Discover how to mentor new quilt pattern designers, run a Halloween-themed sew-along, and navigate going viral on Instagram. Featuring Maggie Reno of Snug and Stitch on the Craft to Career podcast.

In this episode of the Craft to Career podcast, Elizabeth Chappell of Quilters Candy interviews Maggie Reno of Snug and Stitch, an experienced quilt pattern designer and mentor. Maggie, along with Michelle Corless of Compass and Wildflower, has led a group of alumni from the Quilt Pattern Writing Course in creating the Nocturnal Soul Stitchery Sew Along — a collaborative, Halloween-themed event for quilters.

Maggie shares valuable insights on:

• Mentoring new quilt pattern designers and helping them confidently bring their first patterns to market

• Choosing collaborators for creative projects (and why it’s never an easy decision!)

• The unique challenges and joys of running a themed sew-along from concept to completion

• Going viral on Instagram — the unexpected benefits, hidden challenges, and strategies for sustainable growth

Whether you’re a quilt pattern writer, a quilting enthusiast, or someone interested in growing your creative business online, this episode offers practical tips and inspiration from someone who’s been there.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Nocturnal Soul Stitchery Sew Along

• Free 3-Day Event: Learn How to Become a Quilt Pattern Writer — happening early September 2025

• Kajabi — Create courses and memberships like a pro

• FloDesk — My favorite email marketing platform — save 50% off your first year

✨ Episode Summary:
I’m diving into a topic that’s close to my heart and essential for long-term success: how to make business friends.

We often hear about marketing strategies and growth plans—but what about the relationships behind the scenes? Business friends can offer support, accountability, and even joy in a journey that can sometimes feel isolating. But making those connections isn’t always easy.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• The surprising benefits of having friends in business (spoiler: it’s not just about networking)

• Why it can feel hard to make business friends—and why you’re not alone in that feeling

• Simple, proactive steps you can take to build genuine connections

• What to do when a business friendship doesn’t work out

• Real-life stories of how I’ve met some of my closest friends through business—and how you can, too

💛 Whether you’re just starting out or feeling a little lonely on your entrepreneurial journey, this episode will give you hope, ideas, and encouragement to find your people.

🔗 Helpful Links from This Episode:

• Kajabi – My favorite platform for building online courses and memberships. It’s what I use to run my business, and I can’t recommend it enough!

• FloDesk – Beautiful, easy-to-use email marketing. Get 50% off your first year with the code QUILTERSCANDY.

💡 Pro tip: These are the exact tools I use and love—only sharing what I truly stand behind!

Ever wonder how to get thousands of people excited about your event—without burning out in the process? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my most recent Quilt Along that brought in over 5,000 sign-ups. Whether you're hosting a virtual event, workshop, or course, you'll learn practical strategies for planning, promoting, and delivering a high-impact experience that grows your audience and your income.

• What inspired me to host this quilt along and how the idea evolved

• How I planned and structured the event for maximum engagement and ease

• The behind-the-scenes details that most people never see—but matter so much

• What worked incredibly well (and what I’ll definitely do again)

• What I’d do differently next time to make it even smoother

• Why doing less, but doing it with focus and intention, leads to more impact—and more income

  💡 Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, course creator, or just curious about running your own event—this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you do it with confidence and clarity. 📌 Links & Resources:

  • Try FloDesk - my email marketing of choice.

  • My 'Email Marketing Made Easy' course. Learn how to create an opt-in page, collect email addresses, and automate emails.

  • Use my free Canva calendar template to stay organized and on track!

    You can use it as-is for your own event, or simply as a guide to create a custom version that fits your needs.