Episode 474: It’s My Birthday! A Dramatic Reading of the First Chapter of My Book

Welcome to the Thrive by Design podcast! I'm Tracy Matthews, and in this episode, we're diving into how to connect with your audience on social media to drive daily sales.  Tune in to discover: Why it’s not enough to know basic facts about your ideal customers - and what else you need to know How to sell to men looking to buy jewelry for their wives The right “vibe” your Instagram needs to attract your dream customers What information to remove from your Instagram Bio that might be wasting space and unknowingly turning your customers away How to take photos that match your brand without needing expensive equipment or expertise. How to get your Instagram to show up in Google Search How to increase engagement and simultaneously boost your posts in the algorithm What’s more important to your social media strategy than how many times you post a week How to generate ideas for reels that align with your customers’ needs and your business’s brand The goldmine of content that you are probably sitting on without even realizing it! Which types of the up to 5 hashtags you should use for each post What automations are killing your relationship with your customers - and how to change them to make them effective and welcoming xo Tracy Here are the resources mentioned in the show: www.flourishthriveacademy.com/timelessbrand Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

Join me, Tracy Matthews, as I delve into energetics - something that helps me achieve my desires - and what can help you do the same for yours. In this episode, I’ll share: How I got invited to speak right when I was looking to get in front of more people The story of a hummingbird - and how it predicted success in my business. The relationship sickness and disease have with a person’s goals. How letting my friend pay for dinner transformed my mindset. Why I no longer play-down compliments. I'll share actionable insights on: Alignment and Manifestation Receiving and taking action Betting on oneself: the power of personal growth and education Let’s get started! While you’re at it, check out our Jewelry Business Owners Growth Guide and Laying The Foundation program. Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.    Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform   Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”   Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram:   Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram   Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram   Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok:   Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok   Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

Sabrina Nussbaumer is a woman with a hell of a backstory.    In 2011, she was in the depths of an alcohol addiction. She was going to school for fine arts… and blew all her scholarship money at the bar. Today, Sabrina is sober, thriving, and growing a unique silversmithing business.   In this inspiring episode, you’ll hear about…   …How Sabrina’s addiction — and a toxic relationship — led her to metal smithing and eventually to jewelry design…   …Why the pandemic turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Sabrina’s new business… and how she has kept her business afloat despite numerous personal challenges…   …How Sabrina got clear on her branding, content and launch strategy for a new phase in her business…   Plus how Sabrina learned to overcome the ‘icky’ feeling of asking for sales, how she has turned her trauma into momentum, and the results and mantras that keep Sabrina driving forward in her business every day.   Listen to episode #475 of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to Overcoming Addiction and a Toxic Relationship to Grow Her Jewelry Business with Sabrina Nussbaumer.   Here are the resources mentioned in the show:   SNJD Boutique   The Halstead Grant   Follow Sabrina on Instagram!   Train Your Customers to Buy From You Online   Laying the Foundation   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.    Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform   Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”   Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram:   Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram   Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram   Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok:   Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok   Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

It’s my birthday! I know I’m incredibly blessed… and that the abundance I have today is the result of some hard lessons I learned a few birthdays ago.    Today, I want to share the most important gift I ever received — the lesson that took me from struggling artist to thriving business owner.   In this episode, I share the story of how my life and business transformed into the incredible reality I have today. If I could give every jewelry designer a gift, this lesson would be it.    So tune in to hear me read the first chapter of my book, The Desired Brand Effect, to hear about: …The moment in my first business when I realized I had NO money left over after delivering a $100,000 order (and what happened next)... …The book that blew my mind about the problems in my business and helped me see how to transform my maker mindset to become the leader of my business… …Why becoming the chief visionary officer (CVO) of your business can help you get great at turning your dreams into reality instead of continuing as a maker struggling to bring your vision to life… …And how I went from being a broke designer to having my work stocked in over 350 stores around the world (with celebrities like Halle Berry and Charlize Theron loving on my work).   If you’ve been struggling to make a sustainable living from your jewelry designs, if you’re burned out, scared of your numbers or just know it’s time to take your business to the next level, this one’s for you.   And if you can find the courage to act on what you hear, by the time your own birthday rolls around next year, maybe you’ll be telling an incredible transformation story of your own.    Listen to episode #474 of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to It’s My Birthday! A Dramatic Reading of the First Chapter of My Book.   The greatest birthday gift you could give me today is to go and listen to this episode.    My life’s purpose is to help creatives like you to start thriving in their art, and it truly lights me up to hear it when someone starts making a change after hearing this story.    xo, Tracy Here are the resources mentioned in the show: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber Buy My Book: The Desired Brand Effect   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

