The Number one Piece of Advice for Product Creators

The Number one Piece of Advice for Product Creators Vicki (00:00:08):

Welcome to the, bring your product ideas to life podcast, practical advice, and inspiration to help you create and sell your own physical products. Here's your host Vicki Weinberg. Hi, and as always, thank you so much for listening today. I am really excited about this episode. Hope it goes without saying that I'm always excited, but this is the 50th episode. And to celebrate it, I've done something a bit special. So if you're a regular listener, you will probably know that I ask all product creators. The number one piece of advice. That's usually the last question I ask them. So this episode is a compilation of all of that advice. So there are short tips.

Vicki (00:00:48):

There are long tips. There's plenty of good stuff here. I really hope it resonates with you. So this is the number one tip for product creators from 20 other product creators. And I think this is advice definitely worth listening to, so I really hope you enjoy it. I stopped. We have Silke Thistlewood from Raise Up Mums, Silke added a whole new revenue stream to her business when she created her resilience cards for new mums. Silke was my first ever guest and the one and only guests I actually interviewed in person back when that was possible. I think we recorded in February, 2000 and twenties of right before the COVID pandemic and everything was shut down. And yeah, this is my one and only face to face interview.

Vicki (00:01:28):

And I really hope you enjoy listening to sell cause advice.

Silke Thistlewood (00:01:32):

Okay. I think my top tip would be to, along with not being afraid of making mistakes, it's also not be afraid of maybe not knowing everything and not be afraid of possibly making a bit of a fool of yourself. And I remember which is my reason for mentioning this. I remember bringing round printing firms to get quotes from people and I, I could have done them by email, but I really wanted to talk to people to get a gist of what their business was like. And I need people to talk me through stuff. Cause I didn't know anything about, you know, can't thickness and laminating and you know, full color, whatever. So I ran some printers and just the way that some of them made me feel was not nice because I ran up and they could tell immediately that I didn't know what I was talking about and they didn't have any time for that, which wasn't nice, but that is more of a reflection on how they run their business and not on, you know, my ability to do anything.

Silke Thistlewood (00:02:29):

But the printer that I eventually ended up using was incredibly accommodating and they were ever so friendly and had lots of time to explain things to me. And the first time I called, you know, they said, Oh, we can do all of that for you. We'll explain to you how it works. If you want to use us or not, that's then up to you, we might still not be the right printers for you. And they were just really, really lovely. So like stick with it and don't be afraid to have a sort of beginner's mindset and just embrace the fact that you don't know everything, but the people that are, you know, as passionate about their businesses, as you they'll have

Vicki (00:03:00):

Time for you to, to explain stuff to you and to take you through the process. So is Lauren Hampshire in the Milky Tee Company, Lauren shared some amazing achievements that she's had. But she also talked about how, what you see when you look at any business might not actually be the reality.

Lauren Hampshire (00:03:18):

Okay. My number one piece of advice, I think we've, we've kind of covered it a little bit, is that to not rush and to make sure that you have everything in place, that the product is perfect. Make sure you've done your sampling, make sure you've got all the legal things in place and protected your design. If it is unique and make sure that you've got your patent in place before you make it public, because you don't want to launch without protecting it. And then you lose that right, to be able to protect it. And also you don't want to launch a product that there's a problem with. And then you end up having to recall them all. So make sure that your product is right, make sure that it's protected and don't rush. And then launch. Once everything is in place.

Vicki (00:03:57):

Episode 14, I spoke to Lynsey Pollard from Little Box of Books. Lynsey curator rather than creates products and also offers a subscription service. She had so much great advice to share. And this was her top tip.

Lynsey Pollard (00:04:11):

I'd say having passion helps. Like if you want it to go far, like you can, we can do what you want. You can make what you want, but passion kind of drive passion certainly drives me to like get it to more people and get more exposure. And in doing that, I think my main advice is to look after yourself and your wellbeing and your mental health, because there's something about having to pick yourself up and go again and being like I mentioned earlier, like you have to be tenacious and you have to like dust yourself off and make connections and network and keep pushing your business because you believe in it. And I think one of the things that's really helped me is like having therapy and counseling and support as I go along. So I can remain robust.

