Creative Biz Rebellion

Hey Rebels!  Today we chat with Kristin Vermilya.  Kristin Vermilya is an editorial photographer and - when not listening to true crime podcasts - educates bloggers and creative biz owners on how to build a stronger brand by conquering their photography fears. She takes the "DIY Hard" approach to life - messy and imperfect with the determination of Bruce Willis chasing down Hans Gruber. Quote Love From Kristin: “Show signs of real life in your photos when you can”   Links from the show: PhotojojoDeathtothestockphotoSC StockshopHaute ChocolatePlanolyLater Great Photo Apps for Your Phone: A colorstoryVSCO Magic HourSnapseed Manual Lightroom Where to find Kristin Website |  Instagram | Photo Styling Guide   Follow us on instagram (@creativebizrebellion) and use hashtag #creativebizrebellion for a shop shout out!!! If you have a second please jump over to iTunes and leave us a review! Click on the link and then click on “view in iTunes” to leave us a review.  We give you all the virtual fist bumps.  Tha

Hey Rebels!  Today we chat with Kelsey Baldwin.  Kelsey started Paper + Oats as an Etsy shop and a freelance design studio in 2013. It has since grown into a brand + blog that teaches creatives how to organize, design, and market their digital products, so they can share what they know + look good doing it. She is a single mom to a crazy 2-year-old and a big fluffy dog, and is also an advocate for women learning to sustain themselves + gain independence through online business. Quote Love From Kelsey: “Educate the customer on what they are actually getting”   Links from the show: Design Field GuidePaper and Oats Roadmap Where to find Kelsey Website |  ETSY   Follow us on instagram (@creativebizrebellion) and use hashtag #creativebizrebellion for a  shop shout out!!! If you have a second please jump over to iTunes and leave us a review!  Click on the link and then click on “view in iTunes” to leave us a review.  We give you all the virtual fist bumps.  Thank you! JOIN THE REBELLION! Signup for our newslette

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly talk all about shifting in your business and all the things with it such as should you, shouldn’t you, and if so when should you do it?  Caroline and Kelly talk all about how they shifted with their business and why they did it!  Has your inner voice been talking to you??  Do not be afraid to listen!  Go Forth!! Caroline’s Big Shift: Caroline had been doing wedding invitations for several years and life happened and the feeling of being burnt out and her heart not being in it, so she decided to shift to product line her new focus of her business.   Caroline talks about how her business was in a slump and how she needed a change and shifted her business in many ways!  What’s Caroline’s new gig??? I get up in the morning and excited to work again -Caroline I have learned so much & it has lead me to where I am today -Caroline Everything leads you to where you are -Caroline Don’t be afraid to take the leap of faith -Caroline   Kelly’s Big Shift: Kelly started

Hey Rebels!  Today we chat with Theresa Delaney.  In today’s episode we talk all about teaching what you know, and all the things involved with hosting a workshop.  Theresa is the founder of Creative Tribe, a monthly workshop series for women to gather offline, foster their creativity and build relationships. She's a self-proclaimed creativity enthusiast and loves watching it help people make lasting connections. When Theresa's not planning workshops, you can find her working with clients on their brand identity, watching Harry Potter or petting the dog that just walked by.    Quote Love From Theresa Delaney: “I myself as a creative, need the hands on learning” “People come to learn from you & already think of you as an expert” “All you can do is teach your best and people will love what you do”   Links from the show: The Creative Tribe Workshop Studio.   Where to find Theresa Delaney Website | Instagram | Facebook | Instagram-Creative Tribe | Creative Tribe Pinterest   Follow us on instagram (@creative

Hey Rebels!  Today we chat with Emily Ley.  Emily Ley is Founder and Creative Director of Emily Ley Paper & Gifts. She is also the creator of the bestselling Simplified Planner - a daily agenda for what matters most - and author of "Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy." Raised in Pensacola, Florida, Emily graduated from the University of West Florida with degrees in English, creative writing, and public administration. She would later become the executive director of the city ballet. From there, she worked in nonprofit management and public relations before launching her brand in 2008. Emily has been recognized with numerous awards, including Best New Product at the National Stationery Show as well as being named a Top 10 Designer to Watch in 2015 by Stationery Trends Magazine. Emily lives with her husband and three children in Tampa, Florida. For more information, please visit www.EmilyLey.com. Quote Love From Emily Ley: “Eventually we got to that sweet spot” “A sell out is not

