Thrive By Design: Business, Marketing And Lifestyle Strategies For Your Jewelry Brand To Flourish And Thrive

When Lindsey Kirk’s husband came home and told her how much he was struggling at his swing shift factory job, it was clear they were at a crossroads.   She knew that in spite of her feeling of panic, it was time to take her jewelry business to the next level.   After 5 years of running a studio space to sell her pieces in Quincy, Illinois — while working a part-time job to make it work — Lindsey decided it was time to close the store and double down on her website (lucky for her, because the pandemic hit just a few weeks later).    Lindsey had been a fan of Thrive by Design since the podcast launched back in 2015, and when she and her husband decided he would go back to school, she came looking for support in playing full-out to build her online sales.     .  She enrolled in Laying the Foundation, and I am so excited to share her story with you today. Lindsey is a bad-ass implementer and has some amazing insights to share about how her business has grown to the point that she’s been able to support her husban

We’ve got to talk about the state of social media content for jewelry businesses…    Because a lot of jewelry designers are just totally missing the mark here.    It’s boring, pushy, cringe, or some combination of all three.   And I hate having to say that, because it’s not their fault.    Jewelry designers are not trained to be professional marketers! But it’s our job to figure out how to create social media content for our jewelry businesses — just as much as it is to create the jewelry itself.    Great content creates your desired brand effect — it attracts ideal, high-quality clients to your business, it makes you stand out in a crowded marketplace, and it helps you sell.    It’s probably the most powerful tool at your disposal if you’re serious about growing your business online.    That’s why I’m hosting a new master class, called How to Stand Out on Social: How to Plan A Month’s Content in An Hour. It’s a super hands-on system to help you build a content plan for your jewelry business (more about that

When you’re healthy as an entrepreneur and business owner, it shows.    Your energy is on point. You’re focused and in flow. You’re happier, more productive, and more creative. But when our health takes a hit, our business suffers too. When you’re feeling sick or sore, your motivation and clarity take a dive too.    That’s why keeping yourself healthy and vibrant is a huge win when you are designing your jewelry and building your business.   Today, my dear friend Tina Anderson is on the Thrive by Design podcast, sharing her incredible expertise on the gut-brain connection.    Tina is the CEO of Just Thrive, an incredible supplement company that has changed my life.    (I’ll spare you the TMI version, but let’s just say my digestive system is MUCH happier since I started taking their probiotic a few years ago.)   Gut health is not the topic that usually springs to mind when people think about growing their business or optimizing their daily routine… but it has a huge influence behind the scenes on how you feel

What are you done with?    To answer this profound question, this week we’ve got a special double-barrel episode release on the Thrive by Design podcast — How to Double Your Sales in Half the Time, and How to Know When You’re Done — And What to Do Next.    Both episodes are intended to shake you up out of the parts of your life where you’re stuck and know it’s time for a change.   Asking what I was done with in my own ‘rock bottom’ moment back in 2008 started me on the journey to the life and business I have today.   I was 40, and in total shock after the recession crashed my business overnight, taking my confidence with it. The guy I’d been dating for 3 years ghosted me. I went on vacation with two girlfriends to Nicaragua and couldn’t afford to do everything they wanted to do, and then on top of it all I got stung by a stingray at the beach one day.   Ugh.   I’d had enough. I was so done being broke, being taken for granted, being afraid.   On that trip I realized that I had no choice but to start doing thi

Today’s show is all about doubling your online sales, with a few simple strategies that always work.  But before we get to that, a quick message:  If you’re serious about increasing your sales in a short period of time, I’m here to help you do that. Our Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program (TYC) is going live on April 30th.  TYC is a 12-week sales accelerator. It helps you leverage all of your sales channels and build your revenue by pulling on different aspects of how you sell.  If you feel burned out and exhausted from spending every weekend doing shows instead of being with your family, you’re in the right place.  Earlybird applications have already closed, but there’s still time to join if you are truly ready to take your business to the next level — click here to find out more. Now, back to the episode: Can jewelry designers really double their biz online in just a few months? Yes, and I’m not talking about church change. I’m talking about real growth.    One student, who will remin namele

