try again with creativity at the forefront and compassion in your heart.
This episode’s motto: I win or I learn.
Open enrolment is coming...
The Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals Lifetime Program is opening up for new members from 7th March to 13th March 2023.
Ensure you are on our mailing list HERE so you receive all the deets you need to know to join us with ease and increase your sales in 2023.
I've been helping Joyful Selling members simplify the actions they take in their online marketing and selling by deciding ahead of time what type of content they are going to share regularly and why.
To start with I have offered two very simple definitions for the terms that traditionally a Creative Professional doesn't exactly feel enthralled by: 'marketing' and 'selling'.
Marketing is connecting to build trust.
Selling is serving to create comfort to buy.
Within both categories we focus on 3 essentials to action and I share examples that have come up as I've been running 1-2-1 bonus sessions with members who joined us in December.
Notebook and pen at the ready! This is a very actionable episode.
Enjoy!
Open enrolment is coming...
The Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals Lifetime Program is opening up for new members from 7th March to 13th March 2023.
Ensure you are on our mailing list HERE so you receive all the deets you need to know to join us with ease and increase your sales in 2023.
In today's episode I explore 3 common reasons why Creative Professionals are feeling overwhelmed.
They are:
1, Lots of great ideas and not enough time.
2, You think you might not be good enough which triggers comparison.
3, The result you’re working towards isn’t happening quick enough.
I'm pleased to say that the one solution to all three is within your control. I share why it might feel outside of your control right now and what to practically do to empower yourself to ease the burden of overwhelm.
I went to Crafty Fox Market in London in December and received the most joyful experience whilst shopping with an independent business called Raising Ravers.
The founder Annie DM'd me yesterday - without knowing I had recorded this episode - to check that Lola loved her jacket when I gave it to her at Christmas.
This level of thoughtful, insightful and connected service is what modern selling is all about.
As you listen to me share the nuggets of information Annie shared with me to make it a no-brainer for me to buy, think what YOUR nuggets are that land with your people.
Enjoy the story!
Join me for a free group coaching session on Friday 27th January at 1pm GMT. I'll be coaching on authentic marketing and creative selling to create your 2023 revenue goal.
Sign up to my mailing list HERE to receive the Zoom link and more deets.
In 2019 I wrote my first self-published book the Indie Roller Handbook and today I share my experience with that as I embark on writing the follow-up.
All the content for the Joyful Selling Playbook has been marinating in my mind throughout 2022 and I'm booked into the Standard Hotel for a week in January to mine my brain and commit words to paper.
I'm super excited to share how I get started with a new project like this and help you transfer over my experience to whatever you might be starting in 2023.
A digital version of the Joyful Selling Playbook will be made available for all current members from 1st March and printed copies can also be purchased by members. If you are joining us in our next open enrolment from 7th to 13th March 2023 then you'll be sent a free copy and we 'll ship worldwide for free. WOOP!
Ahhh this is such a fun episode to start the new year with!
We all have automatic sentences our brains offer us whilst we're working. Mostly, they'll be designed for self-preservation and rarely useful when it comes to independent business ownership.
Did you know you can choose which sentences you want to think whilst you work?
You can just make them up - like you do when your thoughts become things int he design process.
Then practise them to create your new familiar responses whilst working.
In this episode I walk you through how you can create your success sentences for 2023.
Please share, share, share this episode with all your creative professional peers because this is the work that changes the trajectory of a business and the experience of the human at the centre of it.
I'll be announcing the date of our free group coaching session for January by email SUPER SOON.
Don't delay: https://bit.ly/JoyfulSellingTips
A much anticipated episode sharing some 'bold' moves I made this year including closing down my Facebook group and changing my business model from subscription to lifetime program.
Interestingly, these actions in my business haven't felt all that 'bold' to me yet many peers and clients have said this to me. So I walk through how self-coaching has helped me to incrementally work through these changes so they feel very natural and doable rather than big risky leaps.
I very much hope this episode helps you create safety for the business moves you want to make in 2023 and beyond.
If you feel yourself putting off or avoiding making 'big' decisions and you're not in the Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals program then make sure you're on my email list. I'll be offering another free group coaching session at some point in January and you'll want to be there to help you move forward unapologetically.
Sign up to my email list: https://bit.ly/JoyfulSellingTips
In today's episode I'm talking about one of my favourite topics: revenue goal setting.
I share how we do this in the Joyful Selling program, why we do it this way and what might stop you from operating with such clarity in your business.
You're not alone if you find the topic of money overwhelming so let's make sure we discuss this A LOT to normalise it because as long as you're running your creative business you'll be in the business of creating cash. So we might as well make it simple and fun. I promise you it's possible.
If you'd like to ask me any questions about your revenue creation ensure you're on my mailing list because a free group coaching session will go out to the email list in January.
Join here: https://bit.ly/JoyfulSellingTips
This is my favourite episode that I record once every 3 months to catch up with 3 of our Joyful Selling members to chat about the success they've created in their selling.
Today I'm joined by Jennie Sergeant Designs who set out to create £1,000 revenue in her business in November and she closed the month at £1,039. Jennie talks us through how she coached herself through money worries to focus on serving her customers and delivered a successful pre-order.
Nona from Studio Pepita also joins us to share the financial success she has created from selling at in-person markets. When she did her first market she made £100 and when she took part in her most recent market she created £800 worth of sales.
And Michelle from Dora Does talks us through how she created £2,197 in pattern sales in November after setting a revenue goal of £1,500.
The thread that flows through this episode is the practise of celebrating every little win along the way and allow yourself time to sit in the success of creating the revenue you wanted.
We can easily think it was a 'fluke' or 'chance' and worry about not replicating the success when we don't make time to evaluate and celebrate.
Such an inspiring and joyful episode - enjoy!
Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals Lifetime Program is currently enrolling new members until Tuesday 13th December at 6pm.
Find out more and enrol here - https://indieroller.com/joyfulselling/
We are 7 days away from welcoming new members into the Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals program.
Are you new to what we do?
Or have you been following along for a while and now is the time to dive in what with a new year coming up!
Either way, listen along today as I walk you through our exact process that helps you create and increase sales in an intentional way that is driven by your own unique creative flair.
It’s a simple, doable and repeatable process in your business.
I teach it for free here on the podcast and also in my signature workshop Enjoy Selling in 20 Minutes a Day which is next Wednesday 7th December at 1pm GMT. Sign up to my email list to nab the Zoom link and find out more.
I know you’re going to love how we roll in business yet you might feel stuck sometimes or overwhelmed during the implementation. Basically, wrapping your head around failure, difficult emotions and often impatience when the result isn’t quick enough.
That’s where coaching comes in and that’s how I support you in the program.
I not only teach you how to self-coach - the ultimate in self-empowerment - I am also on hand DAILY as your co-pilot to problem-solve in your inbox.
We create the result of staying in motion to create the sales you want.
It’s really rather joyful.
Enjoy today’s episode and if you’re not already receiving my weekly selling nuggets in your inbox then sign up here and nab all the goodness - https://bit.ly/JoyfulSellingTips
I want to speak to the portion of our audience who feel like they fell into running their business.
You might have created your first product for yourself, a family member or friend. Perhaps you shared on Facebook or Instagram or someone else did and the immortal words ‘you should sell those’ were uttered.
Perhaps you describe your business as starting organically? It felt so easy at first, make a few things and sell a few things.
Regardless of the results you've gone on to create since, your brain has stayed in the ‘accidental’ mindset. It feels like sales are a fluke and marketing opportunities are a stroke of luck.
In today's episode I help you move through this phase of business so you can start owning your results and thus feel in control of creating revenue.
If you want to feel organised rather than overwhelmed then it's time to let go of the accidental mindset.
Enjoy!
Our final coaching episode features Joyful selling member Ella from Luna Lotus today.
Ella's coaching question is: How do I improve my selling skills and become more comfortable with selling?
We uncover that Ella's selling skills are already amazing and her growth area is to not seek comfort when selling. Selling feeling uncomfortable doesn't have to be a problem. When we don't make it a problem we automatically improve our overall comfort levels. Say what?
Don't miss this session. Joyful Selling Playbook at the ready to write down all your notes.
You're invited to my live group coaching session which is exclusive to my email list on Thursday 24th November at 1pm to 2pm GMT.
All you need to do is click the Zoom link at 1pm and it’s just me on screen. You can then raise your hand to be brought on camera for coaching, share your question in the Q&A box or follow along on your own.
There won’t be a recording so we can create a comfortable space for all of those who have not received coaching before.
To receive the Zoom link, sign up to my email list - https://bit.ly/JoyfulSellingTips
The welcome email will include the link to register for the Zoom. All in all it will take about 3 minutes.
See you there!
Our final coaching episode features Joyful selling member Ella from Luna Lotus today.
Ella's coaching question is: How do I improve my selling skills and become more comfortable with selling?
We uncover that Ella's selling skills are already amazing and her growth area is to not seek comfort when selling. Selling feeling uncomfortable doesn't have to be a problem. When we don't make it a problem we automatically improve our overall comfort levels. Say what?
