Let’s talk about email lists—why you need one, how to grow it, and what to actually send. I’ll walk you through my best-performing opt-ins (including the one I keep sharing even though I think everyone already has it), ideas for what to say in your emails, and how to sound like a real human being—not a robot. Plus, I’ll share the #1 rule when it comes to building your list: be kind to yourself. Small steps matter.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why email is more powerful than social media (when done right)

• How to pick an opt-in that attracts the right people

• The real secret to writing emails people actually enjoy

• My go-to email content ideas when I’m not sure what to say

• How to get started with my course, FloDesk Made Easy

Resources mentioned:

• FloDesk Made Easy – My course to help you create opt-ins and send emails with confidence

• Free Gingham Quilt Pattern – My most popular opt-in!

• Kajabi Course - My FREE course teaching how to use Kajabi for selling online courses and memberships

If you’re running a business—or dreaming of starting one—there’s one thing that can make or break your success: solving a real problem.

In this episode, I’m diving into why identifying the specific problem your business solves is so powerful, and how it shapes everything from your marketing to your products. We’ll talk about:

• Why a “nice idea” isn’t enough

• How to figure out the actual problem you solve (hint: it might not be what you think)

• What happens when you get crystal clear on your audience’s pain points

• Simple ways to test if your offer is truly meeting a need

Whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck in your current offer, this episode will help you get back to the root of what makes a business thrive: solving a problem people actually care about.

🎧 Tune in and let’s uncover the heart of your business together.

LINKS:
FloDesk – Try my email marketing platform and save 50% off your first year!

Kajabi – Looking for a platform to create and sell courses or a membership? Try Kajabi with my affiliate link here, and I will share my free Kajabi course, on how to use Kajabi to set up your courses and/or membership.

👉 Be sure to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! It helps more creative entrepreneurs find the show, and get great guests for you to enjoy!

Have business questions? You’re not alone! In this episode, I’m sharing the most essential business tips that will help you streamline, grow, and succeed.

✅ Solve a problem – The foundation of a successful business starts with identifying and addressing a real need.
✅ Focus on ONE product – Selling multiple things at once can be overwhelming. Start with one strong offer.
✅ Create quality content that captures interest – I’ll share strategies on how to create content that truly engages your audience.
✅ Build an email list – Social media is great, but you need to bring your audience off the platform and into your own space.

No matter what stage of business you’re in, it’s always a good idea to pause, evaluate, and ensure you’re focusing your time and energy where it makes the biggest impact.

📩 FloDesk – My go-to email marketing platform! Use code QUILTERSCANDY to save 50% off your first year.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review for the Craft to Career Podcast! Your feedback helps more entrepreneurs like you grow their dream business.

Got a business question? Email me at hello@quilterscandy.com—I’d love to hear from you!

If you've ever struggled with saying yes to new opportunities, this episode is for you! Tune in to hear how Christina Lee, of Sweet Potato Quilts, leans into her passions while balancing a busy, fulfilling creative life.

📢 Listen now and get inspired to embrace your own creative journey!

Links From This Episode:

Sweet Potato Quilts Website - CLICK HERE
FloDesk – Try my email marketing platform and save 50% off your first year!
Kajabi – Looking for a platform to create and sell courses or a membership? Try Kajabi with my affiliate link here, and I will share my free Kajabi course, on how to use Kajabi to set up your courses and/or membership.
👉 Be sure to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! It helps more creative entrepreneurs find the show, and get great guests for you to enjoy!

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a creative passion into a thriving business? In this episode, I chat with Mike from Legit Kits, a Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) company that was recently featured on Shark Tank!

Mike shares his journey—from balancing his day job to scaling his FPP business and landing a spot on national television. He offers invaluable insights into growing a creative business, overcoming challenges, and staying true to your vision.

We dive into:
✨ Mike’s career outside of quilting and how it influences his business
✨ The evolution of Legit Kits and what’s driven its success
✨ Behind-the-scenes of Shark Tank—what the experience was really like
✨ Practical tips for creatives looking to build and expand their own businesses
✨ The mindset shifts that helped Mike push past obstacles and keep growing

Mike is real, down-to-earth, and full of motivation for entrepreneurs and makers alike. Whether you're just starting or looking for fresh inspiration, this episode is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss!

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to take your creative business to the next level!

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Legit Kits Website
• Follow Mike on Instagram
• Watch the Shark Tank Episode
• FloDesk - Try my email marketing platform and save 50% off your first year!
• Kajabi - Looking for a platform to create and sell courses or a membership? Try Kajabi with my affiliate link jere, and I will share my free Kajabi course, on how to use Kajabi to set up your courses and/or membership.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! It helps more creative entrepreneurs find the show.

Struggling to keep your goals? In this episode, we'll break down the SMART goal method and share practical tips to help you set and achieve goals that stick. Stop comparing your progress to others and start making small, sustainable changes that lead to big results.

Takeaways from this episode:

• Don’t beat yourself up about seasons: There are times in life when goal setting just isn’t the right season. If that’s where you are, that’s okay!
• Focus on one thing: Choose just ONE goal at a time. Trying to juggle too many can overwhelm you and derail your progress.
• The SMART Goal Method: We’ll break down this proven system that will help you set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

LINKS:
Free SMART Goal Tracker

FloDesk - Save 50% off your first year using FloDesk with code QUILTERSCANDY.

Kajabi - Access my free course on how to use Kajabi to create your online courses and memberships.

Have you ever thought about becoming a fabric designer?

For years, that was a dream of mine, but I just couldn’t seem to make it happen. I struggled to learn Adobe Illustrator in a way that made my designs look more polished—like something other than a kindergartner’s doodles! 😅

That all changed when I discovered Bonnie Christine's Immersion Course. It was THE course that completely changed the trajectory of my business—for so many reasons.

Thanks to this course, I not only became a fabric designer, but I also learned how to use Adobe Illustrator effectively and was introduced to an entirely new way of running my business.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to Bonnie Christine, the instructor behind the Immersion Course. She shares the ins and outs of Surface Pattern Design (which, by the way, is so much more than just fabric design!). You’ll also hear her expert tips for success and get a sneak peek at her FREE COURSE that’s available right now.

I’m also offering something super special for those of you who decide to join the Immersion Course through my affiliate link. If you sign up, you’ll get a one-on-one coaching call with me, which I don’t offer anywhere else. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity!

Listen to learn how you can take the first step toward becoming a fabric designer and a successful Surface Pattern Designer.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE (These are affiliate links):

• Bonnie's FREE Course on Surface Pattern Design
• 2025 Immersion Course Enrollment

Do you wonder if it’s really possible to earn money as a quilter or creative entrepreneur? You’re not alone! I recently came across this question in a Facebook group, and the answers shocked me—most people believed you could make a little money, but not a real income.

Well, I’m here to tell you that’s simply not true. Not only do I make a great income as a quilter, but so do many others in this industry—an industry, by the way, that’s worth over a billion dollars and continues to grow every year!

The real question isn’t if you can make money, but how you can do it. In this episode, I break down the tangible steps you need to take to turn your creative passion—whether it’s quilting, sewing, cooking, or art—into a profitable business.

✔ Why the idea that "quilters can't make good money" is a myth
✔ Key steps to start (or grow) your creative business
✔ How to shift your mindset and see the real opportunities in front of you

If you've ever dreamed of making a full-time income (or even just extra cash) doing what you love, this episode is for you!

FloDesk - Save 50% off FloDesk Email Marketing for your first year with code QUILTERSCANDY. Sign up today and start creating emails that your audience actually wants to read!

👉 Loved this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review—it helps more creatives like you find the show!