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Gift Biz Unwrapped
by Sue MonhaitHave you thought about turning your hobby into a profitable small business? This podcast shows you how to do just that. Whether you want a side gig for some extra cash or to get out of your 9-5, the handmade products you make for fun can hold the key! In each episode you'll hear steps and actions to take to start and grow a profitable business. It's created specifically for the handmade product business entrepreneur; a group I lovingly call Gifters, Bakers, Crafters, and Makers. You're a fabulous unique creative person and I'm here to help you get on the right path to making your vision a reality. There's a lot out there about building a service based business, some about building a product business, but handmade is different. There are specific nuances to handmade that we cover here. Have you thought about starting a business but not sure what the first steps should be and you're afraid to do it "wrong?" Have you started your business but it's not progressing as you had envisioned? Are you confused about Etsy, Amazon Handmade and Shopify platforms? What about email marketing and Facebook or Instagram ads for attracting sales? There is so much to know it can be overwhelming and confusing. I'm your host, Sue Monhait, and I interview business owners who have been where you are. This is combined with over 30 years of experience consulting hundreds of boutique and big brands along with opening two profitable product based business of my own, I'm here to help you realize your dream. At the end of each episode, you'll walk away with new ideas, tools, or processes that you can apply immediately to get results. Decide on your business. Learn how to get started. Hear what others do to get customers and increase their sales. A great first step is to subscribe to the show. Then you'll automatically get each new episode as it releases - ready and waiting for you when it's convenient to listen. The main show becomes available on Saturday morning with a short Tips & Talk episode on Wednesday. I want you to know that you don't have to do this alone. Find more free resources over at GiftBizUnwrapped.com and if you're looking for a community of handmade makers just like you, join us over in my private Facebook Group - Gift Biz Breeze.
Copyright: Copyright 2023 Sue Monhait
Episodes
005 – How a Blog Brings in Sales with Kate Erickson of Entrepreneur on Fire
24m · PublishedKate Erickson is a creator, engager and implementor at EntrepreneurOnFire, a 7-day a week podcast that interviews today’s most inspiring and successful entrepreneurs. She is also the host of Kate’s Take: The EntrepreneurOnFire Audio Blog and author of A Beginner’s Guide to Creating an Online Business (formerly, The Fire Path). Kate is passionate about helping entrepreneurs create systems and processes to promote efficiency and bring clarity to their journey.
Motivational Quote
Business Inspiration
Kate’s always loved to write. So she’s turned what started as a hobby into a career. [4:00]
Productivity Tip
Hear how Kate themes her days to allow her to be the most productive possible. [12:14]
Steps to Beginning a Blog
Three steps to getting started with your own blog. [13:31]
Success Trait
Kate believes her drive has led to her success. She continually keeps going. If something doesn’t reach her expectations, she doesn’t give up. She just tries it again with a different approach. [17:02]
Productivity/Lifestyle Tool
Rescue Time – With so many distractions and possibilities in your digital life, it’s easy to get scattered. RescueTime helps you understand your daily habits so you can focus and become more productive.
Valuable Book
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Contact Links
Website
SPECIAL FREE OFFER FROM KATE
The Fire Path Book – Are you ready to create your own online business, but you’re not sure where to start? Have you already created your own online business, but you’re wondering what steps to take next in order to grow your business? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, then grab this special free offer while you can!
If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a review in Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. That helps us spread the word to more makers just like you. Thanks! Sue
004 – Find a Better Way to Lose Weight with Elizabeth Benton of Primal Potential
31m · PublishedElizabeth has cracked the code to a healthy lifestyle. This is the basis for her company Primal Potential.
She started her life overweight and as many of us have done, tried every diet out there. Elizabeth was obsessed with food and it affected her whole life. This negative food focus, however, led to a positive when she switched educational direction and earned her Masters Degree in Nutrition. But even so, this knowledge did not carry over to her personal struggle. She didn’t want to go out with friends, avoided cameras, and wouldn’t travel – which meant she didn’t see her family very much. She was isolated and depressed.
Here’s the silver lining. Change happened for her literally in one day in her car. Read all the details on her website for the whole story. Suffice it to say, she has now lost 130 lbs and most importantly is full of energy, confidence and has success straight in her path.