Don't miss this session. Joyful Selling Playbook at the ready to write down all your notes.
You're invited to my live group coaching session which is exclusive to my email list on Thursday 24th November at 1pm to 2pm GMT.
All you need to do is click the Zoom link at 1pm and it’s just me on screen. You can then raise your hand to be brought on camera for coaching, share your question in the Q&A box or follow along on your own.
There won’t be a recording so we can create a comfortable space for all of those who have not received coaching before.
To receive the Zoom link, sign up to my email list - https://bit.ly/JoyfulSellingTips
The welcome email will include the link to register for the Zoom. All in all it will take about 3 minutes.
See you there!
In today's episode another Joyful Selling member joins me for a mini coaching session.
Listening to a fellow creative business owner being coached helps you see two things:
1, You're not alone with the challenges you face, the majority are universal to our industry and being a human.
2, You can apply the coaching offered to your particular situation right now.
Coaching is simply problem solving.
Coaching helps you stay in motion rather than get stuck, put off or feel bogged down.
Our guest has opted to remain anonymous so we are using a made up name.
We are coaching today on a firmly held belief she has that she doesn't know how to sell.
If you'd like to come along to a group coaching session to see what it's like join my mailing list and receive an invitation to our next free session just for the email list.
Click here: https://bit.ly/JoyfulSellingTips
In today's episode another Joyful Selling member joins me for a mini coaching session.
Listening to a fellow creative business owner being coached helps you see two things:
1, You're not alone with the challenges you face, the majority are universal to our industry and being a human.
2, You can apply the coaching offered to your particular situation right now.
Coaching is simply problem solving.
Coaching helps you stay in motion rather than get stuck, put off or feel bogged down.
Our guest has opted to remain anonymous so we are using a made up name.
We are coaching today on a firmly held belief she has that she doesn't know how to sell.
If you'd like to come along to a group coaching session to see what it's like join my mailing list and receive an invitation to our next free session just for the email list.
Click here: https://bit.ly/JoyfulSellingTips
Over the next 3 episodes I'm going to try something a little different to help you progress in your marketing, selling and revenue creation.
I'm going to coach 3 members of the Joyful Selling program on the podcast.
I have invited each of them to bring to the session what they are currently stuck on so I can help them move forward with more clarity and ease.
How does the idea of eaves dropping on a coaching session feel?
Pretty exciting, huh?
Of course each of the creative business owners has given their consent to be coached on the podcast and in today's episode our guest has opted to remain anonymous so we are using a made up name.
We are coaching today on a firmly held belief she has that she doesn't know how to sell.
Enjoy!
In today’s episode we’re joined by Joyful Selling member Hanna from Heavy Gretel.
Hanna talks us through how she has actively worked on increasing her online sales through email marketing and a loyalty programme this year.
We dig into how Hanna:
1, Attracts her people to sign up.
2, Engages them in their inbox.
3, Gently encourages the purchase.
And it’s working.
Hanna has grown her email subscriber list by 70% and online sales have increased by 60% in 2022 so far.
Ensure you have your Joyful Selling Podcast Playbook printed out to write down all the tips jam packed into today’s episode.
To nab your Playbook, sign-up to our email list and it will be pinged immediately to your inbox - check your junk/promotional folders - https://bit.ly/JoyfulSellingTips
At the bottom of the marketing funnel are your people who are ready to make their purchase.
I'd like to offer two ways you can support them in this stage of their journey. In this week's episode I walk through these two philosophies with practical actions you can take.
1, Be in service to help them purchase. Think about a brilliant sales assistant who works in an independent bricks and mortar store - I offer various ways they might show up to serve the person in their shop and how this can be applied online.
2, Create fun opportunities for them to buy. Create simple, easy and quick ways your person can make their purchase. I discuss lots of fun creative ways to do this from IG Stories Sales to gift sets and bundles.
A useful underlying belief to nurture so you can show up in service and create fun opportunities is: Selling is sharing the joy.
Try on this mindset first and then create your sales campaigns from there.
Your people at the bottom of funnel are READY to make their purchase - have fun serving them!
Once someone has discovered your products and decided to follow or subscribe, they are then in the 'middle' of your funnel.
They could be active in that you can see them commenting, liking or sharing or more likely you won't see them. The latter isn't the problem that we make it. We pay so much attention to how many likes and comments a piece of content receives but the truth is none of it matters because the engagement on a piece of content does not mean it will result in a sale.
I'd like to offer that the smartest strategy to move forward with is to focus on what you can control: ie. the value of the content you share to create excitement and build trust. Leave your people to get on with their own journey and trust they will buy when they're ready to buy.
I discuss a few ways to do this in this week's episode:
1, Social media:
SHARE AS YOU GO: the interest is in the detail - micro-decisions you’re making: material choices, colours, fabrics, sizes, eco-credentials etc
A COUNTDOWN CAMPAIGN: a series of pre-launch and launch posts and emails that can then be recycled for the lifetime of the product.
WHAT’S FUN AND EXCITING RIGHT NOW: spotlighting what's exciting in your business right now and feeling compelled to share with your people.
2, Email
A regular email, for example: a round-up of the week sharing the nuggets of magic and joy from your creative world and what is shining bright in your orbit. Inspire, educate and add value to your person's day.
3, Blog
An online creative journal - tie in with Pinterest that is top of funnel and the blog is the landing page which helps your customers get to know your products and the creator behind the products.
I'm not one for jargon but I make an exception when the visual created by it is useful for understanding how a process works.
In this instance I'm a big fan of the marketing 'funnel' - picture a funnel that helps you pour liquid into a bottle - it's larger at the top and narrower at the bottom. This is exactly what happens with your people from the moment they come across your work to the moment of purchase.
Not everyone who discovers your work (top of funnel) will purchase it (bottom of funnel). It's useful to know this applies to everyone and it's not personal.
In today's episode I share three core strategies to encourage new people to eyeball your work because we wanna keep pouring into the funnel - introducing new people to what you do - so your funnel is active.
The three strategies:
1, Actively utilise social media hashtags:
Under 1,000 followers - follow relevant hashtags, engage by authentically liking and commenting, use your own brand hashtag, take part in challenges and chat and get to know folks in your sector. Time block 20 minutes a day to do this. It's the opposite of 'mindless' scrolling.
Over 1,000 followers - all of the above and create your own hashtag to run challenges to build your community and get to know them.
2, In-person events: group shows, markets, exhibitions, craft fairs, art shows etc.
Have a specific plan for meeting people and making it memorable:
LOOK - create an inviting display, make it obvious what you sell.
CONNECT - create a moment to strike up conversation with a demo or something to flick through. Bring the stand to life.
STAY IN TOUCH - create a QR code to join your mailing list and receive a gift.
3, Wholesale / retailers:
Have a specific plan for meeting people and making it memorable:
Does your packaging simply share where you hang out online?
Ask if you can create an in-store or window display.
Host an event or workshop and hand out cards or pass round your QR code.
Print out your Joyful Selling Podcast Playbook to note down the ideas that work for you so you can apply them straight away.
Join our email family for Joyful Selling tips direct to your inbox every Monday: https://bit.ly/JoyfulSellingTips
In Joyful Selling we offer a simple approach to guaranteeing your own results. The steps are as follows...
How to make your results inevitable:
1, Set revenue goal.
2, Practise creating it every month.
3, Keep going until you create it.
That's it.
We cut out all the noise and nonsense to laser focus on what will actually keep a business going.
And through these simple steps where we learn to manage our minds, process our emotions and take committed creative action we become an imposter-free business owner who thrives inside and outside of the business.
This is what simple successful creative business looks like.
It's super fun!
The Joyful Selling for Creative professionals program is open for new members until midday Friday 30th September.
Dive in and let's make it happen: https://indieroller.com/joyfulselling/
Today we are joined by four incredible Joyful Selling program members who talk us through the results they are proud of creating in their businesses.
Jo from Tiny Scenic shares how she has created more time in her business and will launch her website next month after putting it off for two years.
Sam from Childstar Samantha shares the one thought that has created £4k in her wholesale business.
Paulomi from Handmade by Tinni talks us through how she decided she was good enough to apply for (and win) multiple awards this year.
Rosie from Rosie Johnson Illustration shares how she tripled her revenue goal at a festival this Summer and utilised the Get It Done Goal Setting process and the Business Belief Plan.
It was such a joy to chat to these four amazing creative business owners and hear how they are self-coaching and joyfully selling to create the business they want.
And the best news ever...
The Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals program is enrolling new members RIGHT NOW.
Find out more and dive in today: https://indieroller.com/joyfulselling/
I look forward to coaching with you!
When you make a chunk of money in your business does it feel like a fluke that you cannot replicate? Perhaps when you talk about the scenario in which you sold many products you might automatically use the word 'luck'.
You're not alone.
This is one of the most common patterns I see in artists and makers when they start working with me in the Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals program.