When Lindsey Kirk’s husband came home and told her how much he was struggling at his swing shift factory job, it was clear they were at a crossroads.   She knew that in spite of her feeling of panic, it was time to take her jewelry business to the next level.   After 5 years of running a studio space to sell her pieces in Quincy, Illinois — while working a part-time job to make it work — Lindsey decided it was time to close the store and double down on her website (lucky for her, because the pandemic hit just a few weeks later).    Lindsey had been a fan of Thrive by Design since the podcast launched back in 2015, and when she and her husband decided he would go back to school, she came looking for support in playing full-out to build her online sales.     .  She enrolled in Laying the Foundation, and I am so excited to share her story with you today. Lindsey is a bad-ass implementer and has some amazing insights to share about how her business has grown to the point that she’s been able to support her husband while he’s back studying full-time.    In this episode, you’ll hear:   The crazy numbers that Lindsey started seeing in her business as soon as she started working through the LTF material…   The 3 key concepts from LTF that changed everything for Lindsey’s business (and the mindset shift that has helped her increase her business over 50% in the past year)...   The amazing social media campaign that helped Lindsey hit a key goal in her business and how sharing her love of dogs has bonded her community to her even more…   We also talk about why the structure of Laying the Foundation was so effective for her, changing the narrative of your inner voice, and how her business turned out to be the lifeboat she and her husband needed (instead of taking a backseat to his work).    Listen to episode #473 of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to She's Supporting Her Husband Through School With Her Jewelry Business with Lindsey Kirk.   Don’t miss this beautiful conversation with Lindsey the Ladysmith.    Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Follow Lindsey the Ladysmith on Instagram! Gem City College Laying the Foundation Thrive by Design Podcast Marie Forleo The Humane Society Atlanta Texas Area Spay & Neuter Project   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

We’ve got to talk about the state of social media content for jewelry businesses…    Because a lot of jewelry designers are just totally missing the mark here.    It’s boring, pushy, cringe, or some combination of all three.   And I hate having to say that, because it’s not their fault.    Jewelry designers are not trained to be professional marketers! But it’s our job to figure out how to create social media content for our jewelry businesses — just as much as it is to create the jewelry itself.    Great content creates your desired brand effect — it attracts ideal, high-quality clients to your business, it makes you stand out in a crowded marketplace, and it helps you sell.    It’s probably the most powerful tool at your disposal if you’re serious about growing your business online.    That’s why I’m hosting a new master class, called How to Stand Out on Social: How to Plan A Month’s Content in An Hour. It’s a super hands-on system to help you build a content plan for your jewelry business (more about that in the PS of this email).    First though, on this week’s Thrive by Design episode: I’m sharing 5 do-it-now practical tips for creating content that is going to make your audience fall in love with you and your jewelry: How to create a content plan that WORKS The topics you need to nail down to start getting really consistent with your content How to make content that works for each specific platform The single most important factor in creating content that grabs people’s attention The unbeatable way to attract the right customers to your brand   This topic is so important to the success of every jewelry business, so this episode is extremely practical. I’m giving you real examples of the content to create, when to create it, and how to cut through all the noise on social, so that you can start to take control of your brand online.    You deserve to have a jewelry business that’s thriving online. If you’re still figuring out how to make that happen, listen to episode #472 of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to 5 Ways to Get Consistent and Stand Out With Social Media Marketing – This Week.   xo, Tracy   PS: I’m hosting a new master class, called How to Stand Out on Social: How to Plan A Month’s Content in An Hour.    It’s an even deeper look at what we cover in today’s episode — I’m going to walk you through a simple step by step process (with visuals!) on how to make money-making social media content that stands out, attracts high-paying customers in a fraction of the time most people spend on it.    If you know that the content and social media strategy for your jewelry business needs some TLC, this one’s for you. Click here to register for the master class:  flourishthriveacademy.com/contentworkshop   Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Laying the Foundation program  Erin Kandoll’s ‘Dreams Coming True’ video True Warrior Jewelry Twyla Dill Designs Ashley Longshore Jacqui Aiche   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

