E36 Transcript
Hey there, my fellow fabric creative! If you’ve been following along, we are in the middle of a four part series and this is part 3 of our series on navigating the current market. So far, we’ve covered a lot of ground. In Episode 34 (Part 1), we focused on Understanding the Market—what’s going on, why it feels like we’re in the middle of a storm, and how market cycles are nothing new. If you missed that one, be sure to go back and give it a listen because it’ll help you understand the context of what we’re talking about today.
Then, in Episode 35 (Part 2), we talked about Staying Connected to Your Audience, and I spoke about how important it is to continue nurturing those relationships, even if sales aren’t coming in as fast as we’d like. We discusses why staying visible is key, especially when things feel uncertain. If you missed that, go ahead and catch up when you can.
Now, in today’s episode, we’re shifting gears a little. I’m excited because we’re going to focus on the “quiet” work that happens behind the scenes—the steady, slow-building work that isn’t always visible but is absolutely critical for the future of your business. I’m also going to talk about flexibility and experimentation—how right now is the best time to try new things, even if it feels a little messy or uncertain.
I want you to think about how important it is to take advantage of these slow periods. These moments, even though they can feel frustrating, are the perfect time to get serious about the business stuff you usually put on the back burner. I’ll explain why this is not the time to rest, but rather to dig in and work on the foundation that’ll carry you when things pick up again.
So, let’s get into it!
Now let’s talk about why it’s so important to stay focused on the bigger picture, especially when it feels like things aren’t moving as quickly as you want them to. The reality is, slow times are natural in business. As much as we wish it was all sunshine and sales, there are always ebbs and flows. And when we hit a low, it can be easy to feel discouraged, like we’re not making progress or that we’re stuck in a rut.
But here’s the thing—progress is still happening, even when it feels like we’re not seeing immediate results. If you’ve ever made homemade bread, you know exactly what I mean. You mix the ingredients, you knead the dough, and you wait. It doesn’t rise immediately, and it can feel like nothing’s happening. But as you wait, it’s slowly getting there—building, rising, and expanding. Then, once it’s done, you’ve got something to show for your patience and effort. Business growth is very much the same way.
Now, I know it’s tough, but these slow times are actually perfect for laying the foundation that will set you up for long-term success. Even when the sales aren’t rolling in, you’re still working on things that will pay off in the future. Every small task you take on now will add up to something much bigger. Trust that.
Here are some examples of what you can focus on during slow times:
• Building New Habits: It’s the perfect time to get used to new routines and structures. Maybe it’s a new posting schedule, sending out more emails, or scheduling weekly artist dates to fuel your creativity. You could even take a class on a business skill or join a mastermind or membership group to stay accountable while things are slow.
• Self-care Habits: Let’s not forget the importance of self-care. Slow times allow you to recharge and build habits that will help you manage the busier periods ahead. Think of it as laying the groundwork for energy when you really need it.
• Refining Offerings: This is an excellent time to tweak your offerings. Test out new techniques, create corresponding products, or develop something that complements what you already sell. The slow times are great for experimenting without the pressure of running out of stock or missing deadlines.
• Setting Up Systems: Start setting up systems that will save you time later. Plan your calendar with admin days, packing days, and research hours. In the physical space of your studio, think about how you can make things more efficient—maybe reorganizing your workstations or refining the systems you already have in place.
Personally, this is exactly what I’ve been doing. I’ve been reorganizing my computer files, brainstorming ideas for smaller classes, cutting larger courses into more digestible chunks, and, of course, working on new art collections. I’m using this time to build momentum and set myself up for success down the road.
But here’s the catch—this is the time to work ON your business, not just in it. These behind-the-scenes tasks may not be the most exciting, but they’re absolutely essential. When you’re busy with orders, clients, and deadlines, you don’t have the mental bandwidth to dig into the foundational work. That’s why these slower times are a gift.
