Are you freaking out a little bit? Don’t worry, the voice of reason is here!   I’m talking about <a href="http://jasonrayers.com/">Jason R. Ayers</a>, of course.   In Part 1 we talked about <a href= "https://www.flourishthriveacademy.com/your-jewelry-and-product-business-in-the-face-of-uncertainty/"> what you can do to protect your mindset and creative energy</a>.    I highly recommend listening to that first. You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of your business.   Now, we’re diving into tactical strategies to protect your business and income during these uncertain times.

Are you freaking out a little bit? Don’t worry, the voice of reason is here!   I’m talking about Jason R. Ayers, of course.   In Part 1 we talked about what you can do to protect your mindset and creative energy.    I highly recommend listening to that first. You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of your business.   Now, we’re diving into tactical strategies to protect your business and income during these uncertain times. 

Thrive By Design: Business, Marketing and Lifestyle Strategies for YOUR Jewelry Brand to Flourish and Thrive

Bonus Episode #2: Your Jewelry and Product Business in the Face of Uncertainty

It’s a scary time to be a business owner right now. I’m sure COVID-19 wasn’t a part of your 2020 business plan, but here we are.   Things will go back to business as usual, but in the meantime you have a choice...    You can freak out, make a bunch of fear-based decisions, and possibly tank your business, or you can be mindful, devise a strategy, and look at this as an opportunity for growth.   Yes, there’s always a silver lining, m’dear!   Take if from Jason Ayers. He’s a strategic business growth consultant and certified Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner.   He recorded this two-part episode with me to offer some advice on what you can do NOW that will protect your business and put you a step ahead of this situation.

It’s a scary time to be a business owner right now. I’m sure COVID-19 wasn’t a part of your 2020 business plan, but here we are.   Things will go back to business as usual, but in the meantime you have a choice...    You can freak out, make a bunch of fear-based decisions, and possibly tank your business, or you can be mindful, devise a strategy, and look at this as an opportunity for growth.   Yes, there’s always a silver lining, m’dear!   Take if from Jason Ayers. He’s a strategic business growth consultant and certified Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner.   He recorded this two-part episode with me to offer some advice on what you can do NOW that will protect your business and put you a step ahead of this situation.

Bonus Episode #1: Your Jewelry and Product Business in the Face of Uncertainty with Jason Ayers

Do you ever stalk other jewelry designers on Instagram?   Yeah… I confess!   It was no wonder that after stalking this designer’s IG that I wanted to interview her. She’s a private jeweler and designer of all things sparkly, blingy and over the top gorgeous, <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/stephaniegottlieb/">Stephanie Gottlieb</a>.   Lots of people say it’s hard to sell jewelry online, especially fine jewelry. Yet, Stephanie is legit CRUSHING IT!    She’s built a completely loyal fan base of online (and offline customers) and has learned to leverage online sales channels to grow her audience and keep the sales rolling in.   I mean she’s doing so well that she’s built an Instagram following of over 330K followers! Wanna know how she did it?

Do you ever stalk other jewelry designers on Instagram?   Yeah… I confess!   It was no wonder that after stalking this designer’s IG that I wanted to interview her. She’s a private jeweler and designer of all things sparkly, blingy and over the top gorgeous, Stephanie Gottlieb.   Lots of people say it’s hard to sell jewelry online, especially fine jewelry. Yet, Stephanie is legit CRUSHING IT!    She’s built a completely loyal fan base of online (and offline customers) and has learned to leverage online sales channels to grow her audience and keep the sales rolling in.   I mean she’s doing so well that she’s built an Instagram following of over 330K followers! Wanna know how she did it?