Sales don't fall from the sky.
You create sales.
In today's episode I'm going to teach you the exact tool we utilise inside the program so you can easily show your brain (and keep showing it) how it is indeed your creativity that creates revenue.
Ownership of the sales process is how you transform from the talented artist/maker you are into a professional business owner. It's a skill. It's a practise. You have to learn it and keep doing it.
The magic of a sustainable business is on the other side of this simple process to rinse and repeat.
PROGRAM INFO:
The Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals program opens for new students on Wednesday 21st September and enrolment ends on Friday 30th September at midday.
More info here: https://indieroller.com/joyfulselling/
Here are some useful prompts for you to start exploring your business through the Joyful Selling lens.
The prompts I offer are part of a larger prompt sheet going out to Joyful Selling for Creative Professionals program members. This prompts make it much easier for our members to utilise the Ask A Coach facility to receive personalised coaching direct to their inbox within 24 hours on week days.
Imagine having a coach in your pocket... what would your burning question be?
In this episode we explore an emotions-based marketing tool.
We think about how you want your person to feel when they read and engage with your posts and emails. And we pose the question: how do YOU feel when you're creating the post or email? Are the emotions in alignment? If not, how can you generate this feeling for yourself as you're copywriting?
It's a fascinating exercise that supports you to create the most joyful marketing and selling strategies.
Today I'd like to introduce you to the concept of self-coaching in a simple, accessible way.
Self-coaching is the essential skill I teach all my clients and members so they can create success by managing their mind and processing their emotions whilst taking action and creating business results.
So let's start with something you're probably already doing and that's writing to-do lists.
Whilst to-do lists cannot manage your longer term strategy, they can focus your attention on a day to day basis so you stay in motion.
We'll walk through...
1, The 3 reasons to-do lists fail.
2, How to input your to-do list into the self-coaching model so they activate.
3, Examples to see how it works.
Remember to download the Joyful Selling Podcast Playbook to start applying the strategy to your own situation: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/620e37a7e0eda1a0d870b219
Today I'd like to introduce you to the concept of self-coaching in a simple, accessible way.
Self-coaching is the essential skill I teach all my clients and members so they can create success by managing their mind and processing their emotions whilst taking action and creating business results.
So let's start with something you're probably already doing and that's writing to-do lists.
Whilst to-do lists cannot manage your longer term strategy, they can focus your attention on a day to day basis so you stay in motion.
We'll walk through...
1, The 3 reasons to-do lists fail.
2, How to input your to-do list into the self-coaching model so they activate.
3, Examples to see how it works.
Remember to download the Joyful Selling Podcast Playbook to start applying the strategy to your own situation: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/620e37a7e0eda1a0d870b219
This Summer I'm running a FREE Creative Selling Summer School for professional artists, makers and educators.
It starts on 18th July for 6 weeks and is delivered direct to inboxes.
In today's episode I outline the golden nuggets I'll be teaching so you can start applying the work from today.
Gain self-confidence in your marketing and selling by aligning it with your unique creative process.
It's where the magic happens!
Sign up today: https://bit.ly/CreativeSellingSummerSchool
Today's episode features one of my favourite joyful selling tactics which is collaboration.
I've collaborated a lot over the years which has been super fun whilst stretching my creative experience, building my audience and selling a shit tonne of products to excited customers.
Listen along to learn:
• The 3 reasons why collaborations are joyful.
• 5 steps to making them a success.
• The main reason a collaboration goes wrong.
• The ripple effect of a fun collab.
• 3 simple steps to get started.
Plus... the story about the time I reached out of my comfort zone to create the collaboration of my dreams.
If you want to pump some zing into your sales then collaborate your way forward!
This episode gives you the exact steps to make it happen.
Download your copy of the Joyful Selling Play Book so you can takes notes and make the strategy shared work for your situation: https://indieroller.com/
When the depths of your wild imagination meet your selling strategy - the fun explodes for both you and your customers. Yet, as an industry standard we don't enjoy selling.
In today's episode I share why we don't like it that much and how we can start to change our relationship with our selling process.
I walk us through three core areas to divide our selling strategy into: evergreen funnels, planned sales events and flash sales events.
And if your current approach to selling feels a bit flat I challenge you to create a flash sales event that connects to your creative process in the most compelling way.
I share a flash selling story from my jewellery making days that will throw the doors wide open to how you can approach selling your brilliant products.
What is it you really want to create in the world - what will your legacy look like?
In today's episode I talk about how my business has evolved over the past 12 months, the investments I've made to hone my craft and I walk through how I check-in with what's important to me to guide my decision making.
I've had a lot of fun making money in my creative business over the years and I've processed the feelings of shame and embarrassment around this so I can teach and coach on the subject. It's truly how I think I'll make difference within the independent creative community that is so dear to my heart.
Are you ready to joyfully sell your brilliant products and services?
Let's do this!
The membership is open NOW until midnight Friday 14th January.
We are dedicated to helping you make it work this year.
Here's all the incredible support you will receive over the next 12 months in our membership:
✅ The Making It Work creative journal. A practical guide where you can set monthly goals, create a plan, follow through, celebrate and evaluate.
✅ The 5 Steps to Building a Business Without Burnout. Our process and philosophy in 2022 which will be revealed THIS FRIDAY 7th January at 11am.
✅ The Sounding Board. A weekly interactive internal podcast to problem solve and inspire you to take massive action to move your business forward.
✅ The Community. An encouraging space constrained to helping you figure out strategy, ask for support as the human being behind the business, celebrate to generate self-confidence and share suppliers.
✅ Ask A Coach. Our brand new forum launches in February where you can ask a specific question about your business, receive a reply emailed to you within 24 hours and scroll through all the Qs and As from your fellow Rollers.
✅ Industry expert in-depth courses. New in 2022 - Pinterest and SEO. Plus, the study vault of all past courses.
Join here: https://indieroller.com/
Here's how you can accomplish your goals in 2022.
You might not be setting goals at the moment in case you don't get it done and you don't think you can handle what you'll feel or deal with how you'll talk to yourself afterwards.
So let's decide ahead of time that you will be a better boss to yourself and encourage and support yourself no matter what happens.
Goal setting is a skill to hone. You won't get it 'right' all the time but over time you will take more action in your business.
Notepad and pen at the ready to follow this simple framework.
Join our list for easy and doable strategies to create success in your business and join our FREE webinar on 7th January to set your business up for success in 2022: Indie Roller Ltd
Are you riding the emotional rollercoaster of creative business ownership? Did you know it's the ups and downs of feelings that over time drain your energy and enthusiasm.
You're not alone.
Today I teach you how to ride the rollercoaster of circumstances in your business and remain grounded and calm.
It takes practise but this is how you do it.
Join our list for easy and doable strategies to create success in your business and join our FREE webinar on 7th January to set your business up for success in 2022: Indie Roller Ltd
I am a member of the creative business community. You are too. This we get to decide for ourselves regardless of what others might say, think or tell us.
In today's episode I share why this is an essential foundational decision to make in your business and what it creates within the business afterwards.
There are also very real barriers to belonging for people who don't see themselves represented in this industry. This has to change and I share what we are doing to effect change.
Let's take responsibility to create belonging in our community and from this place we will all succeed. No one gets left behind.
Join our list for easy and doable strategies to create success in your business and join our FREE webinar on 7th January to set your business up for success in 2022: Indie Roller Ltd
After guesting on the Blogtacular podcast many years ago, Kat Molesworth wrote the episode caption that said I was 'playing by my own rules.' Those 5 words hit me like a lightning bolt of clarity that hollered... YES! THIS IS HOW I CREATE MY OWN SUCCESS.
And Play By Your Own Rules has now become one of the core philosophies at Indie Roller.
In today's episode I talk about how to embrace this philosophy to move past the confusing 'shoulds' and build a business that represents what YOU want to create in the world.
Join our list for easy and doable strategies to create success in your business:
Indie Roller Ltd
Today I'm sharing my biggest win of 2021 and that's how I've scrolled less and spent more time creating.
I discuss the two types of scrolling and how one can be useful and the other isn't. The unuseful unintentional scrolling is part of a wider problem where we can find ourselves consuming more than we are creating which can lead to comparison and imposter syndrome. A heady mix that serves none of us.
Have a notepad and pencil handy to create your own Creative Business Clock which is a tool I share so you can start to make sense of the time you have available and how you would like to spend it.
Join our list for easy and doable strategies to create success in your business:
Indie Roller Ltd
Growing a creative business can feel like you can't catch up with a toddler who is running away from you. You feel like you don't quite have control of the situation which is both scary and in the long run: tiring.
So I have spent a lot of time thinking about how we can make sense of our businesses to create an experience for ourselves where we feel in control most of the time and more calm.
I asked myself: What core areas can we pay attention to? And how do those areas fit together?
Creative business is a jumbo jigsaw. We can see what it looks like on the outside of the box and we have all the pieces inside the box. It's now time to put it together.
