The members-only community for creative small business owners to get practical business skills, goal-getting guidance, mindset shifts, support and accountability to discover and take your next big leap.
before we talk about us,
let's talk about you...
You’re a creative who loves to keep your hands busy whether they’re covered in paint, furiously typing email replies, winding a skein of yarn or laying out your big dreams in your bullet journal.
- You’re seeking encouragement and advice from your own secret society of supporters.
- You’d love some help refining and tracking your big and small goals.
- You have heaps of passion but could use an extra dose of focus and accountability to move from inspiration to action and achieve results.
But more than anything, you know that to achieve what you’ve never had before, you have to do something you’ve never done, and you realize that you can’t do it alone.
before we talk about us, let's talk about you . . .
You’re a creative who loves to keep your hands busy whether they’re covered in paint, furiously typing email replies, winding a skein of yarn or laying out your big dreams in your bullet journal.
- You’re seeking encouragement and advice from your own secret society of supporters.
- You’d love some help refining and tracking your big and small goals.
- You have heaps of passion but could use an extra dose of focus and accountability to move from inspiration to action and achieve results.
But more than anything, you know that to achieve what you’ve never had before, you have to do something you’ve never done, and you realize that you can’t do it alone.
sound familiar? then you're in the right place!
sound familiar? then you're in the right place!
We have exactly what you're looking for!
The mentorship, resources,
education and community
you’ve been longing for are
waiting for you inside our
exclusive membership community, Dear Handmade Life: The Club.
The mentorship, resources, education and community you’ve been longing for are waiting for you inside our exclusive membership community, Dear Handmade Life: The Club.
Here's the deal . . .
Most of us creative business owners are wearing ALL the hats: social media manager, product designer, head of sales and marketing, etc. Even though you may want to improve all those areas, if you try to DO IT ALL at once, the only thing you’ll get is overwhelmed.
That’s why we zero in on ONE topic (like social media, newsletters, branding, time management, etc.) each month.
This laser-focus combats that “I’ll just binge The Office again while mindlessly scrolling on my phone because my TO-DO list feels like a TOO-MUCH list” feeling that often stops you from following through or even getting started.
Being a creative business owner isn’t easy, but trust me, it’s way better when you have a plan, a community of people who “get it” by your side,
and expert guidance and know-how!
We’ve got you!
“We don't have to do all of it alone.
We were never meant to.”
― Brené Brown
Monthly Meet-Up Sessions
We meet online twice a month or more for classes, mentorships and more. If you can’t make the live session, don’t worry! All sessions are recorded and available for you to watch in our Class Library.
Make it Happen Mentorship Sessions
Ever wished you had a mentor in your back pocket? Now you do! Mentorship sessions often begin with an inspiring pep talk from Nicole, then evolve into a safe space for you to get help with your business and goals.
You have the opportunity to submit your business issues, questions, or topics for discussion and receive personalized help from Nicole and Katie, as well as support and advice from your peers.
Then we’ll walk through a section of our business assessment and goal-setting worksheets, helping you figure out your next best step and how to get there, or break out into small groups to craft a plan to tackle your most urgent business issue.
Live Expert-Led Business Classes
After 13 years of curating our award-winning Craftcation Conference, we recognize the best of the best when it comes to business mentorship.
Our instructors are experienced business owners who have built their skills and knowledge through starting and growing their own businesses. They don’t just teach you their tried-and-true systems and skills; they guide you in applying what you learn through interactive in-class worksheets, breakout sessions, and assignments, ensuring hands-on participation whether you attend live or virtually.
. . . and more!
Curated Accountability Groups
When you join The Club, you’ll have the chance to join carefully selected Accountability Groups. These groups provide the extra support, motivation, and feedback you need—whether it’s a kick in the pants or high-fives—to help you achieve your goals.
Craft & Chat Sessions
Every other month, we gather for a casual hangout where everyone brings a work in progress. We discuss what we’re creating, share updates on our businesses, talk about future plans, and more.
AND, there's even more in our virtual hub,
The Clubhouse!
Here, you’ll have 24/7 access to worksheets, downloads, our community, and the Class Library,
allowing you to learn at your own pace and on your own time.
Goal-Getting Worksheets
Forget New Year’s resolutions! Achieve your goals through consistent goal-setting, action, and accountability. With our regular assessments and guided meetings, you’ll define your goals, identify what’s effective, and receive support for daily actions. YOU’VE GOT THIS!
Unlimited Access to The Club Class Library
Whether inspiration strikes at 1am or during your 6am shower, the Club Class Library is available 24/7, offering business classes led by expert instructors. You’ll find classes on social media, marketing, finance, branding, and so much more.
Looking for extra support? Connect with fellow members in our community to find a classmate and share insights.
