The Maker’s Moment

When disaster hits, Leadership doesn't look polished. It looks like showing up. In this episode of The Maker's Moment, we share a recent radio interview about Western North Carolina's experience and recovery through Hurricane Helene. Prepping for this conversation pulled me back into those early days and reminded me how much our community continues to carry us through. You'll hear 5 ways to lead with heart in the hardest moments, including: 1. How to prepare for tough conversations.2. Why community is the backbone for recovery. 3. How art tells the story of resilience and hope This episode is raw, honest, and rooted in the belief that hope is a practice. Leadership means walking straight into the mess.

Vulnerability is not a weakness. It's the leadership superpower most people are afraid to use. In today's episode, we share 3 ways to make vulnerability your greatest strength as a leader. Inspired by a recent radio interview and the dreaded "vulnerability hangover" that followed, we'll talk about how to: 1. Recognize and recover from the emotional weight of sharing your story. 2. Give more in conversation while staying grounded.3. Hold space for hard moments without necessarily reliving the pain. I also share behind-the-scenes throughs I recorded right after the interview, plus why this experience has me saying yes to more guesting opportunities in the future. Listen in for practical tools, real-life stories, and an honest conversation about leading with an open heart.

Episode 2: Land & Identity: How Sense of Place Shapes Who We Are 🌿In this solo episode of The Maker’s Moment, host Leigh Shultis explores how the mountains of Western North Carolina influence not just the art we create, but also who we become. From the aftermath of Hurricane Helene to the daily rhythms of shop life at Wilderness Muse, this is a personal look at how land, resilience, and creative identity are deeply intertwined.Discover how the artists in Leigh’s shop echo the values of Appalachia through their work, how place becomes part of personal transformation, and why understanding our relationship with the land might just help us better understand ourselves. Topics include: • Appalachian identity and creative labor • Art as a response to place • Surviving and rebuilding after natural disaster • Community resilience and memory • The role of handmade goods in storytelling Whether you’re a maker, a small business owner, or someone searching for deeper connection, this episode invites you to reflect on how your landscape is shaping your life.

What Hurricane Helene Taught Me About Rebuilding a Dream:I opened my dream shop one week before a hurricane.What followed was months of survival, a donation center built from chaos, and the kind of help I never thought I’d need to ask for.In this solo bonus episode of The Maker’s Moment, I’m sharing the real story behind Wilderness Muse: how we turned emergency pallets into a thriving garden, how a national community kept the dream alive, and why I still believe in helping others build creative lives they don’t need to escape from.Takeaways from this episode: 1. You don’t have to be ready to begin 2. Asking for help is part of the work 3. Chaos can still grow beauty4. Holding space is hard... and worth it5. The real magic is in continuing with intentionIf you’re standing at the edge of your next big move, I hope this gives you the courage to leap - messy, brave, and fully human.

You are not alone! Yes, it can feel like that. Women especially feel the need to show up so strongly. Find a community & network that is supportive of and right for you!  Recognizing the signs of “tired” is important - and will help you fend off burnout! Take the time you need. Lead by example & learn how to ask for/advocate for what you need. Put yourself out there! Try the exciting, “scary” feeling thing. Be loudly genuine, and show up like that! You will receive how you show up in life. It might surprise you how authentic people can truly be! If you’re nervous in a room, other people feel that way! Go ask the prettiest girl in the room to be your friend - you might be surprised. Follow Amy at instagram at @amyrose_ashevillehair @lovewolfandrose and check out her website : https://amyrose.glossgenius.com/

Key Takeaways: 1. Pay attention to the "magic moments' that only the unexpected can bring. 2. Respect YOUR pace: You don't always have to "say something." Sometimes your message is as simple as doing what makes you happy. 3. Nurturing your creative process leads to clarity. Through clarity, we find focus. Through focus, we find intuitive action & authentic results! 4. There is so much beauty in realizing your relationship between art and yourself. 5. We don't always have create art out of pain. Art adds to our life! Find Amanda's work online at www.amandacookcreative.com or on instagram at @amanda_cook_art

Key Takeaways: Combine your Interests with your Experiences! Setting Expectations is Important. New Communities & New Seasons in life require time to build. It's not as simple as putting a hashtag on a photo! Leverege the privileges you have. Give yourself the time, space, and freedom to grow & experiment when that time comes up. Do what's fun! If it's not fun, stop. If it doesn't come from the right place or have the right energy, it won't sell & that misalignment will be felt by those receiving/perceiving your art. Be you. Flow organically A lot of the work is done behind the scenes: Shadow work, money work, and your capacity to receive. If you're struggling to sell or create, look at your own mindset!