Join our list for easy and doable strategies to create success in your business:
Indie Roller Ltd
We rarely pause to consider the relationship we have with ourselves as a creative business owner. Our relationship with ourself is created by how we think about ourselves and the quality of those thoughts. The quality of those thoughts will impact the businesses we create.
In this first of 8 solo episodes Leona will be exploring mindset work in the creative business world.
If this sparks your curiosity, pop your email address here and Leona will send you simple, clear and doable ways to apply this work.
Join our list for easy and doable strategies to create success in your business: Indie Roller Ltd
Sarah is a digital designer who in 2020, wanted to start taking small steps in making a difference! Inspired by Precious Plastics and Resin Artists from around the world, she combined her idea of upcycling waste materials like shredded plastics with the art of resin ... and boom @resinbethankfull was born!
Launched in April 2021, the small indie business has made many small steps into achieving its mission of making resin knick-knacks which incorporate waste materials that would otherwise end up in landfills or our oceans.
This young business run by a one-woman show has now worked with a growing number of businesses whose values match its own like SewHayleyJane, Sew Anonymous, and the Scottish Art’s institution, The Fruitmarket Gallery and Bookshop, by collaborating and producing custom wholesale orders fit for their respective audiences!
On the podcast today Sarah and Leona discuss content creation burnout and how to deal with it.
Jo, a Surrey based freelance illustrator and designer, got going with her business despite knowing absolutely nothing about running a small business. She went ahead and set up her own design studio in 2017 after the birth of her third daughter when she realised that she owed it to herself and her family to try and create a life that I was truly passionate about. It took learning how to overcome imposter syndrome and her fear of getting things wrong, to create a business that she can now say she's so proud of.
Inspiration comes from all kinds of places...vintage textiles and prints, funky cocktail bars and spirit bottles as well as my vast collection of cookbooks! Jo's work always begins life as a hand-drawn pencil sketch on a piece of paper and what started with a single tea towel design has grown into a brand that is recognised for its bright, colourful graphic motifs and illustrations which can be found across a range of homeware and stationery, all made here in the UK.
Today we talk email marketing in amongst many other gems that will encourage you to keep rocking your creative business!
Website: www.joannedepace.com
The Wild and the Tame began when Chantelle became a mum and noticed that blankets and baby accessories in the very specific style she was looking for were few and far between on the high street. Delicate, nature inspired designs that aren’t too garish or childish, yet not bland either. Items that I could fall head over heels in love with!
Chantelle thought there must be other parents looking for one-of-a-kind pieces too and with a long-time dream to start her own creative business, she realised this would be the perfect opportunity. So, while pregnant with her second son, she launched The Wild and the Tame.
Chantelle now spends her days handmaking luxury baby and children’s clothing, accessories and cot bedding from my home studio in Kent. All the pieces are made in small batches using limited edition fabrics, with the pattern placement differing from one products to the next, making each piece unique.
Today we discuss how Chantelle is utilising email marketing.
Marc, a former Cbeebies animator, turned illustrator creates prints designed to let your walls remind you how magnificent you are. Cards to remind your loved ones how precious they are, and stationery to remind everyone how badass they are! On today's episode we discuss how Marc utilises email marketing to build his brilliant business. Website: marcolooks.com
Instagram @marcolooks
Today’s episode focus is email marketing with Indie Roller member Claire, the woman behind Vivid Wire, who creates colourful wire words & wall art. Vivid Wire is two and half years old and Claire gave up her career to work for and in Vivid Wire full time, a year ago.
Claire has always been creative, but due to challenges in life, took a different path into a career in education and support, spanning almost two decades. Though she had a previous creative business, Violet & May for three years, she always had to prioritise her career over my passion to create.
Vivid Wire began when Claire was on maternity leave after having her son Jackson, the need to make and design came back with a vengeance. She had used wire whilst creating her wedding flowers and had loved how she could create form and structure with ease.
The work Claire does, the images she creates, the words she brings to life make her HEART SING! And today Claire shares how she brings her passion and personality through to her email marketing.
Website: www.vividwire.co.uk @vivid_wire
Sophie Greenwood is an artist and screen printer and the chief organiser of Super Seconds Saturday, a bi-annual event that brings 275 indie makers together to sell their seconds, samples and end of line stock all on one day.
Sophie set up Ink & Bear in 2017 to sell prints and cards and since the beginning of the pandemic has been experimenting with different styles and materials. This led to lots of samples and seconds which prompted Sophie to set up Super Seconds Saturday. In her day job Sophie organises events so Super Seconds Saturday is the perfect combination of events planning and creativity!
The amazing support from the maker community sees the third Super Seconds Saturday happening on 2nd October 2021.
Today we discuss taking that seed of an idea and running with it to make it happen.
Fastest Fingers First:
Online Craft Fair | Super Seconds Saturday Find out more about Indie Roller:
Indie Roller Membership - Indie Roller
Fabrizzio Morales-Angulo created SAN FABRIZZIO in 2001, initially as a fashion accessories business. The brand grew during the early 2000s, then came a showroom for young brands and later a physical store in Granada.
Fabrizzio consults for different fashion firms and now runs a digital platform and online store to combine the talent of creators who are trying to gain a foothold in the industry and earn a living with their ideas.
His purpose is to support those special projects, brands and small companies, and create a community of people who are united by a love of craftsmanship and creativity, embodied in a way of working and developing ideas and businesses in a fair, ethical and sustainable manner.
Today we discuss feeling the fear and doing it anyway!
Follow Fabrizzio www.sanfabrizzio.com
Fran Hennessy runs two independent businesses from her home in Leeds. Shimmy Shimmy Yay is a fun and happy jewellery and homewares brand that inspires people to live in the moment and not take life too seriously! Fran has now put her many years in the creative and marketing industries into helping other independent business owner's level up their branding, marketing and social media by setting up as a Creative Virtual Assistant.
However, today Fran is here to talk about something a lot more personal that has been rumbling away in her private life for the last couple of years. In March 2021, at 41 ½ years young Fran was formally diagnosed with ADHD. It's fair to say she has been on quite a journey and now wants to celebrate her diagnosis whilst raising awareness of the positives of ADHD and trying to detach some of the stigma surrounding the condition.
After Fran's diagnosis inspired several friends to reach out on DM's and start the same process, she decided to set up the wonderfully named 'OMG it's ADHD' Facebook group to share tips, articles and book recommendations and offer a safe support space. If you think you might be ADHD too here's the link:
Facebook Check out Fran's Creative VA website here and fill in the form if you'd like a free discovery call:
HOME | Va Site You can find her sparkly creations here: https://www.instagram.com/shimmyshimmy.yay/?hl=en
Letitia, aka Mrs Bertimus, paints, draws, collages and stitches characters, which have been inspired by the North Lincolnshire landscape, everyday life as a villager and half-remembered fairy-tales.
Letitia says that it wasn't until she started sharing the stories about her characters that she found people began to comment and connect with her work. And today she reveals the process of stepping out of her comfort zone to share those stories and the incredible impact it's had on her business ever since. Which most recently involves writing a book.
So if you struggle with telling your story and not wanting to label yourself listen along to today's episode to see a way through the vulneranility of putting yourself out there.
Connect and read Mrs Bertimus' stories here:
MY WORK Find out more about the Indie Roller membership:
Indie Roller Membership - Indie Roller
Welcome to the series of episodes where we discuss a much avoided topic which is the fear experienced by independent business owners.
Today we are joined by illustrator Jennie Sergeant Designs. Jennie talks us through how she overcame her fear of going live on Instagram. Alongside many other fears she is feeling in her business and how she overcomes them by taking action.
Follow the fun and meet Brian the rainbow: https://www.instagram.com/jenniesergeantdesigns/
Find out more about the Indie Roller membership: https://indieroller.com/new-indie-roller-membership/
It's our final episode focusing on wholesale and today we go the other side of the counter to meet Hanna from @heavygretel
Heavy Gretel is a gallery and shop in Worthing, selling art, design and craft by independent makers and suppliers. They stock carefully selected work, with emphasis on hand-making. They represent their favourite contemporary jewellery, ceramics, textiles, prints, cards, plants, home-wares and interior decorations.
Hanna talks us through how their aim is to promote the work of independent creatives, championing their skills through regularly changing thoughtfully curated displays, telling the stories of objects - highlighting the power of making!
We get a real insight into the process of dynamic independent retailing!
www.heavygretel.com
Indie Roller member Hana is the face behind the purple bead shop in Nottingham and a life long magpie! She opened her first bricks and mortar 21 years ago to fulfil her dream of being a shopkeeper. She now sells beads, craft materials and haberdashery both online and in store with a love of sharing knowledge by teaching people new skills.
Hana reminds us that it's a human being behind the counter who is creating a story on the shop floor for their target customer. Her sage advice reminds makers to not take it personally if they're turned down from a retailer.
Go bananas for beads: www.mailorder-beads.co.uk
Get rollin' with a community of like-minded individuals:
Indie Roller - We exist to empower & inspire Indie Biz owners to play by their own rules. Join our community!
