Interview with Erin Giles

I have been following Erin for about a year and I have always found inspiration in her advice. When she recently re-branded her business to incorporate philanthropy into her business model, I was intrigued. When I watched her video (see below), I knew I wanted to help spread her message. Now she is showing other female entrepreneurs how to do the same with her Rocket Your Revolution e-course (new course starts in August). I was thrilled when she said yes to do an interview on Everyday Inspired, I hope you enjoy getting to know Erin as much as I did. 
Thank you Erin for sharing today!

You have gone from managing other peoples business, to coaching female entrepreneurs, to re-branding your whole business to help other female business owners launch their own revolution. How and why did you decide to make this transition?
I wouldn't say it was a transition, more like a journey. I found myself like many others in my twenties, figuring out what I did and didn't enjoy which ultimately led to my mega passion. When you find it, just like your spouse, you know + I am so relieved and thankful to have found it and do it everyday.

Your process of re-branding happened rather quickly, what were some of the challenges you faced during this process?
The only challenge I can think of was time...I didn't have enough. I had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time because of the date I had set to launch my program. But unlike my previous two websites, this one came with ease. I experienced total confirmation during my re-branding because the copy and the graphics happened without much resistance or doubt.

With so many big changes in your business how do you stay motivated to meet your goals?
Ambition keeps you motivated, and that my friend is one thing I have plenty of. I know my ultimate business dream, and each month I work towards that. I also set monthly goals and keep them in front of me every day on my bulletin board. If you are going to achieve your goals making sure the work you do every day moves you towards that is key, or else you will get sidetracked.

How does coaching female entrepreneurs inspire your own business?
The women I coach in Rocket Your Revolution are incredibly inspiring. I am inspired by what changes they want to see in the world and how their passion for that cause is fueling their revolution. They are all so talented + innovative, it blows my mind. I have actually been caught crying happy tears while reading their homework in our secret facebook group. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't have several pinch me moments:)


As founder of End Sex Trafficking Day (9.26.12), can you tell us a little about this amazing project.
End Sex Trafficking Day is a virtual event fueled by my passion to fight it. With 30 million people, the majority of them being women and girls, enslaved in this modern day form of slavery, I knew one donation wouldn't cut it. So I created a day where a book would be for sale that was a collaborative effort by 60 brilliant writers with all proceeds going to the Not For Sale Campaign. Share the site, mark it in your calendars, and get on the list this is one cause that we shouldn't ignore.

Connect with Erin -  Website * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Google+

Have you incorporated philanthropy into your business?

An Interview with Sonya Kanelstrand

I have been a follower of Sonya's blog since early 2011. I was surprised to find out that she started her blog in March of 2011 and has built a thriving blog community  so quickly. Sonya's Blog is an inspiring mix of eco-friendly and simple living posts, two important things in my life making it easy to be a regular reader of her blog. 

Sonya is not only a great writer and blogger, she is an amazing artist. Her Etsy shop is filled with dreamy photographs that are inspiring and creative. She is also the editor of The Studio Magazine. A magazine that is filled with a beautifully curated collection of eco-friendly art.

I am thrilled Sonya was able to take the time to share with us a little about her passion for living green and building a thriving blog community. 

1. As a long time follower of your blog, I am always inspired by the information you share about living simply and eco friendly. Could you please share why you are so passionate about this way of life.

Thank you, Valerie. Knowing that you, as a regular reader of Kanelstrand and the greatest motivator I know, find inspiration in my words is a great motivation for me!

Thanks to my family I was brought up to respect the riches of the land. My grandfather taught by example, which I believe is the only way to teach. Although he was a dentist from the city, he learned from his mother-in-law (my great grand mother) how to take care of the garden and started building upon this knowledge to reach a level of feeding 3 families with his produce. Of course, we children were always there to help in the summers.

My grandmother knitted my winter sweaters, hats and scarves and although she never requested acquiring this ability from me, there came the time when I naturally turned to knitting myself.

