The Merriweather Council Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Creative business highs + lows feat. Sarah K Benning Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

What an honor to have the incredible Sarah K Benning as a guest on season 5 of the Merriweather Council Podcast! I have admired her work as an embroidery artist and small business owner for years now and she is so inspiring.

On this episode we are chatting about so many things. I loved hearing her journey from art student to business owner and now, co-author! And you will hear all about it as well.

If you have spent any time on Instagram or in maker communities you are likely familiar with Sarah's hand embroidery work. It is details and intricate and whimsical. Of course, we spoke all about her work, her inspiration, process and struggles not only with her work but with social media and running a small business. We also spoke about her incredibly successful pattern program and why she's decided to end it (for now!) There is so much to learn from in this episode.

For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/88

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

How creativity + starting a business helped to heal and reconnect feat. Audrey from Hey Be Fab Sep 17, 2019

Show notes

I work with amazing creative people every single day - yay for me! - and i'm so incredibly lucky to know Audrey from Hey Be Fab.

Audrey's tag line is so wonderfully crafted: Embrace your Inner Spunk. And I think Audrey has done, and continues to do, an excellent job helping her followers and students do just that.

She is a true free spirit and a creative powerhouse. When she agreed to be on the show, I yelped with delight. Literally, if memory serves me correctly.

Audrey is a textile artist who believes that you can find freedom from the mundane with one stitch at a time. She hosts art workshops (or parties) where (mostly) women come together to build friendships and connect with each as they create art.

I asked Audrey if she would be willing to share more with us about how she got to where she is in her creative career. She is running such a fun, diverse and dynamic handmade business that includes a subscription box, workshops and finished pieces. The story Audrey told me during out chat was so real and raw and I know many of you will relate to things she shared. I can't wait for you to hear this one.

For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/87

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Welcome back to the Merriweather Council Podcast: Season 5 Opener! Sep 17, 2019

Show notes

Welcome back to season five of the Merriweather Council Podcast! Thank you so much for being so patient while we prepped this EPIC season for you!

On this intro episode I'll be reintroducing myself to those of you who've been around a while - clarifying some things, updating you on who I am and what we do here at the Merriweather Council! I'll also be sharing a bit about season five and what's to come but no spoilers. I know that your business is one of the most important things in your life and so I do not take it lightly that you trust us to advise on it.

That's why I always like to introduce myself and the Merriweather Council at the top of each season - so you know who the heck I am and what the heck we do.

For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/86

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com

Season 4 Finale Feb 12, 2019

Show notes

Ahh we have reached the end of another season of Merri Podcast! I cannot believe how fast that went.

I truly hope you enjoyed this season. It's a real honor and privilege to be able to come on here a couple times each week for a couple chunks of the year and deliver these episodes to you. I know that many of you find inspiration, motivation and education here and that thrills me. I can't wait for season 5.

There were some really special episodes this season, and some really IMPORTANT episodes. It's not all fun and games but, we try. Ha.

Today I'm giving you a little wrap up of the season and big thank you! I'm also sharing some of the places we can stay connected in the off season.

If you enjoy the podcast, a tangible way to say "thanks" is to share it with your maker friends, leave a positive iTunes review, and/ or subscribe to the show!

I appreciate you so much.

-Danielle

For the full show notes please visit: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/85

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

My Business Fairy Godmother + Something Amazing she's Providing Right Now Feb 07, 2019

Show notes

My Business Fairy Godmother + Something Amazing she's Providing Right Now

As your handmade biz bestie, I want to make sure you know about the fun stuff I am doing that could benefit you. But, I ALSO want to be sure to share with you when there are other amazing things out there that you should know about. Especially if those things have been impactful to me!

Many of you have heard me speak about Marie Forleo and her brilliance before and I wanted to take some time today to do it again because… she's awesome and she has something amazing to share with you that I don't want you to miss.

Here's the link to Marie's free business training

this is my partner link!

If you haven't met her yet, there is no better time than right now. Because while Marie does publish amazing videos and interviews and podcasts throughout the year, her free business training series that starts today is one of the best things she puts out!

In this episode I'm telling you a bit more about Marie and why I think you will love her just as much as I do.

For the full show notes please visit: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/84

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Product seller, You Are Also a Marketer. Did You Know That? Feb 05, 2019

Show notes

Sometimes I read things on the internet that really bum me out (as I'm sure you do, too.) One thing I see consistently in the handmade communities i am part of is this idea that product sellers wouldn't, couldn't or shouldn't learn from certain people or implement certain strategies because they wouldn't apply.

In some cases, that is true. There is basically no reason for a person who sells handmade products to go and take a cookie course with the expectation that it would directly influence their product business. But then again, that is not usually what's being floated as a possibility that people are knocking.

No, instead, what I see is comments like "that's for service based businesses" or "this is for marketers" or similar sentiment. Basically alluding to the idea that if you sell a product, you wouldn't / couldn't / shouldn't pay attention to certain things… they don't apply to you.

