What No One Tells You About Growing Past "Busy"

Hey there,

Can I be honest with you about something?

I’ve been watching our community for years now, and I’ve noticed a pattern. There are makers who are busy—constantly posting, packing orders, hustling through craft fairs—and then there are makers who are growing.

Busy looks like: working harder every season to hit the same numbers.

Growing looks like: working smarter and watching your business expand into places you didn’t expect.

The difference? It’s rarely about talent or even work ethic. It’s about the doors they choose to walk through.

Door #1: International Wholesale Opportunities

You know those gorgeous boutiques you follow on Instagram in Paris, Barcelona, or Montreal? Most handmade sellers never reach out because they assume the language barrier makes it impossible.

But here’s what I learned from talking to makers who DO sell internationally: those boutique owners are actively looking for unique artisan products. They just need someone to reach out in a way that feels comfortable for both parties.

One of our community members started working with a leather supplier in Italy—not through a middleman, but directly—because she took the time to learn basic Italian. Her margins doubled on those products.

Door #2: Customer Service That Builds Loyalty

Think about your international customers. When someone from Germany or Japan buys from you and messages with a question, how does it feel for them to get a response in their language? Even just “Vielen Dank für Ihre Bestellung!” (Thank you for your order in German) creates a connection.

That’s the kind of detail that turns one-time buyers into raving fans who tell all their friends.

Door #3: Understanding Global Trends Before They Hit Your Market

The makers who seem to always be ahead of trends? They’re often watching what’s happening in other markets. Following French jewelry makers, Italian ceramicists, Japanese textile artists—and actually understanding what they’re posting about gives you a 6-month head start on trends.

The makers who grow aren’t just working IN their business—they’re investing in themselves.

Some invest in better photography skills. Some work with business coaches. Some finally get that therapy appointment to manage entrepreneurial stress (honestly, we all need this).

And some? They’re removing barriers that have been keeping opportunities invisible.

Like the language barrier.

I don’t usually share promotional partnerships here because, frankly, most don’t deserve your time or money. But when something crosses my desk that actually makes me think “okay, this could genuinely change someone’s trajectory,” I feel like I’d be doing you a disservice to stay quiet.

MosaLingua reached out about a Black Friday partnership, and here’s why I said yes:

They’re offering lifetime access to 11 language courses which include an effective method to memorize vocabulary, many listening activities, grammar lessons and even AI-powered speaking practice for $99 (normally $3,000+). That’s Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic—all the major markets where artisan goods thrive.

Why this matters for makers specifically:

• Communicate directly with international suppliers (better prices, better relationships)

• Respond to wholesale inquiries from non-English speaking boutiques

• Understand product descriptions and techniques from makers worldwide

• Actually attend those European craft markets you’ve been eyeing

• Connect authentically with your international customers

The AI speaking practice is key because you’re not just learning to read—you’re learning to actually communicate. That’s the part that opens doors.

Here’s the offer if you want to check it out (available through December 2).

I only share tools and opportunities when I genuinely think they’ll help—whether that’s a free resource or something like this partnership with MosaLingua. You know I don’t flood your inbox with random deals, so when I do mention something, it’s because I think it’s worth your time.

Since we’re in Black Friday mode, here are three high-value moves that’ll serve you way beyond this weekend:

1. Audit Your “Someday” List What have you been putting off that would genuinely expand your business? Not another craft fair booth, but something that changes your capabilities. Write it down. Pick ONE. Invest in it this week while deals are actually good.

2. Review Your International Traffic Go into your Etsy or website analytics. Look at where your international views are coming from. Are you getting traffic from France? Germany? Japan? Those are opportunities you’re probably not capitalizing on because of the communication gap.

3. Research One International Supplier or Boutique Find one international source (supplier, boutique, or collaborator) you’ve been curious about. Save their info. Even if you’re not ready to reach out yet, knowing who you WANT to work with is the first step to making it happen.

Here’s what I want you to ask yourself this week:

What would you do differently next year if language wasn’t a barrier?

Would you reach out to that Italian leather supplier? Would you apply to that craft market in Spain? Would you pitch your ceramics to that cute boutique in France you’ve been following?

Sometimes the smallest investments create the biggest shifts. Not because the skill itself is magic, but because it removes the invisible barrier between where you are and where you want to be.

Drop a comment and tell me: If you could communicate in any language for your business, which would it be and why?

I’m genuinely curious what doors you’d walk through.

Cheering you on this Black Friday and always,

Fede & Jane

P.S. – If you grab the MosaLingua deal (or any other skill investment this week), come back and tell me. I love celebrating makers who invest in their own growth. That’s the energy that changes everything.