The Create & Thrive Podcast

How the end of the de minimus tariff exemption will affect your business.

AS OF AUGUST 29TH, 2025, THE DE MINIMUS TARIFF EXEMPTION ENDS FOR EVERYONE. This will affect both product-based businesses shipping TO the US, and product-based business IN the US who buy materials from outside of the country. And that’s not even the worst part – because your customers might end up paying WAY MORE than just the tariff fee for the next 6 months. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Keep thriving, Jess ✨P.S. Thriver Circle members, if you haven’t already, make sure to check out our newest mini-course – Fundamentals of Selling & Launching Online [https://thrivercircle.com/courses/fundamentals-of-selling-launching-online/]! If you’re not already a member, you can join right now [https://thrivercircle.com/] and get immediate access to this and all our other mini-courses and workshops. SUPPORT THE SHOW   * Leave a review [https://www.facebook.com/pg/CreateAndThrive/reviews/] on the C&T FB page. * Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiR0b3lg5fWAhULw7wKHVbFBgIQFggmMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fau%2Fpodcast%2Fthe-create-thrive-podcast%2Fid985064677%3Fmt%3D2&usg=AFQjCNGcEnbSKZggG8nwLCCi7I909rcNdg]. * Join the Thriver Circle [http://thrivercircle.com/] – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. WATCH ON YOUTUBE… LISTEN NOW

Are you doing the WRONG marketing?

THERE ARE 2 BUSINESS MODELS YOU MIGHT BE USING FOR YOUR HANDMADE BUSINESS. 1. You make products that people want to come back for over and over again. 2. You make products that people will most likely only buy once (or maybe once or twice). Which one are you – and are you using the right marketing channels for your business model? Today I’ll outline the difference between these two models, and explain which marketing strategies you should use for each. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Keep thriving, Jess ✨P.S. Thriver Circle members, if you haven’t already, make sure to check out our newest mini-course – Fundamentals of Selling & Launching Online [https://thrivercircle.com/courses/fundamentals-of-selling-launching-online/]! If you’re not already a member, you can join right now [https://thrivercircle.com/] and get immediate access to this and all our other mini-courses and workshops. SUPPORT THE SHOW   * Leave a review [https://www.facebook.com/pg/CreateAndThrive/reviews/] on the C&T FB page. * Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiR0b3lg5fWAhULw7wKHVbFBgIQFggmMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fau%2Fpodcast%2Fthe-create-thrive-podcast%2Fid985064677%3Fmt%3D2&usg=AFQjCNGcEnbSKZggG8nwLCCi7I909rcNdg]. * Join the Thriver Circle [http://thrivercircle.com/] – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. WATCH ON YOUTUBE… LISTEN NOW

I wrote Morning Pages for 100 Days.

IN EARLY JANUARY, I DECIDED TO START WRITING MORNING PAGES. This is a practice taught and made famous by Julia Cameron in her classic self-help book The Artist’s Way. Written in 1992, The Artist’s Way (TAW) is actually the written version of a creativity course that Julia developed and taught – and has become a well-known book in creative circles. I have avoided TAW for many years, because I believed it had a bit too much of a ‘woo-woo’ element for my personal preference. However, I was moved enough by a recent feeling of creative stagnation that I decided to borrow it from the library and finally see what all the fuss was about. To this day, I have only read the introductory section – up to the beginning of ‘Week 1’ of the course. This beginning section is where Julia introduces the concept and practice of both the Morning Pages and the Artist’s Date – and explains what she means by the ‘creative force’ that she refers to throughout the course. Call it what you want, she says – god, the universe, or just your own creative energy – but whatever it is, the goal of The Artist’s Way is to connect with this creative energy and move past obstacles or blocks that have been holding you back. I decided to pause at this point in the book and simply commit to the core practices for a period of time to see what impact they would have on me, before I dove into the deeper work of the course. I started off with both Morning Pages & the Artist’s Date – but while I stuck to the first one (mostly) religiously, the second was a bit more ephemeral for me. I do like to get out at least once a week by myself, so that’s already a habit I have, but most of the time, I’m hiking, or going to brunch, or walking… so it felt a bit ‘forced’ to commit to the concept of the Artist’s Date for me. I might revisit it in a more formal way when I work through the rest of the course (which I’m doing starting early May in The Thriver Circle, if you care to join us [https://www.facebook.com/events/1946287386179984]!) but I didn’t feel too bad about putting that to the side. However, the Morning Pages (MP) were a different story. I actually struggle to articulate what it is about the MP that made me keep going. I’ve kept journals and diaries before in my life – since I was in my early teens – but it only tends to be when I’m struggling with some aspect of my life. I have used it as an effective form of self-therapy to work through anxiety, relationship troubles, and creative struggles, but as soon as things resolved, the habit fell away. Keeping a form of a journal when things were good is something new to my experience. Maybe it’s the constraints around the practice? Your only goal is to write three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts. Something about it just worked for me – and I’ve talked more about this in today’s video and podcast. You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Keep thriving, Jess ✨P.S. If you would like the opportunity to work through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron in a group setting, here is your chance! Starting on May 5th, and running for the 12 weeks of the course outlined in the book, we are going to be working through The Artist’s Way inside the Thriver Circle membership community for makers. Tap here to find out how you can join us. [https://www.facebook.com/events/1946287386179984] SUPPORT THE SHOW   * Leave a review [https://www.facebook.com/pg/CreateAndThrive/reviews/] on the C&T FB page. * Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiR0b3lg5fWAhULw7wKHVbFBgIQFggmMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fau%2Fpodcast%2Fthe-create-thrive-podcast%2Fid985064677%3Fmt%3D2&usg=AFQjCNGcEnbSKZggG8nwLCCi7I909rcNdg]. * Join the Thriver Circle [http://thrivercircle.com/] – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. WATCH ON YOUTUBE… LISTEN NOW [https://i0.wp.com/www.createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/youtube.comjessvanden-20.png?resize=1080%2C1920&ssl=1]https://youtu.be/_wfQY0p1zyc

