The Creative Business Diaries with Eryn Whalen

What if one of the biggest things holding your business back is your unwillingness to be seen? I never set out to become an influencer. I wanted to build a creative business that generated real income and gave me something of my own. But the longer I've been an entrepreneur, the more I've realized that building a successful business today means being willing to put yourself out there. In this episode of The Creative Business Diaries, I'm talking about why business owners need to rethink the word "influencer," how my own relationship with social media has changed over the years, and why becoming recognizable matters more than ever in a world of changing algorithms, Google search, and AI. We'll also talk about turning social media attention into something you actually own, including your website, email list, and lasting relationships with customers. Because the goal isn't to become internet famous. It's to build a business people recognize, trust, and want to support. Let's Connect! Website: Eryn Whalen Online Instagram: Eryn_Whalen_Online New episodes every Tuesday!

For years, I wanted to build a successful business, but looking back, I can see how often I was getting in my own way. In this episode, I'm sharing the struggles of building a business while raising young children, the pressure to follow everyone else's advice, and my habit of giving up when results didn't come quickly enough. I'm also talking about the year I finally committed to making my business work, the lessons I learned along the way, and why investing in the right expertise became a turning point in my growth. Sometimes the biggest thing holding our businesses back is ourselves. Here's what I wish I'd understood sooner. Let's Connect! Website: Eryn Whalen Online Instagram: Eryn_Whalen_Online New episodes every Tuesday!

Welcome to The Creative Business Diaries! After nearly 100,000 downloads of The Cozy Kitchen Podcast, I'm opening a new chapter and expanding the conversations beyond the kitchen. I'm still the same woman baking bread, raising kids, renovating an old Tennessee farmhouse, and building a business from home. But over the years, that business has grown from barely covering its expenses to making a meaningful contribution to our family's finances. And I have much bigger dreams for where it could go. In this first episode, I'm sharing why I decided to rebrand the podcast, what building a creative business looks like in the middle of the journey, and why I want to talk openly about money, ambition, entrepreneurship, creativity, and the lessons I'm learning along the way. This isn't a podcast from someone who's figured everything out. I'm building a profitable business, working toward bringing my husband home from his job, and exploring what comes next. If you're building something of your own, dreaming about starting, or figuring out how to turn your creativity into a business, I'm glad you're here. Let's Connect! Visit my website: Eryn Whalen Online Follow along on Instagram: Eryn_Whalen_Online About The Creative Business Diaries The Creative Business Diaries is a podcast about entrepreneurship, creativity, building a profitable business, and navigating the messy middle of pursuing bigger dreams. Hosted by Eryn Whalen, a blogger, creative entrepreneur, and homeschooling mom building a business from her Tennessee farmhouse. New episodes every Tuesday!  

In this episode, I intended to talk about easing into spring and summer cooking with fresh herbs and simple flavors—but like real life, the conversation took a little detour. We ended up talking about the overwhelm this time of year brings as we all scramble to keep up: school events, sports, last hurrahs before summer break, and trying to stay present as moms while life feels so loud. If you’re feeling stretched thin but still craving simplicity in your kitchen, this one's for you LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  Herbed Butter Recipe AZURE STANDARD Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order  Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping! FOLLOW ALONG ON: INSTAGRAM  ERYN WHALEN ONLINE MY LTK STORE MY AMAZON STOREFRONT  Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE Share & Support: If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here! Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!  

If you've ever planted a summer garden full of good intentions — only to realize you're not quite sure how to use everything you grew — this episode is for you. We're diving into 10 of the best vegetables and herbs to grow for fresh eating, so your garden supports your kitchen (not the other way around). From basil and cherry tomatoes to green beans and zucchini, I’m sharing practical tips, small-space solutions, and simple ways to use what you grow — without waste or overwhelm. Let’s make your summer garden truly work for your home, your meals, and your time. LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  Herbed Butter Recipes  AZURE STANDARD Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order  Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping! FOLLOW ALONG ON: INSTAGRAM  ERYN WHALEN ONLINE MY LTK STORE MY AMAZON STOREFRONT  Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE Share & Support: If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here! Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!  

After an unexpected break filled with remodel chaos, storms, and a few life curveballs, I’m back behind the mic—sort of. In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s like to live (and think) in the messy middle, how I’m finding small rhythms again, and why it’s okay when life doesn’t go as planned. If your kitchen—or your heart—feels a little unfinished right now, this one’s for you LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  AZURE STANDARD Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order  Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping! FOLLOW ALONG ON: INSTAGRAM  ERYN WHALEN ONLINE MY LTK STORE MY AMAZON STOREFRONT  Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE Share & Support: If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here! Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!  

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  AZURE STANDARD Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order  Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping! FOLLOW ALONG ON: INSTAGRAM  ERYN WHALEN ONLINE MY LTK STORE MY AMAZON STOREFRONT  Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE Share & Support: If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here! Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!

Ever wondered what a full week looks like in a from-scratch kitchen? In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I plan, prep, and cook throughout the week—from my big Sunday prep day to daily rhythms that keep meals, snacks, and homemade staples flowing. I’ll walk you through how I balance baking, meal planning, fermenting, and even blogging, plus how I structure my days to keep our kitchen running smoothly. If you love a behind-the-scenes look at real-life from-scratch cooking, this episode is for you LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  Sourdough Discard Crackers Kefir Milk  Ice Cream Maker AZURE STANDARD Yogurt Recipe  Mac N Cheese Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order  Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping! FOLLOW ALONG ON: INSTAGRAM  ERYN WHALEN ONLINE MY LTK STORE MY AMAZON STOREFRONT  Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE Share & Support: If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here! Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!    

Stocking your from-scratch kitchen just got easier! In this episode, we’re diving into the best ingredients to buy in bulk, where to shop for the highest quality staples, and how to store everything. Whether you’re baking homemade bread, making yogurt, or prepping weekly meals, having a well-stocked pantry and freezer will save you time, money, and stress. Plus, I’m sharing my favorite bulk-buying sources and a special discount for food preservation tools! Don’t miss this one LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:  AZURE STANDARD Pizza Dough Soaking Beans Yogurt Recipe  Yeast from Amazon Cocoa Powder from Amazon Mac N Cheese Egg Noodle Recipe  Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen How To Make Apple Cider Vinegar Homemade Mayo Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order  Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping! FOLLOW ALONG ON: INSTAGRAM  ERYN WHALEN ONLINE MY LTK STORE MY AMAZON STOREFRONT  Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE Share & Support: If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here! Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!  

Bread is more than just food—it’s history, tradition, and connection. In this episode, we dive deep into the significance of bread across cultures, its biblical roots, and why making bread at home can be such a meaningful practice. We’ll also explore the difference between highly processed bread and nourishing, traditionally made bread, plus share thoughts on sourdough, yeast breads, and finding balance in your own kitchen. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The significance of bread in history and culture The truth about modern bread vs. traditionally made bread Why homemade bread, even a simple yeast loaf, is better than store-bought How bread making can slow us down, ground us, and connect us to past generations Practical ways to embrace bread making in your own home LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE: My Favorite Sandwich Bread Cinnamon Star Bread Biscuit Recipe Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping! FOLLOW ALONG ON: INSTAGRAM  ERYN WHALEN ONLINE MY LTK STORE MY AMAZON STOREFRONT  Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE Share & Support: If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here! Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!