To donate, www.veteranshealingfarm.org Look around and see what you're donating to! To see the gallery over the last few years, check out www.veteranshealingfarm.org/about-2 . A picture is worth a thousand words! Megan + Al have a podcast! Check out The Island of Misfit Toys Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/7be9GjpTAwfUf0Q6CvAB1s

Balance is an illusion. We have to make sure our business is working for us not against us! Trying to find a work/life balance implies there should be a balance when really we should be living first.Ask for help!Get community.Spend time with people ahead of you! Get connected with Matcha Nude: https://www.instagram.com/matchanude/https://matchanude.com/https://www.youtube.com/channel/matchanude

What do you want? Is your art a business or a hobby? How are you treating your business or hobby? These are all questions we dive into in Part 2 with Gina of Kai Leia Clay. Gina talks about what it means to be a "hands on" mother who is there for every moment. Key Takeaways: 1. Know your boundaries! Create in your own time and your own way. Remember: boundaries don’t always mean you keep people out of your life; sometimes its a healthy way to let them in. 2. Prioritize people. How many people in your friends and followers listst on social media have you really met? Out of those, how many have you really impacted and built a relationship with? 3. Take steps back to evaluate yourself! There is extreme value in a pause. Who are you? What do you want? Is making a business, a hobby? Doing the deep work now will help you prioritize in the future. Once you know what you want, you can begin to see what you need to do to achieve those goals, and get better.  4. Finding your identity as an artist and maker is a lifelong process. Choosing what to make, how to make it, etc., will be ongoing… and subject to change! 5. Consistency and slow growth can often lead you to lasting success, and it’s okay NOT to want that over overnight success! There’s not one path to success, because there are different definitions of success. What you want matters. Go get it!

Key Takeaways: 1. It's okay to need a break. We can't sprint all of the time. Use your periods of rest to make your business & your personal life more efficient. 2. You have to be intentional when making change. Remember your "why," and find simple ways to better guide your behavior based off of that vision. 3. The One Word Method is a simple alternative to a New Years "resolution." 80% of Resolutions will fail in the first 2 months. Download your copy of the One Word Worksheet in the Documents section of this page http://www.sonnestudios.com/the-makers-moment.html and check out The Beauty Boost's Year Project mentioned in this episode on IG at @thebeautyboost_asheville

Key Takeaways: 1. Connection is currency: Brittany has ways that she clearly defines success. If she makes quality connections, including a few more followers and 5 good conversations, she considers this as a “win” when she’s at a market. Putting the right people around her is a priority for her in life and business. 2. It can be tempting to undervalue yourself as a new maker, and feel like you’re “too much” for a lot of spaces. Just because you’re a new maker doesn’t mean you’re not worth it. We all experience imposter syndrome as we grow and change.  3. Take time to hone in on your brand! Clear out what doesn’t feel right and pay attention to your focus when in the “figuring it out” phase. What does your inner child have to say? Have fun, stay curious - everyone deserves to let their inner child play.  4. Know how you operate, and work with that! Sometimes you have to coach yourself. That inner child we talked about can also be a little unruly! Set reasonable expectations and realistic goals for yourself so that you’re also setting yourself up for success.  5. Support, Support, support. Building a community based off of love and support is how you win in a way you’re proud of. Make connections, share content, buy the earrings! Supporting your fellow maker will never go out of style. 

Key Takeaways: 1. The fancy equipment won’t make or break from your art! Gina invested in equipment when she first started making, and she laughs that she still uses toothpicks and plastic wrap all the time. Play, experiment, research and learn all you can!  2. Small acts of kindness can have staggering - and often life changing results. Amy with Offset Clarity, Rachel with The Beauty Boost, Samm with Matcha Nude - their simple kindness impacted Gina and her family’s journey in a very big way.  3. Honesty matters when raising capable, socially/emotionally intelligent humans. If you shield and sugar coat your children - or yourself! - from life’s experiences, then there is a chance that they won’t be able to work through things independently. 4. Hard times and lessons learned can set you up for later success, in both living and business! Keeping a solutions-oriented mindset, and an attitude focused on problem solving will help you be more adaptable. https://www.etsy.com/shop/KaiLeiaClayStudio

A Musician, an Artist, and a North Carolina State House Representative walk into a bar... No really. Join us Monday, November 13 from 6-8PM at The Wedge in Foundation Studio for a night of Music, Art, and Policy. This is the third event in the series put on by the Sierra Club of WNC, and it's going to be a night of changemaking and intimate conversation. I'm an artist who hasn't had a TV in over 12 years. Listen to how I'm preparing for this night, and why I believe that (even politically uninvolved!) artists have an important seat at this table. RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wnc-sierra-club-map-music-art-and-policy-series-3-tickets-741751758477

