020 | Dealing with copy cats with Julie Richardson, Unblushing

Paper Camp alumni, Julie Richardson started Julie Ann Art in 2008 as a side hustle and has seen great success over the last nine years. She got her start on etsy where she’s had almost 70,000 sales to date! Julie also sells to the wholesale market.

On today’s episode, we’re talking about building community with customers, how she handles copy cats and why she’s focused on creating products with purpose.

ON TODAY’S EPISODE:

The start of Julie Ann Art as a side hustle while she worked a corporate career
The catalyst for Julie Ann Art becoming a full-time job
Julie’s decision to start wholesaling & what caused her to go in that direction
The benefits of craft shows
Her inspiration for new designs & sayings for her products
Making the decision to move forward on new products
Dealing with people who copy her work
Nurturing her online following to make them really feel a part of the Julie Ann Art brand
Making the transition to outsourcing work
What’s coming up for Julie Ann Art

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KEY TAKE-AWAYS

“…It’s a combination of doing the hard work and trying to be as strategic as we can, but there is an element of luck to it, as well.”– Katie Hunt

“Some people are like, “Ugh, craft shows are so much work,” but to me, I feel like they are my bread and butter, because there’s nothing like seeing a person’s reaction to your product.”– Julie Richardson

“If you’ve seen my stuff, I go a little outside the box, and I enjoy doing that. It’s a little risky, but I would rather take the risk than be the same as everything else.”– Julie Richardson

“If it’s one thing that I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that regardless of what they’re doing, my business is just fine. I’m doing okay. They’re not taking me down.”– Julie Richardson

“I feel like I know so many of them, people that I have never met, because of what I have shared with them and their response to it.”– Julie Richardson

“We needed to know that what we were doing had a purpose and was good for something that we’re passionate about.”– Julie Richardson

CONNECT WITH JULIE RICHARDSON

Website: Julie Ann Art | Facebook: @julieannart | Instagram: @julieannart | Twitter: @julieannart

Connect with Katie Hunt

Katie Hunt is a business strategist, podcaster, mentor and mama to four. She helps product based businesses build profitable, sustainable companies through her conferences, courses and coaching programs.

Website: prooftoproduct.com | Instagram: @prooftoproduct