Stickers, Shaking Hands, and Sewing Seeds: Authentic Networking for Quilting Industry Events

Send a text

Taking your quilt business from a digital screen to a physical trade show booth can feel like a high-stakes challenge. In this episode, Tori and Andi pull back the curtain on the "messy middle" of booth prep and the vulnerability of being seen. You'll discover:

• The "Top-Down" Strategy: How to design for visibility so your brand is seen from across the room.
• Pro-Tips on a Budget: Why wooden crates and magnetic LEDs are a business owner’s best friend.
• The Introvert’s Secret Weapon: How sticker trading turns awkward networking into a fun connection.
• The Personalized Pitch: Why a "gift packet" lands better partnerships than a generic brochure.

Perfect for any creative entrepreneur ready to step into the spotlight. Join us as we bridge the gap between digital magic and real-life connection.

Mentioned in the Episode: 

• Blog Post: Your h+h Roadmap  
• Craft to Career Episode with Darrin Stern  
• Our episode with Brandy, The Quilter on Fire  
• Register for h+h  

Chapters

[00:05] - Welcome & The "Why" Behind Booth Prep

[01:46] - Navigating H&H Americas: B2B vs. B2C and Booth Basics

[02:45] - The "Spotlight" Strategy: Why You Shouldn't Display Everything

[03:20] - From Digital to Physical: Turning Marketing Concepts into "Thought Bubbles"

[05:43] - The Booth as a Landing Page: Designing for the Customer Journey

[07:39] - Andi’s Trade Show Past & Using "Top-Down" Visibility

[10:09] - The Magic of Wooden Crates: Height, Storage, and Aesthetic

[11:26] - Beyond the Business Card: Postcards, Brochures, and QR Codes

[15:19] - The Trifold Truth: Focusing Your Message to Avoid Confusion

[18:20] - The Personalized Pitch: Turning Partnerships into "Gifts"

[23:18] - Sticker Culture: The Introvert’s Secret Weapon for Networking

[28:06] - Strategic Lighting: Magnetic LEDs and Gallery Vibes

[30:06] - Outro & Final Reflections

Want More Quilting Business Content?
🔗 Join us on Patreon for exclusive perks
🔗 Grab Tori’s book, Workshops Unleashed
📌 Follow us on Instagram

Co-Hosts:

Tori McElwain @heytori.tech

Andi Stanfield @truebluequilts

Support the show

If you want more support with your quilting business, make sure to hit follow.