Open & Awkward: Shop Talk with Katie and Amanda

It's a new season so Katie and Amanda are ending the podcast for the time being. Thanks for listening and stay open and awkward! To See What We're Up To: Amanda’s Kiss My Aster Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kissmyaster/ Katie’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency Katie’s Personal Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords Amanda’s Website...

Subtitle: A Question of Community Summary: Amanda finds herself in a candle pickle. Her vendor has suddenly raised their order minimum without warning, leaving her unable to restock. Should she start making her own candles instead? Katie sheds light on possible causes behind the change, from the end of de minimis exemptions to tariffs and rising costs. The conversation then turns to community. Why...

Subtitle: Apocalypse Skills Summary:  Amanda kicks things off with stories from the local Keepataw Parade and how the event impacts her business. Both Katie and Amanda share their plans for fall yard work (think mountains of bulbs) and exciting garden goals. Katie’s gearing up for a busy season of teaching art classes and couldn’t be more excited. The two discuss holiday customer gifts, is it a go...

Subtitle: The Evolving Why Summary: Katie and Amanda go deep: on business, purpose, and the little things that make a big impact. Amanda’s so excited that shop sales are up and shares her $2-a-day Instagram ad experiment (spoiler: it’s working!). They discuss how promoting your business has shifted over the last 100 years, and how it’s STILL changing. They also talk about evolving goals, hiring fo...

Subtitle: The Art of Community  Summary: The two-week podcast break is over, and Katie and Amanda are back! Amanda admits she spends a lot of time picking up plants for jobs, (maybe not the most efficient use of her time), but she loves the drive and gives a big shout-out to Midwest Groundcovers for making it such a pleasure to do business with them. That sparks a chat about how they’ve both been...

We are taking a two week break. See you back in mid-September!

Subtitle: Feeling it in Your Body Summary:  Amanda sold another one of Katie’s paintings! But before you ask, no, she’s not taking consignment. Amanda also talks about teaching a recent vinaigrette-making class and pitches the idea of a mending class (how cool would that be?). Amanda brings up her money stress after her debit card was stolen THREE times in one month, losing her outdoor lot, and bu...

Subtitle: Overcoming Overfunctioning Summary:   Katie and Amanda dive into significant business changes they've recently made that brought clarity and relief. Amanda shares the story of losing her courtyard due to her landlord's construction plans and the lessons she learned from the experience. They also touch on the importance of understanding one's value and avoiding over-functionin...

Subtitle: Mulch, Mayhem, and Mod Podge Summary: In this lively episode, Katie and Amanda discuss their recent creative ventures and some challenging client interactions. Katie is prepping for a collage and watercolor class in Michigan, while Amanda grapples with a landscaping client who struggles to pinpoint her desires. The conversation touches on the complexities of managing client expectations...

Subtitle: People Buy What They Understand Summary: Katie shares her upcoming plans for a Chicago trip to visit clients. She and Amanda brainstorm about art classes they could co-host at Amanda’s shop. Amanda recounts a whirlwind week of events: hosting teenagers from the School of the Blind for a hands-on project, a bridal shower that didn’t quite go as expected, and then welcoming 20 Master Garde...

Subtitle: Grouch on the Couch Summary: This week, Katie and Amanda discuss their love of the Marco Polo app and scheming ways businesses could use it too. Katie’s hand-painted cards just landed in Amanda’s shop on a “MADE” table sprinkled with moss and glitter magic, and guess what… one sold on the very first day! They spill a little tea on the joy (and the “oh boy” moments) of working with certai...

Subtitle: Go Away Summary: Katie is considering a simple but symbolic change: swapping her Facebook cover photo from a picture of her family to one of her art supplies. Amanda reflects on her own process of “refocusing the lens,” both personally and professionally. Katie talks about her father’s recent funeral, contrasting the compassionate customer service from the funeral home with the cemetery...

Subtitle: So many other things just listen to it Summary: Katie shares her experience at a local "pick and paint" event at a cut flower farm, where customers picked their blooms and she painted them on the spot. She also talks about what it’s like to scale up her artwork (literally) and the life lessons art has taught her, like the value of restraint and leaving room for white space. Ama...

