Comment from Melissa H
Time: June 4, 2008, 8:56 pm

oh, I have the book–can’t wait to listen. I have no good tips for business but if what you want is exposure in general free tutorials on your blog or instructables drive a lot of traffic (in my experience)

Comment from vanessa
Time: June 5, 2008, 2:43 am

Don’t get pressured into having too much inventory. And don’t put all of your money into the business. Keep your home and business money separate.

Comment from Chris
Time: June 5, 2008, 6:11 am

A new podcast; thank goodness! I was losing my sanity!

Comment from Jenna
Time: June 5, 2008, 7:11 am

Thanks for the new podcast! A perfect one for my situation at this point in time!

My “trap” is to do lots of research and then talk myself out of moving forward. I realize that at some point you just have to move forward. Any tips for determining when you have actually done an appropriate amount of research? and how to break out of the research cycle?

Thanks for all you do!

Comment from Cara | Sew Bettie
Time: June 5, 2008, 8:23 am

I’d love to know if Meg has ever started a business that didn’t work out and why it didn’t work.

Comment from Jennifer P
Time: June 5, 2008, 4:58 pm

Great episode. I felt like Meg was talking to me when she talked about people pulling her aside during book signings to tell her their craft idea. That’s totally me. I feel like I have a great idea, but I’m super scared to tell anyone about it because I’m worried that they will do it before I do or better than I will. I’m also afraid that they will laugh at my idea or think it’s horrible. But, I guess it’s better that I learn that before I put too much money into it. My idea involves retail space and that also scares me – I feel like online is really the way to go and my business wouldn’t work online. In my part of the country, retail space is really expensive and you have to sign a 3 year lease – another worry for me.

OK, enough of my venting of my fears. I’m excited to read this book – whether I win it here or not.

Comment from Kim
Time: June 5, 2008, 5:24 pm

Awesome interview. I have had this book on my wishlist for a while, and had forgotten about it….now I am very excited to read it….hopefully I win it!

I haven’t written before, but I love the podcast. I have been catching up on the older episodes, but I am about caught up so I was so excited for this new one!!

Currently I am covered in glue and getting it all over my keyboard to type this…..ahhhh, the crafty life!

Kim

Comment from Rachel
Time: June 5, 2008, 6:10 pm

Great podcast! I’m really interested in learning more about crafting a business. My tip for promoting your business is to join crafting groups in your community. It’s a great way to network and find out about shows and galleries.

Comment from Marti
Time: June 5, 2008, 9:47 pm

Great info… thanks!

Comment from Tara
Time: June 6, 2008, 7:46 am

Wonderful interview (as usual!)! Meg is absolutely delightful to hear from.

Hmmm – a business tip or question. Well, I have dreams of writing a book sometime in the future, so I’d love to hear the best ways to get contacts with publishers. I’ve heard other authors’ stories, and it seems that so many times it’s a chance encounter. How do I get the chance? :-)

Comment from eesh
Time: June 7, 2008, 9:56 am

I’m sorry I don’t have any good comments to make on a home based business. I just wanted to thank you for having this podcast because I’ve been kicking around this idea for a couple of maternity leave months and just wondering what I could possibly do to stay home more with my daughter. And then I see your site and it was just fate. So thank you so much and even if I don’t win this book you can be sure I’ll be out buying it for myself and a couple of friends!

Oh I just realized I do have a question. I’m thinking about starting a website. But I’m not sure whats the best way to get started. Are there any books out there or even websites that give good advice on how to launch a good business website (ie getting hits in the search engines and offering uniques styles)?

Comment from Tora Consolo
Time: June 7, 2008, 11:18 am

Great Podcast – been a lurker for quite a while but thought Id write as I’m really kicking around the idea of a yarn cafe…..I think I;m crazy as yarn shops are a dime a dozen but my idea may be a bit different…hope I win the book!

Thanks,

Tora in Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Comment from Tara
Time: June 7, 2008, 4:05 pm

Great podcast, as always! My business tip is simple: figure out a way to do what you want with a minimal investment…then do it! Use the money you earn to buy more (better)supplies and make the thing even better and sell it! BCB has grown this way and I thought in the beginning I’d never be able to afford the (huge) minimum orders for buying yarn and fiber at wholesale prices. This made me think creatively about suppliers and launched me into what’s become my “thing” – buying locally from small farmers or women’s co-ops overseas! It makes for a more sustainable business and MUCH less stress than if I had dropped a lot of resources in the very beginning!

Comment from Laure
Time: June 7, 2008, 6:28 pm

Great interview. I must admit that it just made tons of ideas pop into my brain!

