How To Be A Handmade Boss

By: Steph Cole-Lewis
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  • Summary

  • Whether you’re a complete beginner on Etsy, or want to scale your handmade business to multi-6 figures, the “How To Be A Handmade Boss” podcast gives you actionable advice and workshop style full length episodes to grow your handmade business on Etsy and beyond.

    We get it. Starting or growing a handmade business can be really overwhelming, and sometimes you feel like you have an expensive hobby rather than a profitable business. If you have questions like “How can I make sales in my business?” “How do I start a handmade shop?” “How can I make this passion my full-time gig?” or “How do I sell my crafts online” then you’re in the right place boss!

    I’m Steph, a multi 6-figure handmade business owner (in the top 0.1% of all shops on Etsy), bestselling author of “How to be a handmade boss”, visionary and coach behind Handmade Bosses.

    However, It wasn’t always rainbows and unicorns though. Today, my business(es) are bustling, but way back in 2014 when I started, it was HARD. Favourites but no sales, slow sales and low profits seemed in the beginning, like the trajectory of my business. Luckily following the system I’ve now curated, All of that changed and I went full-time in my handmade business in 2016.

    Let’s focus on turning your passion into profit, because the world really does need these special creations that you only bring to life.
    © 2025 How To Be A Handmade Boss
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Economics Leadership Marketing
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Episodes
  • #46 - Learn how HBSA student Laura turned her passion into a business

    #46 - Learn how HBSA student Laura turned her passion into a business
    Feb 19 2025

    👋 Welcome back to another episode of the How To Be A Handmade Boss podcast!

    🎨 In this episode, I chat with HBSA student and fantasy artist Laura, from The Daydream Emporium, who draws inspiration from the beauty of nature and the quirky creatures that inhabit it. We discuss Laura's creative journey, her unique approach to art, and how she turned her passion into a business after gaining her degree in Technical Arts and Special Effects and a masters degree in Children's Book Illustration.

    🎙️ Topics of conversation:

    • Laura's artistic process and the inspiration behind her "ugly fairies" and other whimsical creatures.
    • The challenges she faced in the commercial art world and how she found her own path.
    • The importance of finding your target audience and building a community around your work.
    • Tips for managing a handmade business while balancing family life.
    • Insights into the impact of the Handmade Boss Success Academy (HBSA) on Laura's business growth.

    Whether you're an aspiring artist or a seasoned handmade business owner, this episode is packed with motivation and practical advice to help you thrive in your creative endeavours.

    🔗 The Day Dream Emporium - Instagram

    🔗 The Day Dream Emporium - Etsy Shop

    💙 Your feedback is invaluable! Please take a moment to leave a review to help other creatives discover our community & learn alongside us.

    Does your branding suck? The NEW, FREE Brandathon challenge is our 1-week to a brand that makes your business magnetic 🧲

    A brand is just a logo & pretty fonts... right?! WRONG! ❌

    When people sell businesses, they aren't selling the email list, the inventory or the customer base it's built up.

    They're selling the BRAND ⭐

    Your business' worth & value is all in the brand.

    We're going to show how to create a magnetic brand people can't resist in ONE WEEK 💪

    Sign up here 👉 BRANDATHON

    ✨ Free resources: Want to make headway in your business but don't want to pay yet?

    ✨ Work with us for deeper transformative results

    ✨ I go live most Mondays on YouTube and my Facebook group with my mini workshops. See our events here

    Be sure to subscribe and follow us on IG for announcements of new videos, workshops, content & more.

    Love Steph & Team HB xox
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • #45 - Marketing has changed since 2020. Here's what's working now (backed by research)

    #45 - Marketing has changed since 2020. Here's what's working now (backed by research)
    Feb 12 2025

    📱 Marketing as we used to know it has changed! If you've noticed a decline in sales or you're struggling to connect with your audience, this episode is for you!

    🛍️ Steph discusses how the pandemic has change the shopping habits of our customers and why understanding your target audience is more crucial than ever. She highlights the importance of not competing solely on price and encourages handmade business owners to explore what they are truly selling beyond the physical product... dig into your USP (unique selling point).

    🚀 Steph illustrates how to identify the real benefits your products offers customers. Whether you're selling jewellery, art, or any handmade item, this we will help you redefine your marketing strategy and connect with your target audience on a more meaningful level.

    🔑 Key Takeaways:

    • The impact of changing consumer behaviour post-pandemic
    • Why competing on price can actually hurt your business
    • Understanding what you are really selling and why
    • Practical examples to help you identify the emotional benefits of your products
    • Actionable homework to dig deeper into your target audience

    🔗 Also mentioned in this podcast #22 Discover Your Target Audience: Tips for Online Handmade Business Owners

    💙 Your feedback is invaluable! Please take a moment to leave a review to help other creatives discover our community & learn alongside us.

    Does your branding suck? The NEW, FREE Brandathon challenge is our 1-week to a brand that makes your business magnetic 🧲

    A brand is just a logo & pretty fonts... right?! WRONG! ❌

    When people sell businesses, they aren't selling the email list, the inventory or the customer base it's built up.

    They're selling the BRAND ⭐

    Your business' worth & value is all in the brand.

    We're going to show how to create a magnetic brand people can't resist in ONE WEEK 💪

    Sign up here 👉 BRANDATHON

    ✨ Free resources: Want to make headway in your business but don't want to pay yet?

    ✨ Work with us for deeper transformative results

    ✨ I go live most Mondays on YouTube and my Facebook group with my mini workshops. See our events here

    Be sure to subscribe and follow us on IG for announcements of new videos, workshops, content & more.

    Love Steph & Team HB xox
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • #44 - The Communication Game: Should You Speak with 'We' or 'I'?

    #44 - The Communication Game: Should You Speak with 'We' or 'I'?
    Feb 5 2025

    🩵 In this episode Handmade Bosses founder, Steph, dives into the great "I vs. We" debate that many handmade business owners face.

    ❓ Should you present your brand as a solo handmade business or as a team? Steph shares talks about the pros and cons of using "I" versus "we," helping you decide which approach aligns best with your business.

    Join Steph as she discusses:

    • The importance of being authentic and building personal connections through your branding
    • How using "I" can build trust with your customers
    • The potential benefits of adopting "we" for a more professional image
    • Examples of handmade business owners and their branding choices
    • Tips for navigating the transition between "I" and "we" as your business grows

    👯 Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your handmade business, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you find your voice and connect with your target audience.

    💙 Don't forget to subscribe for more insights and strategies to turn your passion into profit!

    💙 Your feedback is invaluable! Please take a moment to leave a review to help other creatives discover our community & learn alongside us.

    Does your branding suck? The NEW, FREE Brandathon challenge is our 1-week to a brand that makes your business magnetic 🧲

    A brand is just a logo & pretty fonts... right?! WRONG! ❌

    When people sell businesses, they aren't selling the email list, the inventory or the customer base it's built up.

    They're selling the BRAND ⭐

    Your business' worth & value is all in the brand.

    We're going to show how to create a magnetic brand people can't resist in ONE WEEK 💪

    Sign up here 👉 BRANDATHON

    ✨ Free resources: Want to make headway in your business but don't want to pay yet?

    ✨ Work with us for deeper transformative results

    ✨ I go live most Mondays on YouTube and my Facebook group with my mini workshops. See our events here

    Be sure to subscribe and follow us on IG for announcements of new videos, workshops, content & more.

    Love Steph & Team HB xox
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins

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