When you’re healthy as an entrepreneur and business owner, it shows.    Your energy is on point. You’re focused and in flow. You’re happier, more productive, and more creative. But when our health takes a hit, our business suffers too. When you’re feeling sick or sore, your motivation and clarity take a dive too.    That’s why keeping yourself healthy and vibrant is a huge win when you are designing your jewelry and building your business.   Today, my dear friend Tina Anderson is on the Thrive by Design podcast, sharing her incredible expertise on the gut-brain connection.    Tina is the CEO of Just Thrive, an incredible supplement company that has changed my life.    (I’ll spare you the TMI version, but let’s just say my digestive system is MUCH happier since I started taking their probiotic a few years ago.)   Gut health is not the topic that usually springs to mind when people think about growing their business or optimizing their daily routine… but it has a huge influence behind the scenes on how you feel and perform every day.   That’s why, in this episode, we talk about…   Why gut health is about so much more than getting rid of the uncomfortable symptoms most people think of Why taking care of your gut health goes way beyond having a happy digestive system and can transform your mood and mental health  How business owners and entrepreneurs can boost their immunity and daily performance by optimizing your gut health How to figure out if your gut is unhealthy and what to do about it The baby steps entrepreneurs can take to really support our health   If you’re struggling with brain fog, digestive troubles, fatigue, skin issues, this episode could be a game-changer for you.    Don’t miss this fascinating deep-dive conversation.   xo, Tracy   PS: Tina has generously offered all Thrive by Design listeners 20% off a 90-day bottle of Just Thrive Probiotic and Just Calm. Check out www.flourishthriveacademy.com/justthrive and use the code TBD (as in, Thrive by Design) at checkout.   Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Just Thrive Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok

What are you done with?    To answer this profound question, this week we’ve got a special double-barrel episode release on the Thrive by Design podcast — How to Double Your Sales in Half the Time, and How to Know When You’re Done — And What to Do Next.    Both episodes are intended to shake you up out of the parts of your life where you’re stuck and know it’s time for a change.   Asking what I was done with in my own ‘rock bottom’ moment back in 2008 started me on the journey to the life and business I have today.   I was 40, and in total shock after the recession crashed my business overnight, taking my confidence with it. The guy I’d been dating for 3 years ghosted me. I went on vacation with two girlfriends to Nicaragua and couldn’t afford to do everything they wanted to do, and then on top of it all I got stung by a stingray at the beach one day.   Ugh.   I’d had enough. I was so done being broke, being taken for granted, being afraid.   On that trip I realized that I had no choice but to start doing things differently.    I invested in coaching so I could get super clear about what I wanted from my business.    I quit dating people who didn’t truly care about me so I could make space for someone who did.    I stopped taking custom orders from people who were not going to pay me and focused everything on building an online platform for the people who would.   And in a few months, everything was different.    If you are so ready for everything to be different, I have an invitation for you.   Next week we are launching our last live season of Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online. We are closing enrollment on Monday 29th April, and classes begin Tuesday 30th.   If you’ve been on the fence about applying to TYC, this is your sign.    If you’re done missing time with your family, scrambling to make ends meet, and bending over backwards to make your business work, it’s time to make a change.    Be done with all that.    Listen to episode #470 and #470B of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to How to Double Your Sales in Half the Time and How to Tell When You’re Done.   Then come back here and click here to apply to TYC: https://www.flourishthriveacademy.com/tyc/    Don’t miss this. This is your chance to make a real, lasting change that could be transformational for your life and business.   Here are the resources mentioned in the show:   Supercharge Your Online Sales Challenge   Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online    Erika Lyremark on Instagram   The Daily Whip   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.    Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform   Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”   Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

