Business of Craft Leanne Pressly, CEO Stitchcraft Marketing

Today our guest is Nicole Moore, of Sew Much Moore and Creative Day Job. It wasn't until Nicole left her full-time corporate job in 2013 that she delved into "serious sewing." From craft shows to Etsy, boutique shops, and Amazon Handmade, and a viral YouTube channel, Nicole's first business Sew Much Moore, flourished. While growing Sew Much Moore Nicole learned to leverage technology, conquer overwhelm, and foster a robust online community. Recognizing those same aspirations in countless other talented women, she founded the Creative Day Job—a platform devoted to empowering creative women on the path to transforming their hobbies into lucrative businesses.

Karley Cunningham has been diving into the worlds of business development, branding, and design for over two decades. As the Creative Strategist & Growth Accelerator at her company, Big, Bold Brand, Karley brings her big thinking and innovative problem-solving to the table. She’s also a sought-after speaker and mentor, sharing her wisdom with national and international business organizations. Today we're chatting about differentiating your brand. 
 

Today our guest is Richard Parker, the President of Diomo Corporation, who has dedicated his career to advising and mentoring people who want to buy or sell a business. He has purchased and sold 13 of his own companies and understands firsthand the emotional journey that buyers and sellers experience. This is a very relevant topic in the craft industry as many of the businesses are independent and/or family owned. As owners age and are looking toward retirement, there is often a question of how to position the business for sale, or where to even find a buyer? On the flipside, for buyers, who often come to the industry as hobbyists and enthusiasts first, how should they assess a business for purchase? 

Today our guest is Pamela Slim, celebrated author and small business expert who has dedicated decades to shaping and enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem.  She is a co-founder of the KEH community lab in Mesa, Arizona, alongside her husband, Darryl. This innovative hub serves as a grassroots, community-based think tank dedicated to accelerating small business growth. Pam's insights and expertise frequently grace the pages of esteemed publications, including The New York Times, Forbes, and BusinessWeek. She has written several books including "Escape from Cubicle Nation," which was recognized as the Best Small Business and Entrepreneur book in 2009 and her follow up, Body of Work. Her latest book, "The Widest Net," helps you grow your business by connecting with customers outside your usual field of view.

Today we have John Li, the startup and co- founder of PickFu.com who believes in the transformative power of consumer insights to drive business success. Recognizing that better insights lead to better decisions, John advocates for frequent and in-depth market research. With experience spanning from tech giants like Microsoft to bootstrapped startups, he's witnessed the exponential benefits of well-executed market research and the pitfalls of ignoring consumer voices. 
 

Today, our guest is Adrian Koehler, and we're jumping into leadership and how to use emotions in leadership to lead fearlessly. Adrian works with coaching leadership engagement and is senior partner at the executive coaching powerhouse, Take New Ground. They’ve worked with companies such as Lululemon, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream (which we LOVE at Stitchcraft Marketing) and Nike. Adrian has carved a niche in coaching executives and entrepreneurs alike. His goal is always to empower these leaders to bring out the best in themselves, rally their teams, and serve their clients in ways that not only break new ground but also infuse a deep sense of fulfillment in their professional lives.