Comment from Simone
Time: June 8, 2008, 2:40 pm

Great podcast!
Tip/Tips: 1. Be careful about partnerships. They may not be as passionate or have the same vision as you, when it actually come to doing it. If you can launch it slow and easy on your own back do. Or course some partnerships kick butt, just be careful. 2. Accountants are expensive BUT they end up paying for themselves if they are any good. Once you get some income if you have someone looking after your monies then you stress allot less. 2. Talk to people lots.. even people in your field that might even be interpreted as competition, but they have often come from humble beginnings and can offer great feedback and often become good friends. Thats me for now.. the first things I thought of!

Comment from Leeann
Time: June 9, 2008, 3:24 pm

My bus advice is to have a contract.

Comment from Meg McElwee
Time: June 9, 2008, 4:19 pm

Very enjoyable podcast! Thanks Jennifer and Meg! Here are a few tips of the top of my head: Be committed to re-invest your initial profits in the business. Make $200? Take that and purchase some craft website sponsorships/ads or have some professional-looking tags, a logo, etc. made. Second, either teach yourself HTML or invest in a spiffy-looking website. In the meantime, make sure you’re blogging, commenting on others’ blogs, hanging out on Flickr, etc. Making “virtual” friends is priceless, and it’s oh so fun!

Comment from Natana Gill
Time: June 10, 2008, 7:16 am

My tip is to invest only a little at first. Don’t go overboard buying expensive supplies and advertising. Find free ways to get your stuff noticed and pay attention to what draws interest. You may have a great idea that no one wants to buy and a small hobby or interest will be the one to bring in sales. Just be flexible.

Comment from Cami McC
Time: June 10, 2008, 12:23 pm

I’m getting ready to open my etsy store but I am struggling with my identity as an artist/crafter. I should probably just get over my questions and post some items, but I’m stuck. Any ideas about finding a unique crafting identity?

Comment from Cami McC
Time: June 10, 2008, 12:26 pm

BTW, Tora, your yarn cafe idea sounds great!

Comment from Chris
Time: June 10, 2008, 12:53 pm

Having finally been able to hear the entire thing, this podcast made me so jealous I may have to stop listening.

Try to interview a failure next time. For example, someone who went to college to study journalism, realized she didn’t like interviewing people, started an herbalism business, became allergic to herbs, became a business writer, alienated all the people she worked with so that she was unable to perform the requisite research, started learning mixed media collage on the side, had a ‘problem with paper cuts’, took up tempera painting with her hands, and destroyed a file of contracts and affidavits with original signatures, when a large jar of cadmium tipped over at her desk.

I mean, hypothetically speaking.

Comment from CreativeGoddess
Time: June 10, 2008, 1:59 pm

I’m enjoying the podcasts. Originally, I listened to learn how others were conducting their podcasts because I want to create a few myself -and not bore others in the process- and learned a number of things in the process -love that!

My biz mantra is to always walk shows before exhibiting. I learned my lesson the hard way and now know to walk them at least 3x for different perspectives:

1) Does what I do fit?
2) Does what I do complement other small biz owners/artists?
3) Does my work look identical to other artists preventing my personal authenticity to shine?
4) Do I have a few retail shops that like my work enough to make me feel confident enough to exhibit successfully?

I also loved the idea (Meg’s) of moving forward from a business that doesn’t give you pleasure and not feel like a sell-out.

Would love to win Meg’s book!

TIA!
Lisa

Comment from Chris
Time: June 10, 2008, 2:58 pm

I forgot to mention some business advice!
We’re all so busy and doing so many things all the time, so repeated showings always help. In other words, if you have something you want to bring into people’s consciousness, let it see the light! Wear it yourself, hang it in your office, make a bumper sticker out of it and put it on your car, use it in your mail art (make your envelope with the design on it!), put it on the signature of your emails, and generally do whatever you can to layer the imagery in people’s minds! They won’t have to work to remember it if they see it more often.

Comment from Maritza
Time: June 11, 2008, 4:22 am

I just listened to the podcast last night. Really made me want to pick up this book. Thanks for doing this interview.

Comment from Louise
Time: June 11, 2008, 10:36 pm

I have been meaning to pick up this book for ages, so thanks for the interview! I am wanting to start right at the very beginning with an Etsy shop and doing some craft shows so I am sure there will be some information I can use in the podcast. I haven’t listened yet as I’m saving it to listen to on a long plane journey I’m taking this weekend. Looking forward to it!

Comment from Kat
Time: June 12, 2008, 4:42 am

I’ve had this amazing experience where I’ve lived in Germany for a year while my husband worked. I could not work while here so I was able to reconnect with so many of my craft ideas and I’ve decided I want to continue when we move back to the US next month. My problems start with narrowing down my options to something profitable. I don’t think my favorite craft – knitting – is profitable because it takes so long. To pay myself a decent hourly wage I would have to charge so much for the item. But then, this is my other problem, I work out what a good price will be – trying not to undervalue my time – and people around me are shocked and don’t think anyone would pay such a price. With imported, mass-produced items our society has somehow lost a sense of the value of items.

