In this episode, I’m sitting down with the founder of Martini Metal Craft and Martini Mercantile to talk about what it really looks like to build something meaningful over time. From making jewelry while working multiple jobs, and navigating burnout, to finally taking the leap into her own brick-and-mortar shop - Marijo’s story is a powerful reminder that there’s no one “right” timeline.

We talk about the reality of balancing a day job while growing a business, the importance of understanding both your craft and the business behind it, and why building something sustainable often requires patience, pivots, and a whole lot of persistence.

If you’ve ever felt behind, stuck, or unsure of your path, this conversation will remind you: you’re not late - you’re building.

Connect with Marijo:

Website: https://martinimetalcraft.com
Instagram: @martinimetalcraft + @martinimercantile

Visit her shop: Martini Mercantile at 2100 Iron Street, Bellingham, WA

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

In this episode of Hey Julie by Moss Bags, Julie shares one of the biggest shifts that changed her business after more than a decade - focusing on bestsellers instead of constantly launching something new.

From real-life market experiences to building product ecosystems, this episode walks through how your bestselling product can guide your marketing, simplify your systems, and help you build a more sustainable business.

In this episode, I share:

• How to identify your true bestseller using your data
• Why being known for one product matters more than offering everything
• How to market your bestseller (online and in-person)
• Simple ways to go deeper instead of wider with your product line
• How bestsellers build trust and repeat customers

What we Talk About:
Take time to review your top products by units sold and start building your strategy around what’s already working.

If you're a maker, handmade seller, or product-based business owner looking to grow with more clarity and less overwhelm, this episode will help you rethink how you build.

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

Kira shares how her business began with a simple metals class and evolved into a full-time career rooted in markets, community, and doing things her own way. From the early days of selling at art walks to navigating major life changes and going all in on her business, this conversation is an honest look at what it really takes to build something meaningful.

If you’ve ever wondered if your idea could turn into something - or felt like there’s no clear roadmap - this episode will remind you to trust your instincts and create your own path.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• How Cascadia Jewelry started from a single class
• What the early days of selling at markets really looked like
• The role of community in growing a product-based business
• Navigating loss, change, and going all in
• Why there is no one-size-fits-all business blueprint
• The importance of consistency (and local markets!)
• Learning what actually sells—and leaning into it
• Balancing creativity with the realities of running a business

Favorite Quote:

“There is no blueprint—and that’s actually the best part. No one does what you do.”

Connect with Kira:
Website: https://cascadiajewelry.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cascadia.jewelry/ 

Find her at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market + local events

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

From buying my first sewing machine at 10:30 PM and teaching myself how to sew… to navigating the highs, the hard seasons, and everything in between - this is the story of Moss Bags.

In this episode, I share:
• how I got started (with no real plan)
• the early days of figuring it all out
• the role community played from the very beginning
• the seasons of growth, burnout, and reinvention
• why your “why” matters more than anything

If you’ve ever felt the pull to start something, questioned if you’re qualified, or found yourself in a hard season of business - this episode is for you.

Because building a business isn’t about having it all figured out.
It’s about starting, staying, and being willing to evolve.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love if you shared it with another small business owner.

What We Talked About:
• Starting a handmade business from scratch
• Building a product-based business over 13 years
• Navigating different seasons of business
• The importance of community in entrepreneurship

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com

Hosted by Julie, founder of Moss Bags since 2013, this podcast shares honest stories, practical systems, and sustainable growth strategies for makers, handmade sellers, and product-based small business owners.

From Shopify and Etsy to wholesale, markets, and marketing systems, Julie brings over a decade of real-world experience building a handmade brand.

If you're building something meaningful and want community, clarity, and sustainable momentum, you're in the right place.

New episodes feature honest conversations with founders and practical lessons from the messy middle of running a business.

Follow the show so you don’t miss an episode. I’m so glad you’re here.

Connect with Julie | Moss Bags:
Website: https://mossbags.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/moss.bags

Photography by Lisa Aamot | https://www.merakiphotographynw.com