Lynsey Pollard (00:04:52):

It's kind of like a, it's like a protective thing to just make sure that, you know, you take a lot of knocks and you, don't something it's sometimes very uncertain and it's really good to check in and just keep yourself strong mentally as you go along. That's my biggest thing.

Vicki (00:05:11):

Kate Tompsett from Happy and Glorious was our first guest to own a physical shop. Kate actually had two top pieces of advice. And if she couldn't choose between them, I can't choose between them either. So we would just call this a bonus. One,

Kate Tompsett (00:05:26):

Give yourself deadlines is really, really important because everybody says, if I had time, I would do this. And

these are people with proper jobs and people with all sorts of things, but you have to kind of make time, which I know sounds ridiculous. But the time is there, time is an infinite, we have it, but you just have to let something else go in order to make time to do the thing that's to you and the Thing that you love. So yeah, just be a little bit determined and kind of try and do one thing a day that just pushes you a little further along that road.

Kate Tompsett (00:06:08):

I think that's, that's really important. And I would also say don't be afraid to fluff up. Just think that's really, really valuable. I've had ideas that kind of seem like strokes of genius. And when I put them into practice, they just completely flop. But that doesn't mean that the idea was bad and it doesn't mean that I was wrong. It could be the timing or it could be the approach. It could be any number of things. And every, every fluff up is an opportunity to learn. And if you put them all on the back burner, it doesn't mean that you can't use them in the future and they will suddenly spread your wings and let you fly. So any, yeah. Any opportunity to train and to learn.

Kate Tompsett (00:06:51):

And also we'll get a business coach, sorry. I'm sure this is like five things, but yeah. Got a business coach who is just brilliant. I don't use him as much as I did when I started, because I find that the things come naturally to me, but it's so helpful to have someone that you can bounce ideas off, they're positive and they're realistic. You can talk about your business for hours on it. Whereas if you do that with a friend or family might have concerns about you all be careful, be cautious. Don't do that. Or I wouldn't do that. Whereas if you've got a coach, they will just help you work out what you want and how you're meant to, and then support you on the steps that you need to do to kind of reach your goal.

Vicki (00:07:35):

Keisha Shah from Teddo Play was up next. Keisha has a great brand that she sets up along with her husband and we spoke last summer. She's clearly women after my own heart as habit vice was all about the importance of doing your research.

Keisha Shah (00:07:48):

What I would say is, again, I know I mentioned this before, but you've got to say I'm focused on your goals. Once you have done your bit of market research, obviously you need to stop with that and find out whether your product idea is feasible. Do you call it, just take a hobby and just think that, you know, I'm going to put this up on social media and find my customers there. It doesn't work that way. And in today's day and age, I know social media is a, is a great cell phone. It's it's great for marketing. Great for advertising. Yes. True. But there are lots of other ways to, you know, where there's ways to get your product out there.

Keisha Shah (00:08:31):

And I just feel that when I say people and just create something and just start trying to find people on, on, on

Facebook and on Instagram, I just feel that that's not how it works. I tell me honestly, how many times have you, when you've gone on social media, do you go there with the intention to purchase something? No. I mean, if you would, if you want, if you really want to buy something, the first thing would come to mind would be Google something. You don't align stores that, you know, and that's, that's where you're going with that intention to buy. So with social media, I just feel that people are getting a little carried away and thinking that that's where they will get their success from.

Keisha Shah (00:09:11):

But yeah, so that's one top piece of advice I would give is like, you know, do your research, you got to stay focused on your goal. Do not give up. There's going to be hard. Those there will be ups and downs. There might be, or you might even come across a complete roadblock, but don't give up. It is going to be tough. No one's ever said, you know, running a business is easy. No one, literally no one ever said, so accept it. And as long as I think you're focused on your goal, you'll make it happen. Again, Tibet to bear in mind is, and you know, we live in a very dynamic world. So we got to be able to, to adapt. If we need to change our weight, we should have the courage to do with, unless, you know, I've heard that you would have heard the saying that unless you leave the site of the show, you, you won't know, you know, you won't be able to, you kind of explored new horizons.