Please submit this quick, 8 question survey so we can continue to grow this project in a meaningful way that keeps YOU, our Makers, as the focus: https://forms.gle/asWGyvC94pZEjE5g9

How you define success matters. In this episode, we discuss how to evaluate where you are in life, and how to use your Core Values and Daily Habits to bring you closer to your definition of Success. Get the Streaks app here: https://streaksapp.com/

Key Takeaways: 1. You can experience and work through self-conscious thoughts. There is extreme benefit in sharing the creative process with others.  2. Staying creative and vulnerable in grief and loss and can affect/inspire your work and community in ways you'd never imagine. 3. The Key is staying present - be prepared to leave everything behind you. As long as you stay present, stay curious, and stay creative, things work out the way they’re supposed to.  4. Be willing to be vulnerable - Being open about your feelings and perspectives can build understanding with yourself, your creativity, and others who encounter your work. 

Only 1 in 4 women speak up about imposter syndrome. In this Down & Dirty Segment, we're breaking the silence. Key Takeaways: Question yourself. Play “devil’s advocate” with your mind and how you’re thinking. Write it down if you have to! Is there evidence to support your negative thoughts and emotions? What triggered these emotional responses?  Keep a daily “Wins & Gratitudes” journal. I keep mine in a little flip book and list 3 wins and 5 gratitudes each morning. This helps me see the small wins that compound each day and helps me stay in a growth mindset headspace.  Seek professional help! One of the best things I did was go to therapy, and find the right type of therapy for you!  Reframe what it means to be an expert in your field - Experts are ALWAYS learning!  Pay attention to who you surround yourself with. Pick and choose your role models and influences. Educate yourself, exercise your voice, and never stop learning.

Note: The Maker's Moment represents the opinions of individuals, and is not intended to act as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult with a licensed medical provider for physical and mental health advice. Nicky with Natural Path is self made and self taught! She's been creative since she was about 7 years old and always attracted to creative spaces. She enjoys the craft and being her own boss because she feels that creating a flow helps her work better for others. She needs to not only be efficient, but also to express herself! Key takeaways: 1. Trust divine timing - including delays! Things happen as they’re meant to, and we can manifest and generate out of that! Focus on what you can control, and then make it happen! There’s not a one size fits all approach - gradual changes OR a massive overhaul can make sense for you.  2. Try to look at making as a combination of 3 things What’s going to sell well? What brings me joy/do I enjoy making? What benefits and helps the customer’s lives?  3. Keep your vision and mission at the forefront of all product decisions - showing up for yourself like a squirrel leaving acorns everywhere as reminders for how you want to live yoru live. Be the squirrel! 4. Open conversation is truly beneficial to the nervous system. Try dialing down your ego and getting to know people a little better. 5. There is something you can learn from every single person you encounter. Life isn’t meant to be lived perfectly! In your flaws are where you find your sacred design. You can visit Natural Path on instagram as @anaturalpath_nc Natural Path is on facebook as Natural Path 🪴

The lowest level of anything that you tolerate is the highest level you can ever expect. Setting expectations requires clearly-defined values. In this Down & Dirty segment, we talk about Values, Goal Setting, and walk listeners through a few tips and tricks to begin developing their own set of Core Values. To access the free PDF mentioned in this episode, please visit http://www.sonnestudios.com/the-makers-moment.html

Kyzandrha sees the importance of becoming a fearless, "open" human being. She values community - come check her work out in person! White Squirrel Artisan's Market is this Saturday, October 21, from 12-5PM at Deerwoode Reserve in Brevard, NC. 80 Vendors will be in attendance, and there will be fun for the entire family. Key Takeaways: Communication is key - White Squirrel Artisan’s Market started because locals needed more communication with their events. They needed to be the focus.  There’s untapped talent in local communities around the world. Our conversation about Burma really stuck with me. Walk around the corner - or travel across the country! - and you never know what you will find. People are talented everywhere. We have to learn how to filter out false goalsetting. Metrics and data are important, but so is connecting in person! What is your “why” when it comes to creating?  Changing your perspective not only leads to more connection, but it can lead to more connection, more collaboration, and more sales. See her shop at https://arthropology.myshopify.com/ Kyzandrha is on FB and instagram as: @gypsyandmeband Instagram: @arthropology_bykz and FB: @arthropologyjax FB & IG: @whitesquirrelartisansmarket Instagram: @lifestyleliving_photo and FB: @lifestylelivingphoto She will be featured on the TEDx Women: Brevard event happening November 11th, 2023. October sponsors of WSAM are:RE/MAX Land of the WaterfallsTransylvania County Tourism Development AuthorityNewfound ArtisanVescovo185 King StreetLifestyle & LivingDeerwoode ReserveUpCountry BrewingBlue Ridge Quick PrintDeerwoode ReserveBrevard NC Music & Events

