E15 Building a sustainable Creative BusinessTranscript
So You’ve identified your niche. You’ve even started selling. Now comes the big question…
How do you make it LAST?
Because—once you start putting your fabric creations out into the world, things can move fast. Is that Exciting? Absolutely. But it’s also- Overwhelming. One minute you’re thrilled someone wants to buy what you made, and the next you’re wondering how you got buried under custom orders, pricing headaches, and a to-do list longer than a bolt of fabric.
So, how do you go from “selling a few things here and there” to building a creative business that actually works for you—without working yourself into the ground?
That’s exactly what we’re doing today.
In this episode, we’re going to talk about:
– The real difference between hobby selling and running a sustainable business.
– The core elements that make a business thrive—things like branding, consistency, visibility, and more importantly - systems.
– And how to know when it’s time to scale, simplify, or pivot—so you can grow without burning out.
And trust me, I’ve been there.
Back in the early days of designing and making wedding gowns, I hit a wall. Orders were coming in, and from the outside, it looked like success. But behind the scenes? It felt like I had to choose between quitting my job or quitting the business. Neither option felt right, and at the same time – they both felt necessary. It wasn’t just a tough decision—it was several tough decisions, made back-to-back.
But those moments were the turning point—when I realized I couldn’t just “sell stuff” and hope for the best. I needed a real plan—something that would support me, not drain me.
So if you’re at that point—or heading toward it—this episode is for you.
Let’s talk about how to make your creative business work for you, not the other way around.
Here’s something I see all the time:
Someone loves sewing, or quilting, or crafting with fabric—maybe that’s you—and they start selling a few things here and there. A friend wants a tote bag. Someone at a craft fair loves your table runners. Maybe a neighbor wants you to make a custom quilt for a gift.
It starts as fun. You enjoy making things, and hey—getting paid for it? Bonus!
But over time, if you’re not careful, you realize you’re stuck in what I call “wing it” mode.
You’re saying yes to everything. Pricing things based on what feels fair or what you think someone might pay. There’s no plan, no clear process—just a lot of scrambling. Sound familiar?
Now don’t get me wrong—there’s nothing wrong with being a hobby seller. If you want to make things for fun and occasionally sell, that’s totally valid. But if your goal is to create consistent income… if you want your fabric creations to support your life, not just your hobby—then something needs to shift.
Because here’s a hard truth: What works for a hobby doesn’t work for a business.
A hobby seller might price based on emotion—“Well, it only took me a few hours…”
A business owner prices based on value—materials, time, overhead, and profit margin.
A hobby seller might accept any request that comes their way.
A business owner knows what fits into their plan—and what doesn’t.
A hobby seller often feels scattered, reactive, and burnt out.
A business owner builds in systems, boundaries, and goals—so things run smoother over time.
Here’s the kicker—you don’t have to have a storefront, a massive following, or an LLC after your name to be a business owner.
You just have to start thinking like one.
And when I say “thinking like a business owner,” I don’t mean spreadsheets and boardrooms. I mean taking yourself seriously. Setting your prices with confidence. Creating a schedule that works for you. Deciding where you want to go—and taking steps to get there.
Because the truth is, you don’t have to be a corporation to act like a pro.
Even if you’re just starting out, adopting a business mindset early on will help you avoid burnout, avoid chaos, and build something that truly supports your creativity—and your life.
And that shift? It starts right here.
Now, once you start thinking like a business owner, the next step is to make sure that the right people know you exist—and that’s where branding and messaging come in.
Now, I know the word branding can feel intimidating. You might think it means hiring a graphic designer, having the perfect logo, picking just the right font... but let me tell you something important:
Branding isn’t necessarily about looking fancy. It’s about being recognizable.
It’s how people perceive your work.
For our purposes today, we are just going to touch the surface.
When potential customers see your tote bag, your handmade quilt, your fabric art piece—what do they think?
Do they get a consistent sense of style, quality, personality? That’s your brand.
When you have clear branding—meaning your look, your voice, your message—the right people will start to find you. Because here’s the truth: People don’t just buy products, they buy into stories, aesthetics, and values.
Let’s break this down.
What makes your fabric creations unique?
Is it the materials you use—upcycled denim, luxury silks, hand-dyed fabrics?
Is it your style—bold and modern, soft and vintage, quirky and fun?
Is it your technique—precision piecing, hand embroidery, or a signature embellishment?
Now ask yourself—who is this for?
Are you making things for handmade lovers who appreciate slow fashion?
Is your ideal customer someone who wants one-of-a-kind home décor?
Are they parents looking for heirloom-quality gifts? Or fashion-forward folks who love statement pieces?
