About Podcast
This Episode is Sponsored By:
In a world where creative entrepreneurs dream of freedom and flexibility, why do so many end up overwhelmed by operations and stuck in the weeds? That’s the dilemma Emily Thompson set out to solve. What followed was a journey from geography scholar to co-founder of Almanac Supply Co., where seasonal small-batch products meet serious business process and co-host of Being Boss, one of the top-ranked podcasts for creatives in business.
In this episode, Emily takes us behind the curtain of Almanac’s transformation from kitchen-table chaos to a streamlined candle production line. She shares how her background in geography taught her to see systems at scale, why doing every job yourself (at least once) unlocks true delegation, and how building a “Wolfpack” culture where loyalty flows both ways turned her team into a true force of nature.
Key Takeaways:
- How to design foolproof workflows using low-tech tools like pen-and-paper time tracking.
- Why skipping the process to chase success holds entrepreneurs back and what to do instead.
- The secret to planning a year’s production in one forecasting session.
- How treating your team as equals can transform your company culture.
- Why getting your hands dirty is the first step to scaling sustainably.
Join us for a conversation that blends retail ops, creative leadership, and process excellence ideal for founders who want their back office to be just as beautiful as their brand.
- Operational Excellence Mindset: Cultivate a people‑centric approach that prioritizes quality, consistency, and collaboration.
- Hands‑On Process Familiarity: Execute core tasks yourself to gain insight, optimize workflows, and document accurately.
- Regular Process Audits: Review operations periodically to find bottlenecks and improve efficiency and margins.
- Tech vs. Analog Tools: Choose tools that reduce distractions and add value through workflow simplification.
- Annual Production Forecasting: Use past data to plan inventory and fulfillment for consistent output and fewer shortages.
Special Guest: Emily Thompson, Host of Being Boss Podcast; Founder & CEO, Almanac Supply Co.
Location: Chattanooga, TN USA
Air Date: July 4, 2021
Websites
- Almanac Supply Co.: a retail company offering seasonal, nature-inspired goods including hand-crafted candles, crystals, teas, books and more!
- Being Boss: a one-stop destination for creatives (and entrepreneurs who do things creatively) looking to take their businesses to the next level.
Books
- Being Boss:Take Control of Your Work and Live Life on Your Own Terms: Emily’s book, co-authored by Kathleen Shannon.
- Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run by Itself: a book by Mike Michalowicz.
- Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine: a book by Mike Michalowicz.
Professional Organizations
- Being Boss Community: an inclusive online community for creatives seeking collaboration and immersive support and resources as they make money doing the work they love.
Podcasts & Articles
- Being Boss Podcast: Emily’s podcast for creatives (and business owners and entrepreneurs who do things creatively) “…who want to take control of their work and live life on their own terms.”
- Hubspot Podcast Network: HubSpot’s new podcast network of which the Being Boss podcast is an inaugural member. The network is an extension of HubSpot’s commitment to offer best-in-class resources to support small business growth.
- Writer, Producer & Host: Alicia Butler Pierre
- Podcast Editor: Olanrewaju Adeyemo
- Video Editor: Gladys Jimenez
- Transcription: Outsource Global
- Show Notes: Hashim Tale
- Sponsors: HubSpot, ThinkSmart Whiteboard
More About Guest, Emily Thompson:
Emily Thompson is the co-founder and host of Being Boss, a resource, podcast, and community for creative entrepreneurs, and founder and CEO of Almanac Supply Co., a retail brand that makes and curates products that help people connect with nature. For over a decade Emily has worked closely with creatives to help them make money doing work they love, with a focus on building online business models and growing creative businesses.
More About Host, Alicia Butler Pierre:
Alicia Butler Pierre is the Founder & CEO of Equilibria, Inc. Her career in operations began over 20 years ago while working as an engineer in various chemical plants and oil refineries. She invented the Kasennu™ framework for business infrastructure and authored, Behind the Façade: How to Structure Company Operations for Sustainable Success. It is the world’s first published book on business infrastructure for small businesses. Alicia hosts the weekly Business Infrastructure podcast with a global audience across 53 countries. More About Sponsor, HubSpot:
HubSpot offers a full platform of marketing, sales, customer service, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software — plus the methodology, resources, and support — to help businesses. Their CRM platform is powered by the same database, so everyone in your organization — Marketing, Sales, Service & Operations — is working off the same system of record. This allows for a smoother handoff between teams and results in a more delightful experience for your customers. Learn more. More About Sponsor, ThinkSmart Whiteboard:
Thinksmart Whiteboard is a Windows App that turns your Tablet PC into a shared whiteboard. It allows you to create a whiteboard on your computer screen, then allows other people to write onto your whiteboard, even if they are in another location! Learn more.