Global trade is dying. [A small business perspective.]

WHEN I STARTED SELLING MY HANDMADE JEWELLERY ONLINE IN 2008, IT WAS SO EASY. You could ship pretty much anywhere, for just a few dollars, and the world was my oyster! Globalisation was the theme of the time, and the internet was still in its flush of 2.0 growth – the world of online business was only just beginning to pick up momentum, and anything felt possible. Things have changed. Over the last few years, especially, there have been numerous laws and regulations brought in around the world that have made selling internationally more and more difficult. And now, with the US tariff situation – throwing one of the biggest English-speaking markets into turmoil – the situation is more unsure than ever. Today, I wanted to discuss this evolving situation, and open up discussion for you to share your experiences. Whether you’re outside or inside the US, these changes affect you, and I believe it’s only going to become more difficult over time, as countries seem to be becoming more insular, and free trade seems to be waning. What are we to do? You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Keep thriving, Jess ✨P.S. If you would like the opportunity to work through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron in a group setting, here is your chance! Starting on May 5th, and running for the 12 weeks of the course outlined in the book, we are going to be working through The Artist’s Way inside the Thriver Circle membership community for makers. Tap here to find out how you can join us. [https://www.facebook.com/events/1946287386179984] SUPPORT THE SHOW   * Leave a review [https://www.facebook.com/pg/CreateAndThrive/reviews/] on the C&T FB page. * Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiR0b3lg5fWAhULw7wKHVbFBgIQFggmMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fau%2Fpodcast%2Fthe-create-thrive-podcast%2Fid985064677%3Fmt%3D2&usg=AFQjCNGcEnbSKZggG8nwLCCi7I909rcNdg]. * Join the Thriver Circle [http://thrivercircle.com/] – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. WATCH ON YOUTUBE… LISTEN NOW [https://i0.wp.com/www.createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/youtube.comjessvanden-19.png?resize=1080%2C1920&ssl=1]https://youtu.be/_wfQY0p1zyc

Multiply your Etsy traffic with this simple hack!

SO I CAN’T REMEMBER HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE MENTIONED THIS ETSY HACK TO MY STUDENTS OVER THE YEARS – BUT THIS WEEK I REALISED I HAD NEVER SHARED IT ON THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR PODCAST! Today I’m explaining a very simple trick you can use to multiply your Etsy search traffic – without creating any new products. This hack will work for you if you make any products that feature variations – different colours, finishes, fabrics, etc. And, it has the potential to vastly increase your presence on Etsy, as well as get more clicks and sales coming through your shop. Don’t miss this one… You can listen to the podcast below, or on your fave podcast app – or you can watch it on YouTube! Keep thriving, Jess ✨P.S. If you would like the opportunity to work through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron in a group setting, here is your chance! Starting on May 5th, and running for the 12 weeks of the course outlined in the book, we are going to be working through The Artist’s Way inside the Thriver Circle membership community for makers. Tap here to find out how you can join us. [https://www.facebook.com/events/1946287386179984] SUPPORT THE SHOW   * Leave a review [https://www.facebook.com/pg/CreateAndThrive/reviews/] on the C&T FB page. * Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiR0b3lg5fWAhULw7wKHVbFBgIQFggmMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fau%2Fpodcast%2Fthe-create-thrive-podcast%2Fid985064677%3Fmt%3D2&usg=AFQjCNGcEnbSKZggG8nwLCCi7I909rcNdg]. * Join the Thriver Circle [http://thrivercircle.com/] – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. WATCH ON YOUTUBE… LISTEN NOW [https://i0.wp.com/www.createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/youtube.comjessvanden-18.png?resize=1080%2C1920&ssl=1]https://youtu.be/_wfQY0p1zyc