18 Comments

1. 

   Simone Deckers on February 2, 2015 at 1:14 pm

   My personal definition of success is to be able to wake up everyday and be earning a full time living/wage from Femke Textiles. I would like to jump on my bike, ride to my studio and print and sew the day away filling manageable orders and collaborating with other creatives.

2. 

   Libby Lucas on February 2, 2015 at 1:45 pm

   Hi Jess,
   Fantastic workshop !!
   I remember going through this in Set Up Shop when I was first starting out, and finding it quite daunting. Now, second time around, it is really helping me define my biz …….which i am overhauling, and expanding into vintage home as well .
   For all others in thier very beginning steps i would say – look at each point separately and move forward in small positve steps to help from feeling overwhelmed . This way you gain a sense of achievement as you move toward your goal.
   Thanks Jess – best be off to jot down my ideas 🙂
   Libby Lucas

3. 

   Robyn Stewart on February 3, 2015 at 5:59 pm

   Wow Jess what a juicy workshop! So much ground you have covered and so much for me to contemplate.
   Thanks
   PS sound level was great 🙂

4. 

   Suzie Horne on February 6, 2015 at 3:55 pm

   Hi Jess,
   Great workshop! Thank-you! I’ve just done both the January and February ones today, have made notes and am feeling really positive now about where I am at in my (relatively) new journey of turning my wire jewellery hobby into a business. I am just at the stage of (about to) create a website, so this workshop was perfect timing regarding what I need to consider, explore and cover. I do have a question for you – but might head on over to the FB page to ask it 😉
   Warm regards
   Suzie Horne

5. 

   Ashlee Meadows on February 6, 2015 at 4:18 pm

   Great workshop! Loved your thoughts on branding and marketing. I think the idea that “your brand story underpins all of you marketing” will really help me to use social media more productively.

   Thank you!

   Ashlee

6. 

   Nikki Weiss on February 6, 2015 at 6:56 pm

   Another great workshop, Jess! Thanks so much!! 🙂

7. 

   Jess Van Den on February 7, 2015 at 3:19 pm

   That sounds pretty awesome to me 🙂

8. 

   Jess Van Den on February 7, 2015 at 3:20 pm

   That’s fabulous, Libby! And your advice is spot-on, too – it can be so easy to get overwhelmed with everything… but small steps make all the difference.

9. 

   Jess Van Den on February 7, 2015 at 3:20 pm

   Juicy – I love it! And glad that the sound level was spot on for you.

10. 

    Jess Van Den on February 7, 2015 at 3:22 pm

    Hey Suzie,

    So glad to hear you’re feeling positive about the journey! Looking forward to your question 😉

11. 

    Jess Van Den on February 7, 2015 at 3:22 pm

    Great tidbit to take away, Ashlee – glad it stuck with you!

12. 

    Jess Van Den on February 7, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Glad you found it helpful, Nikki!

13. 

    Robyn Stewart on February 10, 2015 at 9:22 am

    Simone that sounds almost like my perfect life too but put ceramics instead of textiles. Love riding my bike too 🙂

14. 

    Leanne Hewens on February 18, 2015 at 9:16 am

    I love how different all our definitions of success can be. I have now watched this video 5 times and the reason for that is so that I could be truly honest about what my definition of personal success is. Mine is broken down into 3 phases and sadly the first phase brings me to tears when I think about it which is why it has taken me so long to put it out there for all to see. For me the first sign of success is making enough money to top up my day job income and then not have to chose between food or medicine, or choose between paying the phone bill or going to the Doctor. Knowing I can buy that concert ticket because the extra is there. At the moment my business runs on a gossamer thread budget (only the money I make from sales goes back to the business) so I know I am doing well when I can put in a big order for supplies. After that the next two phases are making more that then $27,000 a year I get from my day job and chucking it in and the last phase is showing my niece and nephew that you can make money doing something ‘arty’ and you can be successful at it. The second two phases seem so simple after I get over the hurdle of acheiving the first one. I think it is time to strap on my wings and fly 🙂

15. 

    Jess Van Den on February 18, 2015 at 10:36 am

    Leanne, that is amazing, and brave, and it can be so hard to be so open and honest with ourselves – let alone others. Thank you for sharing x

    And may you FLY HIGH!

16. 

    Christine Mellado on October 29, 2015 at 10:06 pm

    Hi Jess,
    I’ve only just started this Thriver journey so my comments are a little late but I’m loving it!
    My definition of success is to be my own boss and make enough income to get off the pension( I’m my partner’s full time carer). To see or hear that children are enjoying and love my products and to create products that are original and durable enough to be handed down as a keepsake.

17. 

    Michelle (Emma Kay) Genders on March 8, 2016 at 2:54 pm

    Thumbs up Jess – I’ll have to rewatch this one.

18. 

    Fiona Langtry on May 11, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    Thank you so much for this workshop!!!

    I’ve just re-written my Shop Announcement in my Etsy shop to reflect some of what you’ve taught about branding 🙂

    I am, at heart, a ‘go with the flow’ person, so words like ‘goals’ and ‘defining’ really get me confused. My business has been an ‘accident’ which now (after 3 years) makes sense, but I still get stumped when asked what my ultimate aim is, and this workshop has helped 🙂

    Thanks again, Jess… looking forward to the next workshops and learning more from you!