You can have almost anything you want in business — but you can’t have everything at the same time. Every decision comes with a trade-off, whether you acknowledge it or not. This article explores why trying to avoid those trade-offs often keeps creators stuck, and how choosing intentionally can make business feel lighter, more focused, and more sustainable.

In September 2025, our HobbyScool brand hosted one of its biggest events yet: The Art of Handmade Summit. Nearly 18,000 people attended, generating $39,041 in revenue and $22,341 in profit. In this post, I’ll share a snapshot of what worked, what didn’t, and why summits have become the growth engine behind HobbyScool. For the full funnel breakdown and all the behind-the-scenes lessons, head over to my Substack.

Most entrepreneurs focus on sales. I’m focused on value. The $1M HobbyScool Experiment is my plan to grow a creative brand into a sellable business by 2027.

I set a goal to grow HobbyScool into a $1M, sellable brand. Instead of keeping my notes in private spreadsheets, I’m documenting the process on Substack. Here’s why this platform is perfect for building in public — and what creators can learn about using Substack the right way.

Last night, I got one of those emails every business owner dreads: an angry unsubscribe. Here’s how I turned that sting into a powerful reminder that unsubscribes aren’t failure—they’re proof your marketing is working.