Keisha Shah (00:10:02):

So keep that in mind and learn from your mistakes and move forward

Vicki (00:10:06):

Next up is Suzanne Hemming from Thea Chops Books Suze rights and self publishes. Roman children's books with messages of equality and inclusion. She had great advice for anyone else looking to self publish,

Suzanne Hemming (00:10:18):

Just do it, just do it, just have a go. I don't know whether somebody said this to me or whether I read it somewhere, but right back in the early days, I can remember the thing that I kept hold of was the only thing you will regret is not having had a go. So that's the only regrets that you will have. Like again, what is the worst that can happen? You end up with boxes of books in the spare bedroom or in the garage, or you know, that you have to donate to a library or a hospital or schools, or like just, just to have a girl just do it.

Suzanne Hemming (00:11:01):

It's yeah. It's, it's a bit kind of sealing stealing a catchphrase there from a well-known sporting company, but just do it like, yeah, that's the best bit of advice I can, I can give to people have a go have a go

Vicki (00:11:16):

In the summer of 2020. I speak with Bee Veronica Moore founder of Witty Ditty Designs. Bee talks about the importance of asking for help and not trying to do it all alone. I think whether you're just starting out or

whether you've been in business awhile, this is always really great advice. And she also had a fantastic tip about the British library,

Bee Veronica Moore (00:11:34):

Making sure that you find the right kind of help when you first start out. So if you're starting out and you definitely don't try and do it all by yourself, you might start off a bit by self, you know, at your kitchen table doing what you do, maybe with just family and friends, but when it gets to the point where you need to branch out, but don't do it, try and do it all by yourself. Try and find. Cause I was saying, try and find a group hole or mentoring, mentorship, mentoring groups out there that you can join. And there were some really good free ones you don't have to pay either.

Bee Veronica Moore (00:12:15):

You know, don't get conned into paying hundreds of pounds to, to some consultant who says, Oh, I can help you with this, that and the other. There were some really good networking organizations out there who are funded to help people like us who are, you know, starting out and need help. You have a good place. Is the British library. They, again, not so much now because of the pandemic explorers, but back in the day, the British library was really, really good, a good source of help. They offer, you know, free advice on all sorts. I mean, it's them who I went to when I wanted to get my copyright done or my logo and in my work.

Bee Veronica Moore (00:13:00):

And they were the ones who gave me loads of advice. You know, they, you, you have to book and obviously there's a waiting list because it's free, but you, you could go and see somebody who would take you through all of your rights and your copyright and what you should and shouldn't do. So yeah, that is something that you definitely have to do is, is don't don't don't don't try and do it all by yourself and get good advice from good sources.

Vicki (00:13:27):

I think you're right. Having a network is just so important. Just having people around you, you can bounce ideas off that you could ask questions and it's invaluable. I think that's great advice. And I didn't know that about the research library as well. So I'm fascinated to hear that.

Bee Veronica Moore (00:13:41):

Yeah, that'd be brilliant. They may have talked some of the talks of free. Some of them aren't, but even the ones that aren't, you know, it's like not very much to pay, to go and see some amazing speakers, other entrepreneurs who have done, who you would know the names of. And they talk to you and say, this is how I start. Like, this is what I did. And as I say, they do, they did. And I'm sure once everything's back to normal, they will do carry on doing so they do offer free advice as well.