Paulomi Debnath is a textile jewellery designer and maker who creates sustainable statement jewellery & home décor with organic cotton rope and yarn. Paulomi believes jewellery has the power to bring joy to your day. This motivates her to design colourful & fun pieces that can make you glow with happiness.
Handmade by Tinni was set up in 2020, inspired from the bright colours of nature and amazing places it's founder had travelled to over the years and most importantly from the rich heritage of India.
In today's episode Paulomi talks us though her wholesale journey focusing on setting up marketplaces: Creote, Anchor, Abound and Faire. We discuss pricing, making it work for a handmade business and the pricing strategy learnt from the Indie Roller Process.
Discover Handmade by Tinni's wonderful creations:
Handmade by Tinni Website -
Handmade By Tinni | Handmade Statement Jewellery | Knitted Home Decor
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/handmade.bytinni/
Find out more about the Indie Roller membership:
Indie Roller Membership - Indie Roller
Amy from colourful jewellery brand Prickle People joins us to share her wholesale story from the epiphany of ‘hey....I need to get into shops!' to sitting on the doorstep waiting for DHL to pick up her boxes.
Amy decided last year that if she wanted to turn her Indie Biz into her full time job then adding in wholesale as a revenue stream was her strategy of choice. Fast forward 6 months and making jewellery to fill her stockist list of shops is how she spends the majority of her day.
We delve into utilising T&Cs as a selling strategy with minimum orders and incentivising higher spends with a free display stand and talk about lead times. Amy hopes that sharing her story will inspire others who might feel daunted to get going with wholesale.
If you’ve ever wondered how you would get started with wholesale then grab a pen and paper note down how YOU can make it happen. If you're an Indie Roller member it's wholesale month in the membership so download your workbook and follow the checklist to guide you. Enjoy!
Check out Amy's work: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PricklePeople
Sign up to The Spark to find out more about Indie Roller: http://bit.ly/IRTheSpark
Emily Fox from Skull And Cross Buns talks about preparing for her 13th Christmas of trading. The business usually takes 75-80% of their yearly trade in Q4 with people wanting to create perfect finishing touches for Xmas with their stamp range - so its a big deal for them.
Emily has learnt a lot over the years - what's worked, what hasn't worked and she's faced big decisions like temporarily shutting online stores when they couldn't keep up with demand, major machinery breaking and stock issues.
This episode shares many pitfalls Indie Biz owners can face and how organisation is key so you can enjoy the buzz of one of the busiest times of the year! You don't need to panic this Christmas. Get organised so you can have fun!
Follow Emily's work: www.skullandcrossbuns.com www.instagram.com/skullandcrossbuns www.facebook.com/skulladcrossbuns.stamps
Join Indie Roller www.indieroller.com/new-indie-roller-membership/
Rebecca Lismer, AKA Pigeon, is the one woman powerhouse behind The Pigeon's Nest. She is a fibre artist, crochet designer and content creator, who wants you...yes you....to find the fun and make it FUNdamental in your day to day.
We continue the Christmas chinwag and encourage you to do it YOUR way. This includes starting prep as early as you want to and setting cut-off times that suit you.
Bex shares how she chunks down what want to do. Starting by gathering her own Christmas data at the end of January; making from February, getting her ducks in a row behind the scenes in August and marketing from September.
Cherry pick from Pigeon's workflow, add it to a timeline that works for YOU and know that communication is the magic ingredient.
Follow Pigeon's party of biz fun: www.thepigeonsnest.com www.instagram.com/thepigeonsnest www.pinterest.co.uk/thepigeonsnest
Nerrisa Pratt is the founder of Untld Project and she lives and breathes independent business as well as being a big-time craft enthusiast. She likes to stay busy and also runs The Bargello Edit, retro inspired craft kits brand for the modern maker.
We start the episode by asking the question: What is Christmas in July?
Then relate it to indie businesses at the different stages from newbie to established.
Takeaways include:
✏️ How to reach out to magazines / journalists.
✏️ Time frame and key dates.
✏️ Planning and strategy.
✏️ Getting over the the fear of rejection to take action.
Have a notepad and pen at the ready whilst listening to jot down your action plan. So much good stuff! And this is just a fraction of what goes on inside the membership which in July is focusing on coaching our members to prepare for and have a panic-free Christmas this year.
We open up for new members on Tuesday 27th July at 9am when all our Christmas resources will be available as a self-paced content.
For now, enjoy this brand new episode of the #IndieRoller podcast. Woop!
Follow Nerrisa:
www.untldproject.com
www.instagram.com/untldproject
Camille Medina is a French illustrator who works from her home studio in Leicester.
Her light-hearted illustrations aim to put a smile on people's faces, and she believes that illustration has the power to help people tell their stories, convey complex ideas visually, and beautify the objects that we use every day.
Camille has worked with clients as diverse as the BBC, Jellycat, Templar Publishing, the Natural History Museum, and the Leicester City Council.
When she is not working on client projects you can usually find her working on a personal project, reading, or watching a film.
Find Camille on Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/camillesland
Camille's website - https://www.camillemedina.com
Indie Roller - www.indieroller.com
Kiran Patel is an artist working under the name of Illustrating Rain. Using the concept of translating the ephemeral nature of thought into a visual form, where the spoken words are silenced and the art imagery is tuned into the invisible forms of engagement; where emotions are aroused and intuition is channelled.
Her work is driven through a desire to translate her inner experiences into a creative expression and so through the medium of ink and pen work she documents her inner awareness to create a visual language in the world of form
She has exhibited throughout the UK and sells her artworks internationally. Her work has been used by Starbucks for their Spring China advertising campaign and her work has also been featured on the set of the US hit show Scandal. Kiran Patel wrote and illustrated her first book titled The Spirit of Creating to encourage and inspire others to embark on their own creative journeys.
Find Kiran on Insta - https://www.instagram.com/illustrating_rain
Kiran's website - www.illustratingrain.com
Indie Roller - www.indieroller.com
Hello! My Name is Polly and I am the founder and proud owner of Little Bit Margate, a gifts, treats & clothing shop in Margate Old Town.
In 2017 I set up Little Bit as a labour of total love of colour and immersive experiences. I wanted to make a happy little shop that changed peoples mood for the better upon walking thru the doors. It also fed my spirit of ‘play’ and discovery and that runs strong thru all we do at Little Bit. We stock a mixture of our own brand of clothing and gifts and a carefully curate selection of awesome indie designers and makers. The one rule is ‘if it doesn’t make me smile it is not allowed in here! After the success peoples response to the shop we felt bold enough to go one step further and created its sibling Big Bit an immersive place to stay right in the heart of Margate. Colour makes you happy. It inspires me every day, to be a little bit braver and bolder, and I hope Little Bit infuses that into others too.
Here is my Indie Biz Horror Story...
Website: https://www.littlebitmargate.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebitmargate/
Indie Roller Festive Showcase: https://indieroller.com/the-indie-roller-festive-showcase/
It's spooky season which means it's our Indie Biz Horror Story series mwahahaha! Join us in October for a series of jaw-dropping tales from brilliant Indie Biz owners who kept going!
Our first guest is Bex a graphic designer and paper artist who splits her time between the UK and the Netherlands. She specialises in the field of quilling and uses strips of paper to create pieces of wall art ranging from unicorns to pet portraits. Working mainly on a commission basis, Bex loves the challenge that each piece brings. She is quite tenacious and has never turned down anything. Where people who draw/paint see things with pencils and brushes, Bex see's things with pieces of paper. Alongside the wall art, she has also created a range of beautiful quilled snowflakes for decorating your home with at Christmas.
Find Bex on Insta -https://www.instagram.com/thebeehivedesign
Bex's Website - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheBeehiveHandmade
Find out more about the Festive Showcase: https://indieroller.com/the-indie-roller-festive-showcase/
Yarn Whisperer is the #yarncolourist #stashenabler creative outlet for Andrew, and he first began research and development dyeing for Yw in September 2019 (after a trip to Spain inspired his first collection of brightly coloured yarn!) and opened his online shop in January 2020.
Andrew dyes mostly British bases (although some world yarns are now appearing in some base blends) including Lace, 4ply, DK and Chunky weights, along with his popular (and HUGE!) 500g Guernsey ‘Sport’ hanks, across 3 current collections, along with ‘special event’ and limited seasonal releases. He
also runs a bespoke ‘Dye to Order’ service and has plans for ‘Dyeing to Learn’ courses - once a teacher, always a teacher!
He is inspired by colour, and the way the dyes mix in the water, and uses this in his process to create bold and bright yarns that are sure to be a feature of your next yarn adventure.
Find Andrew on Insta - https://www.instagram.com/the_yarnwhisperer
Andrews website - www.yarnwhisperer.co.uk
Indie Roller - www.indieroller.com
"My Name is Nicola and I'm The Secret Crocheter – to be honest this is possibly the worst kept secret of all time!