Today’s show is all about doubling your online sales, with a few simple strategies that always work.  But before we get to that, a quick message:  If you’re serious about increasing your sales in a short period of time, I’m here to help you do that. Our Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program (TYC) is going live on April 30th.  TYC is a 12-week sales accelerator. It helps you leverage all of your sales channels and build your revenue by pulling on different aspects of how you sell.  If you feel burned out and exhausted from spending every weekend doing shows instead of being with your family, you’re in the right place.  Earlybird applications have already closed, but there’s still time to join if you are truly ready to take your business to the next level — click here to find out more. Now, back to the episode: Can jewelry designers really double their biz online in just a few months? Yes, and I’m not talking about church change. I’m talking about real growth.    One student, who will remin nameless, said this after she learned these strategies in one of our programs:   “I could kick myself because I wasn’t collecting email addresses or following up with people after shows, and now I’m going to do $8500 this month from just those basic strategies you taught me.”    If you’re focused on being of service, you can get amazing results with the sales strategies we cover today: Two slam-dunk strategies for increasing average order value on your website if you’re selling on a platform like Shopify (and the apps you can use to set them up automatically)   One thing you can do to significantly increase the sales coming in from in-person shows (it’s highly personalized and you can customize it in a bunch of creative ways)   How to invite people to buy from you again when they come to you via social media (hint: it works so well because it comes from a place of mindfulness and intention)   I also cover why this strategy works with retail customers and your wholesale accounts, as well as the email sequences that will get people to take more action after placing an order with you, finishing abandoned orders and coming back to buy after a long time away.   This episode is packed with practical, hands-on strategies that can start growing your business today. It’s only 27 minutes, too, so you can listen to it on your lunch break and be underway with at least one of these ideas by dinner.    Listen to episode #470 of Thrive by Design to get your all-access pass to How to Double Your Sales in Half the Time.   Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program How One Jewelry Designer Grew Her Sales by 526% and Consistently Sells Out Her Collections  Episode #467: How to Get Loyal Repeat Customers Returning to Buy From Your Website in 90 Days or Less with Chelsea Farmer Episode #468: How to Leverage In Person Events to Grow Online Sales (and Get 200 New Email + SMS Subscribers in 3 Days) with Alex Boxall Episode #396: How Live Selling Transformed Her Online Jewelry Sales Laying the Foundation   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok

Is your jewelry business really just an expensive hobby right now?  If you have to make jewelry, but you also have to make it a viable business, today’s episode of the Thrive by Design podcast is for you. Erin Kandoll quit her jewelry business just as the pandemic was starting, because she didn’t think it would ever be able to support her family.  She sold all her equipment, got rid of her old inventory… and then stumbled upon Thrive by Design. She listened to a bunch of episodes and enrolled in our Laying the Foundation program.  She started seeing results so fast that she progressed into the Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online program (which, by the way, is reopening on April 30th), and 18 months later, her business was on track to do triple the revenue she’d had the year before.  In this incredible episode, Erin shares: The one simple step she implemented as soon as the program started that kickstarted her new sales journey The insane sales number that got her super psyched for the next chapter of her jewelry business (and to join TYC) How Erin prices her jewelry (and why she can charge over four figures for a single piece these days) The key foundational issues that artists run into when they start building their business… that leave them feeling like they’re always broke (and how you can overcome them) We also talk about the fun intro challenge we give TYC students to make back the cost of the program in the first week, the trait Tracy believes is the true key to success in running a jewelry business (hint: it’s not talent!), and how Erin’s self-worth has evolved as a result of growing her business. I love, love, love this episode. Erin is such an inspiration and I know you’re going to get some incredible insights from hearing her story. Don’t miss Encore Episode #422 of Thrive by Design with Erin Kandoll.    Here are the resources mentioned in the show:   Follow Erin on Instagram! F&TA Bootcamp Laying the Foundation Train Your Customers to Buy from You Online   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.    Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram:   Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok