Quilter's business doubles over three years by joining
Rebecca Bryan is a quilter, author, and entrepreneur who is the creator of Bryan House Quilts. She's revolutionized the materials world through her unique line of fabric as well as a thread assortment, all while offering in-person workshops on quilting.
At the start of her adventure seeking a better way to support her family while also making time for her art. Read on to find out how changing to an online subscription based membership brought Rebecca the financial success as well as the peace of mind she wanted.
What made you choose to jump into knowledge commerce?
The beginning of my quilting career began when I published my first book Modern Rainbow Quilts. After that, I began teaching in quilt shows and guilds around all over the United States. I continued to grow my classes with the launch of my second book, Modern Triangle Quilts.
Then, my husband took an opportunity to work in a different location, and moved our family with children who were in school to the Netherlands. The fact that we were living overseas meant it was impossible for us to return to the US for a classroom visit!
I'd thought about offering my workshops on the internet, however this decision was the catalyst I needed.
What was the first digital service you released? What was the reason you chose it?
At the time I started my journey, I chose to launch one of my classes taught from my Modern Triangle Quilts book, "Design Improv with Triangles". In my workshop, I lead the participant through a series of hands-on exercises resulting in them designing their very individual Modern Triangle quilt blocks. I chose this class because it included my most recent book, and I was able to see how in-depth the online course can be in comparison to a 3-hour or six-hour live workshop. (See my Equilateral Sampler Quilt, pictured on display in Rockport, Mass.)
Do you have more details on the results of your workshops that came with a one-time transaction?
I truly enjoyed the entire experience of digital in my classroom with my students. For one, I found the experience to be awe-inspiring in how much I enjoyed teaching on camera and via Zoom. It is impossible to overstate how (painfully!) camera-phobic I used to have been, but stepping out on camera for my students felt so rewarding. In addition, I came to know my students as we had a time of fellowship regardless of whether it was on camera. It was delightful!
Then, I started offering more online courses that began with a plan of the year program. Quilting is a process that we call the blocks "Blocks of the Months" Each month, we make the new quilt blocks. Then, at the time of year's end, we stitch all of the quilt blocks together to complete our quilt. Woohoo! (See Rainbow Remix, my 2018 BOM.)
What inspired you to offer a subscription based product?
The number of my "Block of the Month" programs grew to three at a time, I was able to offer my students greater satisfaction and value by keeping all my "Modern Triangle" projects together within one club. Therefore, in March of 2020, I opened the doors of "Make Modern Triangles" Official club that assists quilters to design designs, create, and complete blockbuster modern triangle quilts.
Within the club, participants have the option of choosing exactly which quilt they'd like to work on and they enjoy guidance and assistance from me as they strive to "bust their blocks" as they work together with like-minded quilters from all over the world. It's amazing "Triangle Chatter" community is amazing! Everyday I am completely amazed away by the project and the progress pictures shared by our members.
What was the way your customers respond to your newsletter?
Favorably, I'd say!
The Block of the Month products are such fun programs that I have put together in my role as a teacher. However, the whole experience is truly a part of the community. The anticipation of the next stage and watching piles of blocks increase; the remorse whenever something doesn't go as planned The satisfaction of having completed each stage and shouting "ta Da!" together! It's all amazing and all an element of the camaraderie that shared by all of us as a community.
What did you learn about your subscription, which you take to heart running your own business?
Oh my. The most valuable lesson I've have learned the hard way that I make far too much task for myself. This is why I'm always searching at ways to reduce my workload.
When I started my company, one my goals was to be financially able to provide for my family's support and not have to look for an "real" job. I began at the age of four when my kids were babies with the hope that my earnings would grow to the same level as a "real" job.
I was looking to start a business where I could spend about 25% of my day at the computer and then spending the remainder of my time creating within my sewing area.
However, as someone who loves to teach it was easy for me to get lost in using every quilt I'd made and creating a product to sell it. It's not hard to imagine that gave me a lot of work to do! It also took me from my sewing space and from the goal I had set.
For simplicity to keep it simple, I am now focusing (mostly!) on my membership, paring all of my offerings into one service.
What effects did the introduction of a subscription based product have in your business?
By simplifying and focusing on building my network, my company has increased by 50% over the last three years (thanks for those sweet analysis!). I've achieved my dream to build a business that can support my family as well as one that is one in which I'm no longer tied to my computer: I'm able to work from home and create art.
I'm more relaxed. I'm happy about my product that I'm giving my clients. I enjoywatching my members create. Also, I'm more free. I feel secure. The peace of mind I have frees up my bandwidth. It's not perfect, but I am aware of what I'm creating as well as how I can make it better and see how it will grow and develop within the next couple of years.
With my membership, there's no stress. For the most part I have a clear picture of my business' earnings in the current year. And I don't feel like I have to teach the latest thing I'm working on or develop a product to sell. My focus is on providing fabulous information and connections for my friends and family members, while also making my own work. In addition, I'm active and flexible in taking charge of my loved ones.
What helped you get these results?
My objective was ever going to be simplicity, and this has made total sense. It's simple for a business online to get complicated real quick. It's a way to simplify things, and I am here for it. Everything I'm looking for is within , and aside from a few other tools (from the past when I wasn't using ), I use exclusively.
What suggestions would you provide an individual who is looking to start a subscription based business?
Lean hard into your "Beta" version, and make it "Beta" for a longer than you think you need to. I wished I'd kept mine in beta mode longer. Based on your experience, identify your strengths, then do more of that. And then spend time and energy polishing and perfecting the things that are working. Be simple, and remain focussed on the simpleness. And start with your test right now. The longer you sit and the longer you wait, the more complicated the process becomes!