Inner Child, Play, and Sold-Out Workshops with Susan Schwager (Sydney)

In this episode of the Crafty Mariana Podcast, Mariana sits down with Susan Schwager, the Sydney-based creator behind heart-led inner child workshops that blend craft, connection, and gentle facilitation. After a life-shaking accident in 2023, a family trip to Lapland and Disneyland reawakened Susan’s sense of wonder. Back home, she bottled that feeling into intimate women’s workshops that now sell out and spark real friendships.

Susan shares exactly how she ran her first trial at home, pitched her first venue, priced those early tickets, and kept momentum going with simple Instagram boosts and comment-triggered DMs. We dig into the experience design that makes her events feel safe and special — a short inner child meditation, permission-forward facilitation, journaling or foam-board collage with nostalgic stickers and a closing share that helps strangers feel seen. She also opens up about rest, feedback loops, space holding, and the venue evolution from cafe to bookshop to a small white-box gallery that fits her brand and the work.

Whether you’re early in your journey or exploring how to bring more soul into creative experiences, you’ll love Susan’s clarity, courage, and practical steps.

What We Cover in This Episode

✎ The Disney parade moment that sparked Susan’s mission to honor the inner child
✎ First steps that worked: 5-venue outreach, Eventbrite listing, pricing the very first tickets
✎ Experience design: opening story, short meditation, full permission to play, and a closing share
✎ The craft formats: joy journals or foam core boards with stickers, trinkets, and hot glue
✎ Safety and space holding: why one man with a camera changed her ops approach
✎ The perfectionist sticker problem and how permission dissolves creative fear
✎ Marketing that’s enough: small Instagram boosts, “comment a word” CTAs, 3-week promo cycles
✎ Venues that match the vibe: cafe to bookshop to a small gallery that photographs clean
✎ Fashion crossover: a 21-day dress-up challenge to practice being seen
✎ Retreat vision: partnering with an inner child healer for a 2-night play and healing format
✎ Lessons learned: rest, feedback, icebreakers, and getting comfortable being uncomfortable
✎ CWA takeaways: pricing spreadsheets, costs per head, and the confidence to pitch venues

Connect with Susan

✎ Instagram: @susan.schwager
✎ Workshops and tickets: [view here]

Resources for Your Workshop Business

📌 Free Guide: How to Start Your Own Workshop Business
📌 Free Spreadsheet: Figure Out Your Numbers!

Stay Connected with Mariana

🌎 Website: craftymariana.com
📷 Instagram: @craftymariana
🎨 Facebook Community: Crafting Workshops Community
📩 Exclusive content, resources, and deals: craftymariana.com/newsletter

Let’s Make This Interactive!

Have questions or topics you want covered in future episodes? DM me on Instagram or email hello@craftymariana.com