Posted by Jennifer Rapp Peterson
Since IndieMade has a great number of handmade artist business owners, I thought I would let you know about a great course taking place at Create a Better Creative Business. Timothy Adam, founder of Handmadeology and long time customer of IndieMade, has teamed up with Lisa Jacobs of Marketing Creativity to deliver an incredible training program for handmade artists and Etsy sellers. We've profiled Tim (and how prolific he is) on our blog - he continues to inspire me personally.
What I especially love about both of them is they both know what they're talking about. They have both built successful creative businesses from the ground up. Tim shares his knowledge and other creative entrepreneurs' advice on his blog daily. As a metalsmith and designer, he quickly learned what it took to be successful as an artist. Tim says:
"I started designing modern metal furniture in 2004. I built my first piece in Baltimore with my sister-in-law who is a furniture designer. I found my passion in metal and kept on designing and building. I struggled for 4 years to make a name in local galleries in the Grand Rapids Michigan area."
"A friend of mine introduced me to Etsy in February of 2007, and it changed my business. I started creating a jewelry line and have not turned back. In November of 2007 I had to quit my full time job cause my passion was becoming a dream come true! I am now selling all over the world through my Etsy shop. I also have wholesale accounts around the country with galleries, museums and salons."
"As my metal design business grew, I saw the need in the handmade community for a place where like minded creative business owners could learn how to reach their goals. Handmadeology started in 2009, and has grown into resource library of articles that focus on helping creative business owners turn their handmade hobby into a thriving business."
His counterpart, Lisa Jacobs, started her creative business, The Energy Shop, with $100 in 2010. She too turned her investment into a thriving business selling her gemstone jewelry and Feng Shui supplies. Lisa shares:
"I am a work-at-home mother of four who dreams of a world fueled by creativity. We are, each one of us, creating something out of nothing. We are artists. Two years ago, I didn’t have a small business. I just had an idea. I invested my time, energy, and a little bit of money–just as you did. It’s something to be proud of, whether you’re waiting for your first sale, or celebrating your first thousand. You are creativity, and I want to thank you for bringing all of that fantastic energy here and sharing it with us!"
"My mind operates on a strict diet of self-help, metaphysics, and marketing strategy! I like to meditate and make sales.
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The Energy Shop is in the top 1% of Etsy sellers and today her earnings are in the 6 figure range. How cool is that?
Lisa and Tim met when Lisa started guest blogging on Handmadeology. They soon realized realized the synergy between them and began working on a powerful program teaching creative entrepreneurs how to grow successful businesses. Their first Create a Better Creative Business fall course was a smashing success, and now they are geared up for their spring workshop happening, like NOW. In fact, registration closes on March 9, 2014.
The Skinny:
The complete course is a total of eighteen classes. Out of the eighteen classes, Tim and Lisa lead ten of those. The other classes are taught by some of the best indie biz experts. To see a full list of instructors, check out their website. What I like about the way they've set up their course is they also provide a lot of great "bonuses," such as direct email contact to Lisa and also one-on-one coaching calls. She works on everything, from brainstorming to online shop reviews, from marketing strategy to problem solving, Lisa's your hand-holdin'-go-to-gal.
Lisa says,
"Inside the course, experts in the field unleash an abundance of insight, next actions, downloadable tools, resources, and specific how-to information. The classes are broadcast on this website 2 times per week throughout the first eight weeks of enrollment. After those first eight weeks, the course remains open to the participants so that you may revisit any lessons, gather all of the downloads, ask any further questions, etc."
Sign Up now so you don't have to wait until Fall 2014.