If these questions sound familiar, that’s probably because these are questions you asked yourself when you were deciding what to make in the first place. What do you love making? What aesthetic are you drawn to and could work in on repeat? Are you a boho, luxury, or vintage kinda person?
Here’s the key: When you know who you’re speaking to, you can start speaking their language…because it’s your language as well!
Let me give you an example:
Let’s say you make hand-dyed fabric scarves using natural dyes. Your ideal customer is someone who loves sustainable fashion and artisan-made goods. Clearly you do too!
What’s going to attract them? Clear messaging around your process, photos that showcase th e texture and color of your pieces, and maybe a short story about why you started using natural dyes in the first place.
That’s branding.
It’s not about logos and color schemes—although those help.
It’s about being consistent and clear so your ideal customer recognizes you—and trusts you.
Need some Simple ways to strengthen your brand?
Start with consistency. Use the same tone and style in your social media posts, on your website, even in your packaging.
Tell your signature story. Why do you love what you do? What made you start sewing, quilting, creating? Let people connect with you—not just your product.
And finally, stop trying to appeal to everyone. OOOOhhh such a big one!
The fastest way to get ignored? Be generic.
But when you speak directly to your people, the right people—the ones who value your work—they listen.
So, remember this:
Branding isn’t about looking polished. It’s about being you, on purpose, and letting the right customers connect with that.
Now, once your branding and messaging are in place, the next piece of the puzzle is this: You have to be seen.
People can’t buy from you if they don’t know you exist—and this is where consistency and visibility come in.
Let’s start with a little truth bomb: Most people won’t buy from you the first time they see your work.
In fact, they might not even buy the second or third time. That’s just human nature—we need repeated exposure before we feel ready to trust someone enough to buy from them.
And how do you build that trust? By showing up consistently.
This doesn’t mean you have to be everywhere all the time. That’s a fast track to burnout. But it does mean choosing one or two places to show up regularly—so that when people start to notice you, they also start to remember you.
If you’re selling online, that could mean Instagram, Pinterest, maybe Facebook if that’s where your audience is.
If you’re more of an in-person seller, it might be local craft fairs, markets, pop-ups—anywhere your ideal customer already hangs out.
And no matter where you sell, email marketing is your friend.
I’m not talking about fancy, complicated emails—just a simple newsletter, maybe once or twice a month, to stay connected with people who are interested in your work.
Now, here’s a trap I see a lot of creatives fall into. I call it the “post and pray” trap.
You post a photo of your work, maybe add a caption, and then… you wait.
And nothing happens. Crickets.
That’s because visibility isn’t just about posting.
It’s about engaging.
Responding to comments, joining fabric or sewing groups, collaborating with other makers, doing a small giveaway or a market event—anything that gets you in front of more people, in a real way.
It’s not always about numbers—it’s about connection. And the more consistent you are with showing up, the easier it becomes for the right people to find you.
So, if you’re feeling invisible, don’t panic.
Just ask yourself: “Where can I show up consistently, in a way that feels manageable for me?”
And start there.
So, let’s say you’ve got the visibility part handled. You’re showing up, people are starting to notice, and maybe the orders are rolling in.
That’s exciting… until it’s overwhelming.
Because here’s what I’ve learned—without systems, you are constantly reinventing the wheel.
Every time someone places an order, you’re digging through your fabric stash, trying to remember if you have enough supplies.
You’re calculating pricing from scratch, figuring out how long it’ll take, and wondering when you’ll have time to sew it, let alone ship it.
Sound familiar?
This is where a few simple systems can completely change your experience as a fabric creative.
You don’t need complicated software or ten different tools. Let’s keep it simple:
First: Order and Inventory Management.
Even just a basic spreadsheet or notebook to track what materials you have, what orders are pending, and what’s been completed can save you hours of stress.
No more scrambling or re-buying things you already have.
Second: Pricing and Quoting Templates.
Have a ready-to-go pricing guide based on your materials, time, and profit margin.
That way, when someone asks for a custom quote, you’re not starting from zero every time.
You already know what makes sense for you.
Third: A Content Calendar.
Now, don’t let that term scare you. This can be as simple as jotting down what you plan to post or promote each week.
Even a rough plan helps you avoid that “What do I post today?” panic—and keeps your visibility consistent.
And Fourth: Shipping and Customer Communication.
Have a clear process. When an order comes in, what’s the first thing you do?
What’s your go-to packaging setup? When do you send shipping updates?
Write it down. Create a little checklist if you need to.
It saves time and helps you deliver a great customer experience without feeling frazzled.