Subtitle: Stop, Collaborate and Listen Summary: Amanda is excited to get some help from an acquaintance starting an HR/operations consulting business. It’s coming at the perfect time! Amanda shares a story about her ideal client and how she prefers collaborative relationships. Katie suggests structuring services with clear tiers: Option A or Option B, to make boundaries and value more obvious. Ama...

Subtitle: Every Kind of Tired Summary: Katie shares the emotional weight of the past year and the recent loss of her father. A comforting message from Ben, “you don’t ever have to deal with that again,” gave her an unexpected sense of peace. Amanda opens up about wanting to attend the funeral but getting derailed by a major miscommunication with a client that had real financial consequences, sayin...

Subtitle: Eventually We Get to the Point Summary: Amanda is making dunce caps for Cultivate  to stop people from calling their businesses small. The second gong has also arrived.  The two discuss their love for roadside attractions and then eventually get to the point. Or, at least, a point. A big part of today’s convo revolves around minimum orders and what local and independent businesses can do...

Subtitle: Setting Expectations Summary: In this episode, Katie and Amanda DIG into (see what we did there) what they  really  want for their business and what they’re ready to let go of. They discuss growth goals and have a few clarity moments. Also, Katie finally declares victory over the poison ivy in her yard, thanks to one of Amanda’s Actually Useful Tips™. Amanda shares an awkward Mother’s Da...

Subtitle: Have it Your Way Summary: Amanda’s Zoom name is now “Camanda in Chief,” (HILARIOUS!). In this episode, Amanda and Katie talk newsletters, self-worth, and showing up as your authentic self in business. Katie’s latest newsletter inspired Amanda to write hers, and they discuss how their emails aren’t just for marketing. They’re personal, real, and full of places for people to hang on and co...

Subtitle: The Cost of Doing Business Summary: Behind every small business is a human doing their best to hold it all together. Amanda and Katie talk about what it’s like to run a business while feeling completely overwhelmed. Katie shares how she's navigating work as her dad enters hospice care, while Amanda talks about anxiety and the financial gamble of pouring everything into your business...

Subtitle: Books, Signs and a Great Documentary In this "Best Of" episode, Katie praises the book:  The Tree Collectors  written and illustrated by Amy Stewart. She also reads part of Amanda's  Green Profit  article on the power of signage and it's a HOOT! They also discuss funny reels, a Harry Styles sighting at the farmers market, and Amanda's shop ghost. Finally, they unpack the Martha Stewart d...

In this "Best of"  Business Highlights (Part 2)  episode, Amanda and Katie share business insights and marketing strategies. Like, did you know if you boost a Facebook post on your iPhone using Apple’s iOS app, they tack on a 30% surcharge?  GAH!  They also answer key questions like: What should be in your Instagram bio? What’s a quick win you can give people in your emails? And how ofte...

Subtitle: Jaunty Electronica Summary:  Katie and Amanda discuss: what is your time worth? They share jobs they decided to take (or skip) and talk about their upcoming Stealth Workshop/Education Party at Cultivate … you should definitely come! Katie shows off a helpful diagram from her business coach, Meg, on the phases of business and self-care. Amanda talks about how her original business model h...

Subtitle: Toxically Positive Summary:  In this episode, Katie shares her recent diagnosis of polymorphic light eruption  (a sun allergy) that’s forced her to rethink her routines and how she moves through daily life. Amanda shares that people often find her scary, when in reality, she’s just CONFIDENT and unwilling to play along with the phoniness that’s so common in retail. They also swap tips ab...

Subtitle: Lose the Filter Summary: Amanda confesses to sending a marketing email in the middle of the night (hello, insomnia). Her results might just change the way you think about email timing! Katie brings two stellar tips to the table: one for making your website work harder, and another that could seriously improve your email popup game. Amanda shares why she's still loyal to MailChimp (hint:...

Subtitle: Pickles Summary:  Amanda brings an interesting customer situation to the table and asks Katie the all-important question: "Is this a pickle?" Meanwhile, Katie has updates on attending the Azalea Festival, her long-awaited newsletter, and a new art class series that she’s taking. Amanda also reveals what she's planning to plant in the raised bed outside her shop, and her cho...