Is your jewelry business really just an expensive hobby right now?  If you have to make jewelry, but you also have to make it a viable business, today’s episode of the Thrive by Design podcast is for you. Erin Kandoll quit her jewelry business just as the pandemic was starting, because she didn’t think it would ever be able to support her family.  She sold all her equipment, got rid of her old inventory… and then stumbled upon Thrive by Design. She listened to a bunch of episodes and enrolled in our Laying the Foundation program.  She started seeing results so fast that she progressed into the Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program (which, by the way, is reopening on April 30th), and 18 months later, her business was on track to do triple the revenue she’d had the year before.  In this incredible episode, Erin shares: The one simple step she implemented as soon as the program started that kickstarted her new sales journey The insane sales number that got her super psyched for the next chapter

There are times in your jewelry business where you might have to take a hard pivot to get what you really want.    That’s where Antoinette Elizabeth found herself last year, and today on Episode #469 of the Thrive by Design podcast, she shares how she navigated that incredibly tough crossroads in her business.    When a huge storm cut off tourism to Antoinette’s location, she knew she had to make a change if her business was going to survive. In this unique episode, Antoinette shares:   The conversation with the TYC coaches that gave her the confidence to try selling online and through wholesale  How she sold out ALL her products within the first two hours of a three-day show and then pivoted the ongoing demand into a crazy pre-order list Getting her pieces into airports, art galleries and councils even though her process doesn’t follow a specific timeline The crucial marketing strategies that are driving Antoinette’s online success   And there’s more (you know I love to go deep with my podcast gues

When was the last time you added 50, 100 or 200 new subscribers to your email list? It might not be intuitive, but every festival, trunk show and trade show you sell at is a goldmine for growing your online sales. And if you have no idea how you would pull those kinds of numbers at a live event, buckle up.  Alex Boxall, from Alex Kathlyn Accessories, is a graduate from our last Train Your Customers to Buy From You Online program https://www.flourishthriveacademy.com/tyc/. In this episode of Thrive by Design she shares some of the incredible results she’s seeing in her business after implementing what she learned, like:   Having so many people at her next live event that people had to come back the second day because her booth was too packed the first day… How she added 200 people to both her email list and her SMS list The must-have new offer that sold over 150 units…  Why her sales were up 191% compared to the same event a year earlier…    Alex also shares how TYC coach Andrea helped her figure out

What would life be like if 80% of your customers came back to buy from your website again… and again… and again? It might sound crazy, but it’s possible! This week on the show we have our Head Coach, the fabulous Chelsea Farmer of HorseFeathers Gifts, here to teach you exactly how she does it. Here’s a sneak peek of what we cover: Why return customer rate is a key number in your jewelry business, and why focusing on this area can create a huge community of ‘true fans’ desperate to buy every time you drop a new collection 4 key strategies Chelsea uses to build a thriving community around her brand that keep people coming back Chelsea’s best advice for fixing your customer return rate (hint: it’s not offering discounts!). This is a huge deal if you find selling in person really easy but haven’t figured out how to make that come across online yet Opening up the communication channels with new customers and how to train people to talk to you and connect with your brand and that you care about their inpu

Want the best 2024 strategies to drive more traffic to your website and sell more online? I’m sharing a bunch of super valuable data and statistics with you that prove how powerful online sales still are when growing your jewelry company (and that show you where to focus your efforts).  I also walk you through how to holistically think about all of the different online sales channels available today and how to uplevel your marketing and visibility with some crazy-effective tactics! I talk about: What you need to monitor constantly (so you don’t lose sales) How to increase your conversion rate up to 30% Using AI to enhance sales and customer service More of the most effective ways to skyrocket sales!  Learn how to build a multi-omnichannel brand that sparks more sales and repeat customers! Join me on Thrive by Design for podcast episode 466!   Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Subscribed! 11 Ways to Grow Your Email List With High Paying Jewelry Buyers (Using Free Social Media) Apply For