I was also confused as to something Meg said in the interview. She said that the IRS will only allow you to take a loss on a business for 3 years. What happens after that?

Comment from Liz
Time: June 12, 2008, 8:45 am

I think that especially since etsy has taken off, there are so many people to look at and get inspired from, not to mention figure out the market value of what you create!

Comment from Julie
Time: June 12, 2008, 11:05 am

I too have a two-year-old. Keep thinking there must be something I can do with my working life than sitting here in my cubicle…

Comment from Tiffany Laws
Time: June 14, 2008, 12:54 pm

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful podcast. What a wonderful resource! If I don’t win the book I’m buying it for sure. Thanks again!

Tiffany

Comment from Ansley
Time: June 16, 2008, 11:10 am

Great interview. Thank you!

Comment from Julie Dyer
Time: June 16, 2008, 12:30 pm

I can’t wait to tell my girlfriend about this week’s podcast — she’s starting a custom stationary/invite biz with some of her friends and I know she’ll find it inspiring. Thanks (as always) for the entertaining interview!

Comment from Rachelle
Time: June 16, 2008, 1:04 pm

Thanks for doing this interview with Ms. Mateo Ilasco! It was very inspiring yet realistic. I’ve always dreamt of starting a business. This interview definitely convinced me that I should look into it very seriously, but also make sure to keep my day job for a while. :)

I have some friends who have started selling their wares and it’s definitely a good idea to talk to people about what you do. If you don’t tell people, they won’t find out about it!

Comment from jmbmommy
Time: June 16, 2008, 5:43 pm

I think going to a trade show in your chosen field is a great idea…I went to Quilt Market in May and WOW made me think about a lot of things. I also think that you should present yourself as a knowlegdable person–even if you don’t feel like it. Presentation (of yourself and your product) is more than half the battle!

Comment from Chris Fleming
Time: June 17, 2008, 5:30 am

My tip is to network, network, network – be yourself do your passion and talk with people. The partnerships made really will make your business soar.

Comment from Terri
Time: June 17, 2008, 4:19 pm

Can’t wait to listen to this while I am quilting tomorrow!!

Comment from lisa
Time: June 18, 2008, 6:49 am

For online sales you need online exposure. There are so many great groups out there to belong to! Try PoshMama.com or try your hand at card dropping on Entrecard.com.

Comment from elizabeth
Time: June 18, 2008, 4:42 pm

I am just in awe of anyone who can start their own business and keep it going. My bit of advice is that if you want to be able to start a business to be able to stay home with your kids – get it started long before that time arrives. It is so hard to leave a full-time job with benefits once you have a family. But I am still dreaming – though, someday.

Comment from Nancy McCarroll
Time: June 19, 2008, 7:09 am

I write a daily arts and crafts blog with tutorials, pictures, and lots of web references included in various “how to” projects. How can I get this blog promoted more, since I do spend lots of time preparing posts. It is just a hobby, but if these blog posts could be compiled, maybe there is a market out there for it. How would I go about trying to pitch this idea to a publisher?

Comment from Mallorie Freeman
Time: June 19, 2008, 6:01 pm

Love the podcast!
One promotional thing I have been doing that people seen to like is making 2″ x 3″ business cards that have different images on each one. I let them pick the card they want which allows them to see a variety of my paintings before they go to the website. It recently got me a show when I ran into a gallery director at an opening!

Comment from Becky
Time: June 19, 2008, 9:17 pm

Interesting. Inspiring. Good suggestions. I hope I win this book.

Comment from Kathy
Time: June 20, 2008, 1:01 pm

So many great ideas from both the podcast and this blog. Thanks!

Comment from Nichole
Time: June 20, 2008, 8:25 pm

Thanks for all the inspiration!

Comment from shelle
Time: June 22, 2008, 11:11 am

Since I am just starting out myself, the suggestions have been great. I want to follow in the smallering business idea from here http://www.fuzbaby.com/articles/businessarticle_smallering.htm
I would say stay true to who you is really important, with so many great people on the web it is easy to get stuck in the not good enough mentality. peace.

Comment from Knitterella
Time: June 25, 2008, 1:08 pm

Thank you for this! What a great podcast and Meg seems like she is so fun.

Thanks Jennifer, I really enjoy your interviews – always inspiring!

Pingback from CraftSanity » And the winner of “Craft Inc.” is….
Time: June 25, 2008, 7:54 pm

[...] podcastsCraftSanity Episode 80: A Conversation With Meg McElwee of Sew LiberatedCraftSanity Episode 79: Crafting a Business with Meg Mateo Ilasco CraftSanity Episode 78: Susie Hewer Runs With [...]

Pingback from Pink Chalk Studio » Blog Archive » Craft Inc. – Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business
Time: September 9, 2008, 3:02 pm

[...] also came across this CraftSanity Interview with Meg. And as another side note, the lowest priced used copy of this book on Amazon is currently [...]