I was pleasantly surprised to find an email from Stephanie Alford waiting in my inbox a few months back. When I opened it, I found about 1000 words detailing the enormous success she had achieved in her business over the previous 6 months: quadrupling her mailing list, launching 2 successful continuity programs, and earning her first 5-figure month.
Now, what you need to know is that Stephanie isn’t trained in marketing, she’s not selling business advice, and she doesn’t have a $1k coaching program. Nope, Stephanie dyes yarn.
She’s the chief fiber advocate behind Space Cadet Creations.
Stephanie’s success epitomizes the possibilities that come from loving your product, believing in your purpose, knowing your people, and getting creative with a brand that suits you. In our interview you’ll find out how she:
- Created an ebook that become a viral marketing device, product education tool, and sales generator.
- Prioritized taking a risk as an investment in the growth of her business.
- Identified a trend & need in the market that she could capitalize on.
- Stood out in a sea of competitors who offer the same thing she does.
- Used a clever marketing idea to shift her relationship with customers & give them something with which to connect with each other.
Tomorrow, I’ll break down these points even further. Find my analysis here. But, for today, enjoy Stephanie’s story!
Visit Stephanie at Space Cadet Creations and follow her on Twitter.
"wonderful blend of heart and soul
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5-figure month dying YARN? I get @spacecadetcreat to tell you how it’s done: http://t.co/vtNpBhtX #youeconomy
RT @taragentile: 5-figure month dying YARN? I get @spacecadetcreat to tell you how it’s done: http://t.co/vtNpBhtX #youeconomy
Love this interview, Tara and congratulations Stephanie! I remember you from the Creative Empire group your having a blast and it shows!!
I love this interview, it’s so refreshing! And it was really interesting to see all the different ideas you can come up with. Thank you, I truly loved it!
And Stephanie, I bet you’re going to find a solution to get to see what your customers make out of your yarn. Maybe some contest?
Awesome interview! Congrats to Stephanie. I love the idea of educating your clients. And also the concept of creating a business strategy(even if you are an artist? I am starting to get it. OK. I am slow…all these things about ‘pure-art-art-for-art-bla-bla’ are so embedded in my brain… I have to dive in very deeply in the grey matter to make changes! But you are amazing help)
Thank you!
Quadruple your mailing list in 2 months? Sure why not. @SpaceCadetCreat told me how she did it: http://t.co/mNMw6Dc1
LOVING this interview with @SpaceCadetCreat and @taragentile. Especially since I edited & designed that ebook
http://t.co/oOA0NMBf
I have to watch this again and take notes! Guess I won’t sleep to much tonight because of all the ideas twirling around in my head…
Loved this!! So inspirational and gave lots of great ideas…that “free cookie” is favorite (: I do have a question though…I have a huge list of emails from customers who have purchased product. Even though they didn’t subscribe to receive my newsletters, am I able to include them in my list of contacts when I do send out newsletters? I didn’t want to be spammy so I haven’t included these customers in my email newsletter updates, but now I’m rethinking that. Any ideas on the protocol?
I LOVED THIS ahhhhsdfdl;kj;lkj <– that's my excitement. See that? That's what this video made my brain do. So excited for you, Stephanie, and taking away so many great nuggets of wisdom for my own biz! I'm finally int he position to start moving forward at full speed with my art, and I already have a free ebook in the works that I kind of stopped the past week or two and got sidetracked with other things. This just shows I need to hop back on it and give it out like candy. I'm so inspired, thank you for sharing all of your tips and your story!
Hi Tara! I’m watching the interview right now and loving it! Stephanie your business is truly inspiring and creative! Fabulous Tara
I loved this! It’s so inspiring to hear the creative marketing strategies Stephanie used, which were about FUN and COMMUNITY. And meanwhile, they made her job easier instead of harder. So much to take away from this. Brava!!
RT What it takes to earn a 5-figure month dying yarn: Interview with @SpaceCadetCreat: http://t.co/rKqJgOby via @taragentile
What it takes to earn a 5-figure month dying yarn: Interview with Stephanie Alford: http://t.co/WAFaiSsL
What it takes to earn a 5-figure month dying yarn: Interview with Stephanie Alford http://t.co/SEHrPVSn
Wow!! I really enjoyed learning about Stephanie’s business & how she creatively came up with a fun, interactive way to engage her customers. I’m not a knitter and even I found myself wanting to check out her booth!
What a clever way to set yourself apart. Congrats, Stephanie, and thanks for sharing, Tara!
What it takes to earn a 5-figure month dying yarn: Interview with Stephanie Alford: http://t.co/SlliJVmu
All I can say is “Wow!” There is so much to take away from all that you had to share, Stephanie! Thanks so much for sharing, Stephanie and Tara. I know I will be mulling this interview over for some time to come!
@toiltrouble This is that video I mentioned last night about the dyer who just had her first 5 figure month. http://t.co/bxhL3hM4
i love this…what a wonderful story
Very inspiring
I absolutely LOVED this interview! Her energy and creativity truly inspired and encouraged me to get creative and out of the box in my own business. Thanks for sharing, Tara.
[...] Gentile knocked it out of the park this week with her video, What It Takes to Earn a 5-Figure Month Dyeing Yarn: Interview with Stephanie Alford. There is so much advice packed into the [...]
Congratulations Stephanie and great interview Tara!.