Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora
Have you ever felt like the only way to succeed in your creative business is to be everywhere: posting constantly, pitching relentlessly, showing up on every platform until you burn out?
We’ve all been fed the idea that “more is more” when it comes to growing your brand… but what if doing less is actually the key to unlocking your next level?
Mei Pak is the founder of Creative Hive, and she’s built multiple 7-figure handmade businesses while completely ditching the hustle mentality. She started out making just $3/hour in her first year of business, but after shifting her strategy and simplifying her approach, she went on to build thriving businesses without relying on Etsy or social media.
And get this: her work has been featured in Buzzfeed, In Touch Weekly, Rachael Ray Magazine, and even on Parks and Recreation!
In today’s conversation, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to streamline your marketing, get visible in ways that actually work, and finally let go of the pressure to do all the things.
So if you’ve been stuck in content creation chaos or spinning your wheels trying to get noticed, this episode is your permission slip to simplify and still succeed. Let’s dive in!
You Don’t Have to Play the Social Media Game
When Mei started out, she was doing what most entrepreneurs do: showing up everywhere, trying everything, and assuming that sheer effort would equal success. But even after posting constantly and doing “all the right things,” she found herself working forty-hour weeks and making just three dollars an hour.
She shared that she never really clicked with social media. It drained her, and despite her consistent effort, it never brought meaningful results.
The truth is, not everyone thrives on the same platforms, and not every strategy fits every personality. For Mei, social media felt like shouting into a void, and the payoff wasn’t worth the energy it took to maintain.
When she finally stepped back and asked herself, “What’s actually working?” she realized that her biggest wins weren’t coming from likes or followers at all; they were coming from exposure she’d earned elsewhere.
The lesson here is simple: social media is just one lever, not the only lever. You don’t have to play that game if it doesn’t fit who you are or how you work best.
The Power of PR and Other People’s Platforms
Once Mei recognized that her best results were coming from features on other people’s platforms, she decided to go all in on that strategy.
She started pitching her handmade jewelry to blogs, magazines, and online gift guides, offering samples and making genuine connections with editors and creators.
That one shift changed everything. Her products began showing up in places like Buzzfeed, Rachael Ray Magazine, and In Touch Weekly. And then came the big one: a Parks and Recreation wardrobe stylist found her work on a blog, reached out, and Amy Poehler ended up wearing Mei’s waffle necklace on the show!
That single placement led to a surge in sales and a wave of new customers who never would have found her otherwise.
Instead of shouting louder on social media, Mei built her visibility by leveraging what she likes to call “OPP”: Other People’s Platforms.
When you partner with people and publications who already have an audience, you get to borrow their credibility and reach, and that visibility lasts far longer than a social media post ever will.
How to Pitch Like a Pro
One of the most valuable parts of our conversation was when Mei broke down how she actually pitches her products. The beauty of her process is that it’s simple, human, and completely doable for anyone; no PR degree required!
She starts with research, because the foundation of a good pitch is fit. She makes sure the outlet or influencer truly aligns with what she’s offering so her outreach feels thoughtful instead of random.
Then, she begins her email with a genuine compliment, something specific that shows she knows and appreciates the other person’s work. This small detail instantly sets her apart from the dozens of generic pitches that land in an inbox every day.
From there, she introduces herself in one clean sentence: who she is, what she makes, and why it matters. She keeps it short and focused, then shares a quick reason she’s reaching out, like a holiday gift guide or a story idea that her products would fit perfectly into.
The secret sauce? She includes beautiful lifestyle photos right inside the email (never as attachments), because visuals stop the scroll and help people immediately picture how her products could fit into their world.
She ends with a friendly, specific question, like “What items catch your eye?” It’s simple, personal, and creates a natural way for the recipient to respond.
It’s the kind of strategy that doesn’t require you to go viral; it just requires you to be thoughtful, consistent, and human!
The Sale-a-Day Framework
When Mei started teaching others how to grow their product-based businesses, she built a method around what had worked for her and her students.
It starts with research. Instead of trying to sell to everyone, you find your niche. You study what’s already working in your space, and then you add your unique twist. That’s exactly what Mei did when she and her husband launched their personalized wall art business.
They noticed the market was full of muted tones and minimal designs, so they introduced bright, colorful artwork that reflected their own personality, and it resonated with an entirely new audience.
Then comes execution, which she believes should be fast and imperfect. Mei encourages entrepreneurs to create what she calls a “minimum viable product” line: six to twelve pieces that represent your vision without requiring perfection. You don’t need hundreds of listings or a flawless brand to start. You just need something you can launch, learn from, and iterate on.
Once you have your products, build a simple online shop using tools like Shopify. The goal is not to complicate things, it’s to make your business run smoothly so you can focus on selling, not tinkering!
Finally, instead of waiting for people to find you, go out and find them. Pitch your products to bloggers, YouTubers, Substack writers, and micro-influencers who genuinely align with what you offer.
These relationships often lead to ongoing partnerships that continue to drive sales long after the first feature.
The best part? It really works!
Mei and her students have used this exact strategy to make consistent sales, sometimes every single day, without depending on the ever-changing world of social media.
Audit Where Your Time Really Goes
If there’s one practice Mei swears by, it’s this: audit how you spend your time.
When she looked back at her early years, she realized she had been pouring endless hours into activities that didn’t produce results. It’s a trap many of us fall into: believing that working harder automatically means we’ll get further. But hard work without strategy often just leads to burnout.
Now, Mei looks at every task through one lens: does this build long-term equity in my business, or is it just busywork? She’s ruthless about removing the things that don’t truly move her forward.
That mindset shift changed everything for her, and it’s a reminder we could all use. When you measure your success by the depth of your impact, not the volume of your output, you start to run your business from a place of clarity instead of chaos.
Ready to Make a Sale-a-Day?
I love Mei’s story because it reminds us that there’s always another way to grow. You don’t have to chase trends or sacrifice your sanity for visibility.
Goal Digger, you CAN build a thriving business by leaning into your strengths, pitching yourself with confidence, and focusing on the work that actually works.
If you’ve been stuck in the content hamster wheel, let this episode be your permission slip to simplify. Take a breath, look at what’s really working, and start building your business on your terms.
Because success doesn’t come from doing it all; it comes from doing the right things, consistently, with heart.
If you loved this episode, click here if you want to learn more about making Mei’s Sale-a-Day Framework work for YOUR business!
Thank you to our Goal Digger Sponsors
- Sign up for your $1/month Shopify trial period!
- Find an Airbnb co-host today.
- Check out What Should I Do With My Money? from Morgan Stanley. Click here to listen now!
- Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection here!
- Create your sanctuary of comfort with Boll & Branch. Get 20% off your first sheet set plus free shipping here!
- Experience the power of a Dell PC with Intel Inside®, backed by Dell’s price match guarantee. Click here to shop now.
- Click here to apply online in 10 minutes. Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.
