Making with Purpose

MakerFlo
  • 4.8 (13)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the MakerFlo podcast — where creativity meets community and business gets real. Hosted by MakerFlo.com founders, Marc and John, this monthly show dives into the story behind the brand, from humble Etsy beginnings to building a nationally loved company. Expect raw conversations on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the maker mindset, plus guest appearances from creatives, team members, and industry leaders. Whether you're a small business owner or curious creator, tune in to get inspired and fired up!

  1. Sep 11

    How to Build Loyalty, Keep Customers & Grow Long Term

    Getting a customer to buy once is great. Getting them to come back is how you build a stronger, more profitable business. In this episode of Making with Purpose, John & Marc break down customer retention for makers and small business owners—how to turn a first-time buyer into a repeat customer, build long-term relationships, and increase the lifetime value of every customer you earn. Because customer retention isn’t about convincing someone to buy again. It’s about creating an experience they actually want to come back to. In this episode, John & Marc cover: 🤝 Building relationships instead of one-time transactions⭐ Creating a customer experience people remember📦 How packaging, communication, product quality, and support affect retention💰 Understanding Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Customer Lifetime Value (LTV)🔁 Tracking repeat purchases and customer behavior📈 Why lifetime value can matter more than one individual sale💬 Staying connected with customers after checkout🎓 Using education, community, and helpful content to stay top of mind🎁 Creating natural reasons for customers to return❤️ Turning happy customers into loyal customers—and eventually brand advocates They also break down how branding, marketing, sales, and retention work together: Branding gets you remembered.Marketing gets you discovered.Sales gets you purchased.Retention makes you unforgettable. One of the biggest takeaways from the episode: The first purchase proves someone trusts you. The second purchase proves they believe in you. Whether you sell personalized products online, at craft shows, through social media, or directly to businesses, this episode will help you look beyond the first transaction and start thinking about how to build customers for the long term. 📝 Maker Retention Worksheet: Use the worksheet alongside this episode to evaluate your customer experience, calculate key retention metrics, identify opportunities for improvement, and build your own 30-day customer retention action plan. 🎧 Making with Purpose with John & Marc — presented by MakerFlo. I actually like this version better for Spotify/Apple than simply copying the YouTube description. It keeps your important search terms—customer retention, small business, makers, repeat customers, customer lifetime value, customer experience—but reads like a podcast description rather than a YouTube post. For the episode title, I’d pair it with something like: Customer Retention: How to Turn First-Time Buyers Into Loyal Customers That gives Spotify/Apple a very clear idea of what the episode is about before someone even opens the description.

    How to Build Loyalty, Keep Customers & Grow Long Term

  2. Jul 31

    Sales That Actually Converts: How to Communicate Value and Turn Conversations Into Customers

    Most people think sales is about convincing someone to buy.We don't.In this episode of Making with Purpose, John and Marc share why the best salespeople don't rely on pressure, scripts, or gimmicks—they build trust, solve problems, and create relationships that naturally lead to sales.Whether you sell at craft fairs, online, through social media, or to local businesses, this episode will help you rethink the way you approach sales.In this episode, we discuss:🤝 Why relationships outperform sales tactics💡 How to communicate value instead of competing on price💰 Why customers buy from people they trust🛍️ Selling at craft fairs, online, and face-to-face🎯 Turning first-time buyers into loyal customers🧠 The mindset shifts that make selling feel natural📈 Practical strategies you can start using immediatelyIf you've ever said, "I'm not a salesperson," this episode is for you.Stop trying to convince people to buy—and start becoming someone they want to buy from.Listen now and discover how changing the way you think about sales can change the way you grow your business.#MakingWithPurpose #MakerFlo #SmallBusiness #Sales #Entrepreneur #CraftBusiness #Marketing #BusinessGrowth #CustomerExperience #MakersGonnaMake

    Sales That Actually Converts: How to Communicate Value and Turn Conversations Into Customers

  3. Jun 26

    Marketing for small business, branding, content strategy, and how to attract more customers without feeling salesy

