When Covid cost her a job, single mom Juliane Popelka turned $600 and a dream into Silk for Everyone. From selling pillowcases at First Friday to surpassing $100K in sales, Juliane shares how grit, resilience, and reinvestment built her business from the ground up.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silkforeveryone

Website: https://www.silkforeveryone.com

Merch Talk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merch.talk/

In this episode of Merch Talk, we sit down with a mother of four and faith-filled potter and small business owner who turned a creative outlet into a meaningful artisan brand. 🎙️ She shares how her pottery journey began during pregnancy, the struggles of starting before she felt ready, and what it's really like to build a handmade business while raising a family.

We talk about:

- Starting a business with no experience

- Lessons from her very first market

- Why your work has value even before it's perfect

- How God used pottery to reshape her path

- Giving back through business — including donating 15% of sales to her church

Whether you're a potter, a creative entrepreneur, a faith-based business owner, or just someone dreaming of starting your own small, local artisan brand, this episode will encourage you to take that first step.

✨ Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Connect with the Merch Talk Podcast:

🎙️ Instagram: @merch.talk @themerchantile @merchantilemarket

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themerchantileofscottsdale4660

Connect with Maria from Mud Water Studio:

🌿 Website: www.mudwaterstudio.com

🌿 Instagram: @mudwaterstudio

In this episode, I sit down with Saige Harris, owner of FERN Floral Studio, a small artisan floral business known for creating unique, one-of-a-kind flower arrangements using unexpected combinations and hard-to-find blooms. Originally from Hawai'i, Saige shares what it was like to move her floral business across the country to Arizona and the lessons she's learned about growing a local business, trusting the process, and staying true to your values and creativity in a competitive industry. We dive into overcoming comparison, the reality behind social media success, and how faith has helped her navigate the ups and downs of small business ownership. Whether you're a local artisan, florist, or creative entrepreneur, you'll be encouraged and inspired by Saige's story.

Connect with Saige Harris & FERN Floral Studio:
🌿 Website: fernfloralstudio.com
🌿 Instagram: @fernfloralstudio

Connect with the Merch Talk Podcast:
🎙️ Instagram: @merch.talk