Vicki (00:14:13):

The next episode was with Lau Morrachini, also known as the creative upcycler CLA now speak about being brave enough to share your work and your goals of others. In fact, she has a lot of top tips to squeeze into just a few minutes,

Lau Morrachini (00:14:26):

Do it. That's the first piece of advice. Trust yourself, show your work to other people, whatever you making friends, family show your work, try to do have a support network. Sometimes talk to a friend or a partner or a memo family. Tell them your goals, set some goals, tell them what you're going to do. Do it. Show them the product, accept the bad feedbacks. because in the you growing and doing better, someone like a, an accountability, accountability partner, anyone look next month and going to, I don't know, going to make, then I'm going to learn how to solve the civil rings.

Lau Morrachini (00:15:24):

Do it. You don't have the money to pay for a workshop. Go online. You got plenty of free courses, jewelry making all the products, learn, practice, fail, start again, say it again and stop and say do it. You, you put it out. I mean, in the India to show it to people for, for feedback, always something very important as, as well is knowing who your customers are and listen, listen to your customers basically because you making stuff to sell it to them.

Lau Morrachini (00:16:05):

You don't, you don't make stuff just to please you in your work and keep them in a drawer. So yeah, communicate a lot with your customers as much as you can, what it is, but go nine investigates. Don't worry if you see all this product in mind, but Oh, it's already exists. It doesn't matter. Do it, try to do it better. Try to transform me to try to, to add something more, to eat different color, different material, anywhere, depending on your project. What does I'm set for example, I never paid for woodturning class.

Lau Morrachini (00:16:51):

You've already might father for Christmas bottom year, two days for another, one's called since this expo, I've done some toning and it will be there. I go there to learn more and more techniques, but I've read a lot of things with people online, practicing, failing, doing it again, et cetera. Oh yeah, I have a go at it and you'll be better every day.

Vicki (00:17:16):

Alice Clover was my next guest. Alice is a self published author and her book speakers on gender and equality. I actually met Alice as an offense in Brighton back in 2019. And it was so lovely and exciting to have her on the podcast and is speak a lot about the importance of just doing it, just writing and enjoying what you do

Alice Clover (00:17:36):

Just write, and if you're really passionate about, and you believe in yourself, you can succeed. You've just got to be patient and realize that it's not going to become a best seller overnight, or it's not going to sell loads And you might not make any money from it at all. But if you really are passionate about it and want to do it, you should just do it.

Vicki (00:17:58):

Next. I speak of Dawn Friday from Girl Friday Embroidery to almost a first at CSL live on the podcast. And I learned such a lot from that episode. Duel makes all of her products by hand and her advice is fantastic for creators and makers.

Dawn Friday (00:18:12):

And I would say be yourself and because it shines through in what you do and create your own style. And there are a lot of us on Instagram that fee, but we all do it in a different way and our work all it's different. And I think you can tell when someone is trying to not copy, but when someone is trying to do something that isn't them. And so, yeah, I would say just, just find your own way and find your own style and don't just do it, which is my message to myself most days. And as I said, you kind of faff about, and you, you think about things too much, but sometimes you're better off just having a guy.

Vicki (00:19:01):

The next episode I want to share is with Sophie Lilley from Munchkin and Bear. Sophie actually went into business with her friend. Which many of you I know, found really interesting and Sophie's advice is all about knowing your customers.

Sophie Lilley (00:19:14):

I would be really know what problem you're trying to solve and really know who you're doing it for, because I think there's, it's very easy. And I went through a process before I kind of landed here and approached it. Lot of thinking through different things I could do. And it's easy to stop from your skillset and go, well, I can make

cushions. So I'm going to make cushions. And, and that's definitely a pass of that journey because you want to do something you can do or you feel passionate about. But I think working out what you're selling, who is it for and in what moment in their life really helps you kind of get it right?

Sophie Lilley (00:19:58):

And, and also then the marketing piece that comes a lot easier because you know who you're trying to talk to. Yeah.

Vicki (00:20:05):

I then spoke with Harjit Sohotey-Khan fromJewelled Buddha I known Harjit awhile and was just so excited to have her on the podcast. Have advice is also along the lines of trying not to do everything alone.