I live in Wiltshire with my husband Frank and, as well as crochet, I love cups of tea, chocolate biscuits and bird watching.
Crochet is definitely in my blood; both my mum and nan can crochet - it was actually my mum who taught me when I was about 9 years old. And thank goodness she did, as I really don’t know where I’d be without it.
I’ve never really considered myself to be overly artistic or creative but being a primary school teacher for the past 16 years, I suppose I must have been! I started to crochet as a kind of stress reliever from the pressures of the day job.
And so, The Secret Crocheter was born.
Fast forward a few years and these days you’ll find me in The Crochet Cabin teaching other people how to crochet or running my own workshops (I knew all those years of being in education would come in handy one day!)"
Find Nicola on Insta - www.instagram.com/the_secret_crocheter
Nicola's Website - www.thesecretcrocheter.com
Indie Roller - www.indieroller.com
Indie Roller Membership Sign up - https://indieroller.com/indie-roller-annual-membership/
Indie Roller Membership: https://indieroller.com/indie-roller-annual-membership/ Last Ever Digital Bootcamp in October: https://indieroller.com/shop/the-last-ever-live-digital-bootcamp-in-october-2020/
Nia is an eating disorder recovery and mental health advocate. She started her business, Self Love Tool Chest in 2016. Self Love Tool Chest is meant to inspire people in the world to know they are loved and that they are allowed (and strongly encouraged) to take care of themselves. She has spent much of the past 3 years documenting her recovery from Bulimia, OCD, PTSD, and Bipolar Disorder on Instagram and her blog.
You can find Self Love Tool Chest on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/selflovetoolchest
Online at https://www.selflovetoolchest.com/
Indie Roller - www.indieroller.com
Ronke is the founder of Love your Look. A sustainable clothing brand inspired by vintage nostalgia. Ronke prides herself on the unique prints they offer, wide range of sizes, colourful and diverse lifestyle brand. Each design is created to embrace her customers form and bring confidence to them, because everyone deserves to feel fantastic
Ronke recently launched an exciting new business platform. The Creative Business Bootcamp which see’s her using her knowledge from 10 years of fashion buying, 5 years of university lecturing and supporting small start ups, plus launching 2 successful international companies. Check out her website www.creativebbootcamp.co.uk
Find Ronke on Insta - https://www.instagram.com/loveurlookclothing
and Ronke's website - https://www.loveurlook.co.uk
Indie Roller - https://www.indieroller.com
Ramat Tejani is the heart behind The Inspiration Box, which is creating spaces online and offline to encourage people to keep growing through the good and the bad times that life can throw at us. She calls herself a realistic optimist and wants The Inspiration Box to act as your pocket cheerleader whatever stage of life you are at.
Her experience across a variety of sectors including recruitment, charity, design and technology; has helped her develop a unique understanding of the best way to tell stories. She works with businesses and individuals to understand how best to share their stories. Whether that's in her capacity as a Marketing Strategist in her day job or her capacity as a confidence coach (her night job) helping individuals to reach their goals.
Find Ramat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theinspirationbox
Ramat's website - https://www.theinspirationbox.com
Indie Roller - https://www.indieroller.com
Lucy Werner founder of The Wern and author of best seller Hype Yourself
Lucy founded The Wern in 2014 after becoming disillusioned by the traditional PR agency model not supporting independent biz and founders. Today, along with her partner Hadrien Chatelet, they are a PR & design agency helping with all things brand building for small business.
Today, Lucy tries to make publicity as accessible as possible with many hats from speaking, teaching, workshops, online courses, consultancy and her best-selling book Hype Yourself. Lucy is currently working on a new project to combine the DIY and one-to-one element to be announced soon.
Find Lucy on - www.instagram.com/wernchat
https://www.facebook.com/wernchat/
Indie Roller - www.indieroller.com
Sofaya Hussein is a makeup artist and model passionate about cutting through the beauty industry bullshit of how you should look and how you should do makeup in order to bring fun, creativity and play to your beauty routine! Through sharing her own body-posi attitude towards makeup and fashion in her content, one-to-one sessions and workshops, she inspires others to do their own thing, give less fucks and be bold in their choices.
Find Sofaya on Instagram - www.instagram.com/headblush
Sofaya's Website - www.headblush.com
Indie Roller - www.indieroller.com
Photo Credit: Fanny Beckman https://www.fannybeckman.com/ and clothing by https://www.plusequals.co.uk/
If you squint hard enough in the Yorkshire Moors you might just see a bright haired beauty glued to their desk thinking up the most delightful chunky drawings of sassy cats, cussing ducks and delightful thicc legged beauties. It’s the home of Steven from The Happy Chappo, who, along with their top ‘wifo’ Becky, celebrate the joy of being an oddball and helping everybody embrace their inner weirdo, one greetings card at a time.
See Steven's Insta - www.instagram.com/thehappychappo
Steven's Website - www.thehappychappo.co.uk
Indie Roller - www.indieroller.com
Having worked in the animation industry for around 6 years, Emily left her job working as a character designer to have her baby in February 2019. With no career plans or job to go back to, Emily started following other illustrators on Youtube who were sharing their process of creating and selling their own work. It lit a fire inside her and when her little boy was around 12 weeks old, she decided to clean the back bedroom and set up a camera to start documenting the journey of navigating life as a new working mum and illustrator. Emily's journey has been a rollercoaster this past year, but so proud to share the highs and lows of what really happens behind the Instagram Grid and how it's not all productive when working with children!
Emily's Instagram - www.instagram.com/eharveyart
Emily's Website - www.eharveyart.com
Indie Roller - www.indieroller.com
Ebony Newton is a Northumberland based freelance graphic designer specialising in gifting and greetings card design and she works primarily on white label products for publishing companies. Ebony also works for local businesses on hand lettering and illustrative branding projects. Establishing the business in 2014 after becoming a mother, where flexibility and working around her little boy’s complex needs became paramount.
After welcoming her second son, Ebony set up a second business, Dotty Black. An online gift shop for little people (and big people too), celebrating the journey of parenthood through unique products, cards and prints. Not only does Dotty Black bring products to the market which you may have never seen before, but it also creates an outlet to explore her own personal style. Most importantly, it supports Ebony through the time’s she's unable to work for clients due to ups and downs of being a parent to a child with disabilities.
Find Ebony on Insta https://www.instagram.com/dottyblackgifts/
Ebony's website https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/dottyblack
Indie Roller www.indieroller.com
Katie Abey is an illustrator committed to the idea that she might just be able to make a positive difference to the world by drawing llamas and rainbows for a living.
Katie and her husband Jeff have so much fun growing their positivity-spreading company enjoy seeing what unexpected opportunities present themselves along the way.
When they are not taking over the world with rainbows Katie and Jeff will probably be hanging out with their baby human-potato, Violet, and their cat-fluff, Frank.
Katie's website - www.katieabey.co.uk
Find Katie on Instagram - www.instagram.com/katieabey
Indie Roller - www.indieroller.com
I'm joined by fellow In Colourful Company colour walker and illustrator Beth from Doodlebot. Beth shares how she's running her Indie Biz during lockdown and we discuss community, Instagram challenges, commissions and the intricate workings of DMs when you don't have a website. I love following Beth on Instagram because she cheers me up with Rainbow Brite and Strawberry Shortcake one day and tells me it's ok to cry with a mental health post another day. Enjoy today's episode!
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Beth (Bot to some friends) doodler, psychotherapist, mum, procrastinator, over thinker and exceptionally bad at writing bios!
Follow Beth on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/doodlebotillustration
Sign-up to hear more about Indie Roller's Digital Bootcamp: https://bit.ly/AdaptCovid-19
Amanda Perry is a straight talking marketing expert from Sheffield and today she shares how she's navigated Covid-19 so far. Amanda breaks down how you can run a buoyant business during this time that isn't profiting from the situation but has adjusted to remain relevant, provides what your customers want and most importantly suits the situation that you now find yourself in. We also tangent off into a discussion dissecting the different forms of FOMO marketing which I enjoyed immensely.
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Having been in business for 15 years and started, scaled and sold 3 brands, Amanda has a wealth of knowledge to share. She now uses her experience to help others’ grow their brands through her agency SOUP and the E-com Growth Hub where she coaches small businesses on how to use ads to grow their own business.
Find Amanda on Insta: www.instagram.com/amandaperry
Amanda's Website: www.amandaperry.co.uk
Indie Roller: www.indieroller.com
In today's episode Hazel Gardiner joins us to share how she's managing her Indie Biz and mental health through Covid-19 by drawing upon her experience with Cancer. She's loosening her need for a routine-based day to day and shares her feelings around pausing or pivoting at this time. A wonderful episode full of heart felt insight and a shared love of Monty Don!
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Hazel is an East London based floral artist whose work focuses on the synergy between colour and texture, playing with shape and form to create the unexpected. She produces innovative designs for weddings, events and editorials. With an experienced background in fashion production and event styling she is a multi-faceted creative.
