PODCAST · business
The Create & Thrive Podcast
by Jess Van Den
Learn how to turn your creative hobby into a thriving business with Jess Van Den
Episodes
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I’m Retiring.
It’s time for a change. Since I started my handmade business, Epheriell, in 2008, the world has changed so much. I have changed so much. In 2008 I was a 27 year old tuition centre manager, living with my English boyfriend in the Brisbane suburbs, and I started making jewellery in my spare time to...
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How the end of the de minimus tariff exemption will affect your business.
As of August 29th, 2025, the de minimus tariff exemption ends for EVERYONE. This will affect both product-based businesses shipping TO the US, and product-based business IN the US who buy materials from outside of the country. And that’s not even the worst part – because your customers might end…
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Are you doing the WRONG marketing?
There are 2 business models you might be using for your handmade business. 1. You make products that people want to come back for over and over again. 2. You make products that people will most likely only buy once (or maybe once or twice). Which one are you – and are you using the right…
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I wrote Morning Pages for 100 Days.
In early January, I decided to start writing Morning Pages. This is a practice taught and made famous by Julia Cameron in her classic self-help book The Artist’s Way. Written in 1992, The Artist’s Way (TAW) is actually the written version of a creativity course that Julia developed and taught –…
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Global trade is dying. [A small business perspective.]
When I started selling my handmade jewellery online in 2008, it was so easy. You could ship pretty much anywhere, for just a few dollars, and the world was my oyster! Globalisation was the theme of the time, and the internet was still in its flush of 2.0 growth – the world of online business was...
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Multiply your Etsy traffic with this simple hack!
So I can’t remember how many times I have mentioned this Etsy hack to my students over the years – but this week I realised I had never shared it on the YouTube channel or podcast! Today I’m explaining a very simple trick you can use to multiply your Etsy search traffic – without creating any new...
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Running a Physical + Digital Product Combo Business – with Emily Sheehan of Woolly Bear Knits
Have you ever considered selling both digital and physical products? Today’s guest – Emily Sheehan of Woolly Bear Knits – is doing exactly that. She is a knitter and knitting pattern designer who started her business in 2019. At Woolly Bear Knits, you’ll find cozy, modern knit accessories all...
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How Etsy fees SAVE me money…
Etsy fees SAVE me money. No, I’m not kidding! I see so many people on social media complaining about Etsy fees, and perpetuating this myth that ‘Etsy fees are SO expensive’. Well, I disagree. And today, I’m explaining how Etsy fees actually SAVE me – both money and time. And why I’m HAPPY to pay...
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My secret to getting more 5-star Etsy reviews
I see this question pop up regularly – ‘how do I get more of my customers to leave reviews’? And of course, when we say we want more reviews, what we REALLY want is more 5-star reviews, right? This week I’ve shared my own personal secret weapon (plus a few other important strategies I use) to get…
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It’s almost time!
On the 26th of January, 2015, I started the Thriver Circle. I saw a desperate need amongst the maker community for a supportive, educational space where we could gather together and learn what it took to make our handmade businesses a success! Fast-forward to today – and in just 2 day’s time, the...
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STOP looking at this number in other people’s Etsy shops.
Today I’m discussing a metric that we all look at and use, but ultimately tells us NOTHING about how successful (or not) a business is. We often use this number as a proxy for success – but it really tells us very little about how much profit a business is making – which is the more accurate...
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25 handmade business ideas you can start for less than $100!
Thinking of starting a new handmade business, or looking for new products to make? To kick off 2025, I decided to do a fun episode outlining 25 trending handmade products that you can make in 2025 – for less than $100! If you want to start your own craft business this year, but you’re not sure…
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Etsy’s put a reserve on my shop – HELP! (Yes, it happened to me, too.)
So Etsy’s put a payment reserve on your account? Or maybe they haven’t, but you’ve heard horror stories about it, and want to avoid it happening to you? Yep, it happened to me, too (and I’ve been selling there since 2008)! I worked out why it happened to me – and how to stop it happening again –...
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Is Etsy a good place to start & grow a handmade business in 2025, or a waste of time?
