Mentoring New Designers & Going Viral with Maggie Reno of Snug and Stitch
Craft To Career
Discover how to mentor new quilt pattern designers, run a Halloween-themed sew-along, and navigate going viral on Instagram. Featuring Maggie Reno of Snug and Stitch on the Craft to Career podcast. In this episode of the Craft to Career podcast, Elizabeth Chappell of Quilters Candy interviews Maggie Reno of Snug and Stitch, an experienced quilt pattern designer and mentor. Maggie, along with Michelle Corless of Compass and Wildflower, has led a group of alumni from the Quilt Pattern Writing Course in creating the Nocturnal Soul Stitchery Sew Along — a collaborative, Halloween-themed...
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How to Make Business Friends (and Why It Matters More Than You Think)
Craft To Career
✨ Episode Summary: I’m diving into a topic that’s close to my heart and essential for long-term success: how to make business friends. We often hear about marketing strategies and growth plans—but what about the relationships behind the scenes? Business friends can offer support, accountability, and even joy in a journey that can sometimes feel isolating. But making those connections isn’t always easy. 🎧 What You’ll Learn: The surprising benefits of having friends in business (spoiler: it’s not just about networking) Why it can feel hard to make business...
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How I Got Over 5,000 People to Sign Up for My Quilt Along (and What You Can Learn from It)
Craft To Career
🧵 Episode Summary / Intro: Ever wonder how to get thousands of people excited about your event—without burning out in the process? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my most recent Quilt Along that brought in over 5,000 sign-ups. Whether you're hosting a virtual event, workshop, or course, you'll learn practical strategies for planning, promoting, and delivering a high-impact experience that grows your audience and your income. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What inspired me to host this quilt along and how the idea evolved How I planned and structured the...
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From Fashion to Freedom: How Christine Lindebak Built a Creative Sewing Business She Loves
Craft To Career
What happens when you walk away from a dream career in fashion to pursue a life of freedom, creativity, and true joy? In this episode, I chat with Christine Lindebak, a talented garment sewist, pattern designer, and upcycling advocate who left the high-end retail world of Rodeo Drive to build a more meaningful creative business—on her own terms. Christine shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from luxury fashion to sewing and teaching full-time. Now living in Spain, she works where and when she wants, creating one-of-a-kind pieces and encouraging others to sew boldly and...
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From Rodeo Drive to Creative Freedom: Christine Lindebak’s Journey to a Life She Loves
Craft To Career
What happens when you walk away from a dream career in fashion to pursue a life of freedom, creativity, and true joy? In this episode, I chat with Christine Lindebak, a talented garment sewist, pattern designer, and upcycling advocate who left the high-end retail world of Rodeo Drive to build a more meaningful creative business—on her own terms. Christine shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from luxury fashion to sewing and teaching full-time. Now living in Spain, she works where and when she wants, creating one-of-a-kind pieces and encouraging others to sew boldly and sustainably....
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Teach What You Love: How to Teach Quilting with Shannon Brinkley
Craft To Career
Do you love quilting and dream of teaching others—but feel unsure about where to start or whether you’re even qualified? You’re not alone, and today’s guest is here to guide you through it all! In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and fellow quilterpreneur, Shannon Brinkley. Shannon has built a thriving career around teaching quilting, and she’s passionate about helping others do the same. Whether you want to teach in-person workshops, partner with quilt shops or guilds, or offer your own online courses, Shannon shares how you can turn your love for quilting into a meaningful...
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From DIY to Sold Out: How Monique Rapier Built a Viral Haircare Brand
Craft To Career
What started as a college assignment turned into a viral business success. In this episode, I sit down with Monique Rapier of MMR Beauty, the powerhouse behind a hair oil brand that keeps selling out—again and again. After years of struggling with hair that wouldn’t grow, bald spots, and breakage, Monique dove into research and trial-and-error to create a formula that completely transformed her hair. Once she cracked the code, she began hand-making her product in small batches and shipping them herself. Fast forward to today—Monique now partners with fulfillment centers to keep up with...
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The Quilters: Netflix Editor Will Rogers on Purpose, Prison, and Creativity
Craft To Career
In this heartfelt episode, I join Will Rogers, the editor of The Quilters — a Netflix short film that tells the moving story of incarcerated men in a Missouri prison who sew quilts for children in need. Will shares how he landed this unique editing role, the behind-the-scenes challenges and beauty of shaping such a powerful narrative, and what he discovered about the human spirit along the way — both from the quilters and the prisoners. This episode is a beautiful reminder of the transformation that comes from creating with purpose and the unexpected places where hope and art...
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Workshops Unleashed: How to Turn Your Craft into a Teaching Business with Tori McElwain
Craft To Career
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Tori McElwain, quilter, educator, and author of Workshops Unleashed. We dive into Tori’s journey into quilting and teaching, how she transitioned into leading workshops, and why sharing your skills with others can open amazing doors for your business. Links Mentioned: - My go-to for online education, courses, and memberships. - Start your email marketing with the best provider!
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Why You Need an Email List (and How to Make It Work for You)
Craft To Career
Let’s talk about email lists—why you need one, how to grow it, and what to actually send. I’ll walk you through my best-performing opt-ins (including the one I keep sharing even though I think everyone already has it), ideas for what to say in your emails, and how to sound like a real human being—not a robot. Plus, I’ll share the #1 rule when it comes to building your list: be kind to yourself. Small steps matter. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why email is more powerful than social media (when done right) How to pick an opt-in that attracts the right people The real secret...
info_outlineRunning a business is no easy task, but when you add depression into the mix, it can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Craft to Career Podcast, I open up about my personal journey as an entrepreneur living with depression.
Depression looks different for everyone, and I share what it looks like for me. I discuss why I decided to take medication, my experience trying to go off it, and ultimately why I’ve chosen to stay on depression and mood-stabilizing medication.
Sharing such a personal and sensitive topic wasn’t easy, and I questioned whether I should go this deep. But I know there are other business owners who have faced—or are currently facing—similar challenges. You are not alone.
Coping with Depression as a Business Owner
One of the key takeaways from this episode is that you can run a successful business, even while managing depression. I share practical tips that have helped me structure my business to accommodate those times when I feel low. These strategies include:
- Outsourcing tasks to lighten the load.
- Automating processes to keep things running smoothly.
- Prioritizing self-care, even when it feels like there’s no time.
By making adjustments to my workflow and mindset, I’ve found ways to navigate both the demands of entrepreneurship and the challenges of depression.
Seeking Support
I want to emphasize that I’m not a doctor, and this episode isn’t about offering medical advice. Instead, it’s a candid account of my personal experience. If you’re dealing with depression or mood disorders, I encourage you to seek help from a qualified medical professional.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of running a business while managing their mental health. My hope is that it helps you feel seen, heard, and supported.
Listen to the Episode
Tune in to this week’s episode of the Craft to Career Podcast for an honest conversation about managing depression while running a business.
You are not alone. You can run a business—even with depression.
Did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts and join the conversation by leaving a comment or review. Let’s support each other on this journey of entrepreneurship and mental health.
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