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly talk all about 5 Ways to Make Your Etsy Shop Work For You!  This podcast is totally devoted to Etsy!  Whether you are new to Etsy or have been on Etsy for a while, this podcast will totally help your shop!   5 Ways to Make Your Etsy Shop Work For You!   Fill it up- Use all the sections in Etsy-Go with the new policies on Etsy Top-Notch Customer Service Answer convos in a timely manner-put this in your shop policy Let them know shop hours for when you respond Use Etsy Snippets You can save a response for ones you use frequently based on your shop Get a quick overview here:  https://www.etsy.com/help/article/4271 Get The Etsy Action Plan for a video tutorial on how Kelly uses snippets! Be Present on Social Media-Kelly recommends using Facebook, Instagram & Twitter Being Aware Stay up to date with Etsy-New Shop Manager Get a full video walkthrough of the new Etsy Shop Manager in The Etsy Action Plan! Subscribe to Etsy Success email newsletter for up

Hey Rebels!  Today we chat with Julie Ann Art. Julie Ann Art began in 2008 as a creative hobby, and has since turned into an internationally recognized brand. Full of straight-forward sentiments and a necessary swear word or three, this stationery and gift line was created for people who just don't give a f*ck!  Every order is processed and packaged in their studio in Washington D.C., likely in the company of their pup, Penny. We love Julie's snarky cards and we know you will too!  Enjoy the show! Quote Love From Julie Ann Art “All you can do is the best that you can do.” “Having this business has helped me as a person to have a thicker skin.” “You don't have to have everything figured out before you get started.”   Links from the show: Candle Creative Where to find Julie Ann Art: Website | Etsy Shop | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter   Follow us on instagram (@creativebizrebellion) and use hashtag #creativebizrebellion for a shop shout out!!! If you have a second please jump over to iTunes and l

Hey Rebels!  Today we chat with Jessica Swift, the women behind pattern camp and the reason Kelly is so obsessed with patterns.  We chat with Jessica all about inspiration..finding it, keeping it, and what to do when you don’t have any! Jessica Swift, a full-time artist, is on a quest to inspire and teach creative people everywhere to pursue their wild + colorful dreams... and never give up. Her magically uplifting, colorful artwork is licensed widely for iPhone cases, fabric, stationery, rugs, and more. Her art and products are designed to serve as tokens of happiness -- reminders that you need (and deserve) to feel GOOD in your life. Her book, The Crafter’s Guide to Patterns, was published in April 2015. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, toddler, and two cats, and you can find her colorfully creating at JessicaSwift.com and teaching at PatternCamp.com. What to do when stuck: - Start making something, anything to get your mind into creation mode-Just start doodling-Look at old drawings/work/web

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly talk what do about when sales are slow.  For product based biz this is just one more hurdle we have to get over.  Caroline and Kelly give great tips to help you when this does happen.  Every biz has a slow season, learn when your slow season is!   Think of it like homework-things to do when business is slow.   Downtime is sitting down, doing something, and always moving your business forward!   Preparing For the Slow Time: -Find of theme for each month-Kelly plans this out in Trello!-Have a dump list for big projects-The financial ups and downs-save money for slower times-Take a class or learn a new skill-Dive into a blog article or email you have not had the chance to read-Reorganize the office/business Maintenance: -Revamp photos, update product listings, tags….All the Things-Update your accounting-Think/design new products Read A Book To Help Your Biz: Kelly & Caroline’s Fav. Business Books: -Big Magic By Elizabeth Gilbert-Art Inc By Lisa Congdon-Show You

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly talk all about dealing with negative feedback and internet trolls.  For product based biz these can cause lots of anxiety and tears.  Caroline and Kelly give great tips to help you get through these tough times and focus on the good.  It is impossible to make everyone happy.  Dealing with negativity is all about swallowing your pride and doing what you have to do.  Chin up Rebels!  Don’t let the negativity bring you down! Tips for Dealing with Negative Feedback: -Take a small break and come back and continue your work-Do not respond for 24 hours-it may not be as bad later-Swallow your pride sometimes and just give a refund-During the holidays you may need to bend your shop rules to diffuse any issues.- Go back read through all your good reviews Instagram Trolls: -slide on the comment, click on the exclamation mark, report as spam or delete/block them! Blog: Dealing with People's Opinions -You must have a spam filter-Do not let comments post automatically to the