My mother is the perfect cook (whose mother isn't!) and we have never (believe it or not) had pre-fabricated food at home. Apart from that, she is a one-man-orchestra, basically doing everything by herself, which taught me to be a handy person myself, paying attention to detail and a perfectionist at times.

Family and surroundings play a very important role for the forming of a young mind and I grew up to become a "slow" and deliberate person, who appreciates nature and the depth of the human soul. I live simply thanks to that stable, nature-inspired foundation I was exposed to in my childhood and that is the way I feel comfortable living. I wouldn't change it for anything because it is an integral part of how I view the world.

My passion to discuss simple and eco-friendly living appeared when I realized that unlike so many people out there bragging about their eco-achievements or getting tired of being green, I actually lived a pretty simple and green life without any outer forces and norms telling me to do so. At that moment, when I compared myself to the wide world I knew I had some things to share with it.

Surreal Fine Art Photography Print Girls Room 

2. You started your blog a year ago, and have built a thriving community of readers. What did you do to build your community so quickly?

When I started the Kanelstrand blog I knew I needed it to promote my etsy business but was in the dark as to what I should write about. The only clear idea I had was that this blog would have to be successful.

I read a lot, I educate myself constantly and I give the Kanelstrand blog 150% of myself. That is the secret behind it, I am fully devoted to creating a intelligent, informational and inspiring place for anyone interested in simplifying their life or simply making it easier on the planet and themselves.

As an added bonus I have this amazing green community of readers who not only support me but also inspire me daily. And I really mean that! I am a curious person, and although I have more than 1000 GFC followers I still find time to check every new follower's blog. There is so much talent out there!

One thing I have noticed is that whatever you create with love and devotion, be it a shop, a school or a blog, it gets the power to attract like-minded people and this is what I see happening daily on the Kanelstrand blog. People drop by and if they are in the same vibe, or feel the need to take something from the vibe, they keep coming back. My job is to make them feel welcome and to keep offering amazing and thought-provoking information.

In that line of thoughts, I recently stumbled upon a precious thought by Jonathan Fields that holds in itself the secret to success: "Forget about what you want to sell. It’s not about you or it. It’s about who you serve and how you remove their pain."

Fjord Landscape Norway Photography Light Blue 

3. Your Etsy shop is filled with beautiful photos and handcrafted felted bracelets, what inspires your creative collection?

I like the line which I use so often, saying that my inspiration comes from the pine forest by the sea, in which I happen to live. I use that phrase because it is so true! My major inspiration in life, ever since I remember myself has been nature - the colors, the aromas, the sounds and shapes - they all hide so many details that still attract my attention and I keep re-discovering them with every new season, and every sunrise.

Photography, poetry, hand-work have been with me for decades and are my preferred way to express myself. I am very proud with my felted bracelets because they are unique, I had to combine crafts and invent methods in order to fulfill this dream of mine and they carry the Scandinavian spirit not only because they are made with Norwegian and Icelandic wools, here in a Norwegian forest, but because they have that emblematic simplicity about them.

The photography prints that can be found in my etsy shop are also very much Scandinavian. Most of the surreal ones are inspired by the Old Norse Mythology and the idea of Middle Earth. A curious fact about them is that they take about 24 hours of work to create, after the click of the camera shutter. The crystal clear landscapes present colorful Scandinavia in all its dreamy gorgeousness.

I love what I do!

Sun Rays in the Forest Fine Art Photography

4. You mention on you blog that you live in a pine forest by the Sea in Scandinavia. I can only imagine the view out of your window must be very inspiring. When you are working how do you keep your space inspiring?

You are right, the view is magnificent! I see the pine forest, which is frequented by a family of deers, and hundreds of birds. Because we live some 200 feet from the beach I can also hear the waves.

You got me thinking though, where exactly is my working space? As a photographer, I spend hours outside, as a nature lover I try to transfer as many activities out too. I often write or knit on the beach but my online life starts from my desk which happens to be (you) guessed it) in front of said window. I don't have much inspirational stuff on the walls, just a big calendar to keep track of my online commitments, a photo printer on the desk, and a notebook to write down ideas and schedules. With all that beauty behind the window, I can hardly get more inspired!