Perfectionism is the #1 killer of creativity. In this Down & Dirty segment, we get to the root of perfectionism, and discuss simple steps you can take to overcome it in the moment: Develop a daily practice. Check out The Artist’s Way if you’re ready to commit time to this process of getting “unstuck” and recovering creatively: https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252 Plan to feel uninspired! Develop a “quick start” routine to help you tap into creativity, even on the days you feel “dumpy.” Mine looks like lighting a candle, having a 2 minute dance party, and doing some hip openers. Try doing something completely uncomfortable or outside of your wheelhouse to recover that sense of play. When you are anxious or doubtful, Start! When you are overwhelmed and not getting anywhere, learn how to Stop!

Jessica with Strong Mama Metals doesn't compromise who she is... or her family values. She believes that having a family should drive you to pursue your business - not drive you away from it! She lives on the edge, and wants to make people feel their own sense of power by being authentically who they are. It's her vision to help others see that they can accomplish anything they want, and she helps women get stronger in many different ways. Key Takeaways: 1. Being a Strong Mama isn't just about lifting heavy weight - it's also about having the weight of a parent on your shoulders. A strong woman has a clear sense of "me." 2. You can make the most out of a bad situation, and you can make a future from it. Jessica started her business during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her small business now allows her the freedom to raise her children how she wants - with small town values. 3. Learn how to walk away. Not being so "task oriented" in creativity can further the creative process. 4. Ice cream is the key. Get away from the hustle and bustle. Turn off your phone for an afternoon, go get a scoop, make time to play with your family, and see what it can do for your life. 5. You are living the life you're creating. Despite the doubt and insecurities, it's your life, and these moments don't last forever. Go out and live it! You can see all of Jessica's creations on her Etsy for Strong Mama Metals by clicking this link: Strong Mama Metals, or visiting her on Instagram at @strongmamametals

How can being generous help set you apart and help you get ahead in business? Having an attitude of gratitude is more than a catchy phrase used in online coaching groups. Helping other people benefits your health and well-being, and it is drives you further up the success (and income) scale than those who go it alone. In this episode, we talk about generosity and how you can make an impact as a Maker in your Community. Not only does this make you feel good, but it drives sales and monetization as well. Visit http://www.sonnestudios.com/the-makers-moment.html to download a free Maker's Moment Community Building Worksheet.

In this two-part series with Kyzandrha, we talked about what it means to build bridges, form a community, and support locals. Kyzandrha will be speaking and performing with TEDxBrevard Women, and has other exciting news coming in this two episode feature! Key Takeaways: Seek to travel, not vacation or get Insta-famous, when visiting other countries, and when creating art! The deepest, most meaningful experiences come from a lot of work - and it's not always pretty during the process! Support is powerful, and so is accepting help! We might not always get the feedback we want to hear in the moment, but it’s important to surround ourselves with people who have our best interested in mind. The people in our corner are here to help us succeed. Adaptability is a super power - it can be proactive too. You’re not just reacting, you’re also responding and learning as you rebuild.  There are 3 simple steps to build community : Claim your community, recognize its strengths, and assess its needs. Strive to be an asset, and you might be surprised how much of an impact you can make. You can find Kyzandrha and her many projects online on Instagram as @kyzandrha Enjoy the world of jewelry designer & artist, Kyzandrha Zarate

The Maker's Moment sat down with Loran and Appalachian Clay and talked about how to break free from the mold, advocate for your mental health, and take your power back with creative processes. Key Takeaways: Art can help improve your mental health. Safely losing control is freeing and helps us get out of the box we put ourselves in. Community and likemindedness is key when wading through doubt, imposter syndrome, and feelings that we don't belong. Make yourself uncomfortable! What does it mean to be an artist? Asking yourself that question means investigating who you are, what you are, and who you want to be. Sharing experiences - including those with your customers - are the most important thing! If you focus on experiences, everything else will follow. You can find Loran and Appalachian Clay on Etsy , Instagram , and facebook.

The Maker's Moment is about art, storytelling, and the creative process. We dive headfirst into important questions like, "What does it really mean to be creative? How do you tell your story? Can we hold space for ourselves and others?"