EP242: Becoming a Private Jeweler with Stephanie Gottlieb

EP241: Growing an Omnichannel Business with Carbon and Hyde

Jewelry designers are a kooky lot. We know how to embrace the weird that makes us unique in a world that would often rather stifle it. My friend <a href= "https://brandingforthepeople.com/about-re-perez/">Re Perez</a> is someone who knows a thing or two about embracing his weird. Re is is the CEO and founder of <a href= "https://brandingforthepeople.com/">Branding for the People</a>, and is about to publish his first book, <a href= "http://yourbrandshouldbegay.com">Your Brand Should Be Gay (Even If You’re Not)</a>. With expertise like that, I knew I had to have him on the podcast to talk about how jewelry designers and makers can create a magnetizing brand around their work. And boy did he deliver!

Jewelry designers are a kooky lot. We know how to embrace the weird that makes us unique in a world that would often rather stifle it. My friend Re Perez is someone who knows a thing or two about embracing his weird. Re is is the CEO and founder of Branding for the People, and is about to publish his first book, Your Brand Should Be Gay (Even If You’re Not). With expertise like that, I knew I had to have him on the podcast to talk about how jewelry designers and makers can create a magnetizing brand around their work. And boy did he deliver!

EP240: How to Polarize to Magnetize with Your Branding

What kind of questions are successful, in-demand jewelry designers asking about their business? Today, we’re going to find out - and answer them! I had some of our <a href="https://www.flourishthriveacademy.com/sos/">SOS</a> students send in their most pressing questions about running successful jewelry biz. <a href= "https://www.flourishthriveacademy.com/sos/"> SOS</a> is designed to offer guidance for jewelry designers with goals of scaling to multiple 6 figures and beyond. So, these questions were asked by some pretty smart cookies - just sayin! Listen to episode #238 of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to Ask Me Anything: Questions From Our SOS Students

What kind of questions are successful, in-demand jewelry designers asking about their business? Today, we’re going to find out - and answer them! I had some of our SOS students send in their most pressing questions about running successful jewelry biz. SOS is designed to offer guidance for jewelry designers with goals of scaling to multiple 6 figures and beyond. So, these questions were asked by some pretty smart cookies - just sayin! Listen to episode #238 of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to Ask Me Anything: Questions From Our SOS Students

EP238: Ask Me Anything Episode: Questions From Our SOS Students

Every time I get an influx of new students, this question comes up in one way or another: “Tracy, why do you care whether my jewelry business fails or succeeds? Why should I listen to you?” Ouch, but fair! To answer that question, let me share a little bit about my life-long journey to becoming a jeweler, mentor, and coach...

Every time I get an influx of new students, this question comes up in one way or another: “Tracy, why do you care whether my jewelry business fails or succeeds? Why should I listen to you?” Ouch, but fair! To answer that question, let me share a little bit about my life-long journey to becoming a jeweler, mentor, and coach...

EP237:Why I Care So Much About Your Jewelry Business

Building a business takes courage. I’ve seen designers try to do the same thing over and over again expecting things to be different because they’re afraid of what might happen if they try something new. The monotony is familiar and safe, but ultimately flatlines your business. To be a successful jewelry designer, you must find the courage to put yourself out there, try new things, and most importantly, ask for help. The Flourish & Thrive community is filled with brave designers who have done just that, and their businesses are taking off. Today, I want to celebrate them.

Building a business takes courage. I’ve seen designers try to do the same thing over and over again expecting things to be different because they’re afraid of what might happen if they try something new. The monotony is familiar and safe, but ultimately flatlines your business. To be a successful jewelry designer, you must find the courage to put yourself out there, try new things, and most importantly, ask for help. The Flourish & Thrive community is filled with brave designers who have done just that, and their businesses are taking off. Today, I want to celebrate them.

EP236:Laser Coaching + Celebrating Our Students' Successes

I wish I could say the jewelry market isn’t saturated, but let’s be honest… it is. But I’m not telling you this to discourage you. On the contrary, you need to know that it takes consistent strategy and effort to make your brand stand out! Truth bomb: It is possible to distinguish yourself among the crowd! With the right strategy. Let’s talk about what designers just like YOU are doing to make their brand stand out in this saturated market.

