NAME: Hannah Weber
TITLE: Owner/Boss Lady
COMPANY NAME: Hannah's Granny Crafts
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 4 years officially - However, I started selling in the 3rd grade
WEBSITE URL: hannahsgrannycrafts.com

Tell us about your business. 
My business is centered around handmade crochet products. I focus on baby items and home decor. My target audience is the busy woman looking to gift high-quality, handcrafted products effortlessly.
 
What does being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
Being a business owner means the absolute world to me. It means I can build a life of my dreams. A life of financial independence, flexibility to make my own schedule, and the ability to make my own rules. It means I will be able to stay home with my future children while also running a business.

What or who has been your most significant influence in business and why?
My mom is the most amazing influence in my business. A considerable part of the reason I was so willing to jump into the life of entrepreneurship is that my mom owns several businesses in our small hometown, and I have grown up right in the heart of those businesses. I have seen the pros and cons of being a businesswoman, and I know that, for me, the pros outshine the cons in SO many ways. From a very young age, I have known that I wanted to be my own boss, and my mom has played a huge role in helping me achieve that goal - for instance, allowing me to sell some of my products in her gift shop starting in just the 3rd grade.
Another huge influence in my life is my grandma - "Grammy." Both women have overcome considerable obstacles in life and have used hard work and perseverance to overcome these obstacles. Grammy is such a massive influence in my life I based the branding of my business around her.

What have been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
Showing up. Simple as that. I mostly use Instagram and Facebook to market my business. Consistency is key. Show up for your audience - in stories, posts, everywhere possible. It doesn't have to be perfect, it doesn't have to be planned - just show up.
 
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
It sounds cliche, but your failures are not as detrimental as they seem "in the moment." You will move on from them, and some of your greatest successes will come out of your biggest failures. I have come to love failure (ok, not LOVE it, but appreciate it) because it only helps me improve in the long run.
 
Do you have any new projects coming up? 
I don't have any huge projects coming up at the moment. I am focusing more on perfecting some of the smaller "behind the scenes" mechanics of my business to get things running just a little smoother :)

What do you do for fun/relaxation? 
We are lucky enough to live in the center of Montana, surrounded by mountains. My favorite way to spend the weekends is in the mountains in my camper, my boyfriend and the dogs. I can crochet and take in the fresh mountain air - nothing better! I also love to hunt, which is so accessible to us because of where we live. We are truly blessed!
 
What is the number one business goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
My number one goal for 2021 is expanding the amount of in-store places Hannah's Granny Crafts items are sold around the state and possibly beyond!
 
What would your book be about if you were to write one?
The adventures you can find in small-town Montana while running a business from it. I live in a town of 300-ish people, and I think many people think it's "boring." It is the farthest thing from that, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
  
What is the best way to connect with you?
I am most active on my Instagram account - @hannahsgrannycrafts. I am also on Facebook as Hannah's Granny Crafts, and you can check out my website hannahsgrannycrafts.com to find out more and look at items to purchase! So with that, I'll leave you with "Good Going" - a phrase Grammy says to me often. It means, "good luck, I'm in your corner rooting for you."

Placing a heating system on cars is as important as adding up an air-conditioner, especially in chilly weather. As a result, RV heating costs cheaper than on cold seasons than in normal days.
Here are the different types of heating systems for RVs:

Four Common Types of RV Heating System

Which of the four heating systems can keep your van warm – portable heaters, reverse-cycle air-conditioning, or gas or diesel heater?
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Portable heaters and air-cons demand extra work to get started. On the other hand, gas and diesel heaters are stand-alone systems to heat up RV interiors. Keep an eye on each type’s advantages and disadvantages to easily select which one is better. The sure thing is, no one is better than the other as the choice depends on your needs.

Reverse-Cycle Air-Conditioning
This option is a versatile way to keep your RV cool and dry at the same time. Most reverse-cycle air-conditioning is placed on the ceiling of a full-sized van. The installation process has all the accessories needed to be made available from the factory, like H-frame support. It can also be an all-round air-condition by its roof-top installation.
However, you should be extra careful with its pop-top design. The air-con unit has a harmful roof lifting mechanism that won’t lift extra weight during installation. Installing the unit with layout permitting, under a bed, or under seats could be an alternative. Allow extra space for route ducting and heated-air outlets.

One good thing with reverse-cycle air-conditioning is it can provide warmth overnight. Just set the temperature to your desired heat level and be ready to go. The air might become too dry that will cause irritation.
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Now, here are the downsides of air-conditioning you should be aware of:
●        Delivering heat in an RV starts after a few minutes, which is not ideal for most campers. Also, it is only compatible with 240v AC power.
●        Running the system can be noisy.
●        The need for a licensed electrician adds up the cost of installing the air-con unit.
●        You must look for a powered site before going on a trip to make use of the reverse-cycle air-conditioning.
●        A lithium power system is an expensive alternative to a power grid, hence adds up cost.
●        Using a generator is another option, but then again very costly. An air-con unit requires a 2.4kVa generator that may cost 2000 dollars.
●         It brings so much inconvenience for the campers.
As campers want to make things work faster, reverse-cycle air-conditioning is not ideal to break that chilly morning.

Gas Heater
Gas heaters are the best choice for heating large spaces since they operate quietly compared to other heating units.

To run the system, a 12V power must exist. It makes the fan and control unit function so well to create heat in your RV. Clean fuel is suitable for running the gas heater, which is accessible at home.

Gas heaters are both electricity and fuel-efficient in order to deliver heat in two weeks. Only a 9-kilogram bottle of clean fuel can last for weeks while drawing a low current. Remote areas charge higher costs in refilling the gas bottle than in cities. One is found in Australia’s Truma Vario Heat Eco, formerly Truma system.
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A gas heater must be installed by a licensed gas fitter to avoid leaks on the gas line. They follow regulations to safely fix the heating system to some RVs. Do not install a gas heater near the door, window, and other gas appliances for safety purposes.

Diesel Heater
The final caravan heater option is perfect for DIYers, with no need for licensed fitters. It is an efficient heating unit with a compact design. Diesel heaters work with 12V power and the same fuel for tow vehicles.

Proper installation will result in a quieter operation, as diesel heaters can be loud sometimes. Inlet silencer or exhaust muffler helps to reduce the noise of the pump, much better when it is insulated.

Having an extra diesel fuel during trips is advisable, together with a jerry in topping up the heater. Compared to gas fuel, diesel smells worse and can easily stain stuff. Heating performance may also be reduced by carbon deposits formed in the chamber. Running the system in the full heat of at least an hour helps to burn the deposits. Make sure the heater is set on high for long periods.

Periodic maintenance is necessary to enhance the features of the diesel heater. It includes cleaning the glow pin to remove the carbon deposits stuck in the chamber. In addition, replace the fuel filter and perform checkups on the exhaust lines at least two years in a row.
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Which Should I Choose?
Choosing the best air conditioning for caravans is crucial to match your trip essential on an RV. Better pick the system that fits your caravan needs as well as your budget. There are a lot of options you can find, so make sure to select the ones that passed quality standards.