Welcome to National Bakers Crafters Maker's Day and a very special
Speaker:episode number 406 of Gift Biz Unwrapped Attention Gifters Bakers crafters
Speaker:and Bakers.
Speaker:Pursuing your dream can be fun.
Speaker:Whether you have an established business or looking to start one
Speaker:now you are in the right place.
Speaker:This is Gift Biz Unwrapped,
Speaker:helping you turn your skill into a flourishing business.
Speaker:Join us for an episode packed full of invaluable guidance,
Speaker:resources, and the support you need to grow your gift biz.
Speaker:Here is your host Gift Biz gal Sue Moon height.
Speaker:Today's the day January 21st,
Speaker:national Bakers Crafters,
Speaker:maker's Day a time to recognize,
Speaker:uplift and celebrate you.
Speaker:It's been three years since I established this official National Day.
Speaker:Each year we do something a little bit different to celebrate.
Speaker:Perhaps you've been part of our prior celebrations or this is
Speaker:your first one.
Speaker:Either way,
Speaker:I'm thrilled you're joining us and I wanna tell you about
Speaker:everything that's available to you in relation to the special day
Speaker:of Honoring You.
Speaker:My last tips and talk episode,
Speaker:which was number 98,
Speaker:gives you seven ways you can acknowledge and shine the light
Speaker:on yourself and other makers.
Speaker:Paying it forward in doing something nice for others always makes
Speaker:me feel so good.
Speaker:You too.
Speaker:If you're in the spirit today,
Speaker:listen to that show and do one of the things that
Speaker:I mentioned there.
Speaker:I'll make sure to add a link in the show notes,
Speaker:but it's also just one show back on your podcast app.
Speaker:Ps. These are things you can do year round,
Speaker:but it's particularly nice today to celebrate this year 2023,
Speaker:I have a number of non-business resources available to you.
Speaker:Also, a free gift and a wonderful look into the minds
Speaker:of other makers,
Speaker:those who are just like you.
Speaker:More on that later.
Speaker:First, let's talk about these resources.
Speaker:You can find them over@giftbizunwrapped.com
Speaker:slash handmade heals the world.
Speaker:Why Handmade Heals the world?
Speaker:Because this is what you provide through your handmade products and
Speaker:why I love you so much.
Speaker:Your creations bring beauty,
Speaker:evoke positive emotions,
Speaker:present, individuality,
Speaker:and overall make our world a better place.
Speaker:Each of you in your own way,
Speaker:you also have courage because you put yourself out there in
Speaker:a very vulnerable way.
Speaker:You're not just gifting or selling something you purchased elsewhere.
Speaker:Your creations come from your heart.
Speaker:You created a tangible item with intention and care and passion.
Speaker:I'll go so far as to say that this is infused
Speaker:spiritually into your creations and can't be reproduced by anybody else.
Speaker:Only you can make as you do that's powerful.
Speaker:National Baker's Crafters Maker's Day recognizes all crafters of the world,
Speaker:whether it's a hobby or you've turned it into a business.
Speaker:I see and appreciate you.
Speaker:If you jump over to the page I mentioned a second
Speaker:ago, gift biz unwrapped.com/handmade
Speaker:heals the world.
Speaker:Here's what you'll find first,
Speaker:because this day is meant to rejuvenate you and refresh your
Speaker:mind, body and soul.
Speaker:There are six mini classes you can watch that address the
Speaker:idea of personal fulfillment.
Speaker:These are feel good classes that are free.
Speaker:Don't require an email login or anything from me and my
Speaker:amazing class leaders to you See a class on crafting kindness
Speaker:through yoga.
Speaker:Get a beginner lesson on salsa moves.
Speaker:It's okay.
Speaker:Nobody else can see you,
Speaker:and I promise it's a lot of fun.
Speaker:Jump into some meditation and breathwork.
Speaker:See a perfect pie crust demonstration along with access to a
Speaker:great pie recipe.
Speaker:Learn some new wrapping techniques to make your gifts stand out
Speaker:and discover a very creative and empowering journaling technique.
Speaker:This one is really something.
