Isaac interviews Southern Elegance Candle Company owner D’Shawn Russell about the rapid growth she’s experienced in her business in rural North Carolina, what keeps her moving and motivated, and how she approaches her day to day.

Episode 51: Assert Yourself - D'Shawn Russell's Tenacity and Focus

Your Handmade Business is a podcast for makers about the big picture of your business brought to you by the Academy of Handmade—helping you to do what you love and love what you do. Each episode we tackle an important (and sometimes uncomfortable) topic about running a handmade business and feature perspectives and experiences from Academy of Handmade members, as well as the greater maker community.

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Sharon and Isaac revisit the five predictions they made for 2018 to see how accurate they were, and make three predictions for the evolution of the maker economy and maker business in 2019.

Episode 55: Predictions Predictions

Isaac heads down the rabbit hole with Francesca Berrini of Unusual Cards and examines her 16 years in business along with the peculiar relationship she has with her customers as she vends primarily at weekend markets and craft fairs.

Episode 54: Getting Personal - Francesca Berrini’s Customer Insights

Is a maker business forever? Isaac speaks to Sierra Bailey, former owner of Manic Trout, about the decision to shut down her successful, 15-year-old jewelry business in response to physical and emotional symptoms of burnout.

Episode 53: Letting Go - Sierra Bailey Finds Freedom in Closing Manic Trout

Why is selling all about service, and how can we apply that to maker business? Sharon and Isaac dive into an old cheesy YouTube video about selling to tease out how you can maximize your sales tactics without being smarmy.

Episode 51: Assert Yourself - D'Shawn Russell's Tenacity and Focus

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