So here’s your Takeaway: Think of this time as an investment in your future success. Every small task you complete now is like compound interest—you’re building something bigger over time. And when things pick up again, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
Now that we’ve talked about how to use slow times as an investment in your business’s future, let's dig into how you can creatively experiment and pivot during t his period. The beauty of this time is that it gives you space to try new things without the pressure of constant visibility. It’s the perfect opportunity to flex your creative muscles and explore what works for you and your audience. So, instead of focusing solely on what’s not going right, let’s talk about what you can do right now to move things forward—even if it feels like small, incremental steps. Because when things aren’t moving at lightning speed, you have the freedom to play, to experiment, and to see what really resonates with you AND your audience.
As a reminder, You don’t need everything to be flawlessly. Perfection is overrated. What matters is taking action, seeing what works, and adjusting from there. In fact, the slower pace allows you the space to experiment without the pressure of all those eyes. When the world isn’t watching as closely, you get a little more freedom to try things and see where they take you.
This is your chance to step out of your comfort zone and try things you wouldn’t normally try, because—let’s face it—what’s the worst that can happen? The beauty of experimenting in the slow periods is that there’s not as much at stake. No one’s watching you as closely, so you can make mistakes without feeling exposed. And you’ll likely learn more from the mistakes than from the wins anyway.
Here’s an example from my own business: right now, I’m not focusing on selling high-ticket items or massive, complicated offerings. I’m offering smaller, digestible things that can still help my audience—like free or low-cost offerings. These bite-sized options allow me to stay connected with my audience while experimenting with different ideas that don’t overwhelm them or me. I’m even chopping up a great course on creativity that will allow me to offer small items aimed at specific creative problems.
You can do the same thing! This is the perfect time to test out new marketing tactics, like social media videos, writing a blog post about your creative process, or experimenting with new types of content you wouldn’t normally consider. Maybe even try videos or Instagram Stories showcasing your work behind the scenes. Again, the key here is to take action, even if it’s messy. Just try something out. Now’s the time to figure out how to do it – and see what sticks.
And remember, you don’t need to be perfect at this. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. The more you try, the more you’ll discover what your audience responds to, and that’s what matters. You’ll be able to refine your approach and build a strategy that works for when things pick up again. So, get curious, experiment, and use this time to discover new things about your business, your brand, and your audience.
Look at it this way—experimenting now gives you the flexibility to refine your business, your marketing strategies and your skills without a whole lot at stake. When things get back on track, you’ll already have a better idea of what works for you and what doesn’t, and you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
So, embrace the freedom you have right now. It's all part of the process!
Now, let's talk about how building a strong foundation and experimenting with new ideas come together. Think of it as connecting the dots—each action you take, whether it’s steady, quiet work in the background or trying something new and unexpected, contributes to the bigger picture. You can’t have one without the other: You need a solid base to experiment on. If you’re jumping straight into experimentation without the groundwork in place, you might be testing in the dark. But with the foundation from your quieter work, you can pivot and experiment with direction while still having a sense of stability.
So, how do you get started with connecting those dots? It doesn’t have to be a big leap. Here’s your action step: Think about one thing you can do this week to either build your foundation or try something new. Maybe it’s clearing out some old files to make space for new ideas or trying a new type of content on social media. Whatever it is, it’s about taking action. Little by little, these small steps add up to something bigger.
Now in next week’s episode, we’re going to talk about staying the course and how trusting your vision is what will keep you moving forward. It’s all about trusting the process and continuing to take action, even when the path isn’t immediately clear.
Building a business is a journey—one that requires patience, flexibility, and trust in the process. The work you’re doing behind the scenes is building a stronger foundation for your future. It’s the small, consistent actions you take today that will pay off down the road, even if you don’t see immediate results.
Remember, growth often happens in quiet moments. So, stay consistent, keep taking action, and trust that every step forward, no matter how small, is moving you closer to your goals. You’ve got this. Join me next week, as we dive into how to stay the course and keep going. You now the saying – when the going gets tough, the tough get going! See you next week for our series finale!
