The Maker's Playbook Rebecca Ickes Carra

How often do you remember the name of someone’s Instagram account before you actually learn their real name? It’s a little weird. But it can also be freeing for some people, because it means you can choose how much of yourself you want to share. You can create an alter-ego of sorts. Not a dishonest representation of yourself - I’m not suggesting we start “catfishing” - but instead, the ability to create a comfort zone for what you share publicly and what you choose to keep private. Not to mention, how building a brand name can help you create space between the public and the private. This, of course, also means what we all experience as users online is not always the full story of what is happening in real life for any maker we might follow, which is the big question I’ve had for Kim Ferguson of Khaos Creates for a long time. Between seeing snippets of a wholesale jewelry line and hearing about her acceptance into a local residency -I had no idea, until we chatted that she was balancing all of that while still working a full-time job! Understanding what life actually looks like is exactly why I started this very podcast, so, of course, I’m excited for you to hear Kim’s story this week where we shed a bit of light on the difference between the instagrammable Khaos Creates and the lovely human that is Kim.

You might have been hearing a lot of talk about NCECA recently. I know from firsthand experience, seeing a bunch of people online come together in person - when you can’t be there - can feel incredibly lonely. If all this NCECA talk has you longing for connection with other makers, if it’s making you feel like you’ve been left out of group hangouts and the uniquely deep conversations you can have when it’s a room full of people who do what you do, and love sticking their hands in mud like you do - please do consider joining us over inside of The Community. At $27 a month, it’s a much easier financial commitment than the thousand dollars you might need to support a week-long trip for a multi-day conference, not to mention, your membership directly supports the creation of this very podcast!! Win-win! You can learn more (and test it all out with a 2-week free trial) at makersplaybook.com/community.



Full show notes and an archive of all our episodes can be found at: makersplaybook.com/podcast

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If there was a store that was only open for 10 minutes out of the year, would you go to it? Do you think it would even stay in business? What would the business model even look like for such a store? This sounds crazy to describe doesn’t it... Every business advisor out there would tell you that a store needs to be available to people when the people are ready to purchase. Random last minute birthday gifts, mother’s day, of course the lead up to the crazy end of year shopping season. Especially in the US, we are used to stores being available nearly any time we want. And we aren’t even talking about online shopping yet…  But here’s the spoiler: I’m not talking hypothetically. Because, when you do the math, 10 minutes, is about how long there is work available to purchase from Not Work Related’s website over the course of 1 year. Sarah’s incredible design heavy work sells out in less than 2 minutes. And the time intensive nature of her designs mean she and the Not Work Related’s team only do 5 stock drops on her website per year. 5 times 2 equals 10. 10 minutes. If this intro hasn’t hooked you in just yet to sticking with us for part two of my conversation with Sarah Hussaini of Not Work Related, let me just say this: The point of sharing this, and so many other stories here on the Maker’s Playbook podcast is to show you - There is no single right or wrong way to make this crazy dream work. Yes, that means you might have to try and possibly fail at some options before you figure out what works for you. But I hope, most of all, that it means as you listen to Sarah’s story, you will be encouraged to find the solution that works for your life circumstances specifically.

HEADS UP: There is adult language in this episode, so please be aware before deciding to listen without headphones in public spaces or around little ones.

And if you need a little help figuring out what works for you specifically, if this crazy journey of figuring out how to make a living from the things you make feels overwhelming... then consider joining alongside an amazingly supportive group of makers from all over the world inside of our Community. Learn more by clicking here: makersplaybook.com/community
Full show notes and an archive of all our episodes can be found at: makersplaybook.com/podcast

Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast@makers-playbook.com

Building a business as an independent maker can be hard. And when you add on top of that the financial realities of doing it in an urban center… well, it takes a special level of drive, determination, work ethic and grit to make that happen. All of which, I can safely say Sarah Hussaini undoubtedly has. Sarah (owner of Not Work Related) and I connect on a lot business topics. So many, that I couldn’t contain all of the nuggets of hard earned knowledge in one episode. That’s right my friends, settle in because this is only part ONE of my chat with Sarah. Next week, we’ll be coming back for part 2.
A heads up: This episode does contain a bit of adult language. 

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Full show notes and an archive of all our episodes can be found at: makersplaybook.com/podcast

Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast@makers-playbook.com

One of the most surprising things for many makers pursuing self-employment is that the brainstorming, troubleshooting, and all-around scientific method of experimenting, testing, observing, and pivoting never really ends (unfortunately or fortunately, depending on the day). The strategy you had for selling your pots 10 years ago might not work today, and it can feel like you are back at the drawing board, practically starting from scratch all over again. What you decide today, well in 3 years or maybe even 1 year, you might have to change again… But before you feel too hopeless, know that it is possible to grow and shift with the times. Because Katherine Mahoney has been doing just that, across 3 different countries, for the past 40 years. 


BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Do you live in Australia? Or want to jump on a plane?! I’ll be hosting a one-day photography workshop at Sandy Lockwood’s studio in Balmoral on 22 April (and maybe also 23 April, depending on interest!). You can check out more details and reserve your spot here: https://www.sandylockwood.com.au/special-photography-course
Full show notes and an archive of all our episodes can be found at: makersplaybook.com/podcast

Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast@makers-playbook.com

What if there was a way to grow your audience or broaden your reach without hustling on social media? What if you could focus on fostering a handful of really close relationships with people who understood and appreciated your work, and then in turn, spent their own time working to promote that work and get it out to a curated audience of people interested in possibly purchasing that work? Does it sound too good to be true? Well, this week on the podcast, we talk about a possible business model that can do just these things. But it also gets talked down upon a lot in the industry because of what you might have to give up in order to enjoy it… 
Are you going to NCECA?!
I have a fun game in store to help us find each other and meet in person (spoiler: it involves free podcast swag!!). If you are planning on attending this year’s conference, be sure you are on our email list to find out the details, receive free goodies and most importantly, actually meet in person! You can sign up for your email list (and get free photo tips in the process), by visiting makersplaybook.com/newsletter
Full show notes and an archive of all our episodes can be found at: makersplaybook.com/podcast

Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast@makers-playbook.com

My chat this week with Virgil Ortiz is packed with insights. From pragmatic business advice, like protecting your intellectual property, to the less tangible topics of manifestation and trusting that things have a way of working out. The history of clay for the Cochiti people and how Virgil’s work, truly almost accidentally and yet oh so beautifully connects generations of storytellers is nothing less than astonishing.

If you’ve only recently found the podcast and are feeling disappointed that you missed out on our free webinar last week about the 4 Most Common Instagram Photography Mistakes (and how to avoid them), don’t worry! I still send out a free monthly photo tips email. You can start learning quick & easy ways to take better photos, faster (even using your cell phone), by popping your email onto our list at makersplaybook.com/newsletter
Full show notes and an archive of all our episodes can be found at: makersplaybook.com/podcast

Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybook

Have questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast@makers-playbook.com