157 - Laryssa and Liz Talk 2026 Planning: A Realistic Rhythm That Prevents Burnout

Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by marketing strategist Laryssa Wirstiuk and creative consultant Liz Kantner. Together, we’re passionate about helping independent jewelry brands thrive through honest conversations about what it really takes to succeed.

In Episode #157, we’re breaking down how to plan your year in a way that actually feels doable — not like a constant game of catch-up. We talk about why planning often fails jewelry designers (hint: it’s usually too idealistic or too vague), and how to create a realistic rhythm that matches buyer behavior, your production timeline, and your creative energy.

We walk through the jewelry calendar — what tends to be quieter, what tends to ramp up, and how to use slower seasons strategically instead of panicking through them. You’ll also hear why production planning matters just as much as marketing planning, how to back your launch dates into realistic prep time, and why having a plan doesn’t mean you can’t change it (it just means you’re not starting from zero every time).

💎 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why planning fails when it’s based on an ideal version of yourself instead of real capacity

• How consistency (not intensity) creates a rhythm you can actually keep

• Why you need specificity: launch dates, format, and realistic scope

• How January can be used for planning, waitlists, and custom inquiries

• What drives buying in spring (weddings, gifting, celebrations) and how to prep for it

• Why summer often slows down — and how to use it for inventory, creativity, or rest

• Why July is not too early to start holiday prep (and why fall is too late)

• How to pair a production calendar with a marketing calendar so they support each other

• Why launches can take time to sell — and why repetition is part of the strategy

• How planning helps you stay flexible without spiraling when things change

🔒 Insider Bonus – What You’ll Hear When You Join:
This episode continues with an insiders-only conversation where Liz and Laryssa go deeper on what established brands do differently — why more launches don’t automatically mean more revenue, how brands get stuck in the “newness trap,” and how a repeatable annual framework can make your marketing stronger year over year. They also talk about balancing storytelling with clear selling, handling slow months without panic, and a reflective question to help you recalibrate: what are you doing too much of right now?

👉 Love this teaser? Unlock the full insider episode at https://patreon.com/SuccesswithJewelry for instant access and more exclusive content.

About Your Hosts
Liz Kantner helps independent jewelry artists find their voices and thrive in today’s marketplace through consulting, digital strategy, and her Stay Gold Collective community. Learn more at lizkantner.com.

Laryssa Wirstiuk is the founder and creative director of Joy Joya, a digital marketing agency for jewelry brands. She’s also the author of Jewelry Marketing Joy and the creator of JoyDeck, a platform that makes marketing easier for jewelry designers. Discover more at joyjoya.com.