How do you life-proof, recession-proof, and algorithm-proof your jewelry business? Raise your hand if you’re overly reliant on Instagram or Facebook to make sales, and you notice anytime the algorithm shifts or something changes that you see a dip in sales.  If that’s the case, it’s time to think a little bit differently about these platforms. We don’t own our followers on Instagram or Facebook, and at any given moment we could lose access to all of those people.  I tell you how to use these platforms to grow your business strategically, instead of putting your business in jeopardy! I talk about: Driving sales to your website in your sleep Training your customers to buy from you online  Why you need to give customers a reason to shop from you online or you’re wasting your time and energy  More strategies to ensure your business isn’t “fragile”!  I’m excited for this quick and dirty episode about 3 lessons from last week’s Instagram and Facebook crash and how to take your power back starting today wi

Do you know how to use packaging to increase your product’s perceived value and bring customers back again and again? To make more money and attract more customers, you need a strong brand - and a strong brand is centered around strong packaging design!  I interview Kelley Kempe who is the branding and packaging genius behind Hidden Path Creative - a graphic design studio supporting product-based businesses with packaging designs that genuinely represent their brand identity. We talk about: Why 72% of people buy because of packaging  Creating recognition and memorability with an unforgettable unboxing experience  Building brand awareness on a budget  More amazing tips to use your product’s packaging as a sales tool!  Join us to learn how to elevate your packaging with storytelling and sustainability to attract more of your dream clients!   Join me on Thrive by Design for podcast episode 464! Here are the resources mentioned in the show:   Hidden Path Creative’s Website Hidden Path Creative’s Instagr

How do you know that you’re using your strengths and challenges and those of the people you bring into your company to support your business’ growth and success? If you’ve ever wondered how the people you surround yourself with can optimize your growth instead of hinder it, then you need to use this assessment! I interview Enneagram expert Hillarie Kay - a results-driven trainer, entrepreneur, and speaker who uses the Enneagram to support business owners in building teams that thrive. We talk about: Deep diving inside yourself to work out kinks Creating your dream team Ditching burnout and decision fatigue More ways this assessment will bring you ease and flow! She focuses on helping entrepreneurs achieve incredible transformations and understand their growth cycle and burnout cycle so they become unstoppable.  Learn how the Enneagram provides invaluable insight into how you best operate and how to utilize it to build a team that’s a well-oiled machine around your business! Join me on Thrive by Desi

What if you’re not attracting the right customers? If the people walking up to you or meeting you online aren’t your ideal customers, it’s important to understand how to reel those dream ones in.  Because if you’re in a sea of the wrong customers and trying to sell to those people, your messaging and everything you’re doing won’t land with them.  In the latest episode of the Thrive by Design Podcast, I tell you how to create connections with the right people and ignite a spark that turns them into lifelong buyers of your brand.  I talk about: Misconceptions and mistakes that make messaging miss the mark The secret to magnetizing repeat customers  Real reasons people buy (and why to stop competing on price)  More strategies to stop scrolls and skyrocket sales! If you want to draw in dream customers who will buy from you again and again, join me as I dig into 3 reasons you might not be!  Join me on Thrive by Design for podcast episode 462! Here are the resources mentioned in the show:   Laying The Fou

Today we’re talking about the power of live events and how impactful they are for growing your small business!  For years, one of my favorite things to do was host events at Flourish and Thrive Academy because of the life-long relationships I made!  That’s how some of my best connections and friendships were formed! I haven’t been so excited about a podcast interview in so long because these incredible ladies are going to dive into how powerful events are for your life and business. In the latest episode of the Thrive by Design Podcast, I chat with Allison and Cat - the founders of the Ultimate Product Party. They throw live events that are centered solely around supporting other women-owned, product-based business owners.  We talk about: Why this space is the first of its kind for product-based businesses.  Why you need to meet people in person (+ how to avoid getting left behind). Why getting out of your comfort zone is crucial for your biz’s growth. More gold on why in-person events are going to ch

