ï»żE25 Transcript
Have you ever felt like youâre walking this creative business journey alone, wondering how others are managing it all? Maybe youâre looking at other artists and thinkingâ'It must be nice.' Or maybe youâve hit a roadblock and thought, 'Am I the only one struggling with this?' Well, youâre NOT alone. Trying to build a business is hard. Itâs fun, but itâs hard. Today, weâre looking into why having a fellow fabric creative to talk to is essential for growing your business and staying motivated on this path.
I call this the âpower of community,â and weâre going to explore how having a group of like-minded people who understand your struggles can change the way you approach your business. And Iâm not just talking about friends who 'like' your posts. Iâm talking about a real support systemâone that helps you through the tough times and celebrates the good times with you.
Because hereâs the thingâno one understands what itâs like to devote so much time, energy, and heart into what youâre trying to doâunless they are doing it or have done it already. Not your husband, best friend, colleague, or even your kid. They might just ask, 'Why are you doing this if it seems so hard for you?' What you really need to hear is, 'I totally know how you feel. Hereâs what worked for me and hereâs a couple of other things you might try. Let me know how it works, and we can troubleshoot together.â
Welcome to todayâs topic: The Importance of a Like-Minded Community in Your Creative Business.
So Why does Community Matter? And no, Iâm not just talking about some fluffy, feel-good concept here.
A like-minded community isnât just a nice-to-have; itâs what I would call a business strategy. As a fabric creative, you know how tough it can be to keep the momentum going. When youâre the one wearing all the hats, itâs easy to feel isolated. And when youâre isolated, you donât realize â those feelings of inadequacy, or fear, or sheer exhaustion, are normal. Yep- the messy middle is a normal part of the journey. Everyone whoâs building a business has to go through it, even if it looks like no one else is struggling. But guess what? You donât have to go through it alone. You donât have to reinvent the wheel every time you hit a bump. Thatâs where having a strong community comes in. A group of creatives who get what youâre going through and who can help you navigate those tough moments.
Having a network of people who understand your creative struggles is huge. They get why youâre so passionate about your work, and they understand why itâs important to push through those moments when you feel like throwing in the towel. They know exactly how it feels to obsess over that one last detail or get stuck trying to figure out a sales platform, or ads, or any of the other thousands of decisions you have to make when youâre starting out and you have no idea what youâre doing.
Whatâs so great about community is that it's not just about having people to lean on during those hard moments, itâs also about sharing ideas and learning from each otherâs experiences. That sense of belonging makes a big difference when it comes to overcoming obstacles and continuing to grow your business.
Hereâs the key insight: When you have a community of creatives walking the same path, it doesnât just motivate youâit empowers you to take risks, make smarter decisions, and stay focused on those long-term goals. They understand the little things that drive you because theyâre walking the same path. And when you have people who get that, who know exactly what you mean when you talk about your creative goals, it makes all the difference. You donât have to explain yourself or feel like youâre in it alone.
And thatâs exactly why Iâm excited to be launching The Makerâs Pathâbecause itâs designed to be that kind of supportive community where we can all learn, share, and grow together. Iâll be referring to it throughout todayâs episode, so stick with me as we lean into how having a community like this can help you stay motivated, push through the tough moments, and keep your business moving forward.
So, what makes a strong creative community for your fabric business? Itâs more than just a group of people; itâs a space where you can get real, actionable support. Itâs where you can ask questions, share challenges, and receive advice that actually helps you move forward. These are people walking the same path as youâwhether theyâre making clothing, accessories, or home goods. Some might be right where you are in the journey, and some may be a little further ahead, but thatâs exactly what makes it valuable. They get what it takes to balance your creative passion with the hard work of building a business.
Your community should be filled with individuals who are not just talking about creativityâtheyâre actually doing it. And, even more importantly, theyâre navigating the same challenges you face. Thatâs what makes it a great space to ask questions, troubleshoot, and share experiences.
When everyone in the community is working toward similar goals, thatâs when the magic happens. Thereâs no competitionâitâs all about collaboration. Instead of feeling like youâre in it alone or against others, youâre sharing knowledge, helping each other succeed, and learning from each otherâs successes and mistakes.
Now, I know that finding your people is more than just gathering numbersâitâs about real engagement. Think about the types of people you want in your circle. You want those who are dedicated to their craft, who are eager to share tips, offer feedback, and support one anotherâs growth. And thatâs what I want for youâwhether you're just starting out or already have a few pieces to sell. The power of a supportive, like-minded community is what can take you further than you thought possible.
So, ask yourself: How can you start connecting with others who are on the same journey? Whether that means joining local groups, engaging with online communities, or reaching out to other fabric creatives on social mediaâjust start. Every step you take to build your network today will pay off tomorrow. And, as we get into later, Iâll share how The Makerâs Path is designed to help you do this in a way that makes sense for where you are right now, guiding you through the steps to the next level, all while being part of a community that truly understands the journey.
One of the most powerful things about being part of a creative community is realizing that itâs okay to be vulnerable. Itâs so easy to feel like youâre the only one struggling with marketing, pricing, or even just managing your time. But the truth is, everyone goes through those challenges at some point. And when you share those struggles with others, it not only helps youâit helps everyone in the community. When youâre open about your challenges, others can offer insights, suggest resources, or simply say, âIâve been there too.â And trust me, that kind of validation can make all the difference.
Let me tell youâthis is something Iâve experienced firsthand in the communities Iâm part of. Thereâs something so powerful about sharing what Iâm struggling with and hearing, âHow can we help?â Iâm looking at you, Kat, Beth, Pari, Susan, Narvia... Thereâs never a time when someone doesnât have a helpful tip they heard on a podcast, or read a statistic that reassures me Iâm on the right track, or found a free resource that solves my problem too!
