Taking Our Story Live – Entrepreneurship, Wood, and Real Talk

This week in the workshop, something unexpected happened – we got invited to share our story in a whole new way.

On Saturday, October 4th at 7 PM Eastern (that’s 4 PM here in Arizona), I’ll be joining MVC on The MVC Show for a live TikTok conversation about entrepreneurship, the realities of running a handcrafted business, and what it’s really like to build something from reclaimed wood and pure determination.

Why This Feels Important

After more than four decades of Rex turning wood into beautiful things, and several years of us turning that craft into Sarkanys Rising, we’ve learned that the business side of art is just as complex and rewarding as the creative side. The successes, the setbacks, the moments when you’re not sure if you’re building a legacy or just really expensive hobbies – it’s all part of the story.

MVC reached out after we connected through the Confidence Project, and she’s interested in the real talk behind small business ownership, especially when you’re creating something that can’t be mass-produced or rushed. How do you price handmade work fairly? What happens when health challenges threaten everything you’ve built? How do you stay true to your values while still paying the bills?

These are the conversations that matter, and honestly, they’re conversations we don’t get to have often enough.

The Timing Couldn’t Be Better

This live interview comes just days after we launch our October bundles and baskets sale – a celebration of how individual pieces can come together to create something even more special. It’s perfect timing to talk about how sustainable business practices and quality craftsmanship aren’t just buzzwords for us; they’re the foundation of everything we do.

We’ll be discussing the challenges we’ve faced this year, how we’ve learned to adapt when plans don’t go according to schedule, and why we believe there’s still a place in this world for businesses that prioritize relationships over transactions.

What to Expect

MVC’s approach is refreshingly honest – no scripted questions or polished talking points. We’ll be diving into the messy, beautiful reality of entrepreneurship when your “factory” is a workshop and your “inventory” starts as raw wood that needs to be coaxed into beauty.

Topics we might cover:

• How a love for woodworking becomes a sustainable business
• The unique challenges of veteran-owned enterprises
• Pricing handmade work in a world obsessed with cheap and fast
• Building customer relationships that last beyond the purchase
• What “sustainable business practices” actually look like day-to-day
• The reality of health challenges when you ARE the business

Plus, we’ll be taking questions from the live audience, so if there’s something you’ve always wondered about the business side of handcrafted work, this is your chance to ask.

A Special Thank You

MVC has been incredibly supportive of small businesses and authentic entrepreneurship, so as a thank you for the platform and the conversation, we’re creating a special discount code just for her community. It’ll be good through our holiday season, lasting until our annual year-end clearance sale that starts December 26th. You have to listen to get it!

Join the Conversation

Whether you’re an entrepreneur yourself, curious about the handcrafted business world, or just enjoy authentic conversations about building something meaningful, we’d love to have you join us live on October 5th.

You can find The MVC Show on TikTok at @the.mvc.show, and the live stream starts at 7 PM Eastern/4 PM Arizona time. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and maybe a cup of coffee – we have a feeling this is going to be the kind of conversation that runs longer than planned.

Beyond the Live Stream

This conversation is part of something bigger – our commitment to transparency about what it really takes to build a business that aligns with your values. Too often, entrepreneurship gets painted as either a fairy tale of overnight success or a nightmare of endless struggle. The reality, at least for us, is somewhere in between: challenging, rewarding, frustrating, and deeply satisfying all at the same time.

We’re excited to share that reality, to answer your questions, and to be part of MVC’s mission to showcase authentic business stories.

Mark your calendars, follow @the.mvc.show, and get ready for some real talk about entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, and what happens when you decide to build something that matters.

See you live on October 4th!