So Suzy Podcast

On last week's podcast, we talked about the importance of planning for the holiday's.  Today, we have Keli Bell-Cole from AFCI talking about their mid-year buying event!  AFCI and SPC have put together an amazing event for those retailers who need to get ready for the 3rd and 4th quarters.  Hear about the Mixed Media Event, how to attend and the benefits of going from Keli.  Find out how I epically failed the first year our shop opened for the holidays.  (It wasn't pretty!)  The Mixed Media Event is an intimate buying opportunity for retailers ONLY.  This is your time to build those relationship with your vendors and distributors.     Show Notes What is the Mixed Media Event? Mid-year buying event for retailers to order their 3rd & 4th quarter supplies for their shops. When is the Mixed Media Event? July 17th - Education July 18th - 20th - Show Floor Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT How do I register? Head on over to AFCI.global and click the registration button.   Mixed Media Event is fre

Depending on your needs and motivation, starting your holiday planning now could be instrumental to your success.  It doesn't matter if you are planning your holiday cards, classes, getting items ready for craft fairs, designing stamps for holiday releases or purchasing inventory for your shop.  Proper planning is critical for you, your business and your customers.  In today's show, we go over the critical timelines for stamp companies, shop owners and crafters when it comes to putting together your holiday plan.   Show Notes Stamp Companies Contact your manufacturer now to find out about lead times for manufacturing Submit your Christmas designs to your manufacturer now! Get the stamps to your Design Team and industry influencers no later than the last week of July Release Christmas/Holiday stamps beginning to mid September Shop Owners Attend AFCI's mid-year buying event in July Order your holiday inventory ASAP Create Christmas cards for Christmas Card Classes in September Consider hosting a Craft Fair

Welcome to the first of our new podcast series!  Every Thursday, we are going to be bringing you a new episode featuring the current month's focus topic and talking to key influencers in the industry. Plus, as an added bonus, we launched our new members only "Focus" Group on Facebook!  We are quite excited about the changes and we hope you enjoy this month's Planner Series! Show Notes Throughout the month, we are going to be discussing the different types of planners and helping you determine which one is best for you and your needs.  Planner styles include: Bullet Journal Decorating Your Planner Printable and Custom Planners Traditional Planners While you listen to each week's episode, answer these 3 questions: What do you need your planner to track for you? How big do you want it? How much time do you have to invest in planning? Planner Giveaways We can't launch our first series without some prizes and our amazing sponsors have been extremely generous in what they are giving away! (3) - Rhodia Black Web

Sally Harris from 100 Creatives is participating in #the100dayproject on Instagram and for her 100 days, she decided to create a podcast so she could interview 100 creatives in 100 days.  For someone who has never produced a podcast before, this is an incredible feat and she is ROCKING IT!  Hear about her 100 Day Creative Journey, what she plans on doing after her 100 days are up and what she likes most about her new endeavor.   Show Notes I can't believe that I got to interview: Elise Blaha Cripe - @elisejoy on Instagram   Some of my favourite guests so far:  Augusta of Felt Happens (Episode 10)   Jen Blanco (Episode 16)    These ones are upcoming: - Crystal Moody (Episode 25) - Mary Purdie (Episode 30) and Deandre Purdie (Episode 31) (Coming Soon - June 5 and 6)    I'm really enjoying these podcasts at the moment: Happier with Gretchen Rubin  Side Hustle School with Chris Guillebeau Young House Love Has a Podcast  Sorta Awesome      How to Find Sally and Her 100 Creatives Podcast 100 Creatives website Insta

There is a happy little place in all our hearts that makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  We feel safe.  Possibly mildly confident in our complacency.  No fears of failure.  Just happy contentment.  This is also referred to as stagnant or perhaps you would prefer comfort zone, because it sounds happier.  And truly, finding and having a happy place or comfort zone, can be quite wonderful.  However, if you never leave that place of safety, will you ever grow?  Will you ever find true excitement or happiness? By challenging yourself or taking risks, you push yourself to learn, grow, become more successful and more confident.  Sure, you may find failure along the way, but without failure, do you ever really learn how to become a better you? Show Notes Sometimes our lowliest times bring about our greatest achievements. Stories of Inspiration Referenced Rags to Riches Story of JK Rowling from Business Insider And yes, it is pronounced "Rolling"...I did do my homework.  Check it out here. The story of how the