Hey Rebels!  Today we chat with Katie Hunt, the wholesale guru, to tell you all about the ins and outs of wholesale.  You don’t want to miss this one! Katie Hunt is the founder of Tradeshow Bootcamp, a business strategist, and mentor to creative entrepreneurs. She is a firm believer in professional development, surrounding yourself with community and pushing ‘go’ even when you might not feel 100% ready. Katie has taught classes for CreativeLive, The Savvy Experience, Seanwes Conference, Be Sage Conference, Unique Camp, and Makers Nation. She frequently speaks about strategies for creating a product line, selling wholesale, business planning and the importance of community for entrepreneurs. Katie earned a dual MBA in marketing and finance from Loyola Marymount University and has spent the last 16 years coaching large corporations and entrepreneurs on marketing and business development strategies. Her strengths lie in connecting people and bringing ideas to life – brainstorming, making a plan and executing. Ka

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly talk all about the importance of giving back. This is actually how Caroline and Kelly met!  Kelly and Caroline talk about how important giving back is to them and their biz. Kelly wanted to continue her love and passion for teaching. By giving to  Pencils of Promise each month she is working towards building a school!   Caroline continues her passion by giving to a non profit organizations.  Her inner hippy came out after her Colorado trip.  After her trip she decided to use recycled paper and products for her biz and she wanted to plant trees. Now her donations go toward an organization that plants trees and educates people for “green jobs.” There is also an option of adding planting a tree at checkout when you shop with Caroline! Ways to Give Back: Recycle your materials you use to produce your products or use in your office Volunteer in your community Donating items for various causes/events Being a mentor Give back at what you are good at-business specific-g

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly chat with CPA Amy Northard. Amy Northard is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who has a passion for working with creative entrepreneurs all over the US and making the tax and accounting side of owning a business less stressful. When she’s not getting nerdy with numbers, she loves to knit and take Instagram pictures of calculators. In this episode Amy and the Rebels talk about: The early process of money management and setting up your business. Some bookkeeping tips to get you started. Tools that Amy recommends for managing your biz finances. Tips for preparing your product based biz for taxes. Amy’s course - Be Your Own CFO     How you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help! Quote Love from Amy: If you can keep on top of the taxes, you will be good to go. It is nice to get a refund back at the end of the year. If your system is working, stick with it. I’m trying to get out of my comfort zone & try new things Links: QuickbooksWaveGoDaddy Book

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly chat with Justin Woods.  Justine is the owner and creative behind Appraising Pages, The Bookish Box, and Beaulitful Buzz author agency.   In this episode we talk about how Justine  got started in the t-shirt and subscription box biz and all the challenges and rewards that come with running a multi-million dollar business.  This is a must listen for sure! Quote Love from Justine:   I see an item I want to put in a box, and build the theme around that item. I want all these sales, all the time. I am a lister, I have to write list. You must be able to personally connect with your market. You have to be in it for the long haul. If you can do it, it could be life changing.   Links: CratejoyBig Cartel Where you can find Justine! Instagram: @thebookishboxTwitter: @thebookishboxFacebook:  @thebookishbox Websites: www.thebookishbox.comwww.appraisingpages.comwww.beaulitfulbuzz.com   Follow us on instagram (Creative Biz Rebellions) and interact with us for a shop shout o

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly talk all about Calling in Sick.   As a business owner, the hardest thing in the world is to take a sick day.  When you work alone at home, there is that internal pressure to work and get shit done.  Caroline and Kelly talk how they struggled at first and never would give themselves time off when they were sick.  We are allowed to take time off, isn't this why we wanted to work for ourselves?  In this episode, Kelly shares her story of how she struggles with Crohn’s Disease on a daily basis and why its is important to take a day to rest and get well so you feel better and are more productive with your work. Kelly was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2006.   Kelly was very sick and in and out of the hospital for 2 years.  She was very weak and a single mom at the time so she had to find something that would make her feel better. Kelly went to several doctors and kept getting more opinions because she did not want to give up until she found out what was going on.