Is Etsy a good place to start a business in 2025 – or is it a waste of time? This week on the show, I’ll lay out the pros and cons of starting a shop on Etsy in 2025 to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can...
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Etsy’s Domestic & Global Pricing is BROKEN.
Etsy’s Domestic & Global pricing is broken. If you are an Etsy seller outside of the USA, you NEED to know about this ongoing Etsy issue. I am far from the only person who this has happened to – so today I want to amplify this issue. Long story short – they have been charging my international...
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How to Get into the BEST Handmade Markets & Shows with Mona of River Timber Designs
Have you ever dreamed of selling your handmade creations at the top craft markets/shows/fairs in your country? Today, I’m chatting with Mona from River Timber Designs, who has built her business up by doing just that! After starting on the local artisan market circuit, she has focussed on getting...
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8 Steps to Get your Handmade Products into Retail Shops [326]
Thinking about selling your handmade products via wholesale? In this video and podcast episode, I’ll guide you through 8 steps to follow in order to get your handmade creations stocked in brick & mortar retail shops and boutiques! If you need more help, and you’re ready to dive into the world of...
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Why you need to “Choose Your Hard” with Laurel Taylor [325]
“Choose Your Hard.” I love this quote to live by shared by our guest on the show today – Laurel Taylor. Laurel and I have a wide-ranging discussion in this episode, where she shares her journey from learning to knit as an aid to focus, to starting and growing her business – Alabaster Purl –…
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Is Handmade Business Dead? [324]
This has been a tough year for handmade business owners. I’ve seen so many people closing up their shops – even people who’ve been in business for well over a decade. With the economic crisis; the rise of platforms like Shein, Temu, Amazon; the increased cost of postage and materials; and the...
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Should you open a second Etsy shop? [323]
So you’ve got one Etsy shop… but you want to sell something that doesn’t quite fit there. You’ve been thinking about opening a second shop, but aren’t sure if it’s a good idea. In this video/podcast, I’m going to outline the pros and cons of having more than one Etsy shop so you can go into it…
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10 things you MUST do to have a successful online handmade business. [322]
There is so, so much that goes into having a successful online craft business. Truly, the path is long, and can be hard, and has so very many steps. However, I’ve been in the handmade business for a long time now, and over the last decade+ I’ve built up my businesses to the point where they…
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Etsy vs. Shopify: Which Should you Choose? [321]
So you want to sell your handmade crafts online… but you’re not sure if you should use Etsy or Shopify? Today I’m going to help you answer this question: should you use Etsy, Shopify… or both? I’ll take you through the pros and cons of each platform, before comparing them to see which one is…
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Is Pinterest Worth Using to Market your Handmade Business? [320]
Sick of relying on Instagram and it’s increasingly worsening algorithm to drive traffic to your handmade businesses? Ready to tap into one of the fastest-growing marketing platforms on the internet instead? I’m talking Pinterest – and I believe it is one of THE best potential drivers of traffic…
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Selling at Craft Markets & Fairs – TOP TIPS with Michelle Danielson {319}
Today’s interview is with Michelle Danielson of Grandma Skills and Make Your Mark Labs. Michelle Danielson is a veteran creative who is an expert on selling handmade goods at markets. She opened her handmade product business Grandma Skills® in 2013. After many years of continued success and…
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The Power of Uniqueness with Laurie Caffery [318]
Laurie Caffery grew up in Boone, North Carolina, a small town surrounded by the peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Encouraged by her creative parents – a painter mom and a custom home designer and builder dad, Laurie spent her childhood enthusiastically exploring different mediums,...
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How to have a successful handmade business WITHOUT Etsy – with Rebecca Haas [317]
Rebecca Haas has been an independent jeweller for over 20 years. She has a small jewelry design studio based in idyllic Southern Vermont. Each unique piece is handcrafted with skill and care by Rebecca in her hilltop studio from ethically sourced metals. Rebecca makes simple, nature inspired...
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Over 8,000 sales on Etsy since 2019… How did she do it? [316]
What happens when your business evolves? This is a central theme of my interview with Chereen – formerly of Smeeny Beanie Knits, now Smeeny Made Wild. We discuss her beginnings – from making a few beanies to sell at a local store – to now having a full-time business with multiple sales channels,...