Yesterday, we announced the launch of our new company, Your Creative Focus.  With the selling of So Suzy Stamps, we realized that we had even more to offer the creative industry.  On today's podcast, we talk about what led us to Your Creative Focus, the plans for the future and where we go from here.   Show Notes  So Suzy Podcast is now Your Creative Focus It was becoming quite confusing for our followers to find us online and on social media.  With the sale of So Suzy Stamps, it made sense for us to re-brand our So Suzy entities. This new change will allow us to get back into public speaking, hosting seminars, consulting and webinars. The flow will still stay the same for our podcast, but we will be adding to the lineup: Made it Happen Monday Special Guest Wednesday - For those of you who want to promote a special, release, exciting news or opening of a new business Thursday Monthly Series - Starts in June with our Planner Series! Traditional Friday Show Where to Find Us Social Media Instagram - @YourCr

Welcome to Made It Happen Monday with Denise Nichols from Simply Charming Everyday! Before we get to our interview, you may be noticing a few changes to our site and brand.  You haven't entered the Twilight Zone, Your Creative Focus is the new So Suzy Podcast and a whole lot more!  Tomorrow, we will be rolling out a special podcast episode explaining all of our changes and the why behind them.  (Which is truly EXCITING, if I do say so myself.)  In the interim, feel free to check out the new site, wander through our pages, see some of the cool features we are going to be rolling out and follow us on our new social media sites. As for right now, what do you say we dive into our latest guest and her story on how she Made It Happen!   Meet Denise Nichols Denise is the owner, maker and designer for Simply Charming Bags.  These hand sewn beauties hold everything from your latest crafting project, to your MISTI collection and so much more.  Since the age of 10, she has been sewing doll clothes, dresses, quilts, Ragg

Being prepared for an emergency situation is so important, especially when that emergency is an impromptu card class or a last minute girls get-a-way weekend.  Which is why having your crafty "go" bag always prepared is essential for your well being! On today's podcast, we discuss what a "go" bag is, what to use for your "go" bag and items to include.  Plus, we discuss the key elements to take into consideration when you are either planning or attending a class or retreat. SPONSORED BY MY SWEET PETUNIA

Whatever habit you create for yourself, it’s up to you to decide you’re worth it and to take the time you need.  Life is too short and there are a ton of fabulous projects to work on, hobbies to learn and art to create. Today's episode is sponsored by My Sweet Petunia and the amazing MISTI.

Today, we are interviewing Annie Kelly from Stamp AnnieThing.  Annie is one of these amazing women who not only illustrates and designs stamps, but she has all branched out into SVG cutting files and designing fun goodies to go with your planners.  We find out about her different creative ventures, why her Chibi kids have such distinct features and how they get their special names.  PLUS, she is offering (2) $25 Gift Certificates to our listeners.  Find out how you can take one of these home during our interview with Annie.

Since I slammed head first into the Blahs, I figured today would be a great time to move our podcast calendar around and bring forth the episode on losing your creative mojo, because I definitely lost it.  But what I want to know is why.  Why do we hit these creative walls that stop us dead in our tracks?  How can we overcome them?  What can do to find it again?  When do we decide to follow our mojo and go on a mini hiatus?   Today's podcast is sponsored by My Sweet Petunia and the MISTI.

