HobbyScool

Ever wondered how to turn your creative skills into a thriving business? This week's episode features Kira McCoy, who did exactly that – transforming her passion for art into a multi-million dollar creative empire, selling products that average just $10 each. Kira shares her fascinating journey from teaching art in high school to building a business that spans digital courses, physical products, and subscription boxes. She's refreshingly honest about her path, including the various side hustles she tackled along the way (like piercing ears!) before finding her sweet spot in the creative business world. You'll learn: * Why starting with your audience is crucial before launching any product * How to test and validate your creative ideas before going all-in * The smart way to build multiple income streams without burning out * Simple strategies for getting meaningful feedback from your community * Tips for growing your creative business one step at a time This episode is perfect for artists, crafters, and creative entrepreneurs who want to build a sustainable business without losing the joy in their creative work. Kira's practical advice and encouraging approach will leave you feeling inspired and equipped with actionable steps to move forward. Got a friend who's building a creative business? Share this episode with them – they'll thank you for it! Mentioned in this episode: Where to find Kira: https://createalong.com⁠ [https://createalong.com⁠⁠⁠⁠] Podcast show notes: https://www.hobbyscool.com/podcast/creative-entrepreneur [https://www.hobbyscool.com/podcast/creative-entrepreneur] Key Takeaways: * [00:00:40] Kira's journey from crafting with her mother to becoming an art teacher and eventually a creative entrepreneur * [05:09] The pivotal moment when Kira's first online course generated six figures in a month * [09:27] Understanding why "audience is king and monetizing that audience is the queen" of your business * [14:11] How Kira transformed her digital course success into a thriving physical product line * [18:19] Practical tips for using "this or that" posts to gather valuable audience feedback

Have you been pouring time into social media but not seeing the results you hoped for? This week's episode might just change the way you think about growing your business. I sat down with email marketing expert Melissa Seideman, CEO of Not Another VA, who shared something surprising: she built not one, but TWO successful businesses using email marketing before she even touched social media. And now she's revealing exactly how she did it. In this value-packed episode, you'll discover: - Why email marketing could be the game-changer your business needs (and why starting sooner rather than later matters) - The essential first steps to setting up your email marketing system the right way - How to grow your list even if you're starting from zero - Simple strategies that work even when you only have a handful of subscribers - Common mistakes to avoid (including one that could be costing you customers right now) The best part? Melissa breaks everything down into practical, doable steps that won't overwhelm you. She even shares how she succeeded with just five subscribers - proof that you don't need a massive list to start seeing results. Whether you're just starting your business journey or looking to strengthen your existing marketing strategy, this episode delivers insights you can implement right away. Plus, Melissa shares a special offer for listeners who want to take their email marketing to the next level. Ready to learn the smart way to grow your business? Listen in today! Mentioned in this episode: Where to find Melissa: www.notanotherva.com/everything [https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.notanotherva.com/everything&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1734616497991742&usg=AOvVaw0eEduo4ehQ4PrPH3KAUDDw] and https://www.instagram.com/notanotherva/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/notanotherva/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1734616497991742&usg=AOvVaw2E0RPixNsw0I0tCFzx1RHz] Melissa's free gift: https://bit.ly/NAVAemail [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bit.ly/NAVAemail&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1734616497991742&usg=AOvVaw0PRBLrpQ0te0NKSB6z4GRb] Key Takeaways: [00:03:00] Why email marketing beats social media: You own your list and can reach customers directly without dealing with algorithms [00:05:00] Getting started: Essential steps including setting up a paid business email address and choosing an email service provider [00:08:00] The importance of consistency: Send regular emails even with a small list - quality relationships matter more than quantity [00:09:00] Growing your list: Strategic tips for finding and attracting your ideal customers through various channels [00:10:00] Common mistakes to avoid: Including the crucial step of testing emails on mobile devices

Have you been carrying around a story idea for years? Maybe it's tucked away in a drawer, saved as a draft on your computer, or still swirling in your imagination. If publishing a book is on your bucket list, this week's episode of the HobbyScool podcast is especially for you. I sat down with Aaron Schafer from selfpublishing.com to break down exactly how to turn your writing dreams into reality. And guess what? It's more achievable than you might think. Aaron shares some surprising insights about why self-publishing has become the preferred choice even for established authors, and walks us through practical steps to get started – no intimidating publishing house required! In this episode, you'll discover: * Why you don't need to wait for a traditional publisher to share your story with the world * How to organize your ideas before you start writing (this is a game-changer!) * Practical tips for fitting writing into your busy life * The most important thing to do before you launch your book (hint: it's not what most new authors think) Whether you're dreaming of writing the next great novel or sharing your expertise through a non-fiction book, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward. Mentioned in this episode: Free training (affiliate link): How To Write And Publish Your Book (Even If You Haven't Started Writing Yet) [https://selfpublishing.com/hobby] Key moments from the episode: * [00:04:00] Why successful authors are increasingly choosing self-publishing over traditional publishing routes * [00:08:00] How to get started with your self-publishing journey and the importance of clarity in your book idea * [00:12:00] Essential organizational strategies before you start writing your book * [00:14:00] Understanding your personal creative process and setting realistic writing goals * [00:17:00] The critical importance of having a marketing plan before launching your book

