The Council is a simplified learning structure, a dynamic, community-focused membership, consisting of top priority trainings and a strong support system of peers, mentors and experts to assist legacy building makers in business with turning crafty tendencies into businesses that thrive on their terms.
You know that in order to grow the business you want to have you need to have systems in place, a strong focus and repeatable ways of reaching your ideal customer without burning yourself out and still have time to actually make your work! But you just feel stuck. You’ve already seen some success but it’s been disjointed. You know there is more for you and your business. You’re not sure how to get from where you are to where you want to go.
You feel like you’ve tried everything - and it’s easy to feel discouraged when nothing has brought you the results you want. And it can feel very lonely when the people in your life don’t know how to support or encourage you, or don’t even understand what you’re doing at all.
You know it's time to get systems in place - but you're wondering 'how?' and why hasn't what you've already tried worked in the past?
You know you should have a solid marketing strategy - but you're wondering 'what does that include? And where do I need to be?'
You know your business needs your creativity to fuel it - but you feel depleted because you're spending so much time on admin work.
You need to reduce overwhelm, focus your energy and get back to doing more of the work you love + the things that ACTUALLY matter.
You don't need one more person to tell you that good photos are essential to selling online.
You don't need to scroll by (or sit through) one more discussion of what to do when someone says their package didn't arrive but it's been scanned as delivered.
Crowdsourcing makes your stomach hurt - it never turns out well.
And you definitely don't need to read the same ten tired Instagram post prompts again.
You've outgrown those things. You've outgrown your current resources.
Have you noticed that big free Facebook groups can be riddled with bad info? Or that
Google feels like an endless abyss - or like you don't even know what to Google?
This is no way to build your dream business!
Feeling overwhelmed, overworked and tied up in things that aren't moving the needle forward is slowing you down and creating confusion.
Spending exhaustive amounts of time "researching" and "learning" but getting nowhere because you aren't even sure what comes first is a recipe for stagnation.
You've heard all the tips + tricks ... but it's not enough anymore because your concerns as a business owner have evolved. You have struggled that need resolution. And as an autonomous human, those resolutions will be unique to you - they will not come from a list of hacks, tips, tricks and quick fixes.
You need insight, feedback, and support to make the decisions you need to make for YOUR business.
You are a talented maker, your product is awesome and you KNOW there is more for you, but you aren't sure how to get to that "next level" of YOUR dream business.
Start each day KNOWING exactly what to do to move your business forward (and the resources to get it done without stress) so you could spend time doing ONLY things that actually mattered to YOUR big picture.
know you had a place to get quality support from understanding peers and mentors.
Have processes in place for tapping into the parts of your business and actions that are most profitable.
Achieve your revenue goals without feeling like a slimy sales person.
Have clarity on your product line and focus in your brand.
Generate traffic to your own website consistently and have more autonomy in your business alongside your Etsy or Amazon shop
The Council not only teaches you how to build and polish your Jane of All Trades skill set but also fully understand what’s worth your time and effort.
The Council is your full spectrum space for learning everything we know about building a sustainable handmade business that will complement your life - not compete with it.
We are your peer and mentor supporters, your accountability squad, your go-to content library. Together we will give you everything you need to create meaningful work on a realistic schedule, structure, hone and share your unique brand message, dig deeper into your focus and connect with your ideal people. (And lots more!)
We can’t do this work for you - but we are gosh darn excited to help you do YOUR work, YOUR way.
It’s all about YOU - we aren’t handing you answers because at your level, your questions generally don’t have 'answers', you have struggles that need resolution - and as unique autonomous human, the resolutions that work for you probably aren’t the same as someone else, so we will work together to uncover the best approach for YOUR unique business and life.
Coaching + Consulting
Easy access
Exclusive content
Peer, mentor and expert support
Council Members get fresh content every month! AND Council Members can access everything that's already been added to the Council in the past 3 years!
