#57 - Maaike van Geijn's Rocket Launch: insights from a successful beginning knitwear designer

Send us Fan MailIn this podcast episode upcoming knitwear designer Maaike van Geijn, shares her ideas, processes, hiccups, and successes as a designer like how her first three designs were immediately published by Laine Magazine, Kate Davies and la Bien Aimée. We’re discussing topics such as her daily routine, submitting patterns to magazines, designing for multiple sizes, pattern writing, and the importance of testing. She also talks about the impact of working with a publisher and her plans for the future. The unique perspective of a beginner designer and some valuable insights and advice for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the needle craft industry, an episode jam-packed with answers to questions you’ve had for ages.FULL SHOWNOTEShttps://www.asmallerlife.com/blogs/podcast/57 BEST QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE"It all starts with yarn for me, the texture and the colours of the yarn. Then I start sketching and trying out ideas. All my designs came from swatching. It's like sketching, a slow process."Maaike van Geijn, knitwear designer" If you have to make only one decision as an upcoming business... collect people that are interested in your work and direct them to a space that is yours, like a website or an email list, you want to connect with them directly. And once you have a new pattern or product, send it to your friends so they can buy it with one click of the button. .”Saskia de Feijter, small business mentorLINKS FROM THE EPISODEAnything that comes up in the conversation, other businesses, blogposts, episodesMaaike’s three published patterns:Kate Davies' project "My Place" - 00:16:09Laine’s "52 Weeks of Easy Knits" - 00:17:09Neons & Neutrals: A Knitwear Collection Curated by Aimée Gille of La Bien AiméeMaaike’s designs on RavelryMore links in the full show-notes https://www.asmallerlife.com/blogs/podcast/57.CONNECT WITH MAAIKEInstagram @BreielaarMaaike van Geijn on RavelryCONNECT WITH SASKIA @ A SMALLER LIFE + JA, WOLwebsitewww.asmallerlife.comcommunityhttps://[email protected] TO A SMALLER LIFEhttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/61487b3b337f1c2aacf521c2Support the show☆ other ways to SUPPORT THE SHOW ☆If you appreciate the free content and the work we put into this podcast, consider showing your support in a way that feels right to you. This could be by sharing episodes with friends, signing up for our newsletter, or making a small monthly contribution by clicking the Support the Show link. Your support keeps the podcast going and aligns with the values we share. Thank you for being a part of this movement!☞ GET MAIL ☜☆ SIGN UP HERE! ☆☞ FIND OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY SPACE ☜☆JOIN THE CONVERSATION☆Have a question? Want to offer your opinion? Do you have an idea for a guest or topic? [email protected] or leave me a voice message!