Recommended Resources…

Are you tired of trying everything to make your creative maker and design business grow? You have beautiful designs, amazing ideas, but you’re not getting noticed or making sales.

Welcome back to the Real Talk with Tian Podcast. Hello, I’m Tian Connaughton of TianConnaughton.com and the creator behind The SOCIETY and Pattern Partnership. This is Season 3 and I am so thrilled to be back to talking with a whole new season of the real talk that gets to the heart of the matter.

We have an amazing season planned that I cannot wait to share with you… coming at you on Thursdays.

By the end of the season, I want you to feel confident in your business and have a plan to turn your creative hobby into a profitable business.

Stay tuned. Real Talk with Tian Season 3 starts now!

SHOW SPONSORS:

Convertkit - I've been using ConvertKit to build new forms and landing pages to grow my email list as a creator. It's the easiest way to launch your next creative project! Sign up through the link below and you'll unlock 1,000 subscribers for free. CLICK HERE to sign up!

THINKIFIC - I’ve been using Thinkific to deliver my courses and membership training programs. This platform has been a pivotal part of the exponential growth of my business. Sign up through the link below to try for free. CLICK HERE to sign up!

SKILLSHARE - Explore your creativity. Join Skillshare to watch, play, learn, make, and discover. 2020 was a year when we dealt a lot and being able to zone out and learn something creative was exactly what I needed. And, I’m STILL learning and exploring my creativity with painting classing and making videos for Instagram. Sign up through the link below to join Skillshare today and get TWO WEEKS of Premium for Free! CLICK HERE to sign up!

Apr 16

Apr 16 S2 E10 - How to navigate running a creative business during the COVID-19 pandemic

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to tell your story in a noisy world by Gary Vaynerchuk

Welcome to episode 10, Season 2 finale of the Real Talk with Tian podcast. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 practical tips for maintaining and even scaling and growing your creative business during these uncertain times...and beyond.

We didn’t see this coming. When I started planning season 2 of this podcast back in late 2019, I had planned to end the season another way, completely different. Maybe it will be a bonus episode later or in the next season. But with the pandemic and these stay at home orders, we are all facing uncertainties in our lives and in our business. In life, like you, we’re all just doing the best we can. But in business, we can do so much. So, in this episode, I want to share with you some strategies for how you can navigate running your creative business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now.

BOOKS:

Unlock Your Inner Designer: How to start designing

Pattern Launch Plan: Sell more patterns consistently without being sleazy

Get the resource:

BUILDING BLOCK METHOD 3-Easy Steps To Maximize Your Exposure

Need help taking that next step? Need clarity on your message to attract your ideal customer? Get the support you need to reach your creative goals.

COURSES

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro! (self-study) - bit.ly/patterngradingselfstudy

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Podcast Page: http://realtalkwithtian.libsyn.com

Apr 9

Apr 9 S2 E9 - Interview with Dominique Trad

I have a pretty good idea of what it's like stitching and designing in the US. But what is it like around the world? I have questions! So, today I'm talking to Dom Trad, a knitwear designer located in Australia, about her journey.

This conversation gets really deep and touches on a lot of great topics. It's one to not miss.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now.

Find Dominique Trad on:

Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/dominique-trad

Ravelry Group: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/domknit

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominiquetrad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DominiqueTradDesigner

COURSES

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro! (self-study) - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study)

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, my website, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts!

Podcast Page: http://realtalkwithtian.libsyn.com

Apr 2

Apr 2 S2 E8 - Diversifying your income during times of uncertainty

BUILDING BLOCK METHOD 3-Easy Steps To Maximize Your Exposure

So, how are you? Seriously, how are you? I wasn’t sure if I was going to do an episode this week or skip it in light of all that’s happening. There is so much uncertainty, I didn’t want to add to the noise. But in the end, I decided to record this episode because maybe you're feeling unsure about your business and if it will survive. You’re wondering if you should still be selling... is that even appropriate.

