Krista's Five Year Journey from Maker to Teacher and Shop Owner

Krista Russell went from her first sewing machine to running a long-arm quilting business, writing patterns, teaching classes, and operating a quilt shop—all in five years. She's the kind of person who sees an opportunity and figures it out. But building that fast creates a specific problem: you keep moving without designing. That's where accountability changed everything.In this episode, Krista shares how the Workshops Unleashed book club kept her moving forward during a massive life transition (literally moving provinces mid-move), why deadlines matter more than inspiration for action-takers, and how she went from intimidated by curriculum design to launching evergreen mystery quilt series.If you're juggling multiple income streams, building quickly, or wondering how to scale intentionally instead of just reacting, this episode is for you.Show Note Blog Post for Krista's Five Year JourneyConnect with Krista:Visit her WebsiteFollow her on FacebookJoin the Book Club:Buy the book Workshops UnleashedJoin the Book ClubChapters00:00 Introduction to Krista's Quilting Journey03:06 From Hobby to Business: The Evolution of Krista's Quilting06:02 Building a Community: The Importance of Local Connections08:46 Joining the Book Club: A Step Towards Growth11:59 Taking Action: The Impact of the Book Club on Krista's Business14:55 Designing Workshops: Overcoming Challenges in Teaching18:08 Creating a Curriculum: Tailoring Classes to Community Needs21:07 Future Plans: Expanding Online and In-Person Offerings24:25 The Journey of Teaching and Learning27:32 Crafting Effective Teaching Strategies30:00 The Importance of Student Perspective31:56 Transitioning from Learner to Teacher34:49 Marketing and Growing a Quilting Business40:00 Navigating Challenges in Business Development47:09 Future Projects and InnovationsResources & ProgramsLearn more: heytori.techDigital Marketing Magic Coaching Program — For creative entrepreneurs building a real lead and launch strategy. Whether you're just starting or scaling what's working, we work through strategy together.Self-Publishing Incubator — An 18-month guided program for craft and fiber arts authors. We handle the publishing side while you focus on writing and platform building.Workshops Unleashed — My book on turning your expertise into live events. Available wherever books are sold.Blog — Monthly breakdown of what's new in social media for creative businesses at heytori.tech/blog