I wish I could say the jewelry market isn’t saturated, but let’s be honest… it is. But I’m not telling you this to discourage you. On the contrary, you need to know that it takes consistent strategy and effort to make your brand stand out! Truth bomb: It is possible to distinguish yourself among the crowd! With the right strategy. Let’s talk about what designers just like YOU are doing to make their brand stand out in this saturated market.

EP235: What's Working NOW to Market Your Jewelry Business in 2020

The jewelry industry can be notoriously secretive. In a true demonstration of #CommunityOverCompetition, <a href= "https://metalsmithsociety.com/">Metalsmith Society</a> is trying to change that. Just as Flourish & Thrive Academy has created a supportive space for jewelers to learn about business, <a href= "https://corkieboltonjewelry.com/">Corkie Bolton</a> has established a vibrant community where jewelers can share techniques, ask questions, and exchange ideas. Corkie came on the show today to discuss some of the questions she hears most from jewelers in the Metalsmith Society. Such as, “How do I price my jewelry?” and “Should I sell on Etsy?” With our powers combined, we were able to come up with some answers.

The jewelry industry can be notoriously secretive. In a true demonstration of #CommunityOverCompetition, Metalsmith Society is trying to change that. Just as Flourish & Thrive Academy has created a supportive space for jewelers to learn about business, Corkie Bolton has established a vibrant community where jewelers can share techniques, ask questions, and exchange ideas. Corkie came on the show today to discuss some of the questions she hears most from jewelers in the Metalsmith Society. Such as, “How do I price my jewelry?” and “Should I sell on Etsy?” With our powers combined, we were able to come up with some answers.

EP234: Top Business Questions From The Metalsmith Society Answered

Let’s start the new decade off with a challenge! I love January (even though it’s a slow month for us designers) because it’s an opportunity for a fresh start. Time to refresh your mindset, fast-track your sales, and create a repeatable sales system that you can use all year long.  Are you in?

Let’s start the new decade off with a challenge! I love January (even though it’s a slow month for us designers) because it’s an opportunity for a fresh start. Time to refresh your mindset, fast-track your sales, and create a repeatable sales system that you can use all year long.  Are you in?

EP233: Simple Steps to Accelerate Your Sales in 2020

What’s your money story? When it comes to money, everyone has different stories they tell themselves, including you - though you may not even realize it. Most people start out with negative money stories that take serious work to clear. They can be inherited from family, picked up in the media, established from experience, etc. No matter where it started, fear around money always stems from some form of scarcity mindset and will only ever get in the way of your success. Successful entrepreneurs put in the work to transform their money story into one that’s compatible with a growth mindset. And that’s what we’re going to do today.

What’s your money story? When it comes to money, everyone has different stories they tell themselves, including you - though you may not even realize it. Most people start out with negative money stories that take serious work to clear. They can be inherited from family, picked up in the media, established from experience, etc. No matter where it started, fear around money always stems from some form of scarcity mindset and will only ever get in the way of your success. Successful entrepreneurs put in the work to transform their money story into one that’s compatible with a growth mindset. And that’s what we’re going to do today.

EP232: Your Money Story & How It's Fueling or Stifling Your Success

<h2>Let Go of Stories that Hold You Back</h2> Sometimes you hold on to stories about the world and your place in it that hold you back from our true potential. Those stories will keep limiting you until you acknowledge them and do the work to clear them. Negative mantras that drag you down, like, “There isn’t enough money to go around.” can be reframed in the positive: “There is enough money to go around.” The first step is to identify YOUR limiting beliefs and stories. What it will take to clear them? <h2>Take Full Responsibility for Your Success</h2> Have you ever caught yourself playing the “Blame Game?” I know I have. Tsk tsk tsk. It’s easy to blame others for your problems and avoid taking responsibility, but it’s neither realistic nor productive. As a jewelry-preneur and creative visionary, you are responsible for your own success. Own it. And when those sweet moments of success do come, they’ll be even better! <h2>Always Operate from a Growth Mindset</h2> At times, it can be a challenge to stay positive and operate from a growth mindset, rather than a scarcity mindset. But when you do it, it pays off.  Every. Single. Time. Don’t expect miracles to happen when you haven’t done the work. Take action. Implement what you learn. The miracles will come. If you nurture a mindset that is open to new opportunities, you will start to notice them all around you. It’s like magic.  That’s all I can say for now. To hear the rest of the 7 lessons from 2019, listen to the full episode above.  I’m wishing you restful holidays, m’dear!