Alyce Keegan is the owner, amazing artist and super teacher behind Kit and Clowder, an online community and coloring class.  Today, we talk to Alyce about how she started Kit and Clowder, what the Kit and Clowder community means to her and the fun classes she has available for all coloring levels. Plus, find out more about her free Markers 101 Class.   "When we feel overwhelmed in life, typically we take it out on ourselves and our opportunities to be creative." - Alyce Keegan, Kit and Clowder  

If you are a crafter who is trying to find new ways to drum up followers, become more of an influencer within the industry or are trying to sell your cards, creating a series of cards that tells a story could really boost up your interest, create anticipation and get you exposure to some of the companies you love.  Hear how Lois Gray Bak took her Crazy Bird stamps and turned them into an amazing World Traveler Selfie Series! *Sponsored by My Sweet Petunia and the amazing MISTI.   SHOW NOTES   Create interest in your cards by creating a story. By creating a story, you provide curiosity, anticipation and fun. What story will YOU tell?  Let us know in the show notes or tag us on Twitter or Instagram. @AllAbout_Suzy

Welcome to Made It Happen Monday with Christopher Alan from Brutus Monroe!  On today's show, Christopher shares with us his passion for developing products, helping others achieve their dreams and the amazing journey Brutus Monroe is on with a new retail location, their Open House and their recent release. So Suzy Podcast brings you the stories from those within the creative craft industry who have built a business and made it happen.

How do you deal with bullies in the crafting industry?  It is something that is becoming more and more prevalent on social media.  It is something that can hurt your feelings, cause you anxiety, make you angry and kill your creative mojo.  Today, we are addressing those bully tactics, identifying ways to handle them and I will share how a little Jack Bauer, Mitch Rapp, Jack Reacher and The Rock singing Shake If Off, helps me cope. SHOW NOTES Identify when to: Delete Ignore Respond Be honest, be real, be authentic, but don't be nasty.   Today's show was sponsored by My Sweet Petunia!   MISTI the Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented

Welcome to Made it Happen Monday with Nicole Baez from Right at Home Stamps!  Today, we are going to hear Nicole's story from growing up in the crafting industry with her mother and grandma and going from a LSS to an online stamp company. Sometimes all you need is a little "happy mail" to create a dream. Plus, she has a few surprises for our So Suzy Podcast listeners. Use code sosuzy at check out on the Right at Home Stamps website and receive 15% off your stamp order. The So Suzy Podcast covers the stories from the crafting and creative industry.

Back in January, we were able to interview the marvelous ladies from AFCI and get the inside scoop behind the new Creativation facelift.  They also have some great information on what to expect when you attend if you are a shop owner, blogger or vendor. With registration for the 2018 Creativation just around the corner, now is the time to think about becoming a member or possibly teaching one of the seminars or sponsoring a workshop! Brought to you by: So Suzy Podcast - "Helping you build a business out of the hobby you love." - Suzanne Moore Interview with AFCI Global: Andria LeJeunesse - VP of Events and Education Keli Bell-Cole - Director of Events Nidia Negron - Director of Education "AFCI...supporting the entire creative industry."    -Andria LeJeunesse

I could sit and watch brush lettering videos all day.  I love the beauty, the creativity of the backgrounds and the different markers and pens you can use.  I have always loved calligraphy and this brush lettering phenomena was right up my alley.  When Kymona Tracey recommended the practice sheets by Kelly Klapstein from Kelly Creates, I was instantly hooked.  Hear about Kelly's journey into Brush Lettering, learn some fabulous tips for improving your brush lettering and how she was able to turn this fun hobby into a great line of stamps.

In world of instant gratification, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest are the social media platforms that seem to get the most attention these days.  Gone are the days of waking up and reading your favorite blog posts, now it's about checking to see the cards posted on your favorite quick hit social media site.  So, why do we still see people starting new blogs and companies focused on blog hops and challenges?  Because, those blogs are where the magic happens!  In today's podcast, we talk about the benefits of hosting and participating in blog/video hops and card challenges.

Welcome to a special Wednesday interview with the amazing Justine Hovey!  She is celebrating her 1 Million Views on YouTube this month with a ton of prizes, lots of videos and a special Video Hop with 12 of her closest friends.  We talk to Justine today about her crafting journey how she got started and the insights she has had along the way.