Do All Things With Love 8x10 Typography Print

5. How do you stay motivated on a daily basis to create and write your blog posts?

I have found out that waiting for inspiration is never helpful. That is why I like to provoke it by simple scheduling. Ever since I started my blog I have stuck to a weekly routine, which has proven lucrative and prompts my mind to be productive in the right time.

I recently opened my blog for regular contributors, all bloggers I respect and admire, who add their wisdom to the Kanelstrand experience. This big step is another great motivator for me - now it is not just me behind the blog, but I work with this talented team of writers who I want to be proud of contributing to a fabulous blog, so I am beyond motivated to keep the standard high.

But my greatest blogging motivation is the feedback I receive from my readers. The thing I like most about blogging is that it is a work in progress that has a life of its own, because there are so many minds involved. Your cleverness and originality become unimportant if you don't have an audience. That is why I thank all my readers for always being my rock!

Open publication - Free publishing

Thank you so much Sonya, for sharing your amazing story!


Connect with Sonya ~ Blog ~ Etsy ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Google+ ~ The Studio Magazine

An Interview with Timothy Adam

I have been following Tim and his career since 2008. I have purchased his ebooks, taken his e-courses, and been reading his blogs for years. He has built a huge following and is an expert in starting, running, and marketing an Etsy shop.

He is not only passionate about sharing his knowledge, but he is also an amazing metal artist. He creates furniture, jewelry displays, and has a collection of unique jewelry. Visit his Etsy shop to see all of his inspired pieces.

When I decided to start Inspired Success Week I knew I wanted to do and interview with Tim. I was thrilled when he agreed and volunteered to help with spread the word.  Thanks Tim!

I have had to pleasure to follow your career of creating amazing metal artwork, a variety of blogs and websites, and writing a book. How is your business different today then when you started selling online?
I remember the day I started ... and sadly it was on ebay... I tried selling my Les Paul Coffee table on ebay and lost $40 in listing fees and never sold it... blah. Then a friend told me about Etsy...... that's where it all began! I started my shop in February of 2007 and had to quit my job a year and a half later due to the volume of sales.. I even had to hire my friend to help me fill orders during the Christmas season. During those crazy years I actually found the time to blog and grow a social media network. Fast forward to today, and my business is very different then when I first started. I still sell my metal all over the world, but it has slowed. The main part of my business is Handmadeology. The blog , Handmadeology Pro, and the Etsy shop.

Read more about Handmadeology Pro

You are passionate about helping other creative individuals with their businesses, what inspires you to share everything you have learned about building a business online?
There is one story that inspires me to this day, and here it is. In 2008 I was blogging on my old blog teaching sellers how to run an Etsy shop, and I received an email from an Etsy seller. She said she was following my tips and started to set up her shop when she lost her job at the bank. She went on to say that her shop took off and now she was making more selling on Etsy then she ever did at the bank. So you ask what inspires me? If I can teach someone how to make extra money to help pay the bills from selling what they love to make then my job is done! I love hearing from people that this blog post helped, or this ebook changed my way of thinking. The success of my readers, fans, followers, customers, and clients is what inspires me to help.

Copper rivet series camera

Simple Necklace Tree T-Bar Display

How do you stay motivated on a daily basis juggling your business, your Etsy shop, and your family?
Providing for my family is my main motivation. It helps to have a wife that shares the same vision of owning your own business. Yes at times it is a struggle to get everything done business wise and still have time for a life and family.

Do you have a book that has inspired you and help you gain focus for your business?
I don't really have one particular book that comes to mind, but there isn't one day that goes by that I am not learning something new. I am always on the hunt for articles, ebooks, videos, you name it!

What is your favorite part of running your business?
My wife owns her own photography business,so I love being able work at home with my wife and son. The flexibility of owning your own business is awesome... right now we are planing our first family vacation!

Here is a Television News story about Tim and his Business


Thank you Tim for taking the time to share your inspiring story with us!

Connect with Tim - Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Etsy shop ~ Website


If you could ask Timothy one question what would it be?