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Essential Tips for How to Manage your Money as a Creative Business Owner [315]
If you’re moving from employment to self-employment, there are some essential money management practices that you need to be aware of right from the get-go. Today I’m going to share a few crucial steps you need to take to ensure you’re setting yourself up for long-term financial success and...
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Do THIS to grow a successful handmade business in 2024. [314]
Welcome to 2024! If you’re ready to have your best year in business yet, you might like to join me for the Handmade Business Boot Camp – starting January 8th! In the Boot Camp, you’ll find clarity, focus, and a make rock-solid plan that will move your business forward! Find out more or sign up…
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Reproducible VS. One-Of-A-Kind Handmade Products – Which should you sell? [313]
There are 2 types of handmade products you can sell. Reproducible and one-of-a-kind (OOAK). Reproducible products are where you make a prototype, and then basically copy it over and over again (this is what I do in my jewellery shop, Epheriell.com). OOAK products are actually unique – you only…
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Should you sell on Etsy in 2024? [312]
You may be wondering if you should start or continue your business on Etsy in 2024. Today I’m outlining pros and cons when it comes to selling handmade items on Etsy, and I’ll give you my thoughts on whether it’s worth it in 2024. Download your FREE Etsy Quick-Start Guide here. You can listen to...
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Reels Ideas for Makers (without having to show your face) + The Reels Challenge!
✨ Get 30 Reel Ideas for Makers! FREE Download. Makers – do you struggle to come up with ideas for Instagram Reels? Reels are one of the best ways to grow and get seen on Instagram, but it can be exhausting to come up with new ideas for Reels. This week I’m going to share 7 ideas specifically for...
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12 Mistakes You Might Be Making With Your Handmade Business
Starting and running a handmade business can be challenging – there is so much to learn and so many balls you have to keep in the air in order to grow your business. Today I’m sharing some common mistakes I’ve seen people make with their handmade businesses in the hope that you can avoid them!…
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How to get your FIRST Etsy sale! {308}
If you’ve opened an Etsy shop but are still waiting on your first sale, this is for you! Today, I’ll be sharing 5 steps you need to take in order to get your first sale on the Etsy platform. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch…
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Top Tips for Excellent Etsy Product Photos [307]
Product photos are KEY to success on Etsy! Today I want to share my top tips to help you take the best photos you can, so you can stand out from the crowd and get customers clicking on YOUR products! Avoid the common mistakes that most beginner handmade business owners make with their…
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Printables: A Beginner Guide with Cody Berman [306]
Ever wondered about selling printables or other digital products on Etsy? Today I talk to printables expert Cody Berman, and he gives you the crucial details that will teach you how to use Canva to create printables that will SELL on Etsy! Cody is a digital nomad who quit his corporate job to...
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I made all these Etsy shop mistakes… so you don’t have to [305]
Oh boy, when I started on Etsy, I had NO idea what I was doing. So I made aaaaaalllll the mistakes. Terrible photos. Short, useless titles. Underpricing. And so much more. Today, I want to share the main mistakes I made when I started to help you avoid doing the same things with your shop! And…
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Is Etsy Over? {304}
You may have heard people say things like… “Etsy is oversaturated, I’ll never get seen.” “Etsy is full of resellers now, I can’t compete.” “Etsy doesn’t care about its sellers.” “Etsy is horrible for reasons a, b, c, d…” And so on. Basically – there’s a lot of chatter about whether Etsy is still...
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How to Take your Business Temperature with Katie Hunt of Proof to Product! {303}
If you’re not 100% clear about the future of your business, don’t miss today’s episode! My guest is Katie Hunt, and she’s going to share how you can take the temperature of your business by focussing on 4 key areas: Time Money Heart Impact Katie is the founder of Proof to Product, a podcast host,...
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5 Ways to INCREASE PROFITS in your Jewellery Biz with Jessica Rose [302]
Today is an in-depth interview with my friend Jessica Rose of Jeweller’s Academy. She’s just released a wonderful book – ‘Start & Grow a Profitable Jewellery Business‘ – and today, she’s sharing her top 5 tips for INCREASING your profit margin in your jewellery biz! Even if you have a handmade...