1 live group coaching call, 1 live group call with our Council Correspondent, 1 hot seat, audit or lesson, access to our Council Content Library (which houses EVERYTHING that's ever been added to The Council), access to our Signature Trainings + access to our Facebook-based members only group!
Join Brianne for monthly live events!
The core lessons we know all members will benefit from by implementing sooner rather than later. These lessons alone have the power to compeltely revolutionize your business.
Access from anywhere - anytime. If you have an internet connection, you are just a few clicks away from your Council Content Library!
Wholesale linesheet template
Podcast success prep kit
Influencer Marketing guest expert interview
Lawyer-led trademark discussion
Social media marketing guest expert interview
Extensive Facebook groups training
Extensive Tailwind for Pinterest and Instagram trainings
Multiple wholesale expert interviews and a recorded Q+A
Recorded Facebook groups discussion lead by members with crazy successful groups
Google analytics set up + usage training
Done for you email marketing content ideas swipe file
Licensing for artists guest expert interview
Etsy ODR review and shop protection check list
Etsy SEO lesson + tracking template
Trello tutorials + board templates
Hi! I’m Danielle! I can’t wait to get to know you inside The Council!
I am a maker in business and craft business mentor. I prefer "biz bestie."
I help makers turn their crafty tendencies into profits, legacies and build businesses that feel good to them - big or small.
I've been selling my custom hand embroidery online since 2010 and have built a diverse and profitable business from the ground up. My work has been featured on TV and in national and international publications including Better Homes and Gardens, People Style Watch, The Today Show, Mollie Makes, Country Living, The Knot New York and Well Wed Magazine. I've reached thousands of new customers and built my business by being true to myself, and my talent and by investing in education!
My trainings and courses have taught thousands of sellers how to make thousands of dollars selling the work they love to make. You should be one of them!
âž” I believe the world needs more people like you in it. Yup, the world needs the creativity and vision that you have.
âž” There is a market for every product. I don't care how niche or how commonplace you think it is - your product has a place + an audience and we will find it.
âž” I still maintain my own handmade business. I'm right there with you! And I know about when things that matter to sellers change or develop because I am one.
âž” I know you can build a business doing what you love. I've done it twice already and hundreds of my students have done it as well.
No matter what your mom, dad, brother, sister, friend or co workers say - THIS IS POSSIBLE. You just need to know what to prioritize.
➔You're an expert maker, you just need some of that left brain strategy stuff sorted out, and that's where I can help!
➔The most important factor in making your big, bold, beautiful dream come to life is your own belief and behaviour! What you do NOT participate in is just as important as what you DO participate in.
If you've already seen that your crafty tendencies can be profitable...
If your business is not just a side hustle but a part of your life, something you've invested in...
And if you are committed to YOUR dream...
And want your business to thrive on YOUR terms based on YOUR definition of success...
If you want to spend more time crafting your product line and less time worrying about your Instagram feed...
If you want to be a better handmade business owner - one who anticipates problems and works to proactively create solutions...
If your friends and family don't really 'get it' and don't know how to support you...
If you are tired of the same old, stale questions being asked and answered the same way across the internet...
then YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY be in The Council.
Your big dream needs a confident and educated CEO - it's YOU!
Whether you wear all the hats in your business or not, you need time, training and the RIGHT community to support your best CEO self.
Confidence to run YOUR business as YOU and the insights to know what to focus on are just two of the CEO skills you will hone within The Council.
The fastest way to kill your business is to stagnate, you are more likely to stagnate if you are spending all your time "learning" and none of your time doing the work you actually care about - or the work you know pushes your business forward.
If you spend all the time learning and experimenting, you'll be "late to the party" and miss multiple opportunities in this ever-changing handmade, online business landscape.
If you know there is more opportunity for you in your business, but are intimidated or confused about how to get there, we can change the script for you!
There has never been a better time to lean into your independence as a business owner or invest in yourself.