Speaker:All of these classes were done live last National Baker's Crafters
Speaker:Maker's Day and are ready and waiting for your learning and
Speaker:enjoyment right now.
Speaker:If you scroll down below the classes,
Speaker:you'll see a section called Handmade Product Memories.
Speaker:This is an area intended for you to reflect back on
Speaker:your own life and remember a special time where a handmade
Speaker:product touched you in a deep way.
Speaker:Maybe it's a childhood doll you cherished and you can recall
Speaker:every stitch on her dress and the rosy shade of her
Speaker:cheeks. You know her so well and love her even today.
Speaker:Maybe you still even have her tucked away somewhere,
Speaker:or perhaps your heart fills with warmth as you reminisce about
Speaker:making cookies with your grandmother conjuring up these memories brings you
Speaker:right back to that wonderful place in time,
Speaker:sitting quietly and remembering tender moments like these.
Speaker:Does your soul so much good?
Speaker:You can read what others recall from their past,
Speaker:and if you like,
Speaker:send me yours and I'll include it on the page as
Speaker:well. There are directions on how you can do that right
Speaker:in that section.
Speaker:You also have an opportunity to join our community of makers
Speaker:in our Facebook group called Gift Biz Breeze.
Speaker:Maybe you're already a member there so you know the goodness
Speaker:that we provide each other.
Speaker:If not,
Speaker:here's your invitation to join in with thousands of other makers
Speaker:in a supportive,
Speaker:energizing and safe space of makers.
Speaker:And don't forget to grab your free gift from me to
Speaker:you. I'm gonna leave you in suspense as to what it
Speaker:is, but you'll find it right at the bottom of the
Speaker:page, all again@giftbizunwrapped.com
Speaker:slash handmade heals the world.
Speaker:So this was the first part of what's available for National
Speaker:Baker's Crafters Maker's Day.
Speaker:Now I have something extra special for you that's an added
Speaker:element for this year.
Speaker:It's the cherry on top of your imaginary cupcake.
Speaker:My cupcake,
Speaker:by the way,
Speaker:is Yellowcake with vanilla buttercream frosting,
Speaker:a few sprinkles and instead of a cherry,
Speaker:I'll take a sparkler candle glowing and crackling bright.
Speaker:Since we can't all be together,
Speaker:imagine what your favorite cupcake would be and settle in.
Speaker:As I share what comes next.
Speaker:I came up with the idea of putting to words what's
Speaker:in the hearts and minds of your fellow makers.
Speaker:Towards that end,
Speaker:I reached out to 25 makers with two questions Since Gift
Speaker:Biz Unwraps overall purpose is to assist you in starting and
Speaker:growing a business.
Speaker:The questions fall in line with that.
Speaker:I chose a variety of people who make all sorts of
Speaker:handmade products.
Speaker:They consist of coaching clients and members of Gift Biz Breeze,
Speaker:and some from my list of past podcast guests.
Speaker:I asked for a 24 hour turnaround.
Speaker:I already know Makers are generous and helpful,
Speaker:but I wasn't expecting so many people to respond,
Speaker:so thank you to my crew who answered these questions.
Speaker:Just one more reason.
Speaker:I love Gifters Bakers Crafters and Makers.
Speaker:You can see the details of all the people who responded
Speaker:along with links to their businesses.
Speaker:Over on the show notes page to this podcast,
Speaker:here are the questions I asked.
Speaker:Number one,
Speaker:what is it about your business that you love so much?
Speaker:And number two,
Speaker:what value does your product provide to your customers?
Speaker:How does it impact their life?
Speaker:The responses easily fit into categories that I'll share with you.
Speaker:Now, I think you'll find yourself in these responses too,
Speaker:but let's see.
Speaker:I'm gonna be silent for a quick minute and let you
Speaker:think about how you'd answer these questions.
Speaker:Here they are again.
Speaker:Question number one.
Speaker:What is it about your business that you love so much?
Speaker:And number two,
Speaker:what value does your product provide to your customers?
Speaker:How does it impact their life?
Speaker:As I share with you the answers I received,
Speaker:I bet they'll blend in or directly match yours.
Speaker:I want you to see through this demonstration,
Speaker:what an amazing group you're part of.