Unlimited Access to The Club Class Library
Thelma had Louise. Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Maya Rudolph have each other. Belinda Carlisle had the Go-Go’s. Community is key to growth, which is why we created our online members’ group. Here, you can get support, encouragement, and resources from fellow members, Nicole, and Katie Mac anytime. Ask questions, get feedback, and share your ups and downs.
Ongoing Support from our Members Group
Whether inspiration strikes at 1am or during your 6am shower, the Club Class Library is available 24/7, offering business classes led by expert instructors. You’ll find classes on social media, marketing, finance, branding, and so much more.
Looking for extra support? Connect with fellow members in our community to find a classmate and share insights.
Now Open!
Meet Your Mentors. . .
Nicole Stevenson
I’m the CEO and Creative Director of Dear Handmade Life. For over a decade, I’ve worked alongside a team of badass creative women to curate events, education and community for creative misfits and passionate small business owners.
I’ve been a creative business over for over 20 years and have built multiple businesses which have generated millions of dollars in revenue, managed large teams, scaled my brand and worked hard AND smart to become one of only 10% of women-owned businesses to make six-figures.
Just as important as those stats are how I’ve crafted a life built on intention, setting and getting bold goals, finding a community where I belong and making space for work that lights me up and helping other creatives do the same!
Katie MacAvoy
I’m Katie Mac! My career began at major corporations like IBM and Rolling Stone Magazine. After becoming a work-at-home mom with a handmade business, I started looking for people who understood my plight as a business owner and maker.
Seeking community and camaraderie, I found the Dear Handmade Life community. I attended Craftcation Conference in 2016 and 2018, and now I’m the COO & Director of Digital for Dear Handmade Life (and Managing Director of the conference that started it all), where I work alongside Nicole to support creative business owners with the business side of business. Having been a part of this community, I understand the importance of having the right resources and support to navigate the daily challenges of running a business.
It’s been an honor to co-create DHL: The Club with Nicole to provide a space for creative business owners to define, meet, and exceed their goals, both personally and professionally.
Together, we bring the support of our welcoming community of creatives, the education, motivation, and accountability you need to take your next big leap, and our expertise to guide you through the process in Dear Handmade Life: The Club.
Whether you’re starting a new business or rebooting your current one, if you’re ready to challenge yourself, set (and achieve!) real attainable goals, and be part of a community that understands what it’s like to follow your creative dreams, then what are you waiting for?
Let’s make it happen together.
REMOTE
You can join us from anywhere in the world because everything happens online.
inclusive
We welcome all types of creatives at any stage in their business.
self-paced
All of our classes and activities are recorded for you to watch at your convenience.
Close your eyes and think about a time when you felt truly connected and supported.
Maybe it was reading a life-changing book, underlining passage after passage, and saying “Yes!” to yourself over and over again as you read.
(We know we’re not the only ones who devoured Big Magic in record time!)
THAT’S the kind of camaraderie and support that you’ll find inside
Dear Handmade Life: The Club.
Everything you want to know…
Enrollment is open from July 15 – July 31, 2024. Click here to join!
You get all the perks of being in The Club for just $57 per month. Save even more with our discounted annual rate!
If you’re a creative who is looking for support, education and resources to start or grow your business, then YES! The Club is exactly what you need.
YEP! The classes, activities and mentorship inside The Club are perfect for both product and service-based businesses. Our membership was created for handmade business owners, crafters, photographers, bloggers, coaches, consultants, teachers, makers, craft business owners and creatives of all types.
That’s OK! The Club is the perfect place to explore your possibilities and get the guidance from seasoned business owners who have been where you are and can help you get started.
The events and mentorship in The Club are geared towards creatives who have, or want to have, a business based off their passion. That said, if you don’t have a business and don’t want one, our doors are still open to you as some of the work we do will be about creativity and mindset. As long as you’re a creative, you’ll get something out of The Club.
Welcome seasoned pro! One of the reasons we started The Club was to specifically help veteran business owners who needed a place to get the connections and resources to take their business from something that they’re working on all the time to something that works for them (even when they’re sleeping). We’ll talk about systems, long-term strategy, delegation, scaling and other topics that experienced business owners need to move to the next level.
We would hate to see you go but understand if the membership just isn’t for you. You can cancel your monthly membership at any time. Annual memberships can be canceled and will expire at the end of your paid term.
Each month, Club members are invited to attend our Group Mentorship session and a live business expert-led workshop. These dates for 2024 have already been scheduled and are available for you in the Clubhouse once you enroll.
Since all the classes and activities inside The Club are online and recorded, you can join from anywhere in the world and participate when it’s convenient for you.
“As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people’s ideas are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”
-Amy Poehler-