If you've made it this far... you owe it to yourself and your family to explore what's possible... to drive more revenue, engagement, and change for yourself and your audience.
Join us now before the price to join The Council increases + your chance to join us ends.
Join us today to lock in your monthly rate - the rate per month you start your membership at is the rate you retain until you cancel! This monthly rate is increasing in a few days - lock in the low rate now and keep it for as long as you are an active member!
We believe there is life + opportunity ON AND BEYOND Etsy. While Etsy is almost always a part of the picture for Council members, it cannot and should not be the be-all, end-all. Inside of the Council you will find content that is not specific to any one platform. We cover strategies and approaches that can be applied to any channel, or better yet: sewn into the fabric of your business regardless of where it exists.
Etsy is a wonderful tool that we want all of our Council members to leverage as much as possible if it suits their vision and mission, but we know for sure that diversity and autonomy are huge factors for success and all kinds of growth. We provide content that can certainly relates to Etsy but our content library is not ONLY for Etsy sellers.
The great majority of our Council members hold a presence on and off Etsy, which we strongly encourage.
Cricut
Real Simple
Martha Stewart online
Sainte Magazine
Fashionista.com
Design Sponge
Junebug Weddings
Etsy Editors' Picks
Etsy's emails + homepage
Southern Living Magazine
Momazine Magazine
Spoonflower
Lakeshore Living Magazine
Mollie Makes
Better Homes + Gardens Magazine
Harrod's
Rock n Roll Bride
Seattle Times
Patchwork + Quilting Magazine
Make Modern
The Knot
Horse and Rider Magazine
World Wildlife Foundation UK
Snowday Magazine
Apartment Therapy
Bust Magazine
Country Living Magazine
Anthropologie
Urban Outfitters
The Cheesecake Factory
Uncommon Goods
Magnolia
R. Riviter
Terrain
Cracker Barrel
Netflix
Having work in commercials
Being featured shop on Etsy
Being commissioned for big public works projects
Being awarded grants
Having their work appear in films
Getting shoutouts on major influencers' Instagram stories (like Anna Rifle Bond!)
"Without a doubt the best decision I made was joining The Council. They are some of the most supportive and brilliant business owners that I know and I wouldn't be here in my business now without their insight and support!"
- Tash
"Being a part of the Council, has given me a community where sharing knowledge is the key, also friendships during very emotional times."
- Nancy
"I have been following Danielle's teachings for almost 5 years and I honestly don't know if I would still be in business if I hadn't found her. She has a magical way of showing up with the right information exactly when I need it. Everything she teaches is on point: equal parts teaching, encouragement and tough love. The Council is the perfect size to feel like a community of friends and the people in the group are some of the kindest and most helpful people around."
- Erica
"I jumped on being a Member without thinking twice, and have never regretted it. The Council is my hangout/mastermind/resource center for my business. The community is like one big group hug where we all support and cheer each other on. I know with support from The Council this is the year for my breakthrough in business!"
- Ani
"Where do I even begin? Danielle is my go-to for every business question I have. My top 3 reasons for loving everything the Merriweather Council are clarity in getting on the right track, easy-to-follow advice and directions, and taking my small business from making 3 figures per year to 5"
- Kariana
"From the first day I found Danielle, I have learned from her wisdom about selling on Etsy and owning a handmade business. My business directly benefited from doing the work she suggests. Worth every penny to invest in my business. Thank you Danielle!"
- Tracy
"Danielle is amazing at anticipating what we need before we know we need it."
- Erica
"Danielle's advice is consistent and comes from her own experience as a shop owner. She knows, because she's been there!"
- Deanna
"The hot seat changed my business forever. To have the opportunity to brain dump what my thoughts were about my business (dreams, vision, struggles) and then chat 1-on-1 with Danielle live has been priceless...i was able to prioritize the next steps to get exactly what i wanted from my business...skipping the guess and check steps...my business continues to grow and i 100% know it started with that one brain dump and conversation!!!"
