Quilter's business doubles within three years thanks to membership
Rebecca Bryan is a quilter as well as an author and the entrepreneur behind Bryan House Quilts. Rebecca Bryan has revolutionized the world of materials by creating a distinctive fabric line and thread collection while also teaching in-person quilting workshops.
At the start of her journey, she was searching for an easier way to help her family as well as make the time for her work. Read on to find out the ways in which the switch to an online subscription-based membership has brought Rebecca the financial prosperity as well as the peace of mind she wanted.
The reason you decided to get involved in knowledge commerce?
My quilting business started when I published my very first book Contemporary Rainbow Quilts. After that, I began traveling to give classes in quilt shows and guilds across in the United States. I continued to grow my workshops with the release of my book 2: Modern Triangle Quilts.
Then, my husband took his new job and moved our family with four children of school age over in the Netherlands. The fact that we were living overseas meant it was impossible returning to the US to instruct in person!
I had been contemplating hosting my classes online, but this move gave me the boost I needed.
What was the first digital product that you launched? What made you decide to launch it?
At the time I started my journey with my new venture, I decided to begin one of my workshops that I taught using the Contemporary Triangle Quilts book, "Design Improv with Triangles". In my workshop, I instruct the student through a series of interactive exercises resulting in them designing their very own Modern Triangle quilt blocks. The reason I picked this workshop was that it was the first time I had taught my latest book and I realized how in-depth the online course can be as compared to a traditional three-hour or six-hour in person workshop. (See the Equilateral Sampler Quilt, pictured in Rockport, Mass.)
Do you have more details about your training sessions that were part of a one-time transaction?
I thoroughly enjoyed my entire online experience I had for my students. One thing I noticed was that it awe inspiring how much I enjoyed teaching on camera and via Zoom. It is impossible to overstate how (painfully!) camera shy I used be, but showing up with my students was so satisfying. Additionally, I was able to get to know them as we had a time of fellowship even though it was a virtual. The whole experience felt pleasantly delightful!
So, I began to offer more online workshops that began with a plan of the year. In quilting, we call them "Blocks of the Months" Each month we create an entirely new set of quilt blocks and then at the end of the year, we stitch all of blocks of quilt together to finish our quilt. Woohoo! (See Rainbow Remix, my 2018 BOM.)
What inspired you to offer a subscription based product?
As my catalog of "Block of the Month" programs increased to three, I realized I could offer my students greater satisfaction and value by keeping all of my "Modern Triangle" projects within one club. Therefore, in March of 2020, I opened the doors of "Make Modern Triangles", the official club that assists quilters to design designs, create, and complete blocks that are blockbuster contemporary triangle quilts.
In the group, members have the option of choosing exactly which projects they would like to create and they enjoy my guidance and advice, and stay motivated by the desire to "bust the blocks" as they work together within a group of similar quilters around the globe. The "Triangle Chatter" community is an absolute delight! Everyday, I'm blown at the progress of the project and the progress pictures shared by our members.
What was the way your customers react to your subscription?
Favorably, I'd say!
The Block of the Month products are such fun programs to create in my role as a teacher. However, the whole experience is truly a part of the group; the excitement for the next step and watching piles of blocks grow; the commiseration whenever something doesn't go as planned; the satisfaction of completing each stage and shouting "ta the da!" together! This is all wonderful and part of the camaraderie we all experience together, as a group.
What have you learned from starting your subscription that you take to heart running your business today?
Oh my. One of the most important lessons I've have learned the hard way, is I create way too much tasks for myself. This is why I'm always searching for ways to simplify.
When I started my business, one of my goals was to be capable of contributing to my family's support without the need to find the "real" job. I began when my four kids were babies with the hope that my earnings would grow to the same level as a "real" job.
I wanted to create an enterprise where I could do at least 25% of my day working on my computer and all the time creating in my sewing room.
However, as someone who is passionate about teaching it was easy for me to get lost in taking everything quilt I created and creating a book around it. It's not hard to imagine this gave me lots of work to do! And that actually took me out of my sewing area and from my goal.
In order to keep things simple To keep things simple, I'm now focused (mostly!) on my membership. I've pared the entire thing down to a single offer.
What effect did launching an online subscription service have for your company?
Through simplifying and focusing on building my network, my company has doubled for the past three years (thanks for those delicious, sweet analytics!). My goal has been achieved to build a business which can provide for my family and one where I'm no longer tied to my computer. I have time to create and make artwork.
I am so much less stressed. I feel great about my product that I'm giving my clients. I am enthralledwatching my members create. Also, I'm more free. I'm safe. This peace of mind clears my mind. While it's not perfect I know what I'm building, how to improve it and can anticipate how it will grow and develop within the next couple of years.
As a member, I have less pressure. In the majority of cases I can see my company's revenue per year. It doesn't bother me that I have to teach everything new I'm working on or develop a product to sell. My focus is on creating amazing information and connections for my friends and family members, while also developing for myself. Plus, I can be at all times and be flexible enough to take good care of my family.
What helped you get the results you wanted?
My goal was and is always about simplifying, which is why this made the most sense. It's very easy for an online business to become complicated in a short time. offers simplification, and I am here for it. Everything I need is in , and with the exception of a few other tools (from earlier times, which I wasn't using ) I have a strict use of.
What tips would you offer anyone else looking to launch a subscription-based company?
Lean hard into your "Beta" version and keep the version "Beta" for a longer time than you believe that you have to. I wished I'd kept mine in beta mode longer. Based on your experience, identify the things that work, and take it further. And then spend hours and effort polishing and perfecting the things that are working. Keep it simple and stay in the forefront of simpleness. Start your first beta today; the longer you wait, the more complicated it becomes!