    Most makers think marketing is about selling—but that's exactly where many businesses get stuck. In this episode of Making With Purpose, John and Marc break down what marketing really is, why so many entrepreneurs struggle to generate consistent sales, and the framework successful brands use to build awareness, earn trust, and create demand before customers are ready to buy. Whether you're selling on Etsy, Shopify, at craft fairs, or through social media, this episode will help you rethink your marketing strategy and focus on the activities that actually grow your business. ✅ The difference between branding, marketing, and sales✅ The #1 marketing mistake small businesses make✅ The four pillars of modern marketing in 2026✅ What to post on social media (and why it works)✅ How consistency builds visibility, trust, and long-term sales Marketing isn't about getting everyone's attention.It's about consistently earning the attention of the right people. 📲 Follow John & Marc:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnandmarc/

  4. Jun 5

    How to Brand Your Maker Business So Customers Choose You Every Time

    Direct Message us on MakerFlo’s Instagram or Facebook the word “Branding” to get the worksheet! Most makers build a product before they build a brand, and that's where things go wrong.In this episode of Making With Purpose, John and Marc break down what branding actually means for makers, why it matters more than most people think, and how to build a brand that people remember, trust, and come back to. If you've ever wondered why some businesses stand out and others don't, this is the episode that answers that question.Connect With Us -John & Marc Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/johnandmarc/MakerFlo Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/makerflo_/Our Website -[makerflo.com](http://makerflo.com/)Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/makerfloTikTok -https://www.tiktok.com/@makerflo.comJoin our private Facebook community:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BT4HPCUak/Join us live every day: https://makerflo.com/pages/makerflo-lives

  5. Apr 30

    How You Can Leverage AI In Your E-commerce Business

    Fresh off the Shop Talk e-commerce conference, John and Marc break down everything makers need to know about AI in 2026. The episode covers practical AI applications for inventory forecasting, product design, marketing copy, and customer service, while drawing a clear line between where AI helps and where it can hurt your brand. They also discuss agentic commerce, AI image and video ethics, environmental impact, and the future of AI regulation Timestamps: 00:00:00 Trailer 00:00:48 Welcome and Episode Overview 00:03:49 AI Is Evolving Fast: Get on the Boat 00:06:53 AI for Inventory Forecasting: Predaco 00:10:21 AI for Product Launch Organization 00:13:23 Shop Talk Conference: What We Learned 00:14:19 What Is Agentic Commerce? 00:17:32 Buying Directly Through ChatGPT 00:21:42 What Makers Must Do to Be Found by AI 00:25:05 Website SEO vs. AEO and GEO Optimization 00:28:16 Using AI for Product Design and Ideation 00:37:03 AI for Marketing Copy and Ad Scripts 00:44:47 What AI Should Never Replace in Your Business 00:49:28 AI Images and Video: What's Real vs. Fake 00:55:42 Authenticity vs. AI: Where to Draw the Line 01:00:00 Environmental Impact and AI Regulation 01:05:53 MakerFlo's Mela AI Customer Service Agent 01:10:24 Outro Connect With Us -John & Marc Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/johnandmarc/MakerFlo Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/makerflo_/Our Website -makerflo.comFacebook -https://www.facebook.com/makerfloTikTok -https://www.tiktok.com/@makerflo.comJoin our private Facebook community:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BT4HPCUak/ Join us live every day: https://makerflo.com/pages/makerflo-lives