Primal Potential focuses on the Paleo theory. That means aligning our eating with how our ancestors eat. She has an amazing way of combining this strategy with her understanding of how it actually affects our body. Listen to ways you can affect change starting right away.
Motivational Quote
Business Inspiration
Read about her journey here.
Success Trait
Her ability to focus on an outcome versus the process. This allows her to take action quickly. [25:08]
Productivity/Lifestyle Tool
Boomerang – Write an email through gmail now and schedule it to be sent automatically at the perfect time.
Google Docs – Create and edit web-based documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Store documents online and access them from any computer.
Valuable Book
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Contact Links
Website
If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a review in Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. That helps us spread the word to more makers just like you. Thanks! Sue
003 – $200 and A Dream with Claudia Johnson of EXCLAMATIONS! Gifts
23m · PublishedIn 1993 Claudia Johnson founded her unique gift company, EXCLAMATIONS! Gifts with a two hundred dollar unemployment check and a dream. Her business has evolved into a thriving, full service, gift and gift basket company, offering an entire host of innovative and custom gift baskets, specialty items, and themed gift solutions for all occasions. In 2001 she purchased her 5,000 square foot building which features an inspiring showroom, gourmet pantry, offices, production facilities, shipping department and a photography studio.
Having been honored with many distinctions in the gift industry, Claudia’s accomplishments include: Guest Gift Designer for Nordstrom; in-house Gift Basket Instructor at JC Penny’s corporate center in Plano, TX; and voted First Place winner for “San Diego’s Best Gift Shop”. She has been featured in international trade magazines, on television, and has been a guest speaker at national level trade shows and conventions.
Claudia’s take on her success? “It’s achieved one client and one gift at a time.”
Motivational Quote
Business Inspiration
Claudia walked into a florist shop that was going out of business. She saw a beautiful burgundy and gold basket and a dream was born. [4:21]
A Candle Flickering Moment
The realization that the she could not build a business on solely the sales of her friends and family. She needed to focus on corporate business and success was up to her. [8:19]
Success Trait
She loves people and her company revolves around that interaction that comes so naturally to her. [17:10]
Productivity/Lifestyle Tool
Currently the native Notes app on her iphone and ipad but she’s looking into switching to Evernote.
Valuable Book
In Search of Excellence by Thomas J. Peters
Contact Links
Website
Did you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a review in Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. That helps us spread the word to more makers just like you. Thanks! Sue
002 – A stress to success lifestyle business with Julie Brugioni of The Silk Thumb
30m · PublishedJulie started working at The Silk Thumb at age 16. Seven years later she bought the business and learned what being in charge is all about. She specializes in designing unique interior space utilizing the world’s finest artificial flowers, plants and trees. Learn how Julie has re-positioned The Silk Thumb for strong future success.
[Tweet “Lighting it Up with Julie Brugioni of The Silk Thumb today.” link of show]
Motivational Quote
Business Inspiration
The beauty of any environment filled with color led Julie to work at The Silk Thumb. The possibility to actually own the business was an opportunity too good to pass up. [7:05]
A Candle Flickering Moment
The economy dip starting in 2008 led to low customer traffic and a potential shutdown of The Silk Thumb. Hear how Julie changed things up and instead of closing the doors, rebuilt a thriving business and a dramatically improved lifestyle as a business owner. [11:36]
Success Trait
Being an action taker and her talent for color matching and design. [22:53]
Productivity/Lifestyle Tool
Daily To Do Lists created with a simple pen and paper [23:18]
Her weekly BNI Group which produces about 20% of her business! [23:52]
Valuable Book
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Contact Links
Website
Houzz
Google+
If you found this podcast valuable, make sure to subscribe and leave a review in Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. That helps us spread the word to other makers just like you.
Thanks! Sue
001 – The power of taking action with Brendan Hufford of Entrepreneurs and Coffee
34m · PublishedBrendan is a high school assistant principal by day and runs two other businesses by night. First there is Ok! Kimonos, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu clothing brand sold online and supported by two blogs. And he is the host of Entrepreneurs and Coffee, a business focused podcast and his newest passion. While this seems like a full life, his faith and family are what he holds most dear.
