The Thriving Maker

Sarah Kavanagh
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  • CRAFTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

If you're a craftsperson or maker and looking to sell your craft then this is for you! This podcast will help guide you to creating a joyful and thriving business for your craft.The Thriving Maker podcast is hosted by me,  Sarah Kavanagh, with over 15 years experience as a fine jewellery maker and designer, entrepreneur and educator. Tune in to each weekly episode to get business tips and strategies for handmade businesses along with insights and inspirations for growing a joyful and thriving  business and a life you love.

  1. 02/18/2025

    Why Your Handmade Business Needs Its Own Website

    Worried your creations are getting lost in the noise of social media and marketplaces? There's a better way to showcase your talent… In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why having your own digital home (i.e. your own website) is crucial for your handmade business – even if you're just starting out. We'll explore why relying solely on social media or marketplaces might be holding you back, and how a simple website can become your most powerful tool for showcasing your work, connecting with customers, and building a sustainable creative business. I'll share practical insights on choosing between platforms like Shopify and Squarespace, depending on where you are in your journey, and show you how to start small but mighty with just the essential pages you need. No tech overwhelm, no complicated systems – just clear guidance on creating an online presence that feels authentic to you and your craft. Whether you're currently selling on Etsy or just beginning to share your work with the world, this episode will give you the confidence to take that next step in establishing your creative legacy online. It's time to stop hiding your talent and start building a digital home where your creativity can truly shine. Thanks for listening, please follow the podcast if you enjoyed this episode and share with a friend. Shop the Year To Thrive Planner: ➡ Year To Thrive Planner 2025 Connect with Sarah: ➡ ONLINE | https://thrivingmaker.com ➡ INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/thrivingmaker

    10 min

  2. 02/11/2025

    Stability v's Creativity - Why Have Multiple Revenue Streams for Your Craft Business

    Want to turn your creative passion into profit? Discover how mixing income sources can fund your craft business journey - starting with just a few hours a week! If you're a creative soul juggling your passion with life's responsibilities this episode is for you.  Discover how to build multiple income streams without sacrificing stability or rushing your creative journey. Learn practical strategies to grow your handmade business at your own pace, including how to maximise just 2-4 hours a week for meaningful progress. Whether you're transitioning from a day job or adding new income streams to your existing craft business, this episode provides a realistic roadmap for craftspeople and creative entrepreneurs who believe it's their time to shine. No more worrying about whether you're 'moving too slowly' or that 'it's too late to start something new' - this is your call to grow authentically while honouring your  commitments. Thanks for listening, please follow the podcast if you enjoyed this episode and share with a friend. Shop the Year To Thrive Planner: ➡ Year To Thrive Planner 2025 Connect with Sarah: ➡ ONLINE | https://thrivingmaker.com ➡ INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/thrivingmaker

    15 min

  3. 01/21/2025

    Finding The Perfect Place To Sell Your Work

    This episode focuses on where and how you as a maker and crafter can find the perfect place to sell your work by aligning your selling approaches with your personality and strengths. I share the story of my own journey of selling and how this has evolved. I share practical insights into various selling options, recognising the importance of authenticity in sales, and listening to your own wisdom and inner personality when it comes to choosing where to sell.  We'll uncover strategies to align your unique style with the perfect sales environment, whether it's busy craft fairs, galleries, or the expansive reach of online platforms such as your own website . Thanks for listening, please follow the podcast if you enjoyed this episode and share with a friend. Shop the Year To Thrive Planner: ➡ Year To Thrive Planner 2025 Connect with Sarah: ➡ ONLINE | https://thrivingmaker.com ➡ INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/thrivingmaker

    12 min

  4. 01/14/2025

    Choose Your Future & Achieve Your Goals in 2025

    This episode centres around the art and importance of goal setting for your creative business, emphasising reflection on past achievements and understanding your future aspirations.  Setting goals isn’t just for the start of the year. It's a flexible process that evolves with life's shifts and turns. Whether you’re planning for the coming year or the coming weeks, this episode offers a treasure trove of strategies and encouragement to transform your creative passion into a thriving business. Crafting a roadmap that supports the lifestyle you desire and empowers you to take proactive steps towards growth and transformation. • Reflecting on past accomplishments to inform future goals • Envisioning success for the coming year • The significance of decision-making in shaping outcomes • Working backwards to create achievable milestones • The need for writing down and sharing goals • Taking consistent action as a pathway to success • Invitation to engage with a creative business growth quiz Thanks for listening, please follow the podcast if you enjoyed this episode and share with a friend. Shop the Year To Thrive Planner: ➡ Year To Thrive Planner 2025 Connect with Sarah: ➡ ONLINE | https://thrivingmaker.com ➡ INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/thrivingmaker