Speaker:When you call yourself a maker,
Speaker:I think we often minimize our value because we are the
Speaker:one making our products.
Speaker:When in truth,
Speaker:you should do the opposite.
Speaker:Stand proud and confident when talking about your hobby or handmade
Speaker:small business and the items you make.
Speaker:What I know to be true and what clearly comes through
Speaker:in the answers I received is the huge heart of Maker
Speaker:has you'll hear a continual thread of caring,
Speaker:wanting to help others.
Speaker:And as the theme of this day summarizes how handmade makers
Speaker:heal the world,
Speaker:let's get to the answers of what you love about your
Speaker:business. As I reviewed them,
Speaker:they broke down easily into four categories that I've titled,
Speaker:positive Feedback,
Speaker:quality of Life,
Speaker:social Interactions,
Speaker:and Personal Dedications.
Speaker:The word joy came up over and over again,
Speaker:how through your business activities,
Speaker:you feel rewarded with joy.
Speaker:Knowing a piece that you made will be used and cherished
Speaker:forever by its recipient.
Speaker:And seeing spontaneous reactions of excitement and joy when someone sees
Speaker:or receives your products.
Speaker:Joy, joy,
Speaker:joy, and other versions of the same theme,
Speaker:like Rosemary saying that seeing the reactions on customer's faces makes
Speaker:her so happy.
Speaker:And Sue referencing the smiles and the pleasure she feels When
Speaker:a customer's pleased with the whole experience of selecting and now
Speaker:owning their very special new items.
Speaker:Some of you also get great personal reward in teaching the
Speaker:skills behind your handmade products,
Speaker:sharing your knowledge forward for others' benefit,
Speaker:either they can make as a hobby and get the satisfaction
Speaker:of creation,
Speaker:or take it even a step further,
Speaker:like starting a business.
Speaker:I love hearing how rewarding your business is on a personal
Speaker:level. It's about so much more than money,
Speaker:isn't it?
Speaker:I also pulled from these responses how your quality of life
Speaker:is so much better because of your handmade business.
Speaker:Cindy says that what she does never feels like work.
Speaker:Sherry talks about the freedom of choice that her business provides,
Speaker:and there are multiple comments about the pleasure you receive,
Speaker:being able to tap into your creativity on a regular basis,
Speaker:and how wonderful it is that it's your job.
Speaker:Nawa expands on this referencing the flexibility it offers her so
Speaker:she can bring her son to basketball practice or other important
Speaker:midday activities she might have missed otherwise.
Speaker:Another wonderful thing mentioned about a handmade product business is the
Speaker:personal social side.
Speaker:And no,
Speaker:I'm not talking about social media.
Speaker:Sharon loves interacting with customers at craft shows.
Speaker:Sharita finds personal reward in the connection she makes,
Speaker:and Cassie says that many of her customers become friends.
Speaker:These relationships may even turn into so much more beyond business
Speaker:and their connections you would never have had the opportunity to
Speaker:make otherwise.
Speaker:Finally, I love hearing about businesses that are inspired and honor
Speaker:family. Arlene's business was created in remembrance of a loved one,
Speaker:and Sarita's company was inspired by a long ago relative she
Speaker:never met,
Speaker:but whose legacy drifted down the generations.
Speaker:These are rich links that bring such meaning to all who
Speaker:know about them.
Speaker:I don't know if any of us recognize when we start
Speaker:our business what's in store for us.
Speaker:All these indirect benefits that come to us over and above
Speaker:the financial rewards richness,
Speaker:through the bursts of happiness I just described,
Speaker:and connections that go on to form meaningful relationships that enrich
Speaker:our lives possibly forever.
Speaker:Now, when it comes to the second question,
Speaker:what does your product provide?
Speaker:I can also break this down into categories three to be
Speaker:exact, those being,
Speaker:providing a feeling or emotion,
Speaker:quality of life,
Speaker:just like with the first question and the significance of unique,
Speaker:one of a kind creations in terms of providing something that
Speaker:brings positivity.
