Life can take interesting turns. And sometimes, we end up in a https://giftbizunwrapped.com/episodes/ideas-for-creative-business/ (completely different place) than we thought we would.

Today's guest is a perfect example. Although he started out as a professional rabbi, he now is a full-time jewelry maker!

And you're going to love hearing his journey because it is such a perfect case study on https://suemonhait.lpages.co/makers-mba-program (starting and growing a handmade product business)!

Doug creates his artwork to celebrate surprising transformations and to make upcycling irresistible.

Through his small studio operation, Lost & Forged, he offers a wide range of original jewelry, accessories, Judaica items, and decor pieces, all made by hand from antique silverware and other reclaimed metal objects.

He began his artistic work in 2015. Since then, Doug has shipped his pieces to buyers in dozens of countries overseas and all 50 US states.

Doug lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his two children. He was the full-time rabbi of a local synagogue for 11 years but shifted his main professional focus to his artwork in 2017.
The Journey From Rabbi to Jewelry Maker
In this episode, you'll hear a perfect case study of starting and growing a handmade business:

Identifying the products you will sell

Validating an audience for your products

The importance of https://giftbizunwrapped.com/episodes/how-a-blog-grows-your-product-based-business (blogging for sales and search visibility)

How your blog and https://giftbizunwrapped.com/episodes/how-to-start-an-email-list (email list) can work together

https://giftbizunwrapped.com/episodes/why-your-products-arent-selling (Selling) online and at shows

A super clever way to get email list signups at shows

Plus lots more!



Tune in now to hear how to start and grow your unique handmade product business!
Resources Mentioned

https://lostandforged.com/collections/featured (Save 20% on one of Doug's spoon rings with code UNWRAPPED) (expires July 31, 2022)

https://lostandforged.com/blogs/news/introducing-the-lost-forged-mobile-boutique-spoon-rings-more-out-on-the-road (See Doug's unique mobile craft booth for shows)

https://giftbizunwrapped.com/topics (Gift Biz Unwrapped Topics Directory)

https://giftbizunwrapped.com/shop/ (Gift Biz Unwrapped Merch Shop)



Doug's Contact Links
https://lostandforged.com (Website) | https://www.facebook.com/lostandforged (Facebook) | https://www.instagram.com/lostandforged/ (Instagram)



Join Our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community
https://www.facebook.com/groups/GiftBizBreeze (Become a Member of Gift Biz Breeze)

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Thank you so much! Sue

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