Feeling overwhelmed by social media marketing for your side business? This week's episode might be exactly what you need. We're talking with Pinterest expert Laura Rike about why Pinterest could be the perfect platform for growing your business – especially if you're just starting out or running your business alongside other commitments. What makes this episode special is Laura's practical, start-where-you-are approach. Instead of suggesting you need to create 50 pins a day (who has time for that?), she shows you how to begin with just one daily pin while still getting results. You'll learn why Pinterest users are different from social media followers (in a good way!), and how to attract people who are already searching for products like yours. Whether you're selling handmade items, digital products, or building an online presence for your business, Laura shares strategies you can implement right away. She breaks down: * Why Pinterest might be better suited for your business than Instagram * How to set up your profile to attract the right customers * Simple ways to promote your products (beyond just posting product photos) * A clear framework for organizing your Pinterest strategy * How to start small and scale up as you grow Plus, Laura's offering a free guide to help you optimize your Pinterest boards, and she shares details about her upcoming beginner-friendly coaching program starting in January. Ready to discover how Pinterest could transform your business growth? This episode is perfect for creative entrepreneurs who want to work smarter, not harder. Tune in to learn how you can start building your Pinterest presence today, one pin at a time. Mentioned In This Episode * Where to find Laura: https://simplypintastic.com/ [https://simplypintastic.com/%20]and https://laurarike.com  [https://laurarike.com%20/] * Laura's free gift: https://simplypintastic.com/funnel/pinterest-board-titles/pinterest-board-titles/ [https://simplypintastic.com/funnel/pinterest-board-titles/pinterest-board-titles/] Key points from the episode: * [00:04:00] Why Pinterest users have different intent than Instagram users – they're actively searching for solutions * [00:08:00] How to structure your pinning strategy across awareness, consideration, and purchase content * [00:13:00] The importance of keyword-optimizing your Pinterest profile before you start pinning * [00:16:00] Creative ways to promote products beyond just product photos * [00:19:00] Free resources and coaching opportunities to help you get started with Pinterest

Ever wondered about the stories behind your family name or if those family legends are actually true? This week on the HobbyScool podcast, I'm sitting down with genealogy expert Lisa Lisson to explore how you can turn curiosity about your family history into a fascinating hobby. Lisa shares some surprising insights about getting started - including why your best research tool might actually be a cup of coffee! She walks us through everything from having those first conversations with family members to navigating online databases and even tackles the question of whether you really need a DNA test. Plus, she shares some incredible stories from her own research, including one about her fourth great-grandparents that sounds like it could be straight out of a historical novel. Whether you've been thinking about researching your family history or just love the idea of solving real-life mysteries, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you get started. Lisa breaks down: - The first steps anyone can take (no special tools required!) - Which online resources are worth your time (including free options) - How to avoid common beginner mistakes - What to do when you hit a research roadblock Ready to discover if genealogy might be your next favorite hobby? Mentioned in this episode: Where to find Lisa: Website [https://lisalisson.com/]and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCejmBcXdgnqcMvkP7ilMJBg] Newsletter: lisalisson.com/aymcnewsletter [https://www.google.com/url?q=http://lisalisson.com/aymcnewsletter&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1735000842323736&usg=AOvVaw3WSlx6msUrU72HJOJbDdyE] Lisa's free gift: The Big Genie List: A curated collection of essential genealogy resources to your ancestors! [https://lisalisson.com/Big-Genie-List⁠] Podcast shownotes: https://www.hobbyscool.com/podcast/genealogy [https://www.hobbyscool.com/podcast/genealogy] Key moments from the episode: [00:03:00] Essential first steps for beginning genealogy research, including the importance of family conversations [00:05:00] Overview of online resources including FamilySearch.org and subscription-based platforms [00:07:00] Fascinating discovery about name changes and the importance of sharing findings with family [00:09:00] Discussion of why people are drawn to genealogy research and its rewarding aspects [00:11:00] Insights about DNA testing and its role in family history research