Taking the Leap to full-time entrepreneurship - with Tara Miller · The Rev Craft Biz Podcast summary

Key takeaways

Passion can be a powerful motivator for transitioning from part-time work to full-time entrepreneurship.
The skills gained from previous careers can significantly enhance one's success in a new entrepreneurial venture.
Understanding the history of your craft can provide inspiration and context for creating new work.
Navigating challenges, including sexism and intellectual property issues, requires resilience and collaboration among women in the industry.
Empowering women and honoring community support can lead to a richer creative experience in any craft.

Summary

Turning Passion into Practice

In this lively discussion, host Sam Hunter engages with Tara Miller, who shares her journey of transforming her love for quilting into a full-time business. Initially starting out as a side gig, Tara explains how her passion and dedication gradually overshadowed her corporate job, prompting her to make the leap to full-time entrepreneurship. With years of experience in tech, Tara emphasizes the importance of timing and knowing when to embrace change, especially as she approached a pivotal age of 50.

Skills from Corporate to Craft

Tara delves into the skills she harnessed during her corporate career that have directly benefited her quilting business. From technical writing, which aids her pattern creation, to user experience insights that enhance customer interactions, Tara reflects on the key competencies acquired in the corporate world. The duo discusses how these experiences contribute to effective communication, team building, and creative developments necessary for running a quilting business.

The Intersection of History and Quilting

The conversation seamlessly transitions to the rich history of quilting, as Tara shares her fascination with the evolution of quilt patterns. They geek out over Barbara Brackman’s impactful work, the 'Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns,' reflecting on how understanding historical context adds depth to the craft. Tara discusses her collection of antique quilts and how they inspire her modern practices as an educator, marking the significance of historical appreciation in creating new works.

Facing Challenges in the Craft Industry

As both women share personal experiences navigating the male-dominated tech space and the quirks of the craft world, they touch on the challenges of sexism, ageism, and the frustrating complexities of intellectual property in the quilting industry. Tara resonates with the struggles of maintaining authenticity and creativity while also contending with the business aspects of craft entrepreneurship. They underline the importance of standing firm against unethical practices that threaten the integrity of their work.

Women Empowerment and Creativity

Bringing the discussion full circle, Tara emphasizes the need for women in the industry to support one another and reclaim their spaces without fear. Sam highlights how the creativity that flows from authentic passion can inspire transformative work, urging listeners to embrace their art form without compromise. They celebrate the contributions of various women in the field, recognizing the power of community and shared experiences.

Show notes

#10: In this episode I’m talking with Tara Miller about choosing to make a business out of her quilting passion, and then taking the leap from part time to full time entrepreneur. We discuss the importance of knowing your quilt history, and geek out about Barbara Brackman’s game changing book, Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns

Show Notes:

Website - https://quiltdistrict.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/quiltdistrict/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TheQuiltDistrict

Discount Codes:

American Quilt Studies Group is

americanquiltstudygroup.org

CRAFTBIZ15

Quiltfolk is

www.quiltfolk.com

TaraQF30

University of Nebraska Quilt Studies Certificate - https://graduate.unl.edu/academics/programs/QLTS-GCER

Know-it-Alls - https://quiltdistrict.com/the-six-know-it-alls/

Barbara Brakman - https://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/

*Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns 3rd Edition - https://amzn.to/45B28Vn

American Quilt Study Group - https://americanquiltstudygroup.org/

Merikay Waldvogel - https://quiltershalloffame.net/merikay-waldvogel/

Tara Miller’s lectures - https://quiltdistrict.com/talks-workshops/

Pique Trouver - https://www.piquetrouver.com

Sam’s Hidden Irish Chain pattern - https://huntersdesignstudio.com/product/hidden-irish-chain/

Nestilings by Robin - Robin Koehler - https://www.nestlingsbyrobin.com

Mary Fons - https://www.maryfons.com/

Rod Kirakov - https://www.theamericanquilt.com/

Sara Hibbert - https://www.sarahhibbertquilts.com/

Jennifer Candon - https://www.jennifercandon.com/

Boom Chicka Pop - https://www.boomchickapop.com/

Cheers - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers

When Harry Met Sally - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Harry_Met_Sally…

*Big Magic - https://amzn.to/3zp3rKS

Featured Quilter in Quilt Folk - https://www.quiltfolk.com/issue-30-georgia/

Lecturing in Europe - European Patchwork Meeting - https://www.patchwork-europe.eu/en/

Quiltmania - April issue - DAR exhibition article - (unable to link, QuiltMania closed down)

AIDS quilt project - https://www.aidsmemorial.org/quilt

*Affiliate link - I might make a commission but you don’t pay more

How to Own a Revolutionary Craft Biz is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Where to find Sam Hunter:

How to Own a Revolutionary Craft Biz - www.revcraftbiz.com

Hunter's Design Studio - www.huntersdesignstudio.com

Embroidered Journey - www.embroideredjourney.com

Creatively Sorted - www.creativelysorted.com

Sam Hunter Art - www.samhunterart.com

The RevCraftBiz Podcast is a Quilt Talk™ product

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