- Jenn
"To me The Council is a welcoming, warm and safe community of makers who are on a journey to create their personal legacy in small business. It's rare to find a leader who shows how much she truly cares about helping others and participates daily to move you forward. With our fearless leader Danielle, I know I can accomplish my biz dreams, learn anything I need to to grow and prosper, and always have a cheerleader when I need it most. You cannot go wrong becoming a member of the Council!"
- Angela
"Danielle has a way of answering questions you didn't even know you had! She has never steered me wrong. I find her personality to be perfect for engaging everyone and holding our attention. She has a knack for knowing what we need next, what steps we need to take next, and how we can and should evolve. Every product she has put out has been epic. Her courses and materials are tried and true, and what's more is that she's an ethical business owner and that means a lot to me. She is someone to admire and aspire to be. Her customers love her for a reason. She goes ABOVE AND BEYOND with free content, helpful tips and tricks, etc. Yes, she makes you do work - she doesn't claim she has the easy peasy key to making fast money because there is none. Bottom line - Danielle is the only resource I trust for info on my handmade biz."
-Kimber
"It's amazing to find someone who has not only done the research for you but seems to know her s#!t, that if I'm gonna spend money with you, you better be giving me some real-life information to work with. I've never been disappointed with anything I've bought from Merriweather Council. I always make that back within the first 30 days of implementing what I've learned. She truly is my handmade biz bestie! Whenever I see that Danielle is posting or doing a video... I mark my calendar and listen! Thanks, Danielle!"
- Vicki
"As a self employed maker The Council has been really important for me to stay in touch with the outside world. It's hard working away on your own in your studio day to day but with The Council is helps me stay connected to other makers facing similar triumphs and challenges. Learning new ways to streamline my business and using new tools and strategies helps keep me and my business on top of the curve everyday."
- Sarah
Danielle truly is your biz bestie! She's a great source of knowledge, a confidence-booster, a giver of real talk and tough love, and your biggest cheerleader. I've learned so much from her, but the greatest change for me has been that I've gained confidence as a small business owner. "
- Katie
"Danielle truly knows the ins and outs of selling handmade. She is concise, straight-to-the-point, and full of information."
- Gillian
"For me, Danielle was the lynchpin for everything positive and growth related in my business. There was a time before the merriweather council... and then the time after. When I say that I really suffered in business because of my lack of education, I'm putting it lightly. Danielle changed everything. I feel more confident in making own own decisions, moving forward with big business concepts, as well as running the day to day. I am also making more money."
- Annika
"Never have I met anyone more knowledgable, innovative & kind in the realm in handmade business. If you are a new biz owner, Etsy veteran, or somewhere inbetween, you can always learn something from Danielle. The best part is, she has LIVED it. She has been successful in her own handmade business and knows kind of support us ladies need. I wouldn't take advice from anyone else. She tells you what you need to hear, when you need to hear it. She gives a little bit of tough love, but it is only to help you better yourself and your business. She is truly amazing and that's really the bottom line."
- Kimber
"I have so much more confidence than I used to, and I'm taking everything much more seriously. I'm making a little bit more money than I was, but I feel confident that the steps I'm taking are positioning me to be making a lot more money. I'm so grateful to Danielle for helping me make this work!"
- Leah
"I consider The Merriweather Council one of the most important tools in my business. Not only does Danielle breakdown the fundamentals of selling handmade in a way that's easy to understand and implement, but she's also a constant encourager and confidence booster. The resources that Danielle has provided have helped to increase sales, gain exposure, and make decision-making easier and faster. I often refer to my shop BD (before Danielle) and AD (after Danielle). AD is where you want to be! Her content is accurate, precise, and actionable. And she has a genuine interest in her students succeeding and reaching their goals. I wouldn't trust anyone with my business that hasn't been there themselves. Danielle's experience as a successful handmade business owner is invaluable and something that you don't find everywhere."
- Kim
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