Harjit Sohotey-Khan (00:20:17):

I would say if you're just starting off, get help. Because I think from that, you know, you get, it really helps you on your journey to starting and starting is the most difficult thing, you know, having help from mentors and other business owners that are either in your field or not is totally invaluable. You know? So I would say get help, definitely enjoying lots of Facebook groups and support groups because you know, they can help you, you know, down the path that you need really to, you know, make a good go of your business.

Vicki (00:20:58):

Next episode Ruth Bradford, The Little Black and White Book Project The whole episode is focused on the importance of just going for it and based advice. It's all around following your own path and focusing on what works for you. We've also speaks about following people only a few steps ahead rather than those deter, a long way out from where he wants to be. And I really love that is that is what this podcast is all about.

Ruth Bradford (00:21:20):

It's really hard because the more I talk about my journey, the more I realize I've got all these little bits that I want people to like take on board. But I think the biggest learning for me has been this, there are no rules that contrary to what all these people who probably make millions of pounds a year telling you consulting, or you know, that people set the business up around telling other people how to make millions and all that kind of stuff. But ultimately as long as you're following the Lea or advice and tax rules, everything else is up for grabs. So there's no reason why you should be running your business as a carbon copy of someone else's, you know, like do this your own way.

Ruth Bradford (00:22:00):

If you want to grow slate, gray, slow. If you want to grow, you know, be a massive overnight success, put your effort into that, whatever it is, just remember that like everyone will have advice, pick and choose what works for you and what applies to you and what you're, what you resonate with, like, and discard the rest, you know, shut out all of these voices, stay in your own lane and just, yeah. Strip it down to migrate tasks to start somewhere because you can't learn anything. If you don't start say just have a go try, not to be scared, easier said than done, but I think really breaking it down into tiny little micro tasks that just push you forward little by little and forgetting about the rules and just doing it your own way.

Ruth Bradford (00:22:41):

Like I said, I see for going, Hey, we'll jump in feet first that won't work for everybody. But that works for me. I, I think I forgot a business plan somewhere, but it certainly wasn't the first thing that I wrote. So yeah, I think it's just straight the rule book out. Don't worry about it. Just, just have a guy who and see what happens is that like super old cliche about fail fast, fail cheap, but it's so true. Just you won't know, unless you try and put yourself out there and just, however, however you can do that. So breaking it down into really small tasks or, you know, giving yourself many challenges or finding a great support group, you know, whatever that is, that's going to propel you forward.

Ruth Bradford (00:23:21):

Just take these little steps because now I'm like three years on and I look back and like talking to you and like I never realized I'd have so much to say, you know, and it creeps up on you that all of a sudden you've got all this knowledge to share. And you know, there are these people who are huge mega successes that they're so far out of reach and actually what need to hear from a people who are a few steps ahead of you

each time, because you can go, Oh, well, I could be there by next year. And you only really get that from just starting and trying and talking to other people and having a go

Vicki (00:23:55):

Next up is is Becky Perry from Paper Pattern Scissors, Becky sales, by physical and digital products, which was a really interesting aspect to chat about. Have advice is about working out what you need to do to get started and about getting help where you need it.

Becky Perry (00:24:08):

I think the key thing realistically is working out what, what you really, really need to get your business started. So why are you doing it? Who is going to buy it? And also what all the components that you need to gather to get that going? I think I've had sort of really interesting conversations with various people recently because you know, a lot of, a lot of jobs are changing and people are kind of, you know, people are losing their jobs and they want to start their own thing. And why not? You know, it's a great time to start it, but I think the more you delve into something that you want to do, the more you realize how much planning there is in there and kind of how much, you know, realistically how much money do you need to spend to get this out?

Becky Perry (00:24:58):

Who might you need to employ on the things that you can't do yourself? So for instance, I employed someone do my branding because that's not really, I love having an opinion on branding and I love giving feedback on branding, but I can't design it myself. You know, I wanted someone to do that and someone who knew what they were doing, so kind of employing employing people for the right parts of different jobs that I can't do myself is, is key. And just, yeah, just kind of really making sure you're kind of clear on what you're going to have to do before you can launch

Vicki (00:25:32):

The end of 2020. I spoke with Priya Khan from Little Crystal Minds. Mine's about adding products with service-based business. Priyas advice really reinforces what you've already heard from others on this episode, which I just think goes to show how important it is and how much that we all do need to hear it.