Now let’s talk time management—because if you’re anything like me, it’s way too easy to get sucked into doing everything, all the time.
A few tricks that have saved me:
• Batch your work.
Set aside specific times or days for sewing, admin tasks, or marketing.
Don’t switch between tasks constantly—it’s exhausting.
• Use timers and boundaries.
Set a timer for an hour, get focused, then take a break.
Also, no more “just one more order” at midnight. You deserve rest.
• Set office hours.
Even if you work from home, you’re allowed to have boundaries.
Let customers know when you’re available—and when you’re not.
Here’s the thing: Systems give you breathing room.
They help you spend less time on chaos and more time doing what you love—creating. Having systems in place is like having a very strong table that supports your creative work. It’s like having something stable that allows you to explore all those creative ideas without worrying about falling off or crashing to the ground.
So, you’ve got some systems in place. You’re managing your time better. You’re not flying by the seat of your pants anymore.
And then it happens—things start to pick up. Orders are coming in more consistently. People are asking for more than you can reasonably handle. You’re thrilled… and also a little panicked.
That’s the moment when many creatives wonder, “Is it time to grow? And if so, how do I do that without burning out? Or should I back off a little – cuz quite frankly, I’m scared!”
Here’s how to tell if you’re ready to scale your creative business:
• You’re consistently making sales—but you can’t keep up with demand.
• You’ve got ideas for expanding—maybe adding new products, or offering digital downloads or workshops.
• You’re ready to invest—maybe in better tools, more marketing, or even hiring a bit of help.
Now, let me be really clear—scaling does NOT have to mean “bigger and busier.”
Sometimes scaling means raising your prices so you can take fewer orders and earn more per project. Sometimes it means simplifying your offerings to focus on what you love most.
Let me share how I had to scale smarter when the wedding business I’d built became... well, a second full-time job.
At first, I was saying yes to everything:
Custom drapes, home décor, costumes, and of course, wedding gowns. I was exhausted and constantly on edge.
Something had to give.
Here’s what I did:
First, I narrowed my focus.
I stopped taking on small custom projects that were stealing time and barely turning a profit. Weddings were where my passion and profit lived—so I zeroed in.
Second, I raised my prices.
After analyzing what I was actually earning per hour (which was scary), I realized I was underpricing by a lot.
I started with a 5% increase, and over time that became a 25% increase.
And guess what? I didn’t lose a single client.
Third, I streamlined my process.
I created standard fit blocks for bridesmaid dresses to save time.
I batch-sewed similar sections of gowns.
I even hired a few contractors to help with basic construction, while I focused on the custom, creative parts that only I could do.
And finally, I leveraged my buying power.
I found better sources for fabrics and trims—lowering my costs and increasing my margins.
This was scaling.
Not growing for growth’s sake, but working smarter—so I could make more without sacrificing my sanity.
And listen, sometimes scaling looks like that.
Other times, scaling might mean pulling back—simplifying your offerings, taking a break to reset, and thinking about what you actually want.
Because burnout is real. If you feel like you’re drowning, it’s time to either scale up with support, or scale back for your well-being.
Scaling can take many forms:
• Raising prices instead of working more hours.
• Hiring help—whether it’s someone to assist with sewing, packaging, or just answering emails.
• Offering digital products like patterns or tutorials.
• Exploring passive income—like fabric kits, downloadable templates, or even licensing your designs.
The point is—growth doesn’t mean harder. It means smarter.
It means expanding in ways that fit you, your goals, and your energy.
So if you’ve been feeling that nudge to grow—whether that means raising prices, hiring help, or simply refining your process—trust it.
So if you take just one thing away today, here’s what I want that to be:
A sustainable creative business isn’t just about selling your work.
It’s about building the right systems, creating consistent habits, and finding strategies that support you — your energy, your goals, and your creative joy.
And here’s the good news — you don’t have to do it all at once.
You can build it step by step, at your own pace, and in a way that actually feels doable.
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula.
There’s no “right way” to run your creative business — only the way that works for you.
Whether you want to earn a little extra on the side or grow a full-time income from your sewing room, this is YOUR path to design.
And if today’s episode has you thinking, “Okay, I’m ready to make this easier on myself…”
Here’s your next step:
Take a moment to look at where you are right now — in your creative practice or your business.
What’s ONE small change you can make to bring more sustainability into your day-to-day?
Maybe it’s refining your brand message.
Maybe it’s setting up a simple system for orders or marketing.
Maybe — and this is a big one — it’s just setting work hours so you’re not “on” 24/7.
Pick one thing. Just one. Start there.
And remember, small steps are what build something strong, sustainable, and uniquely yours.