Hazel regularly teaches foam-free techniques through creative workshops and 1:1 tuition.
Her passion and signature use of mixed materials has led to work with celebrated clients including Nike, Boots, Liberty, SpaceNK and an appearance on Channel 4's, Kirstie's Handmade Christmas.
Find Hazel on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hazelgardinerdesign/
Hazel's Website - https://www.hazelgardinerdesign.com/
Hazel's Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/HGardinerdesign
Indie Roller - https://www.indieroller.com
Today's episode is with Indie Biz legend Nikki McWilliams who shares with us how production in the biscuit factory has adapted, her tips for working from home and how her partner Michael who is an artist has slowed down during the process. Nikki has also found great solace in her newer business Nikki's Supply Store in which she's recently run a live BuJo workshop where she teaches how to reflect through bullet journalling. An uplifting and positive episode during this emotional and challenging time. Enjoy!
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Nikki is a small business owner and all round creative based in Scotland, UK. She runs two successful online stores full time from her home studio office space.
Also known as The Biscuit Lady, Nikki launched her first store in 2009 after creating a range of homeware and accessories inspired by her favourite snacks. Always a little nostalgic, her work has been described as bright & playful with an attention to detail that’s made to last. Nikki’s textiles are proudly designed and made from start to finish in the UK.
Nikki’s Supply Store opened its virtual doors in 2017 after Nikki discovered bullet journaling. Fuelled by her love of cute and colourful stationery, she designs and curates products from across the globe. You can often find her live streaming her own journal setups on instagram.com/nikkissupplystore.
Find Nikki on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nikkimcwilliams
Nikki's websites -https://nikkimcwilliams.com/
https://www.nikkissupplystore.com
Indie Roller - https://www.indieroller.com
After a short break we're back with Season Two and for this batch of episodes we'll record/edit/publish as we go to share up-to-the-moment stories from Indie Biz owners and industry experts responding to Covid-19. The intention is to share positive experiences that are real, relatable and useful during this surreal and turbulent time. I'm delighted to launch this season with Rosie Johnson who is single-handedly lifting the spirits of so many of us over on Instagram with her insightful, personal and uplifting posts. In today's episode Rosie shares how she is currently running her business, home-educating her children and being in the moment with her career and family choices.
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After leaving a 15 year teaching career, Rosie opted for the much more stable and well- remunerated profession of freelance illustrator in 2016. As well as creating illustrations for her prints, products and for businesses such as The Blurt Foundation, she has written several pantomimes and has 3 manuscripts which she hopes to turn into proper children’s books soon. She is a Just a Card team member and a big fan of the Indie Business community.
Find Rosie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosiejohnsonillustrates
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosiejohnsonillustration
Website: http://www.rosiejohnsonillustrates.com
Indie Roller: https://www.indieroller.com
Our final episode of season one is a jam-packed session with Indie Biz owner and PR professional Nerrisa who tells us why press releases are dead and how we can gain exposure for our brands. If PR feels like a 'dark art' then this episode will ensure it feels so much easier than you thought with actionable tips so you can start gaining press for your business.
Nerrisa Pratt is the founder of PR, Marketing and Social media agency Untld Project. A creative herself, it was clear after she started working on projects with crafty brands that she admired that someone was really missing a trick and thus Untld Project was born.
Founded on the idea that there isn’t an obvious ‘go-to’ full-service agency out there for small, independent, crafty or creative brands, Untld Project uses the core skills and experiences that the team has gained over the years working with names like IKEA, Debenhams and Kodak to name a few and uses their own creative knowledge and experience, translating this into campaigns and projects for brands within the craft and creative industries.
Find Nerrisa on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/untldproject
Website: https://www.untldproject.com
Indie Roller: https://www.indieroller.com
When you build a business through a hobby that once offered escapism, how do you take it to that next level so it becomes your thriving full time gig? Katy from Milk & Moon shares her story to show us how she did just this and in her first month going full time took 5 x her monthly salary. Her growth mindset and willingness to experiment ensure that her business and creative energy continue to prosper.
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Katy Lockey community organiser, founder and one woman show at Milk & Moon, shiny thing for feminists.
Check out Katy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkandmoonuk
Website: https://www.milkandmoon.uk
Indie Roller: https://www.indieroller.com
The wonderful Lucy from CAKE by Lil's Parlour joins us today to discuss how she's overcome setbacks in her life to build an Indie Biz that she truly loves. If the fear of rejection holds you back from going for it with your business then hear how Lucy has harnessed hearing no and turned it into a positive force that propels her forward. Enjoy
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Lucy says: 'After a being a child obsessed with food and dreaming of becoming a TV chef ... to a University drop out living in a squat... to serial job hopper it was always clear the 9-5 wasn’t going to suit me, after a life changing event in 2006 I decided to finally face “Adulting” and trained to be a teacher. It won’t be any surprise that despite loving the creativity the role allowed, the politics and hierarchy got me down. After taking up baking as a hobby and having a “narrow miss” with The Great British Bake Off and Kirsty’s Handmade Home I finally left teaching to go it alone as a self employed person after the profession was damaging my health and well being. I have been full time with CAKE by Lil’s Parlour since 2015 and have just celebrated 5 years of “winging it”, having never written a business plan or sat with a bank manager.
I am grateful every day for my corner of a saturated market. In the past 12 months I have completely changed my business model to offer mostly postal treats, all invented by me and each one a piece of my own imagination inspired by my own food memories. From The Brownie Corndog to the Wagonish Wheel every product is a little part of my story. I always stand by my values of creativity, honesty and kindness and in the process have built an incredible group of loyal customers who cheerlead me into the next project.'
Follow Lucy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilsparlour
Website: https://www.lilsparlour.co.uk
Indie Roller: https://www.indieroller.com
If you'd like to know how to navigate from one career path to another and the nuance of steps it takes to shuffle towards doing the work that truly lights you up then today's chat with Jacqueline Colley will fill you with joy. We tangent off on a fun discussion about the power of markets to build your business prowess and dive into getting obsessed with production methods to inform design process. This one is for all creative Indie Biz owners!
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Jacqueline is an illustrator and Pattern Designer with a love of colour, pattern and playful designs! She has illustrated stationery ranges for Ohh Deer and fabric collections for FIGO if she’s not drawing you can find her snooping around an antiques fair or bothering her cat Mr Wilson!
Find Jacqueline on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinecolley
Website: https://www.jacquelinecolley.co.uk
Indie Roller: https://www.indieroller.com
Self-confessed 'shy guys' Yuk Fun stepped massively out of their comfort zone last year to build their audience and run a brilliant Kickstarter campaign. If the term 'lead magnet' makes you want to vomit or the thought of doing a talky-story makes you want to stick pins in your eyes then hear all about how Lucy & Patrick took ownership of these marketing activities to stay true to themselves and build a kick-ass brand.
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YUK FUN was founded in 2014 by design duo Lucy Cheung and Patrick Gildersleeves, who met at Leeds Met University studying art & design. They currently work from their home studio in Portslade-by-Sea screen printing, making clothes and drawing.
Follow Yuk Fun's adventures: https://yukfun.shop/
Indie Roller: https://indieroller.com/
In today's episode we are joined by papercutting artist Charlotte Trimm from By Charlie's Hand and we delve into collaboration, selling platforms and how difficult times in our lives can sometimes lead to taking decisive action.
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I’m Charlotte a papercutting, rainbow making, tea drinking artist based in the valleys of South Wales. By Charlie’s Hand started in 2011 and I’ve been cutting holes in paper ever since. Making rainbow and colourful paper joy in my grandly titled ‘studio’ which is the box bedroom of the house I share with my boyfriend. I started papercutting after graduating from university with a Fine Art degree and moving back home with my parents. Wanting a way to keep my finger in the art pie when I couldn’t paint anymore due to a simple equation of carpets + paint = bad I had to find a new medium. Combined with a long held love for Rob Ryan’s work, a scalpel I found in my parents kitchen drawer and a very unfortunate year of death this all led to some terrible papercutting experiments, a Facebook page and eventually it becoming my job because I got a lot better at it and I’ve been a full-time self employed artist since 2012.
Check out Charlie's work: https://folksy.com/shops/bycharlieshand
Indie Roller: https://indieroller.com/
A joyful and lively chat with Stacey Gray MacDonald on how she has brought her Indie Biz to life over the past few years and the moments that changed everything.
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Stacey is a creative illustrator and a DIY enthusiast but more than anything, she calls herself a maker of banners. What started out as an escapism from University deadlines back in 2012 organically grew with thanks to social media and going to market....but painting banners always remained a hobby and never a 'brand' until she took the leap into life as a full time creative at the end of 2018. Whilst she's still trying to suss out how to run a business, she's beyond grateful that she gets to create pieces on a daily basis that aim to inspire, motivate and raise a few smiles all from her little desk in Derbyshire.
