The business of Quilter is doubled in three years with membership
Rebecca Bryan is a quilter, author, and entrepreneur who is the creator of Bryan House Quilts. Rebecca Bryan has revolutionized the world of materials with a unique fabric line and thread selection, while teaching in-person quilting workshops.
When she began her journey, she was searching for an easier way to help her family and make time for her art. Learn more about how changing to an online subscription membership gave Rebecca the financial prosperity and peace of mind she was looking for.
The reason you decided to enter the world of knowledge-based commerce?
The beginning of my quilting career began with the publication of my first book Contemporary Rainbow Quilts. Then, I started traveling to give classes at guilds and quilt shows throughout all over the United States. Then, I expanded my workshops with the release of my book 2: Modern Triangle Quilts.
After that, my husband got a new job, which moved our family with children who were in school in the Netherlands. Being in the Netherlands made it impossible to travel back to the US to instruct in person!
I'd been thinking about the possibility of offering my workshop online, but this move was just the push I was looking for.
What was the very first digital product you introduced? Why did you choose it?
When I first started with my new venture, I decided to begin one of my classes which I teach from my Contemporary Triangle Quilts book, "Design Improv with Triangles". The workshop will lead the participant through a set of hands-on activities that lead to them creating their very individual Modern Triangle quilt blocks. I chose this class because it was the first time I had taught my latest book and I recognized the extent to which the online course can be in comparison to a 3-hour or six-hour live workshop. (See my Equilateral Sampler quilt, which is pictured at Rockport, Mass.)
Can you share more about your workshop that was a the one-time purchase?
I truly enjoyed the entire digital experience in my classroom with my students. For one, I found it awe inspiring how much I enjoyed working with cameras and using Zoom. I can't overstate the extent to which I was (painfully!) camera shy I used to be, but showing up in front of my students' cameras felt so rewarding. In addition, I came to get to know them as we got to know each other regardless of whether it was on camera. All of it was delightful!
So, I began offering more online courses beginning with a year-long project of the year program. When we quilt, we refer to them "Blocks of the Month" Each month, we make the new quilt blocks and then at the close of the year we join all the blocks for a complete quilt. Woohoo! (See Rainbow Remix, my 2018 BOM.)
Why did you decide to launch a subscription product?
The number of my "Block of the Month" programs increased to three and I realized that I could give my students more satisfaction and value by keeping the entirety of my "Modern Triangle" projects together in one membership. So in march of 2019, I officially opened the doors of "Make Modern Triangles" Official club for helping quilters create the, design, and make blocks that are blockbuster contemporary triangle quilts.
In the group, members can choose exactly what project they want to make and they enjoy my guidance and advice, and stay motivated in their quest to "bust those blocks" as they work together with like-minded quilts from around the world. The "Triangle Chatter" community is an absolute delight! Everyday, I'm blown away by the project and progress photos the members post.
What did your target audience feel about your subscription?
Favorably, I'd say!
They Block of the Month products are a lot of fun to put together in my role as a instructor. However, the whole experience will be a lot more enjoyable in the group; the excitement for the next step as the piles of blocks multiply; the feeling of commiseration when something goes wrong and the joy of finishing every step, and then shouting "ta the da!" together! It's all amazing and all part of the camaraderie we all experience together, as part of a larger community.
What lessons did you take away about your subscription, which you take to heart running your company today?
Oh boy. The biggest lesson I have learned the hard way, is I create an excessive amount of tasks for myself. So, I'm constantly looking for ways to simplify.
When I began my own business, one of my main goals was being able to contribute to the family support without the need to find the "real" job. My first venture was when my four kids were just babies, with the goal that my earnings would grow to the same level as a "real" job.
I wanted to create an enterprise where I could spend about 25% of my time working on my computer and the rest of my crafting time in my sewing space.
But as a creative person who enjoys teaching and teach, I would get distracted by using every quilt I'd designed and then creating a new product that was based on the quilt. It's not hard to imagine this gave me lots of work to do! This actually led me from my sewing space and from my goal.
In order to keep things simple To keep things simple, I'm now focused (mostly!) on my membership, paring the entire thing down to a single offering.
What effects did the introduction of an online subscription service have on your business?
Through simplifying and focusing on the development of my membership, my income has doubled for the past three years (thanks for the sweet and sweet statistics!). My goal has been achieved of creating a company that can support my family as well as one that is one in which I'm no longer tied to my computer: I can create and make art.
I'm so relieved of stress. I'm happy about the product I'm offering my customers. I enjoywatching my members' creations. Also, I'm more free. I am secure. This peace of mind clears up my bandwidth. While it's not perfect I'm aware of the things I'm building as well as how I can make it better, and I can see that growth and progress coming within the next couple of years.
My membership has brought me so much less stress. In the majority of cases I have a clear picture of my business' revenue per year. It doesn't bother me that I'm required to present all the new things I'm developing or design a brand new product that I can sell. I can focus on creating amazing material and connections to my friends and family members, while also making my own work. Additionally, I am active and flexible in taking charge of my family.
What helped you get the results you wanted?
My goal was and is and always will be simplifying, which is why this made the most sense. It's very simple for a business online to get complicated real quick. offers simplification, and I'm here to help with it. All I require is included in , and with the exception of a few other tools (from earlier times, which I did not use ), I use exclusively.
What suggestions would you provide someone else who wants to begin a subscription-based company?
You should be able to push yourself hard in the "Beta" version and then keep your version "Beta" for longer than you think you need to. I wished I'd kept mine in beta mode longer. In your beta, discover your strengths, then take it further. Then, spend the time and energy grinding and improving what's working. Keep it simple and stay laser focused on simpleness. Start your first beta today; the longer you sit, the more complicated the process is!