    16 min

  5. 12/05/2024

    Time Management Magic: Navigating the Holiday Season Without Overwhelm

    The holiday season can sometimes  feel like a whirlwind for makers and small business owners. In this essential episode of the Thriving Maker podcast, I share my expert strategies for managing time, balancing business and personal commitments, and avoiding burnout during the festive period.  Learn how to strategically plan your schedule, use time-blocking techniques, set non-negotiable priorities, and most importantly—master the art of saying "no" to preserve your energy and joy.  I'm offering up practical advice to help you sail through the holidays with calmness and satisfaction, ensuring you enter 2025 feeling renewed and excited, not exhausted. Whether you're a craft business owner, artisan, or creative entrepreneur, this episode offers actionable insights to help you thrive during the busiest time of the year. Thanks for listening, please follow the podcast if you enjoyed this episode and share with a friend. Shop the Year To Thrive Planner: ➡ Year To Thrive Planner 2025 Connect with Sarah: ➡ ONLINE | https://thrivingmaker.com ➡ INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/thrivingmaker

    12 min

  6. 11/21/2024

    Black Friday Alternatives For Makers - Celebrate Your Creativity and Uniqueness Rather Than Discounting

    As a small creative business the holiday season can be the time you make most of your sales - but how do you compete with large retailers offering all sorts of Black Friday discounts. Instead celebrate your creativity, unique designs, your skills and personal touch and look for alternative Christmas shopping events such as Colour Friday the campaign run by Holly Tucker MBE of Holly & Co to celebrate brilliant small  businesses and bring joy to meaningful gift giving and uplift the thousands of  female led small business this holiday season.    You can follow follow Holly Tucker @HollyTucker and the hashtag #ColourFriday Thanks for listening, please follow the podcast if you enjoyed this episode and share with a friend. Shop the Year To Thrive Planner: ➡ Year To Thrive Planner 2025 Connect with Sarah: ➡ ONLINE | https://thrivingmaker.com ➡ INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/thrivingmaker

    9 min

  7. 10/31/2024

    The Key Decisions To Know When Starting Your Website

    If you're ready to take your handmade business online with it's own website then there's some key decisions you need to make.  Don't let not knowing where to start hold you back.  This episode of The Thriving Maker podcast will help you make those key decisions  such as: What do you actually want your website to do?  What platform is best for your business?  What do you need to include and where do you even start? Join me as I share insights on nailing down the essentials to create a beautiful and results driven website for your business. Having a website for your business is a rolling project and  one that you'll never really finish, evolving and growing alongside your business. So whether you're starting from scratch or reviewing an existing site, this episode is packed with tips to help your handmade business thrive online. Links mentioned in this episode: ➡ *Shopify - Free trial available,  E-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems.  ➡ Squarespace -  All-in-one: content management system, with website builder, blogging platform, hosting service, e-commerce platform, and domain name registrar. *some of these are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after your free trail  after clicking these links, I could earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the channel!  Thanks for listening, please follow the podcast if you enjoyed this episode and share with a friend. Shop the Year To Thrive Planner: ➡ Year To Thrive Planner 2025 Connect with Sarah: ➡ ONLINE | https://thrivingmaker.com ➡ INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/thrivingmaker

    17 min

  8. 10/22/2024

    Exceptional Customer Experience and Building Customer Loyalty

    What if every element of your handmade business, from customer communication to the unboxing experience, could set you apart from others? That's what exceptional customer service does! Join me as I guide you through practical strategies designed to elevate your customer service  especially during peak selling seasons like Christmas and the holiday season. From using personal touches to crafting a memorable unpacking moment, every detail matters to create joy and satisfaction  every step of the customer journey. I share unique insights on how crafters and makers can leverage their natural attention to detail and creativity to stand out in a crowded market.  Thanks for listening, please follow the podcast if you enjoyed this episode and share with a friend. Shop the Year To Thrive Planner: ➡ Year To Thrive Planner 2025 Connect with Sarah: ➡ ONLINE | https://thrivingmaker.com ➡ INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/thrivingmaker

    15 min
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About

If you're a craftsperson or maker and looking to sell your craft then this is for you! This podcast will help guide you to creating a joyful and thriving business for your craft.The Thriving Maker podcast is hosted by me,  Sarah Kavanagh, with over 15 years experience as a fine jewellery maker and designer, entrepreneur and educator. Tune in to each weekly episode to get business tips and strategies for handmade businesses along with insights and inspirations for growing a joyful and thriving  business and a life you love.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Kavanagh
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Thriving Maker
  • Show Website
    The Thriving Maker