For years, I wanted to build a successful business, but looking back, I can see how often I was getting in my own way.

In this episode, I'm sharing the struggles of building a business while raising young children, the pressure to follow everyone else's advice, and my habit of giving up when results didn't come quickly enough.

I'm also talking about the year I finally committed to making my business work, the lessons I learned along the way, and why investing in the right expertise became a turning point in my growth.

Sometimes the biggest thing holding our businesses back is ourselves. Here's what I wish I'd understood sooner.

Let's Connect!

Website: Eryn Whalen Online

Instagram: Eryn_Whalen_Online

New episodes every Tuesday!

Welcome to The Creative Business Diaries! After nearly 100,000 downloads of The Cozy Kitchen Podcast, I'm opening a new chapter and expanding the conversations beyond the kitchen.

I'm still the same woman baking bread, raising kids, renovating an old Tennessee farmhouse, and building a business from home. But over the years, that business has grown from barely covering its expenses to making a meaningful contribution to our family's finances. And I have much bigger dreams for where it could go.

In this first episode, I'm sharing why I decided to rebrand the podcast, what building a creative business looks like in the middle of the journey, and why I want to talk openly about money, ambition, entrepreneurship, creativity, and the lessons I'm learning along the way.

This isn't a podcast from someone who's figured everything out. I'm building a profitable business, working toward bringing my husband home from his job, and exploring what comes next.

If you're building something of your own, dreaming about starting, or figuring out how to turn your creativity into a business, I'm glad you're here.

Visit my website: Eryn Whalen Online

Follow along on Instagram: Eryn_Whalen_Online

The Creative Business Diaries is a podcast about entrepreneurship, creativity, building a profitable business, and navigating the messy middle of pursuing bigger dreams. Hosted by Eryn Whalen, a blogger, creative entrepreneur, and homeschooling mom building a business from her Tennessee farmhouse.

New episodes every Tuesday!

In this episode, I intended to talk about easing into spring and summer cooking with fresh herbs and simple flavors—but like real life, the conversation took a little detour.

We ended up talking about the overwhelm this time of year brings as we all scramble to keep up: school events, sports, last hurrahs before summer break, and trying to stay present as moms while life feels so loud.

If you’re feeling stretched thin but still craving simplicity in your kitchen, this one's for you

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

Herbed Butter Recipe

AZURE STANDARD

Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen

Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order

Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping!

FOLLOW ALONG ON:

INSTAGRAM

ERYN WHALEN ONLINE

MY LTK STORE

MY AMAZON STOREFRONT

Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE

Share & Support:

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here!

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!

If you've ever planted a summer garden full of good intentions — only to realize you're not quite sure how to use everything you grew — this episode is for you. We're diving into 10 of the best vegetables and herbs to grow for fresh eating, so your garden supports your kitchen (not the other way around). From basil and cherry tomatoes to green beans and zucchini, I’m sharing practical tips, small-space solutions, and simple ways to use what you grow — without waste or overwhelm. Let’s make your summer garden truly work for your home, your meals, and your time.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

Herbed Butter Recipes

AZURE STANDARD

Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen

Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order

Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping!

FOLLOW ALONG ON:

INSTAGRAM

ERYN WHALEN ONLINE

MY LTK STORE

MY AMAZON STOREFRONT

Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE

Share & Support:

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here!

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!

After an unexpected break filled with remodel chaos, storms, and a few life curveballs, I’m back behind the mic—sort of. In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s like to live (and think) in the messy middle, how I’m finding small rhythms again, and why it’s okay when life doesn’t go as planned. If your kitchen—or your heart—feels a little unfinished right now, this one’s for you

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

AZURE STANDARD

Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen

Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order

Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping!

FOLLOW ALONG ON:

INSTAGRAM

ERYN WHALEN ONLINE

MY LTK STORE

MY AMAZON STOREFRONT

Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE

Share & Support:

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here!

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

AZURE STANDARD

Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen

Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order

Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping!

FOLLOW ALONG ON:

INSTAGRAM

ERYN WHALEN ONLINE

MY LTK STORE

MY AMAZON STOREFRONT

Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE

Share & Support:

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here!

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!

Ever wondered what a full week looks like in a from-scratch kitchen? In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I plan, prep, and cook throughout the week—from my big Sunday prep day to daily rhythms that keep meals, snacks, and homemade staples flowing. I’ll walk you through how I balance baking, meal planning, fermenting, and even blogging, plus how I structure my days to keep our kitchen running smoothly. If you love a behind-the-scenes look at real-life from-scratch cooking, this episode is for you

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

Sourdough Discard Crackers

Kefir Milk

Ice Cream Maker

AZURE STANDARD

Yogurt Recipe

Mac N Cheese

Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen

Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order

Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping!

FOLLOW ALONG ON:

INSTAGRAM

ERYN WHALEN ONLINE

MY LTK STORE

MY AMAZON STOREFRONT

Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE

Share & Support:

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here!

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!

Stocking your from-scratch kitchen just got easier! In this episode, we’re diving into the best ingredients to buy in bulk, where to shop for the highest quality staples, and how to store everything. Whether you’re baking homemade bread, making yogurt, or prepping weekly meals, having a well-stocked pantry and freezer will save you time, money, and stress. Plus, I’m sharing my favorite bulk-buying sources and a special discount for food preservation tools! Don’t miss this one

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

AZURE STANDARD

Pizza Dough

Soaking Beans

Yogurt Recipe

Yeast from Amazon

Cocoa Powder from Amazon

Mac N Cheese

Egg Noodle Recipe

Redmond Real Salt | Code Eryn_Whalen

How To Make Apple Cider Vinegar

Homemade Mayo

Roots and Harvest | Code ERYN15 for 15% off your order

Force of Nature: My absolute favorite non-toxic cleaning product | Use code ERYN40 for 40% off Force Of Nature Bundles + Free Shipping!

FOLLOW ALONG ON:

INSTAGRAM

ERYN WHALEN ONLINE

MY LTK STORE

MY AMAZON STOREFRONT

Dive into the Cozy Kitchen! Get exclusive only available to you content from my Substack! JOIN HERE

Share & Support:

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who would enjoy it! And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people find the podcast and join this cozy kitchen community. Your support means the world—thank you for being here!

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have thoughts on today’s episode? I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message or tag me on social media when you’re baking—I’d love to see what’s coming out of your kitchen. Until next time, happy baking and happy gathering!