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If I Started a New Etsy Shop Today, I’d do THIS. (8 Steps to SUPERCHARGE your Shop in 2023) [301]
I have been selling on Etsy on 2008 (here’s my shop) – but if I was starting a new shop TODAY, this is the exact system I would follow. I have an 8-step system for you to follow to start an Etsy shop from scratch and ensure you set yourself up to GROW your shop this year! You can listen to the...
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10 Truths About Handmade Business – Lessons I’ve Learnt in 14+ years running my Jewellery Biz {300}
I started my handmade business in 2008, and have been fully self-employed since 2010. Today I’m sharing 10 truths about what it takes to run a handmade business. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Watch on YouTube… Support the show…
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Etsy Beginner Guide! 6 Essential Tips for Starting & Growing an Etsy Shop [299]
If you want to start a business on Etsy, there are 6 fundamental things you need to get right in order to succeed. 💡 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 👉 Your Year to Thrive Course 👉 Thriver Circle workshops 👉 Etsy U Branding Workshop 👉 How to Take Better Product Photos with your Phone 👉 ETSY SEO...
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Make Amazing Reels – Fast & Easy Tips [298]
There are some quick and easy things you can do to increase your chances of making amazing, viral Instagram Reels. In this podcast and video, I share 6 tips (PLUS one bonus marketing idea you’ve probably never thought of before!). ALSO! If you’re a member of the Thriver Circle – we’re having a...
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Etsy Resellers vs. Production Partners – which is it? [297]
This is a podcast prompted by a recent email from a Thriver, who wondered whether someone they knew was breaking the rules by reselling on Etsy. Turns out – the person probably wasn’t, and I explain why today. Get your FREE Etsy Resources 🌟Etsy Keyword Planner 🌟Etsy Quick-Start Guide 🌟Etsy SEO...
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5 Tips to BOOST your Christmas Sales! [296]
There are some simple tweaks you can make to your online handmade shop to get more sales this Christmas season! In today’s video & podcast I outline 5 such changes you can make – let me know in the comments if you try any of them out! Get your FREE Etsy Resources 🌟Etsy Keyword Planner 🌟Etsy...
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Rank Higher In Etsy Search by Asking this One Question… [295]
There is a lot to understand about the Etsy search algorithm… ….BUT you can simplify things a lot by asking the one simple question I outline in today’s podcast/video. Start with the basics, and you’ll be leagues ahead of many other people straight away! Get your FREE Etsy Resources 🌟Etsy…
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10 Tips for Etsy Success from a Full-Time Seller! [294]
I’ve been selling on Etsy since 2008, and self-employed full-time since 2010. I’ve been teaching other makers how to succeed with an online handmade biz since 2012, and today, I’m sharing 10 top tips for crafting a stellar Etsy shop! Want to finally SET UP SHOP online? My 30-day course that will...
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5 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Own Success – In Handmade Business [293]
If you find yourself trying over and over to start a handmade business, but never quite getting it off the ground, you might be making one of 5 HUGE mistakes! Want to finally SET UP SHOP online? My 30-day course that will teach you a system to successfully set up your online handmade store – on...
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Etsy Purchase Protection – Will it Work for You? [292]
New for 2022 – Etsy is introducing the Purchase Protection Program! What is it? Will you be eligible (it’s tricky). How many times can you use it? How will it work? Let’s dive in… Get your FREE Etsy Resources 🌟Etsy Keyword Planner 🌟Etsy Quick-Start Guide 🌟Etsy SEO Cheat Sheet You can listen to...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Learn how to turn your creative hobby into a thriving business with Jess Van Den
HOSTED BY
Jess Van Den
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Create & Thrive Podcast have?
The Create & Thrive Podcast currently has 300 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Create & Thrive Podcast about?
Learn how to turn your creative hobby into a thriving business with Jess Van Den
How often does The Create & Thrive Podcast release new episodes?
The Create & Thrive Podcast publishes regularly with 300 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Create & Thrive Podcast?
You can listen to The Create & Thrive Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Create & Thrive Podcast?
The Create & Thrive Podcast is created and hosted by Jess Van Den.
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