Priya Khan (00:25:48):

I would say, find your tribe, find people that are going through a similar experience to you because it can be

quite difficult and quite lonely, and you can get just hot and quite a lot. And actually everyone's going through the same process. So finding people that understand your challenges, your pain points really helps because also they help you. Like you say, everyone makes mistakes and they probably made mistakes. And you can

just ask the question and they can help and support you and guide you as well and vice versa. And it's just nice to have a community. So that would be my top tip is don't do it alone. Find your tribe, find your community to help you.

Priya Khan (00:26:30):

And I think I've done that and I'm going to just plug them all by MoMA group have been brilliant for me. I've had a few communities that I've gone to in the past, but I think it's difficult to find the one that you kind of connect with and just keep trying

Vicki (00:26:47):

The next episode was with Monique Horrigan from The Dou-Douds. Monique spoke really well about following your dreams while still being realistic and not putting too much pressure on yourself, which is advice. I think we all need from time to time.

Monique Horrigan (00:27:05):

I would definitely say if you just follow your gods, if you have a dream and you want to pursue it, just give it a go, you know, but just be realistic. I totally underestimated how much time, money and assets. And let's let in tears that has gone into this. It would be because I just had the simplified version in my mind of, Oh, I can make it. I think you do have to just be realistic with yourself and say, this is going to be a long, hard slog. It's, you know, it's taken me three years to get here. And I think, and I still don't feel like I'm on top of it yet purely because of Corona and I'm having a baby and second baby in the middle and just sort of got myself set up.

Monique Horrigan (00:27:53):

But yeah, it's just one of those things that it's just, you know, if you believe in yourself, that's brilliant because you can just start there and then just push hard and work hard. And you'll definitely make it

Vicki (00:28:05):

I then spoke with Catherine Marche. She makes beautiful handmade jewelry. Catherine had some fantastic advice about staying true to yourself. I also loved what she had to say about pricing and about not undervaluing yourself or your products.

Catherine Marche (00:28:17):

So I would say you have to listen to yourself. You are the only one who really knows exactly what you want to do on cry. And sometimes people who are going to give you advice are going to hinder your, with your judgment. That's going to put breaks to your flying crew. If that makes sense. I would say that sometimes if you're too reasonable, you're going to, you know, try to tell her for the mess.

Catherine Marche (00:29:00):

But the thing is that everybody has the specific something special, which is not necessarily for everyone. And by being yourself and staying true to yourself, you're going to attract the people who are going to love what you really do. But if you try to not be yourself, you're not going to enjoy what you're making or what you're going to try to do it more. And then it's going to take longer and it's going to be boring. But you have a thing I would say is also . I see so many times people trying to make a living, but price too small because don't take into account the time they don't take into account, you know, everything that comes around like insurance.

Catherine Marche (00:29:49):

And I think that's, if you really want to be serious about something, one do something you love the way you want you. And this is something that is possible or not legal, I don't know about and make sure that you price it properly. No, it's not a sheriff that you're running. I mean, price it properly. There's no, I've seen people who need a cardigan and the tech hurdles seven days of eight hours. So that's what 50 plus hours to make the cardigan. And then they're going to study something like what teach two pounds.

Catherine Marche (00:30:29):

And you think, I don't know the price of the wool, but I wouldn't, you know, make 50 hours of work for one hour. I mean, yeah, you have to make sure that you price it.

Vicki (00:30:47):

Next up is Natalia Bolek from Naboso Handmade. Natalia makes really unique personalized products. And I loved her message about knowing what works for you and not necessarily taking in everyone else's device on board, but really thinking about what resonates with you and what, and what makes sense for you and for your business.