Let Go of Stories that Hold You Back Sometimes you hold on to stories about the world and your place in it that hold you back from our true potential. Those stories will keep limiting you until you acknowledge them and do the work to clear them. Negative mantras that drag you down, like, “There isn’t enough money to go around.” can be reframed in the positive: “There is enough money to go around.” The first step is to identify YOUR limiting beliefs and stories. What it will take to clear them? Take Full Responsibility for Your Success Have you ever caught yourself playing the “Blame Game?” I know I have. Tsk tsk tsk. It’s easy to blame others for your problems and avoid taking responsibility, but it’s neither realistic nor productive. As a jewelry-preneur and creative visionary, you are responsible for your own success. Own it. And when those sweet moments of success do come, they’ll be even better! Always Operate from a Growth Mindset At times, it can be a challenge to stay positive and operate from a growth mindset, rather than a scarcity mindset. But when you do it, it pays off.  Every. Single. Time. Don’t expect miracles to happen when you haven’t done the work. Take action. Implement what you learn. The miracles will come. If you nurture a mindset that is open to new opportunities, you will start to notice them all around you. It’s like magic.  That’s all I can say for now. To hear the rest of the 7 lessons from 2019, listen to the full episode above.  I’m wishing you restful holidays, m’dear! 

EP231:Top 7 Business Lessons from 2019

Have you ever thought about the impact your brand has on the environment and in communities around the globe? There’s a shift happening in the jewelry industry right now. People all the way down the chain, from consumers to designers to miners, are becoming aware of the environmental and social impact of jewelry. The <a href= "https://responsiblejewelryconference.com/">Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference</a> is an annual event dedicated to changing the jewelry industry for the better. It’s only in its third year, but its already making an impact. Director of Education Jessica Gebauer sat down to talk through the major takeaways from this year’s conference with Niki Grandics, founder of <a href= "https://enjistudiojewelry.com/">Enji Studio</a> and the co-chair of marketing and communications for <a href= "https://ethicalmetalsmiths.org/">Ethical Metalsmiths</a>. They talked about a few things YOU can do to start making a difference.

Have you ever thought about the impact your brand has on the environment and in communities around the globe? There’s a shift happening in the jewelry industry right now. People all the way down the chain, from consumers to designers to miners, are becoming aware of the environmental and social impact of jewelry. The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference is an annual event dedicated to changing the jewelry industry for the better. It’s only in its third year, but its already making an impact. Director of Education Jessica Gebauer sat down to talk through the major takeaways from this year’s conference with Niki Grandics, founder of Enji Studio and the co-chair of marketing and communications for Ethical Metalsmiths. They talked about a few things YOU can do to start making a difference.

EP230: Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Recap with Jess Gebauer