We’re diving into some incredibly important topics about ethical and sustainable jewelry production, making, and sourcing!   This is a hot topic that everyone wants to talk about and learn about, so we’re also going to explore the Ethical Metalsmiths Organization.    I’ve been on their advisory board for a couple of years, and I just love what they’re doing to mentor designers and create community in a very different way than we do over here at Flourish and Thrive Academy.    In the latest episode of the Thrive by Design Podcast, I chat with Jennifer Dawes and Jay Moncada about becoming an ethical metalsmith and what it looks like to build a sustainable jewelry brand!   We talk about: Consumer behavior and why responsibly sourcing is a must. How to gain resources, mentorship, vendors, and best practices. How to join the activism. More important info on creating a biz that loves the earth! If you don’t know about Ethical Metalsmiths, go look them up right now - I highly recommend that you become a me

Are you thinking about starting a jewelry business in retirement or have been making jewelry but haven’t gotten serious about selling it to your dream customers? Then today is for you! If you’re interested in learning about how you can make traction in your sixties, seventies, and beyond, you’re going to love this episode. Prepare to meet total badass, Estelle Vernon - a long-time member of the Flourish and Thrive Academy community and breast cancer survivor who shares how she’s navigated her jewelry business for the long haul. We talk about: Being a jewelry fairy godmother. Providing exceptional service that brings dream clients back. Doubling her sales in one year. More tips on making fewer mistakes and charging your worth! In her seventies, she runs a wildly successful business that enables her to take a lot of time off while still fully expressing her creative flow. Learn tips on how Estelle absolutely crushes it with her jewelry business and how she built a business that’s aligned most with wha

What if you could just drop a jewelry collection and make $10k in 2 days because you followed a step-by-step roadmap? If that’s a goal of yours, listen to this episode where I interview one of my students, Nicole Burch, who shares her strategy and how she started crafting $10k days for her jewelry business! The mother of a special needs son, a Reiki healer, and an energy worker, she built this jewelry business as a passion and is a graduate of our Laying The Foundation Program. We talk about: How she skyrocketed her social media following from 1,000 to nearly 30,000 in one year (without paid ads).  How she grew her sales by 5 times in a year.  The question you need to keep asking your audience. More tips on pushing past limits and allowing yourself to be seen! Once scared to be seen, she now runs an impressive, extremely successful biz and has retired her husband who now homeschools their special needs son. Don’t miss today’s episode to learn life-changing advice for achieving mindblowing sales and

Want to know how to quickly scale your jewelry hobby into a wildly profitable business and take it to that next level (even if you want to work part-time)? If you’re ready to make a big impact this year while prioritizing what’s important in your life, then listen to this episode! I’m interviewing Audrey Allman, who started her jewelry business after her sister died because her sister loved jewelry and she wanted to carry on that legacy. We talk about: The easiest customers to sell to.  Her top strategy for an insane 49% customer return rate. The free, mindblowing tool she uses to magnetize clients to her website.  More tips on keeping clients around who love and adore you! Learn how she’s grown her business in leaps and bounds by pushing past her fears and investing in her growth…and how that’s enabled her to make her money back within 2 weeks after every class she’s signed up for!  Join me on Thrive by Design for podcast episode 457! Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Audrey’s Website A

Today’s episode is for all my jewelry makers out there who have zero interest in building a full-time jewelry business but who want a successful side hustle that generates full-time income! Don’t miss this invaluable chat about launching, growing, and scaling a successful jewelry business that’s aligned with your vision of success to 5, 6, 7 figures, and beyond (especially if you just want to work part-time)! If you’re someone who is thinking about starting a jewelry business, you want to develop a robust side hustle, or you’re ready to go big or go home (which, funny enough - you can do ALL this from home), then you are going to LOVE this episode! I’m interviewing two of my favorite people in the world who are also two of our killer coaches here at Flourish and Thrive, Dawn DiGesare and Chelsea Farmer! We talk about: 3 things key to the success of your side hustle. Why visual branding is crucial. How Chelsea has an epic 89.9% return customer rate. More amazingness that will boom your side hustle biz!