WHOA, NELLY. Not cool, y'all. Not cool.

Business is business. At the end of the day - it doesn't actually matter what you are selling. If you sell something, you are a marketer. Or at bare minimum: you have to be. Whether you want call yourself one or not, it's best to get comfortable with the fact that you are a marketer. And marketing a service is not all that different from marketing a product.

That's what today's episode is about.

It's short and sweet and to the point. An episode of tough love. Have a listen.

For the full show notes please visit: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/83

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Launching a Brand New + Life Inspired Product Line Jan 31, 2019

Show notes

It's always a treat when I get to chat with people who I've known for years online but never actually SPOKE to. How crazy does that sound, really?

On today's episode I am speaking with Amy Richards of Amy Richards Illustration. She is one of my Etsy Training Course students AND she is a Council Member. Most importantly she is a super talented artist with a lot of passion.

Amy's used her personal experiences to identify a gap in the market and create a product that will speak to others who feel that gap. I think this is something all small business owners should constantly be trying to do - this is where small businesses come from. I hope you feel inspired by her story!

For the full show notes please visit: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/82

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

What I Learned about "Self Care" in 2018 and my experience with Talk Space App Jan 29, 2019

Show notes

Can I be honest for a minute? Hope so because I'm going to be. I really debated whether or not to publish this episode. I recorded it. I sat on it. I thought about it. I decided not to post it. Then i had second thoughts. Then I spoke to a few people about it. Then I decided to edit it and see how I felt. Then I decided not to publish it. Then I spoke to the people again. Then I decided to publish it.

So. 2018 … not a great year, honestly. 7/10 would not repeat.

In this episode I'm discussing one of the tools I used to cope. I truly hope that someone who needs to hear this, hears it today and feels a little bit more confident or motivated to get help if they believe they could benefit from it.

You can find the TalkSpace App in the App store and on Facebook.

You will hear me talk about a dark time I experienced in 2018, albeit vague as I chose to spare you the nitty gritty details and my experience with digital therapy. Since that took up sufficient time, I did not extrapolate on what happened next in this episode. So, please know that I am feeling MUCH better these days. The dark time that was causing me a lot of turmoil has mostly ended and I am better equipped for dealing with myself. It's important to note that there were some significant highlights in 2018, including seeing Taylor Swift in concert, going to see my beloved Backstreet Boys in Vegas before they end their residency, being a bridesmaid in my beautiful friend Meagan's wedding and moving to one of the most wonderful places I have ever lived. So don't you worry about me. AS Taylor Swift would say, "I'm doing better than I ever was."

And just so you know, this episode is completely not sponsored in any capacity. No one asked me to do this, no one paid me to do this. No one is getting a commission or points or credit from this. This is just a plain and simple recap of my good experience with a service. To be clear, you would always know if something was sponsored or included an affiliate link. So unless i say it does, it doesn't. Clear? Okay cool.

For the full show notes please visit: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/81

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Lessons from Taylor Swift's Reputation Tour with Kimber Casteel Jan 24, 2019

Show notes

The last time Kimber and I spoke about Taylor Swift you all LOVED it. You loved it a lot. Not as much as I love the Backstreet Boys, but still a respectable amount. It was one of the most listened to episodes last season! (In case you missed it: http://www.merriweathercouncilblog.com/2018/05/taylor-swift-marketing-lessons/ )

I think the reason you loved it so much is because it's really fun to look outside your industry for inspiration - and because, really, who doesn't enjoy a little Taylor Swift from time to time?

Regardless of where you stand in your feelings about her music, there is almost no denying the Taylor Swift is a marketing maven. The marketing power and inspiration of Taylor Swift is what Kimber and I spoke about last time and it's what we are talking about again on today's episode.

Last time we focused on her Reputation album release - the things she did ahead of it's release and the way she got everyone's attention each step of the way. This time we are talking about her Reputation Stadium Tour, the experience of it, the marketing involved and the ideas we absolutely LOVED.

Full show notes:

http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/80

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Everything I Need to Know About Business I Learned from Gilmore Girls Jan 22, 2019

Show notes

Any other die hard Gilmore Girl fans out there?! If so, you're going to love this episode. If not … well, it's only a matter of time! Today's episode, and the lesson within it, is drawn from an example in the quirky and fantastic world of the Gilmore Girls, but even if you've never seen the show, you'll understand!

I love looking for, or simply discovering, little business lessons in pop culture. Gilmore Girls is riddled with them! This is probably in large part due to the fact that nearly every single one of the main characters is a small business owner and the entire premise of the show is set against a backdrop of small, local business. It's such a great show for many reasons, this is just one of them.

One lesson I've seen played out on the show is that of attracting ideal customers - the kind of people who are raving fans for life. The kind of customer we want to cultivate as often as possible in our businesses.

Full show notes:

http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/79

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

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