Alright Rebels, we know that Spring and Summer markets and shows are coming up fast and we want you to be ready to represent your brand in person so we asked Paige Poppe to come on the show and talk all about getting involved in your local scene!  Paige is an amazing artist from Arizona who has recognized online brand, but also has this whole local craft/art show thing down to a science!  I can not wait to hear how much you all fall in love with her! Here is a little more about Paige: Paige Poppe is an Arizona native, currently living + working as a full-time artist in the Valley. Painting every day in Scottsdale, she is surrounded by the beautiful Sonoran desert. She works in watercolor + acrylic, painting the desert landscape and botanicals as her subject matter. Paige is a graduate from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and holds her Bachelor of Architecture degree. This has left her with a great appreciation for sketching + working in analog, but her digital skills, including proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suit

Hey Rebels!  In this episode Caroline and Kelly continue their advice about how they rock Instagram @creativebizrebellion and why they love it.  In this episode they talk text and characters, hashtags, bios, links, automated trolls, and insta-stories to help your rock your product based business using social media. Limits: Text and Character: 2,200 limit on posts Hashtags: limit is 30 (this is too many anyway) Use spaces between your hashtags What hashtags will YOUR customers be searching-Be very specific Only First 3 Lines Show in Feed: Make sure they are attention grabbing. Hashtags serve a pretty important purpose- Caroline #Jimmy fallon Hashtag bit Bio and Links: Bio Photo: Use headshots so buyers can see who you are, large teams can use branding, artwork, or product instead Character limit is 150 characters Describe your company and what you sell Call to action for your customers Links: Bitly links: Link shortener (bitly.com) Caroline also creates URL redirects to shorten links You get one link

In this episode Caroline and Kelly talk all about trends of the past and present.  Should you get caught up in all the trends?  Maybe you are in with all the new trends?  If so, how do you use the trends to help with your businesses?  Trends seem to keep recycling and come back around.   So what are trends? Trends have either been around for a long time or they are short lived and they will come back around   It is okay to use trends in your business, just make sure it goes with your style. Caroline talks about as she first started as a designer she immediately started with the popular trends but was having a hard time loving her work.  It is important to keep your unique voice and find ways to incorporate trends into your work. Find a way to work the trend into what it is you do with your business. Caroline and Kelly talk about how stores and websites seem to have trend forecasting for all things trendy.  Do companies look at future trends and run with it?  Maybe look at the upcoming trends and see how that

Ok so we know you have all been busy planning your days, weeks, quarters and months, but how do we get it all done?  How to we keep from getting distracted?  SQUIRREL!!  Well, we asked the lovely Jennifer Faught from the Society for Creative Founders to hop on the podcast today to chat with us about planning, staying focused, and avoiding #allthesquirrels!  Get out your pen and paper because you are going to want to take tons of notes today! Here’s Jennifer! Hi friends! I’m Jennifer - a creative business growth strategist and founder behind the Creative Founders. I got my start in marketing and graphic design for the healthcare and tech start-up worlds, and then started my own wedding invitation design business in 2008. After five successful years in the wedding invitation business, I now serve creative business owners through a variety of learning experiences, both online and in person as the Founder of the Society for Creative Founders. I’m energized by empowering women to run their creative business with b

In this first episode of the new year Caroline and Kelly talk all about Goals and Resolutions for your Businesses. This is a great way to start the new year by focusing on a few goals.  Caroline and Kelly Share what their big goals and resolutions are for the year. Kelly’s Goals/Resolutions Get involved in the local scene-shows/events to attend Launch product line with my artwork-patterns Record 60+ podcast episodes Implementing and following through with monthly topics Find new revenue streams   It’s super scary, but really exciting -Kelly Put it in a folder, it will be there when you are ready -Kelly   Caroline’s Goals/Resolutions More automated business Personal Goal:  Write a book this year!! Make my ideas from my marketing plan happen No more being overwhelmed-Big resolution for Caroline this year Increase revenue streams Learn to paint for real!   Having a marketing plan is amazing -Caroline It's good to challenge yourself creatively - Caroline Please share your goals and resolutions with us! Cr