  6. Apr 16

    As a Maker STOP Chasing Virality And Do This Instead

    John and Marc continue with Brit Shane to tackle one of the most common misconceptions in social media: that going viral is the goal. Brit breaks down why consistency beats virality, how micro-influencers outperform large accounts in conversions, and why reposting winning content is a legitimate and effective strategy for product businesses. Timestamps00:00:00 Trailer00:00:15 Consistency vs. Virality: The Core Question00:01:46 Making a Million With Only 3,300 Followers00:02:22 Why Micro-Influencers Convert Better00:02:42 Virality vs. Consistency: The Gym Analogy00:03:55 Reward Consistency, Not Outcome00:04:22 Going Viral Pulls You Off Brand00:05:10 Allow Yourself to Be Bad at First00:06:05 Post First, Analyze Later00:06:24 Reposting Winning Content as a Strategy00:07:28 Outro Follow Brit Shane:Brit’s Website - Brit ShaneInstagram - Britni Shane (@brit_shane) • Instagram photos and videosTiktok - TikTok - Make Your Day Connect With Us -John & Marc Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/johnandmarc/MakerFlo Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/makerflo_/Our Website -makerflo.comFacebook -https://www.facebook.com/makerfloTikTok -https://www.tiktok.com/@makerflo.comJoin our private Facebook community:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BT4HPCUak/ Join us live every day: https://makerflo.com/pages/makerflo-lives

  7. Apr 9

    How To Make Content That Sells Your Products

    John and Marc continue their conversation with Brit Shane, covering practical content ideas for makers just starting out on social media. The discussion moves into sales funnels, first-party data, affiliate marketing margins, and why getting customers off third-party platforms and onto your own website is critical for long-term business growth. Timestamps:00:00:00 Trailer00:00:16 What Content to Post When Starting Out00:04:13 Show Your Manufacturing and Assembly Process00:07:07 Everything Is Content: Just Start Filming00:10:09 How to Convert Viewers Into Buyers00:13:38 Platform Fees and Protecting Your Margins00:18:26 Building a Long-Term Funnel and Email Strategy00:20:08 OutroFollow Brit Shane:Brit’s Website - https://www.britshane.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brit_shane/?hl=enTiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@houseofbritConnect With Us -John & Marc Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/johnandmarc/MakerFlo Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/makerflo_/Our Website -http://makerflo.com/)Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/makerfloTikTok -https://www.tiktok.com/@makerflo.comJoin our private Facebook community:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BT4HPCUak/Join us live every day: https://makerflo.com/pages/makerflo-lives

  8. Apr 2

    How Can Makers Use Social Media To Get Discovered Online

    John and Marc sit down with Brit Shane, a social media expert with over a decade of experience across Instagram, TikTok, and beyond. The conversation covers platform strategy, content creation, personal branding, paid promotion, content batching, and the tools Brit uses to manage multiple brands. This episode is a practical guide for small business owners looking to turn social media into a real sales channel. Timestamps 00:00:00 Trailer 00:00:19 Guest Introduction: Who Is Brit Shane? 00:03:00 How Social Media Algorithms Have Changed 00:05:10 Instagram vs. TikTok: Branding vs. Conversion 00:08:40 Social Media as a Discovery Engine 00:15:00 Should You Show Your Face on Camera? 00:29:10 Platform Strategy: Where to Start 00:31:40 Optimizing Your Profile and Bio 00:36:00 Pay to Play: When and How to Run Ads 00:43:30 Which Platform to Start With First 00:46:45 Content Batching and Posting Cadence 00:48:00 The Five Content Pillars Framework 00:50:00 Tools: CapCut, Descript, and Repurpose.io 00:58:25 Outro Follow Brit Shane:Brit’s Website - Brit ShaneInstagram - Britni Shane (@brit_shane) • Instagram photos and videosTiktok - TikTok - Make Your Day Connect With Us -John & Marc Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/johnandmarc/MakerFlo Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/makerflo_/Our Website -makerflo.comFacebook -https://www.facebook.com/makerfloTikTok -https://www.tiktok.com/@makerflo.comJoin our private Facebook community:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BT4HPCUak/ Join us live every day: https://makerflo.com/pages/makerflo-lives

See All (22)

4.8
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Welcome to the MakerFlo podcast — where creativity meets community and business gets real. Hosted by MakerFlo.com founders, Marc and John, this monthly show dives into the story behind the brand, from humble Etsy beginnings to building a nationally loved company. Expect raw conversations on entrepreneurship, innovation, and the maker mindset, plus guest appearances from creatives, team members, and industry leaders. Whether you're a small business owner or curious creator, tune in to get inspired and fired up!

Information

  • Creator
    MakerFlo
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © MakerFlo
  • Show Website
    Making with Purpose

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