Being vulnerable and open in a community is a strength, not a weakness. The more you share, the more others feel comfortable sharing, and when that happens, it creates a space where everyone can grow and thrive together. So donât be afraid to admit when youâre struggling. Youâd be surprised how much youâll learn just by putting it out thereâand how much that vulnerability connects you to others.
But itâs not all about challenges. Another huge benefit of being in a creative community is getting to celebrate the wins. Whether itâs landing your first big sale, getting your product photos just right, or finishing a big project, having a group that cheers you on and celebrates with you is incredibly powerful. Those wins keep you going through the tough times, and they remind you why you're doing all the hard work in the first place.
This is episode 25 of this podcast. It feels like yesterday I was afraid to start, thinking of how hard this would be to do. Next weeks marks episode 26 â which means half a year has past â 26 weeks from the start. My community helps me see just how far Iâve come and what I have achieved when I forget to give myself credit.
Itâs important to celebrate those small victories along the way, and a supportive community can help. Whether itâs a huge milestone or a tiny step forward, take the time to acknowledge it and share it with your community. Theyâll cheer you on, and that support will help keep your momentum going. Itâs so easy to get caught up in whatâs still left to do, but when you stop and appreciate the progress youâve made, it can give you the energy to keep pushing forward.
Remember, you donât have to wait for huge wins to feel proud of your progress. Celebrate every little success along the way, and be sure to share it with the people who understand just how hard youâre working. Thatâs what makes a community so specialâitâs not just about helping you through the struggles, itâs about lifting you up when youâre flying high.
Another great feature inside of a community is that it Helps You Stay Accountable Without Pressure
Accountability doesnât have to feel like someone breathing down your neck or giving you a âhomeworkâ vibe. Instead, think of it as a gentle pushâa nudge from someone who understands where youâre coming from, and where you said you wanted to go. In a creative community, itâs about sharing your goals, checking in with each other, and offering support when neededâall without the stress of judgment or feeling like youâre being âwatched.â
One of the best parts of being part of a community is that accountability becomes a natural part of the process. Youâre not getting judged or criticized for your progress, but youâre surrounded by people who genuinely care and want to see you succeed. Theyâre there to encourage you when you hit a rough patch, and theyâll cheer you on as you move forward. The beauty of this is that itâs not forced; itâs just part of the way we support one another.
When you're working alongside others who are on a similar journey, accountability is something that comes organically. You're sharing the same struggles, the same questions, and the same aspirations. Youâll find yourself checking in with each otherâsometimes just to say, âHey, howâs it going?â and other times to celebrate small victories.
Iâve experienced this firsthand within the communities Iâm a part of. There have been times when Iâve shared my goals, and the group has helped me break them down into actionable first steps. By agreeing to keep them updated on my progress, it creates this gentle accountability that helps me stay committed. Itâs not the pressure of someone forcing me to âdo it,â but a support system that gently nudges me toward follow-through.
And there have definitely been times when Iâve struggled to meet my goals. But it was the community that helped me realize what was holding me backâusually me, by the wayâand then they helped me shift my focus and priorities to get back on track. The beauty of this âvoluntary accountabilityâ is that it helps me keep things small, manageable, and consistent. I donât feel overwhelmed because Iâm always taking the next, right step toward my goal.
If you donât already have an accountability buddy or a group, I encourage you to find one. It can be as simple as a weekly check-in or a quick message of support. Join the Makerâs Path. Having someone who truly understands your business challenges can make all the difference in staying motivated and on track.
Now, building a community isnât just for the early stages of your businessâitâs an investment in long-term growth. As your business grows, your community becomes a constant source of inspiration, feedback, and support. They help you see your blind spots, offer new perspectives, and keep you moving in the right direction, even when you feel stuck.
When you have a network of creatives who understand the processâwho get the ups and downs of balancing creativity with businessâthey can be your best resource. These are the people who will celebrate with you and push you to do better than you thought possible.
As you continue to grow, this community becomes even more invaluable. Theyâll help you expand your reach, grow your business in ways you may not have imagined, and provide the encouragement you need to keep going when things get tough. Iâve even seen a few beautiful collaborative projects come out of community relationships.
Having a supportive community isnât just niceâitâs essential. Itâs about creating an ongoing, positive environment where everyone involved is working toward the same goal: growing their businesses, honing their craft, and enjoying the creative journey along the way. The right community is a game-changer, and itâs something that will serve you for years to come.
As I mentioned earlier, Iâve opened enrollment for my brand new membership, The Makerâs Path, and Iâd love for you to be a part of it! If youâre ready to join a community that will support you, cheer you on, and help you overcome challenges, this is the place for you. The Makerâs Path Membership is specifically designed to help you grow your creative business with the support of others who truly understand what youâre going through. Enrollment for founding members is open now through May 31st, (thatâs the end of this week!) and I canât wait to welcome you into this space. Go to www.virginialeighstudio.com/themakerspath. You can also find the link to join in the show notes, and I look forward to seeing you there!
A creative community is a powerful tool for your business. Itâs more than just a group of peopleâitâs a support system, a source of encouragement, and a way to keep you motivated as you grow. And when you surround yourself with people who get itâwho understand the creative process and the business challengesâit makes everything feel a little bit easier.
So, where do you need to find your people? Who can you start connecting with today to help grow your business and share the creative journey with? Join the makers path today and Iâll see you on the inside.
