How to get started with a Creative Home Business Online
Hi Friend
Pull up a chair and let's dive into something really close to my heart.
I’ve been pondering on how to share this journey with you, and then it hit me — why not through a story that encapsulates everything we're about to embark on? That's how my book, “Feral,” was born. It’s not just pages filled with words; it’s a piece of my heart, a guide from someone who’s been in the trenches and climbed out with her dreams in tow.
“Feral” is more than a book; it’s a plan. An idea that we’re not here to play small or fit into tidy boxes. We’re here to chase the wild dreams that keep us up at night, to create something profoundly personal and impactful in the digital ether.
And because I know a dream without a plan is just a wish, I’m also launching a series of down-to-earth videos. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill, polished-to-perfection tutorials. Think of them as heart-to-hearts with a friend who’s weathered the storm and lived to tell the tale. A friend who’s not afraid to share the good, the bad, and the ugly side of chasing dreams.
So, What’s On The Docket?
Video 1
Navigating the online business world can feel like trekking through the wilderness without a map. But fear not, I have a snippet from a discussion with another talented online business owner Jessica Ays. We cover scaling and personal branding.
Video 2
This ended up being a rant of sort on the challenges of being a woman in the online business sphere.
Your brand is so much more than a logo or a color scheme; it’s your story, your essence, your je ne sais quoi. Together, we’re going to peel back the layers to discover what makes you uniquely you and how to infuse that into your work. Here is a small part of my book! If you are intreated please check it out on Amazon!
Thirdly the idea of being seen as Luxe online is also known as good branding. Everyone loves to say beauty is only skin deep, and you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, etc. that all sounds great and is well and good, but when it comes to the land of Internet, marketing, and e-commerce, looking polished and not giving people eyeball shock or bad vibes is incredibly important. Think about it we spend a lot of time looking at buying random boring things off of Amazon like lint rollers, dog bowls, toilet paper, all the things. Our eyes have gotten very used to looking at things with clear imaging on a white background for the most part so then all of a sudden you’re looking at jewelry and somebody has handmade earrings hanging on the side of a chalk-painted cheese, grater, or something even if you logically get that they were going for like a shabby chic look your brain is going to think this is a cheap piece of crap and probably not want to buy it. Nothing makes me crazier than seeing other small business owners complain about the unfairness of e-commerce and how no one is buying what they are selling and then I click over to their website and it has zero useful product description and all of their pictures look like it was taken on their grandmother’s Afghan on their sofa at 10:30 at night under a bad yellow 60 W lightbulb. And I know you think I’m joking right now, but I promise I’ve seen this exact setup time and time again accompanying someone whining about the unfairness of the market. People are not going to buy things from you or take you seriously online if what you are presenting is such a total contradiction from how we are used to shopping online. I’ve seen the same thing, but in the opposite extreme of too much thought and effort being put into images where everything is overly cutesy or Photoshopped, or has some sort of theme with graphics in the background, while I love a good theme, and definitely have lots of images that have wooden tables, granite, fabric etc. in the background of product images. I always have white background images for the main website pages. As I had mentioned earlier, I have gone through many phases with branding and really tried to keep the brand separate from my own personal taste, or aesthetic because I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. However, what has felt most authentic to me as far as branding goes, was really to look at it almost like I would my own personal style and getting dressed. I gravitate towards maybe two neutrals and an accent. Same with fonts, two basics, and an accent, and then let it really feel like you. Repeat these themes over and over again in your images, logos, emails, etc. There really is something to be said for everything kind of matching like outfits.
-Feral
Why You Need This In Your Life
Because, the world needs what you have to offer It’s easy to get lost in the sea of sameness, to feel like just another face in the online crowd. But you’re not. You’re fierce. You’re unstoppable. And it’s time the world saw that.
“Feral” is your call to action. It’s the nudge you need to go from dreaming to doing, from wavering to winning. With this book and video series, you’re not just getting guidance; you’re gaining a confidante, a cheerleader, and a compass to navigate the wild, wonderful world of being a woman entrepreneur in the digital age.
Ready to turn that spark into a wildfire? Let’s light it up, together. Here’s to being feral, to embracing the chaos, and making it our own. Because, in the end, that’s where true beauty—and success—lies.
In solidarity,
Your fellow dreamer and doer, ready to conquer the wild side by side.
It’s always nice when people have nice things to say about you. I so admire these ladies in the fiber arts and I so appreciate their kind words on my book.
Praise
"Since Erin James has entered the yarn scene, she has hit the ground running with an unparalleled energy and uncompromising work ethic. She fearlessly shares everything she learns with others and provides resources for spinners around the world. Erin is an ideas machine, authentic and unapologetic about her space in the community, witty and vibrant - she makes the learning curve of spinning yarn joyful and exciting. She's the fiber friend who embraces the mess, puts her family first, tells you the whole truth, does hard things for breakfast, hugs you when you're ugly crying, and stands her ground on her values. She is ruthlessly generous and her honesty and perspective create a community atmosphere wherever she goes. I'm so proud of the work she has put into this book and look forward to seeing what mountains she climbs next."
Ashley Martineau
Neauveau
“Working with Erin made me realize how much greater my own indie business could be. It doesn’t need to just be a side hustle. She taught me that our craft could and should be the main gig. I am forever grateful for her.”
Heidi Stone Black
Cocoon Homespun Goods
Erin James is truly a force to be reckoned with. Her creativity knows no bounds, drawing you into her world and instantly making you feel like part of something greater. She has an insatiable curiosity for all things yarn and is a wonderful teacher — encouraging you to dive deep down the rabbit hole as you explore your own passions. What sets Erin apart is her unwavering support for small, independent, and women-owned businesses, uplifting everyone in her path. Collaborating with her over the years has been an absolute joy, leaving me constantly inspired and dreaming of future opportunities to work together again.
Jessica Ays
Double the Stitches
"This is exactly the kind of tongue in cheek wisdom that I wish I had when I was first starting out. Erin's story is such an inspiration no matter where you currently are in your business journey"
Dawn Prickett, founder of Twice Sheared Sheep