These are unprecedented times. There are so many uncertainties with full-time jobs, schools, let alone a fledgling business. But this is the perfect time to be of value to your community. This is the perfect time to go out and serve the heck out of your community. Now is the time to start focusing on what you can control and that is how you show up in the world for yourself, your family, your audience.

In this episode, I’m sharing some actionable steps you can take right is to reclaim control.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now.

Get the resource:

Need help taking that next step? Need clarity on your message to attract your ideal customer? Get the support you need to reach your creative goals.

COURSES

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro! (self-study) - bit.ly/patterngradingselfstudy

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Podcast Page: http://realtalkwithtian.libsyn.com

Mar 17

Mar 17 [BONUS] PGME Spotlight - Interview with Bug of Knitcircus Yarns

When I launched, Pattern Grading Made Easy in the fall of 2019, I had no idea, couldn’t have imagined what the course would have become… the knitters, crocheters, tech editors, designers I’d meet… and the supporters who’s reached out.

In this bonus episode, I’m talking to Bug, the owner of Knitcircus Yarn, her mission of supporting women, and her giving back to the community by sponsoring a spot in PGME.

If you want to hear about her journey to becoming a yarn store owner as a new knitter, her commitment to helping further size-inclusivity, how you can request yarn support for your next design, AND get a sweet coupon code good until April 20, 2020.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now!

COURSES

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro!

Live course with community and weekly Q+A - Pattern Grading Made Easy (live)

Self-study at your own pace - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study)

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, my website, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts!

Podcast Page: http://realtalkwithtian.libsyn.com

Mar 17

Mar 17 [BONUS] PGME Student Spotlight - Interview with Marielle Zatar

In this special bonus episode of the Real Talk with Tian podcast, I’m talking with a very special guest, Marielle Zatar. In this conversation, we get into her design journey and being a knitting teacher in the Middle East, then we jump into why she joined Pattern Grading Made Easy, her results from the 4-week course, and making the investment in her business.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now!

COURSES

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro!

Live course with community and weekly Q+A - Pattern Grading Made Easy (live)

Self-study at your own pace - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study)

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, my website, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts!

Podcast Page: http://realtalkwithtian.libsyn.com

Mar 17

Mar 17 [BONUS] PGME Student Spotlight - Interview with Rachael Reese

Hey there, Tian here. I am so excited to share with you this bonus episode of the Real Talk with Tian podcast. We’re talking with Rachael Reese about her journey as a homeschooling mama and knitwear designer, and how the
course, Pattern Grading Made Easy has given her her time back, from grading a hat pattern taking her a week to now just a few hours.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now!

COURSES

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro!

Live course with community and weekly Q+A - Pattern Grading Made Easy (live)

Self-study at your own pace - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study)

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, my website, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts!

Podcast Page: http://realtalkwithtian.libsyn.com

Mar 17

Mar 17 [BONUS] PGME Student Spotlight - Interview with Jessica Clement

Welcome to this bonus episode of the Real Talk with Tian podcast, where we’re talking to Jessica Clement. We get into her journey from academia to knitwear design, and why Pattern Grading Made Easy, the course, has
been so valuable in getting her to the next level in her design journey.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now!

COURSES

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro!

Live course with community and weekly Q+A - Pattern Grading Made Easy (live)

Self-study at your own pace - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study)

One-on-one Coaching with Tian

Website: TianConnaughton.com

Instagram: @TianConnaughton

Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, my website, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts!

Podcast Page: http://realtalkwithtian.libsyn.com

Mar 12

Mar 12 S2 E5 - Interview with Francoise Danoy

Designing and running a business can start in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes it’s not wanting to follow other’s instructions or maybe it’s a rejection or two that’s led you in a totally different direction than you’d imagined. While your path might be completely different, I want to share with you an amazing designer and coach who’s created her own space in her industry.

Stay tuned. Real talk starts now!

COURSES

Pattern Grading Made Easy: How to grade like a pro! (self-study) - Pattern Grading Made Easy (self-study) bit.ly/patterngradingselfstudy

One-on-one Coaching with Tian