Motivational Quote
Business Inspiration
Brendan walked a path that started with the passion for Jiu Jitsu combined with his love for teaching. Along the way he identified a need in the industry that he wanted to fill and started a blog. He was surprised to find that his interest in overall business was even greater and that has led to his podcast supporting and training entrepreneurs. Sometimes it’s not a single moment of inspiration, it’s a journey. [6:33]
A Candle Flickering Moment
Going into business with a friend and a handshake was a bad plan. The importance of getting agreements down on paper either as a legal document or an MOU is so important. [20:17]
Business Building Insight
Focus on the power of taking action regardless of fear, doubt or a less than perfect product. [12:15]
Success Trait
Entrepreneurial DNA – being wired to hustle and grind – learned through nurture and nature. [24:10]
Productivity/Lifestyle Tool
Headspace
Buffer
Valuable Book
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Contact Links
Website
OK! Kimonos
Entrepreneurs and Coffee Podcast
If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a review in Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. That helps us spread the word to more makers just like you. Thanks! Sue
000 – The Story Behind Gift Biz Unwrapped
8m · PublishedWelcome! This is Sue Monhait, your host, and I want to welcome you to the first episode of Gift Biz Unwrapped. This will be a little different than future shows in that I want to lay a foundation as to what you can expect moving forward and why the podcast is here in the first place!
The Purpose
The purpose of Gift Biz Unwrapped is to provide insights and actionable strategies to grow your business. At the end of each episode, you will walk away with new ideas, or tools, or processes that you can apply to grow your business.
My Back Story
Let me tell you a little about myself. I come from 15 years working in the corporate environment in sales and marketing consultation. During that time I worked with several hundred smaller retailers as well as some of the big guys. I was in a lead position for the McDonald’s salad rollout way back when, as well as working with companies such as Pizza Hut, Osco/Savon Drug, Kohl’s and more. I’ll tell you a secret that I discovered during that time. The larger businesses have the same challenges that we face every day. Sure, they have more resources at hand … but they also have a lot of politics and procedures. This makes instituting changes a long and tedious process. What seems so obvious in terms of business improvements just doesn’t ever get implemented. Many times one department doesn’t even know what the other is doing. A small/medium business on the other hand, is nimble and quick. You can discover ways to enhance your business and take action immediately. This is a huge advantage for you and that’s where we come in. We’ll bring you these ideas and you can incorporate the ones that are right for your business.
Back to my story. There came a time in my corporate life when I became a candidate to run one of our production facilities. That would have meant that I would be in charge of all departments such as finance, sales, hr, production, etc. It was exciting and I was totally motivated to make this change. Then all of a sudden, I stopped in my tracks. My children were going too fast and their childhood was passing to quickly … I was traveling all the time and it just hit me that I really didn’t want to miss out on all that.
I wanted to be a “traditional” mom. If there even is such a thing these days. So I came home and had a heart-to-heart with my husband. He supported me and we created a plan. Two years later, I left a job I loved to stay home with the kids … a job I loved even more!
About 4 years later, the bug was back. What can I say, I love business. David and Nichole were getting older and more independent and I decided I wanted to go back to work . It was my husband who said, “Why don’t you start something yourself?” I thought, ok … for years I’ve been helping other people start and grow their businesses – now I’ll see if I can take my own advice and do it myself.
Today
Fast forward, I’ve now started two successful businesses. My current business is The Ribbon Print Company. We provide custom ribbon printing systems so businesses can offer personalization of products right onsite in their shop or craftroom. I mention this because it is what lead me to creating this podcast.
We do 8-10 trade shows a year at The Ribbon Print Company. I’m also a speaker/teacher at several of these shows. I love it because our booth is always busy and we get to interact with lots of customers and prospects. Inevitably I get into conversations about starting or growing a business. There are questions about set-up, marketing plans, social media strategies, product fulfilment – all sorts of things. These conversations energize me. It’s so funny because many times people who don’t buy a ribbon printer come back to the booth the next year to say “hi” and tell us how their business has progressed. Then we get...
Gift Biz Unwrapped has 546 episodes in total of non- explicit content. Total playtime is 345:45:49. The language of the podcast is English. This podcast has been added on November 23rd 2022. It might contain more episodes than the ones shown here. It was last updated on April 18th, 2024 06:00.
