The business of Quilter doubles in three years thanks to Membership
Rebecca Bryan is a quilter and author and the entrepreneur behind Bryan House Quilts. Rebecca Bryan has revolutionized the material world by creating a a distinctive fabric line and thread collection while also giving in-person classes in quilting. In the beginning of her career Rebecca was looking for the easiest way to support her family and find time to do the work she loves. Read on to find out how the switch to an online subscription-based subscription will bring Rebecca the financial stability along with the security she desired.
Why did you decide to become involved in information commerce?
My business in quilting began with the publication of my debut book Contemporary Rainbow Quilts. After that, I began giving classes at quilt shows and guilds across in the United States. I continued to expand my workshop offerings with the introduction of my book 2: Contemporary Triangle Quilts.
After that, my husband accepted the job he was offered and relocated our family with four children of school age over in the Netherlands. Our in the Netherlands made it impossible returning to the US for instruction on the spot!
I'd been thinking about hosting my classes online, but this move gave me the boost I required.
What was your first digital product that you launched? What was the reason you decided to launch it?
As I was beginning my adventure with my latest business, I chose to launch with a workshop that I taught with my Modern Triangle Quilts book "Design Improv with Triangles". My class will guide the students by guiding them through interactive tasks that result in them creating their very personal Modern Triangle quilt blocks. The reason I selected this workshop was that this was my first experience that I had taught my latest book and I realized how comprehensive the online program could be compared to a traditional three-hour or six-hour live-in class. (See the Equilateral Sampler Quilt, pictured in Rockport, Mass.)
Do you have further details about your training sessions that were in a one-time transaction?
I thoroughly enjoyed my entire web-based experience that I provided to my students. What I did notice was how much I enjoyed teaching through camera and Zoom. It's hard to describe how (painfully!) my camera shyness used to be however, showing up to the class for my class was extremely pleasing. In addition, I had the chance to meet my students through an evening of sharing even though it was a virtual. The whole experience felt pleasantly delightful!
Then, I started to offer more online workshops that began with a plan for the entire year. Quilting is a process that we call these blocks "Blocks of the Month" Every month, we design each month a new collection of blocks for quilting after which, at the end each year we stitch the quilt blocks together in order to complete our quilt. Woohoo! (See Rainbow Remix, my 2018 BOM.)
What inspired you to create a subscription-based product?
As my catalog of "Block of the Month" programs increased to three I realized that I could offer my students greater satisfaction and value by keeping all of my "Modern Triangle" projects within one group. So, in March 2020 I announced the opening of "Make Modern Triangles", the official club which assists quilters in designing designs, create and finish blocks that are blockbuster contemporary triangle quilts.
Within the community, participants have the choice of picking the specific tasks they want to work on and also appreciate my advice and guidance as well as being motivated by the desire to "bust the blocks" as they work together within a group of similar quilters around the globe. This "Triangle Chatter" community is an absolute delight! Every day, I am amazed by how far the project has come and also the photos of the progress made by our community members.
How did the customers reacted to your offer?
Favorably, I'd say!
The Block of the Month products make for a great program to create in my role as a teacher. But, the entire experience is really a part of the group and the anticipation for the next challenge and the anticipation of watching piles of blocks grow; the commiseration whenever the plan doesn't work The satisfaction of successfully completing each stage and the excitement of shouting "ta it's da!" together! This is all wonderful and part of the camaraderie we all experience together, in a collective.
What lessons have you learned since starting your subscription that you take to heart in running your business?
Oh my. One of the most important lessons I've learned painfully is that I make way too many work for myself. This is why I'm always searching for ways to simplify.
When I started my business, one of my goals was to have the ability of contributing to my family's support without the need to find an "real" work. My first venture was when my four kids were babies in the hopes that my earnings would increase to the same extent as an "real" occupation.
I wanted to establish an enterprise where I could do at minimum 25% of the time working on my computer while also working in my sewing room.
As an educator who loves teaching it was easy for me to get lost in the quilts that I made and then creating an entire book about it. It's not difficult to see this gave me lots of tasks to complete! It actually forced me away from my sewing room and my ultimate goal.
In order to simplify things and make things easy, I'm now focused (mostly!) on my membership. I've cut everything down to one offer.
What impact did the launch of the online subscription platform can have on your business?
Through simplifying and focusing on creating my network, my business has increased by 50% over the last 3 years (thanks for those yummy and sweet statistics!). It's been a success in building a business that will support my family, and one where I'm no longer connected to my laptop. I am able to write art and design.
I am so more relaxed. I feel great about my product that I'm giving my clients. I am fascinatedwatching my customers create. In addition, I'm also more liberated. I'm safe. Peace of mind is a relief to my head. Even though it's not perfect, I am aware of what I'm creating and how I can improve it and I can predict the way it'll expand and evolve over the next two years.
As a member I feel less stress. The majority of times, I'm able to view my business's revenue per year. It doesn't bother me that I need to train everyone on the that I'm learning or design a product I'm planning to market. The main thing I am concerned about is providing remarkable information and connections to my loved ones and friends as well as developing for myself. Plus, I can always be available and capable of taking good care of my family.
How did you achieve the desired outcomes?
My aim was and is always about simplifying the process, and that's why it was the right choice. It's very easy for an online business to become complicated in just a few days. offers simplification for me, and I'm there for you. Everything I need is in it, apart from some other programs (from previous times that I didn't use ) I make a strict use of.
Do you have any advice for any other people who are considering starting an online business that is based on subscriptions?
Lean hard into the "Beta" version and maintain your version "Beta" for a longer time longer than you think you have to. I wished I'd kept mine in beta mode longer. Based on the experience you've had, identify the things that work, and take your experience to the next level. And then spend many hours to refine and improve the elements that are working. Make it easy and remain at the top of simplicity. Start your first beta today as the more time you sit longer, the more complex it gets!
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