Natalia Bolek (00:31:02):

Never give up. It's like sometimes we have this voice telling us, Oh, we have those people around us and I've met a lot of them. That's not going to work or this for that much money. Oh, are you crazy? And it's like, you know, you have all these people with bad devices just don't listen to them, surround yourself, or network yourself with people who do similar stuff to yours. Listen to good advice. Sometimes if you have a person who's in a similar field, a might help you and tell you that you can do better pictures or use better lightings or give you small tips, you know, it's, you have to like sometimes network, I've met so many great people while I am doing what I'm doing.

Natalia Bolek (00:32:03):

Even though those people are selling different stuff, like clothes or jewelry makers, or they are into photography. It's so nice that I loved my journey through that. And, and I am learning a lot as well. So, you

know, it's just never gave up. Just put it on the piece of the note on the, like on your pictures and, and on your mirror and just, you know, keep going

Vicki (00:32:37):

This last interview was in 2020 was with Christina Pickworth from This Mama Does, Christina runs This Mama Does alongside her full time business. And her advice is really aimed at anyone wanting to create products on the side. But I still think it's good for everyone to hear.

Christina Pickworth (00:32:51):

Yeah. I think really you just, if there's something that you want to do, just go for it, give it a try. You know, maybe it won't work. Maybe it will. Maybe it's something that can sit alongside whatever you're doing. Maybe it will overtake whatever else it is that you're doing, but you can make those decisions and decide how it can serve you in the best way. And that might be Justin, that it's just a little extra thing that you do because you love it. And you know, it lights you up in some way, you know, equally you might decide that it's too hard and too much work and it doesn't sit alongside other things, but at least you've done it then.

Christina Pickworth (00:33:34):

And you know, and it's not that thing of, Oh, I wish I'd given that a whirl. Just give it a try, do what you can do. Don't beat yourself up about how much time you're able to dedicate to it. Certainly don't compare yourself to other businesses because I think that's something that can be easy to do, but you've just got to remember if it's a side hustle, it's a side hustle, you know, you can't look at other people that are, you know, perhaps spending loads of money on PR or marketing or social media or, you know, product development and think, Oh, you know, they're doing much better than me.

Christina Pickworth (00:34:17):

Well, they're just doing something different to you. So I think you just have to go for it, stay in your own lane and do it because you love it. And if you don't love it, then just don't do it anymore. That's that's I think that's that'sall you can do really. Isn't it? You know, just give it a go and see where you end up. Okay.

Vicki (00:34:38):

Our Final contribution is from Ruth Bussey from Ink and Scribbles, Ruths advice is short and sweet and well worth listening to, so it's a fantastic way to end.

Ruth Bussey (00:34:47):

I think that I would say giving back and touching on what we were saying earlier, learn research first, do research first, but then just do it. And you know, don't put pressure on yourself to make it one way or another, just be on the journey.

Vicki (00:35:12):

There's always thank you so much for listening to this episode. I really, really hope you found it useful and agree that we managed to cram in an awful lot of advice in a relatively short space of time, which is definitely my aim here. Hopefully you've noticed some key themes coming free. I think giving it a go and finding your tribe basing to be key messages here. And obviously there were lots of really practical tips too, that I really hope help. You say links to all of these episodes in full in case you've missed any it'll in the show notes. If you don't know what the show notes are, then depending where you're listening. This is over the blog post under the pop class player. If you're, if you're looking at this on your laptop or on a desktop computer, or if you're listening in an app on your phone, you should be able to click a button that says details by this episode.

Vicki (00:35:56):

And then you'll be able to see sort of some texts where I explained a little bit about what's covered in this episode and links to, as I say, all of that four episodes mentioned, I just want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this episode and kind of gave up their time to be interviewed by me. It's really, really appreciated. And thank you so much to you for listening to everyone. Who's taken the time to listen, to subscribes the writer of you to reach out and say, hello. All of these things are really, really appreciated and yeah. And thank you for being here 50 episodes in the next week.