Speaker:Kim talks about the peace of mind and pride her customers
Speaker:have when ordering wedding cakes,
Speaker:and that continues all the way through when the cake is
Speaker:presented to the guests on a very significant day in their
Speaker:lives. Sharon talks about how her pieces provide a sense of
Speaker:peace to help her customers resolve a problem or heal a
Speaker:physical, mental,
Speaker:spiritual, or emotional challenge.
Speaker:And Wendy loves that.
Speaker:Our soaps give people a daily feel-good moment.
Speaker:This idea of providing a positive moment in the life of
Speaker:the recipient of your items is also mentioned by Cindy when
Speaker:she says her crocheted items provide warmth and comfort to our
Speaker:customers and those they love if it's a gift and it
Speaker:can get even deeper.
Speaker:Like the story behind Stephanie's art when she says,
Speaker:my artwork is the language I use to remind people that
Speaker:hope is real.
Speaker:Often I hear from clients that my paintings continue to encourage
Speaker:them throughout the years,
Speaker:so I say to you,
Speaker:please don't diminish the enhancement your products make to your customer's
Speaker:quality of life in all sorts of areas.
Speaker:Cassie provides mixes so busy.
Speaker:Parents can easily put healthy meals on the table without losing
Speaker:their sanity.
Speaker:Sophie's dramatic but lightweight.
Speaker:Quilled earrings allow women to make a fashion statement in comfort
Speaker:and style.
Speaker:The purchasing of your handmade products intended for someone else brings
Speaker:with it an ease of allowing the giver to show others
Speaker:that they're being thought of and appreciated through a gift.
Speaker:Sheila brings this up and I know she's an expert at
Speaker:it, providing an avenue for others to touch someone in a
Speaker:meaningful way through a special gift,
Speaker:which brings us to the final category of how your products
Speaker:affect customers.
Speaker:That category is the uniqueness and the value your items have
Speaker:by nature of being handmade.
Speaker:I love Molly's choice of words with her leather goods.
Speaker:She says her customers appreciate being a tick different from the
Speaker:rest of the herd.
Speaker:And Sue explains how her essential and functional accessories that are
Speaker:individually created with upcycled materials mind you appeal on a very
Speaker:personal level as the owner of several of her pieces.
Speaker:I can attest to that.
Speaker:And when you provide a consumable product like Annette does,
Speaker:she's rewarded by knowing her delicious candy brings people together and
Speaker:provides a little happiness.
Speaker:Whether it's a celebration of a special moment to cheer someone
Speaker:up or even a treat for themselves,
Speaker:Annette's right.
Speaker:These moments of happiness are what handmade is all about.
Speaker:Now, you've heard from many of your fellow handmade product makers,
Speaker:people like you are passionate about their craft and pour their
Speaker:hearts into creating.
Speaker:You are amazing for sharing your skills with us through what
Speaker:you make.
Speaker:They bring us beauty,
Speaker:our signs of love and caring,
Speaker:provide enrichment to you and those who use your products,
Speaker:and they bring us all so much joy.
Speaker:I'll end with Anita's input into my questions.
Speaker:She says,
Speaker:life is so much better,
Speaker:all because of a simple spark of creativity that fuels a
Speaker:fire of happiness.
Speaker:I couldn't have said it any better.
Speaker:I lift my glass in recognition and honor review Happy National
Speaker:Baker's Crafters Maker's Day.
Speaker:I wanna make sure you're familiar with my free Facebook group
Speaker:called Gift Miss Breeze.
Speaker:It's a place where we all gather and are our community
Speaker:to support each other.
Speaker:I got a really fun post in there that's my favorite
Speaker:of the week,
Speaker:I have to say,
Speaker:where I invite all of you to share what you're doing
Speaker:to show pictures of your product,
Speaker:to show what you're working on for the week,
Speaker:to get reaction from other people.
Speaker:And just for fun,
Speaker:because we all get to see the wonderful products that everybody
Speaker:in the community is making.
Speaker:My favorite post every single week without doubt.
Speaker:Wait, what?
Speaker:Aren't you part of the group already?
Speaker:If not,
Speaker:make sure to jump over to Facebook and search for the
Speaker:group Gift Biz breeze.
Speaker:Don't delay.