Interview with: You Can Make This!

Meet the Mom Behind You Can Make This!

Who is “You Can Make This” and what makes your business so unique?
YouCanMakeThis.com is a place where you can buy downloadable “how to” eBooks and patterns on everything from sewing to jewelry, hairbows, crochet, crafts, scrapbooking, cooking, and more. These are eBooks that are created by “every day” women who have an expertise in an area. Many of them are moms themselves who love making items for their homes and families. To date, this business has allowed 158 women to earn extra income for their families by becoming authors. For our customers, it has served as a creative outlet for those who want to learn something new. Many of our customers have also created businesses of their own, which has been wonderful to see.

Besides the concept of instructions written by everyday women like myself, what also sets our eBooks apart from other patterns and instructions, is that the majority are filled with step-by-step photo instructions. The eBooks sold on our site will make people feel like they have a friend sitting right next to them, showing them step-by-step HOW to make something.

The customers making these items feel such a sense of satisfaction when they can step back and say, "Wow! I made that!"



How did you come up with your business name?
I have always loved to make things. When friends would ask how to make something, it was always so fun to get together and show them how to do it. And I loved learning from others how to make things, too. When a friend would say, “That is so cute, but I could NEVER make that!” I always responded, “Yes, you can make this! I’ll show you how easy it is!”

So when I was brainstorming a name for the site, I knew that the name just fit. I wanted people to believe that they really COULD make these beautiful things with the help of outstanding instructions and photos to help you along the way.



When and why did you decide to start your own business? How did you get started?
I’m a former elementary school teacher, who decided to stay home 6 years ago. I always loved to appliqué, and as a creative outlet, I started selling some personalized name pillows and appliqued clothing on ebay.

I received emails asking "how do you do that?" I realized that there were a lot of people that would love to learn how to applique. So that was the first eBook I wrote, and then it snowballed from there. Once that eBook was out, I had people emailing asking if I could put together something on how to do things like "making a twirl skirt". Well, I don't consider myself an excellent seamstress by any means, but I certainly knew of other designers that I greatly admired, who did create beautiful twirl skirts. There weren’t a lot of instructions or eBooks available, so I made many phone calls and sent a lot of emails to people who did know how to make these beautiful items. We went through months together of how to write an E-book, the best way to take photos, how to break down what you do into steps, testing the patterns to make sure they “work”, and more. I started contacting various people I knew, and I guess as they say, "the rest is history."



What motivates you to keep your business going?
I knew there would be a lot of people in my same spot, who love to learn new things, and create fun items for their children. So why not share with people how they, too, could do these things at home. I wanted a "one-stop shopping" kind of place where people could come and find the best of pattern and "how-to" eBooks that are offered. I’m a mom, so the idea of being able to go to a website and buy a pattern, with immediate download time -- no shipping -- and no searching the fabric store with kids in tow, really appealed to me! I figured it would to other moms, too! I wanted moms to know that they could make these boutique style items, at a fraction of the cost. And like I mentioned before, it is so exciting to step back and say, "Wow! I made that!"

It’s very rewarding to know that a business has been created to help both the author and the customer. I also love the emails that come in letting me know of their success with making something for their children, for their home, or even creating a new business to help their family.



Do you have a particular product that's unique, a best seller, or that you are promoting on your site?
There’s not really one thing that stands out more than another. Because we have expanded into a DIY market that loves to make all kinds of things, there is something for everyone. Many of our twirl skirt instructions are unique and cannot be found in a regular store-bought pattern. At first glance, some might think that they could never make something like that. But, people are and these are people that may have never touched a sewing machine before. It’s very exciting.



We now even have boutique instructions for your pet! Now how cute is that? :)


How do you juggle family and work at home?
Good question! Not very well at times! The “crock pot” is my friend. :)

I have to remember that my first priority is my family. I have a very supportive husband I also end up working late at night after everyone is asleep. I remember at one point when Daria from Boutique Café wanted to call for an interview on her podcast. We joked that we should have the call at 10:00 at night…well, we weren’t joking after all! That’s when we held it! :) It’s a constant juggling act and I’m realizing more each day how to “try” and balance it all.



What advice would you give to moms seeking to become a WAHM?
It may sound cliché, but for me, you have to love what you do. And I love it. I love working with the authors and I love working with the customers.

And just like those friends who used to say “that is so cute, I could never make that”, well, the same idea applies here. Never underestimate what you are capable of. If you have a desire to create a new business for yourself, learn everything you can about the business. Check out books from the library, learn about html if you are going online, read books and articles that will help you with the different aspects of business, and then just do it! Tell yourself that you do not have to be an expert in everything, but you can find people that are that can help you.



I also think that once you have that business, you need to constantly look for ways to improve and grow. Take feedback from your customers seriously. We want customers to be successful in making these projects. And we want to make the site a fun place to be and be inspired by. We take customer feedback and suggestions and implement changes. It takes money and time to do this, but I truly believe that if you are constantly reinvesting money back into your business, it will grow beyond your expectations.

Also, think of ways you can “give back”. We have implemented a “you can make a difference” campaign this past year and I have truly been touched by the response of our kind customers. We have raised money for the Children’s Miracle Network, the Toys for Tots Foundation, and tiny twirls skirts were made and donated to the Toys for Tots program this year for Christmas. Using your time and talent for a good cause is always a wonderful thing.



Visit You Can Make This at: www.YouCanMakeThis.com

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