<h2>1) You Feel Overly Defensive of Your Biz</h2> Someone asks a critical question about your business or offers constructive feedback, and you immediately snap into defense mode. That’s a red flag. As the creative visionary, you may be too close to your biz to see some of the big-picture problems.  I get it, you’re passionate about what you do. That passion is what fuels your success, but it can also get in the way of growth if you let it. If you find yourself feeling overly defensive of your business decisions, that’s usually the first sign it’s time to get some outside perspective on things. <h2>2) You’re Operating from a Scarcity Mindset</h2> You feel stressed because there’s not enough money to go around, not enough room in the marketplace for your work, etc. It’s not true. Repeat after me, and believe it: money is limitless, sales are limitless, your opportunities for growth are limitless. It’s only a matter of getting your head in the right space and putting in the work. The best cure for a scarcity mindset is to reach out to a supportive community of like-minded artists who can help you shift your thinking. <h2>3) Your Actions and Goals are Misaligned</h2> You are setting ambitious goals but not making a plan or implementing the actions that will allow you to follow through. Here’s the unfortunate truth: sometimes the person you are today is not going to the person you want to be in the future. Recognizing this forces you to reflect on your own approach to business. This is where a coach or mentor can really help you out. If you’re feeling a little called out right now, don’t be too hard on yourself! This is the first step of tapping into your potential for growth. Listen to the rest of the podcast, where I talk about the actions you can take once you’ve identified that it’s time to ask for help. Until next week, m’dear! xo, Tracy <h3>Sponsor Spotlight!</h3> If you’re ready to get some help from business experts who KNOW jewelry, I invite you to jump on a free call with us so we can dive a little deeper into how to propel your business forward. Our <a href= "https://www.flourishthriveacademy.com/sos/">Strategic Online Sales Accelerator</a> is designed to help you identify your pain points and come up with reasonable, easy-to-implement solutions. With our experienced community of designers and coaches, you’ll get the support you need to flourish and thrive in business. <a href= "https://www.flourishthriveacademy.com/sos/"> Fill out the application and book your free consultation call!</a>

1) You Feel Overly Defensive of Your Biz Someone asks a critical question about your business or offers constructive feedback, and you immediately snap into defense mode. That’s a red flag. As the creative visionary, you may be too close to your biz to see some of the big-picture problems.  I get it, you’re passionate about what you do. That passion is what fuels your success, but it can also get in the way of growth if you let it. If you find yourself feeling overly defensive of your business decisions, that’s usually the first sign it’s time to get some outside perspective on things. 2) You’re Operating from a Scarcity Mindset You feel stressed because there’s not enough money to go around, not enough room in the marketplace for your work, etc. It’s not true. Repeat after me, and believe it: money is limitless, sales are limitless, your opportunities for growth are limitless. It’s only a matter of getting your head in the right space and putting in the work. The best cure for a scarcity mindset is to reach out to a supportive community of like-minded artists who can help you shift your thinking. 3) Your Actions and Goals are Misaligned You are setting ambitious goals but not making a plan or implementing the actions that will allow you to follow through. Here’s the unfortunate truth: sometimes the person you are today is not going to the person you want to be in the future. Recognizing this forces you to reflect on your own approach to business. This is where a coach or mentor can really help you out. If you’re feeling a little called out right now, don’t be too hard on yourself! This is the first step of tapping into your potential for growth. Listen to the rest of the podcast, where I talk about the actions you can take once you’ve identified that it’s time to ask for help. Until next week, m’dear! xo, Tracy Sponsor Spotlight! If you’re ready to get some help from business experts who KNOW jewelry, I invite you to jump on a free call with us so we can dive a little deeper into how to propel your business forward. Our Strategic Online Sales Accelerator is designed to help you identify your pain points and come up with reasonable, easy-to-implement solutions. With our experienced community of designers and coaches, you’ll get the support you need to flourish and thrive in business. Fill out the application and book your free consultation call!

EP229: How to Know When It's Time to Do the Work to Ask for Help

Is making beautiful jewelry your passion, yet you struggle to juggle the business side of your brand? Find out what makes an independent brand truly remarkable and profitable to stand out from your competition. Tune in to Thrive by Design with host, Tracy Matthews. She’s an award winning jewelry designer, Chief Visionary Officer of Flourish & Thrive Academy and Champion for Visionaries at Creatives Rule the World. More importantly, she’s been in your shoes and loves to share her experiences, successes and failures so you can build a business grounded in what you value most. Each week, she delivers in-depth shows with sales and marketing strategies that consistently work to attract your perfect customers and keep them coming back for more. Plus, she dives deep into the systems and best practices that build a sustainable, profitable business for the long haul. Regardless if your a jewelry designer or a fashion and accessories brand, subscribe and tune in every week. So, join us as we interview major players in the jewelry industry and beyond, and learn how to start, scale and grow your brand from the biggest players in the industry.

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Thrive By Design: Business, Marketing and Lifestyle Strategi...

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