Find Darwin & Gray on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darwinandgray
Darwin & Gray website: https://www.darwinandgray.com
Indie Roller: https://www.indieroller.com/
When Toby from I Like Cats launched his first Etsy shop he sold nothing at all but that didn't stop him having another go at it under a new name with a different product range. 7 years later and his shop has been favourited 32,549 times and has 24,628 sales under his belt. Today we peek behind the scenes to hear Toby's honest approach towards making art to sell, how he created his own book and his plans for 2020.
Toby is an illustrator based in Brighton in the UK who spends a lot of time drawing cats, which you can find on a huge variety of products like t-shirts, prints, badges and jewellery. He's inspired by childhood pets, a love of colour, sassy attitude and all things cute and creepy.
😍 Check out I Like Cats here: hthttps://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ilikeCATSshop
😍 Join Indie Roller: https://indieroller.com/indie-roller-annual-membership/
😍 Read the Indie Roller blog: https://indieroller.com/blog/
😍 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indie_roller/
When Jo Want discovered she had a form of alopecia triggered through stress, it was time to stop trying to do it all and focus on what lit her up. When going full time with Hello Sunshine, Jo made the intentional decision to up her Insta-game by creating a more branded grid but still infused her own personal passions into the process. Jo takes us on her adventure from saying goodbye to her full time job at Boots to embracing one of her life long passions and making it part of her business in 2020.
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Jo is a 35 year young, cheese loving, cat and dog bothering, smiler who loves to adventure and explore the outdoors. Originally from Nottingham but currently based in Cambridge she creates fun, cheerful jewellery and accessories, as well as illustrating custom portraits of people, pets and campervans. Jo also travels to weddings and events to paint portraits from her Sunshine Van, Buddy!
😍 Check out Sunshine Jo here: https://hello-sunshine.co.uk/
😍 Join Indie Roller: https://indieroller.com/indie-roller-annual-membership/
😍 Sign-up to the Indie Roller News: https://indieroller.com/shop/indie-roller-news/
😍 Read the Indie Roller blog: https://indieroller.com/blog/
😍 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indie_roller/
In today's episode, the founder of fine stationery brand Meticulous Ink, lets us peek behind the scenes of her Indie Biz journey. Athena shares so openly what motivated her to build her own business in the first place, the steps she's taken from business plan to buying her former partner out and how her decision making is often driven by one of her core values: being meticulous.
Meticulous Ink creates utterly bespoke design, and stationery printed the old fashioned way - using 1960s presses, the finest papers, time, patience, and a deep rooted passion for being meticulous. The small, yet perfectly formed retail shop offers stationery, paper related goods, and calligraphy supplies. Behind the counter you'll see two enormous Heidelberg Windmill printing presses at work, printing all their stationery and greeting cards, along with bespoke private projects. At the very back of the studio they teach lettering and calligraphy workshops. The space is calm and friendly, full of creative inspiration and tactile, analogue trinkets.
😍 Check out Meticulous Ink here: https://meticulousink.com/
😍 Join Indie Roller: https://indieroller.com/indie-roller-annual-membership/
😍 Sign-up to the Indie Roller News: https://indieroller.com/shop/indie-roller-news/
😍 Read the Indie Roller blog: https://indieroller.com/blog/
😍 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indie_roller/
In today's episode we are joined by Meg Kissack; a writer, coach podcaster and professional rebel-rouser living in Liverpool, who believes that everything changes when you believe you matter. Meg shares how and why she started her podcast The Couragemakers and the convo focuses on how mindset plays such an essential role in getting started with anything related to an Indie Biz. Listen along if you want to get going with something (not just podcasting) and learn tips to not take direction from your internal 'dreamshitter' and build your own confidence. Enjoy!
😍 Check out That Hummingbird Life: https://www.thathummingbirdlife.com/
😍 Join Indie Roller: https://indieroller.com/indie-roller-annual-membership/
😍 Sign-up to the Indie Roller News: https://indieroller.com/shop/indie-roller-news/
😍 Read the Indie Roller blog: https://indieroller.com/blog/
😍 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indie_roller/
Cat from Cat Food Cakes is my Insta Stories FAVE! Today I'm delighted to ask her all about her approach to the platform, what works, what doesn't and how she's recently implemented habits to protect her mental and emotional health whilst being so visible online.
😍 Check out Cat Food Cakes: https://www.catfoodcakes.com/
😍 Join Indie Roller: https://indieroller.com/indie-roller-annual-membership/
😍 Sign-up to the Indie Roller News: https://indieroller.com/shop/indie-roller-news/
😍 Read the Indie Roller blog: https://indieroller.com/blog/
😍 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indie_roller/
We're creating a trade newspaper for Indie Biz owners! In today's episode I share why I came up with the idea, what it will deliver and how the health and happiness of Indie Biz owners is at the root of our vision.
😍 Join Indie Roller: https://indieroller.com/indie-roller-annual-membership/
😍 Sign-up to the Indie Roller News: https://indieroller.com/shop/indie-roller-news/
😍 Read the Indie Roller blog: https://indieroller.com/blog/
😍 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indie_roller/
Distinguishing between a small business and an Indie Biz is part of the overall mission for Indie Roller in 2020. It's why we've transformed into a platform to tell the stories of 1,000 Indie Biz owners through this podcast and the Indie Roller News so we can identify what our unique set of needs are and better address them. As the year progresses we'll create a compendium and compile facts and figures to present to the UK government to seek recognition for this term. Join our mission!
😍 Join Indie Roller: https://indieroller.com/indie-roller-annual-membership/
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London-born and Leeds-based 30-something Tasha Grant shares how it feels on the otherside of the curtain as an Indie retailer choosing which maker's products to sell. She shares why she didn't place her orders at Top Drawer, choosing to wait til after the show, and how flexibility is key when building wholesale relationships.
😍 Check out Flavour Like Fancy: https://flavourlikefancy.co.uk/
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Does the need to create a cohesive and consistent collection of goods sometimes feel like it's killing off your creativity? You're not alone. Today we talk to Victoria Tojeiro, creator of the successful 'Fresh Prints' tea towel Kickstarter campaign, who tells us why her main plan for 2020 is to not hem herself in. We explore how she's moved beyond what can feel like the limiting process of 'finding her style' to unlock her creative flow and fun with it all again.
😍 Check out Victoria Draws: https://www.victoriadraws.com/
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If you feel like the energy you once had to give to your Indie Biz is slowly being sapped away then today's episode is a fun one to dive into! Joy advocate and playful jewellery designer-maker Kim takes us through how we can bring moments of joy to our day to day Indie Biz lives and the difference it can make to how we feel and what we can achieve.
😍 Check out Totem and Arrow: https://totemandarrow.com/
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Founder of the Procrastination Paper and self-confessed 'collector' of freelance jobs, Zabby Allen joins us today. Zabby shares how she built up experience through replying to shout-outs on Instagram and more recently is letting go of what doesn't light her up. She tells us why she said goodbye to producing her successful range of pins and patches and the direction she'd like to take her self-published mini mag in and why it's important to us all!
😍 Check out The Procrastination Paper: https://zabbyallen.com/
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In today's episode Laura from I Love Crafty, a Bristol-based jewellery label celebrating 10 years in business this year, shares how she approaches email marketing. Laura has created a weekly 'Love Letter' which she sends her thousands of fans in which she has truly taken ownership of what can be a 'salesy' form of marketing for some Indie Biz owners.
😍 Check out I Love Crafty: https://www.ilovecrafty.co.uk/
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If you're happily selling your wares through an online marketplace, how and why do you transition across to your own website? Kelly from product-based Indie Biz Bookish & Bakewell shares her story with us today. How did she respond to her Etsy stats plummeting when her website launched and how has she adjusted her business to run two separate revenue streams that co-exist happily together?
😍 Check out Bookish and Bakewell: https://www.bookishandbakewell.com/
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If you've ever marvelled at my pastel rainbow 'KEEP GOING' necklace I am honoured to introduce it's creator: Emma from Little Pig Jewellery Design. Emma invites us to hop aboard her rollercoaster to hear all about how she turned her passion into a hobby and then into her full time job. She shares how the financial expectations felt overwhelming at first; how she followed her heart supported by a close-knit community; and how she no longer has worry tummy on a Sunday night.
😍 Check out Emma's quirky jewels: https://www.littlepigjewellerydesign.com/
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The final introduction episode which takes us on a whirlwind journey through my Lucky Dip Club years. I cherry pick what I've learnt from my first Indie Biz to start again but perhaps I haven't yet fully understood how to break free from the burn-out loop.
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Part two of the three part introduction series. Hands up if you remember the indie jewellery label Lady Luck Rules OK? I transformed the business from a market stall to a global jewellery brand but as the years went on I spiralled into a pit of fear, self-doubt and comparison. Today I share how I truly felt behind the scenes and what caused me to close down a financially successful Indie Biz.
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The very first Indie Roller podcast episode dives into a 3 part introduction series spotlighting the host and founder - ME - Leona Thrift-ola. I share my early years